Full-Service Solutions in the United States and Abroad
As a multidisciplinary U.S. law firm, we can help you grow your business, protect your intellectual property and manage the challenge of tax, corporate governance, labor and litigation costs associated with doing business in the United States. In addition, our membership in the TerraLex network of law and accounting firms in over 93 countries gives U.S. clients looking to do business in China immediate access to local Chinese legal and tax practitioners. No matter what your need, we can help find a solution appropriate to your business.
Stoel Rives' attorneys provide comprehensive and specialized legal services in both inbound and outbound commercial transactions involving China. Representative examples include:
Mergers and Acquisitions
Stoel Rives has an extensive mergers and acquisitions practice. Our experience includes representing international clients in the purchase and sale of businesses, buyouts, reorganizations and restructurings, financings and business entity formation issues. These transactions frequently require regulatory filings, such as filings with state agencies, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Trade Commission, or rulings from the Internal Revenue Service. We regularly counsel our Chinese clients on transaction structure and legal terms, assist in transaction negotiations, and prepare documents to effect the transaction and handle closings. We also advise on issues involving tax, antitrust, securities, employment, real estate and other laws relevant to the transaction.
Energy Services
With a major ongoing federal economic stimulus effort, numerous state and local government renewable energy initiatives, new oil and gas pipeline projects, and the prospect of expanded offshore drilling rights, the U.S. energy sector offers considerable investment and growth possibilities. As a leading provider of legal services to the energy sector, with a powerful presence in the renewable energy arena, Stoel Rives offers a solid foundation for Chinese companies seeking to establish a foothold in this industry. From biomass, solar, geothermal and wind (we've represented nearly 25 percent of total installed U.S. wind power capacity, through 2009) to oil and gas projects, we can provide experienced legal counsel in all areas including technology and business acquisition, project development, finance, tax and corporate matters.
We are also excited by the growth potential in the Chinese energy market, particularly in the renewable energy sector. The Chinese Renewable Energy Law of 2005 established ambitious renewable energy objectives in the areas of hydropower, biomass, wind, solar and geothermal. Wind energy production has already outstripped initial plan projections, with the result that China is currently the world's fifth largest and fastest growing wind energy producer. Our renewable energy attorneys are focused on developing opportunities for our clients worldwide in this emerging energy market.
Tax Advice
Taxes directly affect the bottom line of every business. With respect to international transactions, non-U.S. citizens and American citizens living abroad, our corporate tax attorneys investigate all the applicable U.S. federal, state and local tax requirements. Our areas of focus include formation and operation of foreign subsidiaries, foreign investment in the United States, borrowing of foreign currencies and transfer of appreciated property outside of the United States.
Governance and Compliance
Our multidisciplinary team of lawyers has substantial experience in U.S. corporate governance, disclosure and trade laws, and in avoiding civil and criminal liability. We regularly assist overseas clients with designing and implementing corporate compliance programs and otherwise respond to issues they may have with corporate governance requirements. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, along with the many new corporate governance standards of the NYSE, SEC and NASDAQ, have dramatically changed the climate in which public companies operate in the United States. We also help companies navigate the complexities of U.S. export laws, including technology transfers and licensing pertinent to China, and implement the protocols necessary to ensure compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Technology Licensing and IP Protection
Our group includes business lawyers who focus on counseling companies and structuring transactions involving technology and intangible assets of all types. The group also includes litigators with direct experience in disputes involving patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights and related rights who can advise clients on liability and risk allocation matters, as well as represent them in all types of litigation and dispute proceedings. We were among the first large general practice firms to develop a broad patent practice, and our patent lawyers and agents have technical knowledge in electrical engineering, physics, software engineering, optics, mechanical engineering and chemistry.
We help international clients protect their trade secrets and confidential information, and navigate the complex landscape of U.S. patents, trademarks and copyrights. For U.S. clients seeking to invest in China, we routinely work with China-based partner law firms to formulate appropriate portfolio management strategies, licensing agreements and intellectual property protections.