Law Firms See Mining Work Surge as U.S.-China Rare Earths Race Heats Up

Business attorney Aaron Goldberg was quoted in a Law.com International article about renewed global interest in the rare earth mineral sector and the resulting uptick in work for international law firms. Mr. Goldberg explained that geopolitical tensions have put a spotlight on rare earths, which are essential for computer hardware, artificial intelligence (AI) systems and defense technology. Given that China controls more than 60 percent of the world's rare earth production, countries such as the U.S. are sensitive to changes in export regimes and have been investing in projects in places such as Australia and Kenya. Mr. Goldberg described how Holland & Knight has amped up its resources in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), project finance and even metallurgy in response to client demand as governments looks to ink deals with rare earth companies and seek counsel on industrial policy and national security.

"In addition to the traditional kind of M&A, JV, project finance work, there's more work that can be gleaned from clients," he said.

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