+ All Categories
Home > Documents > Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern...

Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern...

Date post: 31-May-2020
Category:
Upload: others
View: 36 times
Download: 0 times
Share this document with a friend
17
Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning and tax litigation. In 1984, he acquired the only legal practice in Norfolk Island, a tax-free external territory of Australia. In 1987, Bill joined Hong Kong law firm Deacons to build its tax practice. He became a partner in 1990, following his admission as a solicitor in both Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. He remained there until 1994, when he returned to Australia, where he maintained strong links with Hong Kong through representing a Jersey-based trust company in Asia, and through his continued representation of a number of Hong Kong-based clients. In early 1999, Bill returned to Hong Kong full-time as a Consultant to law firm Lea & White, to build on his wide experience in Hong Kong revenue law, trust law and regional tax planning, including offshore aspects of Australian tax law. In October 2000, he joined an international trust company in Hong Kong as Director, Trust & Legal Affairs. In December 2002, Bill joined HSBC Private Bank to head up Wealth and Tax Advisory Services Asia (WTASA); its tax consultancy arm. In June 2008, Bill established his own consultancy, Family Capital Conservation, specializing in advising clients and institutions in multi-jurisdictional tax and succession planning and family governance. In February 2016 Bill returned to practice as a Hong Kong Solicitor forming Ahern Lawyers (www.ahernlawyers.hk) so can now provide Hong Kong legal opinions and advice on a range of private client related issues. Ahern Lawyers entered into a formal association with Haldanes, Hong Kong Solicitors in April 2017. Haldanes are a full service law firm. Bill is a regular lecturer on the international private client conference circuit, a member of the STEP Council and Board of Directors and a member of the International Academy of Estate and Trust Law.
Transcript
Page 1: Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning

Speakers

William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong

Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning and tax litigation. In 1984, he acquired the only legal practice in Norfolk Island, a tax-free external territory of Australia. In 1987, Bill joined Hong Kong law firm Deacons to build its tax practice. He became a partner in 1990, following his admission as a solicitor in both Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. He remained there until 1994, when he returned to Australia, where he maintained strong links with Hong Kong through representing a Jersey-based trust company in Asia, and through his continued representation of a number of Hong Kong-based clients.

In early 1999, Bill returned to Hong Kong full-time as a Consultant to law firm Lea & White, to build on his wide experience in Hong Kong revenue law, trust law and regional tax planning, including offshore aspects of Australian tax law. In October 2000, he joined an international trust company in Hong Kong as Director, Trust & Legal Affairs. In December 2002, Bill joined HSBC Private Bank to head up Wealth and Tax Advisory Services Asia (WTASA); its tax consultancy arm. In June 2008, Bill established his own consultancy, Family Capital Conservation, specializing in advising clients and institutions in multi-jurisdictional tax and succession planning and family governance. In February 2016 Bill returned to practice as a Hong Kong Solicitor forming Ahern Lawyers (www.ahernlawyers.hk) so can now provide Hong Kong legal opinions and advice on a range of private client related issues. Ahern Lawyers entered into a formal association with Haldanes, Hong Kong Solicitors in April 2017. Haldanes are a full service law firm. Bill is a regular lecturer on the international private client conference circuit, a member of the STEP Council and Board of Directors and a member of the International Academy of Estate and Trust Law.

Page 2: Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning

Keith Barrett Carter, National University of Singapore, School of Computing, Singapore

Keith Carter’s mission is to “Help others succeed.” through his lecturing, writing, inventing, and mentoring. He also delivers results by leading several Big Data projects in retail, fintech, supply chain, and education. Personally, he leads a men’s bible study and with his wife a family bible study. He asks, “Why do people with good facts, make bad decisions?” He is an associate professor at the NUS School of Computing, where he has two mandates: teaching and consulting. He has a passion for engaging and inspiring

students to achieve more. He teaches Supply Chain Visualization, and Purchasing and Materials Management and connects students with companies at all levels to bring the theory to life in the business world. He consults senior business leaders on strategy, actionable intelligence, design thinking, and human capital. He is consultant to the president of Hong Leong Finance, the managing director of Bollore, Non-Exec Director of Datarama a Fintech startup, past Principal Advisor to KPMG and past Non-Exec Director of Mentorica (a mobile Big Data solution provider). He is invited to speak around the world including prestigious venues TEDx, Gartner, IBM, KPMG, SingHealth, Media & Infocomm Development Authority, Financial Times, The Economist and more. From 1999 to 2012 Keith worked for the Estee Lauder Companies, Global Supply Chain Center of Excellence, tasked to lead the strategic changes to supply chain to improve the overall performance of the company. Keith established and led Global Supply Chain initiatives: Supply Chain Intelligence, Knowledge Management, Transformation Governance, and Data Management. All to achieve end-to-end supply chain visibility. From 1995 to 1998 Keith Carter worked as a consultant for Andersen Consulting in New York, now Accenture. His clients included: Goldman Sachs, St Paul Reinsurance, NY State, and Smith Barney. Keith holds an MBA from Cornell University and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic and is certified in procurement and counter-terrorism.

