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DLA Piper has stepped up its commitment to provide integrated, contentious and non-contentious tax advice in Italy with the appointment of a partner and two associates. Tax litigation specialist, Antonio Tomassini, will join the Tax practice in Milan as a partner, together with two associates. Antonio was partner and Head of Tax at Sciumé Zaccheo & Associati prior to joining DLA Piper. He has an excellent reputation for handling tax litigation matters in Italy and has represented both national and international corporates and financial institutions on tax planning, compliance and litigation. Antonio has also advised on a range of international tax matters including transfer pricing, cost sharing policies, taxation treaties and tax havens. He joins DLA Piper with two associates also from Sciumé Zaccheo & Associati. The arrival of Antonio and his team will add considerable strength to DLA Piper's offering in Italy. In October last year partner Maricla Pennesi and five fee earners joined the Tax practice in Milan from Deloitte, expanding DLA Piper's capabilities on the non-contentious side. Antonio's appointment will complement the skills of the existing team, providing clients with a broader tax offering. "We are committed to expanding our tax team in Italy and the arrival of Antonio and his team is crucial to our plans to build a strong, integrated Tax practice able to look after clients' tax planning, and related contentious and non-contentious matters," said Roderik Bouwman, EMEA Head of Tax at DLA Piper. "Our clients will increasingly face complex tax issues as tax authorities become more aggressive and with the team that we are establishing we will be able to meet these needs nationally and internationally." "I am delighted that Antonio is joining us. He has the skills and experience that we need to help us achieve our goal to build a tax team with a broader offering," said Maricla Pennesi, Head of Tax for DLA Piper in Italy. "The arrival of Antonio and his team will be a huge asset, not just to clients in the Italian market but those supported by our colleagues around the world." Antonio has degrees in both law and economics from the University of Rome and is due to finish his PhD in tax law from Rome University at the end of 2009. Prior to working for Sciumé Zaccheo & Associati, Antonio was a tax advisor at Ernst & Young for six years and before that he was a tax officer with the Italian tax police. Antonio officially joins DLA Piper on 30 June 2009.
DLA Piper, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the Mississippi Center for Justice join forces to help local residents navigate heirs’ property issues A partnership of lawyers and volunteers from DLA Piper, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the Mississippi Center for Justice announced today the attainment of more than $1.4 million in the Mississippi Development Authority homeowner assistance grants for residents of coastal Mississippi whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The legal assistance provided by the partnership represents a concerted effort towards removing the economic and social barriers that have restricted the access of Gulf Coast residents to legal advice for decades. Since the project’s start in 2008, volunteer attorneys have assisted 117 residents on a pro bono basis, working to resolve complex issues of land-title and estate issues. Without adequate legal counsel, generations of Gulf Coast residents have been unable to draft wills and take advantage of other estate-planning tools. The result over many generations is that ownership of property has become increasingly fragmented among multiple heirs. The full extent of this problem of heirs’ property was revealed after Hurricane Katrina when hundreds of homeowners were unable to obtain government grants because they could not prove ownership. “Reaching the $1 million milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all our volunteers who continue to unravel these complex matters for each of our pro bono clients,” said Paul Shadle, a partner with DLA Piper’s Real Estate practice who has been playing a lead role in the project. “We’re honored to have such strong partners in this effort and look forward to more milestones in the future as we work to further resolve heirship issues for homeowners in Mississippi.” The partnership includes hundreds of volunteers – both attorneys and staff – from DLA Piper, the Lawyers’ Committee and the Mississippi Center for Justice, and it continues to represent more than 70 clients. “These grants are just the beginning in the new world of opportunities open to these clients,” said David Tipson, an attorney with the Lawyers' Committee. “These landowners can now do all the things with their property that other landowners in this country take for granted.” “We feel privileged to be delivering such an important service to these asset-challenged communities and look forward to successfully guiding more clients through the grant process,” explained Crystal Utley, Mississippi Center for Justice pro bono counsel. “Resolving heirs’ property issues remains a critical component in strengthening these recovering communities.” About the Lawyers’ CommitteeThe Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (LCCRUL), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice under law, particularly in the areas of fair housing and fair lending, community development, employment discrimination, voting, education and environmental justice. For more information about the LCCRUL, visit www.lawyerscommittee.org. About the Mississippi Center for JusticeThe Mississippi Center for Justice is a nonprofit, public interest law firm committed to advancing racial and economic justice. The Center carries out its mission through a community lawyering approach that advances specific social justice campaigns in partnership with national and local organizations and community leaders. Supported and staffed by attorneys, community leaders and volunteers, the Center develops and pursues strategies to combat discrimination and poverty statewide. For more information, please visit www.mscenterforjustice.org.
