Santa Marta law firm for foreign clients
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is a US law firm founded in 1997 that assists foreign clients with legal matters connected to Santa Marta, Colombia. The firm’s US-admitted attorneys, led by Mr. Sris, handle the US-law side of cross-border issues, while the firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar, for Colombian-law matters. Atchuthan Sriskandarajah, Esq. is the principal attorney and founder of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., admitted to practice law in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. For Colombia-law matters, the firm works with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar; that role is limited to Colombia-law matters in collaboration with the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. All US-law aspects are handled by Mr. Sris and the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. Whether you need US immigration guidance, cross-border family law support, or assistance with a business transaction that touches both countries, the firm provides coordinated counsel.
How Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. Assists Foreign Clients with Legal Matters in Santa Marta, Colombia
Foreign clients with interests in Santa Marta often face legal questions that span two legal systems. A US citizen purchasing property in Santa Marta, for example, must navigate Colombian real estate law while also addressing US tax and reporting obligations. A Colombian national seeking a US visa needs both US immigration counsel and an understanding of how Colombian documentation requirements interact with the US process. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. bridges that gap by pairing its US-licensed attorneys with a Colombia-licensed Of Counsel. The firm’s US attorneys handle all US-law aspects—immigration petitions, cross-border contracts governed by US law, and US regulatory compliance—while Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, provides Colombian-law support and serves as a liaison for clients dealing with Colombian institutions. This structure ensures that each side of a matter is handled by an attorney admitted in the relevant jurisdiction, without any unauthorized practice of law.
The firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia (by appointment only) serves as a point of contact for clients in the region, but the substantive legal work is performed by the appropriate licensed attorney. For a foreign client in Santa Marta, the engagement typically begins with a consultation to identify which legal issues are US-law matters and which are Colombian-law matters. The firm then coordinates the work, with Mr. Sris or another US-admitted attorney taking the lead on the US side and Mr. Duport Jaramillo advising on Colombian law. This collaborative model allows the firm to assist with a wide range of cross-border needs, from US visa applications for Colombian family members to the US legal implications of a Colombian business venture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of legal matters can a US law firm handle for foreign clients in Santa Marta?
A US law firm can handle any matter governed by US federal or state law, even when the client or the subject matter is located in Santa Marta. Common examples include US immigration petitions for Colombian nationals, cross-border family law issues such as divorce or child custody when one party resides in the US, US tax compliance for Americans living in Colombia, and US business formation or contract disputes with a Colombian counterparty. For the Colombian-law side of these matters, the firm engages its Colombia-licensed Of Counsel, ensuring that local legal requirements are met without any US attorney practicing Colombian law.
Do I need a Colombian attorney for legal issues in Santa Marta?
Yes, any matter governed by Colombian law—such as real estate transactions, local business registration, or Colombian family law—requires a Colombian-licensed attorney. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. does not practice Colombian law directly. Instead, the firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is admitted to the Colombian bar. He handles the Colombian-law aspects of a matter, while the firm’s US-admitted attorneys handle the US-law side. This division ensures compliance with both countries’ professional conduct rules.
How does the firm’s collaboration with a Colombian Of Counsel work?
The firm identifies which parts of your matter involve US law and which involve Colombian law, then assigns each part to the appropriately licensed attorney. Mr. Sris or another US-admitted attorney manages the US-law work—drafting US contracts, preparing immigration filings, or advising on US regulatory issues. Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, provides Colombian-law advice and may communicate with Colombian authorities or counterparties. The two sides coordinate as needed, but each attorney stays within the bounds of their licensure. The client benefits from integrated counsel without any unauthorized practice of law.
Can the firm help with US immigration matters for someone in Santa Marta?
Yes, the firm’s US-admitted attorneys can represent clients in Santa Marta on US immigration matters before USCIS, the Department of State, and US consular posts. Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-licensed attorneys serve as attorneys of record on US immigration cases. Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, can assist as a liaison, drawing on his knowledge of Colombian documentation and his experience with Colombian institutions, but he does not provide US legal advice. The firm’s Pereira location (by appointment only) offers a convenient point of contact for clients in the region.
