Fuerst Humphrey Ittleman is adept at both sophisticated, complex tax planning from an international business perspective as well as dealing with tax controversies both outside of litigation as well as in the courtroom. FHI principals work one-on-one with top corporate leadership, building relationships geared to enhancing the future successes of the company client.

Sometimes, the goal is product approval. Sometimes, it’s to protect or advance a position in the market. Occasionally, the aim is just to prevent current operations from being interrupted.

Whatever the objective, an impersonal bureaucracy involving the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), US Customs Department (Customs), or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will be involved, as well as those of other countries. A labyrinth of global governmental oversight can exist when dealing with a worldwide marketplace.

One of the best advantages a food or drug manufacturer, processor, or distributor can have in these situations is an ally who not only is expert legal counsel, but who has career experience making her accustomed and adept in dealing with these agencies. For clients of Fuerst Humphrey Ittleman, that person is Christine M. Humphrey, Esq., head of the firm’s Food, Drug & Cosmetics section.

In litigation, experience and skill are the keys to a successful result. International commerce is complicated and litigating its multi-faceted issues is complex. Sometimes, the laws and forums of several countries must be considered and weighed.

Litigation is a battle and FHI attorneys stand with their clients in the fight. FHI has fought for client rights not only in US State and Federal courts, but various national and international courts and tribunals.

The US Customs Department regulates the import and export of goods & services crossing all United States borders and in doing so, US Customs enforces not only its own import and export regulations but those of other US agencies, as well. For companies dealing with international commerce, US Customs must be dealt with side by side with the Customs agencies of foreign governments for all nations in which the company does business.

While national economies depend upon the efficient flow of global trade and therefore the coordination of these various Customs authorities, the ease with which individual international companies zigzag through the maze of Custom regulations may not be as smooth.

White collar crime is a broad term that encompasses any illegal activity connected to a business or commercial transaction. It can involve US federal law or state law, civil statutes or criminal statutes and adjudication can result in loss of money in criminal fines or civil damages, together with criminal penalties that can include incarceration and forfeiture.

In the rough and tumble 24/7 world of international commerce, sometimes it may not be clear whether or not any illegality has, or may, occur. Any curiosity or concern here should not be dismissed: it is imperative that legal counsel be sought in order to protect and preserve defenses and strategic trial alternatives at the earliest possible juncture. Protecting yourself and your company against any white collar crime investigation is the epitome of applying the adage of ‘better safe than sorry.

September 11, 2001, changed the way that the world does business in many ways. US security issues, among other things, have resulted in US Anti-Money Laundering legislation and its Bank Secrecy Act (AML-BSA) being the current major focus of both US and foreign bank regulators and financial leaders alike.

Corporate compliance is a continuing focus of regulatory agencies. To the financial services industry, foreign and domestic, the expense alone of increasing financial reporting and other operating requirements can be daunting; competing in an international marketplace with these additional parameters is frustrating and cumbersome.