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Introduction

Rich practices in the International Law Group at Fredrikson & Byron assisting clients in international business transactions. His practice focuses on international joint ventures, partnerships, mergers, acquisitions, distributorships, licensing, franchising, contract matters and customs regulations. He is fluent in French, Spanish, and Italian and reads Portuguese.

Prior to joining Fredrikson & Byron, Rich practiced in Puerto Rico, at an Italian firm in New York City and an American firm in Brussels.

Education

• Stanford University Law School, Fellow, 2013-2014
• University of Virginia, J.D., 1982
• Université de Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Research for Doctoral Dissertation in Linguistics, 1978-1979
• University of Michigan, M.A., Linguistics, 1977
• Cornell University, B.A., Linguistics, 1976, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

Bar Admissions

• Minnesota, 1986
• New York, 1985
• California, 1983

Practice Areas

• International, Chair
• Energy
• Renewable Energy
• Corporate
• Franchise
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Latin America Practice
• Foreign Corrupt Practices Act & Anti-Corruption

Languages

• French
• Italian
• Portuguese
• Spanish

Selected Publications & Presentations

• Speaker, "Biomass Power & Thermal," 2013 International Biomass Conference and Expo, April 8-10, 2013
• Presenter, International Bioenergy Days 2012, Mankato, MN, October 7-9, 2012
• Moderator, “Commercialization Strategies: Where and How Big?” 6th Annual Algae Biomass Summit, Denver, CO, September 27, 2012
• Presenter, Latin America Breakfast Series: Opportunities and Challenges to Doing Business in Brazil, August 15, 2012
• Presenter, Fredrikson & Byron's Anti-Corruption Law Webinar, June 14, 2012
• Moderator, “Commercialization Updates: Investigating International Demonstration Facilities and their New Push for Scale-Up,” International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo, June 5, 2012
• Moderator, “Market Acceleration and the Argument for More Biogas Derived Energy,” International Biomass Conference and Expo, Denver, Colorado, April 16-19, 2012
• Moderator, “Come Together: Successfully Navigating Mergers and Acquisitions,” 2011 Fuel Ethanol Workshop, Indianapolis, IN, June 28, 2011
• “Establishing Business Operations in Japan,” BioMass Magazine, May, 2011
• Moderator, International BIOMASS Conference & Expo, May 2-5, 2011
• “Four Steps to a Successful Joint Venture in China,” FredNEWS: International, February 2011 (also published in the March 2011 issue of Biomass Magazine)
• Moderator and Speaker, “Legal Issues in Exporting Clean Technologies,” Green Goes Global- International Opportunities for Minnesota Companies, April 13, 2010
• Speaker, Preparation of Present and Future Biofuel Feedstocks Webinar, March 17, 2010
• Speaker, World Services Group 8th Annual Meeting, Costa Rica, November 12-13, 2009
• Speaker, Resilient Brazil: Economic and Political Insight on Business Opportunities, November 3, 2009
• “Protecting Your Technology Overseas,” co-authored with Adonis Neblett, FredNEWS: International, September 2009
• “Risks and Challenges for Ethanol Projects Overseas,” 2009 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW), Denver, Colorado, June 15-18, 2009
• “Getting Paid: Repatriating Funds from Your Foreign Biodiesel Customer,” Biodiesel Magazine, June 2009
• Speaker, The Advantage of Doing Business in Saskatchewan, May 21, 2009
• “Embarking on Manufacturing Projects Overseas,” FredNEWS: International, April 2009
• “Protecting Biodiesel Trade Secrets Overseas,” co-authored with Adonis Neblett, Biodiesel Magazine, June 2008
• “Resolving Disputes with Foreign Biodiesel Customers and Suppliers,” Biodiesel Magazine, February 2008
• “Risks and Challenges for Overseas Biodiesel Projects,” Biodiesel Magazine, December 2007
• “New Distribution Rules in the EU: Boiling Down the New Block Exemption,” International Business Law News, Spring 2000
• “Getting Your Money Home: Repatriating Funds From Your Foreign Franchisee,” Franchise Update 1, 1995
• “Worldwide Franchising of Restaurant Concepts: No Longer The New Frontier,” Restaurant Franchise Monitor, 1995
• “International Franchising,” Minnesota Business Opportunities, February, 1995

Professional Activities

• National Biodiesel Board
• International Franchise Association
• American Bar Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association
• New York State Bar Association
• California State Bar Association
• American-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Director
• Minnesota International Center, Director