WORLDWIDE FINANCIAL ADVISOR AWARDS MAGAZINE
GOLDEN ADVISOR AWARDS 2019
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Worldwide Financial Advisor Awards Magazine Golden Globe Awards 2019 Worldwide Financial Advisor Awards Magazine is recognised all over the world for our comprehensive awards programs we run, taking votes from countries all over the world to recognise the most prestigious professionals in their specialised areas of practice. The Golden Globe Awards Magazine recognises a select number of leading professional firms around the world working both nationally and internationally in their field of expertise. Worldwide Financial Advisor Awards Magazine selects the best professional & financial institutions from around the world and showcases there work ethic and skills within their area of expertise. The Awards Magazine is aimed at not just the large corporations but the smaller companies of the advisory business sector. Worldwide Financial Advisor Awards Magazine is currently being read by Lawyers, Advisers, Consultants and corporate executives. We aim to showcase every company individually and to its full potential.
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Golden Globe Awards 2019 Index Afschrift Tax Law Firm of the Year – Belgium Caiado Guerreiro Corporate Tax Law Firm of the Year – Portugal Colegio Público de Abogados de la Capital Federal Health & Safety Law Firm of the Year – Argentina Deep & Far Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year – Taiwan E.Morace&Co. Professional Liability Law Firm of the Year – Italy FTS US, Inc. Alternative Investment Tax Law Firm of the Year – Canada Infinity Partnership Limited Accountancy Business Services Firm of the Year – UK Law Office of Ramni Taneja Constitutional Law Firm of the Year – India Linklaters LLP Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law Firm of the Year – Belgium Litwak & Partners Best Investment Funds Firm of the Year – British Virgin Islands Best Private Wealth Firm LatAm Most Innovative Law Firm Americas Merkel & Cocke, P.A. Malpractice Law Firm of the Year – USA Rajinder Narain & Co. Aviation Law Firm of the Year – India Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles IP Litigation Law Firm of the Year – Philippines Sadis & Goldberg Venture Capital Law Firm of the Year – USA Spadafora De Rosa Law Tax Law Firm of the Year – Italy Squire Patton Boggs Moscow LLC International Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the year – Russia Sturgeon Ventures LLP Start Up Compliance Consulting Firm of the Year – UK Tuli & Co Insurance Law Firm of the Year - India
Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year—Taiwan Deep & Far attorneys-at-law was founded in 1992 and is dealing with all phases of laws with a focus on the practice in separate or in combination of all aspects of intellectual property rights (IPRs) including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, unfair competition, and/or licensing, counselling, litigation and/or transaction thereof. Area of Practice: Intellectual Property, including patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret. The patent attorneys and patent engineers in Deep & Far normally hold outstanding and advanced degrees and are generally graduated from the top five universities in this country. Our prominent staffs are dedicated to provide the best quality service in IPRs in this country. As a proof, about one half of top 100 incorporations in this country have experiences of seeking patented their techniques, but more than one fifth of the top 100 incorporations has ever used services of this firm. Furthermore, Hi-Tech companies in the science-based industrial park located at Hsin Chu had ever played the most important role in booming the economy of this country. About one half of them has experiences in seeking patented their techniques, and out of more than 50% of the patentexperienced companies in that park have ever entrusted their IPR works to this firm. Experiences: Mr. Yu-Li Tsai, a patent attorney graduated from Department of Electrical Engineering of National Taiwan University (NTUEE), which is the best engineering school in Taiwan. Because of interest in communication system, he then attended in the Graduate Institute of Communication Engineering (GICE) of NTU. During his research life in GICE, he also started to get involved in knowledge and skills of patent-related matters for taking and receiving the qualification of patent attorney. Mr. Tsai also attended to receive an IP master from Law School of University of New Hampshire, also known as Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property, had an internship with InterDigital, Inc., and passed the U.S. Patent Bar Examination. Currently, Mr. Tsai is working for Deep & Far Attorneys-at-Law as a patent attorney. It is our philosophy to provide competent legal services that other firm cannot comparably provide. The necessitated ensuing problem is how we can so provide? Deep & Far so achieve by selecting, edifying and nurturing peoples who have the following personalities: learned in expertise, morally earnest and sincerely behaved in mind and strictly disciplined between give and take. It is well-believed that such properties are key factors for peoples to properly and competently behave
themselves. Because the clients become more understood in the knowledge of IP and more budget-sensitive, they usually want to select an agent who can more efficiently and effectively deal with their IP matters. They often invite bids, set out tenders and call for interview before they decide to entrust a service provider. Taking patent for example, they gather information of costs for patent prosecution, previous works, and firm introduction materials in a preliminary choice stage, and hold an interview to obtain further details of the firm which has passed the preliminary choice stage. We represent international giants, e.g. InterDigital, MPS, Schott Glas, Toyo Ink, Motorola, Cypress, Google, Armani. We always keep updating the newest state of this firm, recruiting elite patent engineers and strictly training them the essential skills, improving the efficiency and quality of service, and developing new strategies that can assist the clients effectively protecting their intellectual property rights. This firm believes that if the efficiency, quality, and enthusiasm of the services can be consistently monitored and maintained, overcoming complexities, challenges or changes is just a result rather than an issue. Our aspiration and directions would be developing more potential clients either in domestic or foreign countries, and expanding the size of this firm to assist more clients in pursuing most satisfactory IP protection. Although the domestic IP market, especially in the patent field in 2013 shrank a little, we expect this situation may finally change because there is a phenomenon that the gross economy is starting to recover in 2014.
