Baker McKenzie > Luxembourg, Luxembourg > Firm Profile

Baker McKenzie > The Legal 500 Rankings

Luxembourg > Tax Tier 1

Combining local expertise with global best practice, the 'knowledgeable and experienced' team at Baker McKenzie acts on its own as well as frequently alongside international firmwide offices to provide 'pragmatic and solutions-oriented advice' on tax structuring associated with corporate and finance transactions, as well as advising on standalone compliance/advisory and litigation mandates. The team is best-known for its international tax structuring expertise, an area where the 'highly experienced and sophisticated' Diogo Duarte de Oliveira  excels and is always able to advise on the most appropriate structure to facilitate fundraising and large-scale cross-border M&A transactions. Amar Hamouche  also provides 'pragmatic and solutions-oriented advice' on corporate and international tax structuring for funds on their downstream investments (as well as on management incentive arrangements), in addition to a considerable volume of tax structuring associated with structured capital markets transactions. Antonio Weffer heads up the firm's transfer pricing sub group and often handles applicable work for funds, multinational corporates and financial services firms. As well as his flow of tax structuring for corporates, funds and financial institutions, Olivier Dal Farra, who rounds out the team at a partner level, is also noted for his 'comprehensive knowledge of wealth structuring solutions for private clients'.

Luxembourg > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

Although it handles some purely domestic work - including on day-to-day operational corporate compliance/governance matters for multinational and local companies doing business in Luxembourg - Baker McKenzie is best-known for its skill at handling the necessary Luxembourg structuring pursuant to large-scale cross-border M&A mandates. Here, the team, which is led by the 'outstanding' Jean-François Findling and Elodie Duchêne, can provide a one-stop-shop approach to corporates and funds on the buy and sell-side working in close co-operation with lawyers from throughout the firm's vast global network. Another strength is the team's ability to handle large-scale restructuring mandates.

Luxembourg > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Under the expert guidance of 'very well respected litigator' Annie Elfassi, Baker McKenzie continues to gain market traction among funds, financial institutions and corporates, which are appreciative not only of the team's growing domestic capability but also its ability to leverage broader firmwide international resources on cross-border matters. The team is well-versed in handling conventional litigation and arbitration and also benefits from access to lawyers within the firm's well-respected cross-office investigations, compliance and ethics team.

Luxembourg > Employment Tier 2

Under the guidance of Annie Elfassi, Baker McKenzie continues to gain market traction and bolstered by a number of high-profile strategic hires over the last few years, increasingly has the critical mass to handle a significant range and volume of work for an employer-focused client base. Sabrina Bodson displays  'strong attention to detail' and is a popular choice among employers seeking guidance across the full life-cycle of their activities, from hiring through to firing. Elfassi is also skilled at handling some advisory work, often working with Bodson on remuneration policies and general employment contract drafting, as well as leveraging her broader litigation smarts to good effect across a range of contentious employment matters.

Luxembourg > Investment funds Tier 2

With 'deep industry knowledge' and a strong 'insight of the regulator's viewpoint', Baker McKenzie is well-placed to provide 'pragmatic and effective advice' to managers in the private fund space. As well as being abreast of the increased use of debt funds in the market, the team has longstanding expertise advising fund managers on real estate strategies, with clients also benefiting from the firm's broader international network on cross-border matters. Laurent Fessmann provides 'solutions-oriented advice' and is central to much of the fund formation and ongoing operational mandates, including on ESG-focused funds. Catherine Martougin  co-heads the team alongside Fessmann.

Luxembourg > Private equity Tier 2

Baker McKenzie's cross-disciplinary private equity group, which draws from the office's corporate, tax and investment funds practice areas, handles work for sponsors throughout their investment life-cycle. On the downstream investment front, the team regularly works alongside other offices from the firm's expansive international network to provide a one-stop-shop service on cross-border mandates. Jean-François Findling is key to the firm's M&A in the sector, including for private equity funds acquiring assets in the financial services sector and for infrastructure funds on their transactional work. Elodie Duchêne also handles a considerable amount of private equity-related investment work, as well as regularly providing advice on management incentive plans.

Luxembourg > Real estate and construction Tier 2

Working on its own as well as being able to leverage vast resources throughout its global network, Baker McKenzie is well-positioned to advise on domestic and cross-border real estate work for developers, investors and end-users. Team head Jean-François Trapp has excellent standing in the industry both through his fee-earning work, which includes corporate real estate work for fund clients, as well as through his continued role as President of the Advisory Board of the LuxReal association.

Luxembourg > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 3

Baker McKenzie provides 'pragmatic and cost-effective advice' to creditors and debtors seeking or providing finance to facilitate a range of aims, invariably in a cross-border setting. As well as regularly handling leverage finance matters, the 'highly technical' Jean-François Trapp is also very skilled at advising on real estate-related new money and refinancing mandates, often working alongside key firmwide European offices including Paris. Laurent Fessmann co-heads the team alongside Trapp and is noted, in particular, for for his bridge and fund finance work for asset managers.