International Legal Affairs Necessary for Overseas Expansion: Explaining the Required Skills and Job Descriptions

When a company considers expanding overseas, understanding and appropriately responding to international legal affairs is essential. For legal professionals within companies looking to venture abroad, deepening their understanding of the specific tasks and necessary skills in international legal affairs can be instrumental in realizing an effective expansion strategy.

This article will explain the fundamental aspects and roles of international legal affairs, as well as the capabilities required of those in charge. It will also touch on key considerations when contemplating outsourcing and explore the benefits of collaborating with professionals in international legal affairs.

What Does International (Overseas) Legal Affairs Mean?

International (Overseas) Legal Affairs refers to the field of law that deals with international legal matters and disputes. When a company expands overseas, it is crucial to understand and comply with the laws and regulations of different countries.

Experts in international legal affairs support companies in minimizing legal risks and advancing their business in a global environment. Their specific duties include the following activities:

The work of international legal affairs is diverse and requires the resolution of legal issues in a global business environment.

Skills Required for International (Overseas) Legal Affairs Personnel

The following are skills required for personnel handling international (overseas) legal affairs:

• Language proficiency necessary for negotiations
• Collaboration and coordination skills within and outside the company
• Knowledge of domestic and foreign laws

These are critical skills that companies look for in individuals responsible for international legal affairs. We will discuss each of these skills in more detail below.

Language Proficiency Necessary for Negotiations

For those in charge of international legal affairs, language proficiency is extremely important. A certain level of language skill is required for interactions with overseas entities.

In particular, during negotiations and contract signings with different countries, accurate and specialized expressions are essential. High language skills are beneficial for understanding the legal context and terminology in the local setting and ensuring smooth communication during negotiations.

Collaboration and Coordination Skills Within and Outside the Company

Having the ability to collaborate and coordinate within the company enables a unified response to legal challenges. This is because the work of international legal affairs often requires coordination with different departments and stakeholders across countries, and the smooth sharing of information regarding legal matters.

Furthermore, international legal affairs personnel frequently interact with various departments within the company and engage with a wide range of stakeholders outside the company.

These interactions are necessary to minimize legal risks and formulate business strategies.

Knowledge of Domestic and Foreign Laws

Knowledge of domestic and foreign business laws is essential for those handling international legal affairs. Being familiar with different countries’ legal systems, regulations, and business practices is crucial for compliance and risk assessment.

Personnel are expected to appropriately utilize their knowledge of domestic and international laws to accurately resolve legal issues during a company’s overseas expansion.

Broad Categories of International (Overseas) Legal Affairs Work

The work involved in international legal affairs can broadly be divided into two aspects: external and internal.

In external affairs, the primary goal is to minimize legal risks in the international market and ensure that the company can conduct its business smoothly. This also includes protecting intellectual property rights and handling legal procedures for corporate mergers and acquisitions overseas.

In internal affairs, the main job is to provide effective legal support to ensure that the entire company conforms to legal standards and maintains compliance. This may also involve employee education and training, as well as responding to legal consultations.

It is also crucial to coordinate external and internal affairs to ensure that the company can successfully expand its business in the international arena.

About Our External Services in International (Overseas) Legal Affairs

Our external services in international (overseas) legal affairs include the following two main areas:

• Legal affairs related to contracts and transactions
• Handling disputes and litigation

In terms of contracts and transactions, our primary services involve drafting and concluding contracts for companies engaging in international business, as well as resolving legal issues related to transactions.

On the other hand, when it comes to handling disputes and litigation, we offer solutions for legal problems that arise and may also serve as legal representatives in court.

We will explain these services in more detail below.

Legal Affairs Related to Contracts and Transactions

Legal affairs related to contracts and transactions are key to building the foundation for companies to expand their business overseas in international legal practice.

In the international business environment, where different legal systems and business practices intertwine, advanced legal knowledge and negotiation skills are essential for contract negotiation and drafting. Our professionals carefully consider contract and transaction terms to maximize corporate benefits and minimize legal risks.

For example, we clarify critical matters that directly affect business activities, such as delivery deadlines and intellectual property rights, and make arrangements to prevent legal disputes before they occur.

