BCR’s international practice is one of the firm’s hallmarks, reflecting decades of experience in private and public international law, litigation and arbitration. Our attorneys advise clients on a wide range of cross-border matters, including foreign sovereign immunity, extradition, treaty law, registration of trademarks and copyrights, Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), and anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, to name a few. Given our deep experience, we are able to navigate the complexities of laws spanning multiple jurisdictions and represent a diverse client base including foreign governments, chambers of commerce, and transnational institutions. We also are proud to have several attorneys who are fluent in a foreign language and a senior counsel with decades-long admission to the German courts. Languages spoken include Farsi, Russian, Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese, and German.
Sovereign Representation
BCR enjoys a rich history of representing foreign sovereigns. Since BCR’s founding, we have proudly advised dozens of foreign nations on nearly all continents, including their agencies, ministries, missions, embassies, and consulates– on a broad range of U.S. legal matters. This work includes advice on the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), employment law, contractual matters, legislative and regulatory frameworks for financial products and international financial services, tax treaty and bilateral investment treaty negotiations, and training on financial regulatory matters. In addition, BCR attorneys regularly represent foreign countries and their missions in U.S. litigation, both at the district court level and on appeal. And, we have secured major asset recoveries for governments in the Mideast and Africa, and assisted U.S. and foreign companies on regulatory matters in Washington and abroad.
BCR provides specialized legal counsel at the intersection of U.S. and European jurisdictions. Our practitioners have deep-rooted academic and professional experience in Germany, England, Belgium, Malta, and Sweden, including a senior counsel with decades-long admission to the German courts. In addition, our attorneys advise Caribbean sovereigns on tax and investment treaty matters, helping draft model negotiating instruments, and participating in negotiations. BCR has advised on financial regulatory and tax-related matters and has represented clients involved in Caribbean high-stakes criminal and civil cases, including mutual legal assistance and extradition cases.
One of our partners, while serving in the U.S. State Department and U.S. Foreign Service, led U.S. support for the democratic transition from Ferdinand Marcos to Corazon Aquino in the Philippines and negotiated the treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe.
International Tax
BCR advises individuals and entities on tax controversies and tax compliance. It advises clients on requests for tax information. The firm advises on individual private client services. The firm has participated on behalf of foreign sovereigns on tax treaties, tax information exchange agreements, and FATCA Intergovernmental Agreements, including representation during negotiations. BCR has represented whistleblowers in tax matters. BCR has helped develop income tax model treaties and a tax treaty network. The firm has advised and prepared initial draft laws on tax-related international financial services products. The firm has reviewed, benchmarked, and suggested revisions in tax-related financial products. The firm has helped foreign sovereigns with respect to compliance with the global minimum tax.
Political Issues and FARA
From its inception, BCR has been involved in advising businesses and government officials on political and lobbying regulations. BCR provides businesses, trade associations, nonprofits, candidates, and activists with timely, concise counsel on the high-stakes legal issues that involve “pay-to-play” restrictions, lobbying regulations, including the Foreign Agents Registration Act and the Lobbying with Congress Act, and ethics rules.
Extradition
BCR provides advice and representation to clients involved in extradition and alternatives to extradition, including representation in court and providing expert witness testimony.
Anti-Money Laundering
BCR advises of financial regulatory matters, including anti-money laundering/counter-terrorism financing and money service businesses. BCR helps with preparation of due diligence, conducts internal investigations, counsels on and prepares voluntary disclosures, and participates in representation of clients in grand jury investigations. It advises on and participates in asset recovery. BCR has served as experts to international organizations helping foreign sovereigns revise their AML/CFT laws, improve their audit mechanisms, and train supervisors.