Across Borders, Not Alone: How the Alliance of Business Lawyers Serves Our Clients
Legal problems rarely stay inside one country anymore. A business expands into Europe, a family’s property is spread across two continents, or a client needs answers from a lawyer in a jurisdiction they’ve never set foot in. That’s where the Alliance of Business Lawyers (ABL) comes in, and why CTM Legal Group is proud to be a member.
What Is ABL?
ABL is an international network of independent law firms. Today it includes more than 40 member firms in over 30 countries, spanning Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Each member firm keeps its own identity and local expertise, while sharing a common commitment to quality, responsiveness, and collaboration.
How ABL Helps Clients
When a CTM client has a legal need outside the United States, we don’t start with a cold internet search. We start with a colleague we already know and trust.
ABL gives our clients:
- Trusted local counsel abroad. Lawyers who understand their country’s laws, courts, and business culture.
- One point of contact. Clients can work through CTM while we coordinate with ABL partners overseas.
- Faster answers. Established relationships mean less time vetting firms and more time solving the problem.
- Coordinated strategy. Cross-border matters such as business formation, contracts, real estate, and immigration benefit from attorneys who are already used to working together.
What This Looks Like in Practice
Consider a few common situations. A foreign entrepreneur planning to invest in a U.S. business may need advice on both U.S. immigration options and corporate law in their home country. An Illinois company signing a distribution agreement overseas needs to know how that contract will be enforced abroad. A family settling an estate may discover property or accounts in another country.
In each case, CTM can handle the U.S. side while bringing in an ABL colleague for the foreign side, so the two parts of the plan work together instead of against each other. Clients avoid duplicated work, conflicting advice, and the stress of finding a reliable lawyer on their own in an unfamiliar country.
How ABL Helps Attorneys
ABL is also a professional community. Members meet at regular international conferences to share insights on emerging issues such as artificial intelligence in legal practice, international arbitration, and cross-border investigations. CTM hosted the 43rd ABL Conference in Chicago in 2022 and joined colleagues in Vienna for ABL’s 50th conference in 2026.
These relationships go beyond meetings. ABL connections have led to attorney exchanges and internships, including young lawyers from member firms abroad training alongside our team in Chicago. Every one of those connections makes us better advocates for the people we serve.
A Global Network, Local Service
At CTM Legal Group, our work begins in Chicago, but our clients’ lives and businesses often extend far beyond it. Through ABL, we can help them wherever their legal needs take them.
If you have a legal matter that crosses borders, contact CTM Legal Group to learn how we can help.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, please consult a qualified attorney.