Jonathan Bench, Attorney
Jonathan is chair of Harris Bricken’s corporate practice group and managing attorney of the firm’s Salt Lake City office, 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 Chinese and Cantonese. He is also on the board of directors for World Trade Center Utah.
Jonathan co-hosts Harris Bricken’s weekly Global Law and Business podcast, which covers legal and economic business developments around the world. He is a regular contributor to the award-winning China Law Blog and the award-winning Canna Law Blog, where he shares his practical insights into doing business internationally and in the cannabis and emerging products industries.
Jonathan studied international business and international law at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., earning both JD and MBA degrees. He describes himself as a businessperson who went to law school rather than a lawyer who studied business. Jonathan’s business clients value his ability to think like a business owner as he provides sound legal guidance while maintaining key business issues at the forefront of the discussion.
Jonathan regularly presents to business owners and organizations regarding international business transactions, particularly foreign direct investment and the international cannabis trade.
In his spare time, Jonathan enjoys spending time with his wife Mary Ann and their five children, exploring the outdoors, practicing Hapkido, learning guitar, and working on his Spanish.
More About Jonathan
Speaking Engagements
Co-Host of Harris Bricken’s Global Law and Business Podcast.
CFIUS and the Global Venture Capital Funds: Trends, Updates, and Critical Issues Explored, The Knowledge Group webinar, October 7, 2021.
Retail and Multi-Family Real Estate Development for Overseas Investors, Harris Bricken webinar, August 25, 2021.
U.S. Real Estate for Overseas Investors, Harris Bricken webinar, June 30, 2021.
Doing Business in India: An Overview of Legal Considerations, WSBA webinar, July 7, 2021.
Leasing to a Cannabis-Related Business: Banking, Permitting, Zoning, Rent, Indemnification, and Insurance, Strafford, May 27, 2021.
International Business Law for Business Leaders, St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam, Kochi, Kerala, India, May 19, 2021.
High Roads: A Twitter Chat, National Underwriter Property Casualty, April 20, 2021.
Where the Money Grows: Learning the Industry Trends in Medical Cannabis, Recreational Marijuana, Hemp, and Beyond, Medical Cannabis Brief, April 20, 2021.
Actionable Advice On What U.S. Businesses Should Do About China, WTC Utah: The China Paradox Webinar Series, April 7, 2021.
How US Companies Can Take Advantage of Mexico Cannabis Legalization: Corporate, Trade, and Immigration. Cannabis Mexico Summit, March 26, 2021.
Counseling Your First Cannabis Client: Marijuana vs. Hemp, State vs. Feds, and Other Key Issues, Washington State Bar Association, February 2, 2021.
The Meandering Path to a Career in Private International Law, Brigham Young University Law School, November 11, 2020.
Regulatory Incentives in Cannabis Markets: The Competing Goals of Sin Taxes, Public Health, Elimination of Illicit Markets, and Revenue Generation, George Mason University Law School’s Symposium on the Economics and Law of Cannabis Markets, October 12, 2020.
International Legal Considerations for Business Executives, The George Washington University School of Business, October 8, 2020.
Investing in India – Business and Legal Considerations – Part 3, FAO Global, August 13, 2020.
Investing in India – Business and Legal Considerations – Part 2, FAO Global webinar, July 15, 2020.
Southeast Asia as an Alternative to China, World Trade Center Utah webinar, May 20, 2020.
Understanding CFIUS: Impacts on Chinese Investment in the United States, FAO Global Webinar, April 9, 2020.
COVID-19, Companies Making Culture Podcast, April 7, 2020.
How to Rebuild Your Asia Supply Chain, FAO Global Webinar, March 26, 2020.
Effects of COVID-19 on Doing Business with China, WTC Utah Webinar, March 19, 2020.
Trade Wars or Truce? Legalities of Doing Business with China in 2020,WTC Utah, February 5, 2020.
Intoxicles and Mug Buddy Cookies, Greenlight Maine, November 18, 2018.
Key Legal Issues for Emerging Companies, Center for Entrepreneurs: TopGun, 2017, 2018.
The Maine Show, podcast guest, April 17, 2017.
Legal Fundamentals for Businesses, Small Business Bootcamp, 2017.
Governance Issues for Startups. Scratchpad Accelerator, 2015.
Media Appearances
Blunt talk: A Twitter chat on commercial auto risks for cannabis businesses, Property Casualty 360, April 23, 2021.
Time To Get High On Marijuana Investing?, Insurance News Net, April 13, 2021.
Green Screen, National Underwriter Property & Casualty, April 01, 2021.
China is Ready for CBD. But Regulators Might Not Be. The Wall Street Journal: The Future of Everything Podcast, January 29, 2020.
Publications
Regular contributor to the award-winning China Law Blog and the award-winning Canna Law Blog.
Acquiring a Cannabis Business, Thomson Reuters Westlaw, 2021.
As China’s Hemp Industry Suffers, US Hemp Growers Prepare To Pounce, The Fresh Toast, March 4, 2020.
Is Debt or Equity Financing Better for my Business?, Rudman Winchell.
Best Practices in International Business Contracting – Part 1, Rudman Winchell.
Best Practices in International Business Contracting – Part 2,Rudman Winchell.
Investor Pitfalls: Should I Invest in a Privately Held Company?, Rudman Winchell.
Investor Chronicles: Should My Company Take on Private Investors?, Rudman Winchell.
501(c)(3) Public Charities: Meeting the Public Support Financial Requirement, Core Compass, December 2, 2015.
501(c)(3) Public Charities: Examples of Donations That Satisfy the Public Support Test, Rudman Winchell.
501(c)(3) Public Charities: Defining Qualifying Public Support, Rudman Winchell.
Retailer Certificates, Resale Certificates, and Sales and Use Tax, Rudman Winchell.
For-profit Director and Officer Standards of Conduct,Rudman Winchell.
Representative Work
Represented buyer and seller groups in cross-border PPE (personal protective equipment) transactions exceeding $3.5 billion.
Represented $20MM international venture capital fund on secured debt investment in cannabis real estate.
Represented public Canadian company in $100MM foreign direct investment in U.S. multi-state cannabis operations.
Represented public Chinese company in $3MM acquisition of U.S. technology company.
Represented Australian-owned aviation MRO company in international contracting with European suppliers and customers.
Counseled multiple U.S. companies with China employment matters in Chinese representative offices.
Represented many U.S. issuers in private equity and debt securities issuances under Reg D, including those involving international investors.
Represented U.S. manufacturer in joint venture negotiations with Taiwanese corporation.
Represented Taiwanese-owned fruit orchard partners in partnership dispute.
Counseled Ethiopian-backed U.S. coffee import company with investor relations.
Represented U.S. drone software company in export control and licensing issues relating to European imports.
Recognition/Honors
Rising Star, Super Lawyers 2015-2018 (Corporate Law)
Rising Star, Super Lawyers 2021 (International Law)
Volunteer Activities
Junior Achievement USA – Mentor
Practice Areas
Education
- The George Washington University Law School (J.D.)
- The George Washington University School of Business (M.B.A.)
- Brigham Young University (B.A.)
Bar & Court Admissions
- Utah State Bar Association
- Washington State Bar Association
- Maine State Bar Association (Inactive)
Languages
- Chinese (Advanced)
- Cantonese (Advanced)
- Spanish (Basic)
