Fred Bartelsmeyer’s practice serves businesses in a wide range of domestic and foreign matters. These clients primarily are U.S., European and Asian companies in connection with their investments and other business activities. He is knowledgeable in business-related aspects of the world’s legal systems, as well as in business practices and cultures of many countries.
Mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, technology transactions and other commercial relationships such as licensing, teaming, research and development, distribution and supply are the focus of Mr. Bartelsmeyer’s activities. He spends most of his time assisting clients in planning, negotiating, documenting and implementing these transactions, often in conjunction with a team of Bryan Cave lawyers and lawyers from other firms which he has assembled for the specific project. He also advises clients on international antitrust and trade issues. He practices law in both the English and German languages.
Mr. Bartelsmeyer, a partner resident in the St. Louis office, began practicing with Bryan Cave in 1983. He conducted his international transaction practice from the Firm’s New York office from 1986 to 1989, having particular emphasis on work for Japanese and European clients. He maintained a European-based transaction practice and managed the Firm’s German office for six years beginning when he moved to Frankfurt in 1990. After he returned to St. Louis in 1996, his practice continued in international transactions, trade and antitrust matters, and in particular since then he has extensively advised clients on matters in Asia, including China, India, Korea, Singapore and other Asian countries. Mr. Bartelsmeyer now is responsible for managing the firm’s practice matters in Europe.
Mr. Bartelsmeyer is recognized by The Best Lawyers in America in the area of international trade and finance law. He also is listed as one of America’s leading lawyers for business in Chambers USA.
Mr. Bartelsmeyer regularly makes presentations and prepares articles on topics of international trade, transactions, antitrust, technology investments and business law. He passed the CPA examination in 1979, and he worked on the audit staff of a large public accounting firm before attending law school. He also studied German and European law at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Representative Experience
-
Formed joint venture between a Singapore and U.S. technology company
-
$20 million disposition of an Italian manufacturing company
-
$50 million acquisition of global chemical concern (primary operations in Germany, France, U.S., Australia and Taiwan) by U.S. client
-
$380 million acquisition of global pharma industry supplier (10 countries involved)
-
Establishment of Chinese WOFE and related agreements for startup subsidiaries of U.S. companies
-
$900 million worldwide acquisition of consumer products manufacturer (over 30 countries) by U.S. client
-
Acquisition of Chinese distributor for U.S. chemical company
-
$25 million acquisition of Irish biotech company for U.S. client
-
$85 million acquisition of German, Malta and Philippines auto parts manufacturer for U.S. private equity fund
-
Documentation of Indian joint venture for U.S. software company
Professional Affiliations
-
The Missouri Bar
-
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
-
Illinois State Bar Association
-
American Bar Association
-
The Association of the Bar of the City of New York
-
International Bar Association
Civic Involvement and Distinctions
-
World Trade Center St. Louis/Center for International Relations – President and Director
-
US-China Business Council
-
Deutsch-Amerikanische Juristen Vereinigung
-
American Chamber of Commerce in Germany e.V.
-
World Affairs Council St. Louis
-
German-American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest
Languages