Global Law and Business

Kenya – Karim Anjarwalla

In Episode #90, we are joined by Karim Anjarwalla, Managing Partner at Anjarwalla & Khanna. We discuss:

• Karim’s work as an international business lawyer in Kenya, where he was recently recognized as the Kenyan Lawyer of the Year
• One transaction that was significant enough to move the Kenyan currency against the USD
• Kenya as the most open sub-Saharan economy to foreign investors
• The activities of private equity funds like Helios, African Best, DPI, and many others that are focused solely on African investments
• The attractiveness of Nairobi vs. Johannesburg
• The African Growth and Opportunities Act
• The Africa Continental Free Trade Area
• Nairobi, Lagos, Cairo, and Johannesburg as hubs for fintech and agritech
• How the new generation of successful African entrepreneurs approach their wealth and social responsibility to solve deep-seated social problems in Africa
• How African lawyers are perceived by their clients as trusted advisors beyond legal skills
• The vast difference in the regulatory experience of civil servants
• How investors and businesses should not make the mistake of treating Africa as one market
• Listening, and watching recommendations from:
  • Karim
    • Tanzania Nobel Prize for Literature (Abdul Razak Gurna)
    • Theelephant.info
    • Visit Bofa Beach Kilifi
  • Jonathan
    • Grantchester (Amazon Prime / BBC / PBS)
  • Fred
    • The Triumph and Terror of Wang Huning by N.S. Lyons, Palladium (Oct. 11, 2021)

Immigration – Akshat Divatia

In Episode #89, we are joined by Akshat Divatia, an immigration attorney at Harris Bricken. We discuss:

• How Akshat's experience as an immigrant and time abroad impact the way he helps clients through the U.S. immigration process
• An overview of the U.S. immigration system's types of visas
• The U.S. immigration system vs. other countries
• The worldwide talent pool impacting the U.S.'s ability to compete worldwide
• Changes to U.S. immigration policy from the Biden Administration
• Global immigration trends and immigrant flows
• Akshat's experiences living in Argentina and Spain
• Recommendations from:
  • Akshat
    • Libby app for audiobooks
    • The Culture Map by Erin Meyer
  • Fred
    • Chief MAKOi's Youtube channel on living a seafarer's life
  • Jonathan
    • Weighing the Pros and Cons of Doing Business in Xi Jinping's China by Gregor McQueen (Directorship)

We’ll see you next week for another exciting and informative episode when we sit down with Karim Anjarwalla, Managing Partner at Anjarwalla & Khanna!

Capitol Hill – Federico A. De Jesús

In Episode #88, we are joined by Federico A. de Jesús, Principal at FDJ Solutions. We discuss:

• Federico's early days in Puerto Rico and American University in Washington, DC
• Working for Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and the Obama Administration
• An insider's take on CODELs (congressional delegations)
• A critical look at US policy toward Latin America
• Why Federico decided to start his own consulting firm
• Recommendations from:
  • Federico
    • Building professional relationships
    • Collaborate and communicate with people on the other side of the aisle
  • Fred
    • Spitting Image on YouTube

Ending 2021 and Looking Forward to 2022

At Harris Bricken, we keep close tabs on what is happening around the world, and we know that our friends and clients do, as well. We are happy to provide this podcast series: Global Law and Business, hosted by international attorneys Fred Rocafort and Jonathan Bench, where we look at the world by talking with business leaders, innovators, service providers, manufacturers, and government leaders around the world.

In Episode #87, Jonathan and Fred look back at the podcast’s second year and look ahead at 2022.

Some of the highlights:

• Covid's impact, especially on developing nations with reduced healthcare infrastructure compared to developing nations;
• China perils and promise;
• Cannabis development in the U.S. and internationally;
• Blockchain and cryptocurrencies;
• An appeal for guest and topic recommendations; and
• The most downloaded episodes of 2021
  1. Episode 65 – Natalie O’Regan (Cannabis in Ireland)
  2. Episode 64 – Simon Igelman (Technology in Law & International Trade)
  3. Episode 67 – Enrique Martinez (Crypto and Blockchain)

We look forward to your continued listenership in 2022!

Cannabis Business Valuation – Eli Neal

In Episode #86, we are joined by Eli Neal, principal at 4 Corners Financial Forensics. We discuss:

• How IRS 280E impacts cannabis business valuations, especially retail marijuana shops.
• What factors are key in determining cannabis business value, whether you are using the income, market, or asset approach.
• What do you do when your business partners do not keep good financial records and how to recreate financial statements from receipts and bank statements (if there are any).
• How Eli developed clientele in his mid-20s when competing with larger accounting firms.
• The bet way for business owners to avoid a valuation fight (hint: the shotgun approach generally works best with one joint appraisal rather than competing appraisals)
• Listening, and watching recommendations from:
  • Eli
    • Think about Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a possibility
  • Jonathan
    • An open letter to businesses about diversity, Utah Business, by Roy Banks

We’ll see you next week for another exciting and informative episode when we sit down with Federico A. de Jesús, Principal at FDJ Solutions!

