International Business and Trade

Cowles & Thompson’s legal expertise does not stop at the U.S. border. Our International Business and Trade section gives the Firm a global outlook and reach.

As global business continues to become more pervasive, all companies must consider the opportunities and risks presented by international sourcing and sales or goods and services. Attorneys help clients realize these opportunities and effectively manage risk in international transactions.

Whether assisting a U.S. company in expanding operations abroad, helping resolve a transnational commercial dispute, or contesting an import penalty, Cowles & Thompson provides experienced legal counsel to meet the challenges of the modern global economy.

Attorneys handle a number of matters related to international business transactions and international trade regulation, including:

International Business Transactions

International sale of goods (CISG) and other transactions

Financing international transactions

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) compliance

IncoTerms and international commercial standards

Antiboycott law compliance

International IP protection, licensing & enforcement

Customs and Import Law

Protests & ruling requests

Prior disclosures

Contesting fines & penalties, seizures & forfeitures

Using Customs to stop imports that infringe on client IP

Compliance reviews & import compliance programs

Cargo security

Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ)

Export Control

Export controls & licensing

International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)

Sanctions & embargoes

Deemed exports

Internal reviews, compliance assessments & import compliance programs

Other International Trade Matters

NAFTA, WTO/GATT and -Bi-lateral trade agreements

Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and tariff preference programs

Quotas & Safeguards under Section 201, 301, etc.

Antidumping Duties & Countervailing Subsidies (AV/CVD)

In addition to handling the distinct international matters listed above, Cowles & Thompson's International Business and Trade Section assists the Firm’s other practice sections with the international implications of a number of diverse matters, including:

Interpreting international civil procedures in litigation

Developing deemed exports programs for clients employing foreign nationals

Evaluating the implications of international employee & agency agreements

Protecting, licensing and enforcing intellectual property rights abroad

Establishing American subsidiaries of foreign companies

Coordinating international joint ventures & distribution agreements

Enforcing & collecting foreign judgments

Managing foreign counsel around the world on behalf of US clients.

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