Jonathan is chair of Harris Sliwoski’s corporate practice group, where he helps public and private companies with international and domestic business transactions. His clientele includes companies from Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Jonathan has worked and consulted in the U.S., Asia, and South America and is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese.
He is an emerging blockchain legal expert and enjoys developing international legal strategies with promising web3 projects.
China Distribution Relationships We have written recently about the trend in China business as companies move away from joint venture relationships toward distributor relationships. This is happening with Chinese manufacturers and their non-Chinese distributors in the distributor’s home market. This is also happening in China with Chinese distributors or representatives and the non-Chinese manufacturers and
China’s Current Business Climate: Questions Answered Because of our vantage point as an international law firm, we frequently get asked questions by boards of established companies, startup founders, regulators, and reporters. Below are some of the questions about China we have received lately. What is the threat level for foreign individuals and companies doing business
Three Months, Four Continents I just returned from traveling to my fourth continent in three months, which is something I have never done before. I am frequently asked by undergraduate students, law students, and other lawyers what an international transactions lawyer does on a daily basis and how I got here. To commemorate making partner
The Chinese Manufacturing Times Are a Changin’ For companies buying products from China, doing business used to be straightforward – you placed an order, they shipped the goods. Those days are gone. Chinese manufacturers are struggling, and buyers who understand the new landscape can negotiate deals that were unimaginable just a few years ago. Play
International Manufacturing Contracts Strong country-specific contracts are essential for international manufacturing success. But poorly drafted agreements lead to millions lost annually in production delays, quality issues and intellectual property theft. Our international manufacturing lawyers field these frustrating calls daily. Nearly every day, our firm’s international manufacturing lawyers are approached by companies from the Americas, Europe,
China Product Manufacturing China’s role as a major player in the international supply chain is undeniable. But China’s evolving product sourcing landscape consistently poses new challenges. Drawing from recent discussions with an entrepreneur and various speaking engagements, let’s explore the intricacies of sourcing from China in the current environment. China’s Current Environment: A Changed Playing
China’s Data Security Landscape This post addresses the options foreign companies have for operating in China and protecting their critical data. The assumption is usually that there must be a technical solution that allows foreign companies to protect their private technical data in China. The problem is technical, so there must be a technical solution.
The Power of Well-Crafted China Contracts In The High Cost of China Contract Mistakes, I discussed the importance of having the right person craft your China contracts. I am often asked (usually right after I quote our fee) whether a China contract I am proposing to write “is even enforceable in China.” I always give
The shifting winds surrounding China geopolitics have left many companies feeling adrift. “We have been trying to diversify away from China manufacturing for years, but we’ve only managed to move about 10% of our supply chain out,” a client recently told me. “China still makes 80% of our products. Even if we wanted to pull
The international lawyers at my law firm have been increasingly fielding inquiries from companies looking to diversify their supply chains away from China. Many of these companies are looking to move their China manufacturing to Southeast Asia. To help our clients moving to or already in Southeast Asia, I recently went to Vietnam, Indonesia, and
