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China Desk

Our China Desk serves as a contact point for companies and investors from Greater China that are operating in or expanding to the North American market. We also advise U.S. companies on business and investment opportunities in Greater China by working with a network of local professionals. Our team combines attorneys from different practice areas, including corporate law, tax, trade, immigration, intellectual property, real estate and regulatory compliance. This comprehensive skill set allows us to handle any legal and regulatory issues that may arise during the start-up and day-to-day operations of international companies in the United States and Greater China.

China Desk Contacts

John S. Wagster Profile Image
John S. Wagster

Industry Team Leader

Nashville, TN

How We Help Clients

Corporate Transactions

As leading advisers to public and private firms on all types of transactions, our M&A lawyers counsel clients and assist with strategic planning and regulatory compliance for buyers, sellers, strategic investors and venture capitalists, management groups, independent committees of directors and investment banking firms. Our business experience includes the full gamut of structuring, tax, antitrust, intellectual property, workforce, global trade, customs, ERISA and environmental law. We also help clients establish foreign subsidiaries and tax-effective holding structures, negotiate product distribution and licensing agreements, and facilitateย inbound and outbound mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and direct investments.

International Trade

In todayโ€™s global business market, multinational companies must take appropriate steps to ensure that contracts with suppliers and retailers comply with a complex web of government regulations. Our international trade lawyers work with clients to develop internal policies and procedures that will aid company directors, officers, owners and employees in their efforts to comply with international trade regulations. We also advise on an extensive range of international trade issues, including audits, trade remedies, export issues, and voluntary self-disclosures, helping ourย clients operate their businesses smoothly in the international sphere.

Environmental

We serve as litigation counsel, defend civil and criminal enforcement actions, conduct audits and internal investigations, and assist clients in navigating a broad range of environmental-regulatory matters related toย corporate and commercial real estate transactions. Many of our attorneys hail from the very industries they now represent, and with varied engineering, science and technical backgrounds, we provide clients with an uncommon advantage in solving even the most complicated environmental issues.

Dispute Resolution

Our litigation and arbitration attorneys provide comprehensive advice and representation in national and international courts, global arbitration proceedings and U.S. arbitration proceedings. Even before a transaction occurs, we help clients understand what dispute remedies are available and draft dispute resolution clauses in advance so that clients have a level playing field should a dispute arise. We also stand ready to defend clients in cross-border litigation and the enforcement of judgments.

Importantly, we have significant experience gathering the evidence needed from foreign jurisdictions for use in U.S. courts and arbitral tribunals. While our team has litigated disputes of many types and complexities, we are particularly adept at resolving matters related to antitrust, restrictive covenants, trade disputes, intellectual property, products liability, and anti-bribery laws as well as the U.N. Convention for Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.

International Tax

We assist clients with everything from trade agreements, compliance and controversy issues, to custom duties, expatriate and global income tax, to totalization agreements and the formation of IC-DISCs. Our clients look to us for experienced guidance when navigating the variable, high-risk world of international tax. With a keen understanding of how tax requirements can impact their bottom line, we can help clientsย overcome barriers to commerce and locate avenues for profit and growth.

Immigration, Labor & Employment

We secure visas and work permits for managers and employees, inside and outside of the U.S. We also advise on expatriate tax and estate planning issues, consult on international tax secondment and assignment agreements, and all other matters relevant to achieving tax efficiency across borders. Our experienced lawyers provide guidance on complex labor and employment issues to minimize exposure arising from personnel issues.

Intellectual Property

Succeeding in the international marketplace often requires the successful deployment of effective strategies for protecting and fully capitalizing on a company’s intellectual property assets, whether copyrights, trademarks or trade secrets. Our IP lawyers help clients execute commercially sound global portfolio management strategies, enabling companies to license their products and innovations in key markets around the world. If infringement occurs, we are also prepared to aggressively pursue enforcement of our clients’ intellectual property rights through litigation or other, more efficient means of dispute resolution.

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