Samantha Bradley TEP, Sir Elly Kadoorie & Sons Ltd, Hong Kong

Samantha Bradley is an English and Hong Kong qualified solicitor and former branch chair of STEP Hong Kong 2013-2015. Her experience in the wealth management sector began in Allen & Overy’s private client department in 1995. She moved to a family office as lead lawyer in 2002 before joining Withers where she became a partner in its wealth planning department in 2005. Samantha helped launch Withers’ first Asian office in Hong Kong in 2008 and was its first office managing director and regional head of wealth planning for Asia. She is currently head of legal and trust management in a mature Hong Kong based single family office.

Page 3: Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning

Stephen Breed, Tenzing Investments (Pte) Ltd, Singapore

Stephen is head of private equity for a HNW family office in Singapore. He has been associated with the global trust and corporate services industry for more than 30 years. For the last 15 years he has assisted both vendors and purchasers in relation to sourcing, negotiating, acquiring and restructuring trust and corporate service businesses. In that role he has completed transactions in Asia, Europe, the Pacific and the Caribbean.

Joanna Caen TEP, Herbert Smith Freehills, Hong Kong

Joanna Caen is a Senior Consultant in the private wealth team at Herbert Smith Freehills. She is Head of Private Wealth – China. Joanna is admitted as a solicitor of the High Court of Hong Kong and as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Joanna has spent her entire career in private wealth law. She advises clients from across the private wealth sphere (including individuals, private banks, trustee companies and other fiduciaries and advisers) on various private wealth issues. In keeping with the team's focus, her particular specialisms are

trusts, estates, family companies, charities and, increasingly, mental capacity issues. She provides both non-contentious and contentious advice.

Matthew Cannon, Lightbulb Capital, Singapore

Matthew Cannon is Co Founder of Lightbulb Capital, a boutique FinTech investment and advisory business. The firm was founded in 2014 to help realise the potential of technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence to transform financial services. The 2 principals use their 50 years experience in investment banking, technology and entrepreneurship to help start-up founders successfully launch their businesses. Lightbulb Capital provides seed investment, capital introduction and consultancy services and opens up its extensive global network to help find investors and business partners for our clients and investees.

Until 2017 Matthew was Treasurer and Head of Global Markets at HSBC in Singapore with responsibility for all sales and trading activity, custody and securities services business across ASEAN and investment of the bank’s $50bn liquidity surplus. He has extensive investment banking experience having worked in similar roles in London, New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Korea.

Joseph Chan, Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Hong Kong

Mr Chan was appointed the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury on 16 August 2017. Mr Chan has many years of senior executive experience in the banking industry. He was a Managing Director in the Global Markets Division of Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank, and was a Managing Director in Financial Markets of Standard Chartered Bank.

Page 4: Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning

Prior to joining the Government, Mr Chan held multiple roles in a number of public and professional bodies, including Vice President of the Hong Kong Society of Financial Analysts, Director of Hong Kong Securities & Investment Institute, Advisor of the Chinese Gold & Silver Exchange Society, as well as a General Committee member of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. Mr Chan was also a member of the Central & Western District Council. Mr Chan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics (Hon) and Psychology from the University of Michigan, USA. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst.

David Chong TEP, Portcullis Group, Singapore

David Chong is the President of the Portcullis Group and the Executive Chairman of Fusang which is a Fund Management Company licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore; and holds a Type 9 Licence from the SFC in Hong Kong. David owns the Baxian Private & Investment Bank which is licensed by the Labuan FSC. David is the President of the Singapore Trustees Association; the founding President of Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners Singapore Branch and was the founding

President of the Singapore Fund Administrators Association. David has a Master’s Degree in Law and a Master’s Degree in Business.

Martin Crawford, Vistra Group, Hong Kong

Martin joined Vistra as CEO in 2009, and since then under Martin’s leadership Vistra has grown to become a leading provider of international incorporations, trust, fiduciary, international expansion, and fund administration services with a presence in over 45 markets. Prior to this, Martin led several medium and large companies throughout APAC in offshore financial services, foreign exchange and asset management for over 15 years. He has an MBA from IMD in Lausanne (Switzerland) and a Bachelor of Business degree from the University of South Australia.

M. Katharine Davidson TEP, Henderson, Caverly & Pum LLP, USA

M. Katharine Davidson is the Chair of Henderson, Caverly & Pum’s International Private Client Practice. Ms. Davidson counsels clients with respect to investments in the United States and abroad, pre-immigration planning, expatriation, the application of tax treaties, U.S. withholding obligations, offshore tax compliance, residency issues, and income, transfer tax and reporting obligations of aliens, both resident and non-resident, in the United States and California. She regularly advises U.S. entities and individuals who conduct business or own property abroad. Ms. Davidson also handles large domestic estate matters, as well as tax controversy matters.