What should I bring to a consultation about a cross-border legal matter?
Bring any documents that relate to both the US and Colombian sides of your matter, such as contracts, identification, marriage certificates, or prior court orders. For US immigration matters, also bring passport copies, visa records, and any correspondence from USCIS or a US consulate. For Colombian-law issues, Mr. Duport Jaramillo will advise on the specific Colombian documents needed. The initial consultation helps the firm determine which legal issues are US-law matters and which require Colombian counsel, so the more information you provide, the more efficient the process will be.
How do I engage the firm for a matter involving both US and Colombian law?
Contact the firm at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation. During the consultation, the firm will assess your situation and explain how the US and Colombian legal components will be handled. If the matter proceeds, you will sign an engagement letter with Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. for the US-law services, and a separate arrangement will be made for the Colombian-law services through Mr. Duport Jaramillo. This structure maintains the independence of each attorney and complies with the professional rules of both jurisdictions.
Is the firm’s Pereira location open to walk-in clients?
No, all firm locations, including the Pereira location, are by appointment only. To meet with an attorney or to discuss a matter, you must schedule an appointment in advance by calling (888) 437-7747. The Pereira location serves as a meeting space for clients in the region and is not a walk-in office. Appointments can be arranged for consultations with either the US-admitted attorneys or the Colombia-licensed Of Counsel, depending on the nature of your legal needs.
What languages are spoken at the firm for Colombian matters?
The firm offers services in English and Spanish for Colombian-related matters. Mr. Sris and the US-admitted attorneys communicate in English, while Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, is a native Spanish speaker and also fluent in English and French. This bilingual capability ensures that clients can discuss their legal issues in the language they are most comfortable with, and that documents in Spanish can be reviewed and explained accurately.
How does the firm charge for cross-border legal services?
Fees vary by case and jurisdiction; the firm will provide a clear fee arrangement during the initial consultation. Because cross-border matters involve two sets of legal services—US-law work by the firm’s US-admitted attorneys and Colombian-law work by the Of Counsel—the fee structure will be explained separately for each component. There are no hidden costs, and the firm will discuss the anticipated scope and cost before any work begins. Contact (888) 437-7747 to discuss your specific situation.
Can the firm assist with business formation in Colombia for a US company?
The firm can assist with the US legal aspects of a US company’s expansion into Colombia, but the Colombian-law side—such as incorporating a Colombian subsidiary—must be handled by a Colombian-licensed attorney. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. can advise on US tax implications, US regulatory compliance, and cross-border contracts governed by US law. For the Colombian corporate formation and local compliance, the firm will engage Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is licensed in Colombia. This division ensures that both US and Colombian legal requirements are properly addressed.
What is the difference between a US attorney and a Colombian Of Counsel?
A US attorney is licensed to practice law in one or more US states and can handle US federal and state legal matters. A Colombian Of Counsel is licensed in Colombia and handles Colombian-law matters. At Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., Mr. Sris and the other US-admitted attorneys are licensed in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, is licensed in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar. He works with the firm on Colombian-law issues and serves as a liaison, but he does not practice US law. This distinction is critical to avoid unauthorized practice of law and to ensure that each legal issue is handled by a qualified professional.
How do I contact the firm about a legal issue in Santa Marta?
Call (888) 437-7747 to speak with a representative about your cross-border legal matter. The firm’s intake team can answer initial questions in English or Spanish and schedule a consultation with the appropriate attorney. Whether your matter is primarily a US-law issue with a Colombian connection or a Colombian-law issue that requires US-side coordination, the firm will explain how it can help and what the next steps are. All consultations are by appointment only.
About Mr. Sris and the Of Counsel Network
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He founded the firm in 1997 and has built a cross-border practice that serves international clients with US legal needs. For matters involving Colombian law, the firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is licensed 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 clients dealing with Colombian institutions. Together, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience to cross-border matters, ensuring that each side of a case is handled by an attorney with the proper licensure and experience.