ÿþ<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" > <head> <title>International Law Firm of Marks & Sokolov | Russian Speaking Lawyers in Philadelphia, Moscow and Kyiv</title> <meta name="keywords" content="international law firm, moscow law offices, kyiv ukraine law, marks & sokolov, international commercial law, Russian law office, Russian law firm, unkraine law office" /> <meta name="description" content="The Marks & Sokolov multilingual, multinational lawyers serve clients in the US (Philadelphia), Russia (Moscow) and Ukraine (Kyiv)." /> <LINK REL="StyleSheet" HREF="StyleSheet.css" TYPE="text/css"> <script src="javascript_common.js"></script> </head> <body> <div id="TopDivA"></div> <table border="0" align="center" width="850" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="TopTable"> <tr> <td width="85%" height="90" align="left" valign="middle" style="padding-left:15px;"> <a href="index.htm"><img src="images/logo_2007.jpg" border="0" alt="Back to Marks & Sokolov Home Page" /></a> </td> <td width="15%" align="left" valign="middle"> <img src="images/btn_pointer.jpg" id="EnglishPointer" style="visibility:hidden;" /><a href="about_the_firm.htm" title="View the site in English"><img src="images/btn_english.jpg" border="0" onmouseover="javascript:ChangeLanguage('no', 'english', 'on');" onmouseout="javascript:ChangeLanguage('no', 'english', 'off');" /></a> <br /><img src="images/trans_box.gif" width="1" height="4" /><br /> <img src="images/btn_pointer.jpg" id="RussianPointer" style="visibility:hidden;" /><a href="about_the_firm_rus.htm" title="View the site in Russian"><img src="images/btn_russian.jpg" border="0" onmouseover="javascript:ChangeLanguage('no', 'russian', 'on');" onmouseout="javascript:ChangeLanguage('no', 'russian', 'off');" /></a> <!-- <br /><img src="images/trans_box.gif" width="1" height="4" /><br /> <img src="images/btn_pointer.jpg" id="UkrainianPointer" style="visibility:hidden;" /><a href="#" title="View the site in Ukrainian"><img src="images/btn_ukrainian.jpg" border="0" onmouseover="javascript:ChangeLanguage('no', 'ukrainian', 'on');" onmouseout="javascript:ChangeLanguage('no', 'ukrainian', 'off');" /></a> --> </td> </tr> </table> <div id="Nav"> <a href="index.htm"><img src="images/btn_home.jpg" border="0" align="absmiddle" onmouseover="this.src='images/btn_home_over.jpg';" onmouseout="this.src='images/btn_home.jpg';" /></a> <img src="images/nav_divider.jpg" align="absmiddle" /> <a href="about_the_firm.htm" onMouseover="dropdownmenu(this, event, menu1, '120px');" onMouseout="delayhidemenu()"><img src="images/btn_about_the_firm.jpg" border="0" align="absmiddle" onmouseover="this.src='images/btn_about_the_firm_over.jpg';" onmouseout="this.src='images/btn_about_the_firm.jpg';" /></a> <img src="images/nav_divider.jpg" align="absmiddle" /> <a href="practice_areas.htm" onMouseover="dropdownmenu(this, event, menu3, '270px')" onMouseout="delayhidemenu()"><img src="images/btn_practice_areas.jpg" border="0" align="absmiddle" onmouseover="this.src='images/btn_practice_areas_over.jpg';" onmouseout="this.src='images/btn_practice_areas.jpg';" /></a> <img src="images/nav_divider.jpg" align="absmiddle" /> <a href="attorney_profiles.htm"><img src="images/btn_attorney_profiles.jpg" border="0" align="absmiddle" onmouseover="this.src='images/btn_attorney_profiles_over.jpg';" onmouseout="this.src='images/btn_attorney_profiles.jpg';" /></a> <img src="images/nav_divider.jpg" align="absmiddle" /> <a href="news.htm" onMouseover="dropdownmenu(this, event, menu2, '175px')" onMouseout="delayhidemenu()"><img src="images/btn_news.jpg" border="0" align="absmiddle" onmouseover="this.src='images/btn_news_over.jpg';" onmouseout="this.src='images/btn_news.jpg';" /></a> <img src="images/nav_divider.jpg" align="absmiddle" /> <a href="contact_us.htm" onMouseover="dropdownmenu(this, event, menu4, '120px')" onMouseout="delayhidemenu()"><img src="images/btn_contact_us.jpg" border="0" align="absmiddle" onmouseover="this.src='images/btn_contact_us_over.jpg';" onmouseout="this.src='images/btn_contact_us.jpg';" /></a> <img src="images/nav_divider.jpg" align="absmiddle" /> <a href="careers.htm"><img src="images/btn_careers.jpg" border="0" align="absmiddle" onmouseover="this.src='images/btn_careers_over.jpg';" onmouseout="this.src='images/btn_careers.jpg';" /></a> </div> <div id="TopDivB"></div> <div id="MainContentPaddedDiv"> <div id="PageTitle">About Marks & Sokolov</div> <div style="text-align:left;"> <a href="#phila">Philadelphia</a> <img src="images/trans_box.gif" width="20" height="1" /> <a href="#moscow">Moscow</a> <img src="images/trans_box.gif" width="20" height="1" /> <a href="#kyiv">Kyiv</a> <br /><br /><br /> <div style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;color:#003466;margin-bottom:10px;">We are Client-Focused and Dedicated to our Clients' Success</div> Our clients demand nothing less than flexible, creative and timely results. This is why the lawyers of Marks & Sokolov function as an integrated team. Matters are managed by a hands-on senior attorney who coordinates work, assigning attorneys and support staff best suited to a particular matter, determining