| TRADE
US – CALIFORNIA, BELGIUM, LUXEMBOURG
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Trading
Professional advisors help businesses stay ahead of trade wars and sanctions by identifying vulnerabilities, stress-testing scenarios, and conducting thorough due diligence. Rather than reacting to disruption, companies are guided to build forward- looking strategies — such as restructuring corporate entities or shifting assets — to ensure operational resilience against geopolitical or regulatory shocks. The focus has shifted from lowest-cost sourcing to resilient, sustainable supply chains. Trends like nearshoring and ‘friend-shoring’ are increasingly adopted to reduce reliance on volatile regions. Advisors support clients in mapping supply chains, evaluating alternatives, and ensuring compliance with trade laws, export controls, and ESG commitments, especially in tightly regulated sectors. With the right intelligence, uncertainty can become opportunity. Using scenario modelling, valuation services, and tax-efficient structuring, advisers help clients assess market entries and exits strategically. Strong compliance and ethical standards also safeguard reputation and build trust across borders.
For companies in highly regulated industries, the margin for error is razor thin and noncompliance can result in dire consequences. The bottom line is this: we help clients build supply chains that are lean but not brittle. They have to be efficient, but also flexible and sustainable in the face of unexpected change. That’s the balancing act, and that’s where we come in. Supply chains are in constant tension, but with careful planning and analysis, we can protect clients by structuring in a little bit of additional slack. Q3 With global markets in flux, how can businesses balance risk and opportunity in cross-border trade, and what strategic guidance can you provide? It’s a tricky landscape, no doubt. But uncertainty doesn’t mean you have to stand still. In fact, for businesses willing to do the work, volatility can create just as many opportunities as risks. We help clients navigate this balance through smart, data-driven analysis.
Our team delivers valuation services, solvency opinions, forensic accounting, and economic modelling to help clients assess the pros and cons about moving into, or out of, any given market. We start by looking at the structure of cross-border ventures. Are the legal and financial frameworks strong? Is there a tax-efficient structure in place? Are you set up to manage downside risks while still capturing upside potential? These aren’t just questions for the legal team; we work hand in hand with attorneys and other advisors to connect all the dots. We also use scenario modelling to test different strategies. Should a client enter a new region now, or wait? Is the regulatory environment likely to shift? If it shifts, will it be for better or worse? Could pending trade agreements create a window of opportunity? We help clients make better decisions with their eyes open, not based on guesswork or simply the status quo. Finally, don’t forget about reputation. Managing cross-border risk isn’t just about financial exposure – how a company handles compliance, ethics, and local partnerships also impacts brand and stakeholder trust. When you’ve got solid intel and a good strategy, even markets in flux become navigable for success.
carefully
Q1 How are you advising businesses in your jurisdiction when protecting themselves from the impact of trade wars and sanctions, and what strategies can professional services firms offer to mitigate these risks? The key is staying ahead of the curve. We don’t just help clients respond to trade conflicts and sanctions, we help them anticipate and prepare. That starts with understanding where their vulnerabilities lie and how to address them. Maybe they have a supplier in a volatile country, or a key revenue stream tied to a region under threat of sanctions. We dive deep into their operations to uncover those soft spots. After this, we run scenarios. What if this market shuts down? What if new regulations take effect tomorrow? How would that hit their bottom line or supply chain? It’s like stress testing a business for political or economic shocks. That way, when something does change, they’re not scrambling – they’ve already got a plan. A plan that is based on rigorous analysis of those risks and directly addresses vulnerabilities. We also focus heavily on due diligence, especially when international partners are involved. If there’s a risk of sanctions or a reputational fallout, Nevin Sanli, ASA President and Founder, Sanli Pastore & Hill
Q2 Are you seeing shifts in supply chain strategies due to geopolitical conflicts? How can you help clients restructure supply chains to maintain resilience and regulatory compliance? Definitely. We’ve seen a major shift in how companies approach their supply chains. It’s no longer about simply chasing the lowest production cost.
we make sure our clients are protected. When disputes do arise, we bring in solid numbers; providing valuation, damages analysis, or expert witness testimony that stands up under intense legal scrutiny, even in foreign jurisdictions. In some cases, restructuring can be the smart move. That might mean shifting assets, adjusting the corporate structure, or setting up intermediary entities to cushion the impact of geopolitical or regulatory shocks. Our goal is to help clients build resilient, flexible business structures that can weather storms and seize opportunities.
The new priority is resilience, especially in global industries like tech, pharma, or manufacturing, where disruptions can be devastating. In recent years, more companies have begun exploring nearshoring and even ‘friend-shoring’, meaning relocating production to politically aligned or stable countries. This helps reduce exposure to unstable regions or contentious trade relationships between parties who might operate outside of the client’s best interest. We start by mapping out a client’s current supply chain in detail. We look at cost, logistics, tax exposure, areas of regulatory risk, geopolitical risk, and whatever else may be a contributing factor. Then we weigh that against possible alternatives. What’s the cost of relocating production or sourcing materials elsewhere? What incentives or trade agreements are in play? We put all the pieces together so our clients can make informed, strategic decisions based on real data and avoid gut calls. But it’s not just about logistics or cost savings. Regulatory compliance is huge. We work closely with clients to ensure their supply chain decisions keep them compliant with trade laws, export controls, and ESG commitments.
Nevin Sanli is the President and Co-Founder of Sanli Pastore & Hill, Inc. He has nearly four decades of experience in financial consulting, particularly in areas such as business valuation, solvency analysis, litigation support, and M&A advisory. Nevin holds a BA with Honors in Economics from the University of California, Irvine, and is an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) in Business Valuation. Over the years, he’s developed deep expertise in economics, finance, real estate, and the intricacies of legal disputes involving complex financial matters.
ABOUT US...
sphvalue.com
Sanli Pastore & Hill, Inc. (SP&H) is a leader in delivering financial opinions and advisory services across the globe. Our specialties include fairness and solvency opinions, expert witness testimony, forensic accounting, and valuation of businesses and intellectual property. We also support clients with transaction advisory and litigation support in high stakes matters. With offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, Chicago, San Diego, Brussels, Paris, and Lagos, our footprint is international. We’ve been operating for more than 33 years and have provided over 4,000 financial opinions across 1,200+ legal proceedings – from shareholder disputes and M&A deals to IP and commercial litigation. Our client base is diverse, ranging from start-ups and mid-market firms to Fortune 500
Fluent in English, French, Turkish, and conversational Spanish, Nevin is an active member of the international business and legal community. He has served on the boards of several organisations, including the Provisors M&A Group, the Atlantic Legal Foundation, the Barrington Group, the Dubnoff Center, the MED Group, and the Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA). In recognition of his contributions to the field, Nevin was recently named a 2025 Banking & Finance Visionary by LA Times Studios. He’s known not just for his technical knowledge, but for building lasting client relationships and mentoring professionals throughout the industry.
companies and government agencies. Every year, we work on more than 200 assignments across industries including technology, life sciences, defence, media, and more. What sets us apart? A rigorous approach to analytics, a reputation for objectivity, and a deep understanding of cross-border business dynamics. As part of the IR Global network, we’re committed to collaboration and delivering actionable insights across jurisdictions. Whether it’s navigating a complex transaction or testifying in court, SP&H is the trusted partner for financial clarity.
+1 310 571 3400 nsanli@sphvalue.com irglobal.com/advisor/nevin-sanli-asa
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