Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP is one of New York’s leading boutique law firms. Co-founded by Michael Tannenbaum (pictured) in 1978, the firm blends a powerful mix of insight, industry expertise and creativity to support clients through challenges and opportunities. Delivering the highest quality legal services in a practical and efficient manner is one of the firm’s guiding principles.
Tannenbaum Helpern’s Financial Services, Private Funds and Capital Markets Group, of which Tannenbaum is Chairman, handles all aspects of financial law including onshore and offshore private fund formation, securities, futures, swaps and other derivatives, and in particular, regulatory advisory services pertaining to fund structures.
Handling master/feeder funds, umbrella funds, advising on private equity and portfolio transactions, setting up limited partnerships in the offshore and European jurisdictions (for UCITS funds), advising non-US firms on US matters and family offices on regulation, structures and compliance as well as drafting private placements and other offering memoranda are just some of the areas in which the firm offers specialist advice.
Last year, says Tannenbaum, represented “real growth” for the firm, not just in a financial sense, but in terms of its skill set and service delivery. “We always keep a couple of guiding principles in mind: we provide solutions and we provide value. In that sense we partner with our clients. And that translates into practical legal guidance with a high level of service and responsiveness at a reasonable cost. The market these days clearly rewards that and as a result we’re competing well and seeing a positive response from our clients.”
Whilst SEC and CFTC regulatory guidance is important, Tannenbaum stresses that the firm has seen “tremendous demand” out of Europe as well: “In particular providing US advice to European clients who in some way “touch” the US – tax, regulatory, ERISA etc. Our size and US focus makes us a favorable “go to” firm for non-US law firms that need help on the US piece of a cross-border matter.”
Client service, industry and regulatory knowledge, responsive and practical advice, and reasonable fees; these are the pillars on which Tannenbaum Helpern has built its industry reputation. Says Tannenbaum: “Our firm is comprised of lawyers who are seasoned and can answer questions accurately and promptly. That’s what clients want nowadays. We’re positioned to do that.”
In terms of growth opportunities for the firm, Tannenbaum observes that already this year the firm has been engaged in more M&A, hedge fund and private equity work than in the last few. “This includes not only PE funds but also the corporate work involved in the underlying portfolio transactions. Add increased SEC regulatory oversight in the hedge fund and PE space, and it creates the makings of an interesting and busy 2013.”
The firm, at 35 years young and going strong, is able to compete effectively with law firms many times its size, and it does so quite well. When asked how it therefore feels to have won the hedgeweek award for Best North American Law Firm 2013, Tannenbaum replies: “It’s a confirmation that years of effort by scores of great lawyers is being recognised by our industry peers that we value so much. It feels just great and I sincerely thank our clients and friends and also our support staff and lawyers – this award belongs to all of us.”
To learn more about the firm, visit www.thsh.com.
