WHO WE ARE
Foreign owners of U.S. businesses have special needs, and it is not a bad thing! Unlike most U.S. attorneys, we are trained in several different legal systems and have lived outside of the United States a portion of our lives. That understanding of our foreign clients’ unique perspective allows us to help them navigate the U.S. business environment. This also allows us to prevent our clients from making risky assumptions about similarities with their country of origin.
Having worked for large U.S. law firms in the past, we've come to realize that many of our foreign clients wanted to work with a smaller structure that could deliver the same high quality advice without the high fees associated with Big Law firms. With that in mind, our boutique firm was born.
We typically work as outside general counsel for our clients, managing all, or most, of their daily legal needs. We specialize in contract law, intellectual property and employment matters, and work closely with highly qualified colleagues on immigration and litigation matters. That way, you can trust that, whatever your legal need, we will manage your risks and you will receive quality legal advice.
ANNE PANSARD
FOUNDER

Originally from Lille, France, Anne Pansard has over 18 years of experience working in the United States as a business attorney. She was trained in France, Great Britain and the United States.
Anne worked for a decade for large international law firms in New York and Chicago, and became General Counsel of a U.S. Ag Biotech sorghum company in 2014. In that role, she facilitated the rapid growth of the company, working closely with its executives, sales force, seed breeders, production managers and engineers. That in-house experience gives her the ability to approach her clients’ needs in a realistic and pragmatic manner.
In 2018, the company was purchased. As an active member of the Chicago international business community for many years, Anne realized that foreign entrepreneurs face particular challenges to manage their operations in the United States. Even for bilingual clients, the U.S. federal and state legal systems are complex, and managing a company remotely is particularly challenging. Having a reliable and knowledgeable business-oriented legal advisor who understands your culture is a great asset. To respond to that need, Anne founded the firm in 2018. Her goal is to help her clients achieve their business goals and manage their U.S. affiliate efficiently and in compliance with local laws.
Bar Admissions
Education:
Anne worked for a decade for large international law firms in New York and Chicago, and became General Counsel of a U.S. Ag Biotech sorghum company in 2014. In that role, she facilitated the rapid growth of the company, working closely with its executives, sales force, seed breeders, production managers and engineers. That in-house experience gives her the ability to approach her clients’ needs in a realistic and pragmatic manner.
In 2018, the company was purchased. As an active member of the Chicago international business community for many years, Anne realized that foreign entrepreneurs face particular challenges to manage their operations in the United States. Even for bilingual clients, the U.S. federal and state legal systems are complex, and managing a company remotely is particularly challenging. Having a reliable and knowledgeable business-oriented legal advisor who understands your culture is a great asset. To respond to that need, Anne founded the firm in 2018. Her goal is to help her clients achieve their business goals and manage their U.S. affiliate efficiently and in compliance with local laws.
Bar Admissions
- New York, 2004
- Paris, 2006
- Illinois, 2009
Education:
- L.L.B. King's College London, School of Law
- Licence et Master en Droit de l'Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
- J.D. Loyola Chicago School of Law
RICHARD PEET, J.D., PH.D.
HEAD OF OUR LIFE SCIENCES AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW PRACTICE

Dr. Richard Peet is an entrepreneurial-minded scientist, lawyer, and business leader. Richard’s business experience and scientific background allow him to provide practical and valuable advice to our clients on a wide range of intellectual property and business matters. Richard leads our Life Sciences and Intellectual Property Law practice.
Legal Career and Scientific Background
Richard was a partner at the Am Law 100 law firm Foley & Lardner, LLP for 23 years. He was Chair of the firm’s Chemistry and Biotechnology Practice Group and International Business Team. During his tenure, Richard represented pharmaceutical, agricultural and biotechnology companies on patent litigation and patent prosecution matters.
Prior to joining Foley, Richard was a research scientist at Sandoz Crop Protection, and a research scientist at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Business Leadership
Richard has co-founded several companies during his career, playing a key role in multiple successful investors exits.
Most recently, Richard co-founded Formulate Bioscience, Inc., a company focused on the development of endocannabinoid-based therapies. Richard is the inventor of the company’s proprietary biocatalytic process for the manufacture of cannabinoids and their analogs. He currently serves as the company’s Chief Technology Officer.
Scientific Accomplishments
Richard is a named inventor on more than 20 patents.
In 2020, Philip Morris, Inc, purchased one of his inventions, a process of manufacturing a food grade chicory fiber, an exceptional, novel and natural source of healthy prebiotics.
Teaching Experience
Richard serves as an affiliate professor in the George Mason University School of Systems Biology.
Publications
Richard regularly authors peer-reviewed scientific publications and articles.
Richard is co-author of the treatise “The Intellectual Property Law of Plants”, Oxford University Press; 1st edition (March 23, 2014).
Education
Languages
Bar Admission
District of Washington D.C.
Legal Career and Scientific Background
Richard was a partner at the Am Law 100 law firm Foley & Lardner, LLP for 23 years. He was Chair of the firm’s Chemistry and Biotechnology Practice Group and International Business Team. During his tenure, Richard represented pharmaceutical, agricultural and biotechnology companies on patent litigation and patent prosecution matters.
Prior to joining Foley, Richard was a research scientist at Sandoz Crop Protection, and a research scientist at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Business Leadership
Richard has co-founded several companies during his career, playing a key role in multiple successful investors exits.
Most recently, Richard co-founded Formulate Bioscience, Inc., a company focused on the development of endocannabinoid-based therapies. Richard is the inventor of the company’s proprietary biocatalytic process for the manufacture of cannabinoids and their analogs. He currently serves as the company’s Chief Technology Officer.
Scientific Accomplishments
Richard is a named inventor on more than 20 patents.
In 2020, Philip Morris, Inc, purchased one of his inventions, a process of manufacturing a food grade chicory fiber, an exceptional, novel and natural source of healthy prebiotics.
Teaching Experience
Richard serves as an affiliate professor in the George Mason University School of Systems Biology.
Publications
Richard regularly authors peer-reviewed scientific publications and articles.
Richard is co-author of the treatise “The Intellectual Property Law of Plants”, Oxford University Press; 1st edition (March 23, 2014).
Education
- Ph.D. from University of California, Berkeley in the field of molecular biology
- J.D. from the Catholic University of America, School of Law.
- B.S. from Haverford College
Languages
- English (native)
- Dutch (excellent)
- Spanish (excellent)
- French (intermediate)
Bar Admission
District of Washington D.C.