Corporate Advisory

Corporate counsel that works across borders

Coordinated multijurisdiction support for transactions, restructurings, and ongoing operations through the Aliant+ Global Network.

Learn more about how it works

Corporate transactions and governance move across borders, but legal advice is often fragmented. When a company is expanding, acquiring, or restructuring in multiple countries, it can end up managing several firms that are not aligned on timelines, documents, or deal priorities.

Aliant+ corporate advisors support multijurisdiction transactions, restructurings, and day to day business operations through coordinated teams that combine local legal knowledge with the broader commercial context. The result is clearer execution, fewer handoffs, and less friction. When you engage one of us, you gain access to all of us.

What We Help Clients With

Cross-Border M&A

Coordinated due diligence, deal structuring, and closing mechanics across legal systems without the coordination tax.

Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions

We advise buyers and sellers on multijurisdiction transactions, coordinating diligence, structuring, and closing mechanics across legal systems. The challenge is not just closing, it is building a structure that makes commercial sense while meeting legal requirements in every jurisdiction. We coordinate the moving pieces because we work together regularly, not because your deal forces introductions.

Group Structuring and Restructuring

We help companies design, reorganize, or unwind crossborder group structures, balancing governance, tax, and operational realities. Restructurings across jurisdictions involve corporate, tax, regulatory, and employment requirements, and the sequence matters. We map obligations across jurisdictions, build an implementation plan that avoids adverse consequences, and manage filings and approvals while keeping operations running.

Ongoing Corporate Governance and Compliance

We support boards and management with governance frameworks, shareholder matters, and compliance obligations that vary by jurisdiction but must function together. The challenge is not learning each country’s rules, it is building governance that satisfies all relevant jurisdictions while remaining commercially practical. We align processes, meeting requirements, and filings so your teams spend less time on administration and more time running the business.

Joint Ventures and Strategic Partnerships

We advise on crossborder joint ventures and strategic partnerships where coordination between advisors is essential to manage risk and expectations. Joint ventures concentrate complexity: aligning commercial interests, meeting corporate and tax requirements, setting workable governance, and building exit mechanisms that function in practice. We focus on structures that protect minority interests without making decision making unworkable.

Expansion Into New Markets

We guide companies establishing subsidiaries, branches, or operations in new jurisdictions, addressing local requirements without losing sight of the broader strategy. Expansion concentrates legal work across entity setup, employment, contracts, regulatory approvals, IP, and data privacy. We identify requirements early, coordinate formations and registrations, and manage approvals while keeping timelines on track.

Commercial Contracts and Transactions

We draft and negotiate crossborder commercial agreements, including distribution and supply, licensing and technology transfers, services and outsourcing, agency relationships, and international master agreements. Crossborder contracts raise practical issues about governing law, dispute resolution, and enforceability across jurisdictions. We structure terms so the agreement works in practice, not just on paper.

Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions

We advise buyers and sellers on multijurisdiction transactions, coordinating diligence, structuring, and closing mechanics across legal systems. The challenge is not just closing, it is building a structure that makes commercial sense while meeting legal requirements in every jurisdiction. We coordinate the moving pieces because we work together regularly, not because your deal forces introductions.

Group Structuring and Restructuring

We help companies design, reorganize, or unwind crossborder group structures, balancing governance, tax, and operational realities. Restructurings across jurisdictions involve corporate, tax, regulatory, and employment requirements, and the sequence matters. We map obligations across jurisdictions, build an implementation plan that avoids adverse consequences, and manage filings and approvals while keeping operations running.

Ongoing Corporate Governance and Compliance

We support boards and management with governance frameworks, shareholder matters, and compliance obligations that vary by jurisdiction but must function together. The challenge is not learning each country’s rules, it is building governance that satisfies all relevant jurisdictions while remaining commercially practical. We align processes, meeting requirements, and filings so your teams spend less time on administration and more time running the business.

Joint Ventures and Strategic Partnerships

We advise on crossborder joint ventures and strategic partnerships where coordination between advisors is essential to manage risk and expectations. Joint ventures concentrate complexity: aligning commercial interests, meeting corporate and tax requirements, setting workable governance, and building exit mechanisms that function in practice. We focus on structures that protect minority interests without making decision making unworkable.

Expansion Into New Markets

We guide companies establishing subsidiaries, branches, or operations in new jurisdictions, addressing local requirements without losing sight of the broader strategy. Expansion concentrates legal work across entity setup, employment, contracts, regulatory approvals, IP, and data privacy. We identify requirements early, coordinate formations and registrations, and manage approvals while keeping timelines on track.

