Who are we?

The Evans International Law Firms (TEIL Firms) is an international business law firm headquartered in the Chicago area, providing strategic counsel to companies engaged in global commerce.

With 26 years of legal practice and over 16 years guiding clients internationally, we have handled cross-border transactions and compliance matters across Canada, Mexico, Germany, Jamaica, Kenya, Australia, Jordan, Russia, Ghana, Zambia, Malaysia, and beyond. Our practice focuses on three core areas: international trade compliance, corporate contracts, and intellectual property—with particular depth in manufacturing, technology, food, and transportation industries.

Our team includes attorneys and professionals across five countries who speak Spanish, French, and Arabic, bringing cultural fluency and legal precision to every matter. We counsel established businesses navigating the complexities of global expansion, import/export operations, and multi-jurisdictional IP protection.

At TEIL Firms, we don't just handle transactions, we provide the strategic guidance that positions companies to compete successfully in the global marketplace.

Chicagoland

Intellectual Property

Protecting Innovation Across Borders

Your intellectual property is the foundation of your competitive advantage—and in a global marketplace, it must be protected globally. TEIL Firms develops and implements international IP strategies that secure your trademarks, patents, and copyrights across multiple jurisdictions while generating revenue through strategic licensing.

Our Intellectual Property Practice Includes:

International IP Portfolio Management

• Multi-jurisdictional trademark filings and prosecution

• International patent strategy and portfolio development

• Copyright registration and enforcement

• Madrid Protocol and PCT applications

• IP portfolio audits and strategic planning

IP Licensing & Commercialization

• International licensing agreement negotiation

• Technology transfer agreements

• Franchise agreements with IP components

• Royalty structure and payment terms

• Multi-jurisdictional licensing strategies

IP Strategy & Protection

• International IP due diligence for M&A

• Brand protection and enforcement strategies

• Trade secret protection programs

• IP considerations in international contracts

• Cross-border IP dispute resolution

Brand Development & Protection

• Trademark clearance and search

• Brand strategy for international expansion

• Domain name and online brand protection

• Trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings

Representative Experience:

• Filed and managed intellectual property portfolios in Malaysia, Zambia, and multiple international jurisdictions

• Structured international IP licensing agreements for clients expanding globally

• Counseled technology companies on IP protection strategies across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific

• Advised on IP considerations in cross-border M&A transactions

• Developed comprehensive IP strategies for clients in manufacturing, technology, and food industries

Our team's multilingual capabilities (Spanish, French, Arabic) and network across five countries enable us to navigate the cultural and legal nuances of international IP protection with precision and efficiency.

Book: How to Profit From Your Intellect by Attorney Demitrus Evans provides strategic guidance on monetizing intellectual property globally.

corporate contracts

Corporate Contracts

Precision in Every Clause, Strategy in Every Agreement

International business runs on contracts—and in cross-border transactions, every clause matters. TEIL Firms drafts, negotiates, and reviews agreements that protect our clients' interests while accounting for multi-jurisdictional legal requirements and business realities.

Our Corporate Contract Practice Includes:

Cross-Border Transactions

• International M&A agreements

• Joint venture and partnership structures

• Asset purchase and stock purchase agreements

• Due diligence and transaction management

• Multi-jurisdictional entity structuring

International Business Agreements

• International sales and distribution contracts

• Manufacturing and supply agreements

• Agency and representative agreements

• Licensing and technology transfer agreements

• Strategic partnership agreements

Commercial Contracts

• Service agreements and consulting contracts

• Real property contracts (domestic and international)

• Equipment purchase and lease agreements

• Non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements

• Employment and independent contractor agreements

Contract Review & Negotiation

• Review of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)

• Contract negotiation strategy and execution

• Risk assessment and mitigation

• Dispute resolution provisions

• Multi-party agreement coordination

Representative Experience:

• Advised German manufacturing client from formation through $5M growth and subsequent M&A transaction

• Reviewed and counseled on seven Memorandums of Understanding for cross-border partnerships involving African markets

• Negotiated real property contracts for Jamaican development projects

• Structured multi-jurisdictional agreements for clients operating across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific

• Handled contractual matters for clients in Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, and throughout international markets

With experience across 19+ international transactions spanning manufacturing, technology, food, and transportation industries, we bring strategic perspective to contract negotiations that position our clients for sustainable global success.

international Trade compliance

International Trade Compliance

Strategic Counsel for Global Commerce

Moving goods across international borders requires more than logistics—it demands sophisticated legal guidance through complex regulatory frameworks. TEIL Firms counsels companies on the full spectrum of international trade law, drawing on 16+ years of experience guiding clients through import/export operations across North America, Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East.

Our International Trade Practice Includes:

Import/Export Compliance & Documentation

• Customs compliance and regulatory frameworks

• Import/export licensing and permits

• Harmonized Tariff Schedule classification

• Country-of-origin determinations

• Trade agreement utilization (USMCA, FTAs)

International Contract Negotiation

• International sales contracts (Incoterms)

• Distribution and agency agreements

• Letters of credit and international payment terms

• Transportation and logistics agreements

• Cross-border supply chain contracts

Trade Enforcement & Dispute Resolution

• Customs audits and investigations

• Duty mitigation and refund strategies

• Trade remedy proceedings (anti-dumping, countervailing duties)

• Regulatory enforcement matters

Strategic Trade Advisory

• Market entry strategies and regulatory analysis

• Tariff engineering and duty optimization

• Export control compliance (EAR, ITAR considerations)

• International sanctions and restricted party screening

Representative Experience:

• Counseled agricultural equipment companies on US-Russia trade operations involving heavy machinery exports

• Advised manufacturing clients on USMCA compliance for cross-border operations between US, Mexico, and Canada

• Guided food industry clients through international distribution agreements and import compliance

• Provided strategic counsel on transportation and logistics contracts spanning multiple jurisdictions

Industries Served: Manufacturing | Food & Agriculture | Technology | Transportation & Logistics | Industrial Equipment

Attorney Demitrus Evans serves on the Illinois District Export Council (US Department of Commerce appointment through 2028) and has taught international trade courses for the International Trade Centers of the US Department of Commerce.

Our team

Our Team: Global Perspective, Local Expertise

TEIL Firms operates across five countries with attorneys and professionals who bring both legal precision and cultural fluency to every matter. Our team includes:

• Attorneys licensed in Illinois and New Jersey, with admission to practice before the International Court in New York

• Legal professionals with expertise spanning Mexico, the Middle East (Jordan), Thailand, and India

• Multilingual capabilities in Spanish, French, and Arabic

• Combined 40+ years of international legal experience

This global structure enables us to provide seamless counsel for clients operating across borders, with team members who understand not just the law, but the business cultures and practices of the markets where our clients operate.

Our team has handled matters across:

• North America: United States, Canada, Mexico

• Europe: Germany

• Africa: Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe

• Middle East: Jordan

• Asia-Pacific: Malaysia, Thailand, India, Australia

Industries We Serve:

• Manufacturing & Industrial Equipment

• Technology & Software

• Food & Agriculture

• Transportation & Logistics

• International Trade & Distribution

Whether your matter involves a single cross-border transaction or complex multi-jurisdictional operations, our team brings the international experience and strategic perspective that sophisticated global business requires.