Munger, Tolles & Olson has a broad international practice. We represent both U.S. and foreign companies and individuals in cross-border civil disputes and investigations by the U.S. and foreign governments involving civil, criminal and regulatory matters.

We litigate transnational matters in domestic and foreign venues and represent clients through the process of international negotiation, mediation and arbitration. We conduct internal investigations for foreign companies and foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies, and handle a wide range of domestic law issues that involve foreign and international law questions – from choice of law to jurisdiction to conflicts issues.

Munger Tolles prides itself on digging into foreign legal issues, translating legal concepts, and reconciling the needs of U.S. and foreign clients with the diversity of legal and cultural traditions abroad and at home – all while remaining focused on our core strength of effective, strategic and cost-conscious legal representation. To best serve our clients, our lawyers take advantage of their diverse language skills, active participation and leadership roles in foreign and international law organizations, and extensive contacts throughout Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa. Additionally, we often work with local counsel in foreign jurisdictions without burdening our clients with the expenses of a costly and far-flung international infrastructure.

Our international practice includes Arbitration, International Investigations, FCPA Investigations and Counseling and Transnational Litigation.

Representative Lawyers

Brad D. Brian, one of the top trial lawyers in the country and the firm’s co-managing partner, literally wrote the book on internal investigations. Mr. Brian has overseen scores of investigations in the U.S. and around the world on behalf of both Fortune 500 and smaller companies. He has defended clients under criminal investigation domestically and in Europe, Asia and Latin America. He has consistently negotiated successful resolutions with the U.S. Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission and foreign prosecutorial agencies.

Joseph D. Lee, a proficient Spanish speaker, has represented Fortune 500 companies in internal and criminal investigations throughout Asia, Latin America and Europe, including investigations involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), kickbacks, financial fraud and money laundering. Mr. Lee regularly counsels U.S. companies on compliance issues. He has handled a number of transnational civil disputes, including litigation against GE in the U.S. and China arising out of an air crash in Baotou, China.

Cary B. Lerman has extensive experience representing clients in domestic and international arbitrations, successfully prosecuting arbitration claims in excess of $350 million and obtaining a defense award against claims in which the claimant sought in excess of $300 million from his client. He is a frequent lecturer and author of articles on domestic and international arbitration. He regularly teaches at law schools in the former Soviet Union, including Russia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan on international arbitration and the U.S. court system.

Miriam Kim speaks Korean and has significant experience conducting internal investigations into potential theft of trade secrets or other confidential information abroad. She has handled transnational litigation involving Asian companies, particularly in the high technology field. She is representing LG Electronics in multi-district antitrust litigation based on price-fixing allegations.

Lisa J. Demsky has represented companies in internal, civil and criminal investigations throughout the U.S. and internationally, including in the Middle East and South America. She is also an experienced litigator and trial lawyer who has counseled clients regarding international litigation and worked successfully with local counsel in foreign jurisdictions to develop and implement transnational litigation strategy.