International

AGG empowers international businesses and law firms by leveraging our unparalleled legal capabilities and global network. We are committed to being your trusted partner in navigating the intricate legal and compliance challenges that come with cross-border business.

Overview

Global Experience and Multilingual Support

With decades of experience, AGG is strategically positioned to engage with clients on inbound and outbound business initiatives. Our multilingual team, consisting of dual citizen attorneys and former regulators, global legal executives, and compliance specialists, is particularly qualified to navigate the complexities of international business. We employ attorneys and paralegals fluent in Dutch, French, German, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Through our active involvement in cultural and business initiatives and our role as general counsel to numerous international chambers of commerce, we provide our clients with comprehensive and tailored support to achieve their objectives.

Comprehensive Industry Coverage

We represent clients across a diverse range of industries, including healthcare and life sciences, real estate, financial institutions and cross-border payments, emerging technology, manufacturing, logistics, and renewable energy. Our comprehensive legal services encompass corporate law, cross-border regulatory compliance, economic incentives, employment law, global mobility, government investigations, intellectual property, international arbitration, litigation and dispute resolution, privacy and cybersecurity, risk assessments, and tax law. This breadth of experience allows us to address the full spectrum of legal needs for businesses operating in today’s complex environment.

Commitment to Global Success

AGG places a high value on cultivating strong relationships with law firms around the world. Our long-term and active membership in the International Bar Association, American Bar Association International Law Section, Employment Law Alliance, and Legalink enhances our capability to offer clients seamless international analysis. Through our robust referral network, we are dedicated to supporting and advocating for our clients with the highest standard of legal services.

Additional Specialties

  • Global Commerce
    AGG has assisted hundreds of foreign companies structure and prosper in their business engagements in the United States. We assist our clients in mitigating risks with an emphasis on lean, efficient, and practical structures that allow them to capitalize on the opportunities presented by U.S. markets. We emphasize entering the U.S. with a flexible, practical plan in place, as opposed to reacting piecemeal to the onslaught of issues that arise during market entry and operational projects.
  • Export Controls
    We have a unique capability to provide the full spectrum of representation and counseling in the field of U.S. export controls, including economic embargoes and trade sanctions, general export controls, technology transfer restrictions, and anti-boycott regulations. We have significant experience advising on matters arising under the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") sanctions programs, Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"), International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR"), U.S. Antiboycott Regulations, and other U.S. and international laws and regulations governing trade, payments, and investment transactions.
  • Inbound Foreign Investment
    We actively assist foreign companies and individuals in their growth strategies in the U.S., offering a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses real estate, corporate, immigration, litigation, and intellectual property teams. We offer practical advice and are well known for our interest in thinking as the client and learning about their various subtleties and needs.

