Bio

Hans-Michael Kraus is a Partner and the practice group leader of the International Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. Mr. Kraus is general counsel for numerous foreign companies and their respective U.S. subsidiaries and works almost exclusively in the field of international business transactions. He has particular expertise in structuring cross-border investments, corporate acquisitions, and joint ventures in Europe, Asia, and Australia. Mr. Kraus regularly advises multinational companies on all legal issues involved in setting up manufacturing facilities in the United States, including negotiation of state and local grants, tax abatements and related real estate, environmental and labor issues. He has gained particular expertise in the automotive, renewable energy, steel, and food industries and serves on the Board of Directors and as corporate secretary for many international companies. Mr. Kraus is a frequent speaker, domestically and abroad, on legal and tax aspects of international transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and conducting business in the United States. He is the author of numerous articles in legal and other publications on international business transactions. Mr. Kraus received his undergraduate degree in Germany in 1971 and has law degrees from both the University of Freiburg (1978) and the University of Texas (1982). A native of Germany, Mr. Kraus is fluent in German and English. He is a member of the German Bar (Cologne), the Inter-Pacific Bar Association and the State Bar of Georgia. Mr. Kraus is admitted as an attorney in the United States (Georgia) and Germany.