Read the latest news from our members
in alphabetical order by company
Juve Handbuch Steuern: Benefitax leading tax firm consulting firm in the central region
Marianne Olivares and Pamela Benzán Arbaje promoted to partners at Guzmán Ariza, Attorneys at Law
Matouk Bassiouny welcomes Head of Korea Desk and signs an MOU with BKL
Moritt Hock & Hamroff expands real estate practice in New York
Peter J. Kaiser and Taylor D. Sztainer Appointed Adjunct Directors to Moss & Barnett Board of Directors
Whisman Giordano & Associates nationally recognised as Best Accounting Firms to Work For
GGI member firm Benefitax is very pleased to be named again by legal publisher Juve as one of Germany’s leading tax consulting firms in its Juve Handbuch Steuern 2023. The Benefitax team's expertise in the area of international tax law, the successful work of the India and Israel desks, as well as its competencies in dealing with unusual and complex requests from domestic as well as foreign clients were particularly highlighted.
The Juve editorial team also acknowledged the strong competition in Frankfurt, and not only from the "Big Four". Benefitax has carved out its niche in the German market as a "highly specialised tax boutique firm" in advising international companies. Oliver Biernat, founder and managing director of Benefitax, is listed as one of the leading names in the region.
Juve publishes handbooks, monthly magazines, and online news for lawyers, patent attorneys and tax advisors in law firms, consulting companies, companies, the judiciary and administration.
GGI member firmBenefitax GmbH Steuerberatungsgesellschaft WirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaftFrankfurt am Main, GermanyT: +49 69 256 227 60
Advisory, Auditing & Accounting,Corporate Finance, Fiduciary &Estate Planning, Tax
Oliver Biernat is Founder and Managing Partner of Benefitax. He is a German Chartered Accountant, Certified Tax Advisor and Specialist Advisor for International Taxation with more than 30 years of experience. Since 2008, he has chaired GGI’s International Taxation Practice Group (ITPG), increasing its size to more than 570 experts from 90 countries in the process. Contact Oliver.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, 20 June 2023 — Guzmán Ariza is pleased to announce the promotion of attorneys Marianne Olivares and Pamela Benzán Arbaje to partners of the firm. With these appointments, Guzmán Ariza consolidates its offerings in the areas of litigation, tourism, and corporate law, while recognising the professional excellence and the importance of gender equality and the diversity of its team.
In her professional practice, Marianne Olivares has excelled for ten years in the litigation, real estate and tourism areas at the firm's offices in Bávaro-Punta Cana, Casa de Campo and La Romana, advising real estate developers, hotel and condominium owners, and the most important tourist complexes in the eastern region of the Dominican Republic. At the same time, she is a professor of civil law and civil procedural law at the Universidad Central del Este (UCE).
Marianne is a graduate of the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) where she obtained her law degree, magna cum laude, and she holds a Master's Degree in Civil Law and Civil Procedure from the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD).
Pamela Benzán Arbaje has excelled in the practice of corporate and commercial law at Guzmán Ariza’s Santo Domingo office, participating in important mergers and acquisitions transactions, project financing, and, especially excelling in corporate restructuring and liquidation matters. She has participated in most of the corporate restructuring and insolvency cases that are pending in the Dominican courts. She is the coordinator of the Restructuring Procedures Observatory of the Dominican Federation of Chambers of Commerce (FEDOCAMARAS), and advises the restructuring commission and the legal department of the Chamber of Commerce and Production of Santo Domingo on commercial restructuring matters. She has been co-author of the Getting Restructuring and Insolvency publication Getting the Deal Through since 2018, as well as the Dominican Chapter of America's Restructuring Review from the Global Restructuring Review (GRR).
Pamela is a graduate of the Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE), where she obtained a law degree, summa cum laude, and she holds a master's degree from the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, in commercial law.
Recently, Pamela and Marianne were jointly recognised as the best students of the tenth promotion of the Master of Laws programme in Law and Management of the International Institute of Law and Business (INIDEM). Both have also been recognised as outstanding attorneys by Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 legal directories.
The announcement of their promotion was made by Fabio J. Guzmán Ariza, president of the firm, who commented: “Throughout their tenure, Marianne and Pamela have showcased a profound alignment with our core values of integrity, client service, excellence, teamwork, and innovation – the hallmark of professional practice at Guzmán Ariza for nearly a century. Their promotions serve as recognition of their exemplary understanding of these values and their exceptional performance and commitment in their respective fields: tourism and litigation in the case of Marianne Olivares; and corporate and commercial law with respect to Pamela. We are invigorated and inspired to approach our firm's centenary and beyond, strengthened by the addition of our new partners.”
