Over the past several weeks, our law firm has seen a big increase in the number of Brexit-related phone calls and emails. Naturally, business people from all over the world are concerned about Brexit and want to know how it’s going to affect their international business operations. The inquires range from the simple (what IS Brexit?) to the more complex (will UK insurance … [Read more...]
Rum, Risk and Ruin: 13 Reasons Why You Still Shouldn’t Do Business in Cuba.
The removal of Cuba from the U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list this week sparked a groundswell of excitement among U.S. entrepreneurs, lawyers, and investors looking to profit from the “enormous opportunities” on the island. As part of the Florida Bar’s first-ever delegation to Havana, Cuba last week, I got the chance to see these “opportunities” for myself. Indeed, … [Read more...]
The Ultimate International Law Guide for U.S. Judges–And Attorneys!
Several months ago I argued a case that centered on the finer points of forum non conveniens. The issue comes-up regularly given the large number of international companies doing business here in Miami. While my adversary and I had a firm grasp of the issues involved, the judge wanted to take some additional time to review the case law cited in our briefs before making a … [Read more...]
The World’s First Bitcoin Lawsuit—in the United States?
Have you ever received an email that is so fascinating that you have to read it out loud to make sure you that you read it correctly? I received one of those several days ago. The email asked the following question: “This past summer I purchased [factory equipment] in [Country X] with Bitcoin. I never received the equipment and [the supplier] won’t respond to my messages. … [Read more...]
Enforcing a Contract in Latin America? Good Luck with That.
I got a call recently from a local manufacturer looking to sue a supplier in a Latin American country for breach of contract. Given Miami’s proximity to the region, I see these types of cases a lot. The first thing I’ll do is take a look at the case to confirm that jurisdiction would be proper in the U.S. And most of the time it is. However, when the jurisdictional … [Read more...]
Don't Let Shipping Piracy Sink Your International Business.
A special guest post by Global Security Consultant and Political Risk Expert, Paul Crespo. This is the latest post in the series. With the dramatic growth of global commerce more businesses rely on maritime shipping to get their goods and raw materials to market. The release of the Tom Hanks film "Captain Phillips" depicting the 2009 hijacking of the US merchant ship Maersk … [Read more...]
Cyber Attack – 3rd Biggest Threat to International Business
A special guest post by Global Security Consultant and Political Risk Expert, Paul Crespo. This is the sixth post in the series. With larger and costlier data breaches being reported every day, cyber security is quickly moving from being seen by C-level executives as a purely technical security issue, to a top business risk for global corporations. Cybercrime and … [Read more...]
Spies, Lies and Secrets: 37 Industrial Espionage Tactics that Threaten to Kill Your International Business.
Earlier this week I wrote about industrial espionage and how it is the fastest and least expensive way for our foreign competitors to bridge the innovation gap with the U.S. Using cutting-edge technology and age-old techniques of deceit and manipulation, corporate spies are the greatest post-cold war threat to international business. Today’s international conflicts are … [Read more...]
Brazil’s Mega Events: Risks for International Businesses during the World Cup and Olympics.
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...]
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...]