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Warner Norcross + Judd LLP is a corporate law firm with over 230 attorneys serving clients in nine offices throughout Michigan. Among the largest law firms in Michigan, Warner works in virtually all areas of business law.

Michigan Law Firm - Warner Norcross + Judd LLP

Expanding into the U.S. market can be a high-stakes move — but with Warner as your U.S. legal partner, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We work closely with international businesses to simplify the complexities of entering and operating in the American market, offering strategic guidance every step of the way. Whether you’re establishing a legal entity, structuring operations or navigating corporate, tax or regulatory requirements, our team delivers practical, tailored solutions that align with your business goals.

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Bringing Your Foreign Business to the U.S.

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As trusted counsel to clients around the world, Warner provides the legal clarity and confidence you need to establish your business and grow successfully in the United States. We guide clients through the practical steps — from entity formation and federal registration to securing a physical location, applying for business licenses and hiring employees — ensuring that nothing important is overlooked or done out of sequence. Early on, we also assist with obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, a key requirement for opening a U.S. business bank account and conducting financial transactions. This foundational support allows our clients to avoid common delays and focus on growth from day one.

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<a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/daniel-g-bonucchi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daniel Bonucchi</a>, <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/joscelyn-cekola-boucher/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joscelyn </a><a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/joscelyn-cekola-boucher/">Cekola Boucher</a>, <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/mohamad-knio/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mohamad Knio</a>, <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/lindsey-jager/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lindsey Jager</a>

Foreign businesses looking to establish a presence in the U.S. may be eligible for a wide range of economic development incentives — ranging from tax credits and grants to workforce training support and infrastructure assistance — offered at the federal, state and local levels. At Warner, we help international clients identify and evaluate the incentive programs that align with their current operations or future expansion plans. Our team conducts detailed eligibility analyses, offers preliminary guidance on how to structure projects to maximize available benefits and develops clear, actionable roadmaps to secure those incentives. By understanding your business goals and navigating the relevant regulatory landscape, we help you unlock valuable opportunities that can enhance your U.S. market entry or growth strategy.

<a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/jared-t-belka/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jared Belka</a>, <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/kurt-m-brauer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kurt Brauer</a>

When foreign companies establish a presence in the U.S., strategic tax planning is critical to long-term success. At Warner, we begin by understanding your short- and long-term business objectives in the U.S. and identifying the cross-border tax implications that may arise from your specific structure and operations. Our team provides tailored guidance on key issues such as entity selection, compliance requirements and the tax impact of financing strategies — including loans versus capital contributions. We also offer initial insight into how anticipated intercompany transactions may affect your U.S. tax position from day one. Following our consultation, we provide a concise written summary outlining our recommendations and suggested next steps, giving you a clear and confident path forward in your U.S. expansion.

Securing the right location is a critical step for foreign companies establishing operations in the U.S., and Warner provides comprehensive real estate legal support to ensure a smooth and strategic process. Our attorneys assist with every stage of the transaction — from reviewing and negotiating commercial leases and purchase agreements to conducting thorough title and survey reviews to identify and address any potential risks. Whether you’re leasing office space or acquiring land for a manufacturing facility, we help you navigate U.S. real estate laws, protect your interests and align property decisions with your broader business objectives. With Warner as your legal partner, you gain the confidence that your U.S. footprint is built on a solid legal foundation.

<a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/robert-j-nolan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Nolan</a>, <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/andrew-m-reside/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Andrew Reside</a>

U.S. Market Entry: Immigration Counsel for International Employers

For foreign companies establishing a U.S. presence, securing the right talent on the ground is essential — and Warner provides comprehensive immigration and employment legal support to make that possible. Our team offers initial visa consultations and develops tailored visa strategies to support the smooth transfer of key personnel to the U.S. We assist with all aspects of the application process, including guidance on appropriate visa categories, preparation of necessary documentation and coordination of the initial visa appointment in the employee’s home country. We also support the relocation of dependent family members, helping ensure a seamless transition for your team. With Warner’s proactive counsel, foreign companies can confidently navigate complex U.S. immigration requirements and build a strong foundation for their workforce from day one.

