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

Practice/Industry Group Overview

Successful cross-border business transactions require broad experience in international law and government trade regulation. The International Transactions and Trade Group of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC has represented U.S. and foreign clients in more than 90 countries throughout the world in virtually every type of commercial and financing transaction.

We concentrate our practice in transnational trade, investments, business transactions and government relations in developed and developing markets worldwide. Supporting the Group is the Firm's International Policy Advisor, former Senate Majority Leader, Chief of Staff to the President of the United States and former Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker.

For more than 20 years, we have successfully represented clients in the Middle East, helping companies organize and operate businesses in Turkey, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran. Our knowledge of the region is deeply rooted and our network of professional, business and government contacts firmly established. Most recently, we have helped clients design and implement programs for participation in the reconstruction of Iraq. We also have experience in strategic counseling in India and the region. Sandhya Mehta, who is licensed in both India and the U.S., has the necessary business contacts and language skills to promote the client's success in that country.

Our depth of experience in international transactions extends beyond business formation and operation into the structuring and negotiation of joint ventures and complex business arrangements, as well as government and private financing, licensing and distribution, agency agreements, and disputes and litigation. We have extensive experience in U.S. regulation of international business, including export controls and customs requirements. We also provide analysis, counseling and advocacy for our clients regarding foreign investment and government regulations overseas, including corporate strategy planning and regulatory problem solving.

Representative Matters

• Guided an energy company through the complex series of transactions necessary to acquire oil and gas rights in an Eastern Mediterranean country.
• Assisted a leading U.S. musical instrument manufacturer in regaining control of its intellectual property which was being infringed upon in Asia.
• Assisted a telecom start-up in obtaining funds from the U.S. government to pursue business opportunities in Russia.
• Created a government monitoring and analysis program for a large Japanese auto parts maker when they became concerned about potential U.S. restraints on Japanese imports.
• Served as counsel in dozens of antidumping and other antitrust trade actions since 1976.

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