For more information about Tighe Patton's International Trade and Business Development practice, please contact John Montgomery or Patrick Fazzone.
The firm maintains an active international trade and business development practice representing a range of U.S. and foreign firms in planning and executing their operations worldwide. The firm is experienced in areas of corporate organizations, acquisitions and mergers, joint ventures, licensing and distribution agreements, dealings in commercial properties, trade regulation and antitrust laws, and compliance with U.S. federal and state regulations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. We assist U.S. and foreign companies -- both public and privately held -- in pursuing international business and investment activities, with a particular focus on East Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Australia. The firm also maintains a large number of international strategic alliances, which allow us to provide our clients a wider range of expertise and resources tailored to fit their needs.
Among the services we offer are:
- Commercial Transactions-advising and assisting U.S. and overseas based clients in structuring, negotiating and implementing international commercial transactions including investments, joint ventures, licensing arrangements, infrastructure projects and international sales agreements.
- Strategic Planning and Market Research - assisting clients in determining the best markets for their product and developing strategic plans to enter those markets.
Market Development and Support - helping companies to enter key foreign markets, understand local laws and regulations, develop relationships with business partners, and market their product. - Financing - helping companies secure financing, both from private sources and the government, and multilateral sources such as the U.S. Export-Import Bank, the Trade Development Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the Asian Development Bank, and the World Bank.
- Representation before U.S. Federal Trade Agencies - gaining support when necessary for an overseas sale, representing clients in all matters before the federal agencies which deal with international trade, including the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the International Trade Administration, Bureau of Export Administration, Office of Defense Trade Controls, and U.S. International Trade Commission.
- Representation before Congress - working with clients to generate appropriate support from Congress for successful overseas trade or investment projects.
Representation at Embassies - helping clients to pursue business interests with key officials at embassies and foreign trade offices located in Washington, D.C.
Recent representations have included:
- Representation of leading U.S. producer of steel wire garment hangars in opposition to proposed measures against imports of these products from China. Through our efforts and those of our Chinese co-respondents we were able successfully to oppose the imposition of additional tariffs or other import restraints.
- Representation of Hong Kong based manufacturer of re-usable cameras in action brought by leading competitor alleging patent infringement by our client’s product. Competitor/complainant sought to exclude imports of our client’s and other companies’ products from the United States market. Through our efforts, our client successfully avoided infringement findings that would have precluded access to the U.S. market.
- Advice and assistance to various U.S., Australian and Asian entities on issues and developments relating to the World Trade Organization and other multilateral and U.S. Institutions.
- Representation of clients in various antidumping, countervailing duty and safeguards actions under the United States trade laws. Industry sectors included flat rolled steel, tubular steel, color televisions, and steel flatware products.
- Assistance in structuring of numerous international joint ventures, sales agreements, licensing agreements and other international business arrangements between U.S. and overseas companies in a variety of sectors from services and manufacturing to high tech;
- Advice and assistance on international trade financing issues for prospective trade and infrastructure projects.
- Advice and assistance to technology, manufacturing and other companies in connection with establishment, growth and prospective raising of capital in the United States