Contact Details: Deep & Far Yu-Li. Tsai Tel: 886-2-25856688#900 Fax: 886-2-25989900//886-2-25978989 Add: 13th Fl., 27 Sec. 3, Chung San N. Rd., Taipei, Taiwan Web: www.deepnfar.com.tw Email: lawtsai@deepnfar.com.tw
Professional Liability Law Firm of the Year – Italy E.Morace&Co. is the product of an old tradition based on the principles of passion, competence, hard work, and client satisfaction since 1938. They work with passion and take full care of the Clients’ position, interests and targets suggesting the best solution to their needs. Working internationally, E.Morace&Co. team is composed by lawyers with foreign experiences and different specializations who speak Italian, English, Spanish, French and German. The Law Firm has always been operating mainly in Maritime, Insurance and Transport Law but over the years, the practice gradually expanded now including: Accident & Personal Injury; Administrative & Antitrust; Banking & Finance; Professional Liability; Tax; Civil Law; Collections & Asset Recovery; Marine Insurance; Yacht & Superyacht; Litigation and Dispute Resolution; Criminal Law & Defence; Employment & Labour; Commercial & Corporate; Insurance & Reinsurance; Family Law; Intellectual Property; Shipping & Offshore; Real Estate. Marco Morace is a Partner and head of the insurance and reinsurance team at E.Morace&Co. He graduated in Law from the University of Naples "Federico II" and joined the firm in 2003. Prior to this he worked for the legal department of P&G in Rome, had an internship with a leading London insurer and was a visiting lawyer with international law firms in London. Marco’s areas of expertise are: accident and personal injury, insurance counter-fraud, reinsurance, insurance and commercial litigation and dispute resolution, intellectual property, marine insurance, professional liability, shipping and offshore, yachts & superyachts. Our Firm is a legal boutique of excellence and we work every day to maintain high standards of quality and care in the services we offer. This is a very demanding challenge, especially considering that we have to compete with mega firms. In order to better assist our international clients with interests in Italy, we opened our new office in Milan on 1st April 2019. Our future target is to develop the insurance as well as the corporate and M&A practice thanks also to our Milan office, headed by our local partner Mr. De Biasi who is a Professor of Corporate and Capital Markets Law. We trust we will have another excellent business season. We always try to achieve the best result for the Client and build with him a strong business relationship. Our Clients love our: Care – we work hard to advise our Clients as soon as possible within the same day from our instruction or within 1 business day at latest with a preliminary advice;
Flexibility – we are keen to discuss with our Clients on fees considering that the reason of our instruction is always to achieve the best result for the Client, not the best opportunity for the Firm; Transparency – any Client wants to keep legal costs and budgets under control especially in litigation; we always keep our Clients up to date on case developments and costs so that they can check their budget needs are met;
Update - working internationally, with Clients based around the world we are aware of the absolute importance of comprehensively updating the Client promptly as soon as there is a development on its case / file.
We have recently acted on behalf of an extra-EU shipping company in a dispute against the Italian Customs Authority successfully so far. The dispute referred to the exemption on excise duties in relation to a supply of bunker made by our Client, whose ship was moored at an operational dock with the crew on board. Specifically, the Customs Authority first granted the exemption and then revoked the previous permit, by requesting the payment of the excise duties.
Additionally, we have recently assisted an Italian company specialised in providing software solutions for booking and ticketing online in the negotiation of a software agreement with an international shipping company.
We are regularly appointed by leading international insurers and reinsurers to protect their interests in professional liability claims in Italy. Recently, we have been appointed to represent Lloyd’s Underwriters in a 60 ML claim brought by the Receivership of one of the most famous Italian fashion group that went bankrupt in 2016. Contact Details: m.morace@morace.com Office: +39 081 0145 607 Website: www.morace.com
Law Office of Ramni Taneja Constitutional Law Firm of the Year – India Born on 4th December 1955 in New Delhi, Ramni Taneja is a citizen of India, having been educated in Mumbai, India, and London, England. She enrolled as an Advocate on 17th October 1980, on the Roll of the Bar Council of Maharashtra, [Mumbai], India; subsequently transferred to the Bar Council of Delhi, India, on 20th October 1997. On 3rd March 1997, she was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales, [now known as the Senior Courts of England and Wales]. In 1999, she was appointed as a Notary by the Government of India, New Delhi, India. Since 1997, Ramni Taneja practises in New Delhi, India, as an Advocate in the Supreme Court of India and the High Court of Delhi, apart from various other tribunals and courts in Delhi and in India. From 1980 till 1982 she practised as an Advocate with Little & Co., Advocates and Solicitors, Mumbai, India; she headed the office of Little & Co., Advocates, in New Delhi, India, from 2002 till 2006. From 1983 till 1997, Ramni Taneja was licensed and practised as a Legal Consultant with A.R. Hilal & Associates, Advocates and Legal Consultants, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Her law firm, Law Office of Ramni Taneja, began in New Delhi, India in August 2006. Ramni Taneja completed her school education in the United Kingdom [UK] at Grey Coat Hospital, Westminster, London, England, UK, as a consequence of which she obtained the University of London, General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Levels and Advanced Levels, between 1972-1974. She obtained her BA Honours [First Class Honours] Degree in English Literature [Major] French Literature [Subsidiary] in 1977 from Elphinstone College, University of Bombay, India. She obtained her LLB Degree [First Class] in 1980 from Government Law College, University of Bombay, India. She was awarded the Diplôme Supérieur d’Etudes Françaises Modernes in 1975 by l’Alliance Française, Paris, France, [Mention Tres Honorable: i.e. Distinction] and was ranked first in the examination in 1975 in India and Asia. Ramni Taneja is the author of Foreign Direct Investment and Globalisation, published by Eastern Book