Manufacturing

With transformational shifts in the manufacturing landscape and intense supply chain challenges, manufacturers are redefining what’s possible. Manufacturers, their suppliers and their customers face a dynamic marketplace in which innovation is not only desirable but necessary.

Throughout our 180-year history, Foley has served as the go-to trusted advisor to manufacturing companies as they have grown and innovated. Today our Manufacturing team continues to find creative solutions to assist you through challenges at every point in your business evolution. With our broad range of corporate, intellectual property, litigation and regulatory services, we’re with you from the birth of a new idea to the distribution, delivery, and consumer use of the final product, plus everything in between.

The depth and breadth of our work in manufacturing allows us to stay ahead of sector and global trends. We advise on how to enhance today’s operations while preparing for tomorrow. That means assisting on both legal and business issues, as well as advising on matters such as acquisitions, cross-border partnerships, procurement, supply chain resilience, environmental, social and governance (ESG), sustainability, product stewardship, distribution strategy, litigation, workforce recruitment and retention, intellectual property, trademarks, data protection, warranty, and regulatory compliance.

Many of our clients manufacture industrial products while many others manufacture consumer products; we recognize the distinct business challenges that each group faces.  We assist those who supply inputs or components to manufacturers, as well as retailers who sell consumer products. In addition to our broad coverage of manufacturing issues, we have groups focused on specific areas such as automotive, smart manufacturing, supply chain, sustainability, product stewardship, international trade, and national security issues.

Our team includes more than 215 attorneys, with members from each of our departments and from almost all our practice groups. From this deep bench, we assemble lean teams that combine the technical knowledge, hands-on business experience, and legal insight needed to address your short-term legal needs in the context of your long-term business strategy and objectives. For whatever issues you encounter, we create a team with the skill and experience to best assist you in assessing and managing those issues.

It all adds up to looking at the world through your eyes, helping you avoid pitfalls and seize the opportunities ahead to build stronger, more resilient, and successful businesses.

Resources

As you navigate the rapidly-evolving manufacturing landscape, the pace of change – from digital disruption to supply chain resiliency to the ubiquity of AI – has never been greater. In Foley’s 2024 Manufacturing Manual, authors from diverse practices and perspectives provide a comprehensive “end-to-end” analysis of the manufacturing industry’s legal landscape.

Foley’s Manufacturing Blog: Manufacturing Industry Advisor – is an online tool to learn about and discuss the legal and business issues that impact all aspects of the manufacturing industry.