Saudi investor counsel for Colombia
Saudi Arabian investors entering the Colombian market face a complex intersection of US and Colombian law. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., a US law firm founded in 1997, provides Saudi investor counsel that addresses the US-side legal risks — Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) compliance, OFAC sanctions screening, and cross-border transaction structuring — while coordinating with Colombian-admitted Of Counsel to ensure that Colombian corporate, tax, and foreign investment law is properly handled. Whether you are forming a Colombian subsidiary, acquiring local assets, or structuring an international joint venture, the firm’s dual-jurisdiction model keeps both legal systems aligned. For a consultation on your cross-border investment needs, reach the firm at (888) 437-7747.
What This Cross-Border Practice Area Covers
A Saudi investor looking to enter Colombia must navigate both Colombian domestic regulation and US extraterritorial statutes that apply to international business activities. The practice area covers the full lifecycle of a cross-border investment: from initial due diligence and entity formation under Colombian corporate law to ongoing compliance with US anti-corruption, sanctions, tax, and reporting obligations. Key frameworks include:
- Colombian foreign investment regime: registration with Banco de la República, sector-specific restrictions, and investment incentives under ProColombia.
- FCPA Anti-Bribery provisions: 15 U.S.C. § 78dd-1 et seq. applies to US-connected transactions; Saudi investors dealing with US banks, intermediaries, or contracts can trigger FCPA jurisdiction.
- OFAC sanctions: US sanctions programs change frequently; OFAC screening and licensing must be current (as of 2024).
- Hague Apostille Convention: Both Saudi Arabia (acceded 2022) and Colombia are contracting parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, simplifying document authentication for corporate records, powers of attorney, and investment instruments.
- US-Colombia Tax Treaty: The two countries have a bilateral tax treaty that can reduce withholding rates and affect investment structuring.
Because US law can attach even when the primary investment vehicle is Colombian, Saudi investors benefit from counsel that understands both sides of the transaction. The firm helps clients structure deals to minimize US legal exposure while protecting their investment under Colombian law.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Network Handle These Matters
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. brings US legal capability to Saudi investor transactions, while Colombian legal issues are handled by a licensed Colombian Of Counsel who works with the firm. Mr. Sriskandarajah, the firm’s founder and a former prosecutor, is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His team conducts the FCPA and sanctions analysis, reviews US tax implications, and serves as the responsible US attorney for the engagement. For Colombian law — the incorporation of a Colombian sociedad, immigration applications for Saudi executives, real estate acquisitions, or local regulatory approvals — the firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel. Mr. Duport Jaramillo is licensed to practice law in Colombia; he 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 US-licensed attorneys at the firm.
The collaboration works on a matter-by-matter basis: the US team identifies the points where US law touches the deal, while Mr. Duport Jaramillo or another Colombian-admitted attorney handles the Colombian-side work. The firm maintains a location in Pereira, Colombia, by appointment only, allowing face-to-face access for clients visiting the Coffee Axis region. This arrangement ensures that a Saudi investor gets integrated counsel without any lawyer practicing in a jurisdiction where they are not licensed.
About Mr. Sris and the Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. Of Counsel Network
Atchuthan Sriskandarajah, Esq. (“Mr. Sris”) owns and manages Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. Formerly a prosecutor, he founded the firm in 1997. Mr. Sris has testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova), which became the 2019 revision to Va. Code § 20-107.3(g). He is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His practice concentrates on cross-border legal issues, US immigration law, and the intersection of US regulatory enforcement with foreign investment.
The firm’s Of Counsel network includes Eric Duport Jaramillo, who leads the Colombia practice. Mr. Duport Jaramillo previously served as Minister Counselor at the Embassy of Colombia to the European Union and as Executive President of the Pereira Chamber of Commerce. He holds a law degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and is fluent in Spanish, English, and French. Together, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience to cross-border engagements, always respecting the jurisdictional boundaries of their respective licenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What US anti-corruption laws apply to a Saudi investor doing business in Colombia?
The FCPA’s anti-bribery provisions can apply to Saudi investors whenever a US territorial or nationality connection exists. The FCPA, 15 U.S.C. § 78dd-1 (issuers), § 78dd-2 (domestic concerns), and § 78dd-3 (foreign persons acting within US territory), prohibits bribery of foreign officials. A Saudi investor who uses US dollar accounts, passes through a US financial institution, or hires a US-based intermediary may be subject to FCPA jurisdiction. The firm conducts a jurisdictional analysis and, where applicable, helps design compliance protocols to mitigate FCPA risk. Separate Colombian anti-corruption statutes (Ley 1474 de 2011) also apply, and the firm coordinates with Colombian-licensed counsel to address them.
Do I need a Colombian-licensed lawyer to establish a business in Colombia?
Yes — forming a Colombian company, obtaining local permits, and complying with Colombian tax and labor law require the involvement of a lawyer admitted by the Consejo Superior de la Judicatura. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. does not itself provide Colombian legal advice; instead, we collaborate with Eric Duport Jaramillo or another Colombian-admitted attorney. That attorney handles the incorporation, local registrations, and Colombian regulatory filings, while our US-licensed attorneys manage the US-law implications of the investment. This division ensures that every aspect of the deal receives competent counsel without any unauthorized practice of law.
How can the Hague Apostille Convention help with Saudi-Colombia document authentication?
Because both Saudi Arabia and Colombia are contracting parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, a Saudi-issued public document can be authenticated with a single Colombian apostille — eliminating the chain-legalization process. This streamlines the legalisation of corporate extracts, powers of attorney, and shareholder resolutions needed for investment transactions. A Saudi-issued document is apostilled by the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or its designated authority), and the apostille is then recognised by Colombian authorities without further consular legalisation. The firm verifies current signatory status before relying on the convention; as of 2024, both countries are effective participants.
What is the advantage of working with a US-based firm instead of a local Colombian firm for Saudi investment into Colombia?
A Saudi investor gains integrated US-Colombian counsel — the US firm oversees the American legal framework (FCPA, OFAC, US tax) while coordinating with the Colombian lawyer who handles local law. Many Saudi investment structures involve US holding companies, US-based lenders, or US-dollar settlements; US legal risk attaches even when the ultimate investment is in Colombia. By engaging Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., the investor has a single point of contact for US-law issues and a direct bridge to licensed Colombian counsel. There is no duplication of work, and the jurisdictional lines are clear.
Can Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. represent me directly before Colombian government agencies?
No — the firm’s US-licensed attorneys cannot appear before Colombian agencies or courts. Colombian regulatory representation must be provided by a Colombian-licensed attorney. The firm facilitates that representation by working with Mr. Duport Jaramillo or another Colombian Of Counsel, who can appear before DIAN, the Superintendencia de Sociedades, or the Registro Mercantil as required. Mr. Sris remains responsible for the US-side advice and for ensuring that the overall engagement complies with applicable bar rules in all involved jurisdictions.