US Law Offices Abroad

U.S. Law Offices Abroad: What You Need to Know When Entering a New Market Presented by Kathleen Bradley, Esq. Susan B. Bastress, Esq. Monday, June 11, 2007

Introductions Susan B. Bastress, Esq. Partner Patton Boggs LLP Susan Bastress began practicing as a real estate lawyer in 1981 at Weinberg & Green in Baltimore. She moved with her family to the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1986 where she continued to practice in her firm known as Moorhead & Bastress, PC. In 1996, Ms. Bastress returned to Baltimore and joined Patton Boggs LLP. In 2003, upon the firm’s invitation from the Emir of Qatar, Ms. Bastress opened and managed the Doha office of Patton Boggs and became the first non-Qatari to be licensed to practice law. Now in its 4th year, the Doha Office of Patton Boggs has grown to over 20 staff, including 12 attorneys, and is primarily servicing clients in the finance, energy and real estate sectors. Susan returned to the Washington office after 3 years in Qatar, where she continues to practice real estate and service her Middle East clients. © Susan Bastress and Kathleen Bradley 2007 All Rights Reserved.

Introductions Kathleen Bradley, Esq. President The Executive Lawyer LLC Kathleen Bradley is an international finance lawyer with over 18 years of practice experience, and 12 years of experience living and working abroad. She lived and studied in Spain as a college student, worked for a GE subsidiary in Algeria in 1978, worked as in-house legal counsel for a bank in Kuwait in 1989 and 1990, and practiced law with Clifford Chance in London (1990-1991), Bahrain (1992–1997), Moscow (1997-1998) and Washington, DC (1999-2000), and with White & Case in Bahrain (2000–2002). Since 2003, she has worked in the US as an executive coach and consultant to lawyers and law firms through her company, The Executive Lawyer LLC, and as Career Development Coach for Arent Fox LLP. In a few months she will be returning to the practice of law in the Middle East. © Susan Bastress and Kathleen Bradley 2007 All Rights Reserved.

Making the Decision to Open an Office Abroad • Is the international market for you? • Due Diligence • Know your business case – Strengths and weaknesses – Recognize who you are/what you offer – Profitability – Business development/marketing plan – Crisis management – Exit strategy © Susan Bastress and Kathleen Bradley 2007 All Rights Reserved.

Legal Considerations • Corporate structure • Translation of documents • Office licensing • Laws and sources • Attorney licensing • Leases • Tax considerations • Enforceability of contracts • Repatriation of profits © Susan Bastress and Kathleen Bradley 2007 All Rights Reserved.

Recruitment and Staffing • Getting started • Expatriate issues – Home office – Suitability for life abroad – Local office – Language – Housing • Staffing issues – Families – Cost – Getting around – Talent – Financial issues – Integration – Health care – Local labor laws – Doing business – Skills maintenance and – Security development – Partnership agreement © Susan Bastress and Kathleen Bradley 2007 All Rights Reserved.

Cross-Cultural Awareness • Hours of operation and • Payments to vendors holiday schedule • Gender issues • Attire and customs • Local law firms • Local legal market • Pro-bono • Language • Local internships • Staffing • Client Engagements © Susan Bastress and Kathleen Bradley 2007 All Rights Reserved.

Office Considerations • Location • Conflict checks • Building • Security • Upfit • Branding and marketing • IT • Conversion from U.S. • Billing systems • Leases • Filing systems © Susan Bastress and Kathleen Bradley 2007 All Rights Reserved.

Ethical Considerations • U.S. requirements (e.g., FCPA, Anti-Boycott regulations, Patriot Act) • Local code of ethics and ABA Codes • Knowing your customer • Privileges (attorney-client) • Conflicts of interest © Susan Bastress and Kathleen Bradley 2007 All Rights Reserved.

The Benefits • A strategic necessity • A network of global offices = seamless service • Profitability • Soft Benefits (reputation, client satisfaction, etc.) • Rich cultural experience © Susan Bastress and Kathleen Bradley 2007 All Rights Reserved.

Contact Us Susan B. Bastress, Esq. Kathleen Bradley, Esq. Patton Boggs LLP The Executive Lawyer LLC 2550 M Street, NW 7005 Girard Street Washington, DC 20037 McLean, VA 22101 202.457.6000 202.857.0047 202.457.6315 (Fax) kcbradley@execlawyer.com sbastress@pattonboggs.com © Susan Bastress and Kathleen Bradley 2007 All Rights Reserved.

US Law Offices Abroad

by kcbradley on Sep 28, 2009

Accessibility

Upload Details

Usage Rights

Statistics

US Law Offices Abroad — Presentation Transcript