Several weeks ago I received a call from the legal department of a U.S. company with operations in Asia. The company was looking to downsize its operations in the region and was unsure of its obligations in terminating this group of employees. The caller was right to be concerned. While terminating an individual employee here in the U.S. can be fraught with legal … [Read more...]
Hey U.S. Corporations–Don't Neglect Your Foreign Subsidiaries!
I recently received an email from a board member of a corporation concerned that one of the company’s foreign subsidiaries was having compliance issues. I immediately interrupted and asked if there were any local bodies on the ground at the company’s foreign subsidiary. I wasn't exactly surprised to learn that there were not. In fact, no one from the U.S. office had visited … [Read more...]
International Lawyers Get Green Light to Serve as In-House Counsel in the U.S.
It’s about time the American Bar Association recognized that the globalization of law is a “trend” that’s here to stay. I say this because the ABA House of Delegates just passed a resolution that would allow foreign attorneys to work in the U.S. as in-house counsel. The fact is that seven states already allow international attorneys to work as in-house lawyers in the U.S. … [Read more...]
Thinking of Terminating Your International Employee? Not So Fast.
U.S. companies have a quick-trigger habit of terminating a foreign-based employee(s) without first taking a look at the termination laws of the host country. Details such as pre-termination notice, severance pay and termination procedures are often overlooked. This could spell serious trouble for the U.S. company down the road. That’s why it’s critical for U.S. multinational … [Read more...]
Have a Legal Dispute in Asia? Singapore is the Place to Resolve it.
I'm a big advocate for doing business in Singapore. Year after year, it's ranked as the easiest country in the world to start a business. Singapore is also the third richest country in the world, ranking behind only Qatar and Luxembourg. A big part of Singapore’s success is rooted in its modern legal system. The legal system in Singapore has received global recognition for … [Read more...]
Start-up Locally, Expand Globally: Why Your Startup Should Always be an International Business.
I represent several start-up businesses here in Miami. From the get-go these companies have wisely targeted international markets. At least for me, going international is a no-brainer. After all, there’s no better way for a start-up to dramatically accelerate growth. For example, one company I work with has already branched out to Brazil and China. The company … [Read more...]
Singapore Ranks as Best Country for Growing a Business. U.S. Ranks 10th.
Grant Thornton management consulting recently released its Global Dynamism Index. The popular index ranks countries based on 22 indicators. At the top of the list is Singapore. The United States came in as the 10th best country in the world for growing a business. While United States ranked ahead of France, China and Japan it fell behind South Korea, Germany and Israel, … [Read more...]
International Litigation: Why Apple Will Lose this Lawsuit in Belgium.
Engaging in international business is thrilling. However, one must always be mindful that the contractual provisions governing a business transaction will many times conflict with the laws of another country. Just several days ago I posted an article cautioning international e-commerce companies that a forum selection clause in a consumer contract will not be recognized in … [Read more...]
2013 is Going to be a Huge Year for U.S. Trade Policy. Here's Why.
Back in November it was widely speculated that Obama’s second term would be punctuated by an aggressive pursuit of free trade initiatives. In recent weeks, it’s become clear that free trade will indeed take center stage in Obama's second term. I mention this because I just read an excellent piece over at the Council for Foreign Relations website, Opportunity Knocks for Obama … [Read more...]
Key Principles for International Law Firms to Follow.
The American Lawyer just did a great piece on how the most successful international law firms operate. The article, The 7 Key Steps International Law Firms Should Take in 2013 to Ensure Themselves a Bright Future, lists a number of principles that a modern international firm should follow for success in the age of globalization. While the article is directed at firms with … [Read more...]