In part two of a special AGG Talks: Cross-Border Business episode ahead of the annual IBA conference, AGG International practice chair Mike Burke is joined by partners Leah Braukman, Megan Mitchell, and Matt Zapadka to discuss key considerations affecting international companies across transactions, employment, and intellectual property.

The conversation examines M&A activity, U.S. workforce decisions, and intellectual property protection, including common areas where differences in U.S. law can create unexpected risk. The speakers also offer guidance for companies pursuing transactions, managing employees, and protecting business assets in the U.S.

In part one of a special two-part AGG Talks: Cross-Border Business episode ahead of the IBA 2026 conference in Copenhagen, host and AGG International practice chair, Mike Burke, is joined by AGG partners Allison Raley, Clinton Yu, and Teri Simmons to discuss key issues international companies are currently facing in the U.S. market. The conversation covers forced labor and supply chain compliance, CFIUS and foreign investment review, and immigration and global mobility, with practical takeaways for companies managing cross-border operations, investments, and workforces.

In this episode, Mike Burke, AGG Corporate partner and co-leader of the firm’s International practice, is joined by Kevin Coy and Erin Doyle, AGG Privacy & Cybersecurity partners, to examine the evolving U.S. privacy landscape and what it means for companies operating across borders. Mike, Kevin, and Erin discuss the challenges of navigating the United States' fragmented state-by-state privacy framework, emerging laws governing consumer, children's, and biometric data, website tracking litigation, cross-border data transfers, and key considerations for organizations collecting personal data for marketing, AI, employment screening, and other business purposes.

In this episode, Mike Burke, AGG Corporate partner and chair of the international practice, is joined by Pär Remnelid and Olivia Sandin, attorneys at Azelius & Partners, a Swedish law firm. Together, they explore Sweden’s economic landscape and the implementation of its Foreign Direct Investment ("FDI") Act, which affects both domestic and foreign investors.

Mike, Pär, and Olivia discuss how the Swedish FDI regime compares to the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States ("CFIUS") process, how it influences deal planning and timing, and what investors should know before entering the Swedish market. The conversation also highlights current M&A trends and the challenges of navigating Sweden’s developing FDI review system.

In this episode, Mike Burke, AGG Corporate partner and chair of the International Practice, sits down with Bri Falcon, AGG Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Intellectual Property of counsel. Mike and Bri discuss the territorial nature of trademark rights and the benefits and limitations of the Madrid Protocol, offering practical guidance for businesses expanding internationally. The conversation explores strategies for prioritizing key jurisdictions, conducting clearance analysis, and avoiding common pitfalls such as trademark squatting and “central attack” risks, helping companies protect their brand assets as they grow.

In this episode, Mike Burke, AGG Corporate partner and chair of the International Practice, welcomes back Sean King, president and founder of Align Global Consulting and the podcast’s very first guest. Mike and Sean discuss how companies can strategically manage tariffs and transfer pricing, while also examining the ripple effects across supply chains, intellectual property, and global tax structures. The conversation highlights opportunities amid uncertainty, from reassessing supply chains and customs valuation to evaluating whether the U.S. itself is becoming a “tax haven.”

In this episode, Mike Burke, AGG Corporate & Finance partner and chair of the firm’s International practice, welcomes lawyer and author Amy Sommers for an insightful discussion on the shifting landscape of U.S.-China relations. Drawing on her 40 years of engagement with China — including more than a decade advising multinational companies in Shanghai — Amy reflects on lessons from history, parallels to the autumn of 1950, and the challenges and opportunities global businesses face amid today’s economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

Mike and Amy discuss the impacts of tariffs, supply chain disruptions, demographic shifts, and regulatory unpredictability, as well as the evolving role of states and CEOs in shaping international investment. They also consider what U.S. companies can learn from navigating China’s complex business environment and how those lessons apply to today’s increasingly fragmented global economy.

In this episode, Mike Burke, AGG Corporate & Finance partner and co-chair of the firm’s International practice, is joined by Allison Raley, AGG partner and member of the International practice, to explore the U.S. tariff changes slated for July 9, 2025.

Mike and Allison analyze the legal and strategic considerations international companies must weigh, including the potential impact of new tariffs under Section 232 investigations. From contract renegotiation and supply chain review to long-term manufacturing decisions, this episode offers timely guidance to help companies proactively mitigate risk.