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International

Billions of dollars have been made by companies around the world using the legal services of Fredrikson & Byron’s International Department. From offices in the U.S., Mexico and China, our attorneys have advised on successful business transactions in 10 languages in more than 40 countries.

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Richard Weiner

Email: rweiner@fredlaw.com
Office: 612.492.7009

RELATED AREAS

Anti-Counterfeiting

China Practice

Commercial Law

Corporate Governance

Corporate Sustainability & Social Responsibility Cross-Border M&A

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act & Anti-Corruption

Government Contracts & Grants

Immigration

Intellectual Property

Latin America Practice

Private Equity

FEATURES

To learn more about the current legal and tax issues involved with conducting business in Canada, see our Doing Business in Canada Presentation.

To learn more about transactions in Asia, Latin America and the European Union, see our Cross-Border M&A Seminar Recording.

What We Do

We combine an in-depth knowledge of legal systems around the world, our vast linguistic capabilities, and decades of experience doing business overseas to assist companies in a broad spectrum of foreign transactions, including commercial and financial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, contracts, real estate, labor and employment, distribution of goods and services, sales networks, franchising, strategic alliances, joint ventures, partnerships, litigation, arbitration, intellectual property, technology, anti-corruption, trust and estate planning, customs, and immigration. Since 1986, our legal specialists from North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia have successfully negotiated and concluded hundreds of business transactions for American and foreign companies of virtually every size, from small and mid-size private companies to Fortune 500 companies, that desire to develop and expand their international business.

Experience

The following is a sampling of the types of transactions that the International Department assists with around the world:

Advised U.S. energy company on the design, manufacture, installation and sale of its equipment in 25 countries around the world. Our involvement has included drafting and negotiating contracts, intellectual property protection, international tax structuring and cross-border employment law issues.
Assisted a U.S. restaurant franchise company in expanding its franchise concept to 12 countries overseas. We advised on international franchise matters, foreign government registration issues, international tax planning, and preparation of the franchise documents.
Assisted a U.S. cosmetics company in the development and expansion of its distribution network worldwide. We worked on negotiating and drafting distributor and sales representative agreements, customs matters, foreign registration issues, foreign intellectual property protection and tax planning.
Assisted a U.S. real estate developer in establishing and developing real estate projects throughout Latin America. Our involvement included foreign real property issues, foreign government registrations, and approvals and preparation of purchase agreements and development contracts.
Represented a U.S. company that acquired companies in Europe through its European subsidiary. Our involvement included formation of the European subsidiary, due diligence on the acquisition targets, drafting and negotiation of the purchase agreements and related employment agreements, amendments of the organizational documents of the acquisition targets post-closing, and cooperation with local notaries to effect the necessary shareholder resolutions and post-closing registrations in the local commercial register.
Represented a European conglomerate that acquired the assets of a U.S. manufacturing company. Our involvement included company registration, due diligence, environmental issues, employee benefit plans, transferring employees, tax issues, intellectual property, and drafting and negotiating the purchase agreement.
Represented a European technology company that wanted to acquire technology from a U.S. company. We assisted in business and tax planning, company registration, financing, intellectual property issues and acquisition documents.
Represented an Asian manufacturer that wanted to establish a North American distribution base for its products. We assisted with the tax planning and structuring and with drafting the contract with a U.S. warehousing company to store and ship the Asian company’s products.
Advised a European energy company that wanted to establish a U.S. subsidiary on entity structuring, tax matters, labor matters and lease and commercial contract matters.
Represented a Middle Eastern company that wanted to establish a U.S. subsidiary to conduct financial operations in the United States. We structured the entity, drafted and negotiated leases, and advised the company on regulatory and licensing matters and on general commercial contracts.

News & Articles

Impact of New Cybersecurity Law on Foreign Companies in China

December 5, 2016

By Robert M. Oberlies & Jessie Lu

On November 7, 2016, China’s Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress adopted the Cybersecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China (Cybersecurity Law). The Cybersecurity Law will take effect on June 1, 2017.

Congress Averts Government Shutdown, Extends Immigration Programs to December

October 17, 2016

By Immigration Group

The Immigration-related programs extended by the bill include E-Verify, EB-5 regional centers, EB-4 non-ministerial religious workers and Conrad 3 for J-1 medical workers.

New Regime for China Foreign Direct Investment

October 13, 2016

By Robert M. Oberlies and Jessie Lu

On October 8, 2016, China's Ministry of Commerce issued interim measures further stream-lining the process for establishing companies in China and related corporate changes. Find out how this will impact companies doing business in China and future investment.

