Japanese client Colombia legal counsel
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is a US law firm with a location in Pereira, Colombia, and a cross-border practice that assists Japanese clients with legal matters involving Colombia. Whether you are a Japanese business expanding into the Colombian market, a Japanese national with family or property interests in Colombia, or a Japanese citizen facing a legal issue that touches both US and Colombian law, the firm provides coordinated counsel through its US-admitted attorneys and its Colombia-admitted Of Counsel. Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and managing attorney, is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and leads the US-law side of every engagement. For Colombian-law matters, the firm works with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar. To discuss your cross-border legal needs, contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
How a US law firm assists Japanese clients with Colombia legal matters
Japanese clients often need legal support that spans multiple jurisdictions. A US law firm with a location in Pereira, Colombia, and a network of Colombia-admitted Of Counsel can serve as a single point of coordination for matters that involve US law, Colombian law, or both. The firm’s US-admitted attorneys handle US-side issues—such as US immigration petitions, US business formation, or US litigation—while the Colombia-admitted Of Counsel addresses Colombian-law requirements, including Colombian corporate registration, Colombian family law, and Colombian immigration procedures. This division of labor ensures that each aspect of a matter is handled by an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction, consistent with applicable bar rules and the prohibition on unauthorized practice of law.
For a Japanese client, the firm’s structure offers several practical advantages. Communication is streamlined: the client works with a single firm that coordinates the US and Colombian legal work, rather than having to engage separate law firms in each country. The firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia, provides a physical presence for Colombian-law matters, while the US principal location in Virginia serves as the hub for US-law work. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience across US and Colombian practice areas, including cross-border business transactions, family law, and immigration. All consultations are by appointment only.
The role of US-admitted and Colombia-admitted counsel
Every cross-border engagement at Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is structured to respect the jurisdictional limits of each attorney’s license. Mr. Sris, admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, is the responsible US attorney for all US-law aspects of a matter. He may advise on US immigration options for Japanese nationals, US business structures for a Japanese company entering the US market, or US litigation strategy when a dispute has a US connection. He does not practice Colombian law.
For Colombian-law matters, the firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar. Mr. Duport Jaramillo’s role is limited to Colombian-law matters and to serving as a liaison for international clients with the firm’s US-admitted attorneys. He advises on Colombian corporate law, Colombian family law, Colombian immigration procedures, and other Colombian legal issues. The firm’s US-admitted attorneys and Mr. Duport Jaramillo work together to ensure that the client receives comprehensive counsel without any attorney practicing outside their licensed jurisdiction.
About Mr. Sris and the Colombia Of Counsel
Mr. Sris founded Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. in 1997. He is a former prosecutor and is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris has testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova), the bill that became the 2019 revision to Va. Code § 20-107.3(g). He leads the firm’s US-law practice and serves as the responsible attorney for all US-substantive content on sriscounsel.com.
Eric Duport Jaramillo is Of Counsel for Colombia matters at Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. He is admitted to practice law in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar. His practice with the firm is limited to matters of Colombian law and to serving as a liaison for international clients with the firm’s US-admitted attorneys. Mr. Duport Jaramillo’s background includes service as a former Minister Counselor at the Embassy of Colombia to the European Union and as Executive President of the Pereira Chamber of Commerce. He works from the firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia, and collaborates with Mr. Sris on cross-border engagements involving Colombian law.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer in Colombia if I am a Japanese citizen?
If your legal matter involves Colombian law—such as a business dispute in Colombia, a Colombian family law issue, or a Colombian immigration application—you will need a lawyer admitted to practice in Colombia. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. can assist by engaging its Colombia-admitted Of Counsel, Eric Duport Jaramillo, who handles Colombian-law matters. For any US-law aspects of your situation, the firm’s US-admitted attorneys, led by Mr. Sris, provide counsel. This coordinated approach ensures that you have qualified representation in both jurisdictions without having to retain separate law firms.
Can a US law firm help me with a business dispute in Colombia?
Yes, a US law firm with a Colombia-admitted Of Counsel can assist with a business dispute in Colombia by providing Colombian-law representation through its Of Counsel and US-law support where relevant. For example, if the dispute involves a contract governed by Colombian law, Mr. Duport Jaramillo would advise on Colombian contract law and litigation procedure. If the dispute also involves US parties or US assets, Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys would handle the US-law dimensions. The firm coordinates the two sides to present a unified strategy.
