Most Highly Regarded Firms: Corporate Tax 2011

• October 2011

• Corporate Tax

In this section we analyse the findings of our research in greater depth to identify the firms and practitioners who stand out worldwide.

GLOBAL

Loyens & Loeff excels in our research with 27 lawyers listed, more than any other law firm we feature. The Netherlands boasts 15 inclusions including international tax specialist Carola van den Bruinhorst and the “brilliant” Mark van Casteren. They are two of the most highly nominated names in the Netherlands overall. Maarten van der Weijden is “a real star”, Marc Klerks “is a top name” and Juliana Cangussu Dantas is highly thought of for her expertise in group restructurings and mergers and acquisitions. Renowned for his cross-border work, Willem Bongaerts is seen as a “leading lawyer”, Bartjan Zoetmulder specialises in pan-European tax structuring of investments with a particular focus on central and eastern Europe and Paul Simon is renowned for his work on reorganisations, mergers and takeovers. Luxembourg-based Simon Paul is thought “first rate” and Jean-Pierre Winandy heads the tax practice group. The head of the firm’s Frankfurt office, Etienne Spierts, is a specialist in cross-border investments and business activities between Germany and the Benelux region. Head of the Singapore office Pieter de Ridder has “an unrivalled knowledge of tax planning” and works closely with local experts in the various countries in the Asia-Pacific. In New York, Lodewijk Berger’s clients include multinational corporations, banks and private equity funds.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP demonstrates an impressive international line-up with 22 inclusions across nine jurisdictions. Six of these are based in London where the firm is hailed as a “market leader due to the array of outstanding individuals” at its disposal. A stand-out name in our research, Murray Clayson is praised by clients and peers alike and is regarded as “a prominent figure with incredible knowledge when it comes to international tax related matters”. Head of the London tax group Sarah Falk is described as an “outstanding lawyer” and head of private equity tax David Taylor is a “top-tier operator”. The “excellent” Jonathan Cooklin is a known name for corporate tax planning and Richard Ballard, the leader of the corporate finance tax group, “is a much respected name in the market”. Completing the names in the London office is the “superb” Colin Hargreaves whose experience includes financial institutions, utilities and infrastructure. Matching the London office, six names also feature from Germany. Former global head of the firm’s international tax group, the “formidable” Stephan Eilers is a “very established and highly respected industry figure”. Jochen Lüdicke is “top for funds structuring”, Norbert Schneider is a “star” and Martin Schießl is a “leading name”. Deputy head of the firm’s international tax group is the very experienced Holger Häuselmann who is joined in Frankfurt by the respected Thomas Wiesenbart. In Austria, Claus Staringer is “brilliant” and Michael Sedlaczek is “highly experienced”. Two names feature from the US, the “talented” New York based Robert Scarborough and in Washington DC, Gregory May, “who definitely belongs on the list”. With further inclusions in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy and Spain, Freshfields continues to showcase its position as an international powerhouse.

Linklaters LLP impresses with 15 practitioners listed and the German office in particular stands out with six inclusions. Jens Blumenberg “is first-rate” and Oliver Rosenberg is highly regarded. Andreas Schaflitzl and Florian Lechner have both received praise for their work and Sebastian Benz completes the list. In the London office, Yash Rupal is one of four names that features. Described as a “remarkable lawyer who is technically brilliant” he is joined by the respected Jonathan Richards, Martin Lynchehan and Mark Kingstone. Also with four listings, the Belgium office is home to Henk Vanhulle and Guido De Wit who “are first-rate lawyers”.

Eleven lawyers are selected from Clifford Chance LLP and three hail from the London office. The “exceptional” David Harkness leads the global tax, pensions and employment practice. He is joined by the “highly regarded” Jonathan Elman and the “respected” Douglas French. A trio of names also feature from the Paris office, including the “excellent” Eric Zeller. In Spain, two names stand out: Roberto Grau comes “highly recommended” by clients and “is an expert on tax structures” and José Ignacio Jiménez Blanco is “a tremendous lawyer”. Milan-based Carlo Galli is a highly commended practitioner.

Baker & McKenzie LLP fields 11 lawyers from five jurisdictions, with five of these hailing from the US. The “distinguished” John Peterson is chair of the firm’s global practice group and the “excellent” Richard Lipton focuses on advising US and multinational clients on federal tax issues. Washington DC-based Leonard Terr is described as “superb”, he heads the firm’s North America tax practice group management committee and has served as international tax counsel to the US Treasury Department. In Palo Alto, with a focus on international corporate tax planning and controversies, Gary Sprague is regarded as an “expert”. Managing partner of the Madrid office, Luis Briones is “the go-to name in Spain for tax matters”.

