Several years ago, we introduced the International Law Advisor App for the iPhone. We are thrilled with the enormous amount of interest it has generated. The International Business Law Advisor App is available as a free download here through the iTunes App Store. Simply enter the text “International Business Law Advisor” and you’re all set! Let us know what you think and … [Read more...]
Top 5 International Business Law Trends to Watch in 2013: Trend #4 International Compliance.
This is part 4 of a 5-part series about what I see as the top International Business Law Trends in 2013. The fourth international business law trend to watch out for in 2013 is the proliferation of international compliance initiatives. A primary example is the United States' Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or “FATCA.” FACTA promises to pose a host of challenges to … [Read more...]
International Law Practitioners Love the International Law Quarterly.
The spring edition of the Florida Bar’s International Law Quarterly (ILQ) is out. The ILQ is quickly becoming required reading for any international lawyer. As Editor-in-Chief Alvin F. Lindsay points out, each issue of the ILQ strives for a balance of scholarship and practical articles that will be useful to all international practitioners. The spring edition is no … [Read more...]
Corruption in Legal Systems Persist Around the World. And Will Continue.
Ashby Jones of the Wall Street Journal’s Law Blog, just published an article on the findings of a major global survey on corruption released today at the 2010 International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference in Vancouver, Canada. While it comes as no surprise that corruption persists in many jurisdictions around the world, many in the legal profession are … [Read more...]
The BRICfast Club (Part III): China and Brazil Sign Trade and Investment Agreements at BRIC Summit
Oil and Steel Industries to Benefit This is the third in a series of posts dedicated to the BRIC countries. 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 the subject. For the uninitiated, BRIC is an acronym coined by Goldman Sachs to … [Read more...]
Switzerland and United States Reach Landmark Agreement in UBS Tax Case
Swiss Parliament Must Still Approve Amended Protocol The CBS news magazine 60 Minutes featured a story on January 3, 2010 concerning the tax controversy between Switzerland and the United States over Switzerland's secretive banking industry. At the time, it appeared there would be no end in sight to the impasse. 60 Minutes: A Crack in the Swiss Vault Yesterday, however, … [Read more...]
Post-Game Analysis of Morrison v. National Australia Bank. Read the Transcript Here
"I mean, this case is Australian plaintiff, Australian defendant, shares purchased in Australia. It has 'Australia' written all over it." -- Justice Ginsburg, March 29, 2010 Following up on yesterday's pre-game analysis of oral argument in Morrison v. … [Read more...]
UK Investors Offered Amnesty Under Liechtenstein Tax Deal
In a trend that could spread to other jurisdictions, Liechtenstein is asking wealthy UK investors who have assets hidden abroad to take advantage of its “unique and attractive” amnesty program. The agreement reached between the UK and Liechtenstein combines generous terms with a promise by the principality to close the accounts of customers who could not prove they … [Read more...]
Doing Business in Japan Teleconference. $768.8 Billion Reasons to Attend
The International Law Prof Blog has passed along details about an upcoming teleconference, “Doing Business with Japan,” sponsored by the American Bar Association Section of International Law. The conference could not come at a better time. Businessweek’s Daniel Kruger reported this week that Japan has overtaken China as the largest foreign holder of … [Read more...]
Are Carbon Credits the New Global Currency?
In response to the Copenhagen Climate Summit’s call for innovative environmental solutions, my law firm launched a groundbreaking program today to allow law firm clients to pay legal fees with carbon credits. The initiative is the first of its kind in the professional services industry. You can read more about my firm’s initiative in the Wall Street Journal … [Read more...]