Experience

Corporate and Commercial Transactions
  • Assisted a European manufacturer in the life cycle of its North American joint venture, including market entry, resolution of partner disputes, and eventual termination while protecting assets and avoiding litigation.
  • Represented various U.S. subsidiaries of foreign manufacturers in the automotive and renewable energy supply chains in establishing U.S. operations and negotiating commercial agreements with major OEMs.
  • Provided counsel to a multinational security software company on structuring a holding company to protect core IP assets, drafting worldwide licensing agreements, and acquiring a U.S.-based service provider.
  • Represented international freight forwarder JAS Worldwide in connection with its global restructuring.
  • Represented Conglobal Industries in connection with its Central American joint ventures.
  • Represented Sysco Corporation in its joint venture and acquisition of Costa Rican and Mexican food service distributors.
  • Represented Mayca Distribuidores in its expansion into Panama.
  • Advised a German medical products manufacturer and a Taiwanese subsidiary on acquisitions, joint ventures, and corporate governance in the U.S., Canada, and Taiwan.
    Cross-Border Disputes and Arbitration
    • Represented Chinese-owned business entities in complex international arbitration involving ownership, intellectual property, and unfair competition disputes under JAMS Arbitration Rules, including preparation and examination of Chinese-language witnesses.
    • Represented Chinese manufacturers in ICDR arbitration and parallel state court litigation involving the termination of North American distributors and recovery of intellectual property, securing injunctions to protect client trademarks.
    • Achieved dismissal of international conspiracy claims against an Israeli citizen in a multi-jurisdictional dispute involving five countries and three continents.
    • Represented foreign plaintiffs in a RICO action against both foreign and domestic defendants in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
    • Secured a complete defense award and recovery of costs and fees on behalf of a national food broker in a Paris-based proceeding.
    • Defended a German manufacturer of textile machinery in a U.S. personal injury/products liability suit.
      Export Controls
      • Advised U.S. SaaS company in connection with export classification and encryption registration of main service offering, and license application to export service to international humanitarian non-governmental organization in Syria.
      • Counseled U.S. logistics software developer on facilitation risk under U.S. sanctions and embargo programs associated with service model, and filed export license request to Office of Foreign Assets Control.
      • Developed an export control compliance program for Texas liberal arts university.
      • Advised U.S. biopharmaceutical company by auditing of its distribution network and implementing its U.S. export control compliance policy and program.
      • Designed U.S. export compliance and anti-money laundering programs for global payments processing company.
      • Advised U.S. defense articles manufacturer on deemed export issues, and made license filings to employ foreign nationals in positions requiring disclosure of controlled technical data.
      • Advised U.S. manufacturer of defense articles and provider of defense services on sales to Turkey and Saudi Arabia, including FCPA and U.S. export control compliance in connection with such transactions.
        Global Mobility
        • Over 30 years of experience in managing U.S. legal matters for global manufacturer of plastic products in the pharmaceutical industry.
        • Over 25 years of experience in the representation of global manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers on permanent, temporary, and project-based secondment of employees.
        • Over 30 years of experience in global mobility management within the logistics industry, focusing on visa and employee posting matters.
        • Manages Global Employment Contracting for Expats.
        • Represented the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, Inc., in connection with global immigration matters, processing thousands of visas in the areas of broadcasting, IT, culture, the arts, and athletics.
          Intellectual Property Counseling and Litigation
          • Responsible for managing day-to-day coordination and enforcement of large worldwide trademark portfolios of several commercial and consumer products companies, including leading all litigation and inter partes proceedings that arise.
          • Managed trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings for consumer goods companies in Canada, Australia, and other countries.
          • Represented global software manufacturers in defending claims related to breaches of representations and warranties, and provided coverage advice in high-stakes copyright and trademark disputes.
          • Successfully settled defense of Japanese wet wipe innovator in cross-border trade secret litigation pending in federal court against large U.S.-based conglomerate wet wipe manufacturer, stemming from unsuccessful joint development project.
          • Represented and helped obtain a multimillion-dollar judgment, inclusive of punitive damages and attorneys’ fees, on behalf of South American food company in lawsuit for fraud and rescission. The lawsuit involved complex discovery involving international logistics and foreign entities in numerous countries.
          • Led representation of global specialty vinyl manufacturer in federal lawsuit and TTAB cancellation proceeding brought under the Lanham Act and related state laws against unauthorized reseller defendants who engaged in trademark infringement and false advertising by, among other things, incorporating our client’s mark into their own federally registered mark. The matter was successfully settled in our client’s favor during the discovery period.
          • Represented UK-based IP Pragmatics, one of the world’s leading consulting and services companies for Tech Transfer and Intellectual Property Management, in its sale to Wellspring.
            Life Sciences Regulatory and Compliance
            • Assisting a Canadian biopharmaceutical company with commercialization efforts in the U.S.
            • Advising a German biotechnology company on their entry into the U.S. market, including corporate structuring and global mobility matters.
            • Supporting German life sciences company with FDA regulatory compliance and corporate negotiations involving a U.S. distributor.
            • Assisting an Israeli cosmetic company in addressing FDA registration issues, ensuring its products meet U.S. regulatory standards.
            • Represented a seller of U.S.- and UK-based pharmaceuticals marketing company.
              Market Entry and Inbound Foreign Investment
              • Represented Orkin, LLC in its international expansion into over 70 countries through franchising
              • Counseled dozens of European and Asian companies on U.S. market entry strategies, including protecting key assets from U.S. legal risks, and advising on general business setup, employment, and visa matters.
              • Represented a Latin American energy fund in investment rounds totaling $40 million with participation from the International Finance Corporation, Latin America Infrastructure Fund, and U.S. utilities.
              • Guided a U.S. supplier of performance auto components in the acquisition of a German competitor and a French insurance company in restructuring its Latin and South American subsidiaries.
              • Provided legal assistance to U.K. and Boston-based hedge funds in PIPE investments in NASDAQ-listed companies.
              • Assisted an Austrian manufacturer in establishing a $40 million North American headquarters, securing $20 million in incentives and tax abatements, and creating 700 jobs.
              • Supported a German producer of steel production components in establishing U.S. manufacturing facilities, securing local financing, and facilitating the eventual sale of the U.S. operation.
              • Represented multiple foreign investors in structuring joint ventures with U.S. companies for significant real estate acquisitions, including a $45 million commercial condominium in New York City and a $45 million multifamily apartment project in San Antonio, Texas.
              • Provided long-term representation to a major international real estate company in transactions totaling $8 to $10 billion, involving the purchase, sale, and financing of various properties, including shopping centers, retail, industrial, and office buildings. This included forming, operating, and dissolving joint ventures, with transaction sizes ranging from $20 million to $325 million.
              • Assisted a Japanese manufacturing client with site selection, environmental due diligence, and obtaining economic incentives and environmental permits for the construction of a new plant in Georgia.
              • Represented international investors in the acquisition and financing of multiple retail sites in Virginia and Georgia, and facilitated the acquisition, co-investment, and eventual sale of a major real estate advisor and related assets for approximately $560 million.
                Client Successes

                Recognition

                AGG’s attorneys are recognized internationally for their work by a number of publications, including Chambers Global, International Finance Law Review, and World Trademark Review. Additionally, our attorneys are regularly appointed to leadership positions in organizations such as the Interational Bar Association, International Trademark Association, International Council of Shopping Centers, and Sister Cities International.

                 

                Glenn Hendrix, AGG International practice co-chair, is also a recipient of the 2024 ABA International Section Lifetime Achievement Award.

                 

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                AGG Talks: Cross-Border Business

                Our podcast series, “AGG Talks: Cross-Border Business,” is hosted by Mike Burke, AGG Corporate partner, co-chair of the International practice, and administrative partner of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. Mike is joined by fellow AGG attorneys and experts in cross-border business to discuss legal issues impacting both inbound and outbound foreign investment.

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