COMMERCIAL, BUSINESS, AND CORPORATE LAW 

We counsel our clients from corporate formation to ongoing business development.  We provide an umbrella of legal services that expand business opportunities while protecting our client’s interests.  Our commercial, business, and corporate practices extend to initial formation and capitalization, financing, joint ventures, equity sales and investments, sale of businesses, factoring, licensing, distribution, SEC compliance, real estate development and transactions, leasing, labor and employment, licensing, intellectual property, and contractual relationships between domestic and international entities. We negotiate and draft agreements in a wide range of commercial, business and corporate matters.

We advise foreign government clients on international law issues, including diplomatic privileges and immunities, conflicts of law, business and trade regulations, and litigation.  Our experience extends to codification, negotiation, and interpretation of bilateral and multilateral treaties. Further, we handle all types of real estate matters, including purchases and leases of properties for embassies and U.N. missions, residences for diplomats and staff, and commercial premises. We advise foreign government clients on large-scale renovation projects, including the negotiation and preparation of contacts for architecture, engineering, construction manager, maintenance, and general contractor and subcontractor services.

We advise foreign governments by analyzing the impact of existing and proposed U.S. legislation on diplomatic and trade relations.  We provide our clients with a thorough understanding of U.S. legislative and regulatory processes and assist in developing strategic communications by preparing written materials and attending international conferences, symposia and meetings with U.S. federal, state, and local officials, private sector representatives, and journalists.

We handle cross-border transactions across various sectors and jurisdictions. We bring together foreign and domestic buyers and sellers and conduct the necessary due diligence to ensure transparency and credibility. We advise on a full range of issues, including U.S. and foreign trade regulations and agreements, antidumping and countervailing duty laws, customs law, export controls, letters of credit, financing, foreign assets control, embargoes and sanctions. In shipping matters, we prepare fixture recap and charter party agreements, and handle maritime disputes, including cargo variances and maritime "rule B attachment". In negotiating and drafting agreements, we maximize profitability and minimize liability for clients engaged in international trade.

We represent corporate, individual and foreign government clients in every significant type of real estate matter, including the negotiation and preparation of purchase and lease agreements of commercial and residential premises. We work closely with federal, state, and city government officials and community boards to ensure compliance with building and environmental regulations, zoning, building permit reviews, comprehensive planning, and historic preservation.  Additionally, we handle large-scale real estate development projects, including advising on condominium conversions and negotiating and preparing contracts for architecture, engineering, construction, maintenance and general contractor and subcontractor services. We handle all disputes arising from real estate matters.

We implement a creative and result-oriented approach in all commercial disputes. Whether involving breach of contract, business torts, or maritime cases, we act as trial and appellate counsel, providing representation before arbitral tribunals, mediation panels, and juries. We formulate litigation strategy with a keen awareness of the international impact on our clients’ broader legal and business interests. In all international matters, we work closely with local counsel in developing a unified strategy that will maximize benefits while minimizing liabilities for our clients. Additionally, we consult with individuals and institutional clients in best practices and minimizing liability exposure. By advising our clients before litigation starts, we protect their transactions and help to eliminate potential disputes. Prevention efforts and responsible management of litigation costs form a basic tenant of our practice. Further, we view alternative dispute resolution (ADR) as a fundamental part of our skill set in handling disputes. We examine the potential value of ADR in every case, advising our clients of the possible options and strategies for successfully resolving a dispute while reducing costs.