SRIS PC law firm Virginia
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., founded in 1997, is a US law firm with an international clientele that includes businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals from Colombia seeking to establish or protect their brand and business identity in the United States. From our principal location in Virginia, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel network guide Colombian companies through the complexities of US trademark registration, corporate entity formation, and cross-border brand strategy. Whether you are launching a US subsidiary, securing federal trademark protection for your product, or structuring a joint venture with a US partner, the firm works to ensure that your intellectual property and corporate interests are properly positioned under US law. Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel·Colombia Practice, who is licensed in Colombia (not admitted in any US state bar) and whose practice with the firm is limited to matters of Colombian law and to serving as a liaison for international clients, helps bridge the cultural and regulatory differences. For an appointment at our Virginia location, reach us at (888) 437-7747.
US Brand & Entity Services Tailored for Colombian Enterprises
For a Colombian company, entering the US market involves decisions that carry long-term consequences. The US trademark system, administered by the US Patent and Trademark Office, grants nationwide priority based on first use in commerce or federal registration. A well-chosen mark and a properly filed application can prevent competitors from using a confusingly similar name. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. advises Colombian clients on the full lifecycle of US brand protection — from conducting clearance searches and preparing specimens of use to responding to Office Actions and maintaining registrations. On the entity side, the choice between a Delaware corporation, a Virginia LLC, or another structure turns on tax, liability, and operational factors. We help Colombian founders and investors select the entity type that aligns with their business goals and cross-border capital flows.
Because Colombian legal concepts and business customs occasionally differ from US practices, Eric Duport Jaramillo — licensed in Colombia, not admitted in any US state bar, and whose role is limited to Colombian law matters and liaison functions — works alongside Mr. Sris to ensure that the client’s Colombian-side considerations are reflected in the US strategy. This collaboration maintains strict jurisdictional separation: Mr. Sris and other US-licensed attorneys in the firm handle the substantive US law work, while Colombian law questions are addressed through Mr. Duport Jaramillo or, when appropriate, through an attorney admitted by the Consejo Superior de la Judicatura.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should a Colombian business register a US trademark?
A US trademark registration gives the owner exclusive rights to use the mark nationwide and creates a public record that can deter imitation. For a Colombian exporter or online seller, federal registration with the USPTO enables enforcement of the mark in federal court and provides a basis for stopping counterfeit goods at the border through US Customs and Border Protection. Without registration, common-law rights may exist only in the limited geographic area where the mark is actually used.
What type of US business entity is most suitable for a Colombian company?
The appropriate entity depends on the business’s ownership, tax structure, and liability goals. Many Colombian companies choose a limited liability company (LLC) because it offers pass-through taxation and management flexibility; others form a corporation to attract US investors or issue equity. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. evaluates the Colombian parent’s tax status under the US-Colombia tax treaty and the Colombian foreign exchange regime before recommending a structure.
Does SRIS handle the Colombian side of the transaction?
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is a US law firm; Colombian law matters are handled by independent Of Counsel attorneys licensed in Colombia. Eric Duport Jaramillo, our Of Counsel for Colombia Practice, is licensed in Colombia (not admitted in any US state bar) and confines his work to matters of Colombian law and to liaison services between the firm and Colombian-based clients. For representation before Colombian authorities, you may engage Colombian counsel through our network or independently.
How does the Hague Apostille Convention apply to US-Colombia documents?
The 1961 Hague Apostille Convention simplifies the authentication of public documents between the two countries. Because both the United States and Colombia are contracting parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, a document issued by a US authority — such as a certificate of incorporation or a trademark registration certificate — can be authenticated for use in Colombia by obtaining an apostille from the competent authority in the issuing state. This avoids the longer chain-legalization process that would otherwise be necessary.
Can SRIS assist with a US visa for a Colombian business owner?
The firm’s US immigration practice, led by Mr. Sris, can evaluate visa options for Colombian entrepreneurs and investors. Common pathways include the E-2 treaty investor visa (for nationals of countries with a qualifying treaty, though Colombia’s E-2 eligibility should be verified as of the application date), L-1 intra-company transferee, and EB-5 immigrant investor program. Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor admitted in five US jurisdictions, oversees the US-side immigration work; Bibiana A. Moncada Aristizabal, Of Counsel·Colombia Practice, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar, serves as a liaison, drawing on her former experience as a Senior Visa Specialist at the US Embassy in Bogotá.
