International Operations for Nonprofits

Venable has grown and prospered for over 100 years because our lawyers have maintained a steadfast focus on the ever-evolving needs of our clients.  As some of our U.S.-based clients have looked into markets beyond the United States and others have sought to do business here, our lawyers and professionals have provided important counsel to assist them in achieving their international objectives.  Moreover, several of our attorneys have been recognized by Chambers Global for their skills and experience.

We understand the global concerns of nonprofits that operate across borders.  Whether it be protecting U.S. tax-exempt status, creating and managing "Friends of" organizations, protecting U.S. trademarks and copyrights overseas, opening offices, holding conferences, hiring staff, contracting with destination service and management companies, or ensuring that the U.S. entity and its partners are operating in compliance with U.S. export controls and anti-bribery laws, we are experienced in successfully guiding nonprofits through the most basic to the most sophisticated legal issues involved in operating overseas.  We also appreciate the U.S. regulatory restrictions and requirements facing nonprofits in these areas -- both foreign and domestic -- and are well equipped to provide strategic assistance in order to maximize compliance, while minimizing the risk of regulatory violations.

Our attorneys provide advice and representation to nonprofits across a wide range of matters in this area, including, among others:

  • International trade and Customs and U.S. export controls compliance
  • Choice of entity, legal form and structure, and other organizational matters
  • International intellectual property protection and infringement prosecution
  • Contract negotiation and drafting
  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-corruption laws and regulations
  • Foreign and U.S. tax compliance, and preservation of U.S. tax-exempt status
  • Foreign and U.S. privacy law compliance
  • Data protection
  • Advertising, marketing and new media