DLA Piper is the number one firm worldwide for real estate legal expertise, according to the sixth edition of The International Who’s Who of Real Estate Lawyers, published by Who’s Who Legal in June 2009.
DLA Piper was the most highly nominated firm in the research for the publication with more nominations from clients and peers than any other worldwide. Twenty-two practitioners are featured from 13 of the firm’s offices across the globe, a figure unrivalled by any other firm in our research.
DLA Piper is the current holder of Who’s Who Legal’s Real Estate Law Firm of the Year, having won the award every year since its inception in 2006.
The book is a result of six months of independent research incorporating feedback from lawyers and in-house counsel, and covers 470 lawyers in 39 separate jurisdictions. Editor-in-chief Callum Campbell said, “It is impossible to buy entry into this publication, only those lawyers who receive sufficient nominations from their peers are included. This book represents a truly global, highly qualitative survey of only the best real estate lawyers, based on exhaustive research. The unparalleled levels of positive feedback we received for DLA Piper from numerous countries worldwide testifies to its continued excellence confirms it as the leading firm in this field.” DLA Piper lawyers included in the book are:
The sixth edition of The International Who’s Who of Real Estate Lawyers will be included in the 2010 edition of The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, a compendium volume of all 31 practice areas covered by Who’s Who Legal’s separate single volume publications. The information is also available without charge on WhosWhoLegal.com and is updated on a daily basis. In 2008, Who’s Who Legal was named the Strategic Research Partner of the American Bar Association Section of International Law, in addition to its position as Official Research Partner of the International Bar Association. In 2006, Who’s Who Legal’s parent company Law Business Research was recognised by The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the area of international trade. These awards are the most prestigious a British company can receive. About The International Who’s Who of Real Estate Lawyers
DLA Piper today announced the appointment of partner, Abdul Aziz Al-Yaqout, to the role of Office Managing Partner for Kuwait. Abdul Aziz, a Kuwaiti national, will relocate to Kuwait from DLA Piper's Cologne office. His appointment will strengthen the Kuwait office, which is a joint venture with Al Wagayan, Al Awadhi & Al Saif. DLA Piper's Bahrain office will also be managed by Abdul Aziz. Commenting on the appointment DLA Piper's Regional Managing Partner for the Middle East, David Church, said: "Abdul Aziz has the perfect combination of local knowledge, energy and management skills to take our Kuwaiti office forward, building on our existing presence following the creation of the joint venture last year." Abdul Aziz said: "I am looking forward to help building a leading practice in Kuwait together with our partners from Al-Wagayan, Al-Awadhi and Al-Saif and a highly motivated and dedicated team of associates." Nader Al-Awadhi, Senior Partner at Al-Wagayan, Al-Awadhi and Al-Saif, added: "We are extremely excited to have a Kuwaiti with such a wealth of international experience take over the management of DLA Piper Kuwait. We are confident that with this contribution our joint venture will play a significant role in the legal community in Kuwait." The appointment of Abdul Aziz was effective from 24 June 2009. Profile: Abdul Aziz Al-Yaqout Abdul Aziz is a partner in the German Corporate group and Office Managing Partner of DLA Piper's Cologne office. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions and representing corporate clients and financial investors in acquisitions, divestures and joint venture projects as well as pre- and post-merger restructurings in Germany and abroad. Abdul Aziz's practice also includes all aspects of insolvency, including out-of-court workouts and reorganisations. He represents insolvency administrators, distressed companies, lending institutions, private equity funds, purchasers of distressed equity and debt, and secured and unsecured creditors.
