Professional Sector Network - Global Awards 2015

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GLOBAL AWARDS 2015

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Professional Sector Network Fund Industry Advisers of the Year IP Practice of the Year – New York Corporate IP Law Firm of the Year - Asia Immigration Law Firm of the Year – North Carolina International Debt Collection Agency of the Year IP Law Firm of the Year - Honduras Law Firm of the Year – Channel Islands Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year - Taiwan Dynamic Law Firm of the Year – Philippines Shipping, Maritime & International Trusts Firm of the Year - Cyprus International Transaction Forensics Team of the Year Financial Adviser of the Year - Argentina Capital and Fund Management Practice of the Year Innovative Law Firm of the Year - India Boutique Litigation Law Firm of the Year - Canada Independent Law Firm of the Year - UK Civil and Antitrust Litigation Law Firm of the Year Corporate Law Firm of the Year - Indonesia Tax Advisory Firm of the Year - Turkey Islamic Finance Adviser of the Year – International Accountants of the Year - Mexico Legal Adviser of the Year - Kenya Trademark Law Firm of the Year - Indonesia Business Law Firm of the Year - Belgium IP Service Provider of the Year International IT Law Firm of the Year - France IP Law Firm of the Year – New Zealand Commercial Law Firm of the Year – South Africa International Company Formation & Business Advisory Firm of the Year Patent law Firm of the Year Most Innovative Law Firm - Mexico Tax & Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year - Argentina Energy & Infrastructure Law Firm of the Year – South America International Employment Law Adviser of the Year Boutique Litigation Law Firm of the Year – New York, USA IP Law Firm of the Year - India Class Action Adviser of the Year - USA Law Firm of the Year – Cayman Islands IP Law Firm of the Year - Greece Law Firm of the Year - Belgium Cross Border M&A Law Firm of the Year - UK Best Wedding Resort - Indonesia Hotel of the Year – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Exclusive Resort of the Year - Greece Best Serviced Apartment Brand – International

68,69 70,71 72,73 74,75 76,77

Exclusive Resort of the Year - Maldives Luxury Escape of the Year - Greece Exclusive Resort of the Year – Phuket, Thailand Luxury Hotel of the Year - Shanghai, China Luxury Historic Hotel of the Year – South Africa

Acolin Alston & Bird, LLP Anand and Anand Araneda Law Firm, P.C ARS Consultancy.

Bufete Casco Law Firm Carey Olsen Deep & Far DivinaLaw E.C. Lemonaris Ernst & Young LLP Ernst and Young Fulbrook Capital Management LLC Gaggar & Associates Hill Sokalski Walsh Trippier LLP Hudson McKenzie Joseph Saveri Law Firm Inc Kartini Muljadi & Rekan Kpmg KPMG UK KSi Mexico KTK Advocates Law Office of Olga K Santoso Lexial Law Firm Mathys & Squire LLP MEDIASTIC-MARTINEAU ASSOCIES AARPI Minter Ellison Rudd Watts Oak Equity Oxford Management Limited Patentship Patent Attorneys Ramos & Hermosillo Abogados, S.C. RIVIERO Y ASOCIADOS Rodriguez Dávalos Abogados Seyfarth Shaw Attorneys LLP Simon, Lesser, PC Sks Law Associates Stites & Harbison Travers Thorp Alberga VAYANOS KOSTOPOLUS Wilkie Farr & Gallagher Winston & Strawn Hotels - InterContinental Bali Resort Hotels - Caesar Park Rio de Janeiro Ipanema Hotels - Domes of Elounda - Ledra Hotels Hotels - Fraser Suites Le Claridge ChampsElysées Hotels - Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort Hotels - Katikies Hotel Hotels Banyan Tree Phuket Hotels Ritz Carlton Shanghai Hotels Taj Cape Town

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The Professional Sector Network is a leading choice for professional and corporate individuals from around the world. Our subscribers and users trust the Professional Sector Network to deliver leading advisers and hotels globally to them every day. The Professional Sector Network is the leading monthly source of business and dealmaker intelligence for those trading in today’s global corporate marketplace.

Unrivalled in both market and geographic reach, the diversity ofthe Professional Sector Network’s global users and subscribers is one of the many things that distinguishes us from other international networks. Our audience’s come from a multitude of disciplines, business activities and sectors worldwide. Nowhere else can you find access to and regularly updated information on all these corporate professionals on just one site.

This truly diversified global audience is made up of key senior corporate executives ranging from (among others) chief executive officers, chief operating officers and finance directors to managing directors, partners and managers at national and international businesses, including: • Mid-market and SME public and private businesses • Large multinational businesses • Private and institutional investors • Private equity and venture capital firms and associations • Asset base lenders • Banks leveraged, commercial and acquisition finance • Law firms • In-house general counsel of leading corporations • Government organisations • Investment and fund managers • Fund administrators and custodians • Financial advisory and accounting firms • Due diligence advisers • Public relations • Brand managers • High-net-worth individuals

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The Network Coming from every corner of the global corporate marketplace, each and every member of the Professional Sector Network has been selected using a rigorous validation process. The Professional Sector Network profiles only the individuals that qualify. This ensures that they fit perfectly into our methodology of networking the leading advisers with the international professional business community.

The Professional Sector Network offers adviser’s the unique opportunity of being able to target readers across every market in the international corporate world using just one website something that sets us apart from the rest.

Our large group of experts, each with specific expertise and knowledge in their area, allow us to offer a network system which provides a comprehensive solution for the user.

Our work is highly personal and our vast network works to expand your network of contacts and

direct referrals based exclusively around your business’ core area of interest and expertise. This customized approach means that our clients build deeper, more effective relationships with their respective markets.

In addition to our active networking and referral services, we also provide our clients with a profile which they can use and update to further reach out to their market. These profiles may include a variety of information such as news items, details about products/services, and opportunities.

Once a client provides this information for their profile, we circulate it through our vast network, via our website, newsletter and social media channels.

We also give advisers worldwide the opportunity to showcase their services to this audience and demonstrate the help they can provide within their jurisdictions.

Profiling with the Professional

Sector Network is the most profitable way to reach the global corporate marketplace using just one cost effective solution.

With a targeted audience that spans the globe, our clients are assured that our corporate distribution list is made up of senior professionals worldwide who are in a position to take adviser’s up on the services offered.

We bring all the markets together in one site, delivering a unique insight into the global corporate world by covering the full range of marketplace topics in one place, including, among many others: legal, financial, energy, M&A, pharmaceutical, real estate and capital markets.

The consistently high quality of both the design and content of our work, the extent of and continued exposure it receives and our competitive prices are the reasons that our clients say they choose us over the rest.

The Professional Sector Network Alongside our network, the Professional Sector Network provides business and professional advisory insight, essential market intelligence, analysis of the international marketplace and timely thought-provoking editorials of a consistently high quality. It is this consistently high level of quality that our clients remark

on time and again.

Our news section delivers a constantly updated resource of key deals and business news, to ensure readers and clients are always up-to-date within their particular fields.

The Professional Sector Network is a media partner to the United Nations Environment Programme

Finance Initiative’s Global Roundtable; the single largest biennial conference devoted exclusively to sustainable finance issues, spanning the banking, investment and insurance industries. The Global Roundtable is a critical learning and outreach opportunity for practitioners globally.

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Daniel Haefele CEO ACOLIN Fund Services +41 44 396 9696 www.acolin.ch daniel.haefele@acolin.ch Stadelhoferstrasse 18, CH-8001, Zurich

ACOLIN – Your first class outsourcing partner

Investors fall into one of three different segments:

ACOLIN is the only independent international cross-border fund distribution service provider. We are a partner to over 130 asset managers with over 500 funds distributed in 12 jurisdictions.

Founded in 2006, ACOLIN is headquartered in Zurich with branches in Geneva and Lugano, subsidiaries in Frankfurt, London and Luxemburg, and representative offices in Dublin and Madrid.

Our Distribution Network Management (DNM) services help fund managers gain efficient access to a broad network of distributors and financial intermediaries, and our Regulatory and Legal services ensure that investment funds of all types are compliant with local distribution regulations. With ACOLIN connect, we assist fund managers with branding and communication to qualified investors.

1.

Direct retail segment: This segment makes up approximately 10% of the market. Most retail investors look for products distributed by well-known brands in their market and are averse to investing with names that are not familiar to them. This makes the segment expensive and slow to develop, and is typically not the best point of entry.

Are you a fund manager?

Do you want to increase your assets under management?

Do you want to distribute your investment funds across Europe?

Do you want to strengthen your brand and be connected with qualified investors?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then we invite you to learn more about the services that ACOLIN has to offer.

As a fund manager aiming to increase your assets under management, distribute funds in Europe and strengthen your brand, you may be facing the following challenges: • •

•

•

•

New regulations impeding access to distributors Increasing barriers to entry, such as fees and minimums, for important platforms Rising requirements for data and document management, resulting in higher administration costs Prohibitive expense and time required for establishing and signing distribution agreements in various countries Intense competition between fund providers favouring popular brands

ACOLIN helps you overcome these challenges, providing you with a smooth and expeditious market entry.

The first thing you need is a robust distribution strategy. ACOLIN will work beside you and consult with you on how to best set up the most efficient strategy for distributing your products in foreign markets. With our long-standing experience, we advise you on what works best and what doesn’t.

2.

Pure Institutional segment: This segment makes up approximately 30% of the market, and includes corporations and governmental agencies, as well as the «fund of funds» category and very large family offices – all of which are directly invested and represented in the fund register. Across Europe, this segment is already well serviced, making it difficult to enter especially in early stages. Although ticket sizes are high, the time required to close a deal can be counted in years not months.

3.

Intermediary segment: This segment makes up about 60% or more of the market. It consists of small to medium sized private banks, discretionary wealth managers, family offices, pensions, financial advisors, and large private investors.

The main characteristic these investors have in common is that they choose, or are required by regulation, to rely on intermediaries for custody of their assets. These intermediaries are large private banks, insurance platforms, and wealth manager and advisor platforms. They provide a service to the underlying investors whereby they custody assets on behalf of the investors, provide access to a wide range of fund products and allow investors to trade and settle these products.

By accessing these intermediary platforms, fund managers make their products available to a wide range of investors.

If you would like to begin distributing your funds to the intermediary segment, then ACOLIN has a unique solution. With our DistributionNetwork Management (DNM) service, you can tailor the distribution of your products to your newly defined strategy.

Two options are available: 1.) build your own nexus of distribution agreements and manage the resulting operational, legal and financial issues that result, or 2.) join over 60 other fund managers and utilise ACOLIN’s pre-built DNM service.

ACOLIN’s pick-and-choose model will let you select the distribution channels and countries for your chosen products. ACOLIN integrates your products into our existing distribution network with platforms, over 800 banks and other distribution channels in one or more markets, thus making your product immediately available across the channels you have chosen. We also help you overcome the barriers to platform entry, reducing your start-up costs.

Do you want to select specific share classes and funds to make available to different intermediaries? ACOLIN’s DNM lets you do exactly that,

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FUND INDUSTRY ADVISERS OF THE YEAR

allowing you to concentrate on individual distribution channels in one or more countries in order to grow your distribution network step-bystep.

In today’s market almost every distributor has a different way of collecting important fund information for their platforms. With ACOLIN’s DNM service, your data management is reduced to a single interface. We make sure that your chosen distribution partners have access to the latest fund data for your products by collecting your master data through a single template and then sharing it with the distribution partners in the requested format. Instead of filling out different data templates for each distributor, you can enter all your data into one template, while ACOLIN ensures that each of your distribution partners receives the data in their own format.

Distribution partners require the most current fund documentation and with our information management system we ensure that the latest regulatory documentation such as prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports and KIID’s are delivered to distributors in a timely manner.

Included in our DNM services is the management of trailer fees and reconciliation of holdings. We generate a monthly holdings report where you can see which distribution channel your funds have been sold through, giving you critical information to adjust your distribution strategy accordingly. In order to avoid double counting or incorrect payments, we reconcile reported holdings with your custodian bank or transfer agents. ACOLIN will also calculate and pay trailer fees in full to the distribution partners on your behalf.

through the daily contact our experts have with distribution partners.

6.

Distributor supervision – we manage distributor supervision and ongoing due diligence of distribution partners.

As the investment landscape in Europe grows, ACOLIN solutions expand into new markets and segments, providing you with support for your fund distribution. You can take advantage of a fully developed distribution network in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Sweden, UK, Ireland and Luxembourg. Currently, we are in the development stages in Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, Slovakia, Chile, Tortola B.V.I., U.A.E. and Singapore.

There are many advantages to choosing ACOLIN as your partner in developing your distribution strategy.

1.

Fast and simple market entry – we integrate your funds into our existing distribution network, giving you access to distribution segments in a matter of weeks.

2.

Cost and time savings – we save you up to two years of market entry time, as well as substantial legal and operational set-up costs.

3.

Consolidation – we minimize your data into one single interface.

4.

Contract management – we manage your contracts and enter into any of your previously signed distribution agreements. You do not need to sign ANY distribution agreements.

5.

Up-to-date market intelligence – we keep you informed

Does your marketing reach your target audience?

Are you looking to distribute your funds in Switzerland and require legal representation?

As your one-stop shop for cross border distribution, ACOLIN also offers legal representation services for the distribution of your funds (to qualified and/or non-qualified investors) in Switzerland. With Swiss regulation becoming more and more complex, ACOLIN’s regulatory and legal services ensure that your fund is compliant with Swiss law by registering your fund with FINMA for distribution to non-qualified investors or setting up your fund for distribution to qualified investors.

ACOLIN will act as legal representative vis-a´-vis the governmental authorities, your distribution partners and investors.

Are you distributing your funds internationally?

If you decide to distribute your funds internationally, you will need to make sure your funds are legally compliant in the chosen distribution market. ACOLIN can register your funds in various international markets and, with our established compliance tools, we can ensure that your funds are 100% legally compliant for distribution.

ACOLIN also offers support services such as acting as the EU Representative of Alternative Investment Funds, acting as your German Information Agent, acting as your tax agent in Spain, or as your UK Facilities Agent. In short, our aim is to support our fund manager clients in achieving their distribution goals.

In order to achieve a successful market entry you need a strong brand and direct contact to investors. As competition between fund managers is getting tougher you need to make efficient use of marketing resources. With our B2B communication platform, ACOLIN connect, we allow you to communicate directly to your target audience. As a client, you will receive your very own microsite within ACOLIN connect where you can present yourself, your competencies, your strategies and your funds, along with your logo and additional images or videos.

Our state-of-the-art news service will send your news directly to those investors who are truly interested in your topics, enabling you to gain brand recognition, strength and trust within a new market.

With ACOLIN as your outsourcing partner you will devote more time to your core business – fund management and the direct dialogue with your clients.

Please contact us either in London at lorcan.murphy@acolin.co.uk or in Zurich at daniel.haefele@acolin.ch to discuss how ACOLIN can help you access new markets with your investment funds. For more information and to download our company presentation and our service sheets please visit www.acolin.ch

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IP PRACTICE OF THE YEAR – NEW YORK Philippe Bennett (Partner) and Aoife Elizabeth Butler (Senior Associate) Alston & Bird, LLP (212) 210-9559 or (212) 210-9433 www.alston.com philippe.bennett@alston.com Aoife.butler@alston.com 90 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016

IP practitioners Philippe Bennett and Aoife Elizabeth Butler are highly regarded attorneys practicing in New York City. Mr. Bennett is listed among “The Best Lawyers in America” and “The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners”, and is described

by Intellectual Asset Management as “a measured but tenacious advocate who knows when best to push hard”. Similarly, Ms. Butler was recently elected a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, and has been listed in Fortune® magazine as a leading female IP attorney. Of particular note, is that their firm is recognized as “getting great results for a reasonable price”.

Their IP expertise is international in scope, not least because of their European roots, representing U.S. entities, multi-nationals, and foreign entities in disputes across the U.S., and the scope of their practice extends

from pharmaceuticals to mechanical devices to electronics and financial trading software, across all phases of litigation from pre-suit to post-trial. On the plaintiff side they have secured favorable verdicts, awards and settlements for their clients, and, on the defense side, have successfully defended against infringement claims and significant damages claims, including multi-million dollar claims based on varying damage theories. In addition to litigation, though always with an added perspective gained from their litigation experience, Mr. Bennett and Ms. Butler assist clients, including start-ups, with prosecution of patents and trademarks, and with due diligence efforts. They also work with various clients to create, evaluate, and assess strategies to commercialize and monetize IP within the business.

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CORPORATE IP LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR - ASIA Pravin Anand Managing Partner Anand and Anand +91-120-4059300 www.anandandanand.com; pravin@anandandanand.com First Channel Building, Plot No. 17 A, Sector 16 A, Film City, Noida - 201301 (UP) India

Bio Pravin Anand, managing partner of the Firm, completed his law studies in New Delhi in 1979 and since then has been practicing as an Intellectual Property Lawyer.

He has been a counsel in several landmark IP cases involving the first Anton Piller Order (HMV cases); the first Mareva Injunction Order (Philips case); the first Norwich Pharmacal Order (Hollywood Cigarettes case); Moral rights of Artists (Amarnath Sehgal case); Recognition for Pro-Bono work for rural innovators at the grass root level’ (National Innovation Foundation Award - Govt. of India); First order under the HagueConvention (Astra Zeneca case) and several significant cases for pharma clients such as Novartis, Pfizer and Roche.

He is a co-author of the two volumes of Halsbury’s Laws of India on Intellectual Property and serves on the editorial board of several international IP journals. Author of India chapter in Copyright Throughout the World- WEST (Thomson Reuters). He is also on the editorial board of many leading journals on IP jurisprudence, International legal magazines such as CTLR, PLC - Life sciences, Asia IP, IBLJ, The Patent Lawyer, WIPR, Who’s Who Legal - Patents, Lexis Nexis Asia IP Guide, ACCJ. He has spoken extensively as a thought leader at various forums including WIPO, AIPPI, INTA, LES, IBA, LAW ASIA and the UN Conference on LDCs in the Digital World.

The prominent awards and accolades accorded to Mr. Anand recently include: •

Best of the Best - (Legal Media Group Expert Guide 2015)

•

Who’s Who Legal Patent Litigation Featured Lawyer 2015

•

IAM Patents1000 Gold (2014) Category Lawyer

•

WTR 1000 Gold (2015) Category Lawyer

•

«Highly Recommended Leading Lawyer» in Intellectual Property - Chambers and Partners (2015)

•

‘Leading Individual’ for intellectual property - Legal 500 (2014)

•

Features as a recognized lawyer for IP Litigation in the Asialaw Leading Lawyers 2015

• Nominated as the Managing Intellectual Property IP Star for the year 2014 for IP Litigation •

The First Indian Legal Practitioner to receive the ‘AIPPI Award of Merit’

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IMMIGRATION LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR – NORTH CAROLINA Jorgelina Araneda Lawyer/Partner Araneda & Stroud Immigration Law Group 919.788.9225 www.aranedalaw.com info@aranedalaw.com 4600 Marriott Drive, Suite 350, Raleigh, North Carolina 27612 USA

Bio Jorgelina E. Araneda has more than 23 years of legal experience. Araneda & Stroud’s immigration law practice involves cutting-edge legal issues in removal proceedings, employment and familybased law. Ms. Araneda is a NC Board Certified Specialist in Immigration Law. Ms. Araneda is included in the 2014 Women Leaders in the Law (USA). 2014 Member of The National Advocates: Top 100 Immigration Lawyers (USA). Named “2013 Lawyer of the Year in Immigration Law for North Carolina” by Corporate LiveWire. Named by Charlotte Magazine among “Top Attorneys in North Carolina” in 2014 and 2012. Listed in Super Lawyers for Immigration Law from 2012 to present (USA).