What is the difference between a US trademark and a Colombian trademark?
A US trademark is granted by the USPTO and applies only within the United States, while a Colombian trademark is administered by the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) and protects the mark in Colombia. There is no worldwide trademark; a business that wants protection in both countries must file separate applications. The firm can handle the US application and coordinate with Colombian-licensed counsel for the corresponding Colombian registration.
How long does it take to form a US entity?
The time to form a US entity varies by state and filing method. For example, the Virginia State Corporation Commission often processes online LLC filings within a few business days, while completion of the corporate organizational process — including obtaining an EIN, drafting an operating agreement, and opening a bank account — typically takes longer. The firm provides estimated timelines based on the specific state of formation and the client’s readiness.
Is an in-person visit required to form a US company?
No, US entity formation can generally be completed remotely. Colombian clients can form a Virginia LLC or corporation without traveling to the United States. The firm handles document preparation, electronic filing, and mail forwarding; consultations are conducted by phone or video conference. Our location in Pereira, Colombia, staffed by appointment only, also allows for in-person discussions with the Colombia liaison when local presence is helpful.
Can a Colombian citizen own a US business?
Yes, Colombian individuals and companies can own and operate a US business, subject to certain tax and regulatory requirements. There is no general prohibition on foreign ownership of a US entity. However, selecting the correct tax classification and complying with US reporting obligations — such as filing Form BE-12 if required by the Bureau of Economic Analysis — are critical to avoid penalties. The firm works with US-admitted tax professionals to address these obligations.
Does the firm have experience with Colombian clients?
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. has cultivated an international clientele since its founding in 1997, and Colombian professionals, investors, and families regularly seek our US-law services. Eric Duport Jaramillo, licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar, provides cultural and legal context, while Mr. Sris and other US-admitted attorneys at the firm ensure that the work complies with applicable US regulations.
What is the role of a “liaison” for Colombian matters?
The liaison, always a Colombian-licensed attorney who is not admitted in the US, helps coordinate communication, clarify Colombian legal concepts, and identify issues that may arise under Colombian law. The liaison does not practice US law, advise on US substantive matters, or appear before any US tribunal. All US legal work remains the responsibility of Mr. Sris or another US-admitted attorney in the firm.
How are fees structured for brand and entity services?
Fees vary by the scope of the engagement and the type of matter. Trademark applications are typically handled on a flat-fee basis that includes a clearance search and preparation of the application; entity formation fees are also quoted flat after an initial consultation. For cross-border transactions that involve both US and Colombian law, separate fee arrangements are made with the US-licensed team and with any Colombian-licensed Of Counsel or independent Colombian attorney the client retains.
Can the firm enforce a US trademark against an infringer in Colombia?
A US trademark registration does not directly provide enforcement rights in Colombia. To stop infringing activity in Colombia, the trademark owner must rely on a Colombian registration and Colombian legal process. The firm can coordinate with licensed Colombian counsel who handle litigation before the SIC and Colombian courts. In the US, however, the firm can take action in federal court or at the International Trade Commission if infringing goods are imported.
About Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel Network
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., founded the firm in 1997 and is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. A former prosecutor, Mr. Sris leads the firm’s cross-border corporate and brand-protection practice. He directs the US-law aspects of trademark prosecutions, entity formations, and transnational commercial agreements for Colombian clients. His legislative work includes testifying before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova).
For Colombian matters, the firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel·Colombia Practice. Mr. Duport Jaramillo is licensed in Colombia and is not admitted to practice law in any US state; his work with the firm is limited to matters of Colombian law and to serving as a liaison for international clients with US-licensed attorneys at the firm. His background — former Minister Counselor at the Embassy of Colombia to the European Union and former Executive President of the Pereira Chamber of Commerce — gives him an institutional understanding that benefits US-bound Colombian entrepreneurs. All US substantive advice remains the province of Mr. Sris and other US-admitted firm attorneys.
Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results may vary. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Attorney responsible for this advertising in the State of New Jersey: Atchuthan Sriskandarajah, Esq. Attorney responsible for this content: Mr. Sris (admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York). Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is a US law firm. Foreign attorneys collaborating with the firm are not admitted to the practice of law in any US state and their work is limited to matters of foreign law and to liaison roles with US-licensed attorneys. No attorney in the firm or its Of Counsel network practices law in a jurisdiction where they are not admitted. This page is general information and does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal advice, consult an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.