International Business Law.

Doing business across borders means two of everything: two regulators, two tax codes, two courts that might claim the dispute. We structure, document and defend international ventures so the second jurisdiction never surprises you, in step with our trade and arbitration teams.

60+Countries touched by client operations we advise
$1.2BIn cross-border transaction value structured
15Years advising internationally active businesses

Overview

International deals fail at the seams, not the headline. Entity choice, tax treaty, currency controls, enforcement of the award at the end — we draft for the seam lines so the venture holds in every country it touches.

Cross-border joint ventures and subsidiaries, foreign direct investment, distribution and agency networks, export and import structuring, double-taxation planning and treaty positions, and the dispute clauses that decide where a fight is fought.

Our London headquarters and associated counsel in Singapore work under one instruction with the Chicago team — so a company expanding into Europe, Africa or Asia gets one engagement letter, one point of contact, and advice that already assumes the other side of the border.

The Chicago headquarters where our international business practice is based

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The International Business Law team

KO

K. Adaeze Okonkwo

Senior Partner · Lead, International Business
PW

P. Whitmore

Partner · Cross-Border Ventures
SI

S. Iyer

Counsel · Treaty & Tax Structuring
LF

L. Ferraro

Associate · Market Entry
See all people

What the record says

One engagement letter, three jurisdictions, zero surprises at closing.
Client survey, 2025
They flagged the currency-control issue before our own accountants did.
CFO survey, 2024

Recent work

Matters we're proud of

Joint venture

US–EU manufacturing joint venture structured and closed

Market entry

African market entry structure for a US logistics group

Distribution

Pan-Asian distribution network documented, 9 countries

Treaty

Double-taxation position sustained in two jurisdictions

Latest articles and knowledge

Article

Choosing the holding company home: a practical checklist

Legal briefing

Export controls are biting mid-market exporters now

Article

Where should the arbitration clause send your dispute?

One team for every border you cross

Tell us where your business is going — we will map the legal path there.

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