Strategic Approach in Multi-Jurisdictional Cases
Dean has handled many cases in which a multi-national’s foreign investment or foreign market is at risk. In this kind of scenario, the client’s problem typically has many interconnected branches that emerge at the same time and spread into one or more jurisdictions.
As Dean has learned through practical experience, a lawyer cannot solve a problem of this complexity by relying on a highly specialized area of expertise that has limited application in a single jurisdiction. This is why Dean falls back on a range of skills that has the broadest possible application in an international setting. He deploys a strategic approach- a comprehensive, interdisciplinary and collaborative skill set- that cuts across practice areas, professional disciplines and jurisdictions.
Here are some case studies that reflect how Dean works on a multi-jurisdictional project. As each example demonstrates:
- he develops and implements a global strategy that addresses the problem in every jurisdiction in which the problem arises;
- he treats each jurisdiction as a theatre of operation and confronts the problem through direct engagement on the ground;
- he acquires local knowledge by immersing himself in the cultural mindset, the political setting and the legal environment in each jurisdiction;
- he engages any legal or public forum in each jurisdiction that might facilitate resolution of the problem in the client’s favor;
- he often functions as “outside general counsel”, ensuring that all planning, regional action and team activity is carried out in a strategically coordinated and coherent manner. In the course of doing so, he regularly takes the lead in forming and overseeing a small team of talented in-house personnel and outside specialists to support the overall strategic initiative. At the same time, he ensures that the specialized knowledge provided by the team is used to the client’s full benefit.