DLA Piper is monitoring the issues around the global financial crisis. To receive our latest Alerts in your e-mail inbox, subscribe by e-mailing . EMEA and AsiaOur European and Asian offices have produced a series of brief alerts to help our banking clients understand the legislative and financial steps being undertaken by the relevant authorities in more than twenty jurisdictions to stabilise local financial institutions. Please click here for full list of EMEA and Asia jurisdictions. DLA Piper's Financial Crisis Response Team Jun 30 - Corporate Governance Alert SEC Proposes Shareholder Access Rules: Expect Changes to the Director Nomination Process Jun 29 - Alternative Asset Management Alert White Paper Recommends Regulation of Hedge Fund Managers Jun 22 - Financial Crisis AlertHistoric Obama Administration White Paper: Reforming the Financial Regulatory System May 18 - Derivatives AlertTreasury Proposes Comprehensive Regulation For OTC Derivatives May 13 - Financial Crisis Alert Financial Institutions With US Customers Note: FINCEN Proposes Amending "Money Services Business" Definition May 11 - Financial Crisis AlertThe Evolving US Government Response to the Credit Crisis May 4 - Financial Crisis AlertFederal Reserve Announces TALF Program Will be Available for Newly Issued CMBS April 24 - Government Real Estate AlertNew Year, New Environment for Government Real Estate April 13 - Corporate Governance and Capital Markets AlertNASDAQ Completely Reorganizes Listing Rules; Other NASDAQ Updates April 7 - Alternative Asset Management Alert Treasury Provides Updated Guidance on Legacy Securities Public-Private Investment Program April 3 - Alternative Asset Management Alert SEC Exemptive Actions Promote Clearing Credit Default Swaps April 1 - Corporate Governance AlertNASDAQ Extends Suspension of Listing Requirements March 31 - International Tax NewsletterChina Allows Contribution of Share Rights as Capital March 31 - Securities Litigation AlertWhen Hedge Funds Close Their Gates: Ruling on Amended Partnership Agreement March 30 - AlertThe Next Step Up: US Government Addresses Historic Crisis with Historic Action March 27 - Alternative Asset Management Alert Treasury's Public-Private Investment Program: Key Issues for Fund Managers March 26 - Alternative Asset Management Alert Geithner Calls For Two-Tiered Regulation Of Hedge And Private Equity Funds March 13 - Government Contracts Alert The Stimulus Package: Does the Buy American Provision Affect You? March 11 - Corporate Governance Alert NYSE Proposes to Eliminate Broker Discretionary Voting March 10 - Alert New Developments: The Government Acts on Multiple Fronts to Address the Credit Crisis March 3 - Tax Alert Tax Considerations in Debt Restructurings February 26 - Employee Benefits AlertThe New COBRA Subsidy in the Stimulus: How It Works February 19 - E-Commerce and Privacy Alert Economic Stimulus Package Contains Broad New Health Privacy Protections February 19 - Tax Alert Major Corporate and Energy Tax Benefits are a Focus of Stimulus Bill February 17 - Stimulus Plan Alert The Stimulus Plan: How Will it Affect You? February 11 - Corporate and Securities Alert The Global Financial Crisis: Latest Responses by the US Government February 9 - Corporate and Securities AlertThe Global Financial Crisis: Latest Responses by the US Government February 5 - Alternative Asset Management Alert Legislation Seeks Mandatory SEC Registration of Hedge Funds February 3 - Restructuring Alert Dealing with Distressed Retailers: Trade Vendor Strategies January 28 - International Tax NewsletterChanges to Russia’s Tax Law Now in Effect January 20 - Energy AlertAlternative Energy: "Yes We Can" President Obama's Green Jobs Plan January 14 - Real Estate AlertMiami-Dade Foreclosure Ordinances: New Obligations, Penalties for Lenders January 6 - Corporate and Securities Alert UpdateShould You Be Considering Bank or Thrift Holding Company Status? December 4 - Corporate and Securities Alert UpdateThe Global Financial Crisis: Latest Responses by the US Government November 19 - Corporate and Securities Alert UpdateThe Emergency Economic Stabilization Act and Responses to the Credit Crisis: An Interim Report November 18 - White Collar AlertThe Financial Crisis May Trigger Increased FCPA Scrutiny November 6 - Finance AlertJapan's Sun Rises Again? A New Growth Market for Global Companies October 31 - Financial Crisis in Germany Client AlertFinancial Crisis: Roadmap for negotiations with the German authorities October 27 - White Collar AlertSEC Adopts and Publicly Discloses New Enforcement Manual October 23 - Corporate and Securities Alert UpdateWill Consolidation Accelerate in the Financial Services Industry? October 22 - Securities Litigation Alert SEC Focuses on Efforts by Hedge Fund Managers to Conceal Poor Performance October 21 - Corporate and Securities AlertWhere to Obtain Information on Assets for Sale by FDIC October 20 - Corporate Governance Alert Nasdaq Suspends Bid Price and Market Value Requirements October 17 - Tax Alert Economic Stimulus and Bailout: Wins and Losses October 16 - Corporate and Securities Alert UpdateThe Global Credit Crisis and The US Government’s Response October 6 - Corporate and Securities Alert Analyzing the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 October 3 - Corporate and Securities Alert Update: The Global Credit Crisis and The US Government’s Response October 3 - Energy Tax AlertCongress Includes Energy Provisions in the Emergency Economic Stabilization ActOctober 3 - Hedge Fund Tax AlertNew Tax Law Limits Offshore Deferred Compensation October 3 - Corporate Governance and Capital Markets Alert Update: SEC Extends Window for Curtailed Stock Repurchase Rules October 2 - Tax Alert IRS Liberalizes Use of Tax Losses of Banks Attributable to Bad Debts After and Ownership Change October 1 - Corporate and Securities Alert UpdateThe Global Credit Crisis and The US Government’s Response September 29 - Corporate and Securities Alert Update: The Global Credit Crisis and The US Government’s Response September 26 - Corporate and Securities Alert Update: The Global Credit Crisis and The US Government’s Response September 25 - Alternative Asset Management AlertRegulators Worldwide Act to Restrict Short Sales September 24 - Corporate and Securities Alert Update: The Global Credit Crisis and The US Government’s Response September 23 - Corporate Governance and Capital Markets Alert SEC Takes Emergency Action to Relax Issuer Stock Repurchase Constraints September 22 - Securities Litigation AlertSEC Attacks Short Selling on Regulatory and Enforcement Front September 22 - Corporate and Securities Alert Update: The Global Credit Crisis and The US Government’s Response September 21 - Corporate and Securities Alert Implications of the Global Credit Crisis and the US Government Response September 17 - Alternative Asset Management Alert Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.’s Bankruptcy Filing Raises Pressing Issues for Hedge Funds
