George D. Martin

Partner

Overview

George Martin is a nationally recognized counselor to both public and private multinational companies in connection with their most significant cross-border matters, ranging from complex, multijurisdictional FCPA investigations and related dealings with U.S. enforcement authorities, to strategic transactions in emerging markets.

George frequently represents audit committees, boards of directors and companies in connection with FCPA internal investigations, and frequently appears before the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) advocating on behalf of firm clients. He also partners with senior leadership teams in planning, structuring and executing complex emerging-market transactions, worldwide, for a variety of multinational clients.

George is former head of the firm’s corporate group, and served two terms on the firm’s management board. He lived and practiced law in China and Eastern Europe for five years, informing both his global FCPA and transactional work. He has led FCPA investigations and strategic cross-border transactions in more than 50 countries. George has a strong record of successful outcomes, and unique experience in emerging markets throughout Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Compliance Counseling & Investigations

George leads complex, multijurisdictional FCPA investigations and teams of professionals, including forensic auditors, involving fraud, bribery, conflict of interest and other financial fraud compliance issues. He and his team have significant experience in a wide range of industries, and unique experience in China that spans more than 25 years. His work includes appearing before boards of directors, audit committees, and the SEC and DOJ in connection with both FCPA enforcement actions and voluntary self-disclosures. George also provides recurring compliance counseling, including risk assessments, training and FCPA due diligence on strategic transactions globally. He has handled investigations throughout the U.S., the Asia-Pacific region (frequently in China and India), Latin America, Russia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and other emerging markets, while developing risk assessments, compliance training and third-party intermediary audit programs for both publicly traded and privately held companies for their global operations.

International M&A Transactions

George has represented buyers, sellers and institutional investors as lead counsel in international mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. He represents both strategic and financial investors.

International Joint Ventures

George advises clients on structuring, documenting, negotiating and operating both U.S.- and non-U.S.-based international joint ventures. He assists with foreign government relations, negotiations and approvals, and prepares ancillary manufacturing, licensing, distribution and related agreements, including those involving trade secret protection.

International Managing Counsel

George provides large-scale international project management, including selecting, instructing and overseeing large teams of lawyers outside of the U.S. in connection with structuring, negotiating and closing complex, multijurisdictional business transactions.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Minnesota

Education

Georgetown University Law Center
LL.M. in International & Comparative Law, with distinction (1995)

Washington University School of Law
J.D. (1989)

College of William & Mary
B.A. (1986)

Insights & Events

Leadership & Community

Civic Activities

  • Women’s Foundation of Minnesota — Board of Trustees (2015-present)

Firm Leadership

  • Management Board, 2011-19
  • Corporate Group — Leader, 2009-11
  • International Practice — Former Co-Chair
  • China Practice — Founder and Co-Chair

Honors

  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business — Corporate/M&A, 2019
  • BTI Consulting Group — BTI Client Service All-Star, 2022
  • Best Lawyers® — Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2013-24; Corporate Law, 2016-24
  • 2013 Deal of the Year, Consumer & Retail Products ($100M+) division, 12th Annual M&A Advisor Awards, as lead counsel for $700 Million Acquisition of Skippy® Peanut Butter by Hormel Foods Corporation
  • Guide to Leading Practitioners: China — Recognized as one of the pre-eminent practitioners with experience in M&A involving China
Awards Methodology
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.
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