Company, 2014. She has written legal articles that have been published in international and Indian legal journals on various legal issues Ramni Taneja’s principal areas of legal practice covering litigation and transactional legal work are: all areas of commercial law, civil law, corporate law, constitutional law and criminal law. Other areas of legal practice covering litigation and transactional law inter alia are: Arbitration [international and domestic], air law, banking law, consumer protection law, due diligence, direct and indirect taxation and international taxation, extradition law, laws relating to asylum, family law, foreign direct investment, including foreign exchange law, insurance law, initial public offerings, intellectual property law, infrastructure law, employment law, laws governing the media, mergers and acquisitions, immigration and nationality law, maritime law, succession law, private international law, public international law and property law. Contact Details: Address: A 34 DEFENCE COLONY NEW DELHI 110024, INDIA Telephones: +91 11 4155 2051; +91 4155 2052 Fax: +91 11 4155 2053 email id: ramni@ramnitaneja.com http://www.ramnitaneja.com/
Aviation Law Firm of the Year – India Rajinder Narain & Company is one of the oldest solicitors and advocates firm in Delhi, having come into existence in the year 1950. The firm was the first to be registered with the newly formed Supreme Court of India and was allotted Chamber No. 1 in Supreme Court precincts. It operates out of a well-equipped and technologically advanced offices in New Delhi, and has associate lawyers in all commercially significant cities of India. The firm has the unique distinction of having two of its founding partners elevated as chief justices and two others elected as President and the Honorary Secretary of the High Court and Supreme Court Bar Association. Mr. P. L. Vohra the founding partners was the president of Delhi High Court Bar Association for a continuous period of 3 years. The firm now has about 25 lawyers including partners and associates at various levels. As it gazes back at the last 50 years of its existence, the firm has a reason to feel pride in its lineage and satisfaction at its work and reputation. Today the firm’s legacy is upheld by a dedicated team of lawyers who excel in their fields of practice and are so recognised and who have at their command, the state of art technology, office facilities and an extensive library. Ravi Nath, managing partner, was the first Indian to be the president of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association and chair of the IBA aviation committee. He is on the legal advisory panel to the Aviation Working Group and on IBA’s credentials committee. He has a BCom and an LLB in international and competition law from King’s College London, and a PIL from Harvard. He frequently advise major, leading lessors, manufacturers and others concerned with aviation finance and structuring transactions. Almost all major banks and lessors are clients including the Exim Bank of the USA, Canada and Japan; export credit agencies in Europe; Aercap; Avolon; Apollo; BBAM; Aircastle; Orix and equipment manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus, Pratt & Whitney, CFM, Rolls-Royce and so on. A second area of advice is the regulatory aspect of civil aviation: cross-border taxation and matters relating to aviation authority; the Cape Town Convention; Aircraft Protocol and the International Registry, and others. The third and final area of practice in aviation law is litigation/dispute resolution: enforcement proceedings in Indian and foreign courts, and before the regulatory authorities. Contact Details: Maulseri House 7, Kapashera Estate New Delhi - 110 037 India Cell:+91.9811027193 Tel: +91.11.4122.5000 Fax:+91.11.4122.5001 Email: ravi.nath@rnclegal.com www.rnclegal.com
Malpractice Law Firm of the Year – USA Since 1982, Merkel & Cocke, P.A. has offered thorough, aggressive legal representation on behalf of clients throughout Mississippi. As one of the largest plaintiffs’ personal injury law firms in the state, we consider it our duty and our honor to serve the people of our communities, and to uphold their rights in court. Our reputation is such that other law firms turn to us when they need legal counsel, and our business has grown through the years because of the referrals of these attorneys, who trust us with their needs and the needs of their clients. We are the firm you can trust when there are challenges ahead. At Merkel & Cocke, our mission is to provide the highest-quality legal services to our clients, tailored to their unique needs, and handled with discretion and care. We promise our clients we will: • • • • • • •
Listen to the needs and goals of our clients before creating any strategies Be transparent in our actions and our choices Be in contact with our clients at all times Remember that the most important part of any case is the client Always act with integrity, and with the highest regard to ethical standards Treat every client with respect and compassion Thoroughly prepare every case in case trial becomes necessary
We understand that our clients are often scared, angry and frustrated, with realworld concerns about how they will move forward after a serious injury or act of malpractice. We also understand that long, drawn-out court battles may be necessary, but they are rarely preferable. Our firm puts its considerable resources into every case, so that we can work efficiently on our clients’ behalves without sacrificing the detail and care they have come to expect from us. For more than 40 years, Mr. Merkel has personally delivered more than 400 jury presentations in the representation of personal injury victims whose cases involved complex medical and technical injury mechanisms and causation problems. After graduating magna cum laude from the University of Mississippi School of Law in June 1966, Mr. Merkel accepted an appointment under the U.S. Department of Justice Honors Program and served for 4 years in the tax division of the Department of Justice in a refund trial section, trying tax refund cases in the U.S. District Courts over a five-state area. In October 1970, Mr. Merkel returned to his native Mississippi, accepting a position with the firm of Sullivan, Dunbar & Smith. In 1973, he was involved in the formation of the firm of Holcomb, Dunbar, Connell & Merkel, where he was involved primarily in litigation until the spring of 1982, when Mr. Merkel and Mr. Cocke formed Merkel & Cocke, P.A. for the purpose of handling complex plaintiff’s litigation with emphasis in medical malpractice, product liability, toxic torts, drug reactions, brain damage cases, and in general, all catastrophic personal injury cases.
