Bruning Legal Services

International business in Europe and Asia

Business in Asia

Legal support for expanding your Netherlands business into Asia and Africa

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Derivatives & Capital Markets

Negotiate and advise on your international derivatives and investment transactions

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Business in Europe

Legal guidance for Asian entrepreneurs exploring Europe and The Netherlands

BUSINESS IN ASIA

Over the past 15 years, many entrepreneurs and investors from the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe have recognized the many growth opportunities that certain Asian (and more recently, certain African) countries offer, and have entered into selected markets by making investments or setting up joint ventures and participating into existing businesses. With its extensive network, service attitude and a thorough understanding of the legal requirements and culture, BLS has represented international clients investing in commercial and financial entities in India, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Turkey, Belarus, Mongolia, Tanzania, South-Africa and China. In your international expansion, BLS will support you with:

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Business Start Up Services

setting up the local legal entity or branch/representation office, and choice for greenfield or existing business with local partner
reviewing incorporation documents and articles of association/statute of the new legal entity, negotiating office space rental agreement
advising on locally required permits/authorizations and local regulatory requirements
drafting employment agreements and consultancy agreements, assessing formal requirements and restrictions for local employees and expats

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Transaction Services

advising on merger & acquisitions, business co-operations and other financial transactions and investments
drafting and negotiating share/asset purchase , equity investment/ partnership, joint venture or co-operation agreements, and loan documents & finance/lease agreements

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Business Advisory Services

drafting and negotiating commercial documents such as distribution agreements, sales agreements or general purchase/sale terms and conditions (enhancing your sales & distribution network)
drafting and negotiating Intellectual Property license and technology transfer agreements, protection of technology and know how, registering IP rights such as trademarks, trade names and patents (supporting IP licensing structure)
drafting and negotiating business agreements such as service agreements, production, technology and outsourcing agreements, and vendor terms and conditions (supporting your operations)
advising on local regulations and new legislation

DERIVATIVES & CAPITAL MARKETS

BLS has supported numerous buy-side institutional clients and their asset managers (such as pension funds, insurance companies and investment funds) with negotiating international market-template derivatives agreements. As this industry today is highly regulated, BLS assists its clients in certifying their appropriate legal status thereunder and making sure they comply with such regulations both in terms of legal documents and their business operations.

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Regulatory Advisory Services

advising on impact EMIR, SFTR, BMR and MiFIDII/MiFIR regulations on your derivatives operations (trading, executing, clearing, reporting, collateral), on regulations and obligations of clearing houses (CCP’s), and on collateral management, and supporting with implementation of such legislation in your organisation
supporting with “repapering” of existing derivatives documentation
monitoring and advising on new (EU) legislation and regulatory requirements, and advising on impact of new regulations on business and processes

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Transaction Services

Negotiating OTC, ETD and Cleared derivatives trading (master) agreements for trading and execution of swaps, futures, forwards and other derivative instruments
Drafting and negotiating direct and fund investments in equity, mezzanine and debt markets
Types of documents covered include ISDA Master Agreement, 2016 VM Credit Support Annex, ISDA FIA Client Clearing Addendum, FIA Futures Clearing and Trading Agreement, FIA Clearing Module, ISDA FIA European Derivatives Execution Agreement, and EUREX, LCH and ICE client clearing documents and house clearing rules

BUSINESS IN EUROPE

BLS believes that the next decades will see a huge investment surge from Asia to Europe and beyond. the Netherlands provide for the perfect hub for any entrepreneur or investor wanting to profit from all opportunities and benefits that Europe has to offer (through the widely developed-EU regulatory framework). Clients may prefer to enter the EU markets via any other EU member state while still benefitting from the same integrated legal system. Either way, BLS will help your company setting up a local venture and jump start your entry into the Netherlands, Europe and the world beyond. BLS will support you with:

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Business Start Up Services

deciding on the optimal entry strategy and structure into the EU and the Netherlands
deciding on choice of local legal entity or branches/representation offices, and choice for greenfield or existing business with NL/EU partner
advising on EU regulatory environment and opportunities, applying for required permits/authorizations, ensuring compliance with home country statutory obligations
drafting employment agreements and consultancy agreements, advising on formal (tax) requirements and incentives for expat employees in the Netherlands, negotiating office rental and third party services agreements

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Transaction Services

advising on merger & acquisitions, joint ventures and business co-operations, and other financial transactions and investments in EU/NL
drafting and negotiating share/asset purchase agreements, equity investment/partnership agreements, joint venture/co-operation agreements, and loan documents & finance/lease agreements

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Business Advisory Services

assisting in set up of sales & distribution network, drafting and negotiating (template) commercial documents such as sourcing/purchase agreements, distribution agreements or general purchase/sale terms and conditions
supporting roll out of Intellectual Property licensing structure, (EU) registering of IP rights such as trademarks, trade names and patents, drafting and negotiating IP license and technology transfer agreements
drafting and negotiating business agreements such as service agreements, technology and outsourcing agreements, and vendor terms and conditions
advising on EU and local regulations and new NL/EU legislation

ABOUT BLS & ALEXANDER BRUNING

BLS is a legal advisory firm that takes a personal and dedicated approach in servicing its clients. In the Netherlands, BLS prefers teaming up with very senior, independent legal counsels that specialize in other areas of law not pursued by BLS rather than hiring junior lawyers bringing less value. BLS furthermore works with local business partners in each of the relevant jurisdictions, ensuring that both international and local requirements are fully complied with. Both solutions will ensure that BLS can help you with your need for legal support whatever the matter presented to us. Finally, BLS has firm ties with advisors and service providers to be able to cover your requests for support in tax, finance, accounting, employment, immigration, permits and housing matters

BLS acts through its lead counsel Mr. Alexander Bruning. Alexander Bruning is a highly respected member of the professional legal community for more than 20 years, and enjoys a reputation for his international experience. His understanding of the intricacies of international legal culture, local business and legal requirements and contract negotiations has enabled him to successfully represent his clients in their business needs and expansion plans. Proficient in English and Dutch, and with reading and speaking skills in French, German and Spanish, the communication reach he has to offer is an added advantage for businesses. Alexander has the required social skills and combines a personal drive with empathy and a deep understanding of the issues that underlie business decisions. Alexander has previously been employed as Attorney at Law at international law firms NautaDutilh and DLA Piper, before deciding to start his own firm and serve clients on an advisory basis (and interim inhouse basis where needed).