There has never been a stronger emphasis placed by U.K. government officials on the ‘Special Relationship’ than in the Post-Brexit era.
Even before the 2016 referendum, the US was recognised as the largest single destination for British exports, with trade between the UK and US worth an estimated £130 billion every year, accounting for around 30 per cent of world trade.
The US prides itself on its perception as one of the most welcome environments for foreign trade and investment and it continues to be an increasingly important market for U.K. businesses.
Regardless of the opportunities, it would be dangerous for any business, regardless of size or sector, to take anything other than a measured and realistic approach to trading with the U.S. Given the scale of the market there, and the fact that the 50 States with their own corporate and business laws, there is huge potential, but also huge risk.
The best advice is to research the opportunity extensively, then access the available help and advice of U.S. qualified professional advisers and UK-US business groups who can offer support.
When it comes to U.S. legal matters, you need to ensure that you take professional advice as U.S. legal matters can be complex and difficult to navigate.
For UK businesses and individuals who need US legal assistance, it can be difficult knowing where to start. How do you find the right lawyer who can assist you? Will your U.K. solicitor be able to work with you on a US legal matter? Or do you need to find a specialist American lawyer?
The answer depends on the type of legal matter at hand and whether there is a UK legal element to the specific situation. U.S. law is based on the U.K. common law, so there are a number of cross-overs, however, the Federal and State system, along with 240 or so years of U.S. constitutional, procedural and legal evolution means that U.S. system is almost entirely different to the U.K. Legal system.
If you are unsure about whether you require the assistance of a U.S. Lawyer or and “Attorney-At-Law”, then worry not - In the U.S.A., unlike the U.K., there is only one type of lawyer and a lawyer is the same as an attorney or as an attorney-at-law in the U.S.A.
For some US law matters, it is sufficient to be qualified in any one or more of the US states to be able to advise clients on their legal matters. However, for most areas of US law, only a lawyer qualified to act in a particular jurisdiction (i.e. State) may represent clients in the courts of that jurisdiction. Most commonly, we are instructed on matters involving New York and Delaware state laws.
You will therefore need to consider initially whether your matter involves the laws of a particular state.
At Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors, our dual qualification of US and UK law offers clients representation in both jurisdictions and we have been advising U.S. clients since 2005 on Commercial and Corporate legal matters including Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity and Venture Capital transactions, U.S. Securities laws, Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, Intellectual Property and Information Technology.
Jonathan Abrams, a qualified Attorney-At-Law in the State of New York, runs the U.S. practice advising U.K. international individuals and companies on their U.S. activities.
Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors’ U.S. legal practice is open for business and ready to assist U.K. or International clients on US matters. With offices conveniently located in the heart of London, near Chancery Lane and in Liverpool, North West England.
The US Law team is headed by Jonathan Abrams, Partner. Jonathan qualified as a New York Attorney-At-Law in the U.S. in 2005 and has since practiced U.S. Commercial, Corporate and I.P. law, advising clients on cross-sector matters, ranging from start-ups to multi-billion international conglomerates. If you require guidance on your US business issue, get in touch with our commercial lawyers on 0151 236 5000 or complete our online contact form for more information.
Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors’ U.S. legal services offering is built on Jonathan’s passion and expertise in providing UK and international clients primarily based in the EU and Middle East with a professional, full legal service commercial package, ensuring high standards of professionalism and trust at all times.
Our U.S. practice offers clients a qualified U.S. legal service in the following areas of expertise:
- S. Corporate Law (Focusing on New York and Delaware States) including Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales and Investments, Venture Capital, Private Equity
- Capital Raises including Equity and Debt Finance
- Commercial Contracts and Licensing
- Intellectual Property
- Dispute Resolution (under New York Law) and Debt Recovery
- Information Technology
- Real Estate (New York)
- Document review
- S. Company Formation for LLCs, Corporations (Inc.), including preparation of all of the relevant formation and incorporation documentation required under state law
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant support
Being a small but growing firm, we have reasonable fee structures and are committed to our clients. Our international outlook means that we work with clients in the U.K., the EU, U.S. Middle East and beyond, providing personal attention to our individual and corporate clients in both domestic and cross-border matters between the US and the UK. These matters include both “inbound” British law matters and “outbound” US matters.
A typical client matter would be assisting UK or European businesses who wish to set up in the US, or who are looking to conduct a corporate sale or acquisition in the US.
We also have experience in the New York Real Estate market, assisting non-US individuals and businesses in purchasing or leasing property in New York.
We are often the first port of call for transactions involving US and UK entities.