Mr. Merkel has received multiple jury awards ranging from $1 million to $20 million, and many more million-dollar settlements. He is active in trial lawyer activities and is a frequent lecturer on trial technique and advocacy, appearing at seminars sponsored by the Mississippi State Bar, Mississippi Association for Justice, American Board of Trial Advocates, and others. Practice Areas: • • • • • • •
Litigation & Appeals Personal Injury — Plaintiff Medical Malpractice Product Liability Law Toxic Torts United States Income and Estate Tax Litigation Professional Malpractice Law
For more than 35 years, Merkel & Cocke has been the firm you can trust to do right by you and your loved ones. From our Clarksdale office, we are proud to represent clients throughout Mississippi, including in Tupelo, Jackson, and throughout the Gulf Coast Region. We also handle cases in Tennessee and Arkansas.
Contact Details: Clarksdale Office: 30 Delta Avenue Clarksdale, MS 38614 Phone: 662-627-9641 cmerkel@merkel-cocke.com
Law Firm of the Year – Czech Republic The law office GÜRLICH & Co was founded on 1st February 2002. All members of the firm are experienced lawyers possessing outstanding professional expertise in various branches of law. Skilled lawyers, qualified office staff and a lot of experience – that’s our law firm. We are fully capable of offering legal Services to both individuals and legal entities in almost all fields of civil and commercial law, all over the territory of the Czech Republic, both in Czech and English language. We also cooperate with a number of external lawyers, all experts in their respective fields, to ensure the best possible outcome for our clients. In the event of cross-border transactions and litigation, this office hires its cooperating international law offices as well as external foreign lawyers. Still, this Law Firm remains a purely Czech legal office free of any financial or other influence exerted by foreign and/or local nationals. This allows the firm to provide its services in compliance with law, professionally and independently. Our law firm focuses mainly on the following areas of law: Civil law, Corporate and business law, Real Estate law, Intellectual property, Labor law and Litigation. Above all we deal with, among the advisory on real estate property transactions (e.g. sale, purchase or lease of apartments and commercial property), drafting all documents relating to real estate financing, drafting all security related documents (mortgages, lien over property and other assets including sets of movable assets, lien over IP or a business or part thereof, security / collateral agreements relating to banking accounts, shares and ownership interests, as well as numerous fiduciary assignments of rights demanded by banks), arranging registration and all other related steps, including advice on governing law. Moreover, we focus on advisory to developers, on investment in real estate, lease and sublease agreements, liens on real estate, creation of easements, building law. Our law firm provides its services at a high professional level, quickly and with complete independence. Two of our key values that help to drive businesses of our clients are flexibility and personal approach that we manage to maintain through the hard work of our young but skilled colleagues who are at all times prepared to offer tailor-made solutions. Within the scope of legal assistance, our law firm provides prevailingly advisory services in selecting the most suitable procedure with a view to client’s needs, prepares various documents and arranges for the preparation of opinions and legal analyses.
The highest level of professionalism that we try to maintain encompasses taking into account forthcoming legal amendments, detailed continuous study of judicature of both the national and European courts. However, while focusing on professionalism we never forget that it goes hand in hand with a personal approach which ensures that clients can always rely on our services and we provide our best in the shortest possible time with a broad level of transparency and detailed records of our performance. Scope of Legal Services: Business Transactions Civil Law Intellectual Property Corporate Law and Business Law, Public Procurement Labour Law Real Estate Litigation Contact details: GĂœRLICH & Co Politickych veznu 19 110 00 Prague 1 Czech Republic tel.: +420 222 101 591 fax: +420 222 101 590 email: info@akrg.cz web: www.akrg.cz
IP Litigation Law Firm of the Year – Philippines Romulo traces its roots to the law firm of Gibbs, McDonough and Ozaeta, which practiced law in the Philippines in the early 1900s. Allison D Gibbs was a well-known tax and corporate lawyer and Charles A McDonough was a name in criminal law practice. Roman A Ozaeta, who later became a distinguished justice of the Supreme Court, and his son, Herminio, an outstanding corporate lawyer in his own right, re-established the firm in 1957. The firm underwent several name changes because of a rule limiting the partnership name to living and active partners (a rule which was subsequently abolished), and eventually acquired its present name. The current partners are Ricardo J Romulo and Jose F Buenaventura. One partner, Exequiel B Javier, is on leave, having been elected as governor of Antique province. In addition, the firm currently has 98 lawyers. Romulo is the only Philippine firm with an office in Hong Kong. It provides international investors with advice on Philippine law and advises Philippine clients on international transactions. However, it is not permitted to practice Hong Kong law. Practice Areas: Banking & Finance Corporate Intellectual Property Labour & Immigration Litigation & Arbitration Technology, Media & Telecommunications Project Development & Finance Real Estate & Natural Resources Securities Taxation Transportation Contact Details: 21st FLOOR, PHILAMLIFE TOWER, 8767 PASEO DE ROXAS, MAKATI CITY, PHILIPPINES Tel: +63 2 848 0114 Fax: +63 2 810 3110 www.romulo.com
