Jennifer A. Schwesig
Armstrong Teasdale LLP
Recognized for
International Transactions
The Elite Counsel Perspective
Jennifer’s judgment in international transactions is particularly sophisticated, shaped by practice leadership and extensive work in China investment and trade compliance.
Jennifer’s judgment in international transactions is particularly sophisticated, shaped by practice leadership and extensive work in China investment and trade compliance.
Overview
Jennifer Schwesig leads Armstrong Teasdale’s International practice area and serves as assistant general counsel to the firm. Her practice focuses on international business transactions and corporate compliance, advising domestic and foreign clients as they expand across borders and manage overseas operations. She works with companies entering foreign markets for the first time as well as multinationals seeking assistance with particular investments or regulatory questions.
Jennifer advises on the legal and structural issues involved in foreign direct investment. Her transactional work spans corporate formation and entity selection, cross-border investment structures, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, joint ventures, strategic alliances and international franchising. She addresses applicable procedures and local laws alongside tax implications, transaction risk and clients’ business objectives. For franchisors expanding overseas, she develops and drafts international disclosure documents and franchise agreements.
International compliance is another substantial part of Jennifer’s practice. She assists clients with U.S. export controls, economic sanctions, transactions involving embargoed countries, anti-boycott laws and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Her work also covers licensing and regulatory requirements for exports of U.S. products under the Export Administration Act and Regulations and the Arms Export Control Act and Regulations. On the import side, she advises on matters governed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, including merchandise classification and valuation, country-of-origin marking, labeling requirements, preferential tariff programs and free trade agreements. She develops and implements import and export compliance programs and audits and reviews existing programs to identify issues and guide clients through applicable requirements.
Jennifer has significant experience with China-related matters. Drawing on her familiarity with the country, its culture and its laws, she assists U.S. corporations with investments in China and provides compliance training to U.S. multinationals operating there.
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center (LL.M., with distinction, 2002)
- International and Comparative Law
- Washington University School of Law (J.D., 1998)
- Kenyon College (B.A., cum laude, 1995)
- Highest departmental honors in history
Admissions
- Missouri, 1999
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
- U.S. Court of International Trade
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
Honors & Recognition
- Chosen as a Law360 “Rising Legal Star” (2010)
- Named a "Rising Star" by Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers® (2009, 2011-2013)
- Recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as one of St. Louis' 40 Under 40 (2008)
Charitable and Civic Involvement
- Anti-Defamation League – Heartland Region (Board Chair)
- United Way of Greater St. Louis (Cabinet Member, Women's Leadership Giving Initiative)
- International Institute (Board of Directors)