Baker & McKenzie`s Global Environment Practice services

Governments worldwide are aggressively pursuing additional revenue, and crises-related restructurings pose new and difficult challenges for tax planning and dispute resolution. At Baker & McKenzie, we understand the business and legal intricacies of international taxation and have an unmatched ability to design, implement and defend international tax planning structures.

Competition litigation is a fast growing and complex area of commercial litigation that often requires coordination of strategy across jurisdictions. Offices across the Baker & McKenzie network have contributed so as to give a multi-jurisdictional perspective on the core issues arising when bringing or defending a private claim for damages resulting from a breach of competition law.

Unprecedented volatility in the global financial system is exposing market participants to extraordinary risk and uncertainty. The reassessment of risk by both lenders and borrowers has resulted in a less borrower-friendly environment and more restrictive terms in finance documents. Changes in the financial and regulatory landscape have altered the way business is conducted and are affecting legal arrangements. Keeping abreast of latest developments in practice across the globe and adapting to this new environment is key to achieving business objectives.

In today’s global marketplace, disputes are growing in number and complexity. Businesses are facing intense competition and must manage the risks and challenges in doing business locally and internationally. Higher accountability standards and tighter regulatory scrutiny increase exposure and vulnerability. We are uniquely positioned to help you navigate these complexities with confidence, while achieving your strategic and commercial objectives.

Employment, labor and benefits issues are complex and challenging for every business — more so when operations cross borders and cultures as part of a multinational presence. Steering safely through complicated laws and regulations in home markets and abroad is critical to maintaining a competitive advantage. For the fourth year in a row, our Global Employment Practice was ranked Band 1 by Chambers Global in 2013. With more than 500 locally qualified lawyers — more than any other leading law firm — in 46 countries, we help navigate complex and diverse legal and regulatory issues wherever you operate.

Growing environmental awareness and concern worldwide is changing the way companies operate. From emissions trading to harnessing clean and renewable energy sources, sustainable business initiatives are gaining ground in markets across the world. Corporate environmental programs are rewarded with tax breaks and subsidies. But accountability standards are higher and sanctions, more severe. Repercussions from missteps are more resounding, from loss of public trust to criminal liability.

Overcoming debt is difficult even in the best of times. In a crisis, we help you explore options, safeguard interests and maximize opportunities. Baker & McKenzie offers broad global resources and extensive local experience to help you act quickly, soundly and decisively in times of crisis.

Defining and protecting your innovation and creativity is increasingly difficult and complex. Internet marketing and sophisticated counterfeiting operations are expanding risks and opportunities for IP holders, and inefficiencies in the international patent system are leading many to clamor for change. At Baker & McKenzie, we understand new challenges in IP protection and can provide unique and global solutions. We see IP management as a strategic issue and have developed people, processes and technologies to promote sound and cost-effective stewardship of intellectual property. A leading global IP practice, we are trusted counsel to some of the world’s largest and most innovative companies and our over 450 IP lawyers worldwide help manage and enforce the IP portfolios of more than 100 multinationals.

Rapid change, market volatility, management of stakeholders, credit constraints and global competitive forces make high value targets riskier to pursue, especially across borders. Well-planned strategies and their effective implementation are critical to getting deals done.

With private equity transactions, there are challenges and opportunities every step of the way — from fund structuring and formation through to deploying capital and ultimately implementing an exit strategy. Add in cross-border transactions and complexities grow dramatically.