Germany, Austria, & Switzerland
Overview
What value does AGG bring to our German, Austrian, and Swiss clients?
AGG provides comprehensive bilingual legal services to German, Austrian, and Swiss-owned companies operating in the United States. Our team, which includes attorneys with dual citizenship and licensure in both Germany and the U.S., as well as bilingual senior paralegals and legal assistants, is uniquely equipped to handle critical legal matters in both German and English. We support clients across various industries — automotive, renewable energy, IT, construction and manufacturing, professional services, life sciences, and more — by offering tailored legal advice that ensures their success in the U.S. market. Our value lies in our ability to navigate complex legal landscapes while providing culturally attuned counsel that addresses the specific needs of our clients.
What makes AGG distinct from other law firms with a German-speaking focus?
AGG’s distinction lies in our deep-rooted connections with the German-speaking business community and our active involvement in German-American business initiatives. With decades of experience, we are not only legal advisors but also strategic partners committed to fostering economic development. Our roles as founding members of the German-American Cultural Foundation, general counsel to the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeastern United States, and members of the boards of key organizations demonstrate our dedication to supporting German, Austrian, and Swiss businesses. AGG attorneys serve on the boards of the German American Cultural Foundation, the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeastern United States, the German School of Atlanta, the Dean Rusk Center for International and Comparative Law, the Steffen Thomas Museum, the Atlanta Sister Cities Commission and Sister Cities International. Our bilingual attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants seamlessly integrate their legal skills with cultural understanding, setting us apart in the marketplace. Team members have received the Friendship Award from the Federal Republic of Germany and the International Prize of Honor from the City of Nürnberg.
How do we assist German-speaking clients in navigating legal issues?
AGG’s Corporate counsel maintain an in-depth understanding of the tax issues driving the selection of corporate entity forms in the U.S., which we employ to support market entries throughout the U.S. We review and interpret terms and conditions of German employment contracts to prepare U.S. contracts and offer letters under U.S. federal and state law. Our Global Mobility counsel manages visa processing bilingually for large multinational corporations transferring key personnel to the U.S. while supporting U.S. residents on Schengen visa processing, when needed. We also advise on all other international business matter, including corporate formation, site selection and economic development, M&A, IP protection, export controls, data privacy and security, and medical device matters. Representative clients include a multinational automotive production and sales company and affiliates, a wind-energy company, a global German-based accounting and consulting firm, a multinational producer of plastic bottles, and a producer of glass and plastics for the pharma industry.
Experience
- Over 30 years of experience in managing U.S. legal matters for global manufacturer of plastic products in the pharmaceutical industry with headquarters in Germany.
- Over 25 years of experience in the representation of Germany, Austrian, and Swiss-owned global manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers on permanent, temporary, and project-based secondment of employees.
- Over 30 years of experience in global mobility management within the logistics industry, focusing on visa and employee posting matters.
- Manage global employment contracting for expats.
- Ongoing global mobility representation of one of the world’s leading vacuum coating systems and technology companies. Processed over 100 E-2 visas, supporting a $1.1 billion investment and creating over 700 clean energy manufacturing jobs in the U.S.
- Successfully represented the United States subsidiary of a German international construction company in dispute with a sub-contractor involving the construction of a global automotive manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. AGG secured an advantageous settlement for the client.
- Represented the independent consultant for UBS AG in a DOJ Non-Prosecution Agreement and SEC Cease and Desist Order to ensure that UBS executed on undertakings to discontinue providing prohibited services to U.S. taxpayers as stipulated in the relevant agreements.
- Represented Austria’s leading provider of aluminum for the manufacturing industry in action on account against a South Carolina company regarding non-payment of invoices for shipments of aluminum products. Secured settlement for client.
- Obtained an injunction in Cyprus preserving the status quo in connection with a shareholders dispute over the ownership of electric power assets in Ukraine involving court proceedings in Ukraine, Switzerland, U.K., and arbitration under the rules of the London Court of International Arbitration.
- Advising a publicly traded (NASDAQ and German Stock Exchange) multinational software company in U.S. legal matters.
- Represented German photovoltaic modules manufacturer for setup of U.S. subsidiaries and operation of sales facilities in the U.S.
- Led the acquisition of multimillion-dollar Brazilian and U.S. trade show portfolios by a Germany-based trade show company.
- Secured dismissal of the proceedings in an arbitration claim brought by a Russian coal producer against a U.S. coal trader in the International Chamber of Commerce arbitration in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Advising a U.S.-based investor in the marketing and sale of a $20 million real estate portfolio located in Germany.
- Representing a Germany-based manufacturer in a dispute with a former employee. Assisted in obtaining an order and sending several of the claims to arbitration while obtaining a stay of the related litigation.
- Served as lead counsel for a major Swiss energy and power plant manufacturer in obtaining favorable judgment for a breach of complex joint venture project. The international arbitration was heard before the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (“KCAB”) and involved large scale damages arising from construction of gas turbines for an energy supplier. Obtained the full amount of the damages claim for the client and participated as lead arbitration counsel throughout the arbitration proceedings. Issues in arbitration involved force majeure, nonacceptance of delivery, cancellation of contracts, and nonpayment by buyer in breach of main contract.
- AGG Advises Mi-Tech Tungsten Metals, LLC, Through Government Approval Process Leading to Sale to Global Tungsten & Powders Corp, a U.S. Affiliate of the Plansee Group
- Helga Glock – AGG Convinces 11th Circuit to Establish New Law in Discovery Related to Cross-Border Litigation
- Jacoby Development – Porsche Selects ‘Aerotropolis’ Site for New HQ
- L&O Holding GmbH - German Holding Company Acquires Manufacturer in U.S.
- Benteler - AGG Team Assists German Company with $900 Million Manufacturing Project in Louisiana
- Fronius USA, LLC - AGG Negotiates $20 Million Incentive Package
- SunTrust Bank - Broad Range of Expertise Resolves Legal Complications in $32 Million Loan Deal
News & Insights
- EventsTycho Stahl to Speak at ICS USA Consultation DayNovember 20, 2024 | Speaking Engagements | Graz
- EventsSpringboard to Europe 2024October 9, 2024 | AGG Seminars & Webinars | Atlanta, Georgia
- PublicationsAGG Talks: Cross-Border Business Podcast2024 | Podcasts | Arnall Golden Gregory LLP
- Teri A. Simmons
Partner
- Tycho H.E. Stahl
Partner