Practice Areas & Industries: Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

Practice/Industry Group Overview

Laws. Politics.
Culture. Regulations.
Risk. Opportunity.

Today's rapidly changing global business climate presents unprecedented opportunities for making inroads into new markets. At the same time, companies on unfamiliar ground can encounter difficult hurdles and face significant risks. To unlock the potential of the expanding international marketplace, your company needs access to a highly skilled team of professionals with a keen understanding of the international business arena and the knowledge to help you accomplish your goals.

The International Group at Baker Donelson can serve as your guide through new territory. Whether you need to devise a strategy to enhance your position abroad, identify a partner who can unlock the doors to new markets, locate financing to pursue international projects or wind your way through a maze of unfamiliar regulations, our International Group can show you the path to success.

Services Available

Our services include the following:

• Formulating the strategy that will help you tap new markets and grow your business.
• Identifying opportunities for and maximizing the success of mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures.
• Resolving problems and troubleshooting on the ground - anywhere the need arises.
• Acquiring global protection for your intellectual property.
• Ensuring compliance with customs and other regulatory authorities.
• Designing and implementing effective multinational tax and financial structures, including the establishment of offshore corporations and trusts.
• Identifying project finance and establishing relationships with lenders and investors.
• Navigating international trade laws and resolving disputes.
• Addressing employment and immigration matters.

Our International Group comprises a collection of seasoned professionals with extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. The Group was founded by former Senate Majority Leader, Chief of Staff to the President of the United States and Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker. Current members of the Group include individuals who have served as Ambassador to Japan, Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, Ambassador to Turkey, and Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade for the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Our clients are participants in a wide variety of industries, from automotive and advanced machinery manufacturing to energy resources, information services and transportation. We also represent entities of all sizes, from single individuals seeking lucrative opportunities for investment abroad to major multinational corporations. No matter the client, our professionals provide the same highly tailored service and attention to detail that each requires.

And our depth isn't limited to those who serve within the Firm. Members of our International Group rely upon a well-established, extensive network of relationships with leading financial, accounting and legal professionals worldwide, which can provide access to opportunities around the globe and insight into local conditions that may have an impact on business. In addition, Baker Donelson established a representative office in Beijing, China which provides consulting services to U.S. companies seeking to expand their operations in China and to U.S. importers of Chinese products.

Representative Matters

• Arranged for Chinese city to absorb $2 million in relocation costs for our manufacturing client whose plant was being displaced by local authorities.
• Forced Pakistani government to return control of our client's telecommunications network.
• Saved several million dollars in retirement/employment costs for client's relocation of its French manufacturing plants.
• Extricated client from an adverse Chinese joint venture partner and forced the return of $10 million to the U.S. partner.
• Helped international media entertainment company win the bid for the first major large screen theater in China.
• Convinced the Chinese government to change automotive parts design specifications to the benefit of manufacturing client.
• Assisted an energy company in acquiring oil and gas rights in an Eastern Mediterranean country through stock acquisition, which required that Baker Donelson manage five major stock purchase transactions, conduct a due diligence review of eight companies and arrange credit financing with four banks.
• Led an international effort to reclaim U.S.-based Gibson Guitar Corporation's intellectual property when it was being infringed upon in several Asian countries. Our effort included arranging for on-site raids by local authorities, engaging effective local counsel and motivating successful intervention by the U.S. government.
• Connected Turkish oil and gas and infrastructure construction company with U.S. contractors doing business in the Middle East and Central Asia in order for them to become significant subcontractors.
• Navigated the bureaucracies of the U.S., Afghanistan and Iraqi governments in order to help clients realize sales of services and products in the reconstruction of those countries.
• In the Middle East, we helped a company favorably resolve a multi-million dollar contract dispute with the Egyptian government and helped another win a major petro-chemical project in Qatar.