the most cost-effective location and ensuring that the client is kept informed of our progress. As a result, clients receive maximum benefit from the experience of the senior members of our firm. <br /><br /> While our clients range from individuals to large global corporations, our practice is built case by case. We don t seek  cookie cutter solutions. We believe each case is unique, and we regard each matter of equal and vital importance to our firm. <br /><br /> We are multilingual, multi-disciplined and have a singular dedication to our clients. <br /><br /><br /> <a name="phila"></a> <div class="DividerBar" style="width:99%;text-align:center;">Philadelphia Law Office</div> <table border="0" align="center" width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" width="16%"> <a href="contact_us.htm#phila"><img src="images/philadelphia_sm.jpg" border="0" alt="Directions and Contact Info" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" style="color:#003466;" width="30%"> <div style="font-size:10pt;margin-bottom:14px;"> 1835 Market Street, 28th Floor<br /> Philadelphia, PA 19103 </div> <a href="contact_us.htm#phila">Directions and Contact Info</a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" width="9%"> <a href="Bruce_Marks.htm"><img src="images/employees/bruce_marks_xs.jpg" border="0" alt="Profile" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" style="color:#003466;" width="45%"> <div style="font-size:10pt;margin-bottom:14px;"> <b>Bruce Marks, Managing Director</b><br /> <a href="mailto:marks@mslegal.com">marks@mslegal.com</a> </div> <a href="Bruce_Marks.htm">Profile</a> </td> </tr> </table> <br /> <div style="text-align:center;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-weight:bold;font-size:11pt;color:#5677A5;margin-bottom:15px;letter-spacing:2pt;"> Philadelphia &nbsp;Office &nbsp;Attorneys </div> <table border="0" align="center" width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" width="8%"> <a href="Maria_Grechishkina.htm"><img src="images/employees/maria_grechishkina_xs.jpg" border="0" alt="Profile" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" style="color:#003466;" width="22%"> <b>Maria Grechishkina</b><br /> <a href="mailto:mgrechishkina@mslegal.com">mgrechishkina@mslegal.com</a><br /> <a href="Maria_Grechishkina.htm">Profile</a> </td> <td width="5%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td> <td valign="top" align="left" width="8%"> <a href="Thomas_Sullivan.htm"><img src="images/employees/tom_sullivan_xs.jpg" border="0" alt="Profile" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" style="color:#003466;" width="22%"> <b>Thomas Sullivan</b><br /> <a href="mailto:tsullivan@mslegal.com">tsullivan@mslegal.com</a><br /> <a href="Thomas_Sullivan.htm">Profile</a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left"> <a href="Anna_Brown.htm"><img src="images/employees/anna_brown_xs.jpg" border="0" alt="Profile" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" style="color:#003466;"> <b>Anna V. Brown</b><br /> <a href="mailto:abrown@mslegal.com">abrown@mslegal.com</a><br /> <a href="Anna_Brown.htm">Profile</a> </td> <td>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="8">&nbsp;</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left"> <a href="Yulia_Cherepanova.htm"><img src="images/employees/yulia_cherepanova_xs.jpg" border="0" alt="Profile" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" style="color:#003466;"> <b>Yulia Cherepanova</b><br /> <a href="mailto:ycherepanova@mslegal.com">ycherepanova@mslegal.com</a><br /> <a href="Yulia_Cherepanova.htm">Profile</a> </td> <td>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td> <td valign="top" align="left" width="8%"> <a href="Maria_Temkin.htm"><img src="images/employees/maria_temkin_xs.jpg" border="0" alt="Profile" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" style="color:#003466;"> <b>Maria Temkin</b><br /> <a href="mailto:mtemkin@mslegal.com">mtemkin@mslegal.com</a><br /> <a href="Maria_Temkin.htm">Profile</a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left"></td> <td valign="top" align="left" style="color:#003466;"></td> <td>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td> </tr> </table> <br /> The Philadelphia office of Marks & Sokolov specializes in handling transactional matters for Western clients doing business in Russia and Ukraine and Russian/Ukrainian clients doing business internationally. In addition, the office also has a broad U.S. based commercial practice advising a wide range of individuals, industries and businesses on litigation and corporate matters. <br /><br /> Philadelphia attorneys are qualified to practice in the U.S. and Russia and have gained a profound expertise in the matters of Ukrainian law. The firm s clients, no matter where they are based, can easily access the expertise of our lawyers. Many of the firm's attorneys and support staff are fluent in English, Russian, Ukrainian, and other languages. The lawyers of Marks & Sokolov function as an integrated team. They are linked by an electronic infrastructure that allows them to bring the firm's experience and global resources to bear on clients' most demanding business and legal issues promptly and efficiently. The firm also has an established network of attorneys in many foreign jurisdictions to serve as local counsel. <br /><br /> <div style="text-decoration:underline;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:8px;">Litigation and Arbitration</div> Our Philadelphia lawyers litigate and arbitrate claims on behalf of clients throughout the United States and around the world. Firm lawyers have particular experience in prosecuting civil claims under the U.S. Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ( RICO ), which provides for the recovery of treble damages and attorney fees. The firm has litigated some of the largest RICO cases in the United States based on fraud and other misconduct arising from commercial matters in Russia, including disputes in the aluminum, diamond, oil, and titanium sectors. In addition, firm lawyers have also handled numerous complex international commercial arbitration matters in London, New York, Philadelphia, Stockholm and Zurich. These cases required the preparation and translation of witness statements, expert legal opinions, and expert damage reports in English and Russian. <br /><br /> Recent representative cases include:<br /><br /> <ul> <li><span class="NormalText">Avisma v. Dart. Representation of a Russian industrial company against foreign investors for recovery of $150 million that was was improperly diverted in a trade fraud scheme. The case was resolved with a favorable settlement for the plaintiff.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Base Metal Trading S.A. v. Russian Aluminum. Represention of foreign trading partners of a Russian aluminum factory in a $2.7 billion suit, where the plaintiffs trading contracts were abrogated by the defendants in sham bankruptcy proceedings.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Archangel Diamond Corp. v. Lukoil. Representation of the plaintiff (an indirect affiliate of De Beers) in a suit against Russia's largest oil company for $3.6 billion for wrongdoing related to the denial of rights to develop one of the world's richest diamond fields. While still at the procedural stages, the firm has had a substantial victory in the case already, A landmark decision of the Colorado Supreme Court reversed a lower court s decision dismissing a claim against Russia s largest oil company for lack of personal jurisdiction. The case is now pending in Colorado state court.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Representation of a Canadian oil company in a $1.5 billion suit in New York against U.S.-based entities engaged in a massive racketeering scheme to take over a substantial portion of the Russian oil industry.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Representation of shareholders in a suit against a group of conspirators involved in a racketeering scheme with a claim in excess of $1 billion related to the illegal seizure of a Russian vanadium plant.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Representation of a Russian translation company in a lawsuit against the International Accounting Standards Committee Foundation relating to the licensing of translations in the U.K., Russia and Ukraine. The lawsuit was resolved in a favorable settlement for the Russian translation company.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Successful representation of plaintiff shareholders in a dispute over the management of the world s largest ferro-alloy plant. The action was filed to vindicate the rights of good-faith investors who suffered damages exceeding hundreds of millions of dollars. The case setteled.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Obtaining a preliminary injunction freezing over $6 million of the defendants assets under West Virginia law in a dispute involving metals plants in the United States and Poland.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Representation of individuals in an action for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing against Corestates Bank (n/k/a Wachovia Bank). The court held the bank liable for $1,150,000 plus over $680,000 in pre-judgment interest.</span></li> </ul> <div style="text-decoration:underline;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:20px;">US and International Business and Transactional Services</div> Marks & Sokolov lawyers provide a full range of corporate and transactional services to businesses and individuals representing a wide range of industries around the world. <br /><br /> The firm s lawyers transactional experience includes: <br /><br /> <ul> <li><span class="NormalText">Structuring of a transaction and procurement of a letter of interest from the U.S. Ex-Im Bank to finance $50 million worth of U.S. made mining equipment for export to Russia.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Drafting and negotiation of over $60 million worth of international sales and purchase agreements, drafting of numerous counter-trade agreements, railroad transportation contracts, port contracts and charter party agreements for an international commodity company engaged in international trading in Russia, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, UK and South Africa.