Eons ago, a veteran China hand responded to one of our blog posts by writing me with his own story of China problems.

The ODA is the primary regulator of hemp in Oregon, one of the first states to allow the production of industrial hemp under the 2014 Farm Bill.

The email consisted of questions we thought should be asked of the law firms with which we would be communicating.

On July 2, 2025 (today), President Trump announced a new trade pact with Vietnam that sends a bold message. It is targeting any country—Vietnam included—that integrates Chinese components...

In yet another setback for hemp and marijuana-adjacent businesses, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has quietly reintroduced a policy that effectively disqualifies most of them from critical federal loan programs.

Tom wired the money on Friday. By Monday, the factory had registered a near clone of his mark in a subclass he had never checked.

Expanding your restaurant internationally tests every part of your business—from operations and supply chains to culture, finance, and, of course, the law.

This is the third post in Harris Sliwoski's online series, in which Shannon Brandao will guide you through the practical, legal, and personal considerations of purchasing a home in Europe.

Global businesses are asking a hard question: does Big Law (with its $2,000+ hourly rates) still deliver value in cross-border deals? Increasingly, the answer is no.

U.S. manufacturing agreements and AI-generated contracts fail when applied to China manufacturing because they rely on enforcement assumptions that don't work in Mainland China.

The past year has brought dramatic changes to the technology sector. Major companies have announced large-scale layoffs while at the same time making unprecedented...

When launching a business, registering a trademark in the countries where you operate (including where you manufacture) is often, and wisely, one of the first steps you as an entrepreneur will take to protect your brand.

A U.S. company recently lost more than $860,000 to a foreign client. It had a signed contract, invoices, and legal remedies. That still was not enough.

On February 26, 2025, the US Chassis Manufacturers Coalition ("Petitioner") filed an antidumping duty ("ADD") petition on chassis and a countervailing duty (CVD) petition on imports...

The DEA's 2026 marijuana rescheduling hearing has excluded all proponents of Schedule III classification, allowing only prohibitionist voices to participate.

A motion to stay the DEA's marijuana rescheduling rule raises serious legal challenges based on decades-old precedent and procedural requirements.

Today let's talk about the attorney-client privilege, how important that safeguard is in M&A transactions, and how not to mess it up.

This is the second post in our global trademark registration series. We began with Australia, a jurisdiction known for its modern...

Foreign buyers often prefer dealing with Hong Kong intermediaries for China manufacturing due to clearer communication and familiar processes, but this convenience can become a costly trap. When mainland Chinese factories control your molds, technical files, and production while your contract only binds a Hong Kong entity, you may discover too late that you've legally protected the wrong company—leaving you without recourse when quality issues, IP theft, or tooling disputes arise.

When buying a U.S. business, a letter of intent (LOI) serves as a critical early-stage document that establishes the framework for negotiations. What are the essential terms that should be included in an LOI, and how can parties avoid common pitfalls that derail transactions or create unintended binding obligations?