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Contracts, Visas, incorporation for French High Tech Companies ; Contrats;
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US HIGH TECH MARKET ACCESS Aider les entreprises francaises à gérer
leurs questions juridiques
Williams Mullen1666 K St. N.W. Suite 1200Washington, D.C. 20006En appel direct : 001.804.420.6482Eliot Norman and Robert (“Rob”) Van Arnam [email protected] [email protected] 919 981 4055 http://www.linkedin.com/in/businessimmigrationlawyer
INTRODUCTION
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Introduction: L’espirt Américain
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• Mobile, AL (Airbus)• Savannah, GA (Gulfstream-General Dynamics) • Charleston, SC (Boeing)• Greensboro, NC (Hondajet)• Durham, NC (GE Aviation)• Richmond/Petersburg, VA (Rolls-Royce)• Melbourne, Fla (Embraer
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The New Southeast U.S. Aerospace Cluster Eliot [email protected] [email protected]
American Business Culture: • Optimistic: The Frontier Spirit « le pays des start-ups »• Entreprenurial spirit is in the DNA
• Par contre: Law and contracts must be respected; everything is in the contract once it is signed
• No link between contract and personal relationship: « its just business, it’s not personal » « business is business »
• Dans les négociations, a la fin , tout doit être documenté.• Les Etats-Unis: un pays mais 50 états pour les contrats
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Attention! • Pour réussir il faut maitriser ces contrats. • Il faut limiter le Régime de Responsabilité dans une façon
qui est consistante avec vos risques: • Eviter les pièges:
– « miscellaneous »– « définitions » – « flow-through » ou
« incorporation par référence »
• RTBC! RTBC!
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Final Points: Management of Contracts • « Americanize » your agreements !• Examine with care your commercial contracts: ask for legal advice to
interpret and apply under the law of the state that will govern any dispute:
• Pay close attention to liability provisions, including responsibility for defective products, liquidated and consequential damages, and the obligation to indemnify Buyer for damages…
• Review for time deadlines on giving notice; flow down issues • Government contracts present special problems and all provisions must
be understood and respected; • Don’t get caught: • Consider dispute resolution solutions:
Mediation
Arbitration
• It is often far less expensive and must faster to resolve disputes before the Federal U.S. District Courts.
Le Défi Juridique Américain
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04/13/23 1010
"Règles du jeu équitables??”
créer un « level playing field » Partir sur un pied d ’egalite avec vos concurrents américains
Solution: The FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)
11 An introduction
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How to Help Your Company Compete for Business in the USA
Starting up Operations: The First 6 months - Legal Strategies that you should consider.
- Legal strategies to help accelerate your growth in the U.S. market
THE FIRST SIX MONTHS: LEGAL CHECKLIST
The First Six Months: “Start-up” Legal Services For Your U.S. Company
1. Form U.S. company: corporation or limited liability company; set up of holding company? Incorporate in Delaware or another state? Review tax consequences in setting up the right corporate structure for your business.
2. Qualify your company to do business in multiple states.
3. File for “New Office L-1 Visa” for your managers or technical personnel; or use
E-2 Visa for company making substantial investment;
4. Advise on using B-1 Visas for short-term transfers to support contracts or
specific projects;
5. Advise on application of local/state taxes
6. Conduct trademark search and file trademark application; advise on patent issues or ownership of intellectual property.
7. Obtain Internal Revenue Service Employer Identification Number (EIN); Social Security Numbers, business licenses, any other state and local registrations
8. Review of office or warehouse lease.
9. Draft Employee Handbook, provide briefing/training for managers and expatriates on federal and state employment laws.
Start-up Legal Services
10. Review commercial contracts, master supply agreements, advice on limiting liability for indemnification, consequential damages, warranty claims, etc.
11. Review applicability of Export Controls regulations, advice on how to set up a Compliance Program
12. Advice on structuring Teaming and Joint Venture Agreements under U.S. contract laws
13. Advice on U.S. customs regulations, valuations and classification of products exported to the USA
14. Review distribution/agency/licensing agreements for selling products in U.S.
15. Economic Incentives: review of Performance Agreements and incentive packages offered by competing State or Regional Economic Development Agencies; advise and assist with economic development location issues and decisions.
16.Provide initial briefing on obtaining government grants, contracts and subcontracts;
17. Other general business legal advice
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Donc, ayez confiance: Voici le petit déjeuner de vos avocats américains
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SI nous étions des avocats, nous pourrions facturer nos honoraires a l’heure IF WE WERE LAWYERS, THIS WOULD BE BILLABLE TIME
THE FIRST SIX MONTHS
• A realistic legal budget
• Solution: « un forfait » (Fixed Fee) or « un plafond » CAP on hourly fees for First 6 Months for Start-up Legal Services (veuillez voir la plaquette)
• Les FAQ et Reponses pour votre entreprise : toute la gamme, ONE STOP SHOPPING, from A-Z.
• This is what you really need. 17
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II Les 4 sujets juridiques
Rob Van Arnam
La competitivite Pour rester compétitives, les sociétés françaises devraient: assembler ou fabriquer ou fournir des services dans la zone « dollar »,
les points clés: 1. reconnaitre l’importance du bon choix de visas pour les transferts du personnel clé
2. choisir la structure juridique pour votre entreprise américaine qui correspond a ses activités
3. Protéger et exploiter leur propriété intellectuelle
–« américaniser » (localiser) leur entreprises et leurs contrats
ET comprendre le système juridique américain et travailler avec un avocat qui peut établir un « level playing field » pour son client
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It all starts here
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Attention! Homeland Security is in charge of
immigration to the USA
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Visas: Practical Solutions for Visitors • Reforms in use of « Shengen » type visas
– Visa Waivers (ESTA); – Can work under B-1 in support of international
supply agreement ( example) – B-1 in lieu of H-1B (design engineers)
• This is important to help you get started.– If you can show your U.S. buyer you can send
the key technical staff, you can win the work and the contracts to support your first office
• Nouveau Problème: Présence physique fiscale; et vous perdez d’autres opportunités
Sans un carte de visite américaine.