SSI/SSD Law Firm of the Year – USA Jose is admitted to practice law in New York, New Jersey, and Venezuela. Jose began his career as an attorney in Venezuela. Jose’s outstanding Venezuelan practice was recognized several times by the Miranda State Bar Association, which awarded him with honors in three different years. In 2002, Jose decided to come to the United States to further develop himself academically and professionally. In 2004, Jose was admitted to Syracuse University College of Law, where he graduated cum laude. During law school, Jose clerked for a US District Court in Florida. Jose joined the Smith Sovik law firm in 2007. Since joining the firm, Jose was involved in all areas of litigation. Jose has been and is a member of the Latin American Law Student Association; Hispanic National Bar Association; Black Law Student Association; DRI; American Bar Association; New Jersey State Bar; New York State Bar; Law Students in Action Project-Spanish Translation and Interpretation Assistance Team; Onondaga County Bar Association; AILA, among others. In 2012, Jose decided to open his new and independent law firm. After opening the Law Offices of Jose Perez, Jose has been involved in all areas of litigation, including construction, labor and employment, premises liability, motor vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation, SSI/SSD, and immigration. Jose has been a speaker/panelist at numerous events dealing with his legal practice, Workers’ Compensation, and immigration issues. Jose also has a “Know-Your-Rights” column in the CNY Latino newspaper. Now, he has offices in Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo, and continue to grow his practice. Practice Areas: Workers Compensation Law Personal Injury & Accident Law Immigration Law Social Security Disability Law Labour & Employment Law Contact Details: Jose E. Perez, Esq. Law Offices of Jose Perez 120 East Washington Street, Suite 925 Syracuse, New York 13202 (t) (315) 422-5673 (f) (315) 466-5673 joseperez@joseperezyourlawyer.com www.joseperezyourlawyer.com
Asset Securitizations Law Firm of the Year – USA Founded in 1890, with offices in New York, Washington, D.C. and London, Seward & Kissel is internationally recognized as a leading law firm in the areas of securitization and structured finance, leveraged finance, hedge funds, private equity, maritime, energy, and transportation finance. The Firm advises both domestic and international banks in the Americas, Europe and Asia in various roles in connection with a broad range of domestic and cross-border financing transactions, secured and unsecured, asset-based, and cash flow transactions. In addition to representing the full range of participants in the finance industry, the Firm is one of the largest providers of corporate trust legal services, with extensive experience representing indenture trustees, security trustees, master servicers, collateral agents, paying agents, and depositaries. Seward & Kissel is at the forefront of asset securitization transactions, backed by virtually every type of asset. In particular, as one of the leading law firms in structuring assetbacked transactions and CLO structures, the Firm has a unique perspective regarding the various approaches to credit and liquidity enhancement. With a long history of developing innovative structures in the asset securitization area, beginning in 1979 with the establishment of some of the earliest transactions which utilized bankruptcy remote special purpose vehicles, Seward & Kissel has substantial experience in transforming new ideas into workable financing vehicles and adapting existing deal structures to new situations. Our expertise extends to all areas of law associated with the issuance of asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, including corporate, regulatory, insurance, bankruptcy, real estate, tax, and derivatives. Seward & Kissel is committed to providing each client with the highest quality legal services in the most efficient and responsive manner. Kalyan (“Kal”) Das is the head of the Global Bank and Institutional Finance & Restructuring Practice Group at Seward & Kissel. He maintains offices in New York City and London, England, although he spends most of his time in the Firm’s New York office. Kal focuses primarily in the areas of structured finance, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities transactions, domestic and international banking transactions, project finance, capital markets, distressed debt trading, second lien financing, institutional finance and private placements. He represents numerous domestic and international banks, hedge funds, investors, trustees, servicers and other institutions in all types of domestic and cross-border financing transactions, including structured financing, CLOs, asset based lending, fintech lending, ADR/GDR and corporate trust transactions. Kal is a member of the Board of Directors and Vice President of the New York University Law School Alumni Association. Kal is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. In addition, Kal is the President of FISH (London) Inc., a not-for-profit organization that works with SOAS, London University and ISH (London) with respect to higher education for deserving students. Kal is a member of the American Bar Association, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the New York Bar Association and The Honorable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, London, England. He has served as a co-chair of the Annual Meeting of the American College of Investment Counsel (“ACIC”), and as a panel member for The American Securitization Forum (ASF), and American Bankers Association (ABA) and Strategic
Research Institute (SRI) conferences and the Practicing Law Institute (PLI) Seminar. He is a Fellow of the ACIC and was on the Board of Trustees of ACIC until 2007. He has also conducted numerous in-house training seminars for banks and financial institutions. Kal is admitted to practice law in New York, the United Kingdom (England & Wales), Australia and India. He received a Barrister-at-Law degree from The Lincoln’s Inn in 1979 and an LL.M. from New York University School of Law in 1989. Seward & Kissel provides a one-stop-shop for all of our clients’ banking & finance needs, and represents many of the world’s leading banks, financial institutions and companies. The firm represents numerous banks and financial institutions including Deutsche Bank, US Bank, Citibank, BNY Mellon, Wells Fargo, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, M&T Bank/Wilmington Trust, HSBC, CIM and SST in numerous matters involving structured transactions, loan transactions, restructurings/bankruptcies, litigations, new products and regulatory matters. Contact Details: Kalyan “Kal” Das Partner Head of the Global Bank and Institutional Finance & Restructuring Practice Group at Seward & Kissel LLP One Battery Park Plaza New York, NY 10004 212.574.1391 das@sewkis.com
