The State of Israel has emerged as the most industrially and economically developed country in the Middle East. During 2006 alone, more than $7 billion of venture capital came into the country, while its GDP reached US $140.5 billion. The value of its exports rose exponentially, as well – Israel’s focus on high-tech industries helped its export of goods and services exceed US $62.6 billion in 2006 (more than the value of its imports), with 42% of its goods exported to the United States and 33% directed to Europe

Yet, while Israel has capitalized on its highly educated workforce by focusing on the creation of a technologically advanced economy driven by the telecommunications, information technology, and life sciences industries, the nation’s ability to continue its economic rise will be based largely on its ability to expand its business relationships across the United States, Europe, India, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and other places throughout the world. Israeli industry has begun that initiative, but significant opportunities remain to be explored

An important aspect of the increasing internationalization of Israeli industry and business will necessarily involve addressing legislative and regulatory challenges associated with Israelis doing business in these places. Skilled lobbying, together with excellent legal representation, is essential if companies in the country wish to protect their interests and maximize their revenue in foreign markets, specifically in the areas of high technology, defense, homeland security, and health care

Patton Boggs is uniquely suited to assist Israeli businesses in this effort, both domestically (in each respective country), and the across the world. The firm stands apart from other U.S. firms looking to provide guidance to Israel-based clients because we are able to draw on the strength of our top-ranked public policy practice

For more than forty years, companies doing business in Washington, D.C. and in world capitals have looked to Patton Boggs as a trusted advisor and legal counsel. Our lobbying practice has continually helped individuals, corporations, trade associations, and sovereign nations take advantage of legislative, regulatory, and judicial opportunities to achieve important strategic objectives, allowing us to endure as the top-ranked lobbying firm year after year (as reported in many major, respected publications). Particularly given the central role that Washington, D.C. plays in many existing and emerging markets, international companies can gain significant leverage in any transaction through experienced and solid Washington representation

Patton Boggs also excels in the technology arena, which is of particular interest to Israeli companies seeking to do business in the world’s largest technology marketplace. Our professionals have substantial experience representing clients on a host of technology transfer and export control compliance issues, including compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the sanctions regulations administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Exon-Florio provision as implemented by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and rules governing protection of classified U.S. national security information

We counsel clients engaged in cross-border transfers of goods and technology, often in the defense sector, where we have represented major defense contractors on key government contracts issues and have handled virtually every aspect of government contract and related federal procurement issues, including those related to data rights, FMF issues, large scale procurement awards and protests, audits, investigations, compliance programs, and voluntary disclosures

In addition to our lobbying skill, our understanding of the technology arena, and our knowledge of international regulations, the firm’s ability to help Israeli clients is bolstered by the experience of our lawyers in building important networks of personal relationships at the highest levels of Israeli politics, as well as within numerous foreign governments, including the MENA region’s political and economic leadership. Demand for energy resources, substantial investment in local infrastructure, and capital flows into the region to support expansion in the real estate, financial services, and tourism sectors are having a transformational effect in some countries, creating unique investment and business opportunities for Israeli companies seeking to expand business horizons

Patton Boggs has several attorneys and staff members who have lived in Israel and are fluent in Hebrew, and we regularly travel to the country to assist clients with their business and legal matters. We work in tandem with Israeli law firms to help serve clients and gain a more “local” understanding of what they consider their greatest needs. The firm has a close working relationship with Dov Weissglas, the past chief of Staff to former Prime Minister Sharon, who advises us in dealings with a number of our Israeli clients. We emphasize in-person contact with our clients in the country, and we combine our lobbying prowess and knowledge of international markets (including the MENA region) to analyze the best way to serve their needs

Representative Matters

The Israeli legal system is one of the most intricate legal systems in the world. Four centuries of rule by the Ottoman Empire combined with the post-World-War-I British Mandate established by the League of Nations have helped bring about an atypical hybrid of Islamic, European, and Anglican influences

Patton Boggs has a notable record of representing companies with both in-bound and out-bound interests in Israel. Generally, these include Israeli clients with interests in the United States as well as American clients with interests in Israel. In both of these situations, the firm is able to call upon its extensive capabilities in nearly all aspects of law and advocacy, as well as its understanding of the Israeli market and culture, to produce superior results

Represented an Israeli health and medical device client in the IP area, including Asset Purchase Agreements; all aspects of licensing, and drafting and negotiating Manufacturing, OEM, Research and Development; and Marketing and Distribution Agreements

Brought subsidiary of major Israeli aircraft cargo security products manufacturer on-shore to the United States (creating a U.S. subsidiary) and assisted in marketing to U.S. Government purchasers, advising on federal contract preferences that might be available, possible teaming arrangements with U.S. companies, rights in data and computer software under U.S. Government contracts, and corporate structuring and related activities

Advised Israeli biotech company on various patent issues including patent portfolio analysis and development and patent opinions (non-infringement, invalidity, freedom to operate) concerning certain diagnostic and research reagent-related instrumentation and methodologies

Assisted U.S. Fortune 500 company on behalf of its pre-1967 Israeli subsidiary in advocacy campaign to protect it from unfair competition, which involved work with United States Departments of Commerce and State, including the United States Trade Representative

Provided full range of corporate and securities advice to northern Israeli biotechnology startup in miniaturized medical photography industry, including tax and related planning, corporate advice, and related work for startup

Served as government contracts and export control counsel to company owned by a major equity and venture capital firm (with offices in the United States and in Israel) providing a range of defense and security products, batteries, interactive trainers/simulators, and vehicle/aviation/marine and personnel armor protection. Work included federal contract preferences that might be available, possible teaming arrangements with U.S. companies, rights in data and computer software under U.S. Government contracts, etc

Represented leading Israeli electronics manufacturer on business needs associated with MRI technology, including structuring investments in stand-alone MRI centers in Texas

Represented large segment of Israeli diamond industry on import and homeland security issues including Financial Crimes Enforcement Network regulations

For more information on Patton Boggs’ Israel practice, please contact our partners in Washington, Doug Mishkin or David Farber

For assistance in Israel please contact Dov Weissglas