Commercial Contracts and Transactions

We draft and negotiate crossborder commercial agreements, including distribution and supply, licensing and technology transfers, services and outsourcing, agency relationships, and international master agreements. Crossborder contracts raise practical issues about governing law, dispute resolution, and enforceability across jurisdictions. We structure terms so the agreement works in practice, not just on paper.

Our Process

Examples of
Matters We Support

Clients turn to the Aliant+ Accounting and Advisory Practice Area Group when financial, tax, and reporting matters involve more than one jurisdiction. These matters often require aligning technical requirements with commercial objectives across borders while keeping planning and compliance on realistic timelines.

Cross-Border Tax Planning and Compliance

We advise buyers and sellers on transactions that span multiple jurisdictions, including due diligence coordination, deal structuring, and alignment of closing mechanics across legal systems. The challenge isn’t just getting the deal done. It’s structuring transactions that make commercial sense while satisfying legal requirements across multiple jurisdictions.

A straightforward acquisition can require entity formations in three countries, regulatory filings in five, employment law compliance in four, and tax clearances that need to happen in a specific sequence or the whole structure falls apart. We coordinate these moving pieces because we work together regularly, not because you’re paying us to get acquainted during your deal.

Group Restructuring Across Europe and North America

We supported the reorganization of a corporate group operating in multiple countries, aligning governance changes, shareholder approvals, and local implementation to minimize disruption to ongoing operations. The restructuring involved entity rationalization, cross-border mergers, establishing new governance frameworks, managing tax clearances and approvals in multiple jurisdictions, and coordinating with local finance teams. The project required mapping dependencies across jurisdictions, developing implementation sequences that avoided triggering adverse consequences, and maintaining operational continuity throughout the reorganization.

Joint Venture Between Partners in Different Jurisdictions

We advised on the formation of a joint venture where the parties, assets, and management were based in different countries, ensuring the structure reflected both local legal requirements and the commercial intent of the parties. The structure involved establishing the JV entity, negotiating comprehensive shareholder and IP licensing agreements, establishing governance procedures that gave both partners appropriate control while enabling efficient operations, and documenting exit and dissolution mechanisms. We coordinated across multiple jurisdictions to ensure consistent treatment of IP rights, addressed regulatory requirements for foreign investment, and structured governance to prevent deadlock while protecting minority interests.

Why the
Aliant+ Difference Matters

Most international networks are directories. You call someone new every time you need help abroad. Aliant+ works differently. Our professionals meet regularly, collaborate on client work, and maintain relationships that actually mean something when you need coordination across borders.
The professionals in our Accounting and Advisory Practice Area Group are partners and senior people at established mid-market firms. We understand mid-market economics and can deliver sophisticated work without Big Four overhead. We move faster than large firm bureaucracies while maintaining quality. And because we’re independent firms rather than branch offices, we bring genuine local market knowledge in each jurisdiction.
Our Process

Working Together on
Cross-Border
Corporate Matters

Cross-border financial matters benefit from advisors who are aligned before reporting deadlines, transactions, or audits are underway. The Aliant+ Accounting and Advisory Practice Area Group connects professionals who regularly address similar financial and tax issues in different jurisdictions and stay engaged through ongoing collaboration.

This familiarity allows advisors to share context early, coordinate approaches, and anticipate differences in local requirements before they create delays or inconsistencies.

1

Earlier Issue Spotting

Potential regulatory, governance, or structuring challenges are identified sooner because advisors are already comparing approaches across jurisdictions rather than working in isolation.

2

Clearer Deal Coordination

Roles, responsibilities, and timelines are aligned across countries, reducing last-minute surprises and duplicated effort. You’re not managing coordination among independent lawyers. We handle that internally while keeping you informed.

3

More Predictable Execution

Transactions and corporate projects progress with greater certainty because advisors are accustomed to working together and communicating efficiently. When German regulatory authorities request additional information, your attorneys in other jurisdictions adjust their timelines immediately. When due diligence uncovers issues affecting deal structure, the entire team evaluates implications across all jurisdictions.
Challenges We Face

Addressing Today's
Cross-Border Corporate Challenges

Foreign Investment Screening and Regulatory Approvals

Foreign investment regulations are stricter and slower. We assess requirements early, manage filings, and structure deals to reduce approval risks.

Supply Chain Restructuring

Companies are restructuring supply chains globally. We structure entities, manage acquisitions, partnerships, employment implications, and exit strategies to support operational transitions.

ESG and Corporate Governance

ESG expectations are rising. We advise on governance structures, policies, and disclosures to manage oversight responsibilities and reduce regulatory and liability risks.