Financial Analysis Firm of the Year - USA Demotech, Inc. is a financial analysis firm located in Columbus, Ohio. Since 1985, Demotech has been serving the insurance industry by providing actuarial consulting as well as accurate and proven Financial Stability Ratings® (FSRs) for Property & Casualty insurance companies and Title underwriters. FSRs are a leading indicator of the financial stability of an insurer. In 1989 Demotech became the first insurer rating services in the United States to review and rate independent, regional and specialty insurers based upon the company’s execution of its business model and not its size. The rating process provides an objective baseline as well as insight as to the financial stability of an insurer. Demotech levels the playing field by offering FSRs to insurers of all sizes. Demotech distinguishes itself from other rating services in many ways. Four distinguishing characteristics are the industry experience of our analysts, long tenure of our analysts, our focus on an insurer’s business model rather than its size, and the transparency of our analysis process. In total, our four primary analysts average more than 30 years of progressively responsible insurance experience. Furthermore, the same four primary analysts average more than twenty years of tenure with Demotech. As a result, carriers that contact Demotech can be assured of comparable treatment, institutional memory and consistent outcomes due to the professionalism and tenure of our staff. As noted, our analysts, including myself, are experienced professionals. I am an actuary with forty years of insurance and financial analysis experience. Sharon Romano Petrelli, co-founder of Demotech, has earned the designations of CPCU, AIAF, CCP and ARC. She has served on the board of an insurer as well as the board of governors of the CPCU Society. She has thirty years of insurance experience. Barry J. Koestler, II, Chief Ratings Officer, a Chartered Financial Analyst, has more than twenty years of insurance and financial analysis experience including rate filings, loss and loss adjustment expense reserving and financial analysis. He has coordinated the development and monitoring of FSRs since 1996. Robert M. Warren, CPCU, CPA, Client Services Manager, has served as the chief financial officer of several insurers. His forty years of experience includes more than ten years with Demotech. Although other rating agencies seem fascinated by the size of an insurer and its diversification, neither size nor diversification has kept insurers out of liquidation. In fact, some of the largest insolvencies in the history of insurance were substantial publicly traded carriers that touted their diversification. As such, Demotech focuses on a carrier’s business model and its execution of that model. In 2007 we introduced our Company Classification System to initiate dialogue on business models. A Comment from Joseph Petrelli: “I am the President and Founder of Demotech, Inc. Organized in 1985, Demotech is a Columbus, Ohio based financial analysis company. Demotech reviews and rates more than 420 carriers domiciled in the United States. Our clients include larger, publicly traded carriers as well as regional insurance companies, title underwriters, risk retention groups and specialty insurance markets. Financial Stability Ratings® of A or better are accepted by the secondary mortgage marketplace, virtually all mortgage lenders and an increasing number of umbrella insurance markets, insurance agents errors and omissions insurance carriers, reinsurance carriers and other informed third parties. Prior to forming Demotech, I was employed by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Countryway Insurance and ISO. I am a member in good standing of the Casualty Actuarial Society, American Academy of Actuaries,
The Conference of Consulting Actuaries, and the Society of Actuaries. I graduated from The College of Insurance and have an MBA from The Ohio State University.” In addition to our efforts reviewing and rating insurance carriers, two of our clients during 2015 were the State of Ohio Office of Risk Management and State of Iowa Title Guaranty Division. When these public entities needed experienced, credentialed actuaries to assist them with the pricing and evaluation of their casualty insurance exposure and title guaranty exposure, respectively, our actuaries were the first choice. Recent acknowledgements of our insurer rating capabilities include HUD’s re-affirmation of our acceptance in its Section 232 Handbook and expanding our acceptance to its Section 241(a) program, Fannie Mae Multifamily acceptance of risk retention groups and captive insurers rated A or better, our nomination for Intelligent Insurer’s Global Award – Best Rating Agency (2014 and 2015) and securing the ACQ5 award for US – Niche Financial Analysis Provider – Insurance, two consecutive years, 2014 and 2015. In addition Demotech was nominated for the Rating Agency of the Year at the fall 2015 Reactions North America Gala. We were also honored with the Florida Association for Insurance Reform’s Founder’s Award at its 2015 annual meeting. More recently we secured the Financial Monthly – M&A Awards 2015 – Financial Analysis Firm of the Year – USA and the Corporate Vision – Corporate Excellence Award 2015 – Best Evaluator of US Regional and Specialty Insurers & Sustained Excellence in Insurer Financial Analysis. Our clients operate in an environment dominated by low interest rates and the pressure that places on earnings from an underwriting profit. Emerging coverages, such as cyber liability, data breach, or gap coverages associated with addressing the need to supplement personal automobile insurance policies for commercial use associated with transportation network companies focus our experienced, professional analysts on a collaborative role with clients. Our analysts are well versed in the traditional aspects of insurance and reinsurance. Concurrently, as educated professionals they are comfortable with the development or analysis of creative strategies and products to address emerging consumer needs. Our experienced and credentialed analysts often provided clients with peer review and independent feedback on aspects of the client’s current and future operations. Demotech is focused on continuing to grow and serve our current and our future clients. With a team of experienced, credentialed professionals, we are uniquely positioned to address the current as well as the emerging issues that must be addressed. In May 2016, we will host a seminar addressing the needs of regional and specialty carriers in the important areas of product development, client retention, and the identification and response to emerging issues.