Page 5: Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning

Sally Edwards TEP, Ogier, jersey C.I

Sally is a partner and Global Head of Private Client and Trusts at Ogier which has private wealth lawyers in Jersey, Hong Kong, Guernsey, Cayman, BVI and Luxembourg. Sally is based in Jersey and advises professional trustees, settlors and beneficiaries on all issues concerning trusts and foundations, with particular emphasis on drafting trust deeds, restructuring trusts, advising on high net worth complex structures and rectifying and mitigating breaches of trust. She is a Jersey Advocate, English solicitor (non-practicing) and STEP member. Sally sits on various

working parties for the introduction of trusts and foundation legislation in Jersey.

Richard Grasby TEP, Charles Russell Speechlys, Hong Kong

Richard Grasby advises individuals, trustees and related entities on cross border private client issues. Richard has particular experience with offshore structures having worked previously for leading Cayman Islands / BVI law firms. Richard has been based in Hong Kong since 2009. Richard is the current chair of the Hong Kong branch of STEP.

Richard Grasby is admitted to practice in England and Wales and the British Virgin Islands. He was formerly admitted in the Cayman Islands. Experience highlights Setting up bespoke Cayman Islands private trust company structure with complex ownership and governance provisions. Establishing Cayman Islands special trust to own high value assets. Setting up BVI private trust companies to be trustee of employee benefit structures. Advising wealthy families in respect of private investment vehicles.

Chen Han, Han Kun Law Offices, PRC

Mr. Chen has been working in the legal profession since 2008. He specializes in the areas of family law, private wealth management. Mr. Chen has extensive experience in premarital agreements, divorces, family wealth management, estate planning and family dispute resolution.

Hussein Haeri, Withers LLP, UK

Hussein Haeri is a Partner and Co-Head of International Arbitration at Withers LLP, based in the firm's London office. He is a leading specialist in the field of international investment law and has served as counsel in over 20 investment treaty arbitrations. He has drafted model investment treaties and investment legislation for governments. He is a Solicitor-Advocate of the Higher Courts of England and Wales, and previously practiced law in New York and Paris. Who's Who Legal (Arbitration: Future Leaders) states that Hussein "impresses market

Page 6: Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning

commentators with his 'combination of strong litigation skills with expert knowledge in public international law'."

Jonathan Hilliard QC, Wilberforce Chambers, UK

Jonathan spends much of his time on private and other commercial trust disputes and fraud litigation, both on and offshore. His litigation often takes him into other areas of law, and he has significant experience of cases with family, insolvency and regulatory elements. For example, his trusts trials over the last year include a number of offshore trust hearings, a large trusts and divorce trial, and a 6 week trial attacking the trustees’ exercise of discretion. He also has a significant advisory practice across this spectrum of work. Chambers and Partners 2017 describes him for offshore work as an “extraordinarily brilliant individual” who is “A real pleasure to work with, he’s one hundred percent committed and leads from the front. He has an excellent grasp

of the law and facts”, and for trusts work as being “very good at implying complex trust provisions into succinct and clear advice for clients”, while the High Net Worth entry says that “He gets to the issues and is a great public speaker. He’s very fluent. I can think of no improvements.” He very much enjoys the challenge of breaking down complex issues into simple, clear points and the advocacy involved in litigation, both oral and written. He is ranked in the directories for trusts (private and pension), offshore, civil fraud, traditional chancery and high net worth work (Chambers and Partners) and civil fraud, commercial litigation, pensions and private client (Legal 500).

Paul Hodgson TEP, Butterfield Trust (Guernsey) Ltd, Guernsey C.I

Paul Hodgson is Managing Director of Butterfield Trust (Guernsey) Limited and a member of the Butterfield Group's Trust Executive Committee. In his role Paul is responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day running of the Guernsey team of over 120 staff and continues to be involved with a small number of key client relationships. He is a Chartered Accountant, Trust and Estate Practitioner and Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments. Paul regularly speaks and acts as chairman at industry conferences on wealth structuring and fiduciary services. He is Chairman of the Guernsey Association of Trustees.

Joyce Huang, Fangda Partners, PRC

Joyce Huang has practiced law for over ten years, and she is now working for Fangda Partners. Her areas include bankruptcy and restructuring, family law, and commercial litigation and arbitration. For the family law area, Joyce has extensive practice, and has represented clients in various marriage and succession disputes as well as other family law related matters. With the experience of corporate transaction and dispute resolution, Joyce is specialized in dealing with family law cases which also involve equity interest of companies.

