Expert legal representation across diverse practice areas

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li’s securities lawyers represent clients in a wide variety of securities transactions, providing assistance with capital transactions throughout the client’s growth stages in the capital markets. We represent investment banks, as placement agents or underwriters, as well as domestic and foreign private issuers, in equity and debt offerings.

When financial services, businesses, or market participants need seasoned counsel who are deeply versed in the complexities of the market and the intricacies of its regulation – and can respond on a moment’s notice to meet a client’s challenge – they come to our firm. Our securities attorneys provide clients with a fully integrated set of legal services focused on securities laws and regulations.  We also provide counsel concerning sales of securities by insiders and affiliates, including Rule 10b5-1 programs, Rule 144 compliance, and insider trading guidelines and restrictions.

We regularly represent clients in:

• Initial public offerings (IPOs) and follow-on offerings
• Private investments in public equity securities (PIPEs)
• Registered direct offerings (RDs)
• At-the-market offerings (ATMs)
• SPAC IPOs and business combinations
• Debt issuances, including convertible debt and high-yield debt
• Reverse mergers (RTO)
• Exchange offers
• Going private transactions

We assist private companies as they prepare for and navigate through the initial entry into the public markets through IPO, RTO or Business Combination. Once public, these clients rely on us for advice on SEC reporting requirements, secondary public offerings and other corporate finance matters.

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li’s securities litigation attorneys regularly defend both public and private companies, as well as their officers, directors, and employees.  We have represented clients in areas of litigation (including class actions, shareholder derivative actions, and otherwise) in federal and state courts throughout the United States. Our attorneys have successfully defended emergency injunctive actions, achieved dismissal of actions, and resolved numerous federal and state court matters through mediation.

Our securities arbitration attorneys regularly provide representation to broker-dealers, investment advisers, and individuals in arbitration proceedings where those institutions and individuals have been accused of various forms of misconduct, including fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, improper disclosure, self-dealing, negligence and recommending unsuitable investments. Our litigators have also successfully represented brokerages and registered representatives in numerous arbitration proceedings relating to intra-industry issues such as non-solicitation and/or non-competition agreements, raiding, compensation disputes, and failure to repay promissory notes. 

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li’s commercial litigation and arbitration attorneys provide representation to corporations and individuals with disputes and controversies relating to the conduct of their businesses. Our attorneys have extensive experience resolving matters through litigation in state and federal court, or through arbitration forums.  Whatever the means of resolution, members of our firm are mindful of the serious impact on our clients’ businesses, and strive to achieve our clients’ objectives in the least costly and burdensome manner possible.

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li’s white collar criminal defense attorneys provide representation to entities and individuals in complex white collar criminal (including grand jury) investigations and trials relating to a wide range of areas, including securities fraud, conspiracy, money laundering, and wire fraud, among others. 

Our attorneys include former criminal prosecutors who fully understand the sensitive nature of criminal cases and how those cases can impact lives.  Whether achieving the best pre-trial disposition possible, or proceeding to trial, the firm’s white collar criminal defense team consistently ensures that our clients have optimal representation to ensure their rights are protected at every stage of the matter.  

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li’s Asia practice group represents Asian companies that do business and/or list their securities in the U.S., as well as U.S. companies with operations and activities in Asia. Lawyers in this group have been active for many years in representing multinational entities, public and private companies, strategic investors, broker-dealers, and other financial institutions in their business activities throughout Asia across a wide range of transactions and matters. Attorneys in the Asia Practice Group are also fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and Japanese.

Our attorneys have extensive experience in assisting Asia-based companies with cross-border financing, cross-border acquisitions, listing of ADRs and direct stock listings in the U.S., as well as compliance with U.S. regulations. From mergers & acquisitions to securities law to general corporate law and due diligence, our Asia Practice Group assists Asia-based companies to successfully conduct business in the U.S., and to remain in compliance with U.S. corporate laws and regulations.

We have also assisted numerous U.S.-based clients with establishing joint ventures in Asia, acquiring or creating foreign subsidiaries or branch operations, and various other cross-border transactions. We have extensive experience in dealing with the unique issues that often arise in the context of cross-border business transactions. We also maintain contacts with reputable professionals in Asia who can assist U.S.-based companies with all of their corporate and compliance needs in Asia.

Additionally, when dealing with cross-border business transactions, disputes often arise. Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li assists our clients to assess the legal risks and liabilities before problems emerge. However, should a dispute arise, our attorneys have the experience to assist our clients to navigate complex cross-border issues and resolve them through settlement negotiations, litigation or through various forms of alternative dispute resolution (including arbitration and mediation).