Contact Details: Joseph Petrelli Demotech, Inc. 2715 Tuller Parkway Dublin, Ohio 43017-2310 Main: (800)354-7207 Direct: (614) 526-2160 FAX: (614) 526-2161 JPetrelli@demotech.com www.demotech.com
Business Crime Law Firm of the Year – UK Rustem Guardian was founded in 2005 by Managing Partner, Mr. Timur Rustem, after a very successful and high profile career based in the City of London. Just ten years on, Rustem Guardian has established itself as a formidable niche criminal defense law firm in London with a reputation associated with high profile and high complex criminal cases. The firm's reputation means that Timur is regularly invited to comment in the media. Timur Rustem, founder and Managing Partner comments: "We have a small but dedicated team with an enviable reputation for meticulous case preparation and tenacity in defending its clients. We take pride in being a multi-cultural firm with a team of solicitors and paralegals that speak a range of languages. We are a leader in criminal defense work as Rustem Guardian uniquely houses both solicitors and barristers, placing ourselves above other standard practicing law firms. Clients choose Rustem Guardian as the firm is known for its discreet and sensitive approach to what can be complex and life destroying allegations. We appreciate that the law is complex and challenging and we strive to give every client the advice and support they are entitled to. We also recognize that problems can arise at inconvenient times. We are therefore available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week." Mr. Rustem is a highly sought after Serious Crime Solicitor with over twenty years' experience in the City of London and the highest level of media exposure appearing on Sky, the BBC, Channel 5 and ITV to name a few. Mr. Rustem was named ‘Recommended Lawyer, 2014’ by Legal 500 and has many accolades under his belt including the prestigious ‘Super Lawyer’ award. Mr. Rustem is called upon specifically for his focused specialist areas Sexual Offences, Fraud and Appeals and has built a multi-award winning firm which is now one of the top criminal law firms in the UK. Tim built his reputation in Terrorism Law and is often invited to comment in the media on terrorism legislation. Most recently Rustem Guardian was named ‘Niche Terrorism Law Firm of the Year 2014’ by ACQ5. His tenacious and formidable approach was founded in his representation of a defendant in the Airline Bombing (Terrorism) case in 2006, which won him the ‘Lawyer of the Year’, presented at the House of Lords. His legal expertise covers, but is not restricted to: • Serious Sexual Offences including Historical Sexual Offences, Rape, Sexual Offences Against Children, Child Pornography, Indecent Exposure, Downloading Indecent Images, Voyeurism, Trafficking and Sex Offenders Register • Serious Fraud including VHCC, Boiler Room Fraud, Insurance Fraud, Mortgage Fraud and Money Laundering
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Appeals against Conviction and Sentencing Serious Violent Offences including Murder Drug trafficking Terrorism Private Investigations and Private Prosecutions Private Immigration Blackmail Drug trafficking Motoring Offences
Sexual Offences Since founding Rustem Guardian ten years ago, Mr. Rustem has an unrivalled reputation in representing those accused of the most serious Sexual Offences and is a sought-after legal expert often invited to comment in the media (please see below). Mr. Rustem holds long-term and trusted relationships with his clients, offering them sophisticated, practical and supportive legal advice. His depth of experience means that he is well accustomed with media attention and is well equipped to keep potentially high profile cases out of the public eye. His high success rate coupled with his media profile is recognized; recently Rustem Guardian was awarded ‘Niche Sexual Offences Law Firm of the Year, 2014’ by ACQ5 in conjunction with the ft.com. Fraud Under Mr. Rustem’s leadership, Rustem Guardian was one of few UK criminal law firms awarded prestigious status to deal with VHCC cases. Mr. Rustem was recently awarded the accolade ‘Super Lawyer, 2013’ for his White Collar Fraud work and ‘Business Crime Lawyer of the Year’, 2014 by Lawyer Monthly. Under Mr. Rustem’s leadership of the Fraud department the firm has built a reputation for taking on the most complex of Fraud cases which is widely recognized. Most recently Rustem Guardian was awarded ‘Business Crime Law Firm of the Year 2014’ by Finance Monthly. Appeals Mr. Rustem is quickly establishing Rustem Guardian as the go-to firm for private Appeals as his case load is growing in number and Mr. Rustem is realising more wins. Mr. Rustem is passionate about fighting for justice and believes there are many falsely accused individuals who have been sentenced unjustly, taking on Appeals at any stage. He understands that in these cases it is the wider family and friends that also victims of convictions, and Mr. Rustem approaches cases with the utmost sensitivity and care. Contact Details: Rustem Guardian LLP 5 Chancery Lane 4th floor London EC4A 1BL
IP Law Firm of the Year – Mexico With more than 75 years of experience, Goodrich has a long tradition of standing alongside its clients when helping them make their business objectives a reality. By means of a cross practice among service areas and industry teams, our carefully trained lawyers achieve an innovative approach towards the rendering of contemporary legal services tailored to the demanding business community worldwide. We pride ourselves in knowing what drives key industry sectors and are able to provide on a daily basis, the best creative and cost-effective business solutions beforehand. Our clients are medium-size, as well as leading global companies of numerous nationalities and economic sectors. We ensure that our clients are competently represented wherever their businesses take them. This is why, in addition to our network of correspondents in Mexico and our own office in Paris (since 1971), Goodrich actively participates as founder firm of the Bomchil Group, an association of independent law firms with offices in practically every Latin American country. Today, Goodrich has a professional and administrative staff of over 250. Professional ethics and effective team work, leading to solid solutions and constant innovation are embedded throughout our firm. In addition to sponsoring training programs for our lawyers, both, nationally and internationally, we encourage the participation of our partners as part time lecturers and research fellows in high ranking law schools in Mexico. Goodrich actively participates in trade associations, local and international bars. Some of our members are frequently invited to speak at both, domestic and foreign conferences, as well as to hold leadership positions in sections of bar associations and industry organizations. Last but not least, sustainability, corporate social responsibility, pro bono work and gender equality are also essential elements of our existence. In our firm we are constantly striving to renew ourselves and in being prepared to face the ever-changing legal challenges that lie ahead. We are a firm of young lawyers with the highest professional and ethical standards. Practice Areas: Antitrust Banking & Finance Bankruptcy Corporate & M&A Environment Law & Climate Change Immigration Intellectual Property Labor Law & Social Security Litigation & ADR Mining & Natural Resources Oil & Gas
Power Generation & Clean Energies Real Estate & Tourism Tax Law & International Trade TMT Transportation The vast majority of our intellectual property work is for non-Mexican companies conducting business in Mexico. Our staff of attorneys, engineers and computer specialists helps adapt foreign patent specifications and claims to Mexican law, secure patent inventions and trademark registration and maintain them by handling the necessary renewals. Our computer system, which is linked to the Mexican Patent and Trademark Department, permits us to provide our clients with a timely notice of their intellectual property matters. We also perform trademark searches and prepare and register license agreements. Due to recent changes in technology, we are increasingly being called on for assistance in licensing and litigation relating to computer software as well as for complex licensing negotiations and settlements involving patents, trademarks and copyrights. Our lawyers handle litigation for clients in all areas such as licensing, patent and trademark infringement, including counterfeiting, unfair competition cases, pirating and unlawful duplication of computer software. We are active players in Entertainment and Sport deals. In keeping with our pioneering spirit and desire to be in the vanguard of international legal developments, Goodrich opened a European office in 1971 in Paris. Today the Paris office is attended by qualified Mexican attorneys who speak French. They handle the needs of our European clients with interests in Latin America. The lawyers travel widely throughout Europe, maintaining close contacts with leading European law firms, companies and business organizations and participating in international conferences and forums on matters affecting Latin America. Modern communications allow us to support our Paris office with the full resources of the Mexico City office. Goodrich recognized long ago that our clients’ needs required us to extend our presence beyond Mexico City. Today, we have collaborating attorneys throughout Mexico. Our office in Paris and participation in the Bomchil Group associated with offices in every Latin American country enable us to ensure that our clients are competently represented wherever their businesses take them. As our clients’ needs continue to change, Goodrich, Riquelme will grow to satisfy them.