The Firm Araneda & Stroud Immigration Law Group was founded in October 2007 as a subsidiary of Araneda Law Firm, PC, established in 2004. Araneda & Stroud Immigration Law Group was named in 2014 as “Immigration Law Firm of the Year” and “Criminal Defence Law Firm of the Year” in US (Carolina) by ACQ Global Awards.

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INTERNATIONAL DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY OF THE YEAR Ayşe Burcu Arslan Managing Director ARS CONSULTANCY +90 212 296 9147; Mob: +90 533 201 0189 www.arsconsultancy.com ayse@arsconsultancy.com Rumeli Cad. No:78/10 Nisantasi, 34363 Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey

ARS Consultancy has pioneered this field and is

working principle is ‘No Recovery No Fee’

Management’since 2007. Ayse is a graduate of

proud to offer the best of pre-legal, legal, as well

which enables our clients to pay all lawyer and

Political Science and International Relations from

as, full credit risk management services in Turkey.

consultancy fees after a successful recovery. These

Bogazici University Istanbul / Turkey, and holds

We are mostly working with International B2B

fees are in the form of commission rate which is

a Master’s degree in Organizational Studies from

claims and our expertise is to reach an amicable

determined in the beginning on an agreement

the University of Tilburg / Netherlands. She

solution during ARSinkaso Prelegal Collections

with our clients.

completed her Master’s thesis in 1 year and her

Stage (out of court). We are the only collection

ARSinkaso: Debt Collection before legal action.

successful research was about the international

agency in Turkey specialized in ‘international

Our Collection team is specialized in negotiations

orientation of Turkish Airlines.

cases’ and 70% of our clients are from various

and we prioritize to arrange an amicable via

In 2012, Ayse Burcu Arslan enabled her company,

countries around the World (incoming cases).

alternative settlement solutions. There is a

ARS Consultancy, to win the award of ‘Best

contingency based fee for all pre-legal collections.

Marketing Strategy of the Year’ with the creative promotion video of her company, dedicated for

Our team is composed of experienced debt collection agents who are native speakers in

ARSrisk: Credit and Business Reports, Due

a successful and amicable recovery. . The award

Turkish (and also fluent in English) and lawyers

Diligence, Asset investigation, Media and

was given by Global Credit Solutions during

who are specialized in enforcement law for more

Reputation Checks, Site Visit, Skiptracing and

the Annual Conference held in Hong Kong. Her

than 10 years. We are the Turkish partner of GCS

more.

success lies in clear communication, financial

Group and a member of ACA International,

ARSlegal: Via our experienced & specialized

and legal knowledge and also familiarity with

FENCA, IACC, CSA-UK and ALQ.

lawyers, we also manage the Legal Enforcement

local customs and culture. Ayse also pioneers the

Further, our skill at mediation and conflict

Proceedings in Turkey addition to other services

collection trainings in Turkey with the main focus

resolution allows us to find the best solution in

in all fields of law. At this stage, the court fees,

on negotiation, mediation, confliction resolution,

each unique case. It is this case by case analysis

and legal expenses are asked in advance; and

and persuasion skills.

and attention to detail that enables us to deliver

the rest of the attorney fees become payable after

Ayse Burcu Arslan recognized the need for a

the highest level of service and widest variety

recovery.

dedicated, Istanbul based, international, debt

of options available in Turkey. As always, our

Please review these important facts about our

collection and credit risk management firm. It

commitment to professionalism and amicable

company:

is from this business, ARS Consultancy...that she

debt resolution remains our goal.

•

Global Network serving 155 countries

helps companies around the World, navigate

Based in Istanbul, Turkey, our team of collection

•

High Success Rate - 63% Success Rate for

the global market. In addition to her many

2013 and 78% Success Rate for 2014

international clients, Ayse has worked with, and

specialists is highly trained. In addition to their financial knowledge, familiarity with local

•

Action within 48 Hours

advised international companies both in and

customs and culture, our agents are trained in

•

Complete coverage of 81 Turkish cities

outside Turkey.

negotiation, confliction resolution, and other

•

Trained and Qualified Team

Ayse Burcu Arslan is a member of Istanbul Young Businessman Association since 2012

techniques. This emphasizes our commitment to amicable debt resolution.

Through our International network, we provide

and recommended in the Turkish sector for

As Turkey’s first firm specializing in International

debt collection services in 155 countries. Our

both professional and expert on pre-legal debt

Receivables Management ARS Consultancy, we

representatives are local experts with vast

collection, with clients making the following

maintain a high level of integrity in our business

experience in each market.

comments about her expertise and style:

practices following standards set forth in the

In the event, that after exhausting all pre-legal

«Ayse will not rest until every single possible

FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) and

methods, there is no recovery, ARS Consultancy

detail, development and outcome have been

ACA code of ethics.

will guide and assist your business in legal debt

thoroughly investigated»

We prioritize to create long term business

collection through our solution partners/legal

«It is her cross-cultural expertise that enables her

relationships with our clients and become a

team. ARS Consultancy will recommend a course

and ARS Consultancy to offer truly international

valuable asset that saves them both time and

of action, utilizing the best legal representation

service in today’s, ever-changing, global

money. ARS Consultancy wants to play a

for your needs. Our detailed analysis of your

economy.»

supporting role in the success of your business.

case provides our legal opinion, a step-by-step

«Her business maintains a high level of integrity

Today, ARS Consultancy offers a wide variety

course of action, a procedural explanation, and an

in practices following international standards and

of financial and due diligence services, as well

accurate expectation of costs.

code of ethics. Ayse is an execellent representative

as consulting services via exploring innovative

As an industry consultant, entrepreneur, and a

to generate goodwill and enhance your

solutions to today’s problems.

professional manager, Ayse Burcu Arslan has

company’s image and reputation.»

For ARSinkaso Prelegal Debt Collection, our

worked in the field of ‘International Receivables

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IP LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR - HONDURAS LEONARDO CASCO-FORTIN Director Lic. Daniel Casco L. / Bufete Casco (504) 2237-6467 www.cascomark.com reforma@cascomark.com Colonia La Reforma #2402, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

The Firm Established before 1906, we are a family venture and the most solid law office in Industrial Property matters with more than 100 years in business in Honduras.

Our commitment is to serve our costumer with the best and proactive service every day, being our main expertise the areas of Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights, since we are the first 24/7 full time exclusive IP practice law firm.

We have our offices properly design for this type of business with employees duly trained for years in these particular areas of IP matters and the latest hardware and software system specially design for us.

Be sure that the mission of the LIC. DANIEL CASCO L. / BUFETE CASO law firm is to ensure its global, regional and national clients with the most complete legal counseling in Industrial Property matters in Honduras.

For other matter and litigations you can contact our associate office from the THE LEGAL CASCO GROUP at CASCO-FORTIN, CRUZ & ASOCIADOS in the areas of banking, administrative, foreign, investment corporate and general office (www.cascolaw.com).

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LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR – CHANNEL ISLANDS Carey Olsen Guernsey: +44 (0) 1481 727272; Jersey: +44 (0) 1534 888900 www.careyolsen.com info@careyolsen.com PO Box 98, Carey House, Les Banques, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 4BZ 47 Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey JE1 0BD

The Firm

Our primary transactional legal services include:

Carey Olsen is a market leading offshore law firm. We deliver exceptional services to our clients from the key offshore financial centres of the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey. We also have an established presence in Cape Town and the City of London.

• Banking & Finance • Intellectual Property • Corporate & Commercial • Investment Funds & Private Equity • Employment, Pensions & Incentives • Mergers & Acquisitions • Commercial Property • Regulatory & Financial Crime • Insolvency & Restructuring • Trust & Fiduciary • Insurance • Stock Exchange Listings

We’re consistently the firm of choice for our clients and for advisers who refer work to our jurisdictions.

Our firm offers a partner-led service. We employ 300 people and our 42 partners head up a total complement of 185 fee earners. We provide legal services in relation to all areas of corporate and finance law, trusts and fiduciary law, investment funds and dispute resolution as well as to private clients.

We work with an extensive range of clients, including directors, global financial institutions, investment funds, private equity houses, corporations, trustees, governments and private individuals including entrepreneurs. We also routinely work with leading onshore legal advisers on international transactions and cases involving our jurisdictions.

Our Practice Our legal practice groups offer our clients and referrers access to a comprehensive range of services for transactional, dispute resolution and private client work.

Our dispute resolution and litigation group represents clients on the full spectrum of contentious, semi-contentious and advisory work in both a domestic and international context. Together with commercial litigation services our practice offers focussed advice on: • • • • •

Banking & Finance Insolvency & Restructuring Corporate Disputes Regulatory & Financial Crime Contentious Trusts

Our private clients rely upon us for services including those which involve: • • •

Estate Planning Wills & Inheritance Residential Property

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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR - TAIWAN Yu-Li Tsai Patent Attorney Deep & Far Attorneys-at-Law 886-2-25856688 www.deepnfar.com.tw email@deepnfar.com.tw/yltsai@deepnfar.com.tw 13th Floor, 27, Sec. 3, Chung San N. Road, Taipei, Taiwan

UPDATE ON THE RECENT DEVELOPMENT OF TAIWAN PATENT EXAMINATION PRACTICE FOR COMPUTER SOFTWARE RELATED INVENTION

example, increasing data processing or storage efficacy, reinforcing security, etc., it thus has a technical nature and meets the definition of invention.

In 2014, the Ministry of Economic Affairs issued an amended Patent Examination Guide for computer software related inventions, and it definitely will substantially affect the examination practices of the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO). Some of the essential amendments are summarized as follows:

When a claim is drafted in means-plusfunction language or step-plus-function language, the judgment of the enablement requirement of the specification is as follows: Regarding a computer software related invention drafted in means-plus-function language, if what is defined is a general operation function, then disclosing a general purpose computer in the specification can satisfy the requirement of disclosing the corresponding structure, such as a general storing or transmitting means; however, even though the general purpose computer can be easily conceived by the skilled person in the art, one must not fail to clearly disclose it, or the means in the claim will correspond to nothing.

If a specialized operation is executed, then the corresponding structure disclosed in the specification shall not merely be a general purpose computer or a microprocessor, but should include a specialized algorithm achieving the function, and the algorithm must be sufficiently disclosed in the specification.

The algorithm can be expressed in any understandable way, for example, a flow chart, a written description, mathematical expressions, or other ways providing sufficient structure, but it is unnecessary to demonstrate the program code or disclose minute details of the algorithm.

Merely reciting the name and function of a claimed means into the specification or simply describing the results intended to be achieved rather than the ways to achieve the results does not clearly disclose the algorithm.

If the specification only recites a name of a specialized computer, for example “bank computer”, or some undefined computer system unit e.g., “access control management module”, logic, program code, or component, etc., then it is essentially merely a black box designed to implement the function and

1.

Examination Guide for “User Interface” and “Data Format”

An image design configuration of a user interface is designed to attract a user while the layout or arrangement of components on a screen is usually not included in the technical aspects. In addition, the information contents including a short message displayed on a device are also not of a technical nature.

Even if the message urges the user to take action on the device, the message is still mere information disclosure. However, if the information disclosure interacts with an algorithm to produce a technical effect, for example, increasing the accuracy of the device or decreasing the burden of recognition as the user manipulates the computer, so as to produce a technically more efficient human machine interface, it thus has a technical nature and meets the definition for an invention.

A data format per se is merely a static memory configuration and has no technical nature; if one discloses only the content information or format of the data format without specifically specifying how to utilize or implement it, it is mere information disclosure. Regarding an interactive combination of the computer system and the data format, if one only describes steps as to how to collect the data, it is still mere information disclosure even though the data may include a special format.

However, if the data format (or data structure) interacts with the computer software or hardware to produce technical effects, for

2.

Means-Plus-Function Language and Enablement Requirement

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does not meet the enablement requirement.

Therefore, it is required to describe in detail how the computer or processor computes and implements the functions in the claim to make it clear.

When the specification discloses the algorithm, the skilled person in the art of the invention then determines whether it is sufficiently disclosed, that is, whether the skilled person in the art can clearly understand how to design the program such that the computer can implement the essential steps disclosed in the specification, namely, the skilled person in the art can realizes that the algorithm can be used to achieve the claimed function in accordance with the specification. However, even though the entire algorithm can be completed by the skilled person in the art, one still cannot fail to disclose it in detail because when the applicant uses the means-plus-function language, he/ she shall fulfill his/her burden to clearly and sufficiently disclose the invention.

Because interpreting a means-plus-function claim includes the structure, material or operation described in the specification corresponding to the function and its equivalent scope, when the specification violates the enablement requirement, the claim is indefinite and is not supported by the specification.

3. Conclusion The recent developments from the TIPO regarding examination practices for computer software related invention seem to reflect that the TIPO has adopted a more systematic standard in examining the patent application associated with computer software. As readers can see from the above discussions, i.e. those for the most popular topics “user interface”, “data format” and means-plusfunction language in the patent application related to computer software, the author believes that readers will become more familiar with Taiwan’s current computer software patent practices and have a clearer overview in pursuing future software patents in Taiwan. If the reader has any questions, please contact the author at yltsai@deepnfar.com.tw.

DYNAMIC LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR – PHILIPPINES NILO T. DIVINA MANAGING PARTNER DIVINALAW (+632)8220808 www.divinalaw.com; info@divinalaw.com DivinaLaw, 8th Floor Pacific Star Building, Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. cor. Makati Ave. 1200 Makati City, Philippines

DivinaLaw is a leading full-service law firm in the Philippines. We take pride in advocating and practicing dynamic lawyering – prompt, proactive and result-oriented. We offer depth and range in experience and resources and a professional, collaborative work ethic – qualities that clients appreciate in an emerging and challenging market like the Philippines.

and natural resources, energy, utilities regulation, intellectual property, sports and entertainment, and taxation.

Our clients include leading companies in banking and finance, manufacturing, retail, power, oil and gas, education, health care and insurance, realty and property development, and technology.

DivinaLaw, we endeavor to understand our clients’ needs so we can give them the best legal service possible. We aim to exceed their expectations at every turn.

Our lawyers are some of the most qualified and experienced in their respective fields, and we recruit only the top graduates from the leading law schools.

Our practice includes the entire spectrum of Philippine law. Our litigation practice covers corporate, criminal and civil litigation, alternative dispute resolution, estates and trusts, immigration, labor and employment, elections, administrative regulation, and maritime law. Our corporate practice includes banking, finance and construction, mergers and acquisition, foreign investments, securities, corporate rehabilitation, insurance, public-private partnerships, mining

DivinaLaw is the sole Philippine member of Lawyers Associated Worldwide (LAW), a top-rated international association of over 100 independent law firms from more than 50 countries.

We are also the only Philippine member of LEGALINK, also a top-ranked global network of 68 independent law firms from a majority of the world’s commercial centers.

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SHIPPING, MARITIME & INTERNATIONAL TRUSTS FIRM OF THE YEAR - CYPRUS Emilios Lemonaris Managing Partner E.C. LEMONARIS LAW OFFICES 00357-22754727, 00357-99311563 www.lemonaris.com.cy s.lemonari@cytanet.com.cy No 6 Ayias Elenis Street, Third Floor Office No 34, P.O. Box 22095, 1517, Nicosia, Cyprus

Bio The adviser, Emilios Lemonaris, was employed by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, after his graduation from the English school, Nicosia. While in the service of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus he was granted study leave without pay and went to England where he studied law at the Inns of Court. He was called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, London on the 18th day of July 1967. He was admitted to the Cyprus Bar in the 21st June 1969. The firm E.C .Lemonaris Law Offices was established in the year 1972. The adviser practiced law for more than forty years before all the courts of the Republic of Cyprus and retired from practice in September 2009.

Now he is a consultant at E.C. Lemonaris law offices. He spoke on Cyprus Trusts at International conferences and wrote articles on Cyprus law which were published in the local press.

The Firm The firm was established in the year 1972 and specializes in Shipping and Admiralty Law, Incorporation of Offshore Companies, Tax Planning and in the creation and management of International Trusts. Cyprus before its independence was a crown colony and till this day is a common law country. The principles of Equity and the Law of Trusts are part of the law of the land. The Trust is a legal paradox and an anomaly of the English Legal System. Property, under the English legal System, is divided into (a) the legal estate and the equitable estate. The division enables the owner to retain or transfer the legal estate to trustees and the equitable estate to beneficiaries. When property is placed under trust the Trustee and not the actual owner is deemed to be the owner of the property. The Trust is a convenient vehicle for Tax planning

Through the trust the owner can make special provision for members of his family and for the preservation and management of his estate either inter vivos or after his death. The International Trusts Law regulates the creation of International Trusts. An International Trust is a Trust in which (a) the Settlor is not a permanent resident of Cyprus (b) At least one of the Trustees is a permanent resident of Cyprus, (c) No beneficiary is a permanent resident of Cyprus, and (d) The trust property does not include immovable property situated in Cyprus. The advantages of an International trust are: (a) The Inheritance and Succession Law

of the Republic or of any other

country does not affect the transfer

of property to the trust or the

validity of the Trust. (b) The Bankruptcy of the Settlor or

proceedings against him do not

affect the validity of the Trust (c) The Trust may be valid for 100 years (d) Income may be accumulated for the

whole duration of the Trust (e) Subject to certain conditions the

Proper Law of the Trust can be changed. (f) A Secret Trust is possible and

the Provisions of an International

Trust are absolutely confidential (g) Income or profits from the Trust are

exempted from all taxes in Cyprus.

The only obligation is a stamp duty

of Euro 427 on the Trust Instrument.

A trust can be created either inter vivos by a Trust Deed or Declaration or mortis causa by will. The person creating the trust must be of full age (eighteen years) and of sound mind.

Certainty and absence of ambiguities are the other requirements of a Trust. Capital and other assets of the Trust can be kept outside Cyprus.

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INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION FORENSICS TEAM OF THE YEAR Gregory Wolski Partner Ernst & Young LLP +1 312 879 3383 www.ey.com gregory.wolski@ey.com Ernst & Young LLP 155 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606

The Firm

and post-closing arbitration and dispute services.

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. We help build confidence in capital markets and economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who work together to serve all of our stakeholders and thereby help build a better working world for our people, our clients and our communities. EY refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited does not provide services to clients.

For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving EY member firm operating in the US.

About EY’s Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services (FIDS): Dealing with complex fraud issues, regulatory compliance and business disputes can distract you from efforts to succeed. Managing your fraud and compliance risks is a critical business priority — no matter the industry sector. With more than 3,000 EY FIDS professionals in 67 countries, we can assemble the right multi-disciplinary teams to work with you and your legal advisors. We can give you the benefit of broad sector experience, deep subject matter knowledge and the latest insights from work worldwide.

Transaction Forensics, part of EY’s FIDS practice, provides due diligence services relating to anti–corruption and other forensic issues, as well as services in connection with disputes and investigations stemming from proposed or completed mergers or acquisitions. These services include assisting companies in pre-closing contractual language assessments and pre-arbitration dispute analysis, as well as post-acquisition assistance with preparation of accounting mechanisms

Buyers in today’s market have become increasingly aware that they could become subject to bribery (and other compliance related) allegations at the entity level as well as individually. Many buyers are actively addressing compliance risks through pre-acquisition due diligence as well as post-closing through ongoing compliance monitoring.

Regulators in the United States remain committed to the enforcement of compliance related laws across a wide range of industries.

In 2014, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement actions alone resulted in total corporate penalties of approximately $1.6 billion, with average corporate fines and penalties of $156.6 million, the highest average on record. The recent trend of significant corporate penalties is expected to continue in 2015.

Additionally, buyers recognize that in spite of the parties’ best intentions, nearly one-third of all closed transactions end with a dispute.

In addition, most transactions that don’t end in a dispute require significant post-close efforts and negotiations between the parties to achieve desired results. Further, the likelihood of significant post-close negotiation tends to be heightened with cross-border transactions.

Buyers are actively managing such risks through pre-contractual language assessments and pre-arbitration dispute analysis. Our pre-contractual language assessments and prearbitration dispute analysis provide buyers with greater insight into their ability to achieve the intended results of a transaction.

