International Trade

Expert Analysis

• The Pandemic's Early Effects On Foreign Trade, Investment

  

  Though the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States continues to function despite worldwide disruptions due to the coronavirus, dealmakers should stay mindful of several considerations in this rapidly changing investment environment, say Michael Leiter and Daniel Gerkin at Skadden.

• Opinion

  Judicial Shaming Of Attys Is Troubling Even During Pandemic

  

  Judges have recently rebuked attorneys for wasting judicial resources to resolve minor issues during the COVID-19 crisis, including in a trademark lawsuit over unicorn drawings. But it is unfair to publicly flog lawyers for doing what they are trained to do, says Ronald Minkoff, chairman of Frankfurt Kurnit's professional responsibility group.

• Don't Be Social Media Distancing: LinkedIn Tips For Lawyers

  

  While we need to be physically apart at this time, lawyers and firms should be leaning into social media to reinforce and build relationships, and help guide clients through the coronavirus crisis, says marketing consultant Stefanie Marrone.

• Remote Depositions: Coming To A Home Office Near You

  

  Recent Texas state court orders indicate judges are increasingly requiring parties and nonparties to submit to remote depositions amid the pandemic. However, there are inherent drawbacks to such depositions, including limitations on attorneys’ ability to assess witness credibility, says Edward Duffy at Reed Smith.

• Ways Lawyers Can Support The Most Vulnerable Right Now

  

  In this global health and economic crisis, it is essential that lawyers recommit to inclusion, and fight for colleagues, clients, community members and friends who are most at risk, says Dru Levasseur, head of the National LGBT Bar Association's inclusion coaching and consulting program.

• Latest UK Sanctions Breach Fine May Signal New Era

  

  The £20.47 million penalty that the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation imposed on Standard Chartered Bank on Tuesday is unprecedented, and this case could represent the start of a new era of sanctions enforcement in the United Kingdom, say attorneys at Kirkland.

• Confronting The Challenges Of Virtual Mediation

  

  Conducting mediation via videoconference amid the ongoing pandemic poses significant challenges, including the difficulty of reading people when you are not with them in person. Daniel Garrie at JAMS shares six tips to overcome the limitations.

• 3 Steps To Building Effective Teams While On Lockdown

  

  When your team is working from different locations due to the COVID-19 outbreak, don’t default to just sending emails. Collaboration is much easier when team members are also communicating in real time over the phone or through videoconferences, say William Oxley and Meghan Rohling Kelly at BakerHostetler.

• Tips For Cos. Confronting Pandemic Impact On Global Trade

  

  Companies can best weather the effects of the pandemic on international trade by taking certain steps related to supply chains, tariff modifications, and export controls and sanctions, while also remaining mindful of the expanding jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States, say attorneys at Lowenstein Sandler.

• Client Advocacy Tips For Remote Hearings During COVID-19

  

  As the judiciary implements telephone and video hearings in response to the coronavirus pandemic, attorneys can deliver effective advocacy by following certain best practices, such as using backup materials and specially preparing witnesses and exhibits, say attorneys at Fish & Richardson.

• How To Conduct Depositions Remotely

  

  Remote depositions are a useful tool for meeting discovery deadlines while allowing all parties to stay at home amid the COVID-19 outbreak. But they come with a unique set of challenges, say Eliot Williams and Daniel Rabinowitz at Baker Botts. 

• COVID-19 Raises Unique Issues For Health, Life Sciences Cos.

  

  Health care and life sciences companies are in the difficult position of being unable to suspend operations amid the coronavirus crisis, and must face new patient privacy, contract obligation and federal regulation challenges, say attorneys at Debevoise.

• Tackling Uncertainty In Pandemic-Related Int'l Disputes

  

  Parties to cross-border transactions must consider that legal concepts with varying meanings across diverse jurisdictions may be applicable in contract disputes stemming from the coronavirus — and boilerplate force majeure language will not be enough, say Luis Perez and Alejandro Chevalier at Akerman.

• A Guide To Zealously Representing Clients During COVID-19

  

  The American Bar Association's Model Rules of Professional Conduct require lawyers to be zealous advocates for clients' interests, but how do these rules apply in this unprecedented time of COVID-19? Anne Lockner at Robins Kaplan offers some pointers.

• Beware Pervasive Trademark Scams During COVID-19

  

  Trademark scams related to COVID-19 are certain to persist for the foreseeable future, but brand owners can mitigate their consequences by proactively registering marks, employing watch services, sending cease-and-desist letters, and staying on top of the latest high-tech scams, say Ann Fort and Cameron Murphy at Eversheds Sutherland.