International Business

Cross-border transactions present legal, cultural, and practical challenges that require more than simply applying domestic law in a different setting. We help clients structure transactions, form and organize business entities, negotiate agreements, coordinate with foreign counsel and other professionals, and address disputes involving parties, assets, or operations on both sides of the border.

Managing Attorney D. Rob Burris is conversationally fluent in Spanish and regularly serves as U.S. counsel in cross-border matters. By working closely with Mexican attorneys, accountants, notarios, and other professionals when necessary, we help clients navigate the intersection of U.S. and Mexican legal systems while keeping their broader business objectives in focus.

Entering the U.S. Market

For Mexican businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors entering the United States, establishing a U.S. entity is often only the beginning. Successful expansion requires careful consideration of ownership structure, governance, contracts, real estate, financing, regulatory requirements, and the practical differences between doing business in Mexico and the United States.

Burris Law Firm serves as U.S. counsel to Mexican clients establishing, acquiring, investing in, and operating businesses in the United States. We assist with entity selection and formation, ownership and governance structures, operating and shareholder agreements, acquisitions and investments, commercial contracts, real estate transactions, and the other legal matters that arise as a business establishes and expands its U.S. operations.

Our role frequently extends beyond a single transaction. We work with clients as ongoing U.S. business counsel, providing practical guidance as new opportunities, contracts, investments, and legal issues arise. When a matter involves specialized tax, immigration, accounting, or other professional advice, we coordinate with the appropriate advisors so that the client's legal and business strategy is considered as a whole.

Just as importantly, we understand that successful cross-border representation requires an appreciation of the differences in business practices, expectations, and legal systems on each side of the border. Managing Attorney D. Rob Burris is conversationally fluent in Spanish and works directly with our international clients, helping bridge those differences and providing a consistent point of contact for their U.S. legal matters.

Cross-Border Business Counsel

Our international practice addresses the legal and business issues that arise when companies, investors, and entrepreneurs conduct business across the U.S.–Mexico border. We advise clients on individual transactions, ongoing commercial relationships, investments, and disputes involving parties, assets, or operations in both countries, including:

• Cross-Border Business Transactions Structuring, negotiating, and documenting acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, strategic relationships, and other transactions involving businesses, investors, or assets in the United States and Mexico.
• Mexico Market Entry and Investment Representing U.S., Canadian, and European businesses and investors pursuing commercial and investment opportunities in Mexico. We advise on the U.S. aspects of these transactions and coordinate with experienced Mexican counsel and other professionals on matters governed by Mexican law.
• International Contracts and Commercial Agreements Drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, service agreements, manufacturing and supply agreements, licensing arrangements, confidentiality agreements, and other commercial contracts involving parties or operations in multiple jurisdictions.
• Import, Export, Distribution, and Supply Relationships Advising manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, importers, and exporters on the commercial agreements governing the manufacture, purchase, movement, distribution, and sale of products across international borders.
• Manufacturing and Maquiladora Operations Advising clients involved in manufacturing and maquiladora operations in Mexico on cross-border ownership structures, contractual relationships, manufacturing and supply arrangements, and related U.S. business matters, while coordinating with Mexican counsel where Mexican law is involved.
• Agricultural and Commodity Trade Representing growers, producers, distributors, importers, exporters, and other participants in cross-border agricultural and commodity transactions, including purchase and sale agreements, supply and distribution relationships, payment disputes, and other commercial matters.
• Cross-Border Disputes Representing clients in commercial disputes involving international parties, contracts, transactions, or business relationships. Cross-border disputes can present issues beyond the underlying claim, including jurisdiction, governing law, venue, enforcement, and the practical realities of pursuing remedies across international borders. We evaluate those considerations as part of the overall litigation and resolution strategy.
• Coordination of U.S. and Mexican Counsel Cross-border matters frequently require legal and professional expertise in both countries. We work alongside Mexican attorneys, notaries, accountants, tax professionals, and other advisors to coordinate the different aspects of a transaction or dispute and help ensure that decisions made on one side of the border are considered in the context of the client's broader objectives.

U.S. Counsel With a Cross-Border Perspective

Cross-border clients need U.S. counsel who understands that international business involves more than applying U.S. law to a transaction. Differences in legal systems, business practices, language, and expectations can create complications that require practical judgment and effective coordination on both sides of the border.

Burris Law Firm provides international clients with direct access to experienced U.S. counsel who understands the dynamics of cross-border business. When Mexican law or other specialized expertise is required, we work collaboratively with Mexican attorneys, notaries, accountants, tax professionals, and other advisors. Our role is to help coordinate the U.S. legal aspects of the matter while maintaining a clear understanding of the client's broader cross-border objectives.

We are a boutique firm by design. We are selective about the matters we accept so that our clients receive direct attorney involvement, responsive communication, and practical, experienced counsel. For Mexican businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors seeking to establish or expand their presence in the United States—and for U.S., Canadian, and European clients pursuing opportunities in Mexico—we provide a trusted U.S. legal resource for navigating business across borders.