Steven Katz is a results-oriented business counselor and litigator who represents international companies, particularly those based in Japan and their U.S. subsidiaries, on issues involving product sales and distribution, licensing and technology. In his third decade of practice, Steve advises on matters valued into the hundreds of millions of dollars. He is particularly skilled at anticipating potential outcomes and creating an advantage for his clients throughout the negotiation and dispute resolution processes.
Steve is steadfastly focused on each client’s specific commercial objectives. A tenacious advocate and practical at every turn, Steve is a proven counselor who knows, from first-hand experience, what can and can’t be enforced at the negotiation table. A testament to his personal commitment to clients and colleagues alike, Steve has maintained client relationships that have spanned decades, and some that began at the onset of his legal career. Because Steve continuously seeks to understand his clients’ macro and micro business strategies, he often has a multi-faceted understanding of what they need in order to realize success and maximize ROI.
An effective communicator and highly responsive, Steve serves clients from many industries such as printing, semiconductor, industrial control and automation, solar power, construction equipment, automotive parts supply, machine tool, consumer products, software and office furniture. Regardless of the industry or market segment, Steve knows how Japanese companies function in particular, as well as how they make decisions and assess legal risk.
Steve has successfully represented manufacturers and suppliers in a wide variety of litigation, appellate and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings across the country. He has resolved complex claims for breach of contract/warranty, intellectual property infringement, antitrust and unfair trade. Outside the courtroom, Steve negotiates licensing arrangements and sales-related contracts, including OEM and supply agreements, terms and conditions of sale and security agreements pertaining to both domestic and international supply relationships. He also advises on both transactions and disputes with distributors, dealers, sales representatives and franchisees, including the termination of commercial relationships.
Additionally, Steve counsels international clients on antitrust issues, including relations and arrangements with competitors and concerning product distribution. He also provides antitrust and anti-corruption related compliance training for executives and employees. Moreover, Steve advises on intellectual property and trade secret protection, advertising and information technology issues. A frequent author and speaker on litigation, antirust and sales/distribution topics, Steve focuses on issues that impact foreign companies conducting business in the United States.