The 10 strong contingent from Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP includes eight names from the US. Washington DC-based Paul Oosterhuis is referred to as “one of the best” and is renowned for his “exceptional international practice”. Hal Hicks is a leading name and is noted for “the depth of his experience when it comes to controversy work”. Pamela Olson, who heads the firm’s Washington tax group and was former assistant secretary for tax policy at the US Department of the Treasury is highly regarded. In New York, Matthew Rosen focuses on acquisitions, divestitures and restructurings and Edward Gonzalez is “a commercially savvy lawyer with first rate expertise”. Chicago-based Louis Freeman is described as a “phenomenal talent” and a top name for federal planning and dispute work. In Paris, Philippe Derouin is a “leading light” and London-based is Tim Sanders is a chartered tax adviser and head of the European tax practice.

Ten lawyers feature from Allen & Overy LLP. The “brilliant” Patrick Mears is recognised for the strength of his expertise on cross-border matters. Two names stand out in Germany including the “incredibly experienced” Eugen Bogenschuetz and head of the global tax practice, Gottfried Breuninger, who is “a first-class name in the German market”. The Netherlands-based John Brouwer and Olaf van der Donk are highly regarded names as are Paris-based Siamak Mostafavi and Jean-Yves Charriau.

Shearman & Sterling LLP has five experts listed. New York-based Peter Blessing is described as “one of the country’s leading lawyers” and is one of most highly nominated practitioners in our international research. In California, Laurence Crouch is recognised for his work in both domestic and international transactions and in Germany Johannes Frey is lauded for his broad practice.

EUROPE

In France, CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre features eight lawyers. Edouard Milhac is “an outstanding lawyer” who is highly thought of by clients and peers alike. Stéphane Gelin is “great in transfer pricing” and Bruno Gibert is a known name for government policy work. Seven names hail from Flick Gocke Schaumburg in Germany. Thomas Rödder is referred to as a “heavyweight” and “one of the best in domestic tax law”. The “exceptional” Klaus Sieker offers “advice which is second to none” and Andreas Schumacher is a “real authority”. Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira fields nine names. Sonia Velasco is “one of Spain’s finest tax lawyers” and is one of the most highly regarded names internationally. She is joined in the Barcelona office by Andreas Trost; who is praised for his “sterling reputation”. In Portugal, Diogo Ortigão Ramos also achieves international recognition.

Regarded as an “excellent firm” LeitnerLeitner has five partners listed in Austria. Gerald Gahleitner “is a very active practitioner who comes highly recommended” and Sabine Kirchmayr-Schliesselberger is also “first-rate”. With three names selected for inclusion from Wolf Theiss, Clemens Philipp Schindler and Niklas Schmidt are all seen as “industry experts”. A trio of names also features from A&L Goodbody: Peter Maher is “quite brilliant” and is one of the most highly regarded names in our research overall. Liam Quirke is one of three names listed at Matheson Ormsby Prentice and is praised for his “knowledgeable and responsive” approach. Anthony Walsh is singled out as “very smart and solution driven”.

Featuring in our breakdown of most highly nominated practitioners overall, Wilhelm Haarmann at Haarmaan Partnerschaftsgesellschaft in Germany is an “exemplary lawyer who is technically brilliant”. A lawyer also receiving international acclaim, Guglielmo Maisto at Maisto e Associati in Italy is hailed as an “absolute star”.

NORTH AMERICA

McDermott Will & Emery LLP has nine names included. The “very experienced” Chicago-based Lowell Yoder is head of the US and international tax practice group and his practice focuses on international tax planning for multinational companies. In Washington DC, Steven Hannes is a “fantastic lawyer” and Stephen Wells is described as “excellent”. New York-based Peter Faber is a “specialist in tax planning and controversy work in both state and local levels”. As head of the Munich office and German tax practice, Dirk Pohl is a “highly skilled and intelligent lawyer”. Peter Nias is “a remarkable practitioner who is very knowledgeable” and is also head of the London office and of the tax department.