GGI member firmGuzmán Ariza, Attorneys at LawSanto Domingo, Dominican RepublicT: +1 809 225 0980
Law Firm Services
Contact Marianne
Contact Pamela
Founded in 1927, Guzmán Ariza is the largest law firm in the Dominican Republic, with 11 partners, 51 attorneys, and eight offices strategically located throughout the country. The firm offers a full range of services through a multidisciplinary team. Its practices have earned it a reputation as a trusted and respected firm that produces results.
Matouk Bassiouny are delighted to announce the launch of their Korea desk and the joining of Jiyoung Bae as Partner and Head of Korea Desk. Jiyoung, a widely known expert in Middle Eastern legal affairs, brings over 15 years of experience to Matouk Bassiouny. She previously worked at Bae Kim & Lee (BKL) as a partner stationed in the UAE.
Matouk Bassiouny are also delighted to announce that Matouk Bassiouny (MB) and BKL, one of the biggest and most renowned law firms in the Republic of Korea, have recently signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate cooperation between both firms.
This announcement follows a joint seminar in the presence of H.E. Sami M. Alsadhan, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Korea. MB and BKL plan to carry out numerous projects in the future, which include seeking joint business opportunities; publishing the latest legal information and trends in Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa; and jointly hosting conferences.
GGI member firmsMatouk Bassiouny UAEDubai, UAET: +971 4289 2159Law Firm Services
Jiyoung BaeContact Jiyoung
English, Arabic, French, Japanese, Korean, Persian
GARDEN CITY, NY, 11 September 2023 — Moritt Hock & Hamroff announced today the addition of five attorneys to its New York City office, significantly expanding its real estate practice and further illustrating the firm’s continued growth. Matthew Leeds, William McCracken, and David Fitzhenry join as partners, while Matthew Healey joins as counsel, and Brett Stack joins as an associate. All five attorneys previously served as part of the real estate practice group at Ganfer Shore Leeds & Zauderer in New York City, where Matthew Leeds served as co-chair of the team.
The move follows the recent expansion of the firm’s M&A and tax practices, as well as its establishment in southeast Florida with the opening of a new office in the Fort Lauderdale metro area.
"At a time when other firms are leaving New York City, we are taking additional space and expanding our already robust real estate practice," said Marc Hamroff, Managing Partner at Moritt Hock & Hamroff. “My partners and I are excited to add these five experienced and respected names to our real estate team, representing various groups in all aspects of complex transactions and doing so in an ever-changing market.”
"My team and I are thrilled to join Moritt Hock & Hamroff. This move represents an exciting new chapter for us in our professional growth," said Matthew Leeds. “We look forward to contributing our best practices and expertise in the commercial real estate industry to MHH’s already thriving real estate practice as we continue to innovate in the delivery of exceptional legal services to our clients.”
About our attorneys
Matthew Leeds has been ahead of the curve of developments in real estate law in New York City for more than three decades. He handles all matter of sophisticated real estate transactions involving development, construction, ownership, and financing of commercial, residential and mixed-use properties, and commercial condominiums. His experience representing New York City real estate developers has led to his particular expertise in cooperatives and condominiums, and for decades he has been a recognised authority in all aspects of cooperative and condominium law, ranging through development, lending, and the representation of cooperative apartment corporations and condominium associations.
William McCracken is a seasoned and successful commercial litigator and a leading adviser to condominiums and cooperatives, sponsors, developers, managing agents, and real estate owners. His litigation practice concentrates on commercial disputes and arbitrations involving contracts, partnership disputes and dissolutions, securities fraud, foreclosures, and real estate.
David Fitzhenry concentrates his practice on sophisticated New York City real estate transactions. He represents developers, lenders, sponsors, purchasers, sellers, landlords, tenants, not-for-profit organisations, condominium associations, and cooperative apartment corporations. He is a leader in many burgeoning areas, including commercial condominiums and leasehold commercial condominiums.
Matthew Healey focuses his practice on a wide variety of commercial and residential real estate acquisitions, sales, leasing and financings. He represents developers, owners, holders, investors, buyers, sellers of significant commercial properties, multi-family developments, cooperative and condominium units, and high-end residences.
