He may not be a basketball star from Harlem, but you could certainly call Stephen Snyder a globetrotter.

The Edmonton lawyer has made four overseas trips this year, and he expects to make several more before the year ends.

Snyder, the managing partner of law firm Snyder & Associates, has become recognized as a specialist in international commercial law. His work in helping clients develop an international business presence is the keystone of his practice.

Snyder & Associates’ international commercial practice has helped clients develop markets and business alliances in the Pacific Rim, central and Eastern Europe, and the Persian Gulf.

Snyder & Associates managing partner Stephen Snyder travels to all corners of the globe in meeting the requirements of his overseas commerce customers.

For Snyder, helping to develop a client’s international operations means keeping their individual requirements paramount.

“Clients have needs,” says Snyder. “Many Alberta companies recognize that in order to really prosper and thrive, they have to be part of the international marketplace.”

He concentrates on the many legal and commercial aspects of international business, including tax treaties, appropriate contract documentation, payment schedules, dispute resolution, letters of credit, and banking arrangements.

“My responsibility is to ensure those matters are dealt with in a fashion where the owners get a maximum amount of return for a minimum amount of risk.”

Snyder, who has been in practice since the mid-70s, got his start in international business transactions in the 1980s.

“Our firm had an office in Hong Kong that was there for a number of years to help local residents emigrate to Canada. We became known in the international field by virtue of the fact that we had a Hong Kong office.”

When Alberta businesses started to develop international operations in the mid-80s, Snyder’s experience was a valuable asset in helping them understand the myriad details in overseas commerce.

Developing international opportunities often requires help navigating through the obstacles that can crop up at any step along the way.

“There are lots and lots of opportunities in the international marketplace, but there are pitfalls,” he says. “We can be of very substantial assistance in helping people avoid those pitfalls.”

The most carefully developed international business plans can’t prevent surprises, but Snyder uses his experience to help clients adapt to unforeseen circumstances.

“Surprises occur, but when there’s a surprise you can look at it and say ‘Here are the options that are available to us.’ ” The options may include initiating a dispute- resolution process that was established during the initial business development stage.

Snyder has occasionally made a quick overseas trip on a client’s behalf, but he prefers to schedule trips so that he can address issues for several clients. The knowledge of local business customs in diverse nations is critical knowledge that Snyder uses to ensure clients’ interests are safeguarded.

“There are business cultures that vary from business location to business location. The business culture in Ireland is very different from the business culture in Germany, which is very different from the business culture in Abu Dhabi.”

Snyder’s years of experience mean that he has a solid network of business relationships with bankers, lawyers and other key players. It’s a tremendous advantage for his every client.

“When you’ve dealt with those same bankers on 15 or 20 previous occasions with regard to letters of credit, they are a familiar face to you and you are a familiar face to them.

“You’ve established a relationship and credibility with them.”

Representing a client’s international commercial interest means that Snyder tracks political and financial developments across the globe. He regularly receives bulletins from overseas banking contacts, and watches currency markets for changes or new situations that can affect a client’s overseas operations.

Snyder closely followed the April announcement of the expansion of the European Union, which added 10 new members, including eight former Soviet bloc states.

“Admission of these 10 new countries to the European union is a major event and has had an impact on the commercial work some of my clients are doing.”

Snyder’s client list includes oil and gas businesses, along with a developing portfolio of high-tech, software and knowledge-based industries.

Safeguarding a client’s intellectual property in international business deals is critical for high-tech and software transactions, he says.

“Intellectual property is the most rapidly growing area of my practice. The whole issue of technical know-how and technical processes involved is hugely significant.”

Snyder believes that the wide-ranging technical expertise in many Alberta industries can translate to success in the international arena.

“We have a remarkable pool of incredibly smart people and a tremendous amount of intellectual property that’s been created,” he says.

That knowledge base is another Alberta advantage that could be shared with the rest of the world.

For more information, contact Snyder & Associates at 780.426.4133.

Email: inquiries@snyder.ca

Website: www.snyder.ca