Seven names feature from Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP. Five are included in New York where James Peaslee is considered “top-notch”, Leslie Samuels is seen as “very impressive” and Yaron Reich is credited for his experience in international transactions. At Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz Peter Canellos is one of the most recognised names in our research internationally and he is referred to as “a dean of the Bar”. He is joined by the “very smart and practical”, Jodi Schwartz; whose practice encompasses both domestic and cross-border work and Deborah Paul; whose expertise covers a wide array of industries including telecommunications, defence and oil and gas. At Caplin & Drysdale Chartered, David Rosenbloom is “one of the finest in the industry” and is recommended by some of the word’s leading tax experts as an “outstanding” lawyer. Michael Schler, from Cravath Swaine & Moore LLP is, one of the most highly regarded practitioners in our research overall, has “terrific intellect” and is “a major player in the tax bar”.

Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP has nine names included. In Toronto Scott Wilkie is a “market leader”, Richard Tremblay is “an absolutely brilliant tax expert” and Al Meghji is “an authority for tax litigation work”. Montreal-based Robert Raizenne is a top name and in New York, David Hardy is highly regarded. Seven names are listed from Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP including Nathan Boidman who is an “absolute definite” for inclusion and is one of the most highly regarded practitioners in our research into Canada. Stephen Ruby is a “truly impressive figure in the market” and John Ulmer is a respected name. Featuring in our top 10 most highly regarded individuals, Jack Bernstein at Aird & Berlis LLP is a “world class” lawyer. Chair of the firm’s international tax practice, he is renowned for the depth of his expertise.

ASIA-PACIFIC

In Australia, at Mallesons Stephen Jaques David Wood is “very knowledgeable” and has over 25 years experience in providing tax advice, he is joined by the “talented” David Wood. Allan Blaikie at Clayton Utz is a “leading name” and is one of the most highly regarded lawyers in the country. William Thompson at Minter Ellison Lawyers is a “very bright” practitioner. In India, Nishith Desai of Nishith Desai Associate features as “one of India’s leading names” and has received international praise.

LONDON

Steve Edge at Slaughter and May is the most highly nominated individual in our research. Recognised globally as an “incredible lawyer” whose advice is thought “second to none”, he is “a true talent”. Three further names from the firm are listed including the “brilliant” Sara Luder and “excellent” Mike Lane. The highly regarded Tony Beare completes the listing. At Herbert Smith LLP both Bradley Phillips and Heather Gething have impressed. Ashley Greenbank and Mark Baldwin from Macfarlanes LLP are “superb”.

At the Bar, Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers boasts four top names. Philip Baker QC is a “leading international tax expert” and David Goldberg QC an “exceptional advocate”. David Goy QC is described as “an excellent barrister with unrivalled knowledge of property tax matters” and the “brilliant” Michael Flesch QC is regarded as an “outstanding litigator”. At 11 New Square John Gardiner QC comes “highly recommended” and Jonathan Peacock QC is “a leading barrister with a wealth of experience”. At Pump Court Tax Chambers David Milne QC, a specialist in both direct and indirect tax, is “an exemplary silk” and Graham Aaronson QC is “first class”. Jonathan Schwarz at Temple Tax Chambers is “one of the leading tax authorities in the country, a go-to name and an absolute certainty for inclusion”. Described as a “leading light”, Malcolm Gammie QC at One Essex Court has experience at both city firms and accountancy practices making him “an industry expert with truly astonishing knowledge”.

ACCOUNTANCY FIRMS

Due to their role in the corporate tax arena, our research identifies a select number of highly recommended legal individuals from global accountancy practices.

Eights names are selected from Ernst & Young, five of whom are based in the US. In Washington DC, David Garlock is seen as one of industry’s most prominent figures and is “an expert when it comes to financial products”, he is joined by the “exceptional” Andrew Dubroff. In Finland Markku Järvenoja is singled out for praise.

Deloitte LLP features seven inclusions with three experts based in Helsinki: Outi Ukkola, Tomi Pitkanen and Jukka Karjalainen are highly regarded names. In Arizonia, Fred Witt is considered “superb”.

Six names are featured from KPMG and Washington DC-based Thomas Wessel is hailed as an “outstanding practitioner” as is the “brilliant” Steven Lainoff. In Vienna, in referring to Hans Zöchling, peers commented that: “there is no question that he should be included”. In Finland, Timo Torkkel “is particularly strong in international tax structuring”.

PricewaterhouseCoopers lists five individuals. In the Netherlands, Stef van Weeghel is thought to be “a top-class name” and in Norway Morten Beck is “first rate”.

Back to top