Our practice is designed to assist clients and their legal counsel with the resolution of anticorruption, forensic, and accounting related matters throughout the transaction timeline.

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FINANCIAL ADVISER OF THE YEAR - ARGENTINA Daniel Serventi Partner – Argentina and South America Region Transaction Advisory Services Leader EY +54 11 4318 1600 www.ey.com/ar Email: daniel.serventi@ar.ey.com 25 de Mayo 476, C1002ABJ, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Transaction Advisory Services Argentina Practice with 65 professionals fully dedicated to provide transactions (diligence, valuation, M&A lead advice, carve-outs, integration, strategy) and corporate finance solutions (capital/debt restructuring, working capital management) TAS Argentina covers not only Argentine clients but also some regional markets such as Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Paraguay and Uruguay having a skilled team with many capabilities to deal in different markets.

TAS Argentina is ranked in the first place among BIG 4 firms in the country.

Among main achievements of the practice there are: Assistance to Expedia investing USD 270 million in Despegar (an internet provider in leisure and hospitality), Working Capital Improvement for a KKR’s portfolio company in Brazil, different projects performed to Carrefour, etc.

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CAPITAL AND FUND MANAGEMENT PRACTICE OF THE YEAR Selvyn Seidel Chairman, Founder, and CEO Fulbrook Capital Management, LLC (646) 620-8976 www.fulbrookmanagement.com sseidel@fulbrookmanagement.com 1441 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, New York 10018

Bio Selvyn Seidel founded and chairs Fulbrook Capital Management LLC. Fulbrook is an independent third party financing advisor on complex national and international commercial claims.

Before Fulbrook, in 2007, Mr. Seidel founded and chaired Burford Advisors, an expert advisor in third party finance, and then, in October of 2009, co-founded and chaired Burford Group Ltd., the investment manager for Burford Capital, LLC, which has gone public on the UK Aim market of the London Exchange, and is now the largest institutional litigation funder in the world.

Mr. Seidel is recognized in the industry as a pioneering voice. He was described in the Report referred to above as “probably the frontrunner in the industry,” and is usually described as a leader or the leader in the industry.

Before Burford and Fulbrook, Mr. Seidel practiced as a litigation attorney for over 40 years in complex litigations and arbitrations, specializing in international. In 1985, he co-founded the New York office of Latham & Watkins, a premier international law firm. Until December 31, 2006 and for almost 25 years, he was a senior litigation partner at Latham and was, at different times, the Chairman of the firm’s International Practice, the founder and Chairman of Latham’s International Litigation and Arbitration practice, and the Chairman of its New York Litigation practice.

Mr. Seidel has been and is an active educator. He was for ten years an Adjunct Professor of Law at the New York University School of Law, teaching courses related to litigation and arbitration. He is an Alumnus Lecturer at Linacre College, Oxford University. He Chairs the Advisory Board of Oxford Law Alumni of America. He lectures on third party finance and participates in conferences and presentations at various law schools in the U.S. and UK (including Harvard Law School, Columbia Law School, Oxford Law, and the University of Iowa Law School), and at various Institutes (such as the RAND Institute of Civil Justice, and at LEXIS NEXIS programs on litigation costing and funding). He is the past chairman of the Advisory Board of the Center for International Commercial and Investment Arbitration Law of Columbia University Law School. He has authored many articles and papers in the industry.

(See www.fulbrookmanagement.com for references to lectures, presentations, articles and papers) He is regularly referred to and cited in the media. (See www. fulbrookmanagement.com)

The Firm Fulbrook’s creation was inspired by the claimants’ challenges. We are an independent expert advisor committed to supporting the market and, within the market, various individual claimants. Before Fulbrook, no other known comparable independent expert advisor was available to look after the claimants’ genuine interests. Our mission is thus to be

a claimant-centric force.

Fulbrook has created and occupies a special space in the funding industry, representing claimants who need assistance in: evaluating their claims; preparing and/or improving the claim for investment, and prosecution; and/or sourcing capital – where Fulbrook identifies and attracts potential investors for the claimant and its claim, from (a) the institutional dedicated third party funders, as well as (b) from individual investors interested in committing only a portion of their capital into litigation finance (e.g., a family office, pension fund, hedge fund, or a private equity entity).

If needed by the claimant and acceptable within a jurisdiction’s rules, Fulbrook will assist in buying, selling, or otherwise trading the claim or the claimant itself.

In a recent Report by two think tanks that discussed Funders, Fulbrook was identified along with four other entities, as among the “prominent third-party funders” in the industry worldwide. Additionally, Fulbrook has been awarded ACQ Magazines Global Award as the “Third Party Litigation Advisory Firm of the Year,” in both 2013 and 2014, based on international surveys taken from its over 50,000 subscribers, in addition to InterContinental Financer Magazine’s “Third Party Funding Firm of the Year (2013) – USA.” In November 2013, the Lawyers World, a global publication, after polling subscribers and internally judging the results, recognition as the “Third Party Funding Firm of the Year 2013 – USA.” In 2014, Fulbrook received Corporate LiveWire’s Global Award for the “Third Party Litigation Advisory Firm of the Year,” and its Global Award for the “Evaluation of International Arbitration Claims Advisory Firm of the Year.” Also in 2014, Fulbrook was awarded Dealmakers Magazine’s Global Award for the «Leading U.S. Third Party Funding Firm of the Year,» in addition to its Annual Award for the «Third Party Funding Firm of the Year – USA.» Furthermore, in 2014, Fulbrook received InterContinental Finance Magazine’s Award for the “Leading US Third Party Funding Firm of the Year,” in addition to the Manhattan Business Recognition Award for the “2014 Best of Manhattan Awards for Management Services.” Most recently, in 2015, Fulbrook has been awarded the following awards: 2015 Corporate International Magazine’s Legal Award for the «International Finance Law Firm of the Year in New York”; Professional Sector Network’s Global Award for the “Capital and Fund Management Practice of the Year”; Corporate LiveWire’s Global Award as the “Third Party Litigation Advisory Firm of the Year”; and InterContinental Finance Magazine’s Award as a «2015 Top 250 Leading Firm.»

Fulbrook emphasizes certain areas, particularly in the following: Patents and other IP; international litigation and arbitration; insolvency, and other serious financial distress situations; and mediation in general and high stake disputes. In exceptional circumstances, it will also work on other claims, such as those involving oil and gas, antitrust, securities fraud, insurance, and serious breach of contract claims.

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Vaibhav Gaggar Managing Partner Gaggar & Associates +91 9958808548 www.gaggarandassociates.com vaibhav@gaggarassociates.com B - 1/12, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, India - 110029

Gaggar & Associates Gaggar & Associates (G&A) is a full service law firm having its head office in New Delhi, India. G&A has a cutting edge team of attorneys, financial advisors and consultants providing end to end litigation & corporate services to its Clients across various fora and a wide range of industries.

Apart from growing commercial disputes litigation G&A specializes in niche areas of laws such as Anti trust/ Competition, Money Laundering, White Collar Crimes, Cyber & Intellectual property laws, Oppression & Mismanagement/ hostile takeover attempts, Environmental laws & Domestic & International Arbitrations.

The partners of the firm are regularly engaged by large corporations / MNC’s, Trade Associations, high net worth individuals as well as by various Governmental agencies of India such as the Competition Commission of India & others to strategies and represent them before various fora including the Supreme Court of India, High Courts and Tribunals.

Mr. Vaibhav Gaggar, Managing Partner of G&A has successfully led as the main counsel in some of the most complex and high stake litigations in India, specially in relation to niche areas of laws such as Anti Trust / Competition, Money Laundering, White Collar Crimes, Cyber & Intellectual property laws, Oppression & Mismanagement / hostile takeover attempts, Environmental laws & Domestic & International Arbitrations, his indepth working knowledge of businesses has enabled the firm to be on the Board of Advisors in a number of Companies,

especially in the online business domain, telecom, real estate & hospitality sectors.

Every year there are a number of judgments reported by the Supreme Court of India as well as by various other Courts in the Country where Mr. Gaggar has played a lead role. Some of the watershed judgments which have helped further the jurisprudence in the country relate to as diverse fields as Competition laws, Environmental laws, White Collar Crimes, Arbitrations & Intellectual property disputes.

Mr. Gaggar leads a cutting edge team of litigating attorneys specializing in specific sectors which enables the team to work in a focused and cohesive manner while understanding the concerns and interests of the clients. Being backed by some of the brightest brains in the country and having a very heavy focus on research, the team along with Mr. Gaggar prides itself on being extremely focused and result oriented.

Mr. Gaggar is also credited with getting the Competition Commission of India to provide a model agreement for the Real Estate Sector, he has often been invited to speak on various media & news channels in India as a leading expert on topics ranging from Competition Law to Real Estate.

In the Corporate domain as well as the partners of the firm have decades of experience in structuring some of the most complex commercial transactions in varied fields of law and commerce. The firm has successfully closed numerous high stake transactions and also regularly engages in internal and external documentation for corporations.

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The firm has significant experience specially in the Real Estate Sector (Residential/ commercial/ Malls/ Townships), Online space (Education, Gaming, Health, E-commerce, Business Consultancy, etc.), Defense Sector, Infrastructure & Heavy machinery. With a 3 tier system along with an industry expert as Consultant for important transactions, the firm possesses indepth working knowledge of the businesses it advises and helps structure. The firm provides an end to end service commencing from legal and financial due diligence to helping the clients get introduced to potential partners and thereafter advising the clients from both a financial as well as legal outlook.

All inter & intra documentation for litigation and corporate work is done with detail to attention and individual requirements and the firm is engaged at all stages of negotiation if warranted. There is also a huge synergy between the litigation and corporate teams in order to ensure that the structuring is done with an eye to potential future issues in the fast evolving commercial landscape. The firm believes in providing a practical efficient and solution oriented approach to ensure that the clients interest are best served in the shortest time periods.  

INNOVATIVE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR - INDIA

Currently amongst several transactions, the firm is advising on Litigation: -

-

-

-

-

-

- Interplay between Competition laws and Intellectual Property Laws, - Patent litigations with respect to

Standard Essential patents, especially in relation to the Telecom Sector, - Constitutional Cases challenging

the legalities on the touchstone of the Constitution of India of various statutes, - High stake Tender matters issued by the Government of India or its departments International commercial arbitrations under IATA Rules (Aviation Sector) and disputes between Collaborators and Joint Venture partners in IT sector & Manufacturing sector.

Domestic arbitrations in the Hospitality, Real Estate, IT & manufacturing sectors.

Environmental matters relating to Iron & Steel industry & Bio Gas pipeline issues Inter & Intra Commercial disputes for damages, compensation & recovery Criminal matters relating to Money Laundering, Domestic & International inter/ intra Commercial fraud, cyber fraud, criminal negligence cases.

Competition matters including against Cement cartels, Car manufacturers, Real Estate Industry, Technology Companies.

Corporate: -

-

-

-

-

Joint Venture Agreements (Domestic & International) in online Gaming, Health & E-Commerce Negotiating Take over and collaboration in heavy industries and Infrastructure Sectors.

Negotiation & Documentation for 3 Private equity transactions in Real Estate & Internet space Documentation of Cyber Policy for number of corporations Entry Strategy discussions & facilitation including Statutory approvals and incorporation for several foreign entities.

IPR registrations on regular basis for Clients.

SERVICES WE PROVIDE

Litigation Domestic & International Commercial Disputes / Arbitrations : Before the Supreme Court of India, High Courts, Company Law Tribunal & before Arbitral Tribunals for all commercial disputes including with respect to Joint Venture Partner issues, Oppression & Mismanagement, Hostile Takeovers, Licensing/ Agency & other commercial matters.

(i)

(ii)

-

Corporate o

o

Competition/ Anti Trust Law: Anti Trust Litigation before Supreme Court of India, High Courts & the Commission for defense as well as prosecution.

Interplay between IPR and Anti Trust Laws.

o

o

White Collar Crime:

(i)

Domestic and International Money Laundering Cases (ii) Inter and Intra Corporate frauds (iii) CBI / Economic Offences Wing/

Corruption Cases (iv) Cyber and Tax Criminal offshoots - Real Estate Law: Litigations – For

Developers, Class Actions &Interse

disputes between parties including

for JV’s.

- Cyber Laws: Civil & Criminal

litigations before all Fora for cyber

fraud, hacking, phissing, IPR issues, etc.

- Intellectual Property: litigations

before all Fora for Patents,

Trademarks & Copyright violations.

Litigation relating to Standard

Essential Patents.

- Environment: Before Supreme

Court of India, High Courts & Tribunals.

- Other Regulatory regimes such

as for Telecom, Infrastructure,

Coal and Mining, Electricity etc:

o o

o

o

Entry Strategy into India including advisory services and incorporation of Company/ LLP etc, approvals from FIPB and other Statutory authorities, introduction to potential business partners, financial and legal due diligence and Feasibility reports, Strategic tie ups including by way of Joint Ventures, Private Equity transactions, M&A, Collaboration & Licensing.

Intellectual Property Rights Registrations for Trademarks, Copyrights, Patents, Designs & Geographical Indicators.

Internal & External Company Documentation including Memorandum & Articles of Association, Shareholders Agreements, Employment Contracts, Tenancy Agreements etc.

Drafting of Cyber Policies & Intra / Inter Corporate Cyber Contracts Filings before the Anti Trust/ Competition Body in India for Combinations.

Advisory/ Structuring & Regulatory work in Infrastructure, Real Estate, Hospitality, Education, Defense, Environment, Online (Education, Gaming, e-commerce, business consultancy, health care) etc.

Advisory/ Structuring & Regulatory work in online/ offline lotteries & Casinos.

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Dave Hill Partner Hill Sokalski Walsh Olson LLP 204.954.0750 hillco.mb.ca dhill@hillco.mb.ca 2670-360 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3Z3

Called to the Bar in 1975, Dave Hill maintains a practice that encompasses virtually all aspects of civil litigation, including corporate/commercial litigation, arbitrations and mediation. His expertise in trial and appellate advocacy is reflected in a number of leading cases in many different areas of law, including recent cases involving economic torts, environmental claims and significant contractual disputes.

As one of the leading civil litigation lawyers in Manitoba, he has appeared in trial courts of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal, the Tax Court of Canada, and the Supreme Court of Canada.

He is ranked in Lexpert in the areas of Commercial Insurance, Litigation and Corporate/Commercial. He is included in the Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada for corporate commercial litigation. He was the first Manitoba litigator to be chosen as a Fellow

of the Litigation Counsel of America, a trial lawyer honorary society.

Dave was selected as the sole Manitoban in 2009 by Law Day Leading Lawyers in North America as one of the top 36 leading lawyers in Canada in the area of appellate advocacy. In addition, for the Globe and Mail Report on Business, December 2012 edition (which includes the Lexpert feature as an insert), he was named one of the leading litigation lawyers in Canada.

Selected by Best Lawyers List for Canada for the seventh straight year in six different areas of litigation, including Corporate and Commercial, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Bet-the-Company Litigation and Insurance Law Litigation.

From 1983 to 1989 Dave served as a Bencher of the Law Society of Manitoba.

He has presented papers at numerous CLE programs put on by the Law Society of Manitoba over the years, including the 1981, 1983 and 1999 Pitblado Lectures. He

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BOUTIQUE LITIGATION LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR - CANADA

was the co-chairman of the 1991 Pitblado Lectures with The Honourable Peter S. Morse, QC, now counsel to the firm.

From 1978 to 1988 he taught at the University of Manitoba Law School in the subjects of agency and insurance law. In the mid-1980s he was one of the original faculty members of the annual Advocacy Seminar put on by the Law Society of Manitoba. He has published articles for the Manitoba Law Journal and the Legal Research Institute of Manitoba.

In February 2013, Dave was chosen as the Litigator of the Year in Manitoba by Benchmark Canada.

Dave started his own litigation boutique in 1988, Hill & Walsh. In 2010, the firm was selected as one of the 10 Top Litigation Boutiques in Canada. In 2014, it was chosen as Firm of the Year – Manitoba by Benchmark Canada and Dave was chosen

Litigator of the Year - Manitoba.

The Firm The Firm is the largest litigation boutique between Toronto and Calgary. It is in its 28th year and has two retired Judges as Senior Counsel, a very distinguishing feature in the Manitoba market. It has been ranked in the Top 10 Litigation Boutiques

by Canadian Lawyer and has been ranked

by Benchmark as the top litigation firm in Manitoba in the last three years with Dave Hill and Sherri Walsh being ranked the top litigators. Bob Sokalski is also a Benchmark Star.

I’m proud of the fact that we serve all types of litigants and parties, plaintiffs, defendants, individuals, corporations, public service groups, public interest law, etc.

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INDEPENDENT LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR - UK

About us Hudson McKenzie is globally linked up law firm providing extensive legal services to a diverse range of clients across a range of industries involving: • • • • • • •

Corporate & Commercial law Dispute Resolution.

Employment law UK and Global Immigration law Intellectual Property law Private Clients Wills & Probate

And thanks to our trusted international presence, you have access to the very best knowledge and expertise available to you in the UK and throughout the world.

Our people comprise the best in the industry who have worked at large city firms and Big 4 accountancy practices. Here we have created a firm of people who are passionate about their work. We are enthusiastic and proactive; our mission is to take problems off your desk. We are ‘doers’ and that is what defines Hudson McKenzie’s client experience.

Business Immigration Practice Our firm has a strong reputation for providing Business Immigration services both in the UK and worldwide in over 90 jurisdictions. We are widely recognised for helping clients to develop and implement immigration aspects of cross-border mergers and acquisitions and also provide strategic advice on international re-organisations and executive relocations.

Much of our work has an international flavour offering the highest quality and client-focused immigration solutions in a timely manner helping you avoid immigration risk and penalties.

Global Presence We have a worldwide network of associated offices ensuring that a specialised and local approach can be given to more specific cases as required. Through this central control and oversight can work proactively with you to identify and address patterns, potential risk areas and pressure points in specific location in which you operate and highlight these issues to you. Our professionals also regularly prepare and present internal and external training to HR professionals and the wider business.

Hudson VIP High Net Worth Hudson McKenzie has been offering immigration services to high net worth (HNW) and ultra-high net worth (UHNW) individuals for several years. We regularly assist clients from all across the globe with their Tier 1 (Investor) and Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa applications. We also offer relocation services to our high net worth clients through carefully selected partners.

Corporate Social Responsibility At Hudson McKenzie, we firmly believe Corporate Social Responsibility is about who we are and who we want to be. It is about how we conduct ourselves with and towards

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others and with the worlds in which we live.

It influences every aspect of our operations; the way we do business, the way we work together, the way in which we contribute to our community and manage our impact on the environment. Our involvement in corporate responsibility is driven by our values which take form of practical activity and making a positive social impact. The firm’s CSR program includes initiatives in the areas of Pro Bono, Community, Diversity & Inclusion, Environment and Ethics & Risk Management.

As part of our commitment to CSR, we are a proud Member firm of Heart of the City-

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme.

Recognitions and Awards We are listed in the UK Legal 500 directory for Business Immigration. We are also a trusted partner of the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) inward investment team and work closely with them to assist foreign companies in establishing themselves and expanding within the UK. We are fiercely proud of our success and have been awarded/shortlisted for various award categories.

Awarded Independent Law Firm of the Year 2014 by Professional Services Network.

•

• •

Shortlisted for the EMMA awards as Immigration Firm of the Year in 2014.

Shortlisted for High Net worth Immigration Award 2014.

Shortlisted for Business Excellence Awards 2015.

