International Business

Overview

Parker Poe is a leader in the Southeast representing international companies competing in the world market. Since becoming the first Carolinas-based firm with a dedicated international practice in 1984, we have helped our clients adapt as global business has evolved. Today our clients include a range of leaders in their industry segment, including publicly traded companies and small to large private companies based around the world.

Our Services
International clients turn to Parker Poe for strategic counsel across the spectrum of their legal needs, with lawyers in the firm collaborating to help them seize opportunities and navigate challenges. We take pride in offering personalized services for each client while having the breadth and capability (when needed) of over 275 lawyers firmwide. Our services include:

Foreign Direct Investment and Entry Into the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Other Countries
Site Selection and Business Expansion and Location Solutions
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Other Inbound and Outbound Cross-Border Transactions
Corporate Structuring and Tax
Employment and Employee Benefits
Immigration and Visa
Real Estate and Environmental
Intellectual Property
Regulatory and Government
Risk Management
Domestic and International Litigation, Arbitration, and Dispute Resolution
CFIUS and Other U.S. Investment Regulations
International Trade and U.S. Customs

Our Leading Roles & Personal Connections
Our attorneys have played a variety of leading roles in the Southeast's international affairs. Today, these roles include honorary consul of Germany for South Carolina and Georgia, advisor in economic diplomacy for Belgium, president of the Charlotte Taiwanese American Association, and director of the Charlotte Chapter of the American Council on Germany.

Our team also has deep personal connections in a variety of the countries our clients call home, enabling us to provide advice based on our intimate understanding of cross-border business and cultural differences. Team members originate from or have lived in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, England, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Venezuela, and other countries. They speak languages such as German, Spanish, French, and Mandarin.

You can find examples of our personal connections and stories in these videos.

Our Membership in International Organizations
In addition, Parker Poe is a member of two leading international legal networks. The firm was a founding member of the Employment Law Alliance (ELA) 24 years ago and today is its exclusive member in North Carolina and South Carolina. The firm is also the exclusive North Carolina member of TerraLex. Our clients benefit from these networks through the relationships we have built with other member firms across the U.S. and around the world. We routinely partner with other ELA and TerraLex members to help businesses navigate the local nuances of various jurisdictions. In addition, other ELA and TerraLex members, and their clients, turn to us for legal solutions.

Our Geographic Areas of Focus

Europe

Our International Practice was an outgrowth of our firm’s service to companies based in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland over 40 years ago. Since then, we have represented hundreds of companies in those countries and across Europe, including (for example only) from the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, and France. Our team includes leaders in a variety of roles supporting the transatlantic relationship. Click here to learn more about our support of German American commerce in particular.

Asia-Pacific

We have extensive experience supporting Asia-Pacific companies through legal counsel, business advice, and personal relationships. Our clients include companies from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and India. Our team includes attorneys who have lived in the region and visit businesses there regularly. Click here to learn more.

Latin America

We have deep experience helping international companies expand their businesses in Latin America, as well as Latin American companies expand their businesses in the United States. Our history goes back to the early days of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), when we advised American companies on outbound investments in Mexico and Mexican companies on inbound investments in the U.S. In the years since, our experience has extended across Central America and South America. Click here to learn more.

Representative Experience

Acquisitions and Joint Ventures

Represented a global chemical company in acquisition of U.S. and South American assets of a competitor.
Represented a publicly traded British company in its acquisition of a U.S. equipment rental business.
Represented a German shoe chain in the purchase of a majority of the stock of a U.S.-based shoe chain.
Represented a foreign-owned retail company in its acquisition by merger of a competitor out of bankruptcy.
Represented a German-based multinational conglomerate in the establishment of a globally focused auto parts assembly joint venture with a French parts manufacturer.
Represented a U.S. steel manufacturer in its acquisition as part of a consortium of a Peruvian steel manufacturer through an auction process.
Represented a publicly traded British company in acquiring certain assets of an Italian corporation.

United States and Foreign Investment

Represented a global textile manufacturer in connection with its initial capital investment in Buncombe County, North Carolina.
Represented a global industrial company in connection with its plant expansion in Durham County, North Carolina, and its divestiture of operating facilities in Massachusetts.
Represented a global auto parts manufacturer in connection with its initial capital investment in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.
Represented a global automotive component manufacturer in connection with its initial capital investment in Greenville County, South Carolina.
Represented a U.S. textile company with manufacturing investment in Mexico.
Represented a U.S. manufacturer of motors with joint venture investment in China.
Represented various clients with Greenfield investments into the U.S. and the related legal aspects.