The global commercial marketplace is rapidly becoming both more complex and interwoven. Few attorneys understand the opportunities and dynamics of global trade better than David Robinson. He has assisted clients in cross-border transactions around the world. He has been to over 50 countries. He has run two US subsidiaries of foreign companies. David knows when “yes” means yes and when it means no, and he knows the importance of cultural understanding in international commerce. He helps global businesses integrate corporate compliance and operational programs into subsidiary operations, facilitate the transfer of personnel among operations, comply with export control and boycott regulations, and negotiate commercial and joint venture relationships. Whether your business is a seasoned competitor on the global stage or just ‘testing the waters’ of foreign opportunities, David can help level your ‘playing field.’
- George Washington University National Law Center, J.D.
- Georgetown University, BSFS (Foreign Service)
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US Supreme Court
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US Court of International Trade
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North Carolina Supreme Court
- Honorary Consul for Japan in North Carolina
- Member, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition NC Advisory Committee
- Chairman, NC Consular Corps
- Member, District Export Council
- Chancellor, Consular Corps College
- NC Bar Association, Board of Governors Member
- NC Bar Foundation, Former Director
- Law Faculty, Campbell University School of Law
- Past Chair of the International Law and Practice Section of the NC Bar Association (David served two terms in this position)
- Vice Chair, NC Bar Association Future of Law Committee
- Board of Advisors of the NC Japan Center
- Former Deputy Director of the NC Japan Center
- Former Director of the NC China Center steering committee
- Former Member, Wake Tech Business and Industry Services Advisory Committee
- Wake Tech Community College, Former Trustee
- North Carolina Export Outreach Program: Lecturer and Program Planner
- Former President/Director of the Nippon Club
- Fellow of the Institute of Political Leadership
- Fellow of the BCBSNC Healthy Community Institute
- Former American Red Cross “Outstanding Volunteer” and Disaster Team Member
- Rotary International - Paul Harris Fellow
- Past Chair, Wake County Board of Elections
- Past Director, Charlotte International Arbitration Society
- Chairman, Educational Growth Across Oceans/Animazement
- Director, Investor Services Company of America
- Founding Member and Director, Japan-America Society of North Carolina
- Chairman, Conservatives for Criminal Justice Reform
- Former Member, Coalition for Global Competitiveness
- Member, Wake County Economic Development Foreign Direct Investment Committee
- Counsel, One World Health
- Counsel, Veterans Life Center
- 10th Judicial District Bar Association
- Proficient in Japanese
- Recognized in Business North Carolina's Legal Elite of 2021
Overview
The global commercial marketplace is rapidly becoming both more complex and interwoven. Few attorneys understand the opportunities and dynamics of global trade better than David Robinson. He has assisted clients in cross-border transactions around the world. He has been to over 50 countries. He has run two US subsidiaries of foreign companies. David knows when “yes” means yes and when it means no, and he knows the importance of cultural understanding in international commerce. He helps global businesses integrate corporate compliance and operational programs into subsidiary operations, facilitate the transfer of personnel among operations, comply with export control and boycott regulations, and negotiate commercial and joint venture relationships. Whether your business is a seasoned competitor on the global stage or just ‘testing the waters’ of foreign opportunities, David can help level your ‘playing field.’
- Honorary Consul for Japan in North Carolina
- Member, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition NC Advisory Committee
- Chairman, NC Consular Corps
- Member, District Export Council
- Chancellor, Consular Corps College
- NC Bar Association, Board of Governors Member
- NC Bar Foundation, Former Director
- Law Faculty, Campbell University School of Law
- Past Chair of the International Law and Practice Section of the NC Bar Association (David served two terms in this position)
- Vice Chair, NC Bar Association Future of Law Committee
- Board of Advisors of the NC Japan Center
- Former Deputy Director of the NC Japan Center
- Former Director of the NC China Center steering committee
- Former Member, Wake Tech Business and Industry Services Advisory Committee
- Wake Tech Community College, Former Trustee
- North Carolina Export Outreach Program: Lecturer and Program Planner
- Former President/Director of the Nippon Club
- Fellow of the Institute of Political Leadership
- Fellow of the BCBSNC Healthy Community Institute
- Former American Red Cross “Outstanding Volunteer” and Disaster Team Member
- Rotary International - Paul Harris Fellow
- Past Chair, Wake County Board of Elections
- Past Director, Charlotte International Arbitration Society
- Chairman, Educational Growth Across Oceans/Animazement
- Director, Investor Services Company of America
- Founding Member and Director, Japan-America Society of North Carolina
- Chairman, Conservatives for Criminal Justice Reform
- Former Member, Coalition for Global Competitiveness
- Member, Wake County Economic Development Foreign Direct Investment Committee
- Counsel, One World Health
- Counsel, Veterans Life Center
- 10th Judicial District Bar Association
- Proficient in Japanese
- Recognized in Business North Carolina's Legal Elite of 2021
Notable
The International Team at Nexsen Pruet has just about seen it all: from structuring complex foreign investments in the Carolinas to airlifting cattle to Turkey, from exporting just the right kind of wood to Japan for temple construction to distribution sales of hot tubs in the Middle East, from facilitating the transfer of US workers abroad to importing the best talent from overseas into the US, and from the sale of sophisticated export controlled technologies to chicken legs, Nexsen Pruet lawyers have been involved. When you start selling to overseas markets, David will let you know which US laws will follow you around the globe, and which new laws you’ll likely encounter. With law firm relationships in 75 of the major commercial centers of the world, we can also help clients obtain precise and timely answers to their foreign law questions.
