Leading global law firm Linklaters announced that Gordon Warnke and Joseph Pari have joined the firm’s U.S. tax practice as partners effective May 1, 2012. Gordon will be head of the New York tax practice. Additionally, Francisco Duque, a U.S. tax associate at Linklaters, has been appointed to counsel.
Both Gordon and Joseph were partners at Dewey & LeBoeuf and are leaders in their field having worked on a significant number of high profile and cutting edge transactions over the years.
Gordon and Joseph’s extensive experience includes advising on the federal income tax aspects of domestic and international mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs and other divestitures. Their capability also encompasses restructurings and workouts, financial products and the taxation of foreign governmental entities. Highlights of recent matters on which they have worked include MetLife, Inc.’s purchase of American Life Insurance Company (ALICO) from AIG, a US$16bn acquisition involving numerous jurisdictions; Applied Material, Inc.’s US$4.9bn acquisition of Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.; EnCana Corporation’s US$25bn spinoff of Cenovus Energy Inc.; The Walt Disney Company’s US$4bn acquisition of Marvel Entertainment Inc.; the disposition by General Electric Company and NBC Universal of an interest in the Sundance Channel; and the restructuring of Capmark Financial Group Inc., which at the time of its bankruptcy filing had estimated liabilities in excess of US$20bn.
Linklaters’ New York Co-Managing Partner Jeff Norton said:
“Gordon and Joseph are great additions to our U.S. tax team. They are both recognized by their clients and peers as top U.S. tax advisors. Their robust industry experience and dynamic leadership skills will enhance our U.S. law practice as a whole. We look forward to their contributions to the firm.”
Henk Vanhulle, Linklaters’ Global Head of Tax, said:
“The appointment of Gordon and Joseph will broaden the firm’s already strong global tax practice and further cement our reputation of meeting clients’ needs on all aspects of cross-border advisory and transactional matters in the U.S. and throughout the world.”
Gordon was the chair of Dewey & LeBoeuf’s tax department and has been recognized by Chambers USA, Legal 500, The Best Lawyers in America, New York Super Lawyers and other publications as among the leading individuals in tax in the U.S. He is a frequent speaker on federal income tax topics and has authored a number of articles and reports on various tax issues. He has also chaired or co-chaired a number of tax committees of the American and New York State Bar Associations.
Joseph, who will be working primarily from Washington, D.C., has held numerous committee and advisory board positions with the American and Federal Bar Associations, as well as other prominent tax councils and publications. He has been selected for inclusion as a leader in the field of tax law by Chambers Global, Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America, Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal, The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, Washington D.C. Super Lawyers, and was recently named Washington D.C. Tax Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers 2012.
In the U.S., Linklaters has built a full service team of more than 150 U.S. lawyers in New York and around 80 U.S. lawyers in eight other major jurisdictions around the globe.
Bernhard Zwahlen, formerly a tax partner with EY Switzerland in their Swiss Private Client Tax Practice, has joined Tax Partner AG, part of Taxand.
Bernhard is one of 10 tax partners including:
Roger Dall’O
Patrick Imgrüth
Laurent Lattmann
Stephan Pfenninger
David Ryser
Patrik Schwarb
Peter Vogt
Dieter Weber
Kurt Wild
Sidley Austin LLP has announced that Michael O’Hara Duff has joined the firm as a partner in the Los Angeles office. Mr. Duff is a tax lawyer with extensive experience structuring complex partnerships and limited liability companies used to acquire a variety of renewable and clean energy assets.
His move to Sidley continues the expansion of Sidley’s energy practice, which opened a Houston office last month with seven partners known for their significant experience in the energy industry.
“Mike’s tax experience has made him invaluable to the creation and structuring of large and complex energy projects,” said Anne E. Rea, the member of Sidley’s Management Committee responsible for its West Coast offices. “He is a perfect fit for our significant and expanding energy practice.”
Mr. Duff practices in the area of federal taxation, with an emphasis on matters relating to renewable energy, partnership taxation and infrastructure/project finance. He has extensive experience at structuring complex partnerships and limited liability companies used to acquire a variety of renewable and clean energy assets including wind, solar, geothermal and biomass facilities. Mr. Duff also has extensive experience in dealing with the tax aspects of financing the acquisition of a variety of assets through leveraged lease structures and has represented clients in like-kind exchanges of multiple types of assets. He has advised clients in over $15 billion worth of investments in renewable energy assets.
“Sidley’s energy practice has always been strong, and I’m pleased to be a part of its continued expansion,” Duff said. “The firm’s exceptional reputation and its global platform give me a great opportunity to expand my practice.”
