Consultants
Learn more about our consultants below.
William D. Wright is the Managing Principal of Fisher Worldwide, where he leads the firm’s global HR consulting and advisory services. With more than two decades of experience advising multinational companies, Bill brings practical and unique insight to the complex employment challenges that come with managing a global workforce.
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He helps clients navigate cross-border HR issues, including hiring and separation practices, compensation and benefits, employee mobility, and compliance with local labor laws. Bill has supported organizations with operations on every continent — including Antarctica — helping them develop scalable policies, manage international disputes, and ensure alignment between business strategy and workforce management.
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Bill also co-chairs the International Employment Practice Group at Fisher Phillips, where he counsels companies on employment matters involving foreign nationals working in the U.S. and U.S. employees working abroad. He frequently works with clients on issues related to data privacy, risk management, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
Having started his career as an Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) attorney, Bill is familiar with all aspects of employee benefits and has assisted clients with the challenges related to group health insurance, health reform and welfare plan compliance issues.
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An experienced speaker and published author on international employment issues, Bill has presented at major business and legal conferences across Europe, Canada, and South America. He serves on the Board of Directors of the International Employers Forum and is Fisher Phillips’ Head of Global Strategies.
Chris Stief brings over 20 years of experience helping multinational companies navigate complex labor and employment issues across borders. He works closely with global employers to protect their sensitive business information and enforce high-stakes agreements related to employee movement and competitive risk.
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Chris advises and represents clients across the U.S. and in key international markets, including Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East. He is particularly well-versed in restrictive covenants, trade secrets, non-solicitation and non-disclosure agreements, and the legal challenges that arise from competitive hiring and departures. His litigation experience spans both enforcement and defense, including cases involving the EU’s Brussels Regulation.
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In addition to his client work, Chris serves on the Board of Directors of the International Employers Forum, which connects legal and HR professionals working in global organizations. He was also a keynote speaker and co-organizer of the Global Business Protections conference in London, focused on international strategies for protecting confidential information and enforcing post-employment restrictions.
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Chris’s recent work includes advising a global manufacturer on revamping its restrictive covenant framework across jurisdictions, tailoring provisions to meet local legal standards while maintaining global consistency and enforceability.
Nan Sato is a trusted advisor to companies operating across borders, known for her ability to bridge legal systems, business cultures, and communication styles. Drawing on her international legal background and first-hand experience living and working in multiple countries, Nan helps clients navigate the practical realities of expanding and managing a global workforce.
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She works closely with U.S. companies doing business abroad and foreign companies entering the U.S. market, offering strategic guidance that’s both culturally informed and legally sound. With notable experience in Japan and China, Nan brings a valuable dual perspective to cross-border employment issues, helping clients tailor their operations to local norms while maintaining compliance with global standards.
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Nan advises on the full range of international employment matters—from launching new operations and onboarding talent to managing terminations, labor relations, and employment disputes in Europe, Canada, Latin America, and Asia. Her client base spans multiple industries including manufacturing, technology, biotech, finance, fashion, and education.
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A U.S. attorney and Registered Foreign Lawyer in Japan, Nan is the Managing Partner of Fisher Phillips’ Tokyo office and co-chair of the firm’s International Practice Group. She is a frequent speaker and writer on global employment trends and cross-border legal strategy. As a certified privacy professional (CIPP/E, CIPP/C) who speaks English, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish, Nan is uniquely positioned to help employers on a multitude of HR issues.
Mauricio Foeth advises U.S. and European companies on cross-border employment and commercial matters, with a particular focus on operations in Mexico and across Europe. Dual-qualified in both Mexico and Germany, Mauricio helps multinational employers manage their workforce and navigate complex labor and benefits regulations across jurisdictions.
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His practice spans a range of strategic issues, including hiring, retention, termination, compensation, and compliance with local employment laws. Mauricio works closely with HR and legal teams to ensure their practices align with both business goals and regulatory frameworks in Mexico and Europe. With a background in mergers and acquisitions, he is especially experienced in supporting companies in their expansion.
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Mauricio is a respected advisor among international business and diplomatic communities. He is an active member of the German-Mexican and Dutch Chambers of Commerce in Mexico, and serves on the boards of both the German-Mexican Lawyers Association and the German-Mexican Association. He is frequently consulted by embassies representing countries including Germany, Austria, Ireland, Poland, the UK, and Canada.
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Fluent in German, Spanish, and English, Mauricio brings a multilingual and multicultural perspective to his work. He holds a doctorate in international arbitration from the Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the country’s premier legal research institution.
Shikun Gao is a Senior Consultant with Fisher Worldwide and the founder of Shimin Foreign Law Office in Tokyo. With over two decades of experience in international law, he advises multinational companies on cross-border matters involving Japan, China, and the United States. His counsel spans employment law, corporate transactions, and regulatory strategy across Asia’s key markets.
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Shikun plays a central role in strengthening Fisher Phillips’ international capabilities, particularly in handling complex legal and operational challenges in Asia. He brings a deep legal knowledge along with a nuanced understanding of regional business culture, market dynamics, and geopolitical risk.
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As a registered foreign attorney in Japan specializing in Chinese law, Shikun offers a rare cross-jurisdictional perspective that is particularly valuable in workforce mobility and international compliance matters. He has guided companies through cross-border deals, regulatory hurdles, and workforce transitions in Asia and around the globe.
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A frequent speaker at international conferences, Shikun is also a contributor to leading publications on international business law and Asian regulatory trends. His insights help clients navigate various legal landscapes while aligning global goals with local realities.
With extensive leadership experience at some of Japan’s most prominent corporations and deep expertise in global business operations, executive management, and cross-cultural human resources strategy, Yoshiyuki Shimizu helps companies navigate the complex HR challenges that arise when expanding across borders.
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Yoshiyuki previously served as Executive Officer and later Managing Executive Officer at Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., where he advised the Chairman on global strategy and corporate governance matters. He then held senior advisory and board roles at Tokyu Fudosan Holdings, Sharp Corporation, Beta Trust Holdings, and Taisei Corporation.
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Along with his corporate leadership, Yoshiyuki has played a role in shaping Japan’s international economic engagement, chairing several key subcommittees for Keidanren, the leading private sector business association, focusing on foreign affairs, trade and economic partnerships. This has given him a nuanced understanding of the regulatory, cultural, and political factors that affect global HR policies and workforce integration.
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Yoshiyuki has also served as Chairman of the Japan Hungary Friendship Association and as a Specially Appointed Professor at Josai International University.
Headquarters
Two Logan Square
12th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone
610.230.2150