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li provides in-depth experience in business immigration, from basic “Green Card” petitions to more innovative and complex National Interest Waivers, Extraordinary Ability petitions, and EB-5 Regional Center petitions.

Today’s immigration laws, policies, and regulations require complex, strategic approaches that are unique to each client. At Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li, our clients demand our undivided attention and creativity. We draw upon our depth of experience and strategic approach to find unique solutions to the most complex immigration matters. We provide a unique blend of assertiveness and proven ability to manage and bring to fruition the most intricate and challenging immigration matters. Our attorneys are fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, and Cantonese. This language facility is crucial to our tailored approach to client matters, as it makes us sensitive to cultural issues that may affect business outcomes. We bring to each case cultural sensibility and strong case management skills to manage client expectations, build client relationships, and develop a personalized approach to client representation. Our commitment to excellence is what sets us apart to other firms.

Temporary Visas for Entrepreneurs and Innovative Paths to Permanent Residence

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li is highly esteemed for its work with entrepreneurs. We have extensive experience working with clients on nonimmigrant visa solutions, including E, H and L visas; and crafting long-term solutions for permanent residence through EB-1 Multinational Manager/Executive Petitions, and more innovative strategies, including EB-1 Petitions for Extraordinary Ability in Business, EB-2 Petitions requesting National Interest Waivers, and EB-5 classification through qualifying investments. Clients include entrepreneurs in a broad array of industries, including:

• Telecommunications
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• Financial Institutions
• Oil and Gas
• Automotive Industry
• Franchise Owners
• Small Individual Retail Shop Owners
• Chefs and Restaurateurs

Multinational Companies

As a leading corporate firm, servicing multinational companies is a core practice area. Our clients include global companies, small and large, many of which operate in the financial sector, and Fortune 100 companies. At Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li, we advise clients in all aspects of employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. Our representation includes ascertaining the employment eligibility of foreign nationals, working with corporate clients on all aspects of employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, advising clients on I-9 compliance, and assisting clients to document their I-9 files. Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li works with employers, providing advice on employment verification, hiring and termination, as well as consequences of corporate restructuring. We advise on new laws, procedures, and practices involving employment verification programs such as the E-verify program, I-9 compliance issues, and general business immigration matters of interest to HR personnel. We bring extensive experience with PERM (Labor Certification) Applications and a wide variety of nonimmigrant petitions, including petitions for H-1B Professionals, E-2 Treaty Investors, L-1A Executives and Managers, Canadians and Mexicans entering under the North American Free Trade Agreement (TN visas), and Individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, business, athletics, movies, or television (O). Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li specializes in handling newly-emerging issues in this practice area, such as innovative strategies to help companies retain their valued employees in backlogged visa categories; complex strategies in the rapidly changing world of PERM applications; annual limitations on specific visa categories such as the H-1B; as well as compliance issues for companies using temporary workers.

Self-Petitioning Clients

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li also represents internationally recognized individuals pursuing lawful permanent residence in the United States through their self-petitions, as Individuals of Extraordinary Ability (EB-1) and individuals who will serve the National Interest of the United States (NIW EB-2s). We have extensive experience representing leading experts in their respective industries.

Self-Petitioners in Business

We pride ourselves for thinking outside the box. Example of successful strategies for self-petitioners in Business include:

• National Interest Waivers for numerous professionals in the financial industry
• National Interest Waivers for experts in unconventional oil and alternative energy resources
• National Interest Waivers for international lawyers
• National Interest Waivers for entrepreneurs
• National Interest Waivers for economists
• National Interest Waivers for experts in cross-border financing
• National Interest Waivers for experts in logistics
• Extraordinary Ability Petitions for entrepreneurs
• Extraordinary Ability Petitions for numerous professionals in the financial industry
• Extraordinary Ability Petitions for IT professionals

These strategies proved to be very successful during a time when the acceptance of TARP funds prohibited financial institutions from filing employment-based petitions. They continue to be successful today, as these strategies provide professionals the freedom to be their own petitioners, irrespective of sponsorship from their employers.

Self-Petitioning Educators, Entertainers, Athletes & Artists

In addition to sponsor-based applications under the O, P and Q visa categories, Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li provides permanent residence solutions to athletes, artists, educators, actors, and other entertainment industry specialists, under the first preference category through extraordinary ability and achievement, and under the second preference category through national interest waivers.

Notable clients have included:

• Prominent artists in visual arts, and cutting-edge technology such as augmented reality
• Specialists in developing large-scale educational programs
• Experts in mosaics
• Notable investigative journalists
• Distinguished models and celebrities

EB-5 Investors and Entrepreneurs.

At Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li, we bring a unique perspective to EB-5 investments. Our expertise is informed by:

• The creation and management of regional centers,
• The representation of foreign investors in a multitude of regional centers throughout the United States, and
• The representation of foreign investors in the creation and operation of their own business enterprises, which qualify as EB-5 investments.

Our experience includes the successful approval of BirchLEAF Miami 31, LLC, one of the first truly successful regional centers in South Florida, which financed $20 Million in the construction of the University of Miami Life Science and Technology Park through the EB-5 Program. It also includes our success in attaining Regional Center designation for Leaf Fischer Investment Group, LLC, one of the few regional centers among USCIS’s 18% approval rate in 2012.

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li advises public companies regarding their regulatory compliance needs, including registration, listing, compliance, enforcement, and disciplinary matters involving the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Stock Market, the Financial Industry Regulatory Association (FINRA), and numerous state securities regulators. Our securities attorneys include former SEC staff members who offer our clients insight into the workings of the SEC and advice on its rules and procedures.

We provide day-to-day legal advice on compliance with all applicable securities laws. 

We maintain a preeminent practice that focuses on counseling and representing public companies and boards of directors regarding regulatory matters, corporate governance and compliance, and complex securities transactions. With recent changes in the regulatory environment, it is extremely important that public companies are aware of changes to rules and regulations that govern their conduct as public entities. We assist our clients in staying current and having up-to-date knowledge of the new rules and regulations, as well as implementation of procedures required by specific rule changes.

Our firm advises clients on a wide range of governance and compliance issues. Our attorneys serve as regular outside counsel to emerging and middle-market companies. In addition, when corporate officers, independent directors or shareholders require special outside counsel for the first time, we can assemble a team providing extensive coverage focused on efficient and successful resolution of the issues.

Our lawyers also provide timely assistance with corporate governance and the “best practices” that align with the higher expectations of institutional investors. We assist with compliance programs and internal investigations, as well as SEC and government investigations, institutional shareholder issues, shareholder litigation and strategic and crisis management.

Asset protection is defined as the safeguarding of wealth and assets from attack by future, unsecured creditors.

HTFL represents individuals and businesses in connection with the establishment of comprehensive Asset Protection plans that incorporate both domestic and international components such as limited partnerships, trusts, corporate entities, as well as the laws of foreign countries. 

Circumstances in which asset protection planning is needed:

• Individuals or entities facing a lawsuit;
• Individuals in a profession with a high degree of liability (doctor, lawyer, financial advisor, landlord, real estate developer, real estate investor);
• Persons that are debtors and/or guarantors;
• Anyone facing a potential tax or other government liability;
• Anyone that has accumulated, or is about to receive, significant wealth (e.g., inheritance, investment or business success)

Successful businesses depend on commercial contracts. HTFL provide strategic transactional advice on how to structure and negotiate complex agreements that align with business goals while mitigating regulatory and operational risk.

In addition to negotiating commercial agreements, HTFL assists clients with developing business models and standard contracts that implement them. The firm also helps streamline day-to-day operations by collaborating with clients to design custom contract management/ tracking tools and repositories of primary and alternate deal terms. HTFL trains employees on key contract provisions and how to negotiate them.

HTFL handles the most fundamental aspects of estate planning, including wills, living wills, healthcare surrogate designations, and durable powers of attorney. HTFL also handles more sophisticated estate planning which includes highly customized estate plans and wealth preservation services for U.S. and foreign high net worth individuals, families and closely-held businesses. Often working with highly qualified accountants and investment advisors HTFL assists in structuring our clients’ U.S. and foreign investments to maximize U.S. tax advantages and advise them on tax-efficient methods of transferring those investments to succeeding generations.

The Start-up Nation has played a prominent role in research and innovation on a global scale in recent years. Israel has the highest number of startups per capita in the world, at around one start-up for every 1400 people. Ranking in the top five globally in worldwide patents and number one in scientific researchers per capita, Israeli companies and highly-skilled entrepreneurs often look to U.S. capital sources to finance their companies and commercialize their technologies. One statistic that demonstrates this is the fact that Israel has the third most NASDAQ listed companies after the United States and China. Leveraging our extensive experience in representing various parties in cross border corporate transactions, Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li provides counsel to Israel-based entities listing their securities and/or doing business in the US.

Located in the heart of the financial capital of the world, HTFL is well equipped to provide our Israel-based clients with the proper tools and resources to navigate the vast legal and regulatory landscape necessary to participate in the U.S. capital markets. Our suite of services for Israel-based clients includes representation for cross border financing and other corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, technology and innovation, corporate governance, immigration matters and intellectual property. From basic, standard transactions to complex matters, having the right attorneys that are both seasoned in international business transactions as well as intimately familiar with Israel and Israeli cultural norms is critically important.