Brett Stack concentrates his practice on complex real estate transactions. He frequently represents buyers, sellers, lending institutions, sponsors, developers, landlords, tenants, condominium associations and cooperative apartment corporations regarding their various real estate matters.
Moritt Hock & Hamroff LLP is an 80+ attorney commercial law firm providing a wide range of legal services to businesses, corporations, and individuals worldwide from its offices in Manhattan, Long Island, and Florida.
GGI member firmMoritt Hock & Hamroff LLPGarden City (NY), New York (NY), USAT: +1 516 873 2000 Ext. 260Law Firm Services
Contact Matthew J. Leeds
Contact William D. McCracken
Contact David S. Fitzhenry
Contact Matthew D. Healey
Contact Brett M. Stack
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 24 July 2023 — Moss & Barnett, a professional association, is pleased to announce that Peter J. Kaiser and Taylor D. Sztainer have been appointed adjunct directors to the firm’s board of directors effective 01 July 2023. Adjunct directors are shareholders who serve as non-voting members of the board of directors for one year. The adjunct director programme is intended to train future leaders of the firm.
Peter J. Kaiser is an experienced corporate lawyer who works primarily in the areas of emerging growth, alternative investing, and mergers and acquisitions. He acts as outside general counsel for his clients, with a focus on creative, practical solutions. More specifically, his practice includes advising startups and emerging growth companies from inception to exit, often coordinating their many legal needs. He serves as deal counsel to private investors, investment funds, and family offices by reviewing, negotiating, and assessing opportunities, particularly in the areas of venture capital, private equity, and other alternative investments; and he represents buyers and sellers in all stages of the M&A process, with a focus on cutting through the legalese and helping his clients decide what matters.
Taylor D. Sztainer leads the firm’s professional liability team where she focuses on litigation, loss prevention, and risk management, and serves as outside general counsel for her clients. She has litigated cases in federal and state courts throughout Minnesota and the United States, focusing on professional liability claims against accountants and attorneys; business and personal torts; shareholder and trust disputes; employment-related disputes; and commercial real estate litigation.
Kaiser and Sztainer will each continue practicing law on a full-time basis in addition to handling their management responsibilities. They serve on the board along with directors John P. Boyle, Jana Aune Deach, Brian T. Grogan, Timothy L. Gustin, Christopher D. Stall, and James J. Vedder.
GGI member firmMoss & Barnett Minneapolis (MN), USA T: +1 612 877 5373Law Firm Services
Contact Peter
Contact Taylor
Moss & Barnett provides a full range of legal services to business and private clients in Minnesota, the Upper Midwest, and beyond. Our goal is to be a strategic and critical partner to our clients and provide value that extends far beyond the practice of law. Moss & Barnett has been named a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News – Best Lawyers since 2010. The firm has offices in downtown Minneapolis and St. Cloud, Minnesota, and features 100+ attorneys and paralegals representing clients as advisors and advocates.
NEWARK, DE, 18 September 2023 — Whisman Giordano and Associates, LLC (WGA) announces that it has been ranked as one of the top 100 accounting firms in the United States. The firm has been recognised as a part of the “2023 Best Accounting Firms to Work For” by Accounting Today magazine. This is the second time in two years WGA has earned this recognition. The firm moved up nine spots on the list between 2022 and 2023.
Accounting Today partnered with Best Companies Group to identify companies that have excelled in creating quality workplaces for employees. Firms from across the US entered the two-part survey process to determine Accounting Today’s Best Accounting Firms to Work For. The first part of the survey evaluated each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top firms and final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process, analysed the data, and determined the final ranking.
Lisa K. DeRose, Chief Operating Officer, says, "We're honoured to win this award again because it’s a true reflection of the positive and caring environment we’ve created as a team. Our clients experience this first hand, for they can see and feel how we value them and their trust. It’s the importance that we place on our relationships with clients and each other that makes all the difference.”
Whisman Giordano & Associates, LLC, is a full-service, certified public accounting and business advisory firm in Newark, Delaware, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023. Whisman Giordano provides accounting, auditing, tax, and business advisory services to clients throughout Delaware, south-eastern Pennsylvania, northern Maryland, and beyond. The firm has recently been recognised as a Superstar in Business by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, Best Accounting Firm to Work For by Accounting Today magazine, Small Business of the Year by the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, and Rush Award winner by the Better Business Bureau Serving Delaware.
