In this episode of French Insider, Noel Rimalovski, Managing Director of GH Partners LLC joins host Brian Weimer, Telecom Team Leader of Sheppard Mullin, to discuss cross-border initiatives in the satellite and space industry. These initiatives include France’s CoFace compared to The EXIM Bank in the United States, the emerging small launch industry, and the potential for commercial opportunities on the moon.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• How does working with France's CoFace differ from working with The EXIM Bank in the United States?

• How does The EXIM Bank compare to the way France approaches export credit agency financing?

• Who can access financing from an export credit agency? Can a French company approach The EXIM Bank?

• Aside from SpaceX, who are some of the players in the nascent industry of small launch providers?

• Are the small launch providers that have proliferated in recent years targeting SpaceX's market?

• Is the recent multi-orbit trend lately likely to continue?

• Why is it essential for space and satellite companies to ensure alignment with their government?

• Is there any real potential for large-scale commercial opportunities on the moon?

• Is the space industry transitioning into a more commercial chapter of financing?

• Is there a push for more sustainable projects in the space industry?

About Brian Weimer

Brian Weimer is a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Washington, D.C. office, where he also serves as Leader of the firm's Telecom Team and Co-Leader of the CFIUS Team. Brian provides regulatory and transactional advice across the entire telecommunications ecosystem. As leader of the firm’s Space & Satellite practice, he is perhaps best known as a leading lawyer for the satellite industry.

About Noel Rimalovski

Noel Rimalovski brings a deep background in M&A and corporate finance to GH Partners. Throughout his 20-year career, he has provided advisory services to clients, including sales and acquisitions, restructurings, capital raisings, valuations and fairness opinions to domestic and international clients in the Telecommunications, Media, Technology, Industrial and Consumer sectors.

Before joining GH Partners, Noel served as Senior Vice President at Macquarie Capital (USA), 2007-08, in the Telecommunications, Media, Entertainment and Technology Group. While at Macquarie, he completed $1.8bn of investments in the telecommunications sector. Prior to Macquarie, he was Director in the Mergers & Acquisition Group of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and its predecessor Wasserstein Perella, where he completed over $20 billion in transactions in the Industrial, Consumer, Technology, Telecommunications and Media sectors. Prior to joining WP, Noel gained experience as a banker on structured financings, securitizations and proprietary investments at Millennium Capital Markets and Lazard Frères.

Contact Information

Brian Weimer

Noel Rimalovski

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This episode is a replay of Episode 30 which originally aired on March 18, 2024.

In this episode of French Insider, Greg Berk, a partner at Sheppard Mullin, joins host Inès Briand to discuss immigration and business travel to the United States, including the particulars of the ESTA visa waiver program, obtaining an O-1 visa, H-1B visa, or green card, and what travelers can expect from the CPB upon entry.

What We Discussed in This Episode:

• What is an ESTA visa waiver?

• How long can you stay in the U.S. on an ESTA waiver?

• How soon can someone come back to the U.S. with an ESTA waiver?

• Who needs a work visa, and what types of work visas are available?

• How specialized must an individual be to qualify for a special talent (0-1) visa?

• What is an H-1B visa?

• When should French entities start planning to send individuals to the U.S.?

• When does someone need a green card? How do they obtain one?

• Are there tax implications when obtaining a green card?

• Can a green card be relinquished if the holder leaves the U.S.?

• Why does the CPB occasionally check social media accounts?

• Can the CPB deny a visa holder entry?

• Why might someone be called in for a secondary inspection? How should they deal with this?

• How can travel to Cuba or another restricted country impact an ESTA? Would it affect other types of visas?

About Greg Berk

Greg Berk, a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Labor and Employment Practice Group, is based in Orange County, California. He heads the firm’s immigration practice and is a Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.

With more than 25 years of experience advising on various U.S. immigration issues, Greg is a trusted resource for global employers seeking guidance on recruiting and retaining foreign executives and top talent for their U.S. operations. He also works with investors on E-2, L-1, and EB-5 matters as well as I-9 and other immigration compliance matters. He is the author of "Immigration Checklists and Practice Pointers – A Desk Reference," a book published by the American Bar Association for General Counsel and HR managers.

About Inès Briand

Inès Briand is an associate in Sheppard Mullin’s Corporate Practice Group and French Desk Team in the firm’s Brussels office, where her practice primarily focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisition transactions (with special emphasis on operations involving French companies). She also has significant experience in general corporate matters and compliance for foreign companies settled in the United States.

As a member of the firm’s French Desk, Inès has advised companies and private equity funds in both the United States and Europe on mergers, acquisitions, commercial contracts and general corporate matters, including expansion of French companies in the United States.

Contact Information

Inès Briand

Greg Berk

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.