International Business Transactions

Foreign clients frequently need advice and assistance on myriad issues involving contracts, sales agreements, joint ventures, imports and exports, and other matters relating to international trade and commerce in goods or services. The office can assist clients with their business and international transactions, including the review of U.S. legal requirements, the formation and start-up of companies in the U.S., and the negotiation, drafting, or review of contracts, leases, joint venture and other commercial agreements.

International Litigation: Representation of Foreign Clients in U.S. Courts

The office has substantial experience in international commercial litigation in the representation of foreign clients in U.S. courts. For instance, Dr. Thomas obtained a $78.6 million jury verdict on behalf of an agency of the Brazilian government against several persons and companies who defrauded the agency. In another case, he obtained a decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit that the U.S. Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act exempted foreign government-owned reinsurance companies from posting pre-answer security. Dr. Thomas has particular expertise in representing foreign clients in U.S. courts and in working with their lawyers in their home countries. His experience is based on cases that involved issues of foreign law, conflicts of law, jurisdiction of U.S. courts over foreign defendants, and sovereign immunity, to mention only a few. For a partial list of representative cases in which Dr. Thomas has represented either the plaintiff or the defendant, please select Attorney Profile.

International Arbitration

The office has represented clients in international arbitrations under a variety of arbitral rules, such as the Rules of the International Chamber of Commerce and others. Although Dr. Thomas will represent claimants or respondents in arbitrations, he also is available to assist claimants or respondents by serving as an arbitrator or mediator.  Dr. Thomas recently served as an arbitrator in a Brazilian arbitration conducted in accordance with the rules of the Câmara de Arbitragem Empresarial – CAMARB.

Transportation and Aviation

The office will assist clients with issues arising under U.S. laws and regulations or international treaties, with their relationships with U.S. or state governmental agencies, and with their transactions, contracts, or disputes involving commercial aviation, maintenance or supply agreements, fixed based operations at international airports, charter operations, scheduled regional air service, or otherwise. Dr. Thomas has published numerous articles over the years in the field of transportation law, was an officer in the U.S. Air Force, and is a licensed pilot.