Overview

A shareholder, Jean Schtokal practices primarily in the business transactions area, handling both domestic and foreign matters.

Her experience as an international business attorney is expansive and includes international trade, distribution, manufacturing and licensing arrangements. She has also worked with the establishment of foreign and domestic subsidiaries, branch offices and facilities; joint ventures and strategic alliances as well as acquisitions and direct investments. Jean also provides counsel and guidance on U.S Export Control laws and regulations (EAR, ITAR, OFAC and FCPA). As a result of her thorough understanding and ability to clearly communicate these complex topics, she often speaks on international business topics including international business transactions and international trade.

"As an entrepreneur expanding my operations from Australia, I needed an attorney that was a quick study in understanding my goals and translating that into what legal matters I needed to address. In my experiences with Jean, I found her extremely knowledgeable about the law, a great supplier of information and contacts to international trade resources, very responsive and reliable all while being mindful of my budget. I wish all of my relationships with professional service providers were this smooth and productive."
Cary J. Redstone, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, MMC Learning and Development Incorporated

"Jean has an amazing breadth of knowledge about doing business overseas. What sets Jean apart are her excellent presentation and analysis skills, allowing her to clearly communicate complex information in a very practical and understandable manner."
Noel Nevshehir, Director, International Business Services, Automation Alley

Jean also assists U.S. businesses with entity formation, business planning, certification (WBE/MBE/DBE), negotiation and drafting of contracts, creation of joint ventures and serves as a trusted advisor.

She is a University of Michigan alumna and received her juris doctorate, cum laude, from Wayne State University. Prior to completing law school, Jean was the aide in charge of the Tax Expenditures Subcommittee of the Taxation Committee for the Michigan House of Representatives.

Thoroughly immersed in the Michigan business community, Jean holds many leadership roles. She has been appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to the Michigan District Export Council-West (named chair in 2014); she is a member of the Advisory Board of Center for International Business Education and Research at Michigan State University and serves as co-chair of the Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan.

Honors & Recognitions

Affiliations

Memberships & Affiliations

Legal Affiliations: 

• American Bar Association, Canadian Law Committee
• State Bar of Michigan
• Michigan State Bar Foundation, Fellow
• International Bar Association
• Ingham County Bar Association

Industry & Professional Associations:

• Michigan District Export Council-West, Chair and Board Member
• Center for International Business Education and Research at Michigan State University (MSU-CIBER), Advisory Board Member
• Society for International Affairs, Member
• Women in Manufacturing, Member

Community Involvement:

• Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Board of Directors (2009-2013)
• Executive Committee and Division Director for International Business Services (2011-2013)
• Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan, Co-Chair

Experience

Representative Matters

• Domestic and international joint ventures, teaming and cooperation agreements
• Manufacturing and license agreements
• Acquisitions and corporate reorganizations
• Foreign operations
• Foreign acquisitions and transactions in regulated and non regulated industries
• Foreign and domestic distributor, agent, and broker agreements
• Protection of trade secrets/confidential information and resolution of matters involving misuse of proprietary information
• Registration, licensing, approvals and disclosures regarding ITAR/U.S. Munitions List defense articles, technical data and defense services
• Minority and women-owned business state and national certification matters
• Resolution of minority shareholder/member disputes
• U.S. subsidiaries for foreign-owned companies
• Export controls compliance and training

Communications

Publications

• 400,000 Reasons to Remain Vigilant About ITAR Compliance, March 2019 Business & Tax Law News, March 11, 2019
• Impact of Tariffs on your Business , July 2018 Business & Corporate Law News E-Blast, July 17, 2018
• 16 Enforcement Actions in 2017 Totaling $119,517,845 in Penalties and Settlements-Why You Should Know About OFAC, April 2018 Agricultural Law News, April 11, 2018
• How do the OFAC Regulations Apply to Health Insurance Policies?, Foster Swift Healthcare Law E-Blast, August 2, 2017
• Online Sales, Export Opportunities and Due Diligence…Oh My, Foster Swift Business & Corporate Law News, June 12, 2017
• Even U.S. Companies Can Get Hit With Violations of U.S. OFAC Economic Sanctions, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, January 19, 2016

View More

News & Events

Speaking Engagements

• China and the World: Beyond the Headlines, Michigan State University: Office of International Studies in Education, April 1, 2019
• Making the Most of International Trade Shows & Trade Missions, Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan With MDARD's International Marketing Program, February 14, 2019
• Know Before You Go: Legal Essentials, Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan, January 29, 2019
• Making the Most of International Trade Shows & Missions, Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan, January 29, 2019
• Preparing for Trade Shows & New Client Meetings: Creating That Perfect Pitch, Global Business Club of Michigan, January 25, 2019
• U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement Tariffs, Navigating 232 & 301, West Michigan District Export Council & East Michigan District 1, November 28, 2018

View More

News

• Training Programs: Growing your Business Globally, February 4, 2019
• 45 Foster Swift Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America© 2019, August 15, 2018
• 46 Foster Swift Attorneys Named to 2018 Best Lawyers in America®, August 21, 2017
• 44 Foster Swift Attorneys Named to 2016 Best Lawyers in America® Roster, August 21, 2015
• International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) & Export Control Training in Northern Michigan, March 18, 2015
• 45 Foster Swift attorneys named to 2015 Best Lawyers in America® roster, August 19, 2014
• Jean Schtokal Elected Chair of Michigan District Export Council West, April 15, 2014