 Ludwig & Robinson and its lawyers have broad experience in representing foreign clients with matters and disputes in the United States. The firm also assists U.S. and foreign clients in various global markets, in coordination with its German affiliate or local counsel in other countries on the basis of prior working relationships around the world.
German Affiliate
Ludwig & Robinson is affiliated with Kümmerlein, Simon & Partner, a highly regarded mid-sized law firm in Essen, Germany. Kümmerlein possesses recognized experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate, banking, tax, antitrust, nuclear energy, administrative and international law, as well as in commercial, insurance, intellectual property, labor law products liability and telecommunications. Kümmerlein has long-established relationships with several large German multinationals, and assists clients doing business throughout the European Union, the Americas, the Pacific Rim and elsewhere.
International Counseling and Litigation
The firm has extensive experience assisting clients with business disputes and matters in the United States that arise in established and emerging markets in all major regions of the world.
Europe / Germany: L&R has represented clients in commercial litigation in the United States arising from disputes in Germany and throughout the European Union. The firm’s German affiliate, Kümmerlein, is well equipped to provide advice and assistance on questions involving German and European Union law.
Asia / China: L&R served as local counsel for a Malaysian airline in mass air disaster litigation consolidated in Washington, D.C. L&R has represented U.S. companies in litigation across the country concerning investments and joint ventures in China. L&R has also represented Chinese clients doing business and litigating disputes in the United States.
Russia / Former Soviet Republics: L&R has advised U.S. clients engaged in exports to Russia and other former Soviet republics. L&R also has advised Russian-American high technology clients doing business in the U.S.
Middle East: L&R represents a Kuwait university with trademark registrations and infringement litigation in the U.S. L&R has also counseled Kuwait Airways and other Middle Eastern clients in aviation, business and employment matters in Germany and the United States.
Africa: L&R has represented a Kenyan bank auditor turned whistleblower in appeals before D.C. Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court. L&R has also represented an African airline and other African clients in aviation and commercial litigation in the United States.
South America: L&R has counseled U.S. clients on litigation matters in Argentina and elsewhere in South America, and represented Brazilian clients in U.S. litigation.
International Trade
The firm has counseled and assisted clients with customs, export and foreign asset control matters and proceedings before the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Homeland Security, State, and Treasury.
Representative Experience
- Representing American University of Kuwait in pending trademark infringement action
- Secured favorable settlement for Austrian client of $15 million arbitration claim against U.S. subcontractor to project in Kuwait
- Organizing German and Austrian companies doing business in the U.S.
- In re: Air Crash over the Southern Indian Ocean on March 8, 2014: local counsel for Malaysian air carrier in multi-district cases consolidated in Washington, D.C.
- Odhiambo v. Republic of Kenya, 764 F.3d 31 (D.C. Cir. 2014), directing Solicitor Gen’l briefing,136 S. Ct. 290 (2015), cert. denied, 136 S. Ct. 2504 (2016): represented Kenyan bank auditor turned whistleblower in appeals before D.C. Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court, which asked the U.S. Solicitor General’s views on L&R’s cert. petition that unraveled the long-hidden meaning of jurisdiction under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.
- BiotechPharma, LLC v. W.H.P.M., Inc., et al. (E.D. Va. 2012): represented Egyptian-American biotechnology firm in cross-border proceeding, obtaining settlement of trade secret and patent litigation against Chinese manufacturer and related U.S. entities
- Representing banking, insurance, and corporate clients in fraudulent international electronic funds transfers and bank account takeovers arising from malware attacks by Russian, Ukrainian and other international crime organizations
- Served as expert witness in defense of federal prosecution for international money-laundering
- Represented German graphics software developer in response to USPTO action refusing its pro se application for U.S. registration
- Digipat, Inc., et al. v. Tempus IP, LLC, et al. (Va. 2009): co-counsel for French information technology firm in trade secret case against former employee and British competitor
- Hentiq 3343 (Pty) Ltd., et al. v. Qbit, LLC, et al. (D.C. 2009): represented South African licensees and investors in obtaining settlement against U.S. technology company over data compression software.
- Orient Mineral Co., et al. v. Bank of China, 506 F.3d 980 (10th Cir. 2007): represented U.S. mining company and Chinese joint venture in suit for improper funds transfers under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act
- Zhang v. NationsBank, et al. (D.D.C. 2007): represented Chinese scientist/entrepreneur reinstituting suit against bank and Chinese conspirators, recovering loss from unauthorized international wires
- Sadia, S.A. v. Merck & Co., Inc., et al. (D.N.J. 2006): represented Brazilian multinational food producer in multi-million dollar claims against U.S. suppliers
- Represented insurer in investigating and defending $2 million fidelity coverage claim alleging business losses at German subsidiary
- National Union Fire Ins. Co. v. Barclays Bank, PLC, et al. (2004): represented AIG in claim against overseas depositary and U.S. intermediary banks upon altered check, obtaining pre-litigation settlement
- Travelers Cas. & Surety Co. v. Fleet Nat'l Bank, et al. (S.D.N.Y. 2003): represented Travelers in obtaining settlement against drawee, intermediary and depositary banks in action involving large altered check deposited in Europe
- MK Technology Trading, Inc. v. Belcan Engineering Group, Inc. (E.D. Ky. 2002): settled $5 million fraud claim on eve of trial against engineering firm for misrepresenting qualifications to do feasibility study for purchase of privatized steel plant in Hungary
- Evergreen Bank v. Nassauische Sparkasse (Wiesbaden, Germany 2000): represented AIG in settlement of cross-border claim against German depositary for large altered check stolen by Nigerian check theft ring
- Knab v. Republic of Georgia, et al., 1998 U.S. Dist. Lexis 8820 (D.D.C. 1998): represented estate of Brazilian teenager killed in drunk-driving crash of diplomat in world-publicized wrongful death/product liability case, brought under Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act
- Represented Lufthansa in obtaining release from U.S. Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, of frozen funds relating to over-flight charges in Serbia
- Defended Hartford Fire Ins. Co. against various U.S. Customs claims for forfeiture under customs bonds
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