CIVIL AND ANTITRUST LITIGATION LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR Joseph R. Saveri Joseph Saveri Law Firm, Inc. jsaveri@saverilawfirm.com (415) 500-6800 http://saverilawfirm.com 505 Montgomery Street, Suite 625, San Francisco, CA 9411

Liability in United States Private Lawsuits for Damages Caused by International Cartels & Price-Fixing Abroad

By Joseph Saveri and Ryan McEwan In the last year, three Courts of Appeals have considered whether those injured by foreign cartel activity outside the United States may obtain redress in United States courts under the Foreign Trade Antitrust Improvements Act of 1982 (“FTAIA”). Pub. L. No. 97-290, § 102(b), 96 Stat. 1233, 1234.

Motorola Mobility Motorola sought to recover damages resulting from overcharges paid as a result of the TFT-LCD price-fixing cartel. DOJ prosecution produced numerous guilty pleas and guilty verdicts against cartel participants, as well as over a billion dollars in settlements of private litigation. Motorola opted out of the class action and sought to recover for three categories of its own purchases: (1) LCD panels imported into the U.S. (one percent of purchases); (2) LCD panels purchased outside the U.S. by Motorola’s foreign subsidiaries incorporated into finished products that Motorola later imported into the U.S. (42 percent of purchases); and (3) LCD panels purchased outside the United States used as components in finished products that were sold outside the U.S. (57 percent of purchases).

The appeal concerned the second and third categories. Motorola Mobility LLC v. AU Optronics Corp., 2014 U.S. App. LEXIS 24709 (7th Cir. Jan. 12, 2015).

Previously, the Seventh Circuit had held that anticompetitive conduct that occurs abroad must have only a “reasonably proximate causal nexus” with the alleged U.S. domestic effects in order to be “direct” under the FTAIA. Minn‐Chem, Inc. v. Agrium, Inc., 683 F.3d 845, 856–58 (7th Cir. 2012). In so doing, it rejected the Ninth Circuit’s conclusion that an effect is direct if it followed as an “immediate consequence” of the anticompetitive conduct, meaning “without deviation or interruption.”

Id. (rejecting approach in United States v. LSL Biotechnologies, 379 F.3d 672, 680 (9th Cir. 2004)).

In Motorola, the Seventh Circuit concluded that Motorola failed to satisfy the direct effects exception. The Seventh Circuit rejected the claims based on price-fixed panels incorporated into cellphones sold abroad (Category 3), because “neither those cellphones nor their panel components entered the United States, [so] they never became a part of domestic U.S. commerce.”

Motorola Mobility LLC, 2014 U.S. App. LEXIS 27409, at *5-6. For the claims based on panels incorporated into cellphones sold in the U.S. (Category 2), the panel acknowledged that, assuming that prices were fixed, there “would be an effect on domestic U.S. commerce. And that effect would be foreseeable. . . , could be substantial, and might well be direct rather than ‘remote.’” Id. at *8-9.

Remaining agnostic as to whether there was a direct, substantial, and reasonably foreseeable effect on U.S. domestic commerce, the panel held that the Category 2 claims failed because any effect on U.S. commerce did not “give rise to an antitrust cause of action.” Id. at *10. The panel reasoned that “the immediate victims of the price fixing were [Motorola’s foreign] subsidiaries, and . . . the antitrust laws are not to be used for injury to foreign customers.” Id. at *11-12. Relatedly, Motorola lacked “antitrust standing” under Illinois Brick because Motorola was an indirect purchaser and had no right to sue under federal antitrust law for injuries suffered by its foreign subsidiaries based on the subsidiary’s foreign purchases.

Id. at *16-17.

Lotes Lotes, Co., Ltd. (“Lotes”) is a Taiwan corporation that manufactures USB connectors and sells them to foreign entities that assemble computer products incorporating USB connectors for sale around the world, including in the U.S. Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. (“Hon Hai”) competes with Lotes in manufacturing USB connectors.

Lotes claimed that Hon Hai engaged in

anticompetitive conduct by refusing to license USB 3.0 technology on terms required by a standard setting organization. Lotes claimed that the refusal to license—combined with the threat of patent litigation—threatened to shut down Lotes’ factories in China, decreased competition in USB 3.0 connectors, and ultimately led to price increases in the U.S. The Second Circuit rejected the Ninth Circuit’s “immediate consequence” standard as too narrow. Lotes Co. Ltd. v. Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., 753 F.3d 395 (2d Cir. 2014). Instead, the Second Circuit approved the “reasonably proximate causal nexus” previously endorsed by the Seventh Circuit in Minn-Chem. The Second Circuit concluded that any direct effect did not “give rise” to Lotes’ claim because higher prices to U.S. consumers did not “give rise” to the injury Lotes sustained from monopolisation practices outside the U.S.

Hsiung United States v. Hsiung, 2015 U.S. App. LEXIS 1590 (9th Cir. Jan. 30, 2015) involved an appeal from the criminal price-fixing convictions of participants in the TFT-LCD cartel. AUO contended that because the majority of TFTLCD panels were sold to third parties outside the United States (and were not directly imported), the effects of the price fixing were too attenuated to satisfy the domestic effects test.

The Ninth Circuit reaffirmed the “immediate consequence” standard (at this point rejected by the Second and Seventh Circuits), and held that the effect was sufficiently direct and immediate to meet the exception to the FTAIA. Id. at *49. “It was well understood that substantial numbers of finished products were destined for the United States and that the practical upshot of the conspiracy would be and was increased prices to customers in the United States.” Id. at *52. The court also concluded that the cartel behaviour constituted “import commerce,” namely the importation and sale of TFT-LCD screens in the United States.

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M&A LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR - INDONESIA

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Mrs. Kartini Muljadi Senior Partner of Kartini Muljadi & Rekan Kartini Muljadi & Rekan (62 21) 72794535 www.kmuljadilaw.com kartini.muljadi@kmuljadilaw.com Jalan Gunawarman No 18 Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan 12110, Indonesia

Biography Mrs Muljadi graduated from the Law Faculty of the University of Indonesia in 1958. She served as a judge at the Pengadilan Negeri Istimewa Jakarta from 1958 to 1973. She has taught civil procedures, corporate and commercial law at several law faculties in Indonesia. Subsequently, she practised as an Indonesian Notary Public since 1973 – 1990.

She took an early retirement as Notary Public in Jakarta and commenced her practice as an Advocate and Legal Advisor, as the Senior Partner of law firm Kartini Muljadi & Rekan, she practices until today in the year 2015. In addition, she serves as a member of various professional, research and charitable bodies.

Mrs Kartini Muljadi is the founder and senior partner of the Indonesian law firm Kartini Muljadi & Rekan. She has long been one of Indonesia’s most prominent and well respected corporate and commercial lawyers, and has provided counsel to business leaders, representatives of government, multinational agencies and others for over 30 years.

Since retiring as a judge in 1973, Mrs Muljadi has practised as notary (until 1990) and a legal consultant, and has advised on a wide variety of corporate and commercial transactions and matters. Her areas of acknowledged expertise include mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, banking and finance (including project finance) and insolvency. She has consistently been acknowledged by various publications as being among Indonesia’s leading lawyers in each of these practice areas. In addition to her legal practice, she has written widely on various aspects of Indonesian law and been involved in some of Indonesia’s most significant law reform initiatives.

Mrs Muljadi is an accredited capital markets specialist. She has advised on numerous IPO’s and other equity offerings, mergers and acquisitions and domestic and international bond issues, and is regularly consulted by the Indonesian government and private clients on developments in capital markets regulation and compliance issues. Mrs Muljadi played an active role in the development of the legal structures necessary for the enhancement of Indonesia’s capital market, leading to the enactment of the Capital Market Law in 1995. In 2004, she received a Capital Markets Lifetime Achievement Award from the President of Indonesia.

The Firm Kartini Muljadi & Rekan is one of Indonesia’s law firms established since 1990. M&A, banking and finance and capital markets (debt and equity) are among its core practice areas.

The firm’s attorneys include accredited capital market specialists, and the firm regularly advises on debt and equity issuances, as well as advising a large number of public listed clients on compliance with the regulatory requirements of Bapepam-LK and the Indonesian Stock Exchange.

Practice Areas • Corporate • Capital Markets • Finance • Business Transactions • Litigation • Mergers, Consolidations and Acquisitions • Telecommunications • Mining Law • Construction • Intellectual Property Rights

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CORPORATE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR - INDONESIA

Handbook Section (1800 words or 900 words plus an A4 PDF advert) The regulatory authority currently responsible for supervision of capital market activities in Indonesia is Bapepam-LK (Badan Pengawas Pasar Modal dan Lembaga Keuangan). This will change on 31 December 2012. In October last year, Indonesia’s House of Representatives passed Law Number 21 of 2011, which has established a new Financial Services Authority (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan) (“FSA”). The FSA will serve to regulate and supervise activities in the financial sector (including banking and insurance) and the capital market, and will assume regulatory and supervisory authorities currently being exercised by Bank Indonesia (with effect from 31 December 2013) and, with effect from 31 December 2012, BapepamLK. Until then, companies in the financial sector will continue to be supervised by Bank Indonesia or Bapepam-LK and be subject to their rules. For public listed companies, the rules of the Indonesian Stock Exchange and Bapepam-LK also apply.

The new provision in the new rule is the requirement for public companies to publish the announcement made prior to the notice and the notice of any general meeting of shareholders (the “GMOS”) in their web site in the Indonesian and foreign languages, at least English.

The change in procedures of the organizing of GMOS is the period of notice for GMOS, which was previously, pursuant to the old rules, not later than 14 days prior to the GMOS (excluding the date of the notice and of the GMOS) be changed to a period of not later than 21 days prior to the GMOS (excluding the date of the notice and of the GMOS). The number of days for the public companies need for organising a GMOS becomes 44 days, 37 days pursuant to the old rules. This new rules requires the public companies to amend their Articles of Association to be in accordance with such new rules within 1 year after the promulgation date of this rules (8 December 2014). So that, 8 December 2015 will be the final date for the amendment of the Articles of Association.

New rule on general meeting of shareholders of public companies FSA issued a new rule regarding plan and organizing of general meeting of shareholders of public companies in December 2014 (promulgated on 8 December 2014). The new rules, as set forth in FSA Regulation No. 32/POJK.04/2014 regarding Plan and Organization of General Meeting of Shareholders of Public Companies, replace Regulation of Bapepam-LK No. KEP-60/ PM/1996 daetd 17 January 1996 (the “old rules”).

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TAX ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR - TURKEY Ayhan Ustan TAX PARTNER KPMG in Turkey +90 (216) 681 91 00 www.kpmg.com.tr ayhanustun@kpmg.com Kavacık Rüzgarlı Bahçe Mah. Kavak Sok.No:29 Beykoz 34805 İstanbul

Ayhan Üstün started his career as a tax assistant in KPMG Istanbul tax department in charge of taxation, accounting and financial reporting requirements of foreign clients and accumulated extensive experience in taxation of multinational companies and individuals. He was promoted as a Manager in 2002 after when he was on temporary assignment to Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) department of KPMG in the UK. He was promoted as a Partner in tax advisory department of KPMG Istanbul in 2010.

As a Partner, he is currently leading the Mergers & Acquisition (M&A) related tax services (including tax due diligence and tax structuring services) and International Corporate Tax (ICT) services in KPMG Turkey. He has experience on taxation of multinational companies investing in Turkey, taxation of Turkish companies investing out of Turkey and respective double tax treaty applications.

Ayhan Üstün has been recognized by various sectorial magazines and their readers as a leading tax advisor in Turkey. He has wide sector experience including energy, consumer and industrial markets, telecommunications (IT) and financial services.

The Tax Advisory team of KPMG in Turkey, led by Ayhan Üstün includes 25 professionals dedicated to M&A Tax and International Tax services who has been specialized in advising multinational companies to structure their mergers, acquisitions, reorganization and new investments in Turkey. Other key members of the team include Eray Buyuksekban

(Partner), Begum Kitiş (Director) and Fatma Buyukdemirci (Director).

Having more than 2000 clients, many of which are multinationals, KPMG in Turkey is one of the pioneering professional services firms in the country today providing audit, tax and advisory services to international and local clients. Having more than 900 professionals, the company operates in 3 cities; Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara.

As a part of a comprehensive Deal Advisory team including Financial, Commercial and Tax experts; the Tax Advisory team of KPMG in Turkey provides its clients a wide range of services, such as, pre-deal tax planning advise, analysis of alternative investment structures, due diligence, identification of tax related risks and opportunities during the investment evaluation phase, assistance in post-acquisition integration, assistance in negotiation of tax related matters with other party (buyer, seller, JV partner) and recommendation on tax effective solutions to international complexities (e.g. repatriation of cash, use of tax treaty provisions etc).

Today’s market place is highly competitive and demands quick and often difficult decisions. KPMG Turkey’s team of Tax Advisory professionals plays a key role in the strategic planning and structuring of an investment or an M&A project; ensuring that the business people have a full appreciation, at a very early stage, of the tax risks and, importantly, opportunities.

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ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISER OF THE YEAR – INTERNATIONAL Mr Samer Hijazi Audit Director KPMG 020 7311 5036 www.kpmg.com samer.hijazi@kpmg.co.uk KPMG, 15 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5GL

The Firm KPMG’s member firms bring the expertise and knowledge base of over 35,000 dedicated financial services professionals to serve some of the largest global financial services firms, helping to transform their business.

Our deep relationships with regulators, comprehension of the key issues, depth of experience and insights helps our clients not only meet their obligations efficiently, but also minimize the impact to daily operations while positioning our clients for the future. Whether it is minimizing risk, helping establish new strategies, changing operating models, or gaining value-adding insights from various data sources, leading financial services firms rely on KPMG to help create sustainable businesses. We provide external audit services to more Global Systematically Important Financial Institutions (GSIFIs) than any other global firm and professional services to over 75% of the financial services firms listed in the Global 1200 (2012/13) companies. Find out more at kpmg.com or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

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ACCOUNTANTS OF THE YEAR - MEXICO David Hernández Munguía.

Partner KSI MEXICO +52 (55) 55205353 ksi.mx dh@ksi.mx Paseo de la Reforma 935, Lomas de Chapultepec; México City, 11000

KSI México is a global network, member of KS International, an association of independent accountancy firms with over 100 offices; we operate in some 50 countries around the world to deal with your international business need.

KSI México offers a personal service, focused on the growth and success of our clients.

We outstand for the quality of our services, offering a complete solution for each client.

We provide a wide range of business service to companies in a variety of industries. The firm specializes in corporate finance advice, accounting, tax planning, consultation, and auditing services.

We belong to the PCAOB (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board), as a corporation to oversee the audits of public companies in order to protect the interests of investors and further the public interest in the preparation of informative, accurate and independent audit reports.

Our commitment is to help your business succeed by keeping up-to-date with your affairs and offering a high standard of both commercial and supportive advice.

The Key to our approach is to build a close relationship between partner and client.

Qualities you will find in a KSI México firm include: • A real understanding of your business.

• The partners are in tune with your

needs and aspirations.

• Regular attention and support from

accessible partners.

• Commercial realism in the advice

you receive.

• Technically reliable responses to

your enquiries.

Additionally, KSI México firm attach great importance to recruiting and training quality staff.

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Donald B. Kipkorir Managing Partner KTK Advocates +254 (20) 2250544 www.ktk.co.ke mail@ktk.co.ke 4th Floor KeMU Towers, University Way, P. O. Box 10176-00100 Nairobi

Biography

All reported East African cases, All England

We have advised our clients in complex

Donald was admitted as an Advocate in 1992.

Law Reports, Atkins Forms & Precedents,

financial transactions including:

He is a founding partner of KTK Advocates and

Encyclopaedia of Forms & Precedents,

• Project Finance and Development

holds the position of Managing Partner.

Halsburys Laws and leading texts in all our

• Structured Finance

Donald is the holder of a Bachelor of Laws

areas of specialization.

• Syndicated Finance

degree from the University of Nairobi and a

KTK encourages the use of the internet for

Ourmulti-disciplinary team is up-to-date with

Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.

research.

recent legislative developments and has the

Before founding the Firm, he worked at the

Our Managing Partner, Mr. Donald B. Kipkorir,

knowledge and experience to help our clients

firm of Wetangula & Company Advocates and

is the overall partner in charge of all legal

fromvarious jurisdictions.

undertook his pupillage at Nyairo & Company

services provided and ensures all quality and

We have represented developers, lenders

Advocates.

cost guidelines are strictly adhered to.

(governmental and private) in domestic and

Donald has vast experience in Corporate and

KTK strives to provide its Clients with excellent

international currency facilities secured by stock

Commercial Law and is a registered Patent

service of the highest quality. For every matter

and assets of foreign subsidiaries of domestic

Agent.

that we handle there is an Advocate tasked with

and foreign parent companies.

FIRM PROFILE

responsibility for the conduct of the matter, and

Energy (Electrical power,Geothermal power, Oil and gas)

We are a leading Law Firm in Kenya,

if a further point of reference is needed, our

established in 1996, with an excellent reputation

Heads of Department and Managing Partner

The Oil and Gas industry in East Africa is

on all forms of commercial and corporate legal

are available to assist.

rapidly developing following the recent

REPORTING

matters.

discovery of geothermal, coal and petroleum

We provide a range of legal services across

We confirm that our Firm supplies each Client

deposits.

various industries.

with requisite periodical reports in the format

KTK’s Energy Practice delivers the combined

Our commercial and pragmatic approach

specified and at the times set by the Client. In

legal experience of a multi-disciplinary

demonstrates a genuine market commitment

addition we shall adhere to our own internal

team of lawyers together with an in-depth

to the Clients we serve in the various sectors of

time limits as shall be specified for litigation,

understanding of the commercial and technical

industry. We focus the Firm’s resources towards

commercial, corporate and conveyancing/

aspects of the energy industry to bring

service delivery thereby developing products

securities work.

transactions, regulatory proceedings, and

BILLING

that add value to our Client’s business.

disputes to successful completion.

We work for many of the leading Banks,

We confirm that the Firm bills for all legal

Our energy clients receive coordinated,

Insurance companies, Parastatals and

services in accordance with the scale fees

across-the-board coverage for their needs,

Government bodies, Societies, Regulatory

provided under the various schedules of The

including construction and projects, corporate,

authorities as well as several leading

Advocates (Remuneration) (Amendment)

competition, regulatory, dispute resolution and

Companies in Kenya and various International

Order, 2009.

policy issues Our clientelerange from national

Companies.

We have built strong associations with leading

PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE

and international oil and gas companies to venture capitalist alternative energy

law firms in England, South Africa, Uganda,

KTK Advocates has Professional Indemnity

entrepreneurs. Our lawyers provide strategic

Tanzania, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Saudi

Insurance Cover of KShs. 500,000,000/= with

advice on planning, development, financing

Arabia giving us considerable strength in

AIG Kenya.

and permitting matters, as well as legislative

legal matters with an international or regional ingredient.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Industries We Serve KTK Advocates is one of the best law firms in

and regulatory issues.

Telecommunications

the country providing a wide range of legal

KTK has extensive experience in advising and

services to both Kenyan and International

acting for clients in the Telecommunications

KTK is fully networked internally and each

clients. Our areas of expertise include but are

and broadcasting sectors. We have acted for

member of staff has their own personal

not limited to:

various telecoms and media clients in rights

Hardware and Networking

computers linked to the firm’s network. Each

Financial Services

issues and provision of regulatory advice.

member of staff has full access to e-mail and

Today’s complex financial markets require

Our team is up-to date with the recent

internet facilities.

strategic and dynamic solutions. KTK

legislation and regulations and is known to

Advocates has been at the forefront of

deliver dynamic, innovative and specialist

We have a fully stocked library, which includes

providing pragmatic solutions to our clients in

solutions to meet the needs of our clients.

the Laws of Kenya, All reported Kenyan cases,

financial matters.

Library and Research Facilities

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LEGAL ADVISER OF THE YEAR - KENYA

Information and Communication Technology

centers.

Public Sector & Government

• Construction engineering claims and dispute resolution

East Africa continues to be on the forefront of

KTK provides a full range of services to assist

• Due diligence

the IT revolution. In keeping with this, KTK’s

our clients in managing their interactions with

• Development leases

team is up-to-date with the developing laws

the government.

and regulations affecting this sector.