U.S. Eases Iran Nuclear-Related Sanctions - What Does It Mean for U.S. Businesses?

September 21, 2016

By Sarah E. Tucher and Richard E. Weiner

Earlier this year, the United States Government (USG) eased certain nuclear-related sanctions against Iran pursuant to “Implementation Day” of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA) between the “P5+1” countries (United States, the United Kingdom, China, Russia, France and Germany), the European Union (EU) and Iran. The JCPOA’s purpose is to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program will be peaceful, and on January 16, 2016, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) certified that Iran has fulfilled its initial obligations under the JCPOA.

What Companies Should Know About the New ISO Anti-Bribery Standard

August 9, 2016

By Dulce J. Foster

Global companies in the United States have an uneasy relationship with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Most recognize that corruption can be damaging to business, but decry the statute as unfair: Because the United States is more aggressive about enforcing its anti-corruption laws than other countries, U.S. companies are more likely to be prosecuted for bribing foreign officials. The FCPA effectively tilts the playing field against us in foreign business transactions. But the global landscape gradually may be changing. Corruption prosecutions outside the U.S. are becoming more common, and many foreign governments have signaled a change in perspective by enacting new and stricter anti-corruption laws.

Narrow Window Opens to Make Any Fixes to EU Community Trademark Registrations

April 18, 2016

By Cynthia A. Moyer

Important changes in the regulations governing European Union Community Trademarks (formerly CTMs, now called EUTMs) may affect the scope of your trademark protection for CTM applications filed before June 22, 2012.

U.S. Eases Cuba Sanctions, Opening New Opportunities for U.S. Businesses

September 30, 2015

By Aleida Ortega Conners & Evan Berquist

On September 18, 2015, the Obama administration announced significant changes to the U.S. sanctions regime that regulates commerce with Cuba.

Attorneys Thomas Henke & Evan Berquist Join Fredrikson & Byron

June 22, 2015

Attorneys Thomas B. Henke and Evan C. Berquist have joined Fredrikson & Byron. Henke is an officer in the Compensation Planning & Employee Benefits and the Business & Tax Planning Groups. Berquist is an associate in the Mergers & Acquisitions, Securities and International Groups.

Don’t be Blacklisted: Be Aware of China’s New Anti-Corruption Regulations in the Healthcare Industry

October 2, 2014

By Ruilin Li

China’s heightened anti-corruption efforts are reflected in the recent adoption of several anti-corruption measures. This article will summarize each of these circulars as well as some action items companies may want to consider in order to ensure compliance under the new measures.

Update on New Maquiladora Requirements

March 21, 2014

By Luis G. Reséndiz

Mexico’s Tax Administration Service (SAT) has signaled that intends to apply the new maquila requirements strictly. Companies using a maquiladora structure that are selling part of their production in Mexico, earning part of their income from non-maquila activities, or that otherwise do not fully comply with the new requirements must take action. All maquiladoras must be in full compliance with the new requirements by July 1, 2014.

Mexico Update – Maquiladoras – Tax Reform/Presidential Decree

January 7, 2014

By Luis G. Reséndiz

On December 26, 2013, the president of Mexico published a decree granting tax incentives to the maquiladora industry. The decree lessens the impact of some of the changes under the tax reform. The decree became effective on January 1, 2014. Read more for a summary of important aspects of the decree.

Living Under the H-1B Cap – Alternative Visa Options and Strategies for Employing Foreign Nationals in the U.S.

March 1, 2012

By Loan T. Huynh

The H-1B visa is commonly known as the “workhorse” of U.S. work visas as U.S. companies rely on it more than any other visa to employ foreign workers in the U.S.

Doing Business in Brazil

December 1, 2011

By Patrick J. Kelly

Everyone who has followed events in Brazil over the years has heard year after year that the country was on the verge of emerging as an international economic powerhouse. While it took a while for Brazil to finally emerge, it is certainly the case today that it has arrived, and U.S. manufacturers looking for new markets can no longer have serious aspirations in Latin America without having a Brazil strategy.

Reporting Foreign Financial Accounts: IRS Announces New Voluntary Disclosure Program

February 1, 2011

By Masha M. Yevzelman

Since 1970, the Bank Secrecy Act has required U.S. persons who have in aggregate more than $10,000 in foreign financial accounts to report certain information about those accounts to the Department of the Treasury using Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR).

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