A special guest post by Global Security Consultant and Political Risk Expert, Paul Crespo. This is the fourth post in the series. For ten years Brazil has been the darling of the emerging market countries: the "B" in BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India & China). With annual growth rates of 5 percent, its stock markets often doubled year to year. Brazil is hot. It will be … [Read more...]
U.S. Companies More Likely Than Russians to Engage in Industrial Espionage? LOL
Spying continues to dominate the news. Just today Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff cancelled a trip to meet with President Obama over revelations that the U.S. actively spied on Brazil. Up until recently, the prevailing view was that companies located in China and Russia had the most active industrial espionage programs. That’s all changed after the Snowden … [Read more...]
Surviving a Kidnapping: How Your International Business Should Respond.
A special guest post by Global Security Consultant and Political Risk Expert, Paul Crespo. This is the third post in the series. You are an executive on a business trip in a foreign country being driven to a meeting when suddenly your car is slammed by a large truck and armed men with AK-47s yank you from your car, blindfold you and throw you into a van. You have just … [Read more...]
11 Ways to Avoid Getting Kidnapped While on Business Overseas.
A special guest post by Global Security Consultant and Political Risk Expert, Paul Crespo. Getting kidnapped while traveling internationally is a real and present danger. Kidnap for ransom, versus kidnapping for political goals, is a fast-growing worldwide industry. The majority of these kidnappings are purely for financial gain and are seen simply as business … [Read more...]
Political Risk Insurance: Why Your International Business Must Have It.
A special interview with Global Security Consultant and Political Risk Expert, Paul Crespo This is the first in a series of posts dealing with global security and risk management. While companies doing business internationally generally protect themselves against numerous risks, political risk is often ignored or accepted as fate. While there are many ways to manage and … [Read more...]
How to Draft a Non-Circumvention, Non-Disclosure Agreement (NCNDA) for Your International Business Venture.
With all the international business ventures our firm is handling, it’s no surprise that we are frequently asked to draft a Non-Circumvention and Non-Disclsoure Agreement (NCNDA). An NCNDA is used when a business needs to keep intellectual property and other confidential information secure in the early stages of a business venture arranged by brokers or intermediaries. The … [Read more...]
International Money Laundering. How to Make Sure Your International Business Stays Clean (Infographic)
Our firm is currently assisting in the prosecution of an international white collar crime matter. The allegations read like a James Bond novel and are so outlandish that film rights are being discussed. Like I said, this is interesting stuff. The thrust of the case centers on an international financial institution that uncovered a would-be depositor's scheme to launder … [Read more...]
Concordia Lawsuits Kicked Back to Miami-Dade Court Following Carnival Corp’s Boneheaded Defense Strategy.
My second choice for the title of this post was “Hey Carnival Corp. Defense Team-- What in the World Were You Thinking?” This case is a classic example of what not to do as a defense attorney—remove a claim to federal court based on a sophisticated area of law you know nothing about. As the Carnival removal action illustrates, don’t take your chances on this … [Read more...]
International Arbitration in Miami is on the Rise. Here’s Why.
Whenever someone learns that our law firm (based in Miami) is currently handling a major international arbitration matter against the Kyrgyz Republic at the Hague, they almost always ask "why is a complex case like that being handled in Miami?" The answer is straightforward. Over the last decade Miami has become one of the primary players on the international … [Read more...]
Brazil Joins the Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG). It's About Time.
It's almost everyday now that I get an email or phone call from a Brazilian investor looking to do business in the U.S. (usually in Miami) or a U.S. investor looking to do business in Brazil. It's not exactly a surprise given the enormous trade numbers the two countries are putting up---$100 Billion in 2011 alone. Presently, the rules for entering into an international sales … [Read more...]