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GREEN CARDS
LA PYRAMIDE DE VISAS AMÉRICAINS
L-1A/L-1B, E1/E2 Investors/Treaty Traders
TN, H-1B/O-1
B-1/ F-1/J-1/H-3, H-2B
90 Day ESTA Visa
WaiversB-1 Business
Visitors (B/2) (tourists)
EB-1 Multinational Managers/Executives & EB-1Extraordinary Ability and Outstanding Researchers;EB2/3 PERM Labor Certifications for professionals, skilled workers leading to Green Cards;EB2 Green Cards for National Interest Waivers, FAMILY SPONSORSHIP (marriage to U.S. Citizen or, Green Card Holder; Diversity Lottery. EB-5: $500,000 Investors
EXECUTIVES, MANAGERS, Specialists and Essential-Skills Employees for U.S. Offices of International Companies
PROFESSIONALS; Extraordinary Ability Scholars & Scientists
TRAINEES & FOREIGN STUDENTSResearch Scholars & Specialists; Temporary workers , VIE , Interns.
BUSINESS VISITORS:Negotiate Contracts, Consult;Trainees, Install Equipmentif Purchased Overseas; Visa WaiverB-1 au lieu de H-1B: 6 month project requiring professional services.
6693462
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Case Illustration: L-1 ou E-2 Intra-Company New Office Transfers
Super Composites USA,Inc. Mobile, Alabama USA
Toulouse Composites SAS Managers, Executives
Engineers Technicians
Project Managersand
SpecialistsComposites
Engineers
Composites GmbH. Munich, Germany
100%
100%
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Case Illustration: E-2 Individual Investors/Specialists/Executive Visas
Super Composites USA,Inc. Mobile, Alabama USA
Sophie et Pierre
Project Managersand
SpecialistsComposites
Engineers 50%
100%
50%
Quelle structure pour quel projet? Formation de L’Entreprise Americaine
Conseil: Conseil: Choisir avec soin Choisir avec soin la structure juridique:la structure juridique:Implications fiscales, Implications fiscales, contractuelles, et pour les contractuelles, et pour les visas visas 26
C Corporation
Limited Liability
Company
+ dividends to shareholders
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Derniere Question? Incorporer a Delaware?
• Delaware or other states
• Qualifying to do business in other states
• Veuillez voir Handbook FAQ # 3
• Other Tax Considerations among States?– See FAQ Handbook # 4
USA Holding Co.
US FactoryUS R&D Startup
Business
Le Holding ?? Cas pratique #4
« C’est vraiment pour plus tard dans le développement de l’entreprise »
Next Step: Joint Venture
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U.S. Joint Venture LLCSUV Composites, LLC
American : Luxury Vehicle Parts, Inc.
USA
French: Super Composites USA , Inc.
50% 50%
Next Step: Joint Venture?
Joint Venture
Common development of a new Hatch in rear and Sunroof cover for the BMW SUV :
Consider: – Division of profits; – Liability: one venture partner binds the other– Resolution of disputes– What acts can be undertaken independent of and
outside the JV– Who owns the improvements? Cross-licensing – Termination and grounds for withdrawal– What structure for the JV?
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Final Thoughts: Joint Venture • Define well the scope of the joint venture
agreement and use an American contract • Des Avantages: Notre exemple du JV
Canadien-Français Know how to end it before you sign it
• ****Plan for the divorce before you get
married****
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Alternative: Teaming Agreements• Teaming Agreement: Defined• Major Elements and Protections
for French Company as Teaming Partner & subcontractor: exclusivity, scope of work, data exchange subject to NDA, pricing within prime contractor’s target ranges, easy termination.
• Sample Teaming Agreement Checklist: PDF from [email protected]
• Substantial advantages over typical prime-sub relationships and Joint Ventures:
• Tres “a la mode” dans le domaine des contrats gouvernmentaux : vous donnera aussi la souplesse avec les grands Tier 1.” pour les contrats commerciaux
Alternative to JV = M&A
• Benefits of M&A– localize and « americanize » your French an
business– add to your competitivity: 2 ways: – create a level playing field with your american
competitiors– Less complex, ultimately more profitable than a JV– Gives your company the ability to raise capital from
private equity and commercial banks in the USA
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IP: Rob Van Arnam
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Conclusion
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Conclusion : Votre réussite dépendra en fin de compte …
• du choix de la structure juridique pour votre entreprise américaine qui correspond a ses activités
• des solutions de visa efficaces pour votre personnel clé
• de l’importance des règlements gouvernementaux,
• de l'attention portée à la gestion des contrats et à leur américanisation [Model Supply Agreement]
• de l’adoption des stratégies qui vous permettent d’accélérer votre croissances aux Etats-Unis
• de trouver des conseillers qui ont l’expérience pour vous aider dans votre implantation aux Etats-Unis
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Thank You
Eliot Norman, [email protected]
www.williamsmullen.com001/804.420.6000
Washington, DC USA
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QUESTIONS ?
Eliot Norman
Williams Mullen
Washington, D.C.
Virginia
North Carolina
Direct Line: +1.804.420.6482
http://www.linkedin.com/in/businessimmigrationlawyer
