Dan Harris

Dan Harris is a founding member of Harris Sliwoski, an international law firm where he mostly represents companies doing business in emerging market countries. Most of his time is spent helping American and European companies navigate foreign countries by working with the international lawyers at his firm in setting up companies overseas (WFOEs, Subsidiaries, Rep Offices and Joint Ventures), drafting international contracts, protecting IP, and overseeing M&A transactions.

In addition, Dan writes and speaks extensively on international law, with a focus on protecting foreign businesses in their overseas operations. He is also a prolific and widely-followed blogger, writing as the co-author of the award-winning China Law Blog.

China company legal representative

How to Change Your China Company Legal Representative

Changing Your China Company’s Legal Representative  Is your company planning to change its legal representative in China? Whether you’re undergoing a corporate restructuring, preparing for a WFOE shutdown, or simply managing a leadership transition, changing a legal representative in a Chinese company is a significant and often complex decision. It requires careful planning and attention

A balanced scale stands in front of overlapping U.S. and China flags, symbolizing trade or political relations between the two countries, symbolizing United States new regulation of trade with China

U.S. Department of Treasury Implements Final Rule on Investment in Sensitive Technologies in China

The U.S. Outbound Investment Final Rule: What It Means for American Business  Executive Summary Effective Date: January 2, 2025 Key Impact: Restricts U.S. investments in Chinese tech sectors Affected Industries: Semiconductors, quantum computing, AI Penalties: Up to $368,136 or 2x transaction value Required Action: New compliance programs by January 2025 On October 28, 2024, the

China Factory with a "Going Out of Business Sale" sign displayed prominently, indicating how Chinese factories are in trouble and reduc9ing their product pricing

Chinese Factories Are at Peak Desperation: This is Both Good and Bad for Product Buyers

Chinese Factories Are at Peak Desperation: This is Both Good and Bad for Product Buyers The Chinese manufacturing industry, once a global powerhouse, is now grappling with a perfect storm of challenges. From slowing global demand and rising costs to geopolitical tensions, factories across China face unprecedented pressure, resulting in a state of peak desperation.

A clipboard holds an "International Manufacturing Term Sheet Checklist" with a list of items relevant to creating such a checklist

An International Manufacturing Term Sheet Checklist

The Power of Term Sheets Our international manufacturing lawyers are frequently asked what companies should agree on before we draft their International Manufacturing Agreement. The checklist below highlights key points you may want to discuss with your potential manufacturer before moving forward with the crafting of your manufacturing Agreement. Please note that this list is not

China product development lawyer

The 101 on China Product Development Agreements

China Product Development Agreements Navigating product development is critical, especially when partnering with Chinese manufacturers. This stage is laden with risks that can jeopardize the entire project. In this post, I will delve into the crucial role of China Product Development Agreements, and how to avoid the common mistakes foreign companies make when having their

China future business

China Best Practices and Strategy Tips for SMEs

China for SMEs Even amid riasing political and economic tensions, the China market remains attractive to certain businesses, especially SMEs, because of its massive middle class (about 400 million) and its robust, relatively accessible manufacturing ecosystem. However, the complexities of doing business in China can present significant challenges, and for companies lacking the resources of

China business contracts

The High Cost of China Contract Mistakes

A Lesson for Lawyers and Clients in International Contracts I have never handled a DUI (driving under the influence), a divorce, or drafted a will—not even for friends or family. I have never negotiated with a union, drafted a pension plan, or handled a bankruptcy. I could go on listing legal matters I’ve never handled

Taking your business international

The 101 on Expanding Your Business Internationally

Expanding Your Business Internationally  The allure of global markets is undeniable for any business aiming to expand. While it’s often said that entering international markets offers immense opportunities, it also demands a profound understanding of diverse markets far from home. In this blog post, we will explore the key considerations for businesses seeking to expand

China IP theft

How to Fight Back Against China Corporate Espionage

China’s Corporate Espionage Playbook Reports of intellectual property (IP) theft and corporate espionage involving China are nothing new. For those familiar with China’s business practices, these stories come as no surprise. However, recent insights from U.S. intelligence highlight how China’s tactics are evolving, creating new challenges for foreign companies. Your China IP Risks are Human,

China NNN Agreements Real and Fake

Beware the Online China NNN Agreement

Beware the Online China NNN Agreement Your Intellectual Property Is at Risk with Online China NNN Agreements. In China Contract Drafting Scams: From Bad to Much Worse, I wrote about fake Chinese lawyers and Chinese lawyers who American and European companies would hire and pay, only to have them take money from the Chinese company