<a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/sarah-r-bileti/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sarah Bileti</a>, <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/christopher-m-leclair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christopher LeClair</a>

Warner’s International Business Practice Group remains ahead of news trends and works tirelessly to inform clients about the latest industry developments. Here are just a few of the horizon issues we track so you can focus on your day-to-day operations:

Global Trade and Tariffs: In today’s evolving global trade environment, shifting tariff policies, trade agreement renegotiations and increased regulatory scrutiny pose significant challenges for international businesses entering the U.S. market. Companies looking to establish a U.S. presence must navigate complex customs rules, potential import duties and supply chain disruptions that can impact cost structures and operational timelines. Strategic planning around trade compliance and tariff exposure is essential to ensure a smooth market entry and to mitigate financial and legal risks. Warner’s international trade and customs attorneys provide practical, business-focused guidance to help foreign companies understand and comply with U.S. trade laws, minimize tariff impacts and proactively address legal issues that could hinder expansion.

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Immigration: Warner’s immigration team closely monitors ongoing developments in U.S. immigration law, tracking policy shifts, court decisions and agency guidance that directly impact the ability of foreign businesses to establish operations and bring talent into the country. In a rapidly changing legal landscape, staying ahead of these updates is critical to avoiding delays, maintaining compliance and securing the right visas for key personnel. Warner offers strategic, up-to-date immigration counsel to help international companies navigate entry into the U.S. market, streamline employee mobility and build a compliant, scalable workforce.

Corporate Transparency and Compliance Reform: The evolving U.S. regulatory framework under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) introduces a new compliance imperative for foreign companies entering the U.S. market. Beginning in 2024, many entities — including newly formed U.S. subsidiaries of foreign companies — must report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), with strict deadlines and penalties for noncompliance. These reforms are part of a broader federal push for transparency and anti-money laundering enforcement, requiring early and accurate entity structuring to avoid pitfalls. Warner’s corporate and regulatory attorneys advise international clients on the latest CTA developments and assist with entity formation strategies, compliance planning and ongoing reporting obligations, helping foreign businesses meet new transparency standards while maintaining operational flexibility.

State-Level Economic Incentives and Evolving Tax Landscape: The U.S. tax environment is shifting amid growing state-level competition for foreign investment and federal changes to international tax policy. States continue to expand and refine incentive packages — including tax credits, abatements and grants — for businesses creating jobs and investing capital. At the same time, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) global minimum tax and potential reforms to U.S. tax law (e.g., GILTI, BEAT and FDII regimes) could significantly alter the cost-benefit equation for foreign companies planning U.S. market entry. Navigating this changing landscape requires a coordinated understanding of federal and state developments. Warner’s tax and economic incentives teams help clients align entity and investment strategies with incentive eligibility, ensure proactive tax planning and stay ahead of regulatory changes that affect international expansion.

AI and Data Governance: Rapid advances in artificial intelligence and evolving U.S. data governance frameworks present a complex and shifting legal environment for foreign companies entering the U.S. market. Federal and state authorities are increasingly active in proposing and enforcing regulations around automated decision-making, algorithmic accountability and consumer data protection. Key developments include state-level privacy laws (e.g., in California, Colorado and Connecticut), new federal agency guidance on AI transparency, and the White House’s Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights. Companies deploying AI tools or handling U.S. consumer data must prepare for enhanced compliance expectations — including algorithmic impact assessments, opt-out rights and data localization risks. Warner’s technology and privacy counsel helps international businesses assess AI-related risks, develop governance policies aligned with U.S. regulatory trends and implement practical safeguards that support innovation while ensuring legal compliance and consumer trust.

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Emerging Media and Technologies

Supply Chain

Partner

Jared T. Belka

Senior Counsel

Sarah R. Bileti

Daniel G. “Dan” Bonucchi

Executive Partner

Joscelyn “Josie” Cekola Boucher

Kurt M. Brauer

Sean H. Cook

Business Development Executive

Carlotta C. Gmachl

Paralegal

Lindsey Jager

Associate

Mohamad “Mo” Knio

Christopher M. LeClair

Robert J. “Bob” Nolan

Andrew M. Reside

Closely Held Businesses

Corporate

Cybersecurity and Privacy

Data and Information Governance

Economic Incentives

Immigration

Regulatory and Compliance

Securities and Corporate Governance

International Business

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