Europe and Asia

/Overview

Our practice brings together lawyers across Nixon Peabody to provide clients with a single point of access to the firm’s capabilities across jurisdictions and disciplines. We advise on cross-border transactions and investments, corporate and commercial matters, international disputes and arbitration, government and regulatory matters, internal and government investigations, sanctions and international trade, energy and infrastructure projects, aviation and defense matters, project development and finance, and other strategic matters requiring coordination across multiple jurisdictions.

We regularly represent European and Asian clients with business, investment, regulatory, and litigation interests in the United States, as well as US clients pursuing investments, transactions, projects, and other opportunities throughout Europe and Asia. Our work frequently involves matters spanning several jurisdictions and requiring coordination among corporate leadership, government authorities, financial institutions, investors, local counsel, and other stakeholders.

Our geographic focus also extends to North Africa, particularly where matters intersect with European, Asian, and US markets. We advise on cross-border investments and joint ventures, energy and natural resources, oil and gas transactions, LNG and power projects, infrastructure development, project finance, government contracts, international trade, regulatory matters, commercial agreements, investigations, and international disputes. We have particular experience with matters involving governmental and state-owned entities and projects requiring coordination among governments, private investors, financial institutions, and commercial counterparties.

/Our focus

Our lawyers advise on the full lifecycle of cross-border transactions and investments, including acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, strategic investments, corporate structuring, market entry, financing, commercial partnerships, and complex contractual arrangements. We structure and negotiate supply and offtake agreements, procurement contracts, distribution arrangements, transportation and shipping agreements, charter arrangements, licensing and technology agreements, and other long-term commercial relationships.

We have significant experience in energy, natural resources, infrastructure, aviation, aerospace, and defense. Our work includes oil and gas, LNG, power, renewable and nuclear energy; mining and commodities; major infrastructure projects; aircraft and aviation matters; defense procurement; government contracting; project development and financing; construction and engineering arrangements; regulatory approvals; export controls; and disputes arising from these activities.

The practice also advises clients on the increasingly complex regulatory environment governing international business. This includes economic sanctions, export controls, customs and import requirements, international trade restrictions, government approvals and licensing, regulatory investigations, compliance programs, and interactions with US and foreign governmental authorities. We represent corporations, financial institutions, governmental entities, executives, and individuals in sensitive internal investigations, government investigations, enforcement matters, and related litigation.

International disputes remain a significant component of the practice. We represent clients in complex commercial and investment arbitrations before leading arbitral institutions and in cross-border litigation in US courts. Our experience includes disputes involving energy, infrastructure, construction, joint ventures, investments, aviation, financial arrangements, government contracts, and other international commercial relationships. We also advise on the recognition, enforcement, and defense of international arbitral awards. Nixon Peabody’s existing international work reflects substantial experience across these areas, including international trade, regulatory investigations, M&A, aviation, energy, infrastructure, and cross-border disputes.

Beyond disputes and major transactions, we advise international clients on banking and finance, project finance, technology and intellectual property, cybersecurity and privacy, real estate, employment, tax, and other legal issues arising from international investments and operations. For private investors, entrepreneurs, and family offices, we coordinate the firm’s corporate, transactional, regulatory, real estate, dispute-resolution, and private-client capabilities to address investments and business interests across multiple jurisdictions.

/Our approach

Our approach is practical and relationship-driven. Rather than addressing individual jurisdictions or legal disciplines in isolation, we assemble the appropriate Nixon Peabody team around the client and the matter. A cross-border transaction may require corporate, financing, regulatory, sanctions, tax, intellectual property, and government capabilities, while an international dispute may simultaneously involve litigation, arbitration, investigations, enforcement, and asset-related considerations.

Where local-law capabilities are required, we work closely with leading independent law firms and professionals throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa. This allows clients to maintain a coordinated relationship with Nixon Peabody while accessing appropriate local experience in each relevant jurisdiction.

For clients navigating matters among Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the United States, our objective is to provide one coordinated legal team that understands the legal issues, the commercial objectives, and the broader international environment in which our clients operate.