"Our door is always open!"

In immigration, one size does not fit all. Through licensed immigration lawyers and experienced staff, we help you explore different alternatives for your immigration needs and determine the best option. We accompany you throughout the entire process.

Our focus

1. Treaty Investors Visas: We specialize in guiding individuals and businesses through the visa application process. Our team will assess your eligibility, prepare the necessary documentation, and provide expert guidance for successful visa acquisition, allowing you to engage in substantial trade between the U.S. and your home country. Also, we offer dedicated assistance to foreign investors and nationals of a treaty country, seeking to establish or expand their businesses in the United States. Our expertise ensures that your investment complies with visa requirements, facilitating your journey toward entrepreneurial success.

2. Extraordinary Abilities Visa: Our visa services are directed to support individuals who have Advanced Degree, or Exceptional Abilities in certain fields or qualify for a National Interest Waiver and who are looking for a brighter professional and personal future in the United States. We focus on your process and tailor a strong strategy that highlights your unique abilities while assessing your eligibility and exploring your options and keeping you informed along the way.

3. Intracompany Transferee Visa: These services are designed to assist multinational companies in transferring employees to U.S. offices. Whether you're an executive, manager, or specialized knowledge employee, we ensure your visa application is meticulously prepared, facilitating your temporary work assignment in the United States.

With us, you will find:

• Experience: Our team boasts years of experience in immigration law, specifically in employment-based visas. We have a proven track record of success in helping individuals and businesses achieve their U.S. immigration goals.
• Personalized Service: We understand that each case is unique. Our attorneys work closely with clients to develop tailored strategies that align with their specific circumstances and objectives.
• Legal Expertise: We stay abreast of evolving immigration regulations, ensuring that our clients receive the most up-to-date advice and representation throughout the immigration process.
• Efficiency: We are committed to streamlining the immigration process for our clients. We prioritize efficiency without compromising the quality of our services.
• Client Support: We provide ongoing support and clear communication at every step of the immigration journey. Our clients can rely on us for guidance and answers to their questions.

Embark on your immigration journey to the United States with confidence. Our firm is here to be your trusted partner, guiding you through the intricacies of employment-based visas. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward realizing your American dream.

Consultants

Katia Rocha

Partner

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[email protected]

Arielle Barreto

Lawyer

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[email protected]

Luisa Gamboa

Partner

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Margarita Gonzalez

Lawyer

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Our External In-House Counsel service helps US companies that want legal guidance to enter or operate their business in the Latin American and the Caribbean region by reducing the cost of legal services, freeing up time to focus on the core business, and receiving white-glove service and advice from the multi-cultural SOMOS team that breaks language and cultural barriers.

You’ll find that our services play a crucial role in navigating the complex legal landscape of the region. Here's a description of what these services entail:

1. Legal Expertise: we offer specialized knowledge and expertise in both US and Latin American laws and regulations. We possess a deep understanding of the legal systems, business practices, cultural nuances, and local customs in various Latin American countries.
2. Entering or Expanding the Market: Whether you choose expanding your operations in Latin America selling directly or through a distribution channel, by engaging in mergers, acquisitions, or joint ventures, we will accompany you in designing, adopting, and implementing the selling model of your preference. We will provide guidance throughout the entire process, including due diligence, transaction structuring, negotiations, regulatory approvals, and post-transaction integration.
3. Regulatory Compliance: US entities operating in Latin America must comply with a multitude of laws and regulations at both the national and local levels. We help ensure compliance with these regulations, covering areas such as foreign investment, labor and employment, taxation, intellectual property, contract law, competition law, and more.
4. Contract Drafting and Review: When conducting business in Latin America, US entities often need to negotiate, draft, and review contracts with local partners, suppliers, customers, or other stakeholders. We assist in drafting contracts that align with your strategy and the applicable laws while protecting your interests.
5. Intellectual Property Protection: Intellectual property (IP) rights are crucial for US entities operating in Latin America. We aid in securing and enforcing IP rights, including trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets, by assisting with registrations, monitoring, and addressing any infringement issues.
6. Local Representation: When and as needed, we’ll retain local professionals who possess in-depth knowledge of the specific legal matters, and we’ll manage the relationship and the cost associated with these engagements.
7. Dispute Resolution: In the event of a legal dispute or conflict, we can assist with alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as negotiation, mediation, or arbitration, working towards a favorable resolution, avoiding protracted litigation processes.

Overall, external in-house legal services we offer provide valuable legal support, helping ensure compliance, mitigate risks, protect intellectual property, and facilitate successful operations in a complex and diverse legal environment.

