For a long time during the downturn political rhetoric was focused squarely on tax. Governments promised to crack down on those who avoided it and the countries that facilitated avoidance. Now we are beginning to see the fruits of that rhetoric. In this week’s Special Report we look at Luxembourg, which since the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development started making its white, grey and black lists, has signed 50 exchange of information treaties with other counties, and asks how this will affect the country’s livelihood and what it means for lawyers there.
Regional Focus: Benelux
Ex-head of DLA Piper Amsterdam sets up white collar crime firm
The former managing partner of DLA Piper’s Amsterdam office has teamed up with a Houthoff Buruma corporate crime specialist to establish a boutique firm specialising in white collar crime.
Ogier opens in Luxembourg in offshore first
Ogier has become the first offshore firm to open an office in Luxembourg, poaching senior partner François Pfister from local firm OPF Partners (formerly Oostvogels Pfister Feyten).
Benelux firm Loyens & Loeff to open in Hong Kong
Loyens & Loeff has become the first major Benelux firm to open a Hong Kong office, building on its existing presence in Singapore and Tokyo.
Bust-up at Luxembourg's Bonn Schmitt Steichen gives birth to two firms
Luxembourg independent Bonn Schmitt Steichen has split in two after a disagreement over the firm’s management and strategy.
IP boutique Hoyng Monegier adds Nauta Dutilh partner to ranks
Niche IP firm Hoyng Monegier has hired a team of lawyers from Benelux giant Nauta Dutilh.
Nauta Dutilh launches IP practice with hire of P&T Luxembourg in-houser
Benelux firm Nauta Dutilh has kickstarted an IP and technology practice with the hire of in-houser Vincent Wellens.
Cleary and Stibbe lead advice as Dexia is broken up
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick and Stibbe have secured lead roles on the break-up of struggling Franco-Belgian bank Dexia.
Former De Brauw managing partner returns to firm
De Brauw Blackstone & Westbroek’s former managing partner Jaap de Keijzer is returning to the firm after spending two years on the management board of the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa).
Wilson Sonsini launches in Brussels with Hunton raid
Hunton & Williams has lost a team of lawyers headed by its Brussels managing partner to technology powerhouse Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, as the West Coast firm opens its first office in Europe.
Linklaters ex-global cartel head jumps ship for Clifford Chance Brussels
Clifford Chance has raided magic circle rival Linklaters for senior Brussels competition partner Johan Ysewyn.
Wilson Sonsini spearheads US charge to increase muscle in Brussels
US firms are beefing up their presence in Brussels in a bid to provide antitrust expertise for clients on both sides of the Atlantic.
Nauta Dutilh boosts Brussels team with Van Bael hire
Benelux firm Nauta Dutilh has hired Van Bael & Bellis partner Pascal Faes to boost its Brussels tax expertise.
Little big country
Luxembourg might not be the biggest country in Europe, but with an influx of new law firms it is nevertheless riding high. Joanne Harris reports
Freshfields names Amsterdam partner as people head
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has named Amsterdam corporate partner Richard Norbruis as its new global people partner, replacing Caroline Stroud who will return to fee-earning after a three-year stint in the role.
Stibbe hires Loyens tax partner for nascent Luxembourg office
Stibbe has filled in a gap in its Luxembourg office with the hire of tax partner Ayzo van Eysinga from Loyens & Loeff.
Belgian waffle
It’s all talk and no action as far as Belgium’s vacant government is concerned, but as Joanne Harris finds, the legal market is soldiering on
Belgium's Liedekerke installs new management team
Belgian independent Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick has appointed Jan Vincent Lindemans as managing partner and Philippe Malherbe as senior partner.
