ROME— Investment barriers between the United States and European Union are low, and investing in the US has become increasingly attractive for European businesses seeking better returns and stability outside the Eurozone. This is particularly true for private European companies, including closely-held and middle market businesses.

Randy Hanson, a leader of Womble Carlyle’s Global Business Team, recently moderated a panel discussion on “Key Legal Issues in US Mergers and Acquisitions for European Lawyers.” The presentation took place May 30th at the American Bar Association’s Section of International Law 2016 Europe Forum in Rome.

The interactive session highlighted for European practitioners some major differences in process and laws when approaching the acquisition of a US target by European buyers. The panel of seasoned European and US transactional lawyers contrasted the differing approaches in structuring a US acquisition looking at such key areas as due diligence, antitrust, tax, employment and national security concerns.

In addition to Hanson, other speakers included Mattia Colonnelli de Gasperis, Colonnelli de Gasperis Studio Legale (Italy); Lisl Dunlop, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP (US); Pamela A. Fuller, Gremminger Law Firm (US); Albert Garrofé, Cuatrecasas, Goncalves Pereira (Spain); and Sara P. Sanford, Garvey Schubert Barer (US).

Randy Hanson advises businesses and their owners on US and cross-border corporate and commercial transactions. Typical clients are emerging and middle-market companies, including closely-held businesses, from the Southeastern United States and from Latin America, Europe and Asia. He serves as outside US general counsel to many of his domestic and foreign based clients. Hanson is a past chair of the ABA Section of International Law’s International Mergers & Acquisitions/Joint Ventures Committee.

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