To Our Clients and Friends: Fast-changing events in the global financial markets are affecting businesses around the world. It is a time of uncertainty for all and a period of concern for most. Yet in these difficulties some may find once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunities. Certainly the sources and costs of funding are changing, and government regulation is intensifying. DLA Piper is monitoring the global financial markets and the actions of governments around the world. Through a coordinated effort among our offices in the US, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, we have established a global, multi-disciplinary working group focused on supporting clients in:
Michael Burton in our London office, either by telephone (+44 (0)207 796 6098) or by e-mail (). Rusty Conner in our Washington, DC office, either by telephone (+1.202.799.4221) or by e-mail (). Stefan Eder in our Vienna office, either by telephone (+43 (1) 531 78 1601) or by e-mail (). Steven Phillips in our Washington, DC office, either by telephone (+1.202.799.4313) or by e-mail (steven.phillips@dlapiper.com). Dr. Wolfgang Richter in our Frankfurt office, either by telephone (+49 (0) 69 271 33 289) or by e-mail (). Dr. Andrew Wang in our Hong Kong office, either by telephone (+85 (2) 2103 0710) or by e-mail ().
Rusty Conner in our Washington, DC office, either by telephone (+1.202.799.4221) or by e-mail ().
Stefan Eder in our Vienna office, either by telephone (+43 (1) 531 78 1601) or by e-mail ().
Steven Phillips in our Washington, DC office, either by telephone (+1.202.799.4313) or by e-mail (steven.phillips@dlapiper.com).
Dr. Wolfgang Richter in our Frankfurt office, either by telephone (+49 (0) 69 271 33 289) or by e-mail ().
Dr. Andrew Wang in our Hong Kong office, either by telephone (+85 (2) 2103 0710) or by e-mail ().
DLA Piper has elected Janet Legrand to the role of Senior Partner, effective 1 July 2009. Janet succeeds Peter Wayte, who will retire from the partnership at the end of this month after 37 years. As Senior Partner, Janet will Chair the International LLP Board and will be responsible for the governance and cohesion of the partnership. She will also be responsible for managing DLA Piper's relationships with its regulators and will work closely with the Executive management of the Board to oversee the effective management of the partnership. Janet, who is a litigator, has been a partner at DLA Piper since 1991 and will continue to maintain a client facing role when she takes up the position of Senior Partner. Janet has led a number of high profile and complex cases during her career, including the Polly Peck litigation in the 1990's and most recently the successful anti-corruption proceedings on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Zambia against the former President and its successful defence of a substantial vulture fund claim. Janet's ground-breaking work with the Government of the Republic of Zambia resulted in DLA Piper being named "Dispute Resolution Team of the Year" at the Legal Business Awards in 2008. Janet has been an elected member of the International Board since 1998, having been re-elected three times, and has also chaired the partner Remuneration Committee for the past 11 years. Sir Nigel Knowles, Joint Chief Executive Officer at DLA Piper, said: "I want to first pay tribute to Peter, a friend and talented lawyer who has contributed so much to DLA Piper over the years. It has been a huge privilege to work alongside him and on behalf of everyone across the firm I wish Peter a very long and happy retirement. "I am delighted to congratulate Janet on her new role. Peter is undoubtedly a tough act to follow but having worked closely with Janet, who has been a fellow Board member for many years, I know she brings a unique set of skills to the role and will strengthen our management at Board level and the partnership as a whole." Janet said: "I have served the partnership for many years in other roles and it is an immense privilege to have been elected into the role of Senior Partner. I am very much looking forward to my new role. These are tough times for our clients and the firm and one of my primary goals will be to ensure that I understand the challenges that both face in order to represent the partnership at Board level, whilst also undertaking the governance role." Profile Janet joined DLA Piper in 1991 and is a London-based, commercial litigation partner in the Litigation and Regulatory practice. Highly recommended by both Chambers UK and Legal 500 UK, two of Janet's most recent successes are the Republic of Zambia's flagship anti-corruption case against the country's former President, Dr Chiluba and 19 other defendants and its successful defence of a substantial vulture fund claim. In 1999 Janet was elected to DLA Piper's International LLP Board and appointed Chair of the Remuneration Committee. She has since been re-elected as a Board member three times. Janet has been a long-standing member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Investigations Committee and has also been a member of the Development Board of Trinity Hall, Cambridge since 2005. The election to identify a new Board member will be held in July 2009.
