This is the first in a 5-part series about what I see as the top 5 international business law trends in 2013. The first trend to watch out for in 2013 is the diminished role of location in global manufacturing. Look for Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and various players in East Africa to lead the pack of emerging contenders in the international … [Read more...]
How to Do Business with Panama. Start with the Free Trade Agreement.
There's never been a better time to do business in Panama. The same is also true for anyone in Panama seeking to do business with the U.S. Thanks in large part to the U.S.-Panama Trade Agreement that entered into force this week, we're about to see a huge surge in business activity between these two countries. In fact, I've been fielding more calls than ever from business … [Read more...]
How Brazilian Corn and a 19th Century Economist Ended the Outsourcing Debate.
At least that what the headlines should read following the Financial Times' recent articles, US buyers turn to Brazil for cheap corn and Brazil Looks to Best Ever Corn Exports. Allow me to explain. International business drives the global economy. Without it, the domestic economies of the world would collapse. The recent import of Brazilian corn into the U.S. is an … [Read more...]
Build Your Global Empire with these 5 Exporting Principles.
I had a conversation with a entrepreneur the other day. He was looking to launch a new business in the U.S. After speaking with him about his long-term goals for the business, it was clear that he had not considered that the international market presented virtually unlimited profit opportunities. It's easy understand why his growth objectives did not include an international … [Read more...]
Study: CEO ‘Overconfidence’ Drives International Mergers & Acquisitions.
Over at the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation, there’s a an interesting post about an extraordinary study published in the Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis. In the study, CEO Overconfidence and International Merger and Acquisition Activity, the authors use a sample of CEOs from Fortune Global 500 firms to examine how CEO … [Read more...]
U.S. Corporations Push for Passage of Law of the Sea Treaty.
Lobbyists for some of the world’s biggest multinational corporations met in Washington D.C. last week to steer members of the Foreign Relations Committee to vote in their favor on the Law of the Sea Treaty. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as it is formally known, sets rules for the use of marine natural resources. It was signed in 1982 and came … [Read more...]
Investment Treaty Arbitration. The Basics.
Our firm is currently handling a high stakes investment arbitration claim against a former Soviet republic. In a nutshell, our client's investment was unlawfully taken in the days after revolutionary forces took control of the government and established a new regime. The arbitration is currently underway pursuant to the investment treaty in force between the U.S. and the … [Read more...]
How to Import Profits Through Exports. A Primer.
There’s never been a better time to boost profits through exports. With the economy gaining traction, there’s been a marked increase in the number of U.S. companies looking to capture international markets through export sales. After all, there are billions of potential customers out there. Just yesterday I received a call from a Miami, Florid- based manufacturer wanting … [Read more...]
Video Interview: Discussing Kiobel v. British Dutch Petroleum with LXBN TV
Earlier today I had the opportunity to sit down with Colin O'Keefe of LXBN TV to discuss the recent changes in Kiobel v. British Dutch Petroleum Co., the Supreme Court case I wrote about last week. What came in as a case primarily about corporate "personhood" has now swung dramatically, as the Supreme Court now aims to determine whether or not the Alien Tort Claims Act can even … [Read more...]
How to Draft an International Franchise Agreement. The Basics.
I’m seeing a big increase in the number of international franchise agreements being reached here in Miami. I suspect it’s the same for other parts of the country. Given the recent stream of positive economic news, it’s not much of a surprise. As economies all over the world bounce back from the global financial crisis, U.S. companies are looking overseas to capture new … [Read more...]