KTK has also advised the government in a wide

The Insurance industry in Kenya is growing

We have advised leading ICT companies and

of range matters and has in-depth experience

offering more dynamic and innovative products

government bodies on various issues, providing

in dealing with government and public sector

to meet the ever changing needs of its clientele.

seamless and integrated legal solutions to

bodies.

We have a wide range of experience in

various key players across the industry.

Agriculture

Real Estate

Insurance

insurance matters having advised several

The real estate sector in Kenya is developing

insurance companies in various matters relating

Agriculture forms the backbone of the Kenyan

at a rapid pace to meet the growing need for

to drafting of policy contracts, claims and

Economy. KTK has been on the forefront in

housing and office space. The Capital Markets

recoveries.

advising various companies in the agricultural

Authority recently established Real Estate

sector.In light of the recent raft of legislation

Investment Trusts Regulations in recognition of

KTK Advocates has been a leading provider of

affecting, KTK has provided timely and

this growing need.

corporate solutions over the past decade with

We have advised a diverse range of clients

KTK advocates have been and continue to offer

an established and renowned corporate law

including multinational tea companies

timely services to developers in the real estate

practice.

on various issues including corporate

sector on a spectrum of property issues to

KTK has been involved in providing advice

restructuring, trademark registrations for

domestic and foreign equity investors. We have

to several listed and non-listed companies

their products and preparation of leasing

also advised a range of multinationals setting

on matters concerning mergers, acquisitions,

agreements.

up in the country.

corporate restructuring and rights issues,

Education

Pharmaceuticals

Corporations

providing time-critical solution as and when needed by our clients.

The Education sector in Kenya is a diverse

KTK has provided specialized services to the

industry requiring tailor made solutions to

Pharmaceutical industry and has represented

match the dynamic individual clientele need.

various pharmaceutical companies in matters of

KTK Advocates has served the manufacturing

KTK has carved a niche for itself in this sector

litigation, intellectual property, regulatory and

industry providing timely and accurate advice

providing advice to key institutions in matters

corporate matters.

to many of our clients. This has led to the

concerning their setting up, restructuring.

Mass Media

Manufacturing

establishment of KTK as recognized providing

KTK Advocates has advised various academic

The Constitution of Kenya 2010 ushered a

advice to its manufacturing clients on legal and

institutions and Universities acting for them

period of unprecedented growth in the media

regulatory matters affecting their businesses on

in contentious and non-contentious matters

and entertainment industry. The rights of media

a broad range of commercial issues.

various suits.

are now secured, constitutionally and therefore

We have offered our clients specialist advise in

more investors are venturing into this sector.

these areas:

The healthcare industry in Kenya is rapidly

KTK has expertise on these fields and has

• Employment Law

evolving with healthcare laws and regulations

constantly advised various media institutions in

• Product Liability Law

being formulated by the legislator and

the country on diverse issues.

• Leasing transactions

KTK has a wealth of experience in this area

With the improved infrastructure and

Emerging and growing companies must be

having advised its clients on various issues

government increased government incentives,

able to raise money, when necessary, in a timely

including:

the construction industry in the country has

and efficient manner. KTK offers both investor

• Project finance

been on an upward trend.

contacts and extensive experience in venture

• Health insurance

KTK has provided full-range legal services

capital and private investments.

• Health care regulatory

to various construction and engineering

KTK regularly represents both sponsors and

• Professional liability claims and litigation

companies, both multi-national and domestic,

investors. The team has extensive experience in

• Employment contracts

delivering practical and cost-effective solutions

advising sponsors of venture capital funds in

KTK’s clients range from leading

Our services and areas of specialization include:

their capital raising and investing activities as

pharmaceutical and medical supply agencies to

• Drafting of project specific contracts

well as acting for emerging companies seeking

hospitals, both private and public, and research

• Advise on applicable legislation

venture capital financing.

Healthcare

stakeholder bodies.

Construction

Venture Capital

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TRADEMARK LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR - INDONESIA Olga K. Santoso Attorney Sole Practitioner +62 21 7202961; +62 21 7206664 trademarkoks.com olgaksantoso@cbn.net.id Grand Wijaya Center Block G 37, Jl. Wijaya II, Jakarta Selatan 12160, Indonesia

Education ●

●

●

King Hall School of Law, University of California, Davis, California, USA (Lex Legibus Magister, 1998) Law Faculty of Universitas Tarumanagara, Jakarta, Indonesia (S-1 Sarjana Hukum, 1996) Mc Laren School of Business, University of San Francisco, California, USA (Bachelor of Science, Accounting major, 1984)

Biography OLGA K. SANTOSO, born Jakarta. Admitted to the Courts of Indonesia in 2000. Registered as Legal Counsel for Capital Market in 2000.

Sworn Translator (Indonesian to English) in 2005. Registered as Intellectual Property Rights Consultant in 2006. Education: Mc Laren School of Business, University of San Francisco, California (BSc., Accounting,

1984); Faculty of Law, Universitas Tarumanagara (S.H., 1996); King Hall School of Law, University of California, Davis, USA (LL.M., 1998). Working Experience: The Chase Manhattan Bank, n.a., Jakarta BranchCredit & Marketing Dept. as a credit officer; Treasury Dept. as a dealer (1985-1989); P.T. Bank Danamon - Head Office, Investment Banking Dept.; Financial Institutions Dept. as Deputy General Manager (1990-1993).

Law Office K. Santoso & Partners as a legal counsel in corporate and family law aside from intellectual property (19932011). Law Office of Olga K. Santoso (2012- Present). Languages: Indonesian and English. Member: Indonesian Bar Association (Perhimpunan Advokat Indonesia), Capital Market Legal Consultant Association (Himpunan Konsultan Hukum Pasar Modal). Intellectual Property Rights Consultant Association (Asosiasi Konsultan Hak Kekayaan Intelektual), INTA, APAA

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BUSINESS LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR - BELGIUM Emmanuel Ruchat Partner Lexial +32 2 880 79 52 www.lexial.eu lexial@lexial.eu Chaussée de Louvain 467, 1030 Brussels

Belgium is an attractive country for non-EU citizens who wish to establish their business and/or family in the European Union.

Centrally located, Brussels is the “capital” of the EU and home to NATO headquarters.

As a result, the city and the country are truly multicultural. With an excellent infrastructure and high quality of life, Belgium is also taxfriendly to people who know how it works…

Financial resources essentially derive from three different situations:

You plan to work as a self-employed person, preferably within the framework of a company: you will request a professional card.

This is the most common form of business immigration in Belgium;

Obtaining Belgian citizenship requires residency in the country for 5 years.

Or you find a job before entering Belgian territory: you and your employer will have to request a

Residency has a specific meaning under Belgian law: you must be registered at city hall. This registration will allow you to hold a residence permit, generally after only one police control at the very beginning of your stay (the police will only check your presence).

However, in principle, for non EU-citizens to obtain residency, they must be able to prove to the Belgian authorities that they have sufficient financial resources for this purpose.

work permit and an authorization to hire;

Or you can prove that you will have sufficient financial resources to live without working: in this case you will request a “wealth card”, which is in fact a long-term visa granted on the basis of your specific financial situation.

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IP SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR Mathys & Squire 020 7830 0000 www.mathys-squire.com The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG, United Kingdom

Mathys & Squire is one of Europe’s most established and renowned specialist IP firms.

We have been around for over 100 years, and have seen a 25% increase in both our partnership and the general size of the firm.

In 2014, we became the first legal tenant of the Shard, the tallest building in Western Europe, when we moved our UK headquarters to the 15th floor. We now work across five offices in London, Cambridge, Manchester, York.

We are a full service IP firm with specialist attorneys in a wide range of technical fields including: biotechnology, pharmacology,

electronics, engineering, software, chemistry, IT, and communications.

We have an excellent track record in successfully prosecuting software-related and business process inventions before the EPO. We also have a highly successful European patent opposition practice. Our trademarks team have vast experience in the development, management and protection of trade mark portfolios; including, filing and prosecuting applications for national and international trade mark registration before the UK Intellectual Property Office and OHIM in the EU.

38 | Global Awards 2015 | www.prosectornetwork.com

Global Awards 2015 | www.prosectornetwork.com | 39

INTERNATIONAL IT LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR - FRANCE Anne-Katel Martineau Founder MARTINEAU AVOCATS; MEDIAS TIC +33 (0)1 45 40 01 30; +33 (0)1 47 03 08 51 www.medias-tic.com akmartineau@medias-tic.com 14, Villa Deshayes - 75014 Paris, FRANCE

The Firm The firm’s creation arose from the desire to provide personalised counsel to corporations and independent entrepreneurs on matters relating to information technology, intellectual property and corporate law advice and to companies and the selfemployed, and assist them in litigation.

The firm focuses on the IT, telecoms, medias, visual arts, design, audiovisual, film, music, photography and fashion sectors.

Anne-Katel Martineau founded her own Law firm, MARTINEAU AVOCATS, in late 2007, drawing on partnerships with European and American law firms, especially in New York where she used to work. Thus she is able to support the firm’s clients’ international projects. She created her own trademark MEDIAS TIC a creative name which enables her to anchor her original position to distinguish the recognition of this very specialized French boutique Law firm with an international scope.

In 2012 and 2013, MARTINEAU AVOCATSMEDIAS TIC distinguished itself as being one of the best French Law firms for its acclaimed audiovisual and Internet expertise

by Décideurs Stratégie.

In 2014 and 2015, because of the growth and quality of its services worldwide given to international clients working with French companies or in France, the Law firm, founded by Anne-Katel MARTINEAU,

distinguished in Information Technology as the IT Law firm of the year in France (Corporate INTL, ACQ5, Global Law Experts and Corporate Live Wire) and in Art Law

by Décideurs Stratégie. In 2015, the firm received the award of the International IT Law Firm of the year in France (Corporate INTL) and the award of Innovation and excellence (Live wire).

Bio Anne-Katel Martineau has built up ten years of experience in Information Technology law. Her broad-based approach to cases and passion for her clients’ sectors enable her to quickly grasp their issues. She is therefore able to truly address their business-related issues.

Her experience in the United States of America led her to negotiate complex contracts in English for photography agencies, artists, publishers, producers, and with American and French TV channels.

She works on a daily basis with freelancers, SME, federations and major groups on intellectual property, IT and e-commerce law issues. She has helped numerous entrepreneurs to create digital content platforms on the web notably including projects financed by crowdfunding.

Languages: French, English, Italian, Portuguese.

40 | Global Awards 2015 | www.prosectornetwork.com

IP LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR – NEW ZEALAND Christopher Young Partner Minter Ellison Rudd Watts +64 9 353 9910 www.minterellison.co.nz christopher.young@minterellison.co.nz 88 Shortland Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

Christopher joined the Minter Ellison Rudd Watts partnership in August 2005 after 12 years at another major New Zealand law firm where he was a Principal with a practice focussed on commercial IP and trade marks.

Prior to that, during an extended period overseas, he worked for Nabarro Nathanson in London for 18 months and completed postgraduate studies in intellectual property at Queen Mary College, London University.

The Firm Minter Ellison Rudd Watts has a dedicated Intellectual Property practice and is internationally recognised. We advise on all aspects of IP work (except patent registration), and are best known for: • Branding strategy, trade mark

registration and portfolio

management locally and internationally • Commercialisation of IP, including

structuring, licensing, using IP

as security, IP financing, and

effective tax structures • IP aspects of a range of major

corporate transactions, including

IP due diligence, preparing practical

commercial due diligence reports,

and dealing with IP in commercial

transactions, including negotiating

IP aspects of sale and purchase

contracts and licensing resulting

from the transaction (mergers,

acquisitions, asset transfers,

licensing, joint ventures,

development agreements, and

capital raisings) • IP dispute resolution and litigation

including trade mark, copyright,

Fair Trading Act, passing-off,

confidential information • Marketing and advertising • Film, television and related advisory

work, advising major studios

and independent producers on

production and post production

including structuring, contracts,

New Zealand and cross border IP advice • IP relating to major sporting events.

IP is often an important asset both strategically and in a value context in corporate transactions. We work closely with other specialists in our firm providing comprehensive and pragmatic IP advice including on the IP aspects of corporate structuring, capital raising, taxation, human resources, securitisation, transactions, commercial contracts, compliance, dispute resolution and litigation.

Our full-service IP practice can provide practical advice and strategy on IP throughout its lifecycle. We advise on the creation, acquisition, commercialisation, protection and enforcement of IP rights. It is often important to take a pragmatic approach and focus protection on key IP assets (i.e. those important strategically or that drive value and revenue).

Our IP team is differentiated as our firm has a specialist IP practice within a large NZ law firm that is part of an Australasian / international practice. We work closely with the Minter Ellison Legal Group’s IP practice, which is a strong and experienced team. We have a wide global network of trade mark associates. Through our connections we can assist clients to implement an effective and efficient international registration/enforcement strategy for IP. Christopher Young heads the New Zealand intellectual property team and brings extensive IP law expertise to his widely recognised practice. He provides practical advice and strategy on all aspects of IP including development, protection, transfer, enforcement and commercialisation. He advises a wide range of local and international clients from individuals to SME/private companies and multinationals.

Christopher advises clients in a broad range of industries including FMCG, fashion, publishing, food and beverage, liquor, advertising and marketing, retail, TMT, aviation, automotive, banking and financial services, entertainment, agriculture, horticulture, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, building, forestry, education, health and ageing, transportation, and energy.

Christopher is a member of the Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ), the International Trademark Association (INTA), Chairs INTA’s East Asia & Pacific Subcommittee for Famous & Well-Known Marks and sits on INTA’s Asia Pacific Global Advisory Council. He is also a member of the Licensing Executives Society of Australia and New Zealand (LESANZ).

His experience includes significant expertise in trade marks including managing risks, launching new brands locally and internationally and strategies to commercialise, protect and enforce brands.

Christopher has extensive experience with brand clearance assessments and strategies, trade mark prosecution, oppositions and revocation actions, portfolio management locally and internationally, IP audits counterfeit strategies and enforcement. He also has significant expertise in commercial IP including licensing and commercialisation, franchising, and handling the IP aspects of a wide range of transactions, business acquisitions, mergers, financing and securitisation transactions. Christopher’ expertise in IP dispute resolution and strategy sees him coordinate litigation strategy and provide strategic and technical advice to clients and our litigation legal teams.

Christopher has been consistently named as a leading individual in his field in legal guides including Chambers Global, Chambers Asia Pacific, World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000, and Asia Pacific Legal 500.

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COMMERCIAL LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR – SOUTH AFRICA Owen Kriek Oak Law +27 (12) 345 2444 www.oaklaw.co.za info@oaklaw.co.za Route 21 Corporate Park, 9 Regency Drive, Block D, Ground Floor Irene Pretoria , South Africa

OAK Equity is a niche advisory firm, providing corporate and commercial law services within various industries, to various businesses, regarding various corporate and commercial issues.

In essence, OAK Equity serves as a “single port of call”. Through our professional team we deliver the advice, assistance and services required to negotiate, structure and draft all of the documents, agreements and relationships integral to your business success.

From Mergers and Acquisitions to Joint Ventures…. From Company Registration to the Drafting of Memorandums of Incorporation …. From Lease Agreements to Terms and Conditions of Sale…. From Company Structuring and Restructuring to the Structuring of Private Placement Offers.

Whatever corporate or commercial services you may require, OAK Equity will serve as your single advisory firm.

What We Do OAK Equity is a full service advisory firm,

providing professional advisory services regarding a variety of corporate and commercial matters.

Our service offering generally includes the negotiation, structuring and drafting of those corporate and commercial documents, agreements and relationships integral to your business success.

Our professional team is made up of commercial attorneys, chartered accountants and other professional business advisors.

Amongst them, these individuals boast extensive knowledge of, and expertise in, the legislation, rules, regulations and processes relevant to business in South Africa (including the Companies Act, Consumer Protection Act, National Credit Act, Competition Act, Income Tax Act, International Financial Reporting Standards, etc.).

Whether you require advice on negotiating a Merger or Acquisition, assistance in registering a company or someone to draft a general agreement, OAK Equity will be well positioned to assist you.

42 | Global Awards 2015 | www.prosectornetwork.com

INTERNATIONAL COMPANY FORMATION & BUSINESS ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR Demetris Achilleos Corporate Counsel Oxford Management Limited +357 25823330 www.oxfordglobalservices.com solutions@oxfordcy.com Agias Fylaxeos & Zinonos Rossidi 2, 1st Floor, 3082 Limassol, Cyprus

Cyprus Holding Companies

Cyprus inhabitants, both individuals and companies

of the paying corporation are used for investment

Despite the difficulties Cyprus faced in 2013 with

or organisations. Non-occupant individuals are only

income purposes, and

the economic recession and stabilisation program,

taxed on income received from Cyprus. A company is

2.

Cyprus remains a dependable global business and

regarded as a tax resident when its administration or

much* lower than the Cyprus corporate rate.

financial hub, keeping on offering access to an ideal

management is run and practiced in Cyprus. Despite

*when the tax rate is 50% of the Cyprus tax rate,

tax system, a widespread network of tax treaties and

the fact that there is no solid definition, it is proposed

6.25%.

a transparent lawful framework. We might likewise

that ‘effective management control’ is available in the

It must be mentioned that both situations outlined

want to highlight that the greater part of the Cyprus

situation where most of the executives and directors

above must be present so as not to be exempted from

legislation do not impact international business and

are in fact inhabitants of Cyprus or in the situation

taxation.

non-resident shareholders of Cypriot Companies.

where the board of directors’ meetings are held in

According to the European Union parent-subsidiary

With the worldwide monetary downturn investors

Cyprus.

edict, a dividend paid by an EU subsidiary can

are seeking for cost effective structures and viable tax

A standardized corporate tax rate of 12.5% is

be received by the Cyprus holding organization

solutions. There are numerous countries to consider

imposed on the taxable profits of tax-resident

without preserving tax. However, a double treaty is

however, Cyprus is still considered a standout

corporations in Cyprus as defined by the Income

applicable in the occasion the EU parent-subsidiary

amongst the most appealing jurisdictions. Cyprus’

Tax legislation. According to the Tax Income

directives are not up held and thus are not met.

financial system offers a range of exceptionally

legislation profits derived from businesses, interest

All non-European Union subsidiary companies

beneficial tax advantages, as we will elaborate more

received through the standard course of business,

which are based in countries that have a double tax

herein below.

rent obtained from properties; royalties and any

treaty agreement with Cyprus will be subject to the

The low tax rate along with a convenient time

consideration for the trading of goodwill are used to

requirements of the double tax treaty.

zone area and an experienced legal, banking and

calculate the Income Tax of tax-resident corporations

In any case, even though the tax legislation

accounting structure, places Cyprus amongst the

in Cyprus.

differentiates between treaty and non-treaty

most preferred jurisdictions for international tax

Tax Treatment of Dividend Distribution

countries, where withholding tax is abstracted

planners.

Briefly speaking withholding tax is not imposed on

from the dividend profits received from a Cyprus

The legislative system of Cyprus offers the

the dividends paid by a resident company to another

subsidiary, the Cypriot tax authorities offer a tax

accompanying profits:

resident company. However, 17% withholding tax

credit equivalent to the amount of non-residential

•

is imposed on the dividends paid by a resident

withholding tax. Thus, in the majority of situations,

resident and non-resident businesses;

company to an individual. Finally, non-resident

due to the implementation of the foreign withholding

•

companies or individuals that receive dividends

tax on dividends paid to a Cyprus Holding company,

residents and on non-residents who receive income

by a resident company are exempted from any

the tax amount is reduced to zero.

from Cyprus;

withholding tax.