Russia – Elena Sychenko

In Episode #85, we are joined by Associate Professor Elena Sychenko, from Saint Petersburg State University in Russia. We discuss:

• The origins of Elena's interests in human and labor rights.
• Why it's important to not just win cases, but also reconstruct systems.
• Elena's thoughts on Sicily, where she spent time studying at the University of Catania.
• The challenging and terrifying experience of working on a report on forced labor in Pakistan.
• Educating Russian law students on Chinese law.
• The broader Russia-China relationship.
• Basics of the Russian legal system.
• Listening, and watching recommendations from:
  • Elena
    • American Factory (Netflix)
    • The Dream of the Celt by Mario Vargas Llosa
  • Fred
    • Squid Game (Netflix)

We’ll see you next week for another exciting and informative episode when we sit down with Eli Neal, principal at 4 Corners Financial Forensics!

American Sake – Weston Konishi

In Episode #84, we are joined by Weston Konishi, President of the Sake Brewers Association of North America (SBANA). We discuss:

• How a long stint in Japan led to a passion for sake
• Weston's work with the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation
• The U.S.-Japan relationship
• Fumio Kishida's ascension to Japan's premiership
• How craft beer paved the way for sake in America
• SBANA's mission
• What the future holds for the U.S. sake industry
• Listening, and watching recommendations from:
  • Weston
    • Sake Recs:
      • Narutotai Ginjo Nama Genshu Sake
      • Dassai 45 Dassai Junmai Daiginjo
      • Domestic sake brewers
    • Kampai! For the Love of Sake (Amazon Prime)
    • The Birth of Saké (Amazon Prime)
  • Jonathan
    • "A ninja with a sword assailed a U.S. Army special operations unit in California," NPR, by Bill Chappell
  • Fred
    • Searching For Sugar Man (Amazon Prime)

We’ll see you next week for another exciting and informative episode when we sit down with Elena Sychenko, from Saint Petersburg State University in Russia!

India’s Judiciary and Supreme Court – Sital Kalantry

In Episode #83, we are joined by Sital Kalantry, Professor of Law at Seattle University, author, and attorney. We discuss:

• The hierarchy of India's court system, from state courts to high courts to the Indian Supreme Court with 34 sitting judges
• The recent appointment of three female judges to the Indian Supreme Court (but a significant disparity remains)
• India's first female chief justice
• Indian litigation vs. arbitration
• Judicial appointments and the significant turnover compared to the U.S. Supreme Court
• The increase of more women CEOs in Indian and its legal profession (higher percentages than the U.S.)
• Where India still has room for improvement
• Listening, and watching recommendations from:
  • Sital
    • Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo
    • Gully Boy on Amazon Prime
  • Jonathan
    • WomanStats
    • Country Notes (Council on Foundations)
  • Fred
    • The Americans on FX

We’ll see you next week for another exciting and informative episode when we sit down with Weston Konishi, Former Director of Partnerships and Development at U.S.-Japan Council!

International Supply Chain Finance – Robert Lamb

In Episode #82, we are joined by Robert Lamb, a Harris Bricken international attorney. We discuss:

• Current challenges with international supply chains
• The components of supply chain finance, including the various types of letters of credit
• Rob's insights into China's developments since it joined the WTO
• The diminishing skill of thinking deeply
• Listening, and watching recommendations from:
  • Robert
    • The Immortality Key: Uncovering the Secret History of the Religion with No Name by Brian C. Muraresku
    • The Birth of Tragedy by Friedrich Nietzsche
    • Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche
    • The Marriage of Heaven and Hell by William Blake
  • Jonathan
    • Dilbert by Scott Adams
    • The Far Side by Gary Larson
    • XKCD Comics
  • Fred
    • "The "Lost Outlying Island" of the Tachen Diaspora" by Kai-yang Huang

We’ll see you next week for another exciting and informative episode when we sit down with Sital Kalantry to discuss India's fascinating Supreme Court!

Armenia – David Sargsyan

In Episode #81, we are joined by David Sargsyan, partner at Ameria. We discuss:

• Armenia's economy today, including its emergence as a tech hub.
• The synergies between China and Armenia.
• An overview of Armenian culture.
• The role played by diaspora Armenians in the country.
• What prompted David to attend Notre Dame Law School (Fred's alma mater!).
• The path ahead for Armenian law firms.
• Listening, and watching recommendations from:
  • David
    • AmCham Armenia
    • Men Without Women, by Haruki Murakami
  •  Jonathan
    • "Societies that treat women badly are poorer and less stable" (The Economist)
  • Fred
    • The Jaded Cynic, newsletter by Roberto De Vido

We’ll see you next week for another exciting and informative episode when we sit down with Sital Kalantry to discuss India's fascinating Supreme Court!