ArentFox Schiff Launches International Desks, Strengthening Its Role as Gateway Counsel for Global Businesses Entering and Expanding in the United States

Led by International Group Co-Leaders Sarah A. W. Fitts, Ricardo Fischer, and David Tafuri, the initiative reinforces the firm’s longstanding commitment to serving as gateway counsel for international clients pursuing growth, investment, and strategic business objectives in the US market. 

The launch brings together ArentFox Schiff’s established country-focused desks, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Japan, and Latin America, which combine local market insight, cultural fluency, and longstanding relationships to serve as a trusted bridge between international businesses and the complex legal, regulatory, and commercial environment of the United States. 

“International businesses entering the United States need more than legal advice, they need a strategic partner who understands their industry, business objectives, and cultural context,” said Sarah, who also leads the firm’s Japan Desk. “Our International Desks are designed to meet clients where they are, helping them navigate unfamiliar terrain, unlock opportunities, and build successful long-term operations in the United States. Whether a client is making its first investment in the US market or managing complex multinational operations, ArentFox Schiff provides the practical, business-focused counsel needed to move forward with confidence.” 

Foreign companies and investors increasingly face a complex landscape that includes evolving trade policies, regulatory oversight, intellectual property concerns, workforce considerations, supply chain challenges, litigation risk, and geopolitical uncertainty. ArentFox Schiff’s multidisciplinary team advises clients on matters spanning corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, private investment, international trade and customs, intellectual property, labor and employment, government relations, investigations, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, and litigation. 

A Global Platform Built on Local Insight

Each International Desk offers country- and region-specific experience tailored to the needs of businesses operating across borders.

Australia: The firm’s Australia Desk supports public and private companies seeking to establish and expand US operations, advising on corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, international trade compliance, finance, intellectual property, labor and employment, and commercial transactions. The team also serves as a trusted resource for Australian financial and professional services firms seeking reliable US counsel for their clients. 

Desk Leader: Matt Galo

Brazil: The Brazil Desk addresses how international engagement between Brazil and the United States presents distinct legal, cultural, and operational considerations, particularly for businesses operating across different legal systems. Led by a team of Portuguese speakers across multiple practice areas, the Brazil Desk partners with Brazilian law firms, acting as local counsel for cross-border transactions and litigations. Our firsthand experience practicing law in Brazil enables us to communicate effectively with Brazilian counsel and anticipate questions and concerns. 

Desk Leader: Tan Anderson

Canada: The Canada Desk leverages decades of experience in one of the world’s most significant bilateral trade relationships. The team advises Canadian businesses, industry organizations, and government entities on trade compliance, customs matters, transfer pricing, government relations, regulatory issues, market access concerns, and strategic considerations related to evolving US trade policies and Buy America requirements. 

Desk Leaders: Riyaz Dattu, Nancy Noonan. 

China: The China Desk counsels Chinese companies doing business in the United States and US-based organizations operating in China. Drawing on deep knowledge of the Chinese legal and business environment, the team advises clients on international transactions, intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, litigation, arbitration, and government affairs. Several attorneys are fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese and maintain strong professional networks throughout Asia. 

Desk Leaders: Julia Zhu-Morelli, Andrew Wong, Henry Mann

Finland: Through the Finland Desk, ArentFox Schiff provides Finnish companies with comprehensive US legal counsel across corporate and securities matters, business operations, fund formation, commercial contracts, and antitrust issues. The desk also benefits from the leadership of partner Jon Jurva, who serves as Finland’s Honorary Consul in Chicago.

Desk Leader: Jon Jurva

Japan: The Japan Desk serves Japanese companies, individuals, and law firms seeking sophisticated US legal support. The team routinely advises clients on corporate governance, operational matters, employment issues, real estate, regulatory concerns, acquisitions, joint ventures, financing transactions, international trade, customs and import compliance, export controls, sanctions, and Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) matters. The desk also serves as trusted local counsel to numerous Japanese law firms and has seconded attorneys to Japanese clients and law firms to deepen cultural understanding and collaboration. 

Desk Leaders: Sarah Fitts, Paul Maier

Latin America: The firm’s Latin America Desk combines sophisticated legal counsel with a deep understanding of the cultural and business nuances that drive success in the region. Attorneys advise clients throughout Latin America on brand protection, cross-border transactions, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act matters, commercial disputes, regulatory issues, employment matters, intellectual property protection, and strategic growth initiatives. The team includes attorneys fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and maintains relationships with leading law firms throughout the region. 

Desk Leaders: Hunter Carter, Ricardo Fisher, Mario Torrico

Connecting Clients to Opportunity

ArentFox Schiff’s International Group draws on attorneys located across the firm’s offices in Washington, DC, Chicago, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other major US business centers. The platform combines the firm’s extensive in-house capabilities with a carefully developed network of premier foreign counsel, allowing clients to access coordinated legal guidance across jurisdictions while maintaining a single, trusted point of contact in the United States.