•

A fixed corporate tax rate of 12.5%;

In a few words, withholding tax of any form is not

Conclusion: Tax Strategies Increase Returns

•

Tax is not imposed on profits earned from

The introduction of the notion of tax Worldwide income tax imposed on tax

Thetax rate of the paying corporation is

imposed on dividends received by non-resident

As a result of increasing worldwide competition,

trading and transfer of securities;

companies from resident companies. This regulation

organizations and companies face difficulties

•

applies to all, regardless of the double tax treaty

in managing and maintaining the growth rate

payment of Dividends, Interest and Royalties;

agreement with Cyprus or the non-resident

required by its stakeholders. In this way, worldwide

•

Group re-organisations are tax exempt;

shareholder’s origin.

international tax planning is one of the most efficient

•

Tax-relief is imposed on organisations

Tax Treatment of Dividend Income in Cyprus

plans implemented so as to increase the after tax

who have experienced losses; •

Foreign tax are offered tax credits;

Under Cyprus legislation, any profits deriving from

Cyprus is a low tax country where international

•

Eighty per cent (80%) of the revenue from

dividends is absolved from taxation, paying little

business individuals, multinational companies and

intellectual property rights deemed as expense thus

mind whether the profits were obtained from an

tax advisors prefer to set up and carry out their

effectively tax is payable on the remaining 20% less

alternate tax-resident company or from a non-

business ventures and investments.

other expenses.

resident company. Likewise, the profits of a resident

The Cyprus holding company is amongst the most

•

company which were obtained directly or indirectly

beneficial tax efficient holding companies, and offers

Union parent-subsidiary directive, the European

from a non-resident company, located outside the

a plethora of benefits not offered by other holding

Union mergers edict, the European Union ordinance

country, are exempted from the Special Defence

company jurisdictions.

on communal assistance and collaboration and the

Contribution and Income Tax.

If you need professional advice and assistance, please

European Union royalty and interest instruction.

The exemption is not applicable if:

contact us at solutions@oxfordcy.com and we will be

Income tax is forced on the overall salary of all

1.

happy to assist.

Exemption from withholding tax on

Full implementation of the European

More than half (50%) of the activities

profits and consequently the shareholders’ profits.

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PATENT LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR Robert Klinski Managing Director Patentship Patentanwaltsgesellschaft mbH +49-(0)89-75 969 869-0; +49-(0)89-75 969 869-9 www.patentship.eu klinski@patentship.eu Elsenheimerstr. 65, 80687 Munich

The Firm PATENTSHIP Patent Attorneys is a patent law firm highly specialised in the fields of electrical engineering, telecommunications, digital signal processing, software, medical engineering, mechanics, chemistry and life science. PATENTSHIP is located in Munich, Germany, and further has an office in London, UK. Most of PATENTSHIP’s team members have a strong scientific or industrial background in various fields of technology. This background is combined with strong IP expertise gained in numerous national and international prosecution and litigation cases. This enables PATENTSHIP to understand even the most complex technologies and the related prior

art, in order to develop strong and convincing arguments in litigation proceedings, to appropriately claim related inventions and efficiently handle the prosecution proceedings.

Some of PATENTSHIP’s team members were involved in developing communication standards as well as hard and software realising communication standards, and contributed as inventors to developing novel communication technologies.

PATENTSHIP’s expertise further covers the fields of chemistry, pharmaceutics and life sciences. These fields of technology enable us to provide comprehensive services to pharmaceutical companies with respect to drugs and medical devices.

PATENTSHIP has further an IP licensing department in order to support its clients in IP licensing and monetisation.

44 | Global Awards 2015 | www.prosectornetwork.com

MOST INNOVATIVE LAW FIRM - MEXICO José Pablo Ramos Castillo Founding Partner Ramos & Hermosillo Abogados, S.C. +52 (33) 3817-1774 www.ramos-hermosillo.com; j.ramos@ramos-hermosillo.com Aldous Huxley 5191, Fraccionamiento Jardines Universidad, Zapopan, Jalisco, México, C.P. 45110

Practice Areas • Advertising, Consumer Protection &

Product Liability • Anti-Corruption & Compliance • Arbitration • Competition & Antitrust • Constitutional Amparo &

Administrative Proceedings • Corporate • Energy & Natural Resources • Environment & Water • Foreign Investment • Government Procurement & Public Works • Industrial & Intellectual Property • Inventions & Patents • Investor-State Arbitration • Maritime, Air & Transport • Mergers & Acquisitions, Joint Ventures • Oil & Gas • Public-Works Arbitration • Tax Advice & Litigation • Telecommunications, Media & Technology

The Firm Ramos & Hermosillo Abogados, S.C. is a boutique law firm, were we provide high quality, integrated legal services in the areas of constitutional and administrative law.

Our objective is to offer our national and international clients thorough and effective solutions.

The attorneys at Ramos & Hermosillo provide their clients with specialized legal advice, while also providing true business counsel.

Our work ethic requires us to find the most efficient strategic and preventive solutions in order to resolve the problems that our clients face in the ever changing and highly competitive global business environment.

Our calling is excellence in client service.

We always seek to exceed all of our clients’ expectations and solve their problems in a comprehensive manner, through the experience, optimal preparation and steadfast determination that sets us apart.

We aim to build a solid, long-term relationship of trust with our clientele, contributing with the growth and global development of their projects. Their full satisfaction is, and always will be, our main goal and our greatest achievement.

At Ramos & Hermosillo, we define ourselves as a boutique law firm, as we day by day carry into practice, personalized attention throughout constant communication with our clients.

We count with an outstanding team in Constitutional and Administrative Proceedings. Due to the activities and needs of our clients, we have developed knowledge and experience in the special laws that govern specific industries.

As a result of the above, the Firm provides counsel to its clients on all types of administrative proceedings, including those involving contracting with the Government and its agencies and companies. In particular, we protect the rights of our clients before acts of authorities that may illegally affect

their interests, for which we have specialized lawyers to challenge, through appeals, court proceedings and other necessary actions, such illegal acts. In this respect, we have had great success in challenging, through the amparo proceeding (which is a highly sophisticated constitutional appeal), administrative laws that unduly restrict the activities of our clients.

We have a team of expert litigators in amparo proceedings and human rights. We have successfully challenged the constitutionality of laws in tax, health, antitrust and other matters.

We have also obtained favourable rulings against a broad scope of governmental acts and decisions which at some point affected the operation or assets of our clients.

Furthermore, we advise participants during privatization and bid processes in several economic sectors in Mexico. We provide legal services during the design, preparation, negotiation and implementation of these processes. Our experience in areas such as energy, telecommunications, ports, highways and airports, among others, helps us to ensure the success of our clients’ operations.

We have the knowledge to effectively counsel our clients on projects such as, (i) concession granting processes, (ii) privatization processes, in the fields of communications, transport, infrastructure, railways, airports, roads, etc., (iii) public bids for governmental procurement of public works, assets and services, including public bids called by local and federal governmental agencies, (iv) and Public-Private Partnerships (“PPP’s»).

Global Awards 2015 | www.prosectornetwork.com | 45

TAX & TRANSFER PRICING FIRM OF THE YEAR - ARGENTINA Ricardo Enrique Riveiro Founding Partner +54 11 4393-2618 www.riveiroyasoc.com r.riveiro@riveiroyasoc.com

RIVEIRO Y ASOCIADOS, certified public accountants and advisers, is a firm of accounting auditors and tax experts of the Argentine Republic.

Founded in June 1981, the firm provides tax and accounting services, specialising in International Taxation and Transfer Pricing.

Expertise and solid human capital composition are the pillars supporting the challenges faced

by RIVEIRO Y ASOCIADOS due to rendering services of excellence and services provided to medium and large business clients, both on a national and international scale.

It is not one of the biggest companies, but its partners and staff have been trained by leading international firms. It can hardly be called a small firm, though the firm knows very well how to be flexible and satisfy client needs. To them, it´s not a matter of size, but of being keen experts on the matters they handle.

The firm aims at refining its skills every day in order to better understand and assist its clients by trying to solve today´s problems which will surely be easier than tomorrow’s, since they will bring about new challenges for the company to face. To the firm, this means first construing what the client’s real business means prior to quickly stammering a very first answer.

Hence, the firm is both accepted and appreciated by its clients, since they observe that the firm does not intend to part from the problem whatever the cost, but to seriously and fervently construe what it is about and

find the correct arguments, the same as if dealing with a personal problem. This is the everyday effort made by the experts working for RIVEIRO Y ASOCIADOS. This is its passion.

2014, the Department won the Transfer Pricing Advisory Firm of the Year in Argentina award from a British institution. This decision is now confirmed by the Tax & Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year Award.

Ricardo Enrique Riveiro, founding partner of the firm and chair of the International Taxation and Transfer Pricing Departments, is a renowned instigator of articles, contributions and technical works related to taxation and counselling on international corporations.

These include being author or co-author of: Tax Havens – Taxing and Corporate Aspects (Paraísos Fiscales – Aspectos Tributarios y Societarios); Transfer Pricing in the Argentine Republic Handbook (Manual de Precios de Transferencia); and International Tax Law Treaty (Tratado de Derecho Internacional Tributario).

Said award-winning Department, provides functional, economic and financial analysis that result in comprehensive studies rendered to the tax authorities, as well as preparation of the corresponding support documentation required by law. The Department’s services include rendering searches for comparable companies and agreements, drafting and auditing of affidavits regarding international transactions, a priori studies for companies starting operations with related parties, and defence and remedies at an administrative level and before the National Tax Court against claims made and adjustments imposed by tax authorities in regards to Transfer Pricing.

Mr Riveiro has also been president of the International Taxation and Transfer Pricing Committee of the Professional Council of Economic Sciences of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires since 2013, as well as an active member of both the Argentine Association of Tax Studies (AAEF) and the International Fiscal Association (IFA). He also is an avid advocate in specialised related committees belonging to the Argentine Association of Tax Studies. Further, he is a dedicated speaker and lecturer on both a national and international level in seminars and training courses.

Riveiro and Associates (“Riveiro y Asociados”)´s Transfer Pricing Department was created in 1999, right when said legislation was launched in its country. In

46 | Global Awards 2015 | www.prosectornetwork.com

The excellence of the services provided by the Transfer Pricing Department has led to it outsourcing its services to other accounting firms, as well as rendering specialised counselling and technical assistance to said firms. This level of recognition resulted in the provision of studies for other countries in the Ibero-Amercian region (Ecuador, Spain, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, etc.) pursuant to each country´s domestic legislation.

RIVEIRO Y ASOCIADOS is part of IECNet, a network of accountants and consultants with offices in more than 60 cities in the world, which provide international collaboration paired with local presence and expertise.

ENERGY & INFRASTRUCTURE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR – SOUTH AMERICA Jesús Rodríguez Founding and managing partner Rodriguez Dávalos Abogados (RDA) + 52 (55) 5202-0405 www.rdabogados.com.mx; jrodriguez@rdabogados.com.mx Mexico City Office: (main office), Monte Himalaya 450, Lomas de Chapultepec, México, D.F. 11000

Since the firm carries out substantial work across the country,

•

it has offices in strategic places such as Monterrey, NL; San Luis Potosí, SLP and Villahermosa, Tab.

•

among others •

Government Procurement Services:

Drafting and negotiation of JOAs, JBAs, O&MAs, EPCs,

services contracts with PEMEX, CFE and SCT

Advising and drafting legal recourses

Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas:

Executing government procurement, construction and

•

Managing public bidding processes under Pemex Law,

Our firm RDA has been committed for almost two decades to

•

Development of natural gas and LPG infrastructure projects

Law of Public Works and related services and Law of

handle the different stages of the different activities of the energy

•

Filing and obtaining transportation, distribution and storage

Acquisitions, Leases and Services of the Public Sector

and infrastructure sectors. At RDA we provide professional legal

permits under relevant agencies

services based on our broad experience and thorough knowledge

•

Complying with natural gas and LPG regulations

of these fields. Handling challenging energy matters has allowed

•

Drafting and negotiation of general Terms and Conditions

(construction, procurement and other related contracts) •

Preparing risk analysis for our clients on government contracts, as well as execution and administration of

us to lead first-of-a-kind strategic projects. The expertise of our

for the provision of gas transportation, distribution, and

team has positioned us as one of the best and fastest growing

storage services

•

Supporting clients on LoCs, Bonds and other guarantees

Drafting and negotiation of TSA, SSA, gas purchase

•

Conducting administrative legal recourses and litigation

learning curves, energy law requires both general legal skills (such

agreements, interconnection agreements, OBA, among

•

Providing legal and commercial advise and strategy in

as transactional or litigation) and the subject matter expertise of the

others

firms in the energy sector in Mexico. While all legal practices entail

energy industry itself. RDA understands this natural complexity.

•

•

RDA has carried out many first-of-a-kind-projects that abounded in complexity.

matters related to above-referred contracts

•

Land Acquisition and Rights of Way:

Commercial and regulatory advise for Self-Use permits, CNG, LNG and compression services

Among the numerous first-of-a-kind projects

awarded contracts

•

Preparing legal strategy for the acquisition and regulation of land and Rights of Way

Development and negotiation of commercial and operational SWAPS

•

Conducting preliminary analysis

developed by RDA we may mention many strategic infrastructure

•

Advising on and negotiation of natural gas and LPG imports

•

Analyzing applicable local regulations

projects, such as the first cross-border privately owned LPG

•

Negotiation of NAESB agreements

•

Filing and obtaining concessions, licenses and authorizations

pipeline, the first privately owned LPG pipelines (TDF, Altiplano),

•

First hand sales of natural gas and LPG

the negotiation and execution of the first interconnection agreement

•

General and regulatory advise before Ministry of Energy

•

Due diligence, negotiation and Right of Way issuances

to the Pemex LP Gas pipeline, the execution of NAESB agreements

(SENER for its acronym in Spanish) and Energy Regulatory

•

Legal Defense of Rights of way

for power generation companies, IPPs and natural gas IDCs in

Commission (CRE for its acronym in Spanish)

granted by federal, state and municipal governments

Other relevant permits

Counseling on bidding processes with relevant agencies for

Filing, monitoring and obtaining:

system by truck, the first private petrochemical pipeline, the

Transportation Infrastructure and Distribution Geographic

•

Environmental (MIA, Risk assessment and ETJ)

first wet gas pipeline to the United States of America, the first

Zones

•

Cross-border permits CILA

•

Local permits

northern Mexico, the first compressed natural gas transportation

•

Electric Power:

solar-generated operational electricity project in Mexico and, the Bordo Poniente Landfill Project, which consists in the generation of

•

Advising developers of power production projects.

•

Water concessions

electricity by biogas, among others.

•

Obtaining permits before the CRE for cogeneration, IPP,

•

Federal Maritime concessions among others

•

Drafting, negotiating and executing contracts and

those who offer refined legal skills in the different applicable stages

•

•

•

agreements, interconnection agreements and surplus power

itself.

purchase agreements •

E&P: •

•

•

Bidding, administration and managing of Incentivized

entities.

•

Filing and obtaining permits, authorizations, licenses, concessions and environmental certificates regarding the

power production

maritime activities of vessels, ships and boats before relevant

Drafting, preparing and obtaining permits before the CRE

agencies and authorities •

Providing an adequate legal framework for maritime

for hydro, solar and wind power projects

operations through purchase and sale contracts, leases,

Contracts

•

Drafting and negotiation of PPAs

financing schemes, operation and maintenance contracts,

Conducting legal advise for above referred contracts under

•

Assisting on bidding processes before the CFE

service contracts, supplementary facilities contracts and

PEMEX Law, Law of Public Works and Related Services and

•

Assisting on bidding processes for transmission before the

maritime oil and gas pipeline contracts

CRE and CFE

Law of Acquisitions, Leases and Services of the Public Sector •

transportation contracts with PEMEX and other local

Renewable Energies: •

Negotiating and executing of service, supply and

Advising on bidding processes for independent electric

Bidding, administration and managing of Multi Services Contracts (MSC)

accommodation and supplies •

Negotiation and execution of wheeling agreements; back up

projects with success. Our list of relevant transactions speaks for

Our practice areas are as follows:

joint ventures regarding transportation, surveillance,

Drafting, executing and managing agreements for power production exports and imports

make it happen. The energy field is an interdisciplinary one where many factors interact. We know how to carry out business and

Negotiation of PPAs with CFE (for its acronym in Spanish, it is the national electricity company) and third parties

of a project. It’s one that broadens this idea with being business makers. RDA understands the energy business in Mexico and we

Maritime Activities:

export, import and other modalities

Our vision goes far beyond the idea of being legal advisors and

Participating successfully in multiple-round bidding processes

•

Any other services related to renewable projects such as environmental permits, land acquisition, water possessions

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INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYMENT LAW ADVISER OF THE YEAR Darren Gardner Chair, International Department Seyfarth Shaw LLP +1 415 544 1018 www.seyfarth.com dgardner@seyfarth.com 560 Mission Street, Suite 3100, San Francisco, CA 94105-2930

The Firm Seyfarth Shaw LLP has more than 800 lawyers across 14 offices in the United States, Europe and the Asia Pacific, with global reach and unparalleled capabilities in international employment law.

Our team of specialist international employment lawyers is the largest of its type globally, and our practice is acknowledged as one of the world’s leading practices in the area. All the partners in our international practice have deep experience acting for large multinational companies operating around the world across a wide range of industries.

Our integrated team is located in key global locations and provides a true cross-border expertise. The leader of our practice, Darren Gardner, is recognized as one of the pioneers in the practice of international employment law, and he has assisted many of the world’s largest companies with numerous complex and high profile global employment-related strategic, compliance and transactional projects, often covering up to 150 countries at one time.

Our success is the result of a constant, unrelenting focus on the needs of our clients and delivering the highest quality legal services. Our commitment to excellence and our belief in the strength of an integrated team-based approach to the delivery of our services provide an innovative and commercial approach to all matters for our clients.

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BOUTIQUE LITIGATION LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR – NEW YORK, USA Leonard Lesser Principal Simon Lesser PC 212.599.5455 www.simonlesser.com llesser@simonlesser.com 355 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017

The Firm Simon Lesser PC is a trial practice boutique based in Midtown Manhattan. We are experienced trial lawyers and appellate advocates. The firm’s clients receive the same high caliber sophisticated service found in New York City’s premier firms coupled with the efficiency, creativity, tenacity and value that can only come from a boutique structure.

The firm concentrates on managing and resolving complex legal disputes in the most cost-effective manner without sacrificing proactive and aggressive problem solving and litigation strategy. We litigate vigorously and thrive in the courtroom. Our business is to succeed for our clients.

Established in 1997, this small but mighty firm has built a roster of clients that includes Fortune 500 companies; private equity and venture capital firms; national and regional businesses; insurance and financial service companies; religious, educational and nonprofit entities; business executives and entrepreneurs.

Examples of recent reported successes include a series of multi-jurisdiction litigations representing one of the last privately held independent investment banking enterprises on Wall Street. The client was sued in Colorado for over $16 million by its joint venture partner, a notoriously litigious oil and gas tycoon.

The firm countered in New York and, after several appeals, compelled arbitration before a panel that included two former New York judges. The firm ultimately obtained a multimillion-dollar judgment against the tycoon, and, in 2012, successfully tried an

alter-ego and fraudulent conveyance case in Colorado against the tycoon’s businesses, resulting in another multimillion-dollar judgment, affirmed in 2014. Also in 2014, the firm obtained a reported defense jury verdict for a Fortune 500 client’s subsidiary in a traumatic brain injury case.

On the appellate front, since 2010 the firm has racked up five appellate reversals and ten appellate affirmances, many with costs, and three with attorneys’ fees awarded.

As a boutique, the firm is able to fight smarter, and do more for substantially less.

A recent example is a series of complex litigations for a Fortune 500 client stemming from a subsidiary’s divestiture of several businesses, where the buyer’s post-closing remorse led to claims of fraud based rescission and multimillion-dollar damage claims. The firm defeated the rescission claim in federal court, and compelled arbitration of the damage claims before a forensic auditor. The arbitrator ultimately rejected the buyer’s claims and gave the firm’s client a multimillion-dollar award. The buyer, an investment banking firm, was represented by several large NYC law firms, with burn rates substantially higher than Simon Lesser’s.

