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Businesses operating in countries around the world inevitably face regulatory, policy or other government-related problems. An effective response often requires sophisticated understanding of the political dimensions surrounding a government action. And experience in working internationally at senior levels of government is invaluable in crafting practical solutions.
To help address these issues, Covington has established a practice group described by some clients as “a mini State Department.” This group of lawyers, former diplomats and other senior government officials helps clients anticipate and respond to legal and political problems in established and emerging markets around the world. The Covington team includes several former Ambassadors, a former U.S. Cabinet Secretary and numerous lawyers and professionals who have served in the top levels of United States agencies, the U.S. Congress and the European Parliament. They have extensive experience with policy and regulatory issues in Asia, especially China and India; Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, especially Russia and Eastern Europe.
We have assisted companies in virtually every region of the world through services ranging from pre-investment analysis of regulatory risk to urgent development and execution of strategies to counter sudden and adverse government action. We also bring these skills and sensitivities to bear when handling acquisitions, joint ventures and other transactions in developing nations.
We have strong relationships with senior government officials in many countries, either directly or through affiliations with McLarty Associates, a global business consultancy in Washington, Institution Quraysh for Law & Policy, the leading Arabian Gulf law and policy firm, and Khaitan & Co., a premier Indian law firm.
Representative Matters
- Negotiated with a President, Prime Minister and other top officials of a major Asian country to address intellectual property rights issues.
- Advised Chinese government owned investors on successful strategies for meeting U.S. government regulatory requirements for investments in U.S. companies.
- Advised Indian companies on compliance with UN and U.S. government sanctions programs.
- Advised Western investors on protection of their economic rights in connection with politically sensitive investments in Russia and Eastern Europe.
- Worked with a U.S. Ambassador and a foreign Ambassador to resolve a dispute between a private equity firm and an African sovereign.
- Negotiated with a Middle Eastern Health Minister to resolve pricing and patent issues of concern to the U.S. pharmaceutical industry.
- Negotiated with top UN officials to secure the release of payments that had been blocked under the Oil for Food program.
- Worked with the senior economic advisor to a Latin American President to reverse an import ban that violated a bilateral trade agreement.
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