Contact Details: Paseo De La Reforma 265 06500 Mexion D.F. mailcentral@goodrichriquelme.com Telephone: (52 55) 55 33 00 40 Fax: (52 55) 55 25 12 27
Corporate Finance Accountancy Firm of the Year—Greece KPMG in Greece is member of the global KPMG network of professional services firms. With a presence in Greece since 1971, we are 400 outstanding local professionals providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services, to help our clients meet their goals. Our team combines cumulatively over 100 years of expertise related to various industries and areas of expertise, such as investment banking, industrial companies, audit, tax and legal, thus being able to source the ideal experts for each engagement in order to deliver a unique and value added service to the client. The corporate finance practice of KPMG Greece has served as a pioneering advisor to a large number of clients and decision makers including global corporations in the retail/consumer goods industry, manufacturing, telecoms, banking, infrastructure and pharmaceuticals. Services offered include M&A, Valuations, Capital Raising, Restructuring, and Structured Financial Modelling as well as Private Equity Advisory services. KPMG’s corporate finance arm has been among the leading advisory firms to be appointed as advisors to the Hellenic Republic in advising them in privatizations and restructuring projects. Our Corporate Finance practice is led by professionals having a vast combined experience of over 30 years in advisory and investment banking practices. Certain macroeconomic conditions in Greece have driven many companies in financial difficulties and indebtedness. In this context, companies have to strive dealing with correlated difficulties such as high unemployment, low private consumption, lack of liquidity, low investing appetite, real estate properties devaluation and increased corporate taxation. KPMG has met each client’s expectation in a very challenging and demanding environment, where creativity is also required when taking all these factors in consideration when providing the best advice to our clients. Indicative List of Clients we have worked with recently, include: Forthnet S.A. (listed telco) Power Public Corporation National Bank of Greece Ilva Group A leading resorts operator (undisclosed) Eurobank SA
Starbulk (NASDAQ listed company) Hellenic Republic – restructuring and privatization projects Delhaize Group Goodyear Hellas Dromeus Capital We normally build our solutions based on our previous experience in similar cases, and are flexible enough to draw on the relevant expertise outside our organization when required. That being said, we do also deliver tailor made services to meet our clients’ objectives in very complex projects. The local market will be highly affected by the progress in the political scene and the results of the elections which are to take place by the end of January. The debate for the so-called “Gr-exit” has come up again, but we believe that a smoother solution will prevail. Assuming that no macroeconomic accident will occur in 2015, we will continue to grow the Corporate Finance practice with a focus on the most promising sectors of the Greek economy such as tourism, the financial sector and telecommunications. Debt restructuring and refinancing issues will continue to be of priority within 2015 too. Contact Details KPMG Greece Thanos Tsotsoros Director, Financial Advisory Services, Head of Corporate Finance & Restructuring. atsotsoros@kpmg.gr tel. + 30 210 60 62 100
Tax Law Firm of the Year – Italy Spadafora De Rosa Law has more than 15 years of history and can provide a full range of services through its professionals and/or its broad international network. Alessandro De Rosa has more than 20 years of experience in Contracts, Civil Law, International Deals, Real Estate, Soccer, Aviation, Fashion, Hotels, VIP Properties, Apps, etc. He has a 24/7 problem solving attitude for any emergency of his clients. Spadafora De Rosa Law has more than 15 years of history and can provide a full range of services through its professionals and/or its broad international network. The level of experience reached and the creativity of its professionals represent a tremendous added value for its clients. Practice Areas: -
Real estate transactions for VIP properties -
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Aviation Global business project start up -
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Hotels transactions
Football deals closed in EU
App contracts for a new international platform Distribution agreements for an international consortium
“Our work and commitments remain the same since our foundation 15 years ago. We to work hard every single day, the success is proportional to the hours dedicated to Your structure and clients.”
Contact Details: Sede di Roma Via di Trasone, 52 00199 Tel. 06 858221 Fax. 06 8582250 Email: a.derosa@spadaforaderosa.com
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