What if I need to enforce a US judgment in Colombia?
Enforcing a US judgment in Colombia requires a Colombian court proceeding, and the firm’s Colombia-admitted Of Counsel can handle that process. Colombian law has its own rules for recognizing and enforcing foreign judgments. Mr. Duport Jaramillo, admitted in Colombia, would advise on the requirements and represent you in Colombian court. The firm’s US-admitted attorneys can assist with obtaining the US judgment and preparing the necessary documentation. Because Colombia is not a party to any treaty that automatically recognizes US judgments, the enforcement process is governed by Colombian domestic law.
How do I get a visa for Colombia as a Japanese citizen?
Japanese citizens generally do not need a visa for short tourist or business visits to Colombia, but longer stays or work authorizations require a Colombian visa. The firm’s Colombia-admitted Of Counsel can advise on Colombian visa categories and assist with the application process through Colombian immigration authorities. For any US immigration needs—such as a US visa for a Japanese national who also has US interests—Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys provide counsel. The firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia, facilitates in-person consultations for Colombian immigration matters.
What about family law matters involving Colombia?
Family law matters that involve Colombia—such as divorce, child custody, or property division—may require both US and Colombian legal counsel. If you are a Japanese national married to a Colombian citizen, or if you own property in Colombia, the firm can assist. Mr. Sris handles any US family law aspects, while Mr. Duport Jaramillo addresses Colombian family law issues, including Colombian divorce proceedings, Colombian child custody determinations, and Colombian marital property regimes. The firm ensures that each attorney works within their licensed jurisdiction.
Can the firm help with US immigration for a Japanese client who also has Colombian ties?
Yes, the firm’s US-admitted attorneys can assist Japanese clients with US immigration matters, and the Colombia-admitted Of Counsel can address any Colombian immigration issues that arise in parallel. For example, a Japanese executive transferring from a Colombian subsidiary to a US parent company may need both a US work visa and advice on Colombian exit formalities. Mr. Sris leads the US immigration work, while Mr. Duport Jaramillo handles the Colombian side. The firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia, allows for convenient coordination.
How do I contact the firm from Japan?
You can reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. by calling (888) 437-7747. The firm’s intake line is available for international calls, and staff can assist in English and Spanish. For Japanese-language support, the firm can arrange interpretation services as needed. Consultations are by appointment only, and the firm can schedule virtual meetings to accommodate time zone differences between Japan, the US, and Colombia.
Does the firm have a physical location in Colombia?
Yes, Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. has a location in Pereira, Colombia, at Carrera 7 # 18-80, Oficina 606, Edificio Centro Financiero. This location is by appointment only and serves as the base for the firm’s Colombia-admitted Of Counsel, Eric Duport Jaramillo. The firm’s US principal location is in Virginia, and all US-law work is directed from the US. The Pereira location allows the firm to meet with clients in Colombia and to handle Colombian-law matters locally.
What types of Colombian legal matters can the firm handle?
The firm, through its Colombia-admitted Of Counsel, can assist with a wide range of Colombian legal matters, including corporate law, commercial contracts, family law, immigration, and civil litigation. Mr. Duport Jaramillo’s experience includes advising on Colombian business formation, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution. For any matter that also involves US law, Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys provide the US-side counsel. The firm does not practice criminal law in Colombia.
Is the firm’s Colombia Of Counsel admitted in the United States?
No. Eric Duport Jaramillo is admitted to practice law in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar. His practice with Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is limited to matters of Colombian law and to serving as a liaison for international clients with the firm’s US-admitted attorneys. All US-law aspects of any engagement are handled by Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys, who are licensed in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York.
How are fees structured for cross-border matters?
Fees vary depending on the complexity of the matter, the jurisdictions involved, and the scope of work required. The firm typically provides a fee estimate after an initial consultation. Because cross-border engagements may involve both US-admitted and Colombia-admitted attorneys, the firm coordinates billing so that the client receives a single, transparent fee arrangement. Contact the firm at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation and discuss your specific needs.
For guidance on related cross-border matters, contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.