In the end, the firm was able to absorb and defeat the buyer’s wasteful litigation maneuvers and won the case before the trierof-fact.

The firm has developed a craft of remaining lean and nimble, with a network of specialists available to assist as needed. That is another way the firm has been able to stay the course in complex and lengthy litigations against big NYC firms without overhead growing out of control.

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IP LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR - INDIA Sunita K. Sreedharan CEO SKS LAW ASSOCIATES +91 11 40507125, 26, 27 www.skslaw.org sunita@skslaw.org F-40, Flat No 4, UGF, Kalkaji, New Delhi – 110019, India

Firm

Practice Areas

Based in the national capital, SKS Law Associates commenced legal practice in September 2007 with a vision of providing clients with services that create and effectively manage intellectual property in the prevailing and evolving Indian & international IP regime.

A team of lawyers and patent attorneys with advanced degrees in chemistry, pharmaceutics, biochemistry, biotechnology, communication networks & signal processing, material sciences, electronics and telecommunications, provides efficient and high quality services in prosecution, litigation and licensing services in the area of patent, design, copyright, trademark and geographical indications. The specialized fields include pharmaceuticals, phytotherapeutics, agri-chemicals, plant breeding and crop genetics, medical technologies, electronics and telecommunication, alternate energy systems. The law practice has successfully conducted IP Audits for Indian as well as multinational companies.

SKS Law Associates is closely involved in the policy work relating to the protection of traditional knowledge and has drafted a law as a member of a core team. The SKS Law Team are active in contributing articles, offering services as resource persons for imparting training and orientation to various industry and educational sectors, preparing courseware for the Masters’ Programme on Intellectual Property Law for the Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi as well as for the online course for Confederation Of Indian Industries are active in conducting training for the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion.

The team’s legal and scientific acumen has enabled the practice to earn the trust of Indian as well as international clientele. SKS Law Associates’ location in the country’s capital in the close vicinity of the intellectual property offices and courts enables lower billing rates and convenient international travel.

SKS Law Associates is a professional organisation of lawyers and patent agents providing services in the area of intellectual property law to Indian and foreign clients.

We specialize in contentious and noncontentious work relating to • Patents • Trademarks • Copyrights • Industrial designs • Plant variety protection • Geographical indications • Biological diversity • Traditional knowledge • Trade secrets & confidential information • Drafting and vetting of

Agreements, assignments & licence We also provide IP intelligence reports including patent landscape, competitive intelligence report etc and provide inputs to the Governments and Intergovernmental Organizations for Policy related matters.

Founder & CEO Founder of SKS Law Associates, Sunita K Sreedharan is a lawyer and a patent agent licensed to practice before the High Courts in India and before the Controller at the Intellectual Property Office, India. Sunita and her team of Lawyers and Patent Agents advice clients on creation, consolidation and protection of their intellectual property portfolio.

Author of “An Introduction to Intellectual Asset Management” published by WoltersKluwer, Sunita has published a number of articles in various Indian and foreign journals. She has been the Legal Advisor to the Chairperson of the Plant Variety Authority 2007-2008, Temporary Legal Advisor the the World Health Organization, empanelled on the Central Technology Management Committee of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Sunita has drafted a number of laws

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including the Rules on the Management of Traditional Knowledge under the Biological Diversity laws for the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, and the draft National Health Law for the Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Bhutan, advised on the implementation of International Health Regulations in her capacity as Advisor to the World Health Organization.

As Temporary Advisor to the World Health Organization she was commissioned to examine the health related legislations of India and suggest solutions for the effective implementation of International Health Regulations 2005 which was presented at the WHO - South East Asian Regional Conference at Yangon, Myanmar in April 2013 and later, for Bhutan in August 2013 on the invitation of the Bhutanese Ministry of Health.

Sunita is an Alumnus of the following schools: a.

School of Legal Studies, CUSAT, Cochin, India (LLB) b.

The George Washington University

Law School, USA (LLM), c.

University of Allahabad, India (MSc (Cytogenetics)), d.

IGNOU, India (MBA) and e.

National Computing Center, University of Manchester UK (Diploma in Computer Studies).

She is an awardee of Dr. Justice Kochuthommen Memorial Gold Medal and has been a Thomas Buergenthal Scholar, Class of 2006. She was nominated “IP Woman of the Year 2008” at Brussels. In recognition of her services to law and society, Sunita has been inducted into International Who’s Who Directory of Professionals and the Marquis Who’s Who Directory of Professionals in the World.

Sunita is a member of the Bar Council of India, the Licensing Executive Society International (LESI), the FICPI and AIPPI and presently serves as the Vice-Chair (Webinars), LESI

CLASS ACTION ADVISER OF THE YEAR - USA Chadwick A. McTighe Attorney (Member) Stites & Harbison, PLLC (502) 681-0392 www.stites.com cmctighe@stites.com 400 West Market Street, Suite 1800, Louisville, Kentucky 40202

Chadwick is an attorney and member of Stites & Harbison, PLLC. He practices in the firm’s business litigation service group where he represents a wide range of clients in many different types of matters.

He practices extensively in class action litigation and complex litigation involving a number of industries and substantive areas of the law (including, for example, insurance and annuities, consumer fraud/ consumer protection, data breaches, fiduciary duties, financial institutions, employment and wage and hour issues, real estate, telecommunications and utilities, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act). Chadwick is admitted to practice in Kentucky, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky and for the Southern District of Indiana.

He regularly advises and represents clients located throughout the United States and conducting business throughout the world.

In addition to representing his clients, Chadwick enjoys taking opportunities to provide educational and general advisory services to the legal and business communities. He has given presentations on various topics, particularly through Continuing Legal Education programs, and he has written articles that have appeared in local and international publications.

Chadwick believes strongly in giving back to the community through public service and takes an active role in charitable and civic organizations.

Chadwick received his juris doctorate from the University of Notre Dame in 2004 and his bachelor of arts from the University of Notre Dame in 2001.

To ensure compliance with any applicable requirements that may arise from the information provided in this profile, THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT.

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Nicole Pineda Travers Thorp Alberga Cayman Islands: +13459490699; Hong Kong: +852 2801 6066 www.traversthorpalberga.com npineda@traversthorpalberga.com Harbour Place, 2nd Floor, 103 South Church Street P.O. Box 472, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-1106, Cayman Islands

The Firm Travers Thorp Alberga is a boutique law firm comprised of former Maples and Calder and Walkers’ partners, which has been established with a view to providing highly focused and relevant expertise in a more personalized manner and at lower cost. Our business model has been designed to be different from other law firms in a way that is relevant to client needs in a changed offshore legal and economic environment.

The Firm’s particular strengths and unique selling points include: •

•

Clients can rely on a constant direct involvement of a highly experienced partner with a proven track record.

Our partners have on average 15 years of relevant experience and many were the heads of department at the largest Cayman law firms.

Clients receive intuitive and incisive legal advice without internal layering and duplication.

Our streamlined operating structure allows us to provide superior legal advice at substantially lower rates and to offer flexible fee arrangements that are compelling.

The Firm is ranked by Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, The Lawyer,

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LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR – CAYMAN ISLANDS

IFLR1000 and IFLR Latin American Energy and Infrastructure Guide, which variously have noted that: • the Firm «performs impressively» and

is «forward looking and sophisticated»; • the «pedigree, client focus and

technical and commercial abilities

of the partners» have allowed

the Firm to «grasp a firm foothold in

… a very competitive market»; • the Firm is the «one to watch” noting

that the leanness of the Firm’s

operation, which keep costs

low, make a “compelling case for

clients”; and • Clients “appreciate the value for

money and personal time they receive

from partners”.

Practice Areas • Corporate • Corporate Service • Investment Management • Insurance and Regulatory • Finance • Goverment Relations and Local Business • Litigation and Insolvency • Private Client

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IP LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR - GREECE Nikolaos Lyberis Attorney, Managing Director VAYANOS KOSTOPOULOS +30-210-38 08 501 www.vklaw.gr n.lyberis@vklaw.gr 37, STOURNARA STREET, ATHENS 106.82, GREECE

The Firm VAYANOS KOSTOPOULOS, founded in 1900 by the pioneer IP Law attorney Dr Alkiviadis Zoiopoulos is one of the leading law firms in Greece. Through dedication, commitment and flexibility, the diverse needs of businesses and associates are catered for by client-tailored solutions and state-of-the-art legal advice in a timely and precise manner. Its broad client base encompasses both multi-national as well as local enterprises, consisting of not only businesses, but also individual inventors, creators, designers, authors and other IP holders.

Since 1993 the firm is under the direction of Dr. Nikolaos Lyberis, who being a litigator, is admitted before the Supreme Courts for civil and administrative matters. Nikolaos represents prestigious clients in trademark, patent and other IP rights conflicts from all sectors of industry and commerce and is also a member of numerous international associations focusing on IP law, such as ECTA, AIPPI, INTA, FICPI, GRUR and others.

The original establishment location of the Law Firm has been retained in the vicinity of the Centre of Athens at Stournara Str. 37, opposite the Athens Polytechnic University and the National Archaeological Museum.

A wide range of IP related services are rendered, including prosecution and litigation of all kinds of rights on intangible assets such as trademarks, patents and

Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs), domain names, copyright, IP rights maintenance and representation before State and Regulatory Authorities. Further areas of IP practice are successful representation in Customs Interventions, IPR infringement proceedings before all court instances, including interlocutory injunctions. The drafting of contracts, market supervision law (health, consumer, advertising and privacy), legal consultancy and supporting services (administration, translations and IPR maintenance) constitute the core of the VAYANOS KOSTOPOULOS team’s activities.

A diverse workforce comprising European Patent Attorneys, Lawyers, Trademark Attorneys and Litigators, Technical Advisors, Paralegals and IP Rights Administrators, enables the firm to offer a top-class, comprehensive service to its broad client base.

Some of the market leaders in the industry and service provision sectors are included among the clientele, such as pharmaceutical companies, automobile manufacturers, chemical industries, electronics, tobacco, food beverages, cosmetics, entertainment and financial enterprises, et al.

The efficient operation of the offices is supported through the use of up-to-date customized software and hardware facilities, enabling fluid execution of necessary functions, including the maintenance of reliable electronic records, an indispensible tool in serving the needs of not only large, but also small and medium-sized enterprises.

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LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR - BELGIUM Xavier Dieux Managing Partner Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP +32 2 290 18 20 www.willkie.com xdieux@willkie.com Avenue Louise 480/3b

Bio Xavier Dieux is a partner in the Corporate and Finance Department and in the Litigation Department of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP Brussels.

His practice areas encompass Public Offerings (including TOB), Capital Market Operations and Regulation, Mergers & Acquisistion, Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation, as well as Litigation in all areas of Financial, Corporate, Commercial and Contract Law. As to his Litigation practice, Xavier Dieux is also frequently appointed as arbitrator with respect to international or domestic proceedings. He practices in French and in English.

Chambers has been ranking Xavier Dieux as a leading individual for the last 15 years.

Selected Professional and Business Activities Xavier Dieux serves as a (part time) Professor at the Faculty of Law of the « Université Libre de Bruxelles », where he served also as Dean of the Faculty from 1996 to 2000. He currently

teaches Company Law, Financial Law and Art of Pleading in Economic Law, after having been in charge of the following courses : Contracts and Torts, Theory of Law and International State Contracts.

He is the author of two books, in the areas of Contracts and Torts (« Le Respect Dû aux Anticipations Légitimes d’Autrui ») and of Company Law (« Corporate Governance », with Didier Willermain). He is also the author of numerous articles in all his areas of practicing and teaching. Some of them have been recently collected in a book : « Droit, Morale et Marché »).

Xavier Dieux is a member of the Corporate Governance Commission which devised the Belgian Corporate Governance Code for Listed Companies, designated as the Code of Reference by a Royal Decree dated of 6 June 2010.

He is a Member of the Royal Academy of Belgium and Honorary Member of the Banking and Finance Commission.

Holder of the Francqui Chair 2013-2014, Université Catholique de Louvain

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CROSS BORDER M&A LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR - UK Zoë Ashcroft Capital Partner Winston & Strawn London LLP 0207 011 8725 www.winston.com zashcroft@winston.com City Point, One Ropemaker Street, London EC2Y 9AW

Winston’s London office specializes in complex cross-border transactional matters, international trade regulation and dispute resolution. The London office lawyers include several who are recognized as leaders in their fields.

Zoё Ashcroft leads the Winston London Corporate team, which regularly represents clients in cross-border merger, acquisition, disposition and joint venture transactions.

With corporate and finance lawyers in London, Paris, Moscow, Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai in addition to offices across the U.S. Winston offers significant experience in all areas relevant to major, cross-border M&A transactions. Additionally Winston advises on international tax and tax planning, international finance and structured finance arrangements, international loan and syndicated loan agreements, credit facilities, commercial agreements of all kinds and employment contracts and related matters.

Partners at Winston take time to personally get to know their clients and their businesses, and to develop long-term relationships and to help achieve their client’s business goals.

Ms Ashcroft considers that the best client relationships are developed over time by consistently delivering quality legal advice and pragmatic, commercial solutions to clients, commenting that: «Investing time in developing client relationships enables us to add value and to provide our clients with bespoke, creative solutions to their business problems and opportunities».

Winston works hard to provide seasoned legal solutions which are relevant and commercial.

Ms Ashcroft concludes: “Cross-border corporate and finance transactions can be complex; we make sure that working with your law firm isn’t.”

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International Hotel Network Our hotel section The International Hotel Network (IHN), ensures that corporate needs outside of the working environment are also met. We proďŹ le only the ďŹ nest hospitality establishments from around the world, and allow our users to easily book their stay using our site.

Our aim is to provide the global business community with access to hotels that meet their requirements be it for leisure, business or a special occasion.

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Best Wedding Resort – Indonesia

Country: INDONESIA | Location (City): DENPASAR | INTERCONTINENTAL BALI RESORT Suspended between heaven and earth, InterContinental Bali Resort is a refreshing escape from the modern world. Overlooking the azure waters of Jimbaran Bay, the resort is blessed with a pristine stretch of beach renowned for being the finest on the island.

Set within a generous landscape studded with native flora and exotic palms, the resort lends itself to leisurely garden walks where the air is scented with fragrant blooms.

Water is a strong element throughout the entire property. Magnificent pools, aesthetic fountains and a winding lagoon gently flow, soothing the senses.

InterContinental Bali Resort nestles secluded within 14 hectares of tropical landscaped gardens, alongside a 500m prime stretch of white sand beach. One of Bali’s most renowned and enduring properties, opening

October 1993, this five-star resort was the first luxury property of its kind to be built on the shores of beautiful Jimbaran Bay. The recipient of multiple international awards since, InterContinental Bali Resort seamlessly accommodates the needs of travellers to Bali, whether it is couples, families, or corporate types. Many of the original staff members still work at the resort today, delivering a gracious personalized service combined with the InterContinental brand impeccable standards.

InterContinental Bali Resort offers 417 guest rooms, suites and villas in three unique levels of accommodation, including exclusive Club InterContinental. A diverse array of topnotch facilities includes extensive meetings and events venues, abundant recreation and leisure outlets and activities, including six

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pools, spa and dedicated child-care facility, while culinary excellence abounds with a superb choice of restaurants, bars and dining experiences.

Defined by destination, InterContinental Bali Resort is designed to harmonize with the surrounding environment and pays homage to this ‘Island of the Gods’ rich cultural and artistic heritage and Hindu traditions.

Modern conveniences blend with elements of traditional Balinese architecture, while exquisite gardens are lush with native flora and mature palms and the air fragrant with exotic blooms. Winding lagoons, ornamental ponds and fountains are studded with aesthetic stonework and statues, evoking the ambience of a tranquil Balinese village.

Traditional Indonesian art works displayed in guest rooms and public spaces reflect local

legends and culture, representing the finest of archipelago artistry.

- Secluded 14 hectares of tropical landscaped gardens

InterContinental Bali Resort positively encourages cultural immersion and local interaction and is environmentally and community-committed through a number of eco-friendly and socially conscious initiatives and community programmes, which have been recognised internationally.

- Convenient location, with easy access to Bali’s International Airport and many of the island’s popular destinations and attractions

Providing a peaceful yet fully selfsufficient haven during your stay in Bali, InterContinental Bali Resort is conveniently positioned a short drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport and easily accessible to the island’s many attractions and destinations.

- Exclusive Club InterContinental services and privileges

- Prime 500m beachfront overlooking Jimbaran Bay, one of Bali’s finest beaches

- Preserving and showcasing local Balinese culture

- Diverse choice of food and beverage venues, with indoor-outdoor experiences

facility and kid’s-orientated activities and facilities - InterContinental brand “In the Know” local knowledge and cultural immersion - Community and environmentallycommitted Extensive Meetings, Events and Wedding venues backed by professional team Telephone: +62361701888 Email: bali@ihg.com Website: www.bali.intercontinental.com

- Large choice of recreational and leisure facilities, including destination spa, six pools and water sports centre - Family-friendly with dedicated child-care Global Awards 2015 | www.intlhotelnetwork.com | 61

Voted as Hotel of the Year – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Country: BRAZIL| Location (City): RIO DE JANEIRO CAESAR PARK RIO DE JANEIRO IPANEMA MANAGED BY SOFITEL Located in the stunning neihborhood of Ipanema, with a cosmopolitan and elegant atmosphere, Caesar Park Rio de JaneiroIpanema Managed by Sofitel welcomes those seeking both luxury and comfort. Right in front of Ipanema Beach and also overlooking Arpoador and Leblon beaches, this hotel is known for combining an ideal location with exquisite charm. Its prime location provides easy access to shopping, restaurants and an unforgettabke nightlife.

Hotel Dining In addition to having one of the best-known feijoadas in Rio de Janeiro, the hotel features the lobby bar Agraz and the restaurant Galani, offering Brazilian dishes with an international flavour and an astonishing view of the beach.

Hotel Leisure A stunning sea view from Ipanema beach, a charming pool and a modern fitness center on the top of the hotel. Give guests

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a feeling of pure relaxation and well-being.

A true oasis for body and mind with many treatment and massage choices and sauna.

An irresistible invitation to serenity and contentment. For comfort and convenience of its guests, the beach service, in front of the hotel, has deck chairs, parasol, towels and attendants.

Hotel Business Services Caesar Park Rio de Janeiro Ipanema Managed by Sofitel has available a complete

infrastructure for holding of events. There are seven halls that vary from 44 to 206 square meters and have capacity up to 200 people, aside from the Board Meeting Room, a last generation conference room with capacity for up to 14 people. The space offers cutting edge technology to hold business meetings with full comfort and privacy. The room has 50” LCD TV, two 19” complementary screens, 120” projection screen and acoustic insulation.

Hotel Rooms The 221 rooms and suites, have a sophisticaded decor favouring soft shades and natural light. A unique atmosphere filled with unmatched luxury and delight, ensuring sweet dreams and wonderful nights. Wide and comfortable, all apartments are equipped with mini-bar, working table and LCD TV, queen size beds and bathrooms in granite and marble with bathtub, aside from the privileged view, whether toward the beach, Lagoon or the Christ the Redeemer statue, dictate the

touch of sophistication of the apartments.

Private parking area, free internet of up to 2 MB in the whole hotel, with 24-hr room service and laundry mat service form the list of services offered.

Telephone: +55 21 2525-2525 Email: reservationrioipanema@sofitel.com Website: www.sofitel.com

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Exclusive Resort of the Year - Greece

Country: GREECE | Location (City): ELOUNDA LASSITHI CRETE DOMES OF ELOUNDA ALL SUITES AND VILLAS BOUTIQUE BEACH RESORT Elounda is a destination that continues to be the secret holiday hideout of the most elite members of the international jet set since the 1970’s. It is surrounded by mountains in a secluded bay of crystal waters on the island of Crete and was originally chosen

by Greek Hoteliers as the most blessed spot in Greece. Elounda has the most stunning views and desirable climate in the country with 7 months a year of perfect temperatures, summer breezes and sunshine… guaranteed!

