Katten’s broad international experience enhances our representation of clients in both domestic and foreign legal matters. Many Katten attorneys are licensed to practice in foreign jurisdictions and have substantial experience with different legal systems, and our established worldwide network of highly qualified foreign counsel gives our clients global coverage and instant access.
With a well-established presence in London, we are able to offer integrated legal advice to service the needs of clients undertaking transatlantic business. In addition, as a member of the US European Network (USEN), an informal, non-exclusive network of leading independent law firms headquartered in key U.S. and European legal markets, Katten is able to provide legal advice in most European countries, as well as in Latin America and Asia. We regularly leverage our relationships with other firms in the Network to ensure that our clients’ matters are given prompt and full attention when legal assistance is required in other jurisdictions.
Katten also has an office in Shanghai that focuses on advising both Chinese companies doing business in the United States and Western companies with business interests in China. Attorneys in our Shanghai office are qualified in China and the United States, speak fluent English and Mandarin, and can handle legal affairs on a multicultural and multijurisdictional basis.
Our international experience encompasses the following practice areas:
China
Katten has one of the most active China practices among U.S. law firms. In addition to a team of experienced attorneys permanently based in Shanghai, the firm maintains a core China team in its Chicago office that works seamlessly with the Shanghai team to serve our clients' business needs in China in real time. Clients benefit from our knowledge of Chinese local law and practices, our language and communication skills, and our relationships with central, regional and local governments and businesses in China. The insights of our bilingual and bicultural attorneys help Western investors overcome cultural differences to succeed in China and Chinese clients to succeed in the United States. Visit our Shanghai office site at kattenlaw.cn.
Corporate
We provide sophisticated transactional representation and business counseling to national and global companies in a wide range of industries. Our attorneys coordinate regularly with colleagues in different practice areas and foreign counsel to provide seamless client service on complex, cross-border transactions. We have represented clients in matters throughout the world, including Europe, Japan, China, Mexico, Canada and Brazil. We also have represented global companies and funds in numerous “inbound” U.S. transactions. In addition, we have extensive experience in foreign antitrust investigations, transactions and business operations, and have established strong relationships with foreign competition lawyers who can be retained quickly when the need for overseas counsel arises.
Customs and International Trade
Katten helps clients to maintain their compliance with U.S. and international laws regulating trade and to discover opportunities to enhance their competitive positioning. Our customs and international trade attorneys are highly skilled at drafting documents and providing advice on potential regulatory issues that arise in the course of international business transactions. Katten’s in-depth understanding of trade policy and remedies enables us to provide effective representation to leading U.S. and multinational companies on a range of trade policy issues, including participating in trade coalitions, direct lobbying of U.S. government officials, and to advise companies on international trade negotiations and agreements under the WTO, NAFTA and others.
Financial Services
Katten's Financial Services Practice represents a number of the world’s premier hedge funds and money managers, major investment and commercial banks, leading firms and insurance companies, and several international exchanges. We also provide advice with respect to the organization and day-to-day operation of both U.S. and foreign private investment funds. Our London office provides asset management, regulatory, and derivatives and capital markets advice to UK and overseas investment entities and banks, asset managers and other financial services institutions.
Intellectual Property
Our clients rely on us to protect their intellectual property throughout the world. Katten’s experienced litigators enforce, protect and defend our clients’ patent, trademark and copyright rights in jurisdictions across the United States and abroad. We frequently assist our clients with the transfer, protection and licensing of their intellectual property assets in cross-border transactions. In addition, our IP attorneys have experience working for international law firms and organizations, including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Israel
Katten has a breadth of experience in Israel, and is actively involved in U.S.-Israel organizations including the America-Israel Chamber of Commerce Chicago (AICC). Our attorneys have represented a number of Israeli companies in securities class actions and other matters. We have also represented Israeli companies in connection with informal investigations by the SEC and prosecuted an earn-out dispute on behalf of a number of Israeli venture capitalist companies against a publicly traded U.S. company.
Litigation
Katten litigators have served as advocates for clients engaged in international litigation and arbitration proceedings, including those conducted by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and the Stockholm Arbitration Institute (SCC). Our attorneys have been recognized for their ability to resolve international disputes economically with positive results for clients. Katten attorneys are also well situated to advise U.S. and foreign companies about the scope and obligations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and with regard to U.S. class actions that include non-U.S. class members.
Real Estate
Our combined experience in the U.S. and European real estate and real estate capital markets enabling enables us to provide premier servicing solutions and capabilities on both sides of the Atlantic. We represent owners, developers and investors in the acquisition, operation, restructuring and disposition of all types of properties in U.S. and international markets. Katten lawyers are familiar with many foreign legal requirements and are uniquely qualified to select local counsel and lead all types of international real estate transactions and financing, as well as to coordinate any U.S. tax and regulatory compliance that may be necessary. We are involved in all aspects of foreign investment in U.S. real estate and in international real estate and finance transactions.
Tax
Katten’s tax attorneys have the depth of knowledge, understanding and experience to efficiently handle issues arising from both U.S. and foreign tax laws. We regularly counsel foreign clients regarding the tax aspects of their U.S. operations and investments and advise U.S. clients on the implications of foreign expansion and activities. In particular, Katten has extensive experience representing both founders and investors in structuring domestic and multinational start-up businesses and venture capital investments to take advantage of the many benefits offered by tax laws.
Trusts and Estates
Comprehensive planning requires that we consider and address international issues. Katten’s integrated network of trust and estate practitioners counsel foreign and domestic clients on tax and estate planning issues relating to their multinational holdings. The firm’s Trusts and Estates Practice has been recognized among the industry’s global elite, including being named International Law Firm of the Year – USA at the Citywealth Magic Circle Awards.