Award Chambers & Partners

The World's Leading Lawyers for Business 2009: Tax

On an annual basis, Chambers & Partners conducts extensive research and thorough data analysis in compiling its objective list of talent available at the highest level of international legal practice. Its research methodology has been independently audited and confirmed to be thorough, robust and complete.

In Chambers' 2009 review of international legal talent in the area of Tax, our Firm is listed among the best in the world.

Chambers' comments:

Tax: Corporate & Finance
USA Ranking: Tier 2

This "incredibly good tax practice" is known for housing an "intellectually strong" group of lawyers, who work diligently to defend their clients' interests. The tax group is most prominent in New York and the firm's native Illinois, where it is well established as a leading light. The group is advising the Bulgarian-American Credit Bank (BACB) and its majority shareholder, Bulgarian-American Enterprise Fund, on a cross-border deal in which Allied Irish Banks will acquire a 49.99% stake in BACB for approximately USD300 million. The team also acted for Hyatt Hotels on its acquisition of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Hotel from the Japanese owners, involving two simultaneous bankruptcy proceedings in Hawaii and Tokyo. The firm has become renowned for its private equity practice, which assists with fund formation and subsequent operation. Clients "think the world of" Illinois partner Jeffrey Sheffield. One source explained: "He is extraordinarily bright and imaginative, and great at problem solving." The firm has "an excellent tax authority" in Donald Rocap, report sources. He handles tax issues that arise from complex business transactions.

Global Ranking: Tier 4

This Chicago-based practice is best known for its "internationally strong" work on private equity and hedge fund formation, bankruptcy matters, and M&A and financing for fund clients. It is also increasingly active in the real estate sector, where it recently advised Hyatt Hotels on the acquisition by Hyatt of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Hotel. Much of the firm's work is handled out of its Chicago base, where Jeffrey Sheffield is well known for his M&A work. Patrick Gallagher works out of the New York office and is recognised for his work for private equity investors and funds. In Europe, London-based John Baldry and Ian Taplin are best known for M&A and fund formation deals, while Roderic Pagel manages a diverse practice out of Munich.

Reprinted with permission from Chambers Global, The World's Leading Lawyers for Business 2009 - www.chambersandpartners.com.