FAQ's

17.  Are there any sources of legal assistance for people who are new to exporting?

The Export Legal Assistance Network (ELAN), a program of the Small Business Administration (SBA), is a nationwide group of volunteer attorneys with experience in international trade who provide free initial legal consultations to small businesses on export-related law matters.  They assist new-to-exporter firms in the planning process for an export business, explain the basic agent-distributor agreement, etc.  A comprehensive list of regional coordinators who can refer you to a participating attorney can be found on the National Export Directory - the TIC's guide to federal, state and local trade offices throughtout the united States.  It is available at http://tradeinfo.doc.gov/ (click on the link to "Trade Offices Nationwide") or by calling 1 (800) USA-TRADE.