Page 7: Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning

Melanie Ison TEP, Nerine Trust Company, Hong Kong

Melanie Ison oversees the growth in Asia and is the Managing Director of Nerine HK. She has a wealth of experience advising HNW/UHNW families in providing tailored solutions for their succession needs, and has been offering professional fiduciary expertise for more than 18 years. Melanie is adept in structuring bespoke solutions for high-profile local and expatriate clients with a multi-jurisdictional exposure, and her client profile includes families listed on the Forbes Rich List. Melanie further lends her technical expertise in advising clients

on family governance issues focusing specifically on generational-transition of wealth, and she also sits on the board of several companies. She has written several articles for international publications, and was named in the Citywealth Leaders List in 2014-2016 and 2018 and shortlisted in the International Finance Centres Power Women Top 200 List in 2014, 2015 and 2017.

Nicholas Jacob TEP, Forsters LLP, UK

Nick advises on sophisticated private wealth planning, the protection of the family business, the avoidance of family disputes, and all aspects of international family governance. He is a trusted adviser to a number of globally significant families and is well recognised for his understanding of family governance psychology. He has a particular focus on acting for families in Asia. His clients include trustees, overseas investors, family offices and many very wealthy entrepreneurs. He specialises in UK taxation for individuals and trusts, and cross-border taxation co-

ordination and advises banks and trust companies on the Common Reporting Standard.

Cheng-Yee Khong, IMF Bentham, Hong Kong

Cheng Yee Khong leads IMF Bentham's Hong Kong office and works closely with our Singapore office to assess and manage funded cases throughout Asia, including arbitration, litigation and insolvency claims. Cheng Yee is an international arbitration specialist and lawyer with a global career. She has lived and worked in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, France and Malaysia and advised on matters throughout the Asia Pacific region, Europe, U.S.A. and the Gulf. Cheng Yee began her career as Deputy Counsel for the International Chamber of Commerce International Court of Arbitration Secretariat (ICC) in Paris, before qualifying as a solicitor with leading global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus

Deringer in London and working in the International Arbitration Group in Paris on international commercial / investment treaty arbitrations. During this period, she had the opportunity to assist the Litigation team in representing an Asian State before the French courts in relation to a terrorist kidnapping. Subsequently, Cheng Yee was appointed by the ICC as the regional director to head its Asia liaison office in Kuala Lumpur. She was subsequently promoted as the Director and Counsel to the ICC in Hong Kong, where she helped launch the ICC's Asia Office and was in charge of developing and managing ICC arbitrations in the Asia Pacific region. Cheng Yee is a member of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Mediation & Arbitration Centre (MARC) Court and former Vice-President of the Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration Group (APRAG).

Page 8: Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning

Cheng Yee is a qualified lawyer in England and Malaysia. She has an Honours Degree in law from the University of Hull (United Kingdom) and a Masters Degree in International Business & Management from the University of Westminster, London. She is fluent in English, French and Cantonese and has conversational Malaysian, Indonesian, Mandarin and German.

Graeme Kleiner TEP, Charles Russell Speechlys, UK

Graeme heads the firm’s international trusts and estates disputes team. He advises trustees, executors and beneficiaries in relation to a broad range of disputes. Graeme’s recent cases have involved parties located in multiple onshore and offshore jurisdictions around the world. He regularly works alongside his colleagues in the family and private client teams on complex multi-jurisdictional issues. He also has a growing practice in IFA disputes and handles fraud and professional negligence cases relating to trust, tax and succession matters. Graeme is deputy head of the STEP Cross-Border Global Estates SIG

and a Committee member for ACTAPS.

Thelma Kwan TEP, Barrister-at-Law, Hong Kong

Thelma Kwan is a practising Barrister specializing in trust, probate and family law in Hong Kong. Before returning to private practice in 2014, she spent more than 20 years in the trust and wealth planning segment of various private banks. Thelma co-authored the book “Drafting Trusts and Will Trusts in Hong Kong” published in January 2016. In addition to litigation work, Thelma teaches and speaks at international conferences; she also advises clients on non-contentious succession matters and liaise with international advisers to give clients holistic wealth planning advice.

Edmund Leow SC TEP, Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP, Singapore

Edmund Leow heads the tax and trust practice at Dentons Rodyk in Singapore. He has over 30 years of experience in advising high net worth families, private banks and trustees in tax, trust and succession planning. He was among the founding members of the Singapore Trustees Association in 2002, and was its first Vice President. He also served as its President from 2004 to 2008. In 2013, he was appointed to the High Court Bench, and served for 3 years. On stepping down from the High Court Bench, he was appointed Senior Counsel in 2017.

Page 9: Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning

Louise Lewis TEP, Penningtons Manches LLP, UK

Louise Lewis is a senior associate at Penningtons Manches LLP. In addition to drafting wills, trusts and powers of attorney, Louise has a detailed knowledge of complex estate and trust administration and advises on the availability of business property relief, agricultural property relief and other forms of tax planning for individuals, estates and trusts. She has been quoted in The Times in an article which highlighted her work in digital assets. She was recognised as a next generation lawyer in the Legal 500 directory 2017 in which she is described as “very knowledgeable, patient, caring and flexible".