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Preparation of documents for the Defense Conversion Fund s financing of a project in Ukraine involving converting a military plant to manufacture electric transformers from locally produced copper wire.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Commentaries on the preparation of a Non-Commercial Risk Guarantee Facility for the Russian coal sector that was developed by the World Bank in Washington and the Federal Center for Project Finance in Moscow.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Drafting and negotiation of the sale of shares of a Russian metal company in excess of $60 million.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Drafting and negotiation of contracts on behalf of purchasers for the acquisition of metallurgical plants in Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. </span></li> </ul> <br /><br /> <a name="moscow"></a> <div class="DividerBar" style="width:99%;text-align:center;">Moscow Office</div> <table border="0" align="center" width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" width="16%"> <a href="contact_us.htm#kyiv"><img src="images/moscow_sm.jpg" border="0" alt="Directions and Contact Info" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" style="color:#003466;" width="40%" nowrap> <div style="font-size:10pt;margin-bottom:14px;"> 15 Bolshoi Cherkassky Pereulok, 5th Floor<br /> Moscow 109012 </div> <a href="contact_us.htm#moscow">Directions and Contact Info</a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" width="9%"> <a href="Sergey_Sokolov.htm"><img src="images/employees/sergey_sokolov_xs.jpg" border="0" alt="Profile" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" style="color:#003466;" width="35%"> <div style="font-size:10pt;margin-bottom:14px;"> <b>Sergey Sokolov, Managing Director</b><br /> <a href="mailto:ssokolov@mslegal.com">ssokolov@mslegal.com</a> </div> <a href="Sergey_Sokolov.htm">Profile</a> </td> </tr> </table> <br /> <div style="text-align:center;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-weight:bold;font-size:11pt;color:#5677A5;margin-bottom:15px;letter-spacing:2pt;"> Moscow &nbsp;Office &nbsp;Attorneys </div> <div style="text-align:center;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:10px;font-weight:bold;color:#5677A5;font-size:10pt;"> At the present time there are 5 staff attorneys in Moscow office. </div> <br /> Marks and Sokolov s Moscow office, open since 1998, is the base for the firm s operation in Russia and the CIS. Our Moscow lawyers have substantial experience representing clients in the following areas: <br /><br /> <ul> <li><span class="NormalText">Real estate sales, development and acquisitions</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Consumer rights law</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">General corporate matters</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Employment and Immigration law</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">International Sale of Goods</span></li> </ul> <div style="text-decoration:underline;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:20px;">Real Estate</div> The firm s Moscow office has an active practice representing clients in the Russian commercial real estate market. Our attorneys have substantial experience in all aspects of the purchase and sale of commercial, residential and historic real estate including the drafting and negotiation of sale and purchase agreements, leases, loan facilities, pledges, mortgages and other collateral agreements. In addition to closing numerous transactions, our lawyers regularly assist clients with matters arising from the management and operation of the newly-acquired properties. <br /><br /> In the last two years, the firm has assisted clients, ranging from large Western funds to private companies, in buying, selling and developing over $800 million of real estate in Russia. Recent representations include: <br /><br /> <ul> <li><span class="NormalText">$80 million Class A office space acquisition in Moscow.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">$50 million shopping mall acquisition in Naberezhnye Chelny.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">$40 million Moscow land acquisition.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">$30 million acquisition of two office buildings in Moscow.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">$30 million development of warehouses and an office center in Moscow.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">$17 million hotel acquisition in Moscow.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Acquisition of a 5-star hotel in Novosibirsk.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Land acquisition for warehouse development in St Petersburg.</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Land acquisition for a shopping mall development in Novosibirsk.