International legal practice, DLA Piper, has advised Globecomm Systems Inc. (Globecomm), provider of satellite-based communication solutions, regarding the purchase of Telaurus Communications LLC (Telaurus), which specialises in maritime communication. The purchase price was $6.5 million. The DLA Piper team provided advice on all aspects of the acquisition, including employment, tax, and intellectual property. They also advised on matters related to employees and material assets. Globecomm, a Nasdaq listed company, is a leading provider of satellite-based communication infrastructure solutions and services. Its clients include communication service providers, commercial enterprises, broadcasting service providers and other media, as well as public services. Telaurus Communications LLC, founded in 1999, develops and sells solutions for maritime communication in the commercial shipping sector. Partner, Dr. Thomas Jansen (Intellectual Property and Technology, Munich) led the DLA Piper team which also included partners Dr. Uwe Eppler (Tax, Hamburg) and Michael Magotsch (Employment, Frankfurt) and associates Britta Hinzpeter (Intellectual Property and Technology, Munich), Pascal R. Kremp (Employment, Frankfurt) and Alexander von Reuss (Tax, Hamburg). Globecomm is an existing client of DLA Piper.
DLA Piper has advised Tri Investments, a British investment company, and Salamanca Capital, their Investment and Property Adviser, on the purchase of a major part of Perla Residence, the residential complex developed by Crown Constructions, in a deal worth approximately €15.5 million. It is believed to be Romania's largest residential property deal this year. Senior Associate, Alin Buftea, led the DLA Piper team advising on this deal. The team advised on the purchase of the residential complex, finance restructuring through a bank facility and provided legal monitoring of work complementary to the completion of construction. "Completion of this transaction is a positive sign that foreign investment funds are still interested in the local real estate market," said Alin Buftea. "It is expected that the transactions which are now on-hold or which have been slowed down by the financial blockage will be resumed or pushed forward in the second part of the year subsequent to a revision or restructuring of external portfolios held by investment funds active in Romania or due to alternative financing options." Perla Residence is situated near Pipera Lake in Bucharest. The complex is made up of 85 apartments, three villas and associated facilities relating to a luxury residential complex such as underground parking, a club and a fitness centre.
(New York) - DLA Piper today announced that 126 of its lawyers have been ranked by their peers and clients as leaders in their respective fields in the newly published Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. In addition, 52 of the firm’s practice groups were recommended in the guide, up from 43 groups that were ranked in 2008. “We are thrilled that Chambers has once again recognized such a substantial number of leading lawyers and practice groups at DLA Piper,” said Francis B. Burch, Jr., chairman of the global board of DLA Piper. “These accolades are indicative of the depth and breadth of talent at DLA Piper across the country, as well as our continued dedication to our clients. The continued improvement in our rankings this year is also evidence of market's understanding of our firm and the improvement of our global brand." The Chambers rankings are based on extensive research conducted by Chambers and Partners Legal Publishers, a highly respected English publisher of directories assessing and ranking the world’s leading lawyers. Unlike other publishers that allow firms to purchase a mention or ranking, Chambers’ listings are based solely on outside evaluations of merit. Its researchers investigate law firms and lawyers in each US state through an exhaustive process of interviewing clients and competitors in major areas of business law. To view the firm’s profile as well as lawyer and practice rankings in Chambers USA, click here.
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