Law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld will open an office in Geneva on 1 May 2010, expanding its international footprint further into Western Europe.
Charles C. Adams Jr. will head the new office and will be joined by partners Jonathan Ivinson and Michael J. Stepek, along with a team of four other lawyers.
The office has experience in the prosecution and defence of major claims brought in international arbitrations, international civil litigation matters before various national and international courts and institutions, corporate and commercial law, and tax optimisation for multinational corporates and high-net-worth individuals.
The group joins Akin Gump from Hogan & Hartson.
R. Bruce McLean (pictured), Akin Gump’s chairman, says: “Market conditions and client demand have created significant opportunities for our international arbitration and tax practices in Europe. Charles, Jonathan and Michael will complement and strengthen our existing capabilities in these areas. We are very pleased to welcome them and their team to the firm.”
With more than 35 years of experience in international law, Adams focuses primarily on complex high-value international disputes involving major infrastructure construction projects, joint ventures, insurance coverage, manufacturing, telecommunications and transportation. He represents US and foreign multinational corporations and governmental entities in major international arbitrations.
Stepek’s practice encompasses international arbitration, international public and private law, and trade, with a particular focus on disputes involving foreign direct investment; concession agreements; major infrastructure construction projects; and joint ventures in the petroleum, power generation, telecommunications and transportation industries. His clients include multinational corporations and governmental entities.
Ivinson’s practice focuses on international and domestic tax issues, with an emphasis on tax-efficient cross-border financing structures. Ivinson advises multinational corporations on the tax-efficient structuring of their international operations and transfer pricing issues, as well as on value-added tax and customs duties. He also assists in the planning and implementation of tax-driven structures and has a growing practice in representing clients in disputes with the Inland Revenue. His clients include a broad range of companies and individuals in the telecommunications, financial, private equity, entertainment and technology sectors.