Related article: The Increasing Cross-Border Transactions: The Governing Law of International Contracts and Differences from Domestic Contracts[ja]

Handling Disputes and Litigation

Handling disputes and litigation is an important aspect of the work for those in charge of international legal affairs. Dealing with legal disputes in different jurisdictions requires international legal knowledge and an understanding of region-specific laws.

When a dispute arises, we first attempt to resolve it through negotiation or arbitration, and if litigation is unavoidable, we develop an appropriate legal strategy.

Since litigation can be time-consuming and costly, it is crucial to seek an effective and swift resolution while protecting the company’s interests to the greatest extent possible. Proposing out-of-court settlement options and risk management strategies is also vital in handling disputes.

About In-House International Legal Affairs

The in-house international legal affairs primarily encompass the following three areas:

• Governance-related matters
• Compliance and adherence to laws and regulations within the company
• Adapting to legal reforms and system changes

All of these areas require efforts to maintain an appropriate governance structure and ensure that all business activities comply with current laws and regulations.

The details of each area are explained below.

Governance-related Matters

In the realm of in-house legal affairs, governance-related tasks are essential for ensuring the sound management of a company.

Legal professionals are responsible for verifying that corporate decision-making is legally sound and lawful, and they support the board of directors and critical decision-making processes to minimize legal risks.

For instance, providing legal advice before significant decisions, such as initiating new projects or engaging in mergers and acquisitions, is one of their key roles.

Governance-related tasks are crucial for ensuring organizational transparency and accountability and maintaining legal safety.

Compliance and Adherence to Laws and Regulations Within the Company

To achieve compliance, international legal affairs professionals focus on internal compliance measures. They ensure that corporate activities are appropriate from both a legal and ethical standpoint, not only in accordance with local laws.

Additionally, they conduct internal investigations and educational programs to raise awareness among employees about the importance of compliance, thereby minimizing legal risks within the company.

These efforts are necessary to enhance the company’s credibility and social reputation and to achieve sustainable growth.

Adapting to Legal Reforms and System Changes

International legal affairs professionals promptly respond to local legal reforms and regulatory changes, advising the company to align with the latest legal requirements.

For example, when a new law is enacted, they analyze its content and assess its impact on the company’s business. They may also suggest necessary procedures or policy changes to comply with the legislation.

This enables the company to adapt to legal changes, operate its business while minimizing risks, and stay compliant.

Strategies for International Legal Affairs for Companies Seeking Overseas Expansion

For companies planning to expand overseas, the following strategies can be considered for handling international legal affairs:

• Hiring experienced international legal professionals from outside the company
• Outsourcing parts of the international legal work

Both methods allow for the utilization of external expertise within the company. We will explain each method and its benefits below.

Hiring Experienced International Legal Professionals from Outside the Company

Hiring experienced international legal professionals from outside the company is an important strategy for global business expansion.

What is required here are individuals with knowledge of different legal systems and specialized expertise in international legal affairs. This enables a company to accurately assess legal risks associated with overseas expansion and to implement appropriate measures.

Personnel with specialized skills and practical experience can support the company in resolving various legal issues, providing swift and appropriate responses.

By hiring experienced individuals, a company can strengthen its legal expertise in international operations and aim to enhance its competitive edge.

Outsourcing Parts of International Legal Work

Outsourcing parts of international legal work to external experts or law firms is an efficient method. By assigning specific cases or projects, related legal operations can be managed smoothly.

By outsourcing tasks that are difficult to handle with in-house expertise alone, a company can allocate resources appropriately and optimize costs.

Furthermore, by leveraging the networks of international legal professionals, a company can more easily adapt to the changing environment of international legal affairs.

Summary: Seeking External Support for International Legal Affairs is a Viable Option

For a company’s overseas expansion, understanding and appropriately handling international legal affairs is essential. The work of international legal affairs can be broadly divided into external and internal tasks, encompassing critical contract issues, corporate governance, and compliance with laws and regulations.

It is possible to assign individuals with the requisite English proficiency and legal knowledge to handle these tasks through external recruitment or outsourcing.

Guidance on Measures by Our Firm

Monolith Law Office is a legal practice with extensive experience in IT, particularly in both the internet and legal aspects. In recent years, global business has been expanding increasingly, and the need for legal checks by specialists is growing more than ever. Our firm provides solutions related to international legal affairs.

Areas of practice at Monolith Law Office: International Legal Affairs & Overseas Business[ja]