As a boutique securities law practice, HTFL is able to offer flexibility and a level of attentiveness from our senior attorneys to any size Israeli company seeking to access the U.S. capital markets that is unparalleled by larger firms. Our Israel practice group team has deep and personal relationships with Israel and our team is proud to support the Israeli entrepreneurship ecosystem within the United States by providing exceptional representation, participating in event collaborations with Israeli companies and investors in those companies and through our Israel-supporting partnerships, memberships and affiliations.

Bridge to the U.S. Markets:

We believe that building relationships and guiding companies with high-level support from early in their lifespan is key to a successful exit. Our “Bridge to the US Markets” program provides early-stage Israeli companies with a comprehensive package of discounted services to guide them through their U.S. corporate transactions from as early as their pre-seed round until they are ready to prepare for an exit event. Within this program, our aim is to provide value beyond just legal representation by immersing participating companies in our larger professional network, hosting them for meetings and events, among other benefits. Contact us for more information.

September 27, 2023 update – Joint Statement on the Designation of Israel into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) – more information.

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li works with many companies on developing both proactive intellectual property protection strategies and offensive/defensive litigation tactics. In today’s global marketplace, maintaining your intellectual property portfolio, and protecting your company’s investments and innovation, is critical. Whether you are an international business with operation around the globe or an individual entrepreneur with a new invention or innovative idea, developing and managing your intellectual property is essential to your or your business’ long-term success.

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li’s Intellectual Property practice is able to provide a wide range of legal services to assist companies and individuals with the protection of their intellectual property assets. We conduct trademark searches and analyze the search reports in order to determine the availability of marks, including designs, auditory marks and other nontraditional marks. We obtain federal and state registration of trademarks, service marks, as well as defend registration opposition and cancellation proceedings for our clients.

We are capable of representing clients who create, own and manage software, computer programs, Internet content, literary works, music, recordings, films, figurines, artwork, logos, designs, product packaging, and countless other intellectual property assets. Our copyright services provide strategies to help our clients manage their rights with respect to many current issues – such as the interplay between trademarks, copyrights and patents – to provide the most comprehensive intellectual property protection.

Licensing of intellectual property can serve as a significant source of revenue and a critical way to increase your intellectual property assets and product base. Whether you are a start-up company, an established business, or an international industry leader, licensing of your intellectual property can provide an important income stream and help to leverage the value of your technology and innovations.

In addition, our litigation team is prepared to handle your intellectual property litigation matters based on your business situation and objectives.  While we strive to help our clients avoid litigation, we are always ready and prepared to litigate when necessary.  If litigation is unavoidable, we work to ensure that our clients’ interests are properly represented and protected.

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li’s mergers & acquisitions practice provides preeminent client service and creative solutions to complex problems in public and private transactions. Our depth of experience spans across mergers & acquisitions, corporate & securities law, joint ventures and both domestic & cross-border transactions. We have an active practice in representing public and private companies in buying and selling businesses. We are also actively involved with emerging growth companies, delivering a multi-disciplinary combination of corporate, intellectual property, commercial technology, executive compensation and litigation skills.

Our corporate lawyers serve clients ranging from small and emerging entrepreneurial businesses to mid-size multi-national corporations. We make their objectives our own, drawing on extensive experience in all dimensions of corporate representation to deliver strategic business perspectives as well as pragmatic, efficient legal approaches. Throughout the growth cycle and across the full range of corporate issues, our team of lawyers integrates their talents and brings their legal insight and their business instinct to support our diverse client base.

Our attorneys specialize in joint venture and commercial transactions; we work with companies across all industries and levels to formulate and execute high-level mergers, acquisitions, distribution agreements and purchases of businesses. A number of our early-stage clients seek alliances to support their growth strategy. Many late stage clients seek assistance in their vertical and horizontal growth strategies. We help companies achieve synergies and efficiencies in a particular product or service market and assist small start-up entities looking to obtain a partner with resources needed to bring a concept to market.

Our lawyers bring their extensive experience when advising clients on the proper formation and structuring of business entities. With our clients’ unique and sophisticated needs, cookie-cutter formations will not suffice. With proper planning and creative thinking, we tailor entity structure and formation to each client’s specific needs. Protection, flexibility and savings are balanced against expediency and need for simplicity.