Speaking & Writing
- David Robinson Discusses the Effects of COVID 19 on Global Trade
March 5, 2020 - Nexsen Pruet announces 2018 Julian Nexsen Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award recipient
January 7, 2019 - Pro Bono Champion: David Robinson and the NC Veterans Life Center
June 7, 2018 - Nexsen Pruet's David Robinson Named to Board of State Bar Association
June 25, 2018 - Kon'nichiwa, NCBA: Attorney Exchange Program Immerses Travelers In Japanese Business, Culture
March 8, 2018 - Nexsen Pruet Attorneys Join NCBA in Japan
October 19, 2017 - To protect Americans, amend or repeal JASTA
November 28, 2016 - "N.C. manufacturers mull strategy after Trump announces U.S. withdrawal from TPP"
February 7, 2017 - "President Trump and Trade"
February 7, 2017 - "David Robinson: A Tokyo-to-N.C. Connector"
August 19, 2015 - "Endorsement: Kasich for America Announces its North Carolina State Leadership Team"
December 11, 2015 - David Robinson to Serve as Honorary Consul to Japan; Raleigh Attorney Appointed by Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
April 15, 2015 - Charlotte International Arbitration Society Announcement
January 14, 2015 - "Documented Customs Challenges: Avoiding Customs Delays Brought On By Poor Document Preparation"
June 3, 2014 - David Robinson Receives Dortch Award for International Law Excellence
March 5, 2014 - "David Robinson Named Flag Day Man of the Year"
June 13, 2014 - "Export Raleigh"
January 30, 2014 - Nexsen Pruet International Law Group Scores Major Victory at U.S. Court of International Trade
January 11, 2013 - Changes Ahead for North Carolina’s Unemployment Insurance System
February 11, 2013
- USCIS Proposes Changes to the H-1B Lottery
December 1, 2020 - Xinjiang Supply Chain Business Advisory
September 16, 2020 - WEBINAR: Japan and the US: Beyond the Crisis
July 9, 2020 - United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA)
July 1, 2020 - Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020
June 10, 2020 - PPP Loan Forgiveness
May 26, 2020 - SBA Interim Final Rule on PPP Participants with Foreign Affiliates Creates a Safe Harbor for Borrowers
May 18, 2020 - The CARES Act’s Paycheck Protection Program Expands the SBA 7(a) Loan Program
May 1, 2020 - VIDEO- The Paycheck Protection Program
April 8, 2020 - VIDEO- Should My Business Claim "Critical Industry" Status?
April 2, 2020 - The CARES Act’s Paycheck Protection Program Expands the SBA 7(a) Loan Program- Updated April 3, 2020
April 1, 2020 - Registration of a North Carolina Business as Essential
March 30, 2020 - Think Twice About Claiming Essential Critical Industry Status
March 25, 2020 - Client Alert: COVID-19 Critical Infrastructure Services
March 20, 2020 - SBA Disaster Loan Program Eligibility
March 19, 2020 - SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus
March 19, 2020 - Coronavirus Outbreak: Employment and Contract Law Issues
March 12, 2020 - Phase One Progress - A Partial Thaw In Trade Relations Between the US and China
March 10, 2020 - Force Majeure: Is COVID 19 an Act of God?
March 3, 2020 - Impact: U.S. Trade Agreement with Japan
October 25, 2019 - Enough Progress? Taking a closer look as the U.S. - China trade truce nears the halfway point.
January 25, 2019 - U.S. Trade Dispute with China - September 2018 Update
September 27, 2018 - U.S. Trade Dispute with China - August 2018 Update
August 20, 2018 - U.S. Trade Dispute with China - July 2018 Update
July 27, 2018 - Immigration: Waiting in Line at a U.S. Consulate Abroad
March 15, 2017 - Trans-Pacific Partnership
October 26, 2016 - "Welcome To a Newer, Bigger, Better Trade Zone"
October 17, 2016 - Deadline: Bureau of Economic Analysis Filing Deadline is May 29, 2015
May 5, 2015 - White House Initiative on Immigration
November 24, 2014 - Independent Contractors: The NLRB Refines its Standards
November 6, 2014
David regularly presents on cross-border legal issues. He has written and taught an MBA-level International Business Ethics course. He has lectured on a variety of cross-cultural topics to first graders through seasoned lawyers. David has taught "Business Organizations" and "Global Corporate Compliance" at Campbell University Law School. He was the international CLE planner for the NC Bar Association’s Annual Meetings of the Business and International Law Sections of the Bar in 2014, and he has chaired the International Law Section twice. He is also a recipient of the highest award accorded to an international lawyer by the NC Bar Association. As Chairman of the Wake County Board of Elections he was frequently interviewed on elections law issues.
Outside Nexsen Pruet
David is an active athlete. He is a competitive swimmer and has completed dozens of triathlons and road races including several marathons, a Half Ironman, and a Full Ironman Triathlon. He has competed as a member of Team USA at four World Triathlon Championships; most recently in Spain in 2019.
He is a member of an award-winning race car team.
He has voted in 29 straight elections and when he was Chairman of the Wake County Board of Elections, he oversaw the largest county voting operation in North Carolina.
As a former Trustee of Wake Tech he helped oversee the largest community college in NC and one of the fastest growing community colleges in the Nation.
He and his wife, Sue, have been married for 30+ years and they live in Raleigh.
