By Butler Cain, Alabama Public Radio
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wual/local-wual-471434.mp3
Think Global Alabama -- Wednesday Report
Undated, AL – Alabama's economy has become increasingly integrated with the global market system over the past decade. For example, the state's recruitment of international auto manufacturers has placed Alabama's workforce and infrastructure in the international spotlight. As more international businesses locate here, and as more domestic businesses conduct transactions with foreign partners, a section of the legal field has developed to handle the issues associated with such expansion. In our continuing series on globalization, Butler Cain reports.
International law can sound daunting, and it can be a bit difficult to grasp. Boyd Campbell is the former chair of the International Law Section of the Alabama State Bar. He says there are many intricacies associated with it, but the issue affects Alabamians on a very basic level.
"Every product that is shipped out of the United States, and every product that comes into the United States is affected by international law."
Attorneys who practice international law cover a little bit of everything, including treaties, contracts between international corporations, and issues with foreign cargo shipments. Campbell says there's a small but growing number of lawyers in the state who specialize in international law. They can be quite helpful with Alabama's business owners who must overcome cultural differences when establishing economic agreements.
"If you're a company in Alabama that wants to trade with Japan, you'll learn very quickly that they've got their way of doing things. And the differences are what lawyers deal with."
Campbell says there's no doubt international law is an emerging legal field. He says the world is getting smaller every day. As international travel and trade grows, so will the need for international law experts.
For the Alabama Report, I'm Butler Cain.