Mr. Duff earned a J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School and a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Christopher L. White, CPA, has joined J.H. Cohn LLP as a partner in the Firm’s International Tax Practice.
Chris joins J.H. Cohn’s Woodland Hills, CA office after serving as director of international tax for a Fortune 500 company, Dole Food Company. In this role, he advised senior management on U.S. and non-U.S. tax implications of cross-border and overseas transactions. He also had responsibility for all areas of U.S. international tax for the company, including overseeing the preparation of more than 250 informational returns and maintaining the business’ global transfer pricing policy. Chris previously worked for a Big Four accounting firm in both Los Angeles and London. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business/Economics with a minor in Accounting from the University of California.
“As companies continue to expand globally, the need for broad and deep international tax and consulting skills becomes increasingly more important,” said Scott Sachs, J.H. Cohn’s regional managing partner—Southern California. “Chris not only brings this technical tax expertise to the table, but he also has operational insight from his years of experience within a Fortune 500 company where he structured numerous international deals and transactions. Chris is a great addition to our current international tax and consulting team. His blend of experience from both public accounting and private industry will bring tremendous value to our clients.”
J.H. Cohn’s International Tax Practice works with both U.S. businesses with international transactions and international companies establishing a presence or creating an alliance in the United States. J.H. Cohn is also a member of Nexia International, the 10th largest provider of audit and advisory services worldwide with over 20,000 professionals in 590 offices operating in over 100 countries.
Cherry Bekaert & Holland L.L.P. (CB&H), has announced the addition of James W. Dawson as Partner and the Firm’s National Director of International Tax.
In his new role at CB&H, Jim will direct the specialized international tax services of the Firm, including global tax strategies, transfer pricing, indirect tax, expat tax, and general international consulting and compliance services. In addition he will be responsible for directing the global resources of the Firm, through Baker Tilly International, to meet the international tax needs of clients worldwide.
Prior to joining CB&H, Jim served as managing director of international tax services for RSM McGladrey’s Southeast practice. He has also previously held senior leadership positions with two Big Four firms.
“Jim’s talent and depth of current, practical knowledge builds upon the significant skills and resources we already have available firm-wide and through Baker Tilly International to help our clients make the most of growth opportunities,” said Kip Plowman, Managing Partner of Strategic Markets for CB&H and the Firm’s Atlanta Market Leader.
Jim brings to the Firm over 20 years of experience serving the international tax advisory and compliance needs of clients across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing and distribution, technology and life sciences, software, real estate and construction, and professional services.
CB&H’s membership in Baker Tilly International gives the Firm’s International Tax practice direct access to the local resources of member firms in 125 different countries. CB&H is a founding member of this alliance, which offers a powerful fusion of local knowledge with over 640 practice offices worldwide.
Jim earned his Bachelor in Accounting and Management from Anderson University, and his Master of Science in Taxation from the University of Cincinnati. He is both a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Charted Global Management Accountant (CGMA).
A frequent lecturer and author on international tax matters, Jim is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA), and the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA).
VDB Loi has been formed by Edwin Van Der Bruggen and Jean Loi (see article from last week: http://www.taxgrotto.com/2012/03/01/dfdk-appoints-jack-sheehan-as-regional-director-tax-customs-practice-following-departure-of-edwin-vanderbruggen-and-jean-loi)
Formerly with Loyens & Loeff, Edwin has nearly 20 year’s experience as a tax lawyer, academic, author and government adviser, 15 of which were spent in South East Asia.. He taught international tax law at 6 different universities in Europe and Asia, including delivering a number of lectures at the prestigious International Tax Center in Leyden. He has published 7 textbooks and over 50 scholarly articles, some winning scientific awards. He was an adviser to the Minister of Economy and Finance of Cambodia (2006-2007) on the conclusion of double taxation agreements. He has provided training on tax treaty issues to government officials in a number of South-East Asian countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and has supplied expert testimony to tax courts on tax treaty interpretation. Edwin has consulted for the World Bank and the ADB on tax policy and administration, including with respect to double taxation agreements.
As a partner at regional law firm DFDL he advised multinational enterprises, funds and governmental organizations on international taxation in South-East Asia, and has won recognition for his outstanding practice including “best tax law firm of the year” and “best corporate tax law firm”. He has assisted with structuring some of the largest acquisitions, investments and property deals in the region including the $4.2B petrochemical plant of SCG Chemical in Vietnam, the $425M Mobitel acquisition in Singapore and Cambodia, and the $275M listed property fund JSM Indochina.
