International Desk

Your global legal partner
Our International Desk is a bridge between jurisdictions—bringing overseas companies into the U.S. market, providing reliable local support across the U.S., and coordinating strategic execution globally.

Overview

We help overseas clients achieve their business goals in the U.S. through an integrated suite of legal services. When you partner with us, you and your business interests are supported by lawyers based in major business hubs—from New York and Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle—who combine the capability you expect from an AmLaw 100 firm with the creativity and commercial focus you value in a trusted business partner. With 600+ lawyers practicing across 11 U.S. offices, we deliver comprehensive support to guide you through every transactional opportunity, regulatory barrier, and contentious matter wherever you are, from Europe to Asia to Latin America, through Silicon Valley and Hollywood to Wall Street.

Legal Services for Non-U.S. Clients

We position you for success in the U.S. by pairing legal acumen with commercial experience. Whether you are investing or transacting here, navigating federal or state regulatory regimes, or litigating in federal or state courts, we help you realize your goals by providing practical, actionable guidance that is in tune with your business culture and expectations.

Transactional Support

We deliver comprehensive support for inbound investments, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and other transactions. We frequently serve as lead counsel on inbound M&A and joint ventures, and counsel overseas companies on forming U.S. entities, negotiating partnerships, structuring investments, and securing licenses and approvals. Additionally, our practice includes counseling on private, midmarket M&A, as buyer or seller counsel, focusing on energy and natural resources, financial services, food and beverage, franchising, healthcare, media, and technology, among other industry sectors. Based on our deep experience within those industries, we help you spot issues before they arise and adopt innovative, real-world solutions.

Cross-Border Compliance & Regulatory Guidance

Our rare blend of sector-specific regulatory guidance and cross-border compliance capabilities helps you confidently navigate the complexities of doing business in the U.S. You benefit not only from the big-picture perspective that our deep experience provides, but from our tactical know-how across a range of substantive areas. Complementing these services, our white-collar team delivers specialized support to mitigate risk and manage high-stakes challenges so that you can focus on growth while we manage the legal groundwork.

Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution

We help you confidently navigate complex disputes while safeguarding global business interests. We start by understanding your business and litigation goals, then craft tailored strategies to achieve desired outcomes at every stage of litigation—from early case assessment and strategy formulation to court representation, arbitration, and settlement negotiations. We leverage technology and staffing solutions to contain costs, especially during discovery.

Areas of Focus

Trusted U.S. Counsel for Overseas Law Firms

We partner with overseas law firms to advance their clients' interests in the U.S.—whether that is part of executing a global business strategy or advising on a particular transaction, regulatory matter, or dispute. In this role, we work closely with trusted firms to provide commercial advice that is responsive to the clients' business and legal goals and aligns across jurisdictions. From deal structuring to regulatory strategy, we provide integrated support that complements your approach and enhances client outcomes.

Cross-Border Transactional Support

Our lawyers advise on the U.S. aspects of multinational transactions, including:

  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Joint ventures
  • Financings
  • Commercial contracts

We tailor our advice to fit the broader deal strategy, ensuring smooth execution and risk mitigation.

Litigation

We collaborate with overseas firms to manage U.S. disputes effectively, including:

  • Federal and state court representation
  • Arbitration and mediation
  • Forum selection and jurisdictional strategy
  • Cross-border discovery and data/privacy considerations
  • Judgment recognition and enforcement
  • Coordination on parallel proceedings across jurisdictions

We align litigation strategies across borders and handle filings, hearings, and negotiations to protect your clients' interests.

Regulatory Navigation

We guide overseas firms and their clients through the U.S. regulatory landscape, including:

  • Foreign investment reviews (CFIUS)
  • Sector-specific compliance (energy and natural resources, financial services, food and beverage, franchising, healthcare, media, and technology, among other industry sectors)
  • Federal and state agency interactions

Our team delivers clear, actionable advice and manages filings, negotiations, and regulatory engagement.

Transparent and Cost-Efficient Engagement

We prioritize clarity and cost-efficiency:

  • Straightforward billing
  • Proactive communication
  • Streamlined coordination

Our goal is to make your experience working with U.S. counsel smooth and predictable—so you can focus on serving your client.

Whether you are an overseas law firm or company, you can proceed confidently knowing our local lawyers are on the ground and fully integrated into the team. The result is a truly full-service platform.

Global PRAC Partnership

Our commitment to serving clients globally is reinforced by DWT's relationships and affiliations—most notably the Pacific Rim Advisory Council (PRAC). PRAC is a strategic alliance of top-tier independent law firms spanning the Pacific Rim and beyond. As a member of PRAC, we partner with leading firms across key global markets, including those in Asia, the Americas, and Europe. This affiliation gives our clients immediate access to more than 12,000 lawyers worldwide practicing in major business centers and provides on-the-ground legal prowess in jurisdictions that are critical to international business.

If a client faces a complex regulatory issue in Asia or an investment opportunity in Latin America, we swiftly assemble a team drawing on our "partner firms'" local knowledge and our subject matter expertise. All PRAC member firms are pre-vetted for excellence, ensuring that our clients receive high-caliber representation internationally, which mirrors our own standards. We continually work with our PRAC counterparts on cross-border transactions, compliance reviews, and dispute resolution, functioning as a unified global team that crafts solutions attuned to each locale's legal nuances.

Contact Us

Ready to tackle your next challenge, or simply have questions? Let's talk. Our team is ready to help you navigate complexity with clarity, confidence, and results.

International Desk: Contact us

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