</span></li> </ul> <br /> <div style="text-decoration:underline;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:20px;">Consumer Rights Law</div> We are currently representing large FMCG ("frequently marketable consumer goods") and other companies in consumer litigations. Within the last year, we have successfully settled 15 disputes for our clients in the air carriage , electronic equipment and food industries. <div style="text-decoration:underline;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:20px;">Corporate Governance</div> Our Moscow lawyers have substantial experience in managing corporate governance for our clients. We have developed a profound expertise helping our clients establish, acquire and sell new businesses and ventures. Our lawyers regularly assist companies of all sizes in drafting by-laws and other corporate documents, incorporation, registration, reorganization and liquidation of legal entities, amendment of charter documents and all other corporate governance issues. <br /><br /> Recently, we have advised clients in the negotiation of shareholder agreements for several joint-ventures (over 60 mln USD JV of a development project in the center of Moscow, over 15 mln USD for a joint venture in publishing business) and provided complete support in the drafting of all the necessary documentation. <div style="text-decoration:underline;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:20px;">Employment and Immigration Law</div> Our Moscow lawyers regularly advise corporate clients on numerous areas of employment law including: the hiring and termination of both low and high ranking employees and managers, drafting employment contracts and related documents, job descriptions, and obtaining work permits for foreign employees. <div style="text-decoration:underline;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:20px;">Contract Law</div> Our lawyers are called upon on a regular basis to assist in the drafting and negotiating of contracts involving the international sale of goods. In the last few years alone, Moscow lawyers have drafted and negotiated over 50 contracts involving the sale of chemicals, industrial equipment, and more. <br /><br /><br /> <a name="kyiv"></a> <div class="DividerBar" style="width:99%;text-align:center;">Practice in Ukraine</div> <table border="0" align="center" width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" width="16%"> <a href="contact_us.htm#kyiv"><img src="images/kyiv_sm.jpg" border="0" alt="Directions and Contact Info" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" style="color:#003466;" width="40%"> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" width="9%"> <a href="Artem_Saprykin.htm"><img src="images/employees/artem_saprykin_xs.jpg" border="0" alt="Profile" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" style="color:#003466;" width="35%"> <div style="font-size:10pt;margin-bottom:14px;"> <b>Artem Saprykin, Of Counsel</b><br /> <a href="mailto:asaprykin@mslegal.com">asaprykin@mslegal.com</a> </div> <a href="Artem_Saprykin.htm">Profile</a> </td> </tr> </table> <!-- <br /> <div style="text-align:center;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-weight:bold;font-size:11pt;color:#5677A5;margin-bottom:15px;letter-spacing:2pt;"> Kyiv &nbsp;Office &nbsp;Attorneys </div> <table border="0" align="center" width="30%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" width="8%"> <a href="Artem_Saprykin.htm"><img src="images/employees/artem_saprykin_xs.jpg" border="0" alt="Profile" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" style="color:#003466;" width="22%"> <b>Artem Saprykin</b><br /> <a href="mailto:asaprykin@mslegal.com">asaprykin@mslegal.com</a><br /> <a href="Artem_Saprykin.htm">Profile</a> </td> <td width="5%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td> <td valign="top" align="left" width="8%"> <a href="Iryna_Odynets.htm"><img src="images/employees/iryna_odynets_xs.jpg" border="0" alt="Profile" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" style="color:#003466;" width="22%"> <b>Iryna Odynets</b><br /> <a href="mailto:iodynets@mslegal.com">iodynets@mslegal.com</a><br /> <a href="Iryna_Odynets.htm">Profile</a> </td> </tr> </table> --> <br /> In the past several years, more and more Western companies have become interested in doing business in Ukraine. A developing economy, World Trade Organization accession -- and other business indicators have attracted Western companies to the Ukrainian market. <br /><br /> Marks & Sokolov attorneys have developed close ties with local law firms and are able to provide companies and individuals with a full array of legal advice and support for their Ukrainian businesses. The firm is well equipped to represented Ukrainian interests in transactional or litigation matters in the United States, as well as Western companies, in world-wide transactions or litigations arising from their Ukrainian business dealings. <!