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Practice Area
Winston has decades of experience representing clients in international arbitrations around the world. Representing clients in both commercial and investor-state international arbitrations, we are well known by the leading players in the global arbitration arena. Our integrated team of attorneys enforces awards worldwide, knows every angle of international disputes, and has a robust understanding of our client’s industries.
Practice Area
International trade is essential for the growth and development of global economies and businesses. As international trade has expanded and developed, so too have the myriad rules and regulations that govern it. The global compliance environment is becoming more complex by the day and can be difficult to navigate without the assistance of experienced counsel. Failure to comply with international trade rules and regulations—even if done so unwittingly—can lead to civil and criminal penalties, monitorships, consent agreements, debarment, reputational damage, substantial administrative burden, legal expense, and unsatisfied business objectives. Increasingly, there also is exposure for individual officers/directors, which can include monetary penalties and, potentially, jail time.
Practice Area
The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) is an increasingly popular venue for patent infringement litigation. More and more companies are seeking to halt importations of infringing products into the United States by turning to the ITC for expedited relief. Section 337 investigations conducted by the ITC provide complainants with a “fast track” to remedy IP matters that typically go to trial within 10 months. Since many Section 337 cases go to trial, selecting an ITC litigation team with a command of the technology, patent law, and specialized procedural practice is extremely important. We have handled more than 100 cases before the ITC.
Experience 61 results
Experience
|January 22, 2026
Advised SQM on US$600M offering of subordinated capital notes due 2056 (Hybrid Bond Offering)
Winston & Strawn LLP advised longstanding client Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (“SQM”) (NYSE: SQM) on its US$600 million offering of subordinated capital notes. The notes were offered in the United States pursuant to Rule 144A and outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S.The subordinated capital notes are due in 2056 and constitute SQM’s first international hybrid bond issuance, structured to be consistent with SQM’s recent UF 10 million (approximately US$ 430 million) Series S hybrid-subordinated bond issuance in the Chilean securities market. The notes bear an initial annual interest rate of 5.625% and are subject to reset on April 22, 2031 (the “First Reset Date”), and on every fifth anniversary thereafter, based on a spread over the 5-year U.S. Treasury bond rate, with interest rate step-ups on the fifth and twentieth anniversaries of the First Reset Date. The transaction closed on January 22, 2026.BofA Securities, Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Santander US Capital Markets LLC, and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. acted as initial purchasers of the notes.Link Capital Partners was financial advisor to SQM.SQM is a global company with a leading position in the lithium, iodine, and potassium nitrate markets. It develops and produces a diverse range of products for industries essential to human progress, including health, nutrition, renewable energy, and technology, driven by innovation and technological development.The Winston & Strawn team advising on the transaction included corporate partner Sey-Hyo Lee (New York) and foreign legal advisor Bruno M. Fiorino (New York). Partner Katherine Erbeznik (New York) advised on tax matters.
Experience
|January 6, 2026
Brightwood Capital’s Acquisition of Museum of Illusions Group
A team led by Bradley Vaiana and Austin Leach represented Brightwood Capital Advisors, LLC (“Brightwood”), a New York–based investment firm, in its acquisition of Museum of Illusions Group, the world’s largest privately held chain of museums, from Invera Capital Partners. As part of the transaction, five previously franchised locations will transition from the chain’s largest franchisee, LOL Entertainment, to become corporate-owned sites. Winston attorneys across multiple practice areas and offices, including M&A, Tax, Intellectual Property, Employee Benefits, and the firm’s UK office, assisted in structuring a complex cross-border transaction to support Brightwood's fund investment goals. The acquisitions were completed on January 6, 2026.
Experience
|December 12, 2025
Banesco USA acquires BayFirst Financial’s SBA loan division business
Winston represented Banesco USA in its acquisition of BayFirst Financial’s SBA lending business. Through the acquisition of the SBA lending business and a portfolio of SBA 7(a) loans, Banesco USA gains the infrastructure, expertise, and enhanced capabilities to deliver SBA lending on a national scale. It marks a significant step in the bank’s growth strategy, enabling it to expand its lending nationally, enhance the ability to better serve small and mid-sized businesses, and diversify its offerings. Banesco USA is an independent Florida state-chartered bank and is part of the Banesco International financial brand of banks operating in multiple countries. Enrique Martin, partner in Winston’s M&A Practice group, led the transaction for Banesco USA and was assisted by counsel Jennifer Olivestone and associate Caitlin Calvo.
Insights & News 2,213 results
Webinar
|February 24, 2026
Venezuela in Transition: The Evolving Investment Landscape
Recent political developments in Venezuela are significantly impacting the country’s outlook, presenting novel challenges and opportunities for investment in the region.
In the Media
|February 19, 2026
|2 Min Read
The Chicago Lawyer Showcases Winston’s New Chicago Office
Winston & Strawn Chairman Steve D’Amore and Chicago Office Managing Partner Bill O’Neil were featured in a Chicago Lawyer article highlighting the firm’s new Chicago office at 300 N. LaSalle. Designed to be modern, sustainable, and cutting-edge, the space provides an atmosphere that invites collaboration and creativity, as well as a place to break bread and socialize. A central feature of the new office is a café that serves as a gathering hub with varied seating for attorneys and staff, encouraging conversation. The space transforms weekly into a space for happy hour and informal connection.
Global Trade & Foreign Policy Insights
|February 19, 2026
|9 Min Read
United States Issues Significant New Sanctions Relief for Venezuela’s Oil & Gas Sector
Although Venezuela remains subject to sanctions targeting the Government of Venezuela (GoV) and entities in which it holds a 50% or greater ownership interest, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued a series of General Licenses (GLs) representing the broadest easing of Venezuela-related sanctions in years.
Other Results 51 results
Site Content
Imports are goods that enter the customs territory of a given country after having been exported from a foreign destination. Imports and exports together represent foundational aspects of international trade. Therefore, they are often subject to trade agreements between jurisdictions, trade remedies that increase the cost of importing goods, and more cross-border considerations. In addition, countries may impose customs duties and/or tariffs, in other words taxes, on goods that enter the customs territory of a given country. Imports are fundamental to international trade and commerce. As such, legal issues arising from imports may implicate foreign policy, regulatory compliance, and cross-border transactions.
Site Content
Sanctions are penalties or other means of enforcement used to provide incentives for obedience to the law, rules, and regulations. Sanctions can be used by one country or a group of countries against another country, organization, or individual. The implementation of sanctions is meant to encourage a change in behavior, punish non-compliance with international norms or laws, or achieve specific policy objectives. There are various types of sanctions, including economic or financial, diplomatic, military, or environmental. Sanctions can also take on several forms, such as penalties, fines, or restrictions.
Site Content
What Is the Domestic Industry Requirement?
The domestic industry requirement for Section 337 investigations at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) mandates that a complainant asserting patent infringement at the ITC, or complainant’s licensee, has made in the United States significant investments in plant and equipment, significant investments in labor or capital, or substantial investments in engineering, research and development, or licensing. The investments must further be directed to articles that practice a valid claim of the asserted patent. The investment component of the requirement is referred to as the “economic prong,” while the requirement that the article practices the asserted patent is referred to as the “technical prong.” The domestic industry requirement is codified in 19 U.S.C. § 1337(a)(2)-(3).