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International links

IN this increasingly globalised world, the borders between countries are becoming, in many ways, less visible every day.

For those doing business internationally, however, important obstacles remain. One crucial hurdle is that different jurisdictions have varying laws and procedures – not to mention economic climates, cultures and politics.

To understand the issues this can present, imagine you run a UK company that wishes to enter into a licence agreement with one in the US. You will need assurance that your agreement will hold in both territories. However, your solicitors may not know the ins and outs of the relevant US law.

You – or they – could use a traditional legal directory to find a local US law firm, but which firm would you choose? You wouldn’t want to stake your licence agreement on one you’d previously never even heard of.

Back in 1994, my partners at Hewitsons asked me to address this problem by forming a law group – a network of trusted firms around the world. And so, LawExchange International (LEI) was born.

In 2019, LEI is celebrating its 25th anniversary. We now comprise an impressive 34 member firms, together employing some 1,700 lawyers in 30 jurisdictions around the world. Each firm has been through a rigorous selection process to ensure it meets our standards for everything from professional competence and reputation to integrity and commitment to exceptional client service. As such, LEI includes some of the top commercial firms serving middle-market and entrepreneurial businesses worldwide.

These firms are connected by far more than just being listed together in a directory. Delegates meet regularly at LEI conferences in the Americas, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. The conferences feature lectures, break-out groups and discussions, focusing on different legal topics each time. Through such events, our members have formed strong, lasting relationships, which are at the heart of LEI’s efficacy.

This means that, through Hewitsons, our clients can be put immediately in touch with a trusted, reputable and familiar solicitor local to the jurisdiction in which they are seeking to do business. Likewise, we receive many referrals from clients in other countries who have dealings in the UK.

Whatever the outcome of Brexit negotiations, I am convinced that the expertise of law groups such as LEI will play an increasingly important role in the commercial dealings and requirements of UK businesses going forward.

For more information, visit www.hewitsons.com/international or connect with LawExchange International on LinkedIn.

Companies mentioned in this article

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