Data Privacy and Cross-Border Data Transfers

Cross-border operations require complex data privacy compliance. We establish transfer mechanisms, structure contracts, and coordinate privacy practices across jurisdictions to reduce risk.

Who We Work With

The Aliant+ Accounting and Advisory Practice Area Group works with organizations and individuals whose financial affairs extend beyond a single jurisdiction. Clients value advisors who can align local requirements with broader financial, tax, and reporting objectives.
  • Mid-market and international businesses operating across borders
  • CFOs and finance teams managing multi-jurisdiction reporting and compliance
  • Investors and owners with cross-border holdings or structures
  • Families and individuals with assets, income, or residency ties in multiple countries
  • Legal advisors seeking coordinated accounting and tax input on cross-border matters

Corporate Advisory Q&A

Aliant+ is not a referral network where you contact strangers for help abroad. Our corporate attorneys meet regularly and collaborate on transactions and governance matters, which enables real coordination across jurisdictions. When you engage one Aliant+ attorney, you get direct access to experienced corporate lawyers who work together as a team rather than independent referral sources. This translates into better strategic coordination, consistent documentation, and more efficient execution.

How much does a cross-border M&A transaction typically cost?

Legal fees for cross-border M&A vary significantly based on transaction value, complexity, number of jurisdictions involved, and regulatory requirements. For mid-market transactions, total legal fees across all jurisdictions typically range from 0.5% to 2% of transaction value. A $20 million acquisition spanning three countries might involve $50,000 to $300,000 in total legal fees. We provide detailed fee estimates early in each engagement and work to deliver value while managing costs across all jurisdictions.

What jurisdictions does the Aliant+ Corporate Practice Area Group cover?

The Aliant+ Corporate Practice Area Group includes experienced corporate attorneys across the globe. We maintain strong coverage in primary business and financial centers and key commercial markets throughout Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. Our network structure allows us to assemble teams tailored to your specific transaction or governance needs. Contact us to discuss coverage for your particular jurisdictional requirements.

Do I need foreign investment approval for my acquisition?

Foreign investment screening requirements vary dramatically by jurisdiction and transaction type. Key factors include the target company’s industry sector, transaction structure, and jurisdictions involved. Even minority investments can trigger filing requirements in some jurisdictions. We assess foreign investment screening requirements early in transaction planning, advise whether filings are required, prepare submissions addressing authority concerns proactively, and coordinate review processes across relevant jurisdictions to minimize delays.

How long does a cross-border acquisition typically take?

Timeline for cross-border M&A depends on transaction complexity, regulatory approvals required, financing arrangements, and due diligence findings. For mid-market deals without significant regulatory hurdles, expect three to six months from signing a letter of intent to closing. Transactions requiring foreign investment approvals, merger control filings, or industry-specific regulatory approvals can take six to twelve months or longer. We develop realistic timelines during initial transaction planning and manage execution to keep deals on track.

What is the best jurisdiction for my holding company?

Holding company location depends on multiple factors including tax efficiency, regulatory requirements, financing plans, investor preferences, ownership structure, and operational considerations. The optimal choice depends on your specific situation including investor location and preferences, target markets for operations, financing plans, tax structure objectives, and ongoing compliance considerations. We evaluate these factors to recommend appropriate structures rather than applying template solutions.

How do I protect intellectual property when expanding internationally?

International IP protection requires coordinated legal action across relevant jurisdictions. Key steps include registering trademarks and patents in countries where you operate or plan to expand, implementing confidentiality and IP protection provisions in contracts and employment agreements, establishing policies for trade secret protection, and documenting ownership of IP clearly in corporate records. We coordinate IP protection across jurisdictions as part of international expansion planning and ensure corporate documentation clearly establishes ownership and protection of critical IP assets.

Should I use local counsel in each jurisdiction or rely on international firms?

The choice depends on your specific needs and preferences. International law firms offer one-stop shopping but often involve high costs and may lack deep local market knowledge in smaller jurisdictions. Local counsel provides market expertise and relationship advantages but requires coordination across multiple independent advisors. The Aliant+ model provides experienced local counsel who work together regularly, combining local market knowledge with coordinated execution across borders. This eliminates the main disadvantage of using multiple local firms while preserving the advantages.

Ready to Discuss Your
Cross-Border Matter?

Connect with our Corporate Practice Area Group to explore how we can assist with your crossborder matters. Our team helps clients navigate legal and regulatory considerations, shape an effective approach, and bring together the right professionals to support their needs across jurisdictions.

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Key Contact

Friedrich Helml

Chair, Corporate Practice Group

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