Baker & McKenzie Partners to Speak on Corporate Compliance and International Arbitration at Corporate Counsel Leadership Forum

Hong Kong, China, April 26, 2011 –  A team of Baker & McKenzie’s partners will speak at the ‘Corporate Counsel Leadership Forum’ on 28-29 April in Mumbai, India on two key areas relevant to global companies doing business in India; and Indian companies doing business outside of its shores. These areas are: 1) recent developments in anti-bribery and corruption compliance focussing on increased enforcement under the FCPA and the UK Bribery Act commencing on 1 July 2011; and 2) the commercial and practical considerations when using international arbitration to resolve disputes.

“Indian and Asian companies seeking foreign investment, financing or commercial partnerships with overseas companies can be expected to face increased compliance requirements from their foreign counterparts due to the long-arm US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act,” Mini vandePol, Head of the Firm’s Asia Pacific Dispute Resolution Practice and partner in the Firm’s Melbourne office said. “With a broader international agenda to combat bribery and the increased media attention within India on recent corruption scandals, it has become an increasingly urgent priority for companies doing business in India to understand their specific risk profile and ensure they have an effective compliance program and internal controls to detect and prevent corruption risks. Given the prospect of sanctions including jail time for executives, permanent debarment from government contracts and unlimited fines, our Firm’s ability to navigate the application of these extraterritorial laws and understand the strategy of regulators who enforce them provides our clients with a passport to compliance in the global market."

The increasing integration of global markets has also led to a rising demand for neutral dispute resolution forums that are international in scope yet responsive to diverse users and cultures. For India, international arbitration is increasingly used as an effective and timely solution to resolve cross-border disputes for commercial parties.

“There are many strategic considerations that can contribute to the success of an arbitration case, among which is choosing the right arbitrator and legal advisor with the relevant expertise,” Haig Oghigian, co-chair of Baker & McKenzie’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group in Tokyo said. “Our Firm has extensive experience in representing clients in complex international disputes matters, particularly in the financial services, pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. With our cultural and linguistic diversity, and our deep knowledge of institutional rules, we are uniquely placed to assist our clients on any complex, cross-border disputes.”

At the ‘Corporate Counsel Leadership Forum’, partners from Baker & McKenzie’s Corporate Compliance and Dispute Resolution Practice are scheduled to speak on the following topics:

 

Thursday, 28 April, 2010, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach

12:15 – 13:00 “Legal Governance, Risk Mitigation and Compliance: Creating a Holistic Approach.” Speaker: Mini vandePol

16:45 – 17:30 “How to Choose the Right Arbitrator” & “Managing Cost in Arbitration.” Moderator: Haig Oghigian

Friday, 29 April, 2010, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach

12:15 – 13:00 “Managing the pitfalls in cross border disputes.” Speakers: Richard Dean, Haig Oghigian and Mini vandePol; Moderator: Kiat Seng Lee

 

Haig Oghigian, Partner, Tokyo
Haig Oghigian is co-chair of Baker & McKenzie’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group in Tokyo. He has had many years of experience representing Japanese and international clients in international commercial arbitration, particularly in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and licensing and distribution agreements. He also counsels clients on corporate governance, financial institutions, compliance issues, anti-dumping and countervail, technology transfer agreements, as well as other general corporate and commercial and trade law matters. Mr. Oghigian has regularly appeared as counsel and arbitrator at International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (JCAA), American Arbitration Association (AAA), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre (BCICAC) and the Philippine Dispute Resolution Centre.

Kiat Seng Lee, Partner, Singapore
Kiat Seng Lee is a partner in Baker & McKenzie’s Dispute Resolution practice group and is a member of the Firm’s Asia Pacific Dispute Resolution Steering Committee as well as the Asia Pacific Restructuring & Insolvency Steering Committee. His practice has particular focus on corporate compliance and restructuring & insolvency. He regularly advises both local and international companies on compliance and regulatory issues under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act and the anti-corruption regimes in the Asia Pacific region. Kiat Seng’s practice covers both the advisory and investigative aspects of corporate compliance.

Mini vandePol, Partner, Melbourne
Mini is the head of the Asia Pacific Regional Dispute Resolution Group. Her practice focuses on corporate compliance and commercial litigation. She regularly assists local and international clients with anti-bribery and corruption compliance and cross-border related issues, including the operation of the FCPA, UK Bribery Act and regional anti-bribery and corruption laws, conflicts of interest and legal professional privilege issues.

Richard Dean, Partner, Washington, DC
Richard advises clients on a full range of corporate compliance transactions — including M&As, foreign direct investments and joint ventures, among others. He specialises in handling cases related to the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and related legislation, including US money laundering laws and their application to the activities of US companies in emerging markets throughout the former Soviet Union as well as in Asia and Latin America.