Jean Loi is widely recognized as one of the region’s most experienced tax specialists, formerly a tax partner with PwC in Indochina, RSM Chio Lim in Singapore and with leading regional law firm DFDL. Jean is a highly successful tax adviser with a CPA background. She assisted on a large number of projects and market entries in Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand such as the hydro and coal power plant projects, oil exploration blocks and market entry of international banks into Vietnam, and of multinationals into Indonesia. She has particular expertise in infrastructure, energy projects, telecommunication and financial institutions in Thailand. Jean assisted clients with their international tax structure in South-East Asia. She speaks Mandarin, Bahasa Malay, Cantonese and English.
The Firm has launched with offices in Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Vientiane
DFDL has announced that Jack Sheehan has been appointed to the role of Regional Director for DFDL’s Tax and Customs Practice Group, effective as of 27 February 2012.
Jack replaces Edwin Vanderbruggen, who resigned from the Firm on February 25, for the overall management of the practice and delivery of services to clients in all jurisdictions in which DFDL operates.
The Firm notes that contrary to statements submitted by Edwin to the press upon his resignation, his departure only affects a portion of the tax advisory teams in Cambodia and Vietnam. All of the tax advisers in Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore, Indonesia and Bangladesh have stayed with the Firm. Edwin’s departure only affects the tax practice in Cambodia and Vietnam and the Firm has moved quickly to fill any gaps through reallocation of tax resources from other offices. The legal team remains fully intact throughout the region.
Since joining DFDL early in 2011 as head of the DFDL Tax and Customs Practice Group in Laos and Thailand, Jack has played a key role in the development of DFDL’s regional tax practice.
Jack has over ten years’ experience in Europe and Asia in various positions for both European and “Big Four” firms. He has worked in Southeast Asia for the past five years and before joining DFDL, headed the tax department of Ernst and Young in Vientiane.
He specializes in providing international tax planning and consulting, restructuring and compliance advice to a large range of industry sectors. Jack is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in the UK.
L-Martin Desautels, Regional Managing Partner DFDL comments…
“Our dedicated and experienced tax practice has existed since the inception of DFDL 18 years ago. Tax advisory services are one of our core areas of expertise and are an essential component of our integrated practice. We will continue to serve our clients to the highest standards in accordance with our existing terms of engagement with them.
We are very confident Jack Sheehan is the right manager to ensure this leadership and business continuity with our clients. We are also confident Jack will continue to maintain high level of tax advisory services that our clients have come to expect from DFDL over the past 18 years.
Our aim has always been to serve our clients better wherever they invest across Asia and beyond. May they be assured all DFDL teams are committed to this engagement.”
DFDL is the first leading international law firm specialized in emerging markets with pan-regional legal and tax expertise developed throughout the Mekong region (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam), Bangladesh, Indonesia and Singapore, and with a dedicated focus on other South-East Asia jurisdictions, South Asia and the Middle East.
New York-area accounting firm Marks Paneth & Shron LLP (MP&S) announced that international tax, financial products and derivatives specialist James M. Robbins, JD, LLM, 52, has joined the firm’s tax practice as a principal. He will be based in MP&S’s headquarters in Manhattan.
Mr. Robbins comes to MP&S from ParenteBeard LLC where he was partner-in-charge of the International Tax group. In this capacity, he advised clients on international and corporate tax matters, as well as mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations and restructurings. Mr. Robbins began as an associate at the law firm of Shearman & Sterling, but spent most of his career in public accounting. Over the course of twenty-five years, he has developed a strong expertise in international tax, financial products and derivatives.
“International business is exploding, and many of our clients are going global,” said Steven Eliach, JD, LLM, and Principal-in-Charge of the Tax Group at Marks Paneth & Shron. “Jamie’s experience in international tax and multi-jurisdictional issues will help us keep abreast of this trend while continuing to serve our sophisticated client base.”
Mr. Robbins holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Syracuse University, a Juris Doctor from University of Bridgeport School of Law and a Master of Laws from Boston University School of Law. He is a member of the American, Connecticut and New York City Bar Associations.
About Marks Paneth & Shron LLP Marks Paneth & Shron LLP is an accounting firm with nearly 475 people, of whom approximately 60 are partners and principals. The firm provides businesses with a full range of auditing, accounting, tax, consulting, bankruptcy and restructuring services as well as litigation and corporate financial advisory services to domestic and international clients. The firm also specializes in providing tax advisory and consulting for high-net-worth individuals and their families, as well as a wide range of services for international, real estate, media, entertainment, nonprofit, professional and financial services and energy clients. The firm has a strong track record supporting emerging growth companies, entrepreneurs, business owners and investors as they navigate the business life cycle.
