Mr. Thorson is chair of the firm's International Business Group. His practice includes general representation of international investors and manufacturing companies with particular experience representing U.S., Japanese and Chinese companies in joint ventures, acquisitions of U.S. and Asia-based companies, venture capital, and various cross-border commercial transactions. Andrew lived and practiced law in Asia for nearly a decade. He has acted as general outside counsel to Japanese and other Asia-based companies in the U.S., and to U.S. and E.U. companies in Asia. He recently advised clients doing business in China, Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong and Japan.

Representative Experience

• Automotive and Manufacturing
  
  • Represented OEM supplier in the license of production technology from a Japanese company
  • Represented Japanese companies in the Midwest, California and Japan in international litigation, arbitration, mediation and the settlement of disputes with U.S. companies (and vice versa) in connection with supply agreements, technology license agreements and product distribution agreements
  • Represented Japanese automotive, semiconductor manufacturing and other suppliers in the disposition of U.S. manufacturing facilities 
  • Represented Japanese company in the sale of automotive parts to a U.S.-based OEM
  • Represent Michigan subsidiary of Chinese and Japanese OEM suppliers in day-to-day legal matters
  • Represented Japanese company establishing U.S. distributorships for off-road vehicles
  
  Mergers and Acquisitions
  
  • Represented Japanese companies in the acquisition of high tech venture companies in the U.S.
  • Represented U.S. company in the acquisition of a medical device manufacturer in Japan
  • Represented Korean company in the acquisition of U.S. corporations and licensing transactions
  • Represented Japanese investors in the sale of high profile commercial mixed-use real estate holdings in California
  • Represented Japanese companies in the closure and sale of manufacturing facilities in Oregon, Alaska and California
  • Represented U.S. financial investors in the acquisition of distressed real estate assets, manufacturing companies, venture companies, department stores and banks in Japan
  • Represented U.S. venture funds and venture companies in shareholder disputes, Delaware reincorporations and share transfers
  • Represented E.U. company in the acquisition of a U.S. high tech company based in Seattle, Washington
  • Represented Japanese insurance company in connection with its hedge fund and private equity fund investments
  
  Foreign Direct Investment
  
  • Represented U.S. companies establishing wholly owned subsidiaries in China, India, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Vietnam
  • Represented international companies with respect to employment matters, lease agreements, subsidiary incorporations and related issues in the U.S., China, Japan, Korea and Singapore

Bar Associations

Languages

• Japanese

Publications

• A Legal Guide to Doing Business in Asia - Co Editor of Publication outlining business laws of 14 major Asia markets; Co Author of Chapter on Doing Business in Japan -- ABA (Publication Date Pending) 
• "Silence is Golden: Making Tax Efficient Investments in Japan," Asia Law (November 2003)
• "Japan's Bio-Tech Venture: Tsunami or just a bubble?," KWR International Web site (May/June 2003)
• "Tips on Cross Border M&A in Japan," The M&A Journal (February 2003, Volume 3, No. 9)
• "The 1997 Deregulation of Japan’s Holding Companies," Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal (March 1999)

  Published Interviews, Presentations and Seminars:

• Culture:  The Ultimate Non-Tariff Barrier - July 10, 2010 (Detroit, MI). US - China Automotive Conference
• Key Risk Points in Dispositions and Acquisitions during the Automotive Recession – August 2009 (Detroit, MI). Presentation to the Japan Business Society of Detroit concerning acquisition and disposition risks in the auto industry
• Cross-Border M&A between the U.S. and Asia – August 2009 (Detroit, MI). Presentation and panelist to Chinese and U.S. executives regarding legal issues and the management of cross-border M&A transactions
• U.S. - China Business Transactions – July 2009 (Detroit, MI). Presentation to the Detroit Chinese Business Association members regarding managing legal issues in cross-border transactions between the U.S. and China
• Establishing Operations in the U.S. – November 2008 (Xiangtan, PRC). Presentation regarding legal aspects of FDI in the US to government officials and business leaders in Xiangtan as member of a trade mission from Oakland County, MI
• Working Together - Winning Together – June 2008 (Detroit, MI). Presentation to more than 300 members of the Japan Automotive Manufacturer's Association (JAMA) and the Original Equipment Manufacturer's Association (OESA) regarding management, negotiation and performance of business transactions between the U.S. and Japan
• Doing Business in Asia – March 2008 (Grand Rapids, MI). Presentation to the Western Michigan chapter of Financial Executives International (FEI)
• Establishing Operations in the U.S. – October 2007 (Hangzhou, PRC).
  Presentation to over 120 Chinese automotive industry companies concerning legal matters faced by Chinese companies in the U.S.
• Acquiring a U.S. Company – Keys for Successful M&A – October 2007 (Beijing, PRC).
  Presentation to over 100 Chinese automotive OEMs regarding U.S. M&A practices.
• M&A in Asia – Success Strategies – September 2007 (Grand Rapids, MI).
  Presentation at the annual Global Office Furniture Symposium concerning M&A, joint ventures and other legal vehicles to expand into Asian markets.
  Overcoming Legal Barriers Chinese Laws - June 2007 (Dearborn, Michigan). Presentation to international business executives at the Wayne County China Conference.
• Doing Business in Asia - Observations of a Lawyer - May 2007. Presentation with Deloitte in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to over 40 executives and managers of Michigan companies.
• Representing International Companies – September 2006 (Seattle, Washington) Presentation to the international section of the Washington State Bar Association with attorneys from Korea, China and Japan.
• Boomtime for M&A in Japan – July/August 2005 asialaw. Quoted with other M&A experts in Japan regarding M&A trends.
• Operating a Subsidiary in Japan – May 2004 (Minneapolis, Minnesota, Des Moines, Iowa) Presentation to management and legal departments of over 50 international companies in Minneapolis, Minn., and 25 international companies in Des Moines, Iowa (CLE course) concerning operational aspects of running a business in Japan (employment, mergers & acquisitions, IP issues).
• Breathing Life into Japan's Turnaround Process – March 2004 Financier Worldwide, Issue 15. Exclusive interview regarding venture capital and M&A climate in Japan.
• Battle for BioTech's Billions – April/May 2004 Corporate Location. Quoted regarding biotechnology trends in Japan.
  

• DOJ Cracking Down on Corruption
• Dispositions / Acquisitions - Basic Risk Management Issues

Professional Affiliations

• Japan Business Society of Detroit
  
• Michigan Global Partnership
  

Community Affiliations

• Detroit Chinese Business Association
  
• Japan American Society of Greater Detroit and Windsor
  Director
  
• Rotary International
  

News

• Warner Norcross Partner Presents at United States/China Automotive Conference
• Two Warner Norcross Attorneys Publish Asian Legal Guide