Roger L. Hiatt 816.691.3373e-mail| vCard
International law, as it affects business clients, touches a number of critical areas including, but not limited to, international contracts and related transactional issues, international trade issues, international finance, including international banking and taxation questions, international litigation and business-related employment issues. This area is broad-based and characterized by ongoing change. Sensitivity to cultural issues can also affect decisions in this area. The firm seeks to provide its clients with informed counsel in order to assist clients in successfully navigating the world of international business.
Practice Overview The firm's attorneys in the International Law Group draw on their educational background, practical experience and cultural sophistication to provide effective representation for our clients in international areas. We also are able to offer our clients access to reputable and competent counsel in other nations and oversight of foreign legal counsel on behalf of our clients. Attorneys in our International Law Group represent large and small businesses and individuals, providing legal services in the areas described below. Scope of Service The types of services provided in the international area are both broad and eclectic. The services described below include both U.S.-based issues and similar issues resolved for clients in many nations around the world. Examples of such services include: International Contracts and Related Transactional Issues Direct Sales Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits 500 (UCP 500) INCOTERMS 2000 Distribution/Licensing/Agency Agreements Scope of Authority Termination Protection of Intellectual Property Applicability of Foreign Law and Implications of Foreign Legal Systems International Trade U.S. Export Compliance Export Licensing: General and Validated Export Licenses Trade Embargoes Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Anti-Boycott Law and Regulations Customs and Tariff Issues U.S. Customs Classifications: Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) Customs Valuation Country-of-Origin Marking Issues Customs Penalty Issues Customs Administration Proceedings Court of International Trade U.S. Trade Preference Programs Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) International Trade Commission (ITC) Proceedings NAFTA Duty Drawback Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) U.S. Goods Returned International Protection for Intellectual Property Established program for worldwide registration of client trademarks Advised clients on legal strategies for invalidating foreign registrations of trademarks infringing client trademarks Developed strategy for protection of client product design through enforcement by U.S. Customs Service, U.S. International Trade Commission and U.S. District Courts Advised client on U.S. copyright protection against unauthorized imports Served as arbitrator on Internet domain-name disputes under Uniform Dispute Resolution Procedure (UNDRP) of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Advised client and worked with local India counsel on proposed license/distribution agreement and product development/technology transfer agreement with company in India International Banking and Taxation Offshore Banking Entities: Edge Act corporations and Agreement corporations Letters of Credit Avoidance of Acquisition of U.S. Tax Residence by Foreign Corporations and Nationals International Litigation Jurisdiction Enforcement of U.S. and foreign judgments and arbitral awards Selection and supervision of foreign legal counsel Mexico Focus: Cross-Border Transactions: Real Estate And Business Matters Legal ramifications of development, acquisition, financing and construction of real estate developments Acquisition of beneficiary rights under real estate Mexican trusts concerning property located in the "restricted zone" U.S. title insurance for properties and leases regarding property located in Mexico and Latin America Federal and State Government regulatory compliance in Mexico Business organizations, maquiladoras, and other related exports and imports incentive programs, and general corporate matters Business-Related Immigration Employment Eligibility for Non-Permanent Residents Visitors for Business/for Pleasure "Working" Visas Permanent Residents ("Green Card" Holders) Family Relationships Asylum Employment-Related Labor Certification (Department of Labor) and Exemption from Labor Certification Employment Eligibility Verification and Audits Of Note Attorneys of our International Law Group offer non-English language capabilities in a variety of major languages. While English is the undisputed international language of business, non-English language capacity offers our clients the unique ability to better understand the cultural context which can affect the efficiency and effectiveness of the course of action selected by our clients and implemented by our attorneys. The attorneys of our International Law Group offer the ability to counsel solutions to international legal problems which are both legally and culturally effective.
The firm's attorneys in the International Law Group draw on their educational background, practical experience and cultural sophistication to provide effective representation for our clients in international areas. We also are able to offer our clients access to reputable and competent counsel in other nations and oversight of foreign legal counsel on behalf of our clients. Attorneys in our International Law Group represent large and small businesses and individuals, providing legal services in the areas described below.
The types of services provided in the international area are both broad and eclectic. The services described below include both U.S.-based issues and similar issues resolved for clients in many nations around the world. Examples of such services include: