Ogier is to open a boutique law firm in Luxembourg in early 2012, making it the first offshore firm with an onshore legal presence in the country. This is expected to be followed by a fiduciary business later in the year.
Ogier has extensive funds experience, and this new office will enable the firm to enter one of the most highly regarded and well established financial centres – and one that, unlike other bigger countries, has managed to retain its AAA rating in spite of the financial crisis. This will be particularly pertinent in recent months as Luxembourg is expected to benefit from the EU’s AIFMD, and being the first to legislate for Uctis IV.
The legal practice will be headed up by FranÒ«ois Pfister, who joins from OPF Partners in Luxembourg, and has extensive knowledge of Luxembourg law. He also speaks English, French, German and Luxembourgish. Daniel Richards, a Group partner in Ogier’s Jersey office, will relocate to Luxembourg to work alongside FranÒ«ois. With the Luxembourg office, Ogier will now be able to provide Luxembourg, Jersey, BVI, Cayman and Guernsey legal advice.