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li offers an integrated approach to the practice of real estate law. We counsel clients through each project from beginning to end. Our real estate practice is focused on commercial real estate transactions. Our clients include developers, property owners & managers, lenders & brokers and debt & equity investors. In representing our clients, we perform a broad range of sophisticated transactions. Our work includes joint venture & limited liability partnerships, land development & planning, hospitality & resort development, commercial purchase/sale/lease and international transactions.

Broker Representation

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li provides outsourced general counsel assistance to residential and commercial real estate brokers. We support all matters of transaction and controversy for their agents, assist them in establishing affiliated business arrangements, partnerships and alliances. Our attorneys provide regular instructional classes and information sessions to brokers and agents on the latest trends and developments in real estate law.

Commercial Transactions

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li attorneys have the breadth and depth of knowledge to handle highly complex matters throughout the state of Florida. Our attorneys work on a variety of commercial real estate transactions covering multi-family, office, retail and industrial markets. We handle the purchase of large-scale for-lease projects, deed-in-lieu of foreclosures, purchases out of bankruptcy and condominium conversions. Our transactions range from 5 million to 50 million dollars.

Additionally, Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li manages the structuring and formation of general limited liability partnerships, corporations and joint ventures. Our attorneys advise clients as to proper corporate formation, capital structure and legal obligations.

Developer and Association Representation.

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li’s attorneys provide general counsel to some of the country’s largest developers. The firm handles all matters of project acquisition, management of operations and commercial financing.

The firm also represents condominium and homeowners associations in support of their day-to-day operations. The firm’s services include drafting and negotiating vendor agreements, construction agreements and maintenance disputes.

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li helps clients navigate the complex matrix of domestic and foreign laws that regulate personal information. Privacy risk encompasses not only data breaches but also regulatory enforcement and the reputational damage that comes with improper use and management of data. Yet, opportunities to drive business with data abound and continue to grow. HTFL helps clients manage these risks and reap the rewards of data.  Whether building on your privacy foundation or breaking new ground, HTFL designs and implements comprehensive privacy compliance programs. 

Privacy services include:

• performing privacy impact assessments for product and service launches and commercial transactions
• privacy due diligence for corporate transactions
• advising with respect to the privacy aspects of implementing M&A and divestitures
• proactive planning for breaches and rapid response, i.e., drafting incident response plans
• advising with respect to and helping clients manage incident response including interfacing with regulators
• advising on privacy-sensitive advertising, marketing and promotional tactics, e.g., interest-based advertising, cross-device targeting, social media, mobile apps, contests and sweepstakes
• negotiating agreements that raise privacy and data security issues, e.g., outsourcing agreements, data acquisition and use deals, healthcare technology integrations
• drafting customer-facing privacy policies, e.g., website, mobile app and employee privacy policies
• drafting internal privacy policies and procedures
• drafting contract forms that implement privacy policies and procedures
• developing and conducting both enterprise-wide training and customized training for functional groups
• building or enhancing existing vendor management and procurement programs

Hunter Taubman Fischer & LI’s Tax Group develops and implements creative yet pragmatic tax-sensitive strategies and solutions for complex mergers, acquisitions, sales, joint ventures, cross-border transactions, public-private partnerships, reorganizations and real estate transactions.

Internationally we advise clients on outbound investments into non-U.S. countries and inbound investments into the United States.

Outbound planning involves the minimization of local country taxation, the deferral of income earned outside of the United States, foreign tax credit planning, and the efficient repatriation of profits to the United States.

Inbound structuring involves the reduction or elimination of U.S. income taxes on U.S.-source passive income (including gain from the sale of U.S. real estate) and on income connected with a U.S. trade or business, and minimizing the risk of a non-U.S. taxpayer from being engaged in a U.S. trade or business.

Our tax lawyers are able to represent anyone that has accumulated, or is about to receive, significant wealth (e.g., inheritance, investment or business success) and to assist with solving problems or avoiding tax issues that may arise.

Additionally, our tax lawyers provide practical, client-focused advice on various tax matters, including:

• Pre-Transaction Planning;
• Pre-Immigration Planning;
• Business Entity Selection;
• Wealth Transfer;
• Trust planning;
• Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program;
• Streamlined Foreign and Domestic Offshore Procedures;
• Tax Planning for Expatriation from the United States.

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li offers a suite of services to help clients as they innovate. The firm can assist your business with the acquisition, implementation and monetization of technology, and the development of new channels and business models. 

Services include:

• Negotiation of agreements to acquire or develop technology and technology services
• Assistance in onboarding and managing technology service providers
• Advising on the creation and launch of technology-driven services and products
• Providing advice and the required legal terms needed to create social media platforms and/or leverage third-party social media platforms and to develop mobile applications and other software