______________________________________________________________________________ HSH Prince Michael of Liechtenstein, Chairman, Industrie-und Finanzkontor ETS, Wealth Preservation Experts

Prince Michael of Liechtenstein is chairman of Industrie- und Finanzkontor Ets., a leading trust company with a tradition and expertise in the long-term and trans-generational preservation of wealth, especially family wealth. Furthermore, he is also the founder and chairman of Geopolitical Intelligence Services AG, a geopolitical consultancy company, and information platform. In addition, Prince Michael of Liechtenstein is a member of various professional organizations such as STEP, a board member of the Liechtenstein Institute of Professional Trustees and Fiduciaries, as well as chairman of the liberal think tank

European Center of Austrian Economics Foundation.

Zac Lucas TEP, Centenal Legal Technology Group, Singapore

Zac is a practicing lawyer with over 20 years legal experience, admitted to practice in England & Wales, and is a former Partner of various international law firms including, Harneys, Ogier, Lawrence Graham and Gowling WLG advising on all areas of international private client law, including cross border wills, trust and estates and business succession planning. Zac has particular expertise advising on international regulatory law and has lectured and written extensively on the OECD Common Reporting Standard (CRS). As a result, Zac has been retained by a number of leading private banks, trust companies,

wealthy individuals and families and a governmental authority to advise on the practical implementation of the CRS. Zac has now taken the step, in founding Centenal Legal Technology Group, to leverage the power of information technology to create innovative enterprise application software solutions for use by Financial Institutions, Business Professionals and UHNW families and individuals. _________________________________________________________________________________

Page 10: Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning

Wai Soon Lum TEP, UBS Group AG, Hong Kong

Wai Soon LUM is a Managing Director, Head Wealth Planning UNHW in Hong Kong. She leads a team of Wealth Planners who provide wealth planning services to UHNW families in Greater China. She has more than 12 years’ international experience helping Asian families with their succession and estate planning, cross-border investment and philanthropic needs. Prior to joining UBS, Wai Soon was the Head of the Strategic Wealth Advisory Team of Goldman Sachs in Asia and had held a number of client facing roles in the trust and estate industry. She started her career in legal practice as a corporate lawyer specializing in M&A.

Philip Marcovici TEP, Offices of Philip Marcovici, Hong Kong

Philip Marcovici is retired from the practice of law and consults with governments, financial institutions and global families in relation to tax, wealth management and other matters. Philip is on the boards of several entities within the wealth management industry, as well as of entities within family succession and philanthropic structures. Philip is actively involved in teaching in the areas of taxation, wealth management

and family governance. Philip is a member of the adjunct faculties of Singapore Management University and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore (NTU). Philip is also a member of the Advisory Committee of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s Tanoto Center for Asian Family Business and Entrepreneurship Studies. Philip is a Founding Advisor to the Responsible Family Business and Wealth Ownership program created by Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education and is one of the lecturers and facilitators for that course. In 2013, Philip received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Estate and Trust Practitioners. Philip is the author of The Destructive Power of Family Wealth published by John Wiley & Sons in 2016.

Stefano Mariani TEP, Deacons, Hong Kong

Stefano is tax counsel at Deacons, with a broad contentious and advisory tax and trusts practice ranging from domestic to international matters. He is admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong and as a barrister in England and Wales. He is a lecturer in revenue law at Hong Kong University and an honorary fellow of the Asian Institute of International Financial Law. He also co-authors the seminal Encyclopaedia of Hong Kong Taxation and is a regular contributor to legal and industry publications.

Page 11: Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning

Jennifer Jordan McCall TEP, Pillsbury Law, USA

Pillsbury partner Jennifer Jordan McCall chairs the Estates, Trusts & Tax Planning practice and is a leading authority on U.S. and international gift and estate planning. Jenny has been recognized by Chambers for the National, Western and Northern California regions and by Best Lawyers in California and New York. She has been named Wealth Management Lawyer of the Year by Corporate INTL (2017-2019), Global 100 (2018), and M&A Today (2017-2018). She is based in the Silicon Valley, New York and Palm Beach offices and

represents private clients. Jenny is admitted to practice law in California, Florida and New York. Jenny crafts tax-savings business succession and estate transfer plans that preserve wealth and enhance family relationships. Her clients include internationally renowned museums and corporations, charities, foundations, high net worth families and individuals, fiduciaries and nonprofits. Jenny’s experience includes complex trust and estate administration and litigation; gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes; spousal rights of election and rights of adopted children; endowments; and tax aspects related to disposition of corporate holdings and financial transactions. Jenny is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (“ACTEC”), where she serves as a member of the International Tax Planning and Estate and Gift Tax committees. She has lectured extensively and conducts seminars on estate and tax planning.