-- <br /><br /><br /> <a name="wilmington"></a> <div class="DividerBar" style="width:99%;text-align:center;">Wilmington Office</div> <table border="0" align="center" width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" width="16%"> <a href="contact_us.htm#wilmington"><img src="images/kyiv_sm.jpg" border="0" alt="Directions and Contact Info" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" style="color:#003466;" width="30%"> <div style="font-size:10pt;margin-bottom:14px;"> 800 Delaware Avenue, Box 8702<br /> Wilmington, DE 19899 </div> <a href="contact_us.htm#wilmington">Directions and Contact Info</a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" width="9%"> <a href="William_Firth.htm"><img src="images/employees/william_firth_xs.jpg" border="0" alt="Profile" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" align="left" style="color:#003466;" width="45%"> <div style="font-size:10pt;margin-bottom:14px;"> <b>William R. Frist III, Office Contact</b><br /> <a href="mailto:wfirth@mslegal.com">wfirth@mslegal.com</a> </div> <a href="William_Firth.htm">Profile</a> </td> </tr> </table> <br /> Located in what is regarded as the corporate capitol of the world, Marks & Sokolov s Delaware office provides a wide variety of services to international and domestic businesses, including: <br /><br /> <ul> <li><span class="NormalText">Incorporations, mergers and acquisitions, and a wide variety of transactional matters</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Delaware corporate law and governance issues</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Corporate litigation matters in Delaware's Court of Chancery</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Bankruptcy matters in Delaware's United States Bankruptcy Court</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Complex litigation matters, including civil RICO claims and commercial litigation</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Formal opinions on Delaware law for both domestic and international transactions</span></li> <li><span class="NormalText">Serving as local or special counsel for US and international law firms in Delaware matters</span></li> </ul> <div style="text-decoration:underline;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:20px;">Why Incorporate or Litigate in Delaware?</div> Delaware has long been known as a center for corporate and commercial law and has been referred to as the  corporate capital of the world because it is the state of incorporation for the majority of Fortune 500 companies. Additionally, Delaware has gained notoriety in recent years through a series of business law innovations that have led to the creation of many new business entities designed to meet the needs of corporate America. <br /><br /> The state s preeminence in business law has developed primarily through the decisions of the Delaware Court of Chancery, which is the forum of choice in the United States for resolving corporate disputes. The Delaware Court of Chancery issues nationally significant corporate law decisions concerning challenges to actions by boards of directors and claims of breach of fiduciary duty. The Court of Chancery also hears merger and acquisition litigation and all other aspects of corporate governance and compliance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, as well as issues of individual director and officer liability. <br /><br /> As a consequence of the volume of incorporations in Delaware and the ability to obtain jurisdiction based on the state of incorporation, Delaware's Superior Court and the federal court in Delaware have also become popular for multiparty commercial disputes. A 2002 United States Chamber of Commerce study of  fair and reasonable U.S. state litigation environments ranked Delaware No.1 of the 50 states, noting Delaware courts' outstanding competency and impartiality of the judiciary and timeliness in resolving disputes. <br /><br /> Delaware has also emerged in the last decade as a preferred forum for U.S. bankruptcy filings and litigation. The United States Bankruptcy Court in Delaware now handles a majority of the largest chapter 11 reorganizations and other bankruptcy filings in the United States. <br /><br /> Should you or a client wish to discuss some of the benefits of incorporating in Delaware or litigating there, or have a need for any of the above services, please do not hesitate to contact: <br /><br /> William R. Firth, III, Esq.<br /> Marks & Sokolov, LLC<br /> 800 Delaware Avenue, Box 8702<br /> Wilmington, Delaware 19899 USA<br /> Tel: (302) 777-5140<br /> Fax: (302) 261-7370<br /> <a href="mailto:wfirth@mslegal.com">wfirth@mslegal.com</a> --> </div> </div> <div id="Copyright"> <div id="footer"> <a href="Bruce_Marks.htm">Bruce Marks</a> &nbsp;| &nbsp; <a href="Sergey_Sokolov.htm">Sergey Sokolov</a> &nbsp;| &nbsp; <a href="about_the_firm.htm#phila">Philadelphia Law Office</a> &nbsp;| &nbsp; <a href="about_the_firm.htm#moscow">Moscow Law Office</a> &nbsp;| &nbsp; <a href="about_the_firm.htm#kyiv">Practice in Ukraine</a> &nbsp;| &nbsp; <a href="attorney_profiles.htm">Attorney Profiles</a> &nbsp;| &nbsp; <a href="contact_us.htm">Contact Us</a> </div> <small>Copyright &copy;2008 -- Marks & Sokolov, LLC</small> </div><script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5665662-1"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); </script></body> </html>