Its incredible how every business discussion these days centers on China. While the U.S. and Europe struggle to get things moving, China continues to dominate the world's leading economic indicators. GNP. check. GDP. check. FDI. check. As more U.S. companies shift production to China, competitive forces have upped the ante for businesses to deliver the best price … [Read more...]
Official World Holidays for 2010 (Cajun Nation Included)
Because my international practice involves working with folks all over the world, I keep a keen eye on world holidays and do my best to schedule my work around them. This is one of the best ways I can show my respect for other cultures. The folks overseas always appreciate the extra attention to detail and you will be amazed how far this will take you in building long … [Read more...]
The Ultimate Hidden Fee: U.S. Based Multinational Companies Face $122 Billion Tax Burden Under Proposed Bill
And Why Relocating to Switzerland May be the Best Corporate Strategy There’s nothing more annoying than finding hidden fees buried deep inside obtuse and mangled contract language. The only thing worse than finding hidden fees is learning about these punishing provisions from someone else—after you’ve signed the agreement. If you thought hidden fees … [Read more...]
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes: SEC Switches Position and Issues Disclosure Guidance on Material Risks Impacting International Climate Change Accords.
SEC Wants to Know: Is Your Carbon Footprint a "Material Risk" to International Climate Change Agreements? Climate Change is a red hot area right now and is a top priority of discussion this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. It seems that everyone is throwing their hat into the ring in one way or another. Now the Securities and … [Read more...]
7 Ways to Bulletproof Your International Arbitration Agreement
As an international business attorney, a focal point of my practice involves advising clients how to best handle cross-border disputes. The most effective mechanism by far in resolving international dispute is international arbitration. Why? International arbitration levels the playing field by taking away the home court advantage of parties on either side of a … [Read more...]
The BRICfast Club: A Series of Posts Dedicated to Brazil, Russia, India and China (Part I)
Hey Brazil--Take Your Time With Those BITs, I Can Get Them Somewhere Else! Today we’re launching the first in a series of posts on the BRIC countries in a fast, quick read format. While the late John Hughes would have appreciated the titular tribute to his Breakfast Club classic, the series is meant to stimulate a robust discussion among those interested in … [Read more...]
The Great Firewall of China: How Lessons from the Apartheid Era Can Lift the Information Curtain
Corporate Codes of Conduct Played a Major Role in the Collapse of Apartheid in South Africa and Are a Viable Means to End Digital Censorship in China. The remarks of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday that “we stand for a single Internet where all of humanity has equal access to knowledge and ideas” echoed the stern tone of Ronald Reagan … [Read more...]
Minimize Corporate Governance Issues in Closely-held Corporations with Multiple Large Shareholders
A must read study examining corporate governance issue in closely-held corporations was recently published by the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation. Closely-held Corporations Integral part of Global Economy The study is important to business owners and shareholders all over the world given the integral role closely-held corporations play … [Read more...]
2010 Index of Economic Freedom Released: United States Ranks Eighth
The Wall Street Journal and the Heritage Foundation released its annual 2010 Index of Economic Freedom. Of the world's 20 largest economies, Hong Kong ranked first while the U.S. came in at number eight. According to the Wall Street Journal article, The U.S. is Not as Free as It Used to Be, a number of factors contributed to the United States’ … [Read more...]
Ecuador Class Action Plaintiffs Strike Back at Chevron's Cynical Game of Musical Jurisdictions
The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice — Martin Luther King, Jr. The seventeen-year war between Ecuador’s 30,000 class plaintiffs against oil giant Chevron continues its global odyssey, as the oil giant pulls out every trick in the book to avoid an impending $27 Billion judgment against it in Ecuador for contaminating an immense … [Read more...]