Jonathan Midgley, Haldanes, Hong Kong

Jonathan Midgley is the partner in charge of Haldanes' criminal defence. He has been the senior partner of Haldanes for more than 38 years. He has represented people facing criminal charges in Hong Kong in all of the different courts. The range of work includes trial, bail, extradition, Securities and Futures Commission offence. Jonathan has a vast experience in the field of criminal defence work. He was appointed Solicitor Advocate in 2013 and has rights of audience in all the criminal courts in Hong Kong, including the Court of Final Appeal.

Michael Olesnicky TEP, KPMG, Hong Kong

Michael was previously in legal practice before joining KPMG in October 2014. His practice has focused on both corporate tax and wealth management and estate planning matters. He has focused on Asia generally and Hong Kong specifically. Michael has more than 30 years of experience in practice. In addition, he is currently the Deputy Chairperson of STEP's branch in Hong Kong and chairs its China sub-committee. He has been a full-time lecturer in the Law Faculty of Hong Kong University, and remains a visiting lecturer in tax law there.

________________________________________________________________________________

Page 12: Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning

Raul-Angelo Papotti TEP, Chiomenti, Italy

Head of Chiomenti Tax department, Raul-Angelo advises Italian and international clients on tax law and tax planning, cross-border taxation, private wealth management, trusts and estate planning matters. Raul-Angelo has routinely advised and advises corporate and private clients in pre-litigation and litigation concerning cross-border tax matters. His clients include leading global investment banks, Italian and foreign multinationals, and prominent HNWIs, families and family offices. He has a particular expertise in assisting Asian (especially Chinese) clients, out of Chiomenti’s Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing offices that he visits several times a year. He is author of many publications on international tax matters and is frequent speaker at domestic and international congresses.

Kurt G Rademacher TEP, Butler Snow LLP, Hong Kong/Singapore

Kurt represents ultra high net worth families and family controlled businesses throughout the world with respect to US tax issues, but maintains a particular emphasis on families based in the Asia-Pacific region and in the UK. He has been selected as a fellow of the American College of Trust & Estate Counsel and has been listed in Chambers USA, Chambers Asia, Citywealth Leaders List, Legal Week Private Client Elite and Best Lawyers in America. The financial press frequently calls upon Kurt for his expert US tax commentary, including media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, the Financial Times, CNN Money and Bloomberg Radio.

Ziva Robertson TEP, McDermott Will & Emery LLP, UK

Ziva Robertson, a solicitor-advocate, advises clients on dispute resolution issues, including complex trust disputes, contested estates and commercial disputes containing fiduciary elements. She counsels individuals and companies on the conduct and the avoidance of disputes and has extensive experience in cross-jurisdictional and international litigation. On the dispute-avoidance side, Ziva brings her wealth of experience in

litigation to advise on structuring trusts and other arrangements to minimize the risk of future disputes. She reviews matters to determine whether the structure will meet the beneficiaries' evolving needs, to ensure the choice of jurisdiction best suits the individual circumstances of the case and that the structure includes as many litigation deterrents as possible. When disputes arise, Ziva will advise on and conduct mediation as well as other forms of alternative dispute resolution. In cases when litigation has been threatened or commenced, Ziva has successfully pursued and defended cases in the UK and abroad, including the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, the Channel Islands and the Middle East. Ziva writes frequently for numerous legal and business publications. Her speaking engagements include Legal Week Forums, Butterworths, IBC and Lexis conferences, and various Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) conferences in the UK and abroad.

Page 13: Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning

Andrew De La Rosa, ICT Chambers, Cayman Islands

Andrew De La Rosa practices as independent counsel specialising in structuring and litigation concerning fiduciary relationships in the trust, estate, company, collective investment fund and partnership spheres. His practice is international and he has long experience of dealing with the laws of all of the principal English common law-based international financial centres as well as the Islamic and civil code-based systems with which such centres interact.

He is often engaged to review and advise on the enforcement, variation or termination of existing international trust and corporate structures, whether based in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere. Andrew has been instructed as counsel in a number of the largest inheritance and trust disputes of recent years and a series of corporate and professional partnership restructurings. Professional clients have described him as "awesome and absolutely compelling" and "charming and easy-going but with a deadly eye and known to get results." He has also acted as a government consultant and adjunct professor of law and has been ranked as "an unsurpassed conference speaker."

