Emerging market risks

Recent Events in Africa as a Guide for Investing in Emerging Markets

Political Risks in Emerging Markets Emerging market countries offer tantalizing rewards. High growth rates, untapped resources, and burgeoning middle classes can make for attractive investments. But amidst this allure lies an unpredictable nemesis: political risk. From the abrupt twists of military coups in West Africa to nationalization policies in Latin America, and from regulatory upheavals

Cargo Shipping Business

A Guide to Starting a Maritime Cargo Shipping Business

The financial barriers to starting a cargo shipping business are significant and every level of operation requires a significant amount of capital investment. Even assuming you can afford to purchase a seaworthy vessel, entry into the industry is complex due in large part to the varying stakeholders whose functions are essential to operations. For those

Copy of Hilary Vince Chamber Award  Announcement

Harris Sliwoski Recognized by Chambers in 2022 Guide

Harris Sliwoski has once again been recognized by Chambers and Partners in its Chambers USA 2022 Guide. Chambers and Partners, a London-headquartered research company that publishes detailed rankings of the world’s leading law firms and lawyers, recently named Harris Sliwoski one of the top cannabis law firms in the United States and singled out two

International trade cargo containers

Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine & The Shape of International Trade to Come

Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign and democratic nation, has shattered Europe’s long peace, cancelled the peace dividend bestowed by what was thought to be the end of the Cold War, and provoked widespread condemnation. With Ukrainian cities, towns, military bases, infrastructure, citizens, and refugees coming under what at times appears to

Mainland Chinese courts do not enforce U.S. judgments. Therefore, it is usually (but not always) a waste of time to bring a lawsuit in a U.S. court against a Chinese company that does not have assets in either the United States or in a country that enforces U.S. judgments.

Disputes with Chinese Companies

Disputes with Chinese companies are becoming increasingly common, yet they are not becoming any easier to resolve. Mainland Chinese courts do not enforce U.S. judgments. Therefore, it is usually (but not always) a waste of time to bring a lawsuit in a U.S. court against a Chinese company that does not have assets in either

Emerging markets success

Four Essential Principles of Emerging Market Success

In my work as an attorney representing mostly Western companies in emerging markets, I have concluded there are four essential elements to emerging market success: a good partner, an open mind, active participation, and extreme patience. I have seen enough essential similarities between such diverse countries as Russia, Korea (back when it was still an

Recognition of Foreign Judgments in US Courts

Recognition of Foreign Judgments in United States Courts

This post is on the recognition of foreign judgments in United States Courts. More particularly, it is on the law U.S. courts look to when deciding whether to enforce a foreign court judgment, the foreign judgments they will enforce, and the procedures they use to determine whether to enforce. Winning a foreign lawsuit is one

Human Rights is Your Business

Human Rights is YOUR Business

1. Human Rights is Your Business In an interview last week on CNBC, billionaire investor Ray Dalio was asked how he reconciles China’s human rights record, including the recent disappearances of high-profile citizens such as Alibaba founder Jack Ma and former Grand Slam tennis champion Peng Shuai, with investing in the country. Dalio replied, “I can’t

DAOs and the Paradox of Corporate Form

The Paradox of the DAO and the Corporate Form

Are you considering forming or investing in a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (known in the cryptocurrency world as a “DAO”)? The purpose of this post is to consider DAOs in the broader context of cryptocurrency investment and the paradox around corporate form created by their very existence. I will also propose some domestic and international entity