Consultants

Luisa Gamboa

Partner

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[email protected]

Katia Rocha

Partner

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[email protected]

Julieta Piedrafita

Lawyer

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[email protected]

Arielle Barreto

Lawyer

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[email protected]

Margarita Gonzalez

Lawyer

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[email protected]

Raul Cardenas

OF-Counsel

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[email protected]

Our legal services help people who want to Invest in, Return to, or Retire in Colombia to live their best life by counting on the support of seasoned bi-national lawyers who will be your trusty guides, safeguarding your hard-earned assets and unveiling the secrets to maximizing your life achievements.

Here's a more focused description of the services that our firm provides to support you in achieving your goals in Colombia:

1. Investment Advisory Services:
   • Assisting individuals conducting due diligence on investment options, including real estate, businesses, and financial instruments.
   • Advising on exchange control, investment and tax regulations.
2. Immigration and Visa Services:
   • Guiding clients through the visa and immigration processes to facilitate their return to or relocation to Colombia.
   • Assisting with the application for visas and ensuring compliance with Colombian immigration laws.
3. Asset Protection and Estate Planning:
   • Developing comprehensive strategies for safeguarding clients' assets in Colombia.
   • Advising on estate planning, wills, and trusts to protect and transfer wealth efficiently.
   • Handling legal matters related to property ownership and succession planning.
4. Retirement Planning:
   • Providing personalized retirement planning advice tailored to Colombia's legal and financial landscape.
   • Maximizing retirement income and benefits for clients residing in Colombia.
   • Addressing tax considerations for retirees.
5. Real Estate Transactions:
   • Assisting with property purchases and sales, including negotiation, documentation, and title verification.
   • Advising on real estate investment strategies.
6. Tax and Financial Compliance:
   • Ensuring clients' compliance with Colombian tax laws and regulations.
   • Advising on tax optimization strategies for investors and retirees.
   • Handling tax consultations about reporting and filing requirements.
7. Cross-Cultural Guidance:
   • Providing cultural insights and practical advice for clients transitioning to life in Colombia.
   • Assisting with language and cultural barriers.
   • Navigating local customs and traditions.
8. Business and Legal Support:
   • Assisting clients in setting up businesses or investments in Colombia.
   • Providing ongoing legal support for business operations.
   • Handling regulatory compliance matters.

In this context, our goal is to empower you to make significant life changes in Colombia by offering comprehensive legal and advisory services. These services are designed to help you make informed decisions, protect your assets, and achieve your personal and financial goals in Colombia with the support of experienced Colombian-American lawyers.

Consultants

Luisa Gamboa

Partner

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[email protected]

In the intricate landscape of compliance, anti-corruption, and investigations, we emerge as your stalwart ally, offering you tailored solutions to navigate complex regulatory terrains. From crafting robust compliance programs to conducting due diligence and supporting management in M&A transactions, we are your trusted partner in safeguarding businesses from legal and reputational risks.

We support our client’s compliance needs with:

• Compliance Programs. We assist in the entire process to develop and implement a compliance program. Our services include risk analysis, drafting codes, policies and procedures, developing and delivering training.
• Third Party Due Diligence Questionnaires. We advise on (a) the design of third-party due diligence questionnaires for the onboarding of high-risk vendors or other third parties, depending on the industry and (b) the completion of the compliance onboarding process requested by third parties.
• Third-party on-boarding process. We assist in the selection process of high-risk vendors (i.e., customs agents) or other third parties, including the design of contractual terms tailored to mitigate potential compliance risks posed by high-risk third parties (money laundering, bribery and corruption, sanctions, fraud, etc.).
• Sanity check on Compliance Programs. We design and implement high level health check audits to test the status of compliance programs already implemented and design actions to remediate gaps identified.
• Sanity check on General Corporate Obligations. We design and implement high level health check audits to monitor compliance status of general corporate obligations.
• Anti-corruption and anti money laundering risk assessment. We assist in the evaluation of business actions to assess potential risks from an anti-corruption and anti money laundering perspective (i.e., gifts to public officials, interactions with public officials).
• Anti-corruption and anti money laundering contractual provisions. Somos is experienced in designing sophisticated anti-corruption contractual provisions for high-risk operations.

Support to our clients’ Management team with:

• M&A Due Diligence. We assist the board or senior management in conducting compliance due diligence, including advice in related M&A transactions documents and post-closing activities.
• Corporate Investigations. Planning and developing corporate internal investigations and designing crisis management strategies to minimize legal, reputational, and regulatory risks and implementing remediation actions, including advising on investigations conducted by the authorities.

Consultants

Gonzalo Marquez

Lawyer

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[email protected]