David Russell QC TEP, Outer Temple Chambers, UAE

David Russell commenced legal practice in 1974. He is admitted to practise in Australia, England and Wales (Lincoln’s Inn), the Courts of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), New York (as a Legal Consultant), the Singapore International Commercial Court, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. David was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1986. David currently practises in Dubai, London, New York and Abu Dhabi (Outer Temple Chambers), Sydney (Ground Floor Wentworth Chambers) and Brisbane (Sir Harry Gibbs Chambers) and is an associate member of chambers in Auckland (Shortland Chambers). David was President of the Taxation Institute of Australia from 1993 to 1995, and of the Asia Oceania Tax Consultants’ Association from

1996 to 2000. David was inaugural Chairman of the STEP International Client Special Interest Group, a member of the World Wide Council and various Committees, a director and (from January 2018) Deputy Chair of STEP, Co-chair of the United Arab Emirates Chapter of the International Section of the New York State Bar Association, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Section, an Academician of The International Academy of Estate and Trust Law, a Member of the Middle East and North Africa Branch Committee of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (UK), a member of the Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers, a Freeman of the City of London and an Honorary Member of the Taxation Institute of Hong Kong.

Nicola Saccardo TEP, Maisto e Associati, Italy

Nicola Saccardo, partner, Maisto e Associati Nicola is admitted to the Italian Bar. He is a member of the International Academy of Estate and Trust Law, as well as member of its Executive Council and chair of its Tax Committee. He is a member of STEP Italy and a member of the International Client Global SIG Steering Committee of STEP and of the International Client London UK Satellite SIG Committee of STEP.

He is ranked as leading expert in several legal directories, including Chambers High Net Worth 2017, Legal Week Private Clients Global Elite and Citywealth Leaders list.

Page 14: Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning

Leigh Sagar TEP, New Square Chambers, UK Leigh Sagar is a barrister of England and Wales whose practice includes trusts and estates advice and litigation, including the administration of digital information and the administration and taxation of bitcoin and other crypto-assets. Leigh is the Chairman of the STEP Digital Assets Special Interest Group. Leigh is the author of The Digital Estate, a new book about the law of digital assets. He is also a contributing editor of Williams Mortimer & Sunnucks on Executors, Administrators and Probate. He is contributor to the England and Wales section of the STEP Directory and Yearbook.

Michael H. Shikuma TEP, Shikuma Law Office, Japan

Michael H. Shikuma specializes in international tax and cross-border estate planning in Japan, the US, and the Asia-Pacific region. With over 25 years of professional legal and accounting experience, he assists cross-border families with multi-jurisdiction asset holdings in developing tax-efficient structures for holding assets in various jurisdictions and minimizing gift, estate and inheritance taxes, as well as with cross-border probate and succession procedures and tax compliance. He is admitted to the Hawai`i State Bar and the United States District Court (Hawai`i), as well as a licensed foreign law

lawyer in Japan (Gaikokuhou Jimu Bengoshi).

Steven Sieker TEP, Baker & McKenzie, Hong Kong

Steven is the head of Baker & McKenzie's Asia Pacific tax practice. His practice focuses on Hong Kong and Asian regional tax advisory work, estate planning and tax litigation. He is a past member of the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department Board of Review, and has been a part-time instructor in Tax and Revenue Law at the University of Hong Kong and City University of Hong Kong. He is a former executive director of STEP in Hong Kong. He is admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong and in England and Wales, and as a barrister and solicitor in Alberta, Canada.

Nisha Singh TEP, HSBC, Singapore Nisha Singh is the Global Head of Legal for Private Wealth Solutions at HSBC. Nisha has over 15 years of experience advising trustees, private clients and family offices and has worked in London, Singapore and Hong Kong. Prior to joining HSBC Nisha was Of Counsel at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP (BLP), now Brian Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) where she led the Private Wealth practice for South-East Asia. Nisha began her career at Withers in London and in Hong Kong. ____________________________________________________________________________

Page 15: Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning

Paul Stibbard TEP, Rothschild Trust, UK

Paul is Executive Vice Chairman at Rothschild Trust. He was formerly Co-Chairman of the Global Wealth Management Practice at Baker & McKenzie London. Paul graduated from Cambridge University and INSEAD International Business School, Fontainbleau. He specialises in advising families on cross border tax, trust and succession issues, notably in connection with transition of family-owned businesses. Paul was the recipient of “Lifetime Achievement Awards” from CityWealth in 2008

and STEP in 2012. He was previously Chairman of the Presiding Judges of the STEP Awards. In 2018, he won the Who’s Who Private Client Trust and Advisory Professional of the Year Award.

Fabiola M. Suwanto TEP, Perkins Cole LLP, PRC

Fabiola advises individuals, families and professional fiduciaries on international estate planning, estate and trust matters. She handles China-related issues affecting her clients' estate and succession planning. She addresses the ever-changing U.S. tax filing and reporting obligations, and U.S. tax compliance issues for expatriates living and working in Asia. Fabiola enjoys her work with clients and professional contacts on complex probates, trust administrations and litigation matters. She is a member of STEP, a co-chair of the China Committee, ABA Section of International Law, and a member of the International Academy of Estate and Trust Law.