Part of the Elounda myth, is the Venetian Castle on the Island of Spinalonga, the setting for Victoria Hislop’s bestselling novel “The Island”. Domes of Elounda is set on the most

privileged hill, isolated from the other resorts and with the closest breathtaking views of the Venetian castle and the sea.

ELOUNDA REINVENTED Domes of Elounda is the realized dream of Ledra Hotels, an organization that operates several hotels in the area. This is the newest luxury resort in the region and by introducing the ultraluxe facilities reinvented Elounda’s lost principal of exclusivity.

The food, the culture, the architecture is all brought to life in the form of a luxury resort that consists only of suites and villas.

The essence of the concept is to provide a

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small number of exclusive guests with all the amenities of a resort while offering an abundance of living space, privacy and extraordinary service.

A HUMAN APPROACH TO LUXURY Domes of Elounda all Suites and Villas Spa Resort offers guests the true Mediterranean experience, connecting luxury to natural environment and local culture. This is a new alternative luxury one isn’t afraid to touch, one you can live in, and one with extraordinary character that allows you to remain in sync with the landscape of Greece while enjoying world class accommodation.

Our staff is always there when your client needs them and is dedicated to uphold our motto: “There’s nothing we can’t do for our guests”.

TRULY AUTHENTIC ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN Minimally interfering with the natural habitat and harmonically blended with their surroundings, the domed structures emerge from the ground, respecting its natural contours and creating a Mediterranean settlement on a hillside of flower gardens, stone pathways, and olive groves. Each suite and villa finds its roots in architecture

from Greece, Carpath and Syria, borrowing features such as domed and pyramidal ceilings that cool rooms capturing sea breezes, and create organically shaped living spaces at a human scale. Mild earth tones are found throughout, embellished with works of art from internationally recognized art houses as well as one of a kind pieces from local artists.

12km from Agios Nikolaos and 45km from nearest golf course 80km from Archaeological site of Knossos Telephone: Head offices & Reservations: (+30) 2310 810 624 Email: info@domesofelounda.com Website: www.domesofelounda.com

DISTANCES 75km from Heraklion airport (largest airport in Crete) 1.5km from the village of Plaka and 2.5kms from attractions in the village of Elounda Global Awards 2015 | www.intlhotelnetwork.com | 65

Best Serviced Apartment Brand – International

Country: FRANCE | Location (City): PARIS | FRASER SUITES LE CLARIDGE CHAMPS ELYSEES Located along the Avenue des ChampsÉlysées, Fraser Suites Le Claridge ChampsElysées is situated on one of the world’s most prestigious streets where the grandeur extends from Place de la Concorde to the magnificent Arc de Triomphe. Housed in an early 1900s heritage building, Fraser Suites Le Claridge Champs-Elysées has played host to many famed and celebrated.

Offering 110 fully furnished Gold-Standard serviced residences ranging from executive

suites to three-bedrooms, it is the choice accommodation for both business and leisure travellers alike.

As part of its Gold Standard service, Fraser Suites Le Claridge Champs-Elysées provides 24-hour reception and security, concierge, daily housekeeping, taxi and chauffeur, laundry (complimentary) and dry cleaning services.

High-speed Internet access is available complimentary to residents.

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Telephone: +33 1 44 13 33 33 Email: leclaridge@frasershospitality.com Website: http://paris-claridge frasershospitality.com/en

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Exclusive Resort of the Year – Maldives

Country: THE MALDIVES | Location (City): RANGALI ISLAND | CONRAD MALDIVES RANGALI ISLAND Barefoot luxury meets unpretentious style here. Home to whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, turtles and an extensive coral reef, it was recently voted the “Best Luxury Resort in the Maldives”.

extensive range of excursions, diving and watersports– including a submarine – a vibrant coral reef and the world’s most perfect beaches

Reached by a 30-minute seaplane flight, this spectacular resort offers three resort experiences on two islands and is home to 11 restaurants and bars including: Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, 101 of the world’s best cheeses, the underground Wine Cellar and 20,000 bottles of fine wines.

Barefoot luxury meets unpretentious style at the spectacular Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. Home to whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, turtles and an extensive coral reef, it’s been awarded “The Best Water Villas in the World”, “The Best Suites in the World” and “Best Spa Resort in the Maldives” among other accolades.

For relaxation, there are two spas, an

Reached by a 30-minute seaplane flight, this

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luxury resort offers three different resort experiences on two islands: guests can enjoy the typical get-away-from-it-all Maldivian hideaway on tiny Rangali Island while also having access to the facilities of the larger and livelier main island which is linked to it by a 500m bridge. The third resort experience is at the Spa Retreat, an over-water destination spa that operates as a resort-within-a-resort set 100m off the tip of the main island.

Accommodation varies from 50 romantic water villas on Rangali Island and 79 contemporary beach villas tucked away

amongst tropical greenery on the main island to 21 stunning over-water villas at the Spa Retrea.

No matter where they stay, guests can enjoy all the resort’s facilities in full, which includes 11 restaurants and bars, two spas, two pools and unique experiences such as manta watching at night, turtle conservation, dolphin-spotting excursions and snorkeling with whale sharks.

A gastronomist’s dream, the resort is the home to world-class dining such as Ithaa

Undersea Restaurant, the only all-glass undersea restaurant in the world, Japaneseinspired dishes under the stars at Koko Grill, 101 of the world’s best cheeses in the Cheese Bar or visit The Wine Cellar for degustation wine dinners hosted by our chef and sommelier. Over 20,000 bottles of fine wines, from rare vintages to new discoveries, ensure that every meal becomes a feast for the senses.

including a submarine – snorkel the resort’s vibrant coral reef which is just steps from the beach or simply celebrate the art of doing nothing in a million different ways on the world’s most perfect beaches.

Telephone: +960 6680629 Email: Mlehi.maldives@conradhotels.com Website: www.conradmaldives.com

For relaxation, guests can find bliss in the resort’s two spas, enjoy an extensive range of excursions, diving and watersports options – Global Awards 2015 | www.intlhotelnetwork.com | 69

Luxury Escape of the Year - Greece

Country: GREECE | Location (City): OIA, SANTORINI | THE KATIKIES HOTEL Inspiring deep emotions of enchantment and fascination, the Katikies Hotel in Oia Santorini is renowned for its leading luxury, unparallel services, warm atmosphere and sense of romance uniquely combined in an exceptional setting and natural environment in Oia Santorini, inviting its guests to experience moments of pure luxury.

of unparalleled romance and prestigious luxury.

A Santorini legend and leading hotel in Greece, the Katikies Hotel is synonymous with many unrivalled characteristics. Awe inspiring Caldera views, sublime Santorini sunsets and perfectly manicured pink bougainvilleas provide the magnificent backdrop for this perennially gleaming, glistening white Santorini luxury hotel that spills down the cliffs of the magical Caldera.

The Kirini pool restaurant and celebrated pool bar reflect all that is art and magic in the remarkable avant garde Santorini restaurant culinary scene that wholly characterizes the Katikies Hotel.

With a history as spectacular as its free form fantasy architectural formation of stairs, bridges, cubist cottages, infinity pools and Caldera views, the Katikies Hotel in Oia Santorini has garnered the reputation of the Grande dame of Caldera luxury hotels.

Gorgeous luxury rooms in this Caldera hotel are both pristine and welcoming where magical private terraces hover over the most unforgettable of views.

Perched on the Caldera cliffs, 300 feet above the azure waters of the Aegean, Katikies The Hotel in Oia Santorini provides an experience

Hotel Dining The Katikies Hotel has come to be known as the luxurious jewel of Santorini hotels, boasting some of the most elegant dining in Greece.

In addition, The Katikies Dinner Restaurant, with its four tables suspended on a secret rooftop veranda on the volcano rim, offers one of the most sumptuous and romantic dining experiences in the world.

Hotel Leisure The K – CLUB, the hotel’s concierge service, instils a sense of comfort, creates enriching experiences and offers exclusive access.

Whether it is art or culture, food or drink, a spa treatment, exploring the island on a "caique" or a night out, the K-Club brings you nothing but the best. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it is there to help with all of our guests needs, no matter how extraordinary or demanding they may be.

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Hotel Rooms Luxurious romantic and mysterious grandeur describe each of the 27 rooms and suites that artfully combine the classical with the contemporary.

Well proportioned characteristics imbued by romantic Santorini white - washed walls, touching powder blue textiles and lovingly handpicked Greek antiques, match the traditionally beamed ceilings. Each one of the suites combines gentle references to the past with today’s cosseting technology.

Elegant symmetry, simplicity and harmonious refreshed palettes adorn throughout this luxury accommodation where bold white bathrooms have been interpreted using the finest natural materials, striking marble that reflects both cleanliness and purity in spaces dedicated to sleep and contemplation.

Telephone: 0030 22860 72380 Email: info@katikies.com Website: www.katikieshotelsantorini.com/

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Exclusive Resort of the Year – Phuket, Thailand

Country: THAILAND | Location (City): PHUKET | BANYAN TREE PHUKET Situated at Bang Tao Bay on the northwestern coast of Phuket island, Banyan Tree Phuket is only 20 minutes from Phuket International Airport. Bordered by the Andaman Sea, the resort is a sanctuary for the senses, tucked away in a tranquil corner of Laguna Phuket, Asia’s first integrated resort. The resort comprises of 135 luxuriously appointed villas inspired by traditional Thai architecture.

Every villa features a king sized bed, his and hers dressing areas, open-air sunken bath and private landscaped garden.

An island paradise of golden sunsets and perfect moments, Phuket offers fine beaches, turquoise seas and warm sunny weather.

Discover the romance and beauty of this island with Banyan Tree Phuket. This is a destination that showcases the island’s extraordinary beauty in a setting of awardwinning architecture, built in harmony with nature.

From planning a quiet retreat for two to occasions to remember with friends or family, the staff at Banyan Tree Phuket will put you at ease with their attentive service and traditional Asian hospitality.

Hotel Dining At Banyan Tree Phuket, our Culinary Team has prepared creative menus to reflect the different styles of Asian and Western cuisine. Each menu has been specifically designed to blend with the surroundings of each restaurant. We hope you will enjoy

your dining experience and recommend that bookings be made in advance by calling our Food & Beverage Concierge through Guest Service.

Non-smoking policy applies

Saffron

Tamarind

Banyan Tree´s signature restaurant offers a unique approach to savouring piquant Thai Cuisine in a contemporary setting. Each authentically cooked dish is prepared in a traditional way with true original flavours and ingredients. All dishes are served in family style to illustrate the convivial side of the Thai culture.

Experience Banyan Tree’s al fresco restaurant Tamarind - Phuket’s finest destination for authentic Japanese fare prepared by the accomplished Japanese Master Chef Shiraishi Kikuo.

Dress Code: Resort Chic Attire (No Sportswear, No Swimwear, No Sleeveless shirts or T-shirts)

Breakfast: 6.30am - 11.30am Dinner: 6:30pm (Last order 10:30pm)

At Tamarind, Shiraishi serves up a range of tantalising Japanese delicacies from Sweet Shrimp Sushi and California Temaki to tenderly grilled Wagyu beef and delicate salmon belly in sweet soy sauce.

Dinner: 6.30pm (Last order 10.30pm)

Dress Code Dinner: Resort Chic Attire (No Sportswear, No Swimwear, No Sleeveless shirts or T-shirts)

The Watercourt

Non-smoking policy applies

Non-smoking policy applies

This open-air restaurant overlooking the Lagoon and surrounded by water is a perfect venue to enjoy our sumptuous Asian and American breakfast buffet. A variety of à la carte dishes with a wide selection of Andaman and imported seafood is served in the evening.

Dress Code Breakfast: No cut-offs, swim or nightwear Dress Code Dinner: Resort Chic Attire (No Sportswear, No Swimwear, No Sleeveless shirts or T-shirts)

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Lunch: 11.00am (Last order 2.30pm) Dinner: 6.30pm (Last order 10.30pm) Lobby Bar Relax and enjoy the sunset while you sip your favourite cocktail or Champagne. A perfect place to unwind after dinner, the Lobby Bar Terrace offers the best setting for star-gazing while you linger over a cup of coffee, cognac and cigar.

Dress code: Casual Elegance

Opens: 6:30am (Last order 12:30am) Banyan Café An ideal place to enjoy a casual breakfast before teeing off, or a relaxed lunch whilst overlooking the pastoral of Laguna Phuket Golf Club.

Satisfy a hearty appetite with tasty Thai specialities or comfort snacks such as pizza, pasta, salads and sandwiches.

Dress code: Casual Opens: 6:30am (Last order 7:00pm) Pool Bar The ideal chill-out place for sun lovers, the Pool Bar located by the free-form swimming pool serves tasty snacks, cool drinks and tropical fruit cocktails for the classic pool-side experience.

Opens: 10:00am (Last order 6.00pm) Destination Dining Experience the romance of Banyan Tree with our famous Destination Dining options from a Long Tail Boat Dinner cruise to a romantic dinner in the middle of the Lagoon.

You and your partner will experience fine Thai or Western cuisine prepared from our professional culinary team, while being entertained with traditional music. The evening will end on a sweet note as the sun sets over your lagoon, and dusk paves the way for a relaxing night.

This will be an experience to remember.

Advanced booking is required with a minimum of five hours notice prior to the cruise time.

In-Villa Dining and In-Villa BBQ While enjoying your stay at one of our stunning villas, In-Villa Dining is a romantic experience not to be missed. Whether it´s an exquisite private breakfast or a mouthwatering outdoor barbecue, our outstanding In-Villa Dining team will attend to all of your culinary requirements.

Tre Tre restaurant combines the delicate flavours and cooking styles of Vietnamese cuisine and classic colonial influences of French cuisine, to produce dishes that are both rich in flavour, texture and complexity of character.

Experience a menu with influences from each other’s cuisines, developed and prepared by our Banyan Tree culinary team.

Dress Code: Resort Chic Attire (No Sportswear, No Swimwear, No Sleeveless shirts or T-shirts) Non-smoking policy appliesDinner: 6.30pm (Last order 10.30pm)

cycling tours to local markets.

Laguna Phuket Golf Club – offering an 18hole golf course with driving range, putting greet=ns and chipping areas.

Hotel Business Services Meeting facilities – meeting rooms, business centre, library, Quest Laguna Phuket Adventure, the country’s leading corporate training facility.

Hotel Rooms Villa

Number of units

Estimated area (sqm)

Deluxe Villa

32

170

Pool Villa

58

270

Sanctuary Villa

11

350

Two-Bedroom Pool Villa

13

350

Deluxe Two-Bedroom Pool Villa

21

380

Telephone: +66 76 372 400 Email: Phuket@banyantree.com Website: banyantree.com

Hotel Leisure Recreation Facilities – Fitness Centre, lap swimming pool, free-form pool with bubble mats, steam rooms, sailing, wind-surfing, tennis, canoeing, Thai boxing, Zumba class, Global Awards 2015 | www.intlhotelnetwork.com | 73

Luxury Hotel of the Year - Shanghai, China

Country: CHINA Location (City): SHANGHAI | THE RITZ-CARLTON SHANGHAI, PUDONG Immerse yourself in the energy of the city’s financial and commercial epicenter when you stay at The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong.

Ideally located on Century Avenue, in the heart of the Lujiazui finance and trade zone, our hotel is just moments from popular Shanghai destinations, such as The Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Grand Theatre, Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar, and Shanghai Science and Technology Museum.

is Shanghai’s ultimate destination for uncompromising style and luxury.

Positioned in Pudong’s social and commercial hub at the top of Shanghai ifc with views over the Bund, the hotel is designed by world famous Richard Farnell and is situated on the top 18 floors of the ultra-modern, 58-story Tower 1 of Shanghai ifc in the heart of the city’s Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone, offering luxury commercial, residential and retail space.

interactive open kitchen. Chinese restaurant Jin Xuan featuring 8 private dining rooms for special occasions. Rooftop Restaurant & Bar Flair serving stylish Asian dishes and overlooking The Bund. Aura Lounge and Jazz Bar offering tea, light meals, signature Afternoon Teas and varieties of wines. Aroma is the ideal meeting point for gourmet coffee, refreshing beverages and light fare.

Hotel Information

Hotel Dining

The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong

Three-meal Italian restaurant Scena with

24-hour Fitness Studio, pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and dry sauna on the 53rd floor, featuring uninterrupted views of the Bund.

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Hotel Leisure

The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA, offering a variety of beauty treatments and rejuvenating therapies in 10 treatment rooms. The exquisite collection of treatments represents complete care, personalization and the ultimate in luxury.

Hotel Business Services More than 2,600 sq m/ 27,300 sq ft of meeting and conference space. 1.135 sq m/ 12.200 sq ft Grand Ballroom divisible into three salons.

Four multi-purpose function rooms and two boardrooms.

Hotel Rooms

Email: joy.deng@ritzcarlton.com

285 guest rooms including 52 suites. There are 53 Ritz-Carlton Club rooms and The RitzCarlton Club Level features a separate Club lounge which offers five complimentary food and beverage presentations throughout the day and evening, and a dedicated concierge staff. An array of luxurious amenities including twice-daily housekeeping attention with evening turndown service and 24-hour in-room dining.

Website: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/ ShanghaiPudong/Default.htm

Telephone: 86 21 20201888 Global Awards 2015 | www.intlhotelnetwork.com | 75

Luxury Historic Hotel of the Year - South Africa

Country: SOUTH AFRICA | Location (City): CAPE TOWN | TAJ CAPE TOWN Taj Cape Town welcomes guests to the vibrant heart of one of the world's most scenic and desirable cities, Cape Town.

Taj Cape Town is a combination of rich history and elegant contemporary architecture. Originally home to the South African Reserve Bank and Temple Chambers, later the Board of Executors (BOE), it successfully combines the heritage of the old with the luxury of the new.

This five-star hotel is ideally located in the centre of historic Cape Town at the entrance

to the famous pedestrian precinct, St George's Mall. Its prime location ensures that Taj Cape Town is perfectly situated for those looking to discover authentic Cape Town; and its blend of fascinating history, exotic culture, soulful art, lively entertainment and delectable cuisine.

A proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World Taj Cape Town is a luxury hotel set in the vibrant heart of Cape Town.

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Occupying two historic buildings, it retains the architecture and many meticulously restored interior features of the original South African Reserve Bank and the old BoE building – formerly the Temple Chambers, built in 1890. Seventeen new storeys house suites, guestrooms and residences with magnificent views of the Mother City and the iconic Table Mountain.

Taj’s doors open to a precinct that includes the national and provincial parliaments, Government Avenue leading through the 350-year-old Company Gardens from St

George’s Cathedral, the cosmopolitan crafts of St George’s Mall and Greenmarket Square and a diversity of culture, art, entertainment and cuisine.

Taj Cape Town's 176 exceptional rooms and suites offer an oasis-like retreat from the lively bustle of the city centre. The historic structure of Taj Cape Town is home to the exquisite Heritage Rooms and Suites, Tower Rooms and Suites, The Presidential Suite and the Taj Club.

The rooms combine old-world quality and

modern amenities. As well as the gamut of facilities that guests would expect in a luxury hotel room such as a mini-bar, safe, voicemail and international plug sockets, standard features include high-speed wireless internet, an iPod docking station and charger, an internet-enabled television and a work station with a multi-media hub so laptops can be interfaced with the television.

banqueting and meeting rooms.

Telephone: +27 21 819 2000 Email: willie.williams@tajhotels.com Website: www.tajhotels.com

The first floor of the BoE building, with its large sash windows looking out on St George’s Cathedral, the Company Gardens and the Provincial Legislature, houses the Global Awards 2015 | www.intlhotelnetwork.com | 77