U.S. Contract Law Services for French Companies
Ressource externe & Of Counsel — Contrats américains
French SMEs and ETIs working with U.S. customers, distributors, or suppliers are often asked to sign English-language contracts governed by U.S. law. These contracts can present significant risks — liability, indemnification, termination, jurisdiction — that are not always visible to non-U.S. specialists. I provide targeted U.S. contract law support, working alongside your existing French legal counsel.
BENJAMIN POPKIN, JD, MPH
U.S. Contract Law Specialist — Bilingual EN/FR
I am a U.S.-qualified attorney with dual training in law and public health, and comparative law studies at Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3. My career spans senior government roles in health policy and insurance regulation, legislative drafting, and over a decade of independent practice focused on complex U.S. commercial contracts. I bring particular depth in healthcare, life sciences, and regulated industries — sectors where contract precision and regulatory awareness are essential.
- Juris Doctor (JD), UNC School of Law — Health Law focus
- Master of Public Health (MPH), UNC School of Public Health
- Comparative law studies, Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3 (Faculté de Droit)
- North Carolina State Bar — admitted and active
- 15+ years negotiating and drafting complex U.S. contracts (healthcare, insurance, government, technology)
- Senior government roles: NC Dept. of Health & Human Services, NC Dept. of Insurance, NC General Assembly
- Bilingual English/French — professional working proficiency
SERVICES
For French Companies
Pour les entreprises françaises
- Contract risk review and redlining of U.S.-law or English-language contracts (sales, distribution, NDAs, T&Cs, SaaS, services)
- Drafting or adapting contracts to U.S. law (governing law, jurisdiction, liability, indemnification, IP, data protection)
- Negotiation support with U.S. counterparties
- U.S. healthcare regulatory and reimbursement strategy for market entry
- Early dispute prevention and demand letter preparation
For French Law Firms
Pour les cabinets d’avocats français
- Of counsel / external resource for U.S.-law contract matters on your client files
- Risk notes and recommendations in English and French
- Support your client teams without disrupting the client relationship
- Co-facilitation of webinars and client training on U.S. contract risks
For Ecosystem Organizations
Pour les structures d’accompagnement
- Awareness sessions for SMEs/ETIs developing toward the U.S. market
- Contract “check-up” clinics for companies in export programs
- Partnership with ONLYLYON, clusters, CCI, and export support networks
Bridging Two Legal Systems
- U.S. common law contracts are fundamentally different from French civil law contracts in their structure, interpretation, and enforcement.
- Standard U.S. contract clauses (indemnification, limitation of liability, choice of law, forum selection, liquidated damages) have no direct equivalent in French practice and can create unexpected exposure.
- A French company signing a U.S.-law contract without specialized review may accept risks it would never accept under French law.
- I work alongside your French counsel — I handle the U.S. law elements while your avocat handles French law, so nothing falls between the two systems.
HOW I WORK
- Fixed-scope, time-efficient engagements adapted to SME budgets
- Complimentary 30-minute initial consultation to assess your needs
- I work alongside your existing French legal counsel — not in competition
- Available across U.S. and European time zones
- Deliverables in English, French, or both as needed
- Initial engagement can be a single contract review — no long-term commitment required
Schedule a Consultation
Ready to discuss your U.S. contract needs? Contact me for a complimentary 30-minute consultation.
TRUSTED. INFORMED. CONNECTED. EFFECTIVE.
© Copyright 2026 | Popkin Strategies
Phone: +1 919 219 8221
Email: ben@popkinstrategies.com