Peter Vaines TEP, Field Court Tax Chambers, UK

Peter Vaines is a UK tax barrister (and also a chartered accountant) who advises on all areas of personal and corporate taxation. He has been described as pre-eminent and the elder statesman of residence and domicile. Peter writes and lectures widely in the UK and abroad He is recognised as a leading private client tax lawyer and has been The Times Lawyer of the Week and also the Tax Writer of the Year 2015. His long experience as an accountant and a lawyer gives him a valuable extra insight into the tax aspects of different personal and corporate transactions.

Erik Wallace TEP, Stephenson Harwood, Hong Kong

Erik specializes in trusts and estates, taxation and international probate, especially those matters involving US persons or property. He assists high net worth families with their overall succession planning, often working together with their family offices, businesses, trustees and foundations to meet the families’ objectives. As part of that planning, he has assisted clients in structuring or restructuring trusts, as well as establishing private trust companies and international charitable foundations. He also advises individuals regarding pre-immigration tax planning prior to obtaining US citizenship or a

green card and those looking to abandon US status.

Page 16: Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning

Shân Warnock-Smith QC TEP, ICT Chambers and 5 Stone Buildings, Cayman/London

Shan Warnock-Smith Q.C. is an English barrister and Cayman Islands attorney who specialises in advice and litigation in connection with trusts and other wealth structuring issues. From her bases in Cayman and London, Shan travels the world advising and litigating, in particular in Hong Kong, the British Virgin Islands and Bermuda as well as in Cayman and England. Her particular interest lies in wealth structuring for international families, with and without the involvement of the court. Shan is ranked as one of the top Silks in her field and has been described as "the ultimate client barrister".

Patricia Wass TEP, Chair of STEP Worldwide

Patricia has over 30 years' experience working as a Solicitor dealing with all aspects of private client law. Patricia is a consultant in the mental capacity team at Enable Law (part of the Foot Anstey Group) and specialises in Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection work and legal issues relating to the elderly and vulnerable. She is a Panel Deputy for the Office of the Public Guardian, one of only 71 people acting in this role throughout England and Wales. She lectures regularly on her practice

area for various legal training providers and contributes articles to legal journals. Patricia has written for the Law Society, the Elder Law Journal, and has been interviewed by industry publications including STEP and CityWealth Magazine. Patricia is the current Worldwide Chair of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners. Patricia served as a member of the West of England STEP Committee between 2000 and 2013 (Chair between 2006 and 2009) and is a Past Chair of the Law Society Private Client Executive Committee. Patricia is also a past Chair of the STEP England and Wales Regional Committee, a member of the STEP Governance Council, and acts as a Director on the STEP Worldwide Board. She is also a fully accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) and assisted on the Committee for the Devon & Cornwall SFE Regional Group. Patricia is recognised as a Top Ranked 'Leader in her Field' by Chambers UK legal directory.

Echo Zhao, Beijing Anjie Law Firm, PRC

Miao is well recognized in private wealth management field in the mainland for her business savvy, a foreign jurisdiction qualification in addition her Chinese law capacity. She has in-depth understanding about the challenges that Chinese companies and entrepreneurs may face when going abroad. She has over 16 years' experience in general corporate practice and business management. Her corporate experience provides her a unique perspective to family law cases concerning ultra-high or net worth individuals especially where equity investment or cross-border dispute is involved. She is able to handle complicated, large and multi-jurisdictional cases. Although being a tenacious litigator, she is a strong advocate for mediation.

Prior to Anjie, Miao had worked as in-house counsel assisting large and medium sized multinational companies in their China and APAC business operations. Her experience covers commercial transactions, corporate acquisitions, executive fraud investigation, and commercial arbitrations across

Page 17: Speakers - STEP · 2018-11-05 · Speakers William Ahern TEP, Ahern Lawyers, Hong Kong Bill Ahern was admitted as a solicitor in Brisbane, in 1980, where he specialized in tax planning

APAC countries. At Anjie law firm, Miao has an established practice in anti-bribery compliance and cross border investment with a focus on private wealth management. She has a particular interest in the law concerning corporate equity succession, private trust law in mainland China and estate planning in international comparative law context. Miao and her team are recommended in the Legalband's 2017 list of leading private wealth management lawyers in China. She is also a regular guest speaker at Dialogue in China Centre Television.

Ningning Zhao, Jincheng Tongda & Neal Law Firm, PRC

Ms. Ningning Zhao is one partner of Jincheng Tongda & Neal Law Firm, she is an eminent expert in international family laws. With over ten years of experience, she deals with cross-border family cases for her clients from various jurisdictions. She is the fellow of IAFL (International Academy Family Lawyers), LAWASIA and Law Society of China, director of China International Private Law Society, Instructor of Communication University of China, a mediator of Oriental Mediation Centre in Shanghai, member of Civil Law Research Committee of Shanghai Bar Association. Ms. Ningning Zhao

published LEGAL PRACTICE OF INTERNATIONAL FAMILY CASES and THE LAWYER PRACTICE IN CIVIL LITIGATION at China-Law Press and published over 30 professional articles.


Recommended