Jennifer Schwesig leads Armstrong Teasdale’s International practice area and serves as assistant general counsel to the firm. She understands that to be truly competitive, companies must have a business orientation that is global in scope. Jennifer knows that organizations must often bridge the amalgam of local, national and foreign country laws as well as analyze the added risks that accompany any overseas transaction. Her practice centers on counseling both domestic and foreign clients on international corporate compliance issues and business transactions in order to facilitate global expansion and management of overseas operations.

Whether it is a newly emerging company going overseas for the first time or complex multinationals needing targeted assistance, Jennifer focuses on issues that occur when creating a foreign direct investment. Her experience includes corporate formation, entity selection, structure, mergers, acquisitions and divestures, cross-border investments, joint ventures, regulations, strategic business alliances and international franchising. She works to ensure that each arrangement follows procedure and local laws, minimizes tax implications and risk, and fulfills the organization’s goal. Jennifer is particularly skilled in assisting franchisors in expanding their operations into overseas markets, including the development and drafting of international disclosure documents and franchise agreements.

All companies operating overseas need assistance facilitating and maximizing international compliance. Jennifer regularly assists clients with complying with U.S. export controls, economic sanctions and embargoed country transactions, anti-boycott laws and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). She aids with licensing and regulatory issues related to the export of U.S. products in accordance with Export Administration Act and Regulations (EAA/EAR) and the Arms Export Control Act and Regulations (AECA/ITAR). On the import side, Jennifer aids in a variety of issues arising under the laws administered by the United States Customs and Border Protection, especially the classification and valuation of imported merchandise, country-of-origin marking and other labeling requirements, as well as preferential tariff programs and free trade agreements.

Through the regular development and implementation of new compliance programs and auditing and reviewing current programs related to import and export issues, Jennifer can spot problems and provide guidance on navigating these complex laws and regulations.

Jennifer’s background also includes significant experience working with China. Because of her familiarity with the country, its culture and laws, she is in a strong position to help U.S. corporations with investments in China as well as providing compliance training to U.S. multinationals with operations in China.