Excellence awards 2017

WORLDWIDE FINANCIAL ADVISOR AWARDS MAGAZINE

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

Worldwide Financial Advisor Awards Magazine Excellence Awards 2017 Worldwide Financial Advisor Awards Magazine is recognised all over the world for our comprehensive awards programs we run, taking votes from countries all over the world to recognise the most prestigious professionals in their specialised areas of practice.

The Excellence Awards 2017 recognises a select number of leading professional firms around the world working both nationally and internationally in their field of expertise.

Worldwide Financial Advisor Awards selects the best professional & financial institutions from around the world and showcases there work ethic and skills within their area of expertise.

The Awards Magazine is aimed at not just the large corporations but the smaller companies of the advisory business sector.

Worldwide Financial Advisor Awards is currently being read by Lawyers, Advisers, Consultants and corporate executives.

We aim to showcase every company individually and to its full potential.

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

DEEP & FAR Attorneys-at-Law 13th F1., No. 27, Sec. 3, Chung San N. Rd. Taipei 104, Taiwan, R.O.C. Tel: +886-2-2585-6688 Fax: +886-2-25989900/25978989 email@deepnfar.com.tw Deep & Far was founded in 1992 and is one of the largest law firms in this country.

The firm is presently focused on the practice in separate or in combination of all aspects of intellectual property rights (IPRs) including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, unfair competition, and/or licensing, counseling, litigation and/ or transaction thereof. Since this firm edges itself into the IPRs field, the firm quickly comes to fame. As an illustration, this firm often is one of the largest sources from which foreign filing orders originate.

The fascinating rise of this firm begins from the founder of Deep & Far attorneysat-law, C. F. Tsai, who is the one first patent practitioner in this country who both has technological and law backgrounds and is qualified as a local attorney-at-law.

The patent attorneys and patent engineers in this firm normally hold outstanding and advanced degrees and are generally graduated from the top five universities in this country and/or the university in the US. Our prominent staffs are dedicated to provide the best quality service in IPRs. As a proof, about one half of top 100 incorporations in this country have experiences of seeking patented their techniques, but more than one fifth of the top 100 incorporations are/were clients of this firm.

Furthermore, Hi-Tech companies in the science-based industrial park located at Hsin Chu play an important role in booming the economy of this country. About one half of which have experiences in seeking patented their techniques, and out of more than 60% of the patent-experienced companies in that park have ever entrusted their IPR works to this firm.

We have experienced in seeking IPR-protections for our clients in more than 100 territories all over the world. We have thousands of IPR-cases respectively prosecuted before official Patent Offices of major industrialized countries.

This firm not only is the most competent in IPR-related matters in this country but also is very familiar with IPR-practices in major industrialized countries. As a matter of fact, this firm oftentimes tries and makes precedents of new claim-drafting styles. While we might have become wonderfully famed locally with remarkable appreciation and respects, we would like to extend our services for internationalized or quality service-requiring foreign conglomerated giants, corporations or individuals. We strongly believe that we will win more

www.deepnfar.com.tw

Index Afschrift Tax Law Firm of the Year – Belgium Benchmark International International Corporate Finance Law Firm of the Year – UK Deep & Far Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year – Taiwan Douglas Silas Solicitors Education Law Firm of the Year – UK EagleBank Bank Legal Department of the Year – USA Essenhigh Farrington Law Litigation Law Firm of the Year – UK Gurlich & Co Law Firm of the Year—Czech Republic Immigration Solution Lawyers Corporate Immigration Law Firm of the Year – Australia Kancelaria Adwokacka Kowalik Criminal Defence Law Firm of the Year – Poland Kather Augenstein Rechtsanwalte Intellectual Property Law Advisor of the Year Kemp IT Law IT Law Firm of the Year – UK Kemp Little Commercial Technology Law Firm of the Year – UK OCCL Cost Consultancy Firm of the Year – UK Papapolitis & Papapolitis Mergers & Acquisitions Law Firm of the Year – Greece Sadis & Goldberg Overall Law Firm of the Year – USA The Entrepreneur Law Center P.L International Structuring & Domestic Transactions Law Firm of the Year - USA

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year—Taiwan Deep & Far attorneys-at-law was founded in 1992 and is dealing with all phases of laws with a focus on the practice in separate or in combination of all aspects of intellectual property rights (IPRs) including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, unfair competition, and/or licensing, counselling, litigation and/or transaction thereof.

Area of Practice: Intellectual Property, including patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret.

The patent attorneys and patent engineers in Deep & Far normally hold outstanding and advanced degrees and are generally graduated from the top five universities in this country. Our prominent staffs are dedicated to provide the best quality service in IPRs in this country. As a proof, about one half of top 100 incorporations in this country have experiences of seeking patented their techniques, but more than one fifth of the top 100 incorporations has ever used services of this firm. Furthermore, Hi-Tech companies in the science-based industrial park located at Hsin Chu had ever played the most important role in booming the economy of this country. About one half of them has experiences in seeking patented their techniques, and out of more than 50% of the patent-experienced companies in that park have ever entrusted their IPR works to this firm.

Experiences: Mr. Yu-Li Tsai, a patent attorney graduated from Department of Electrical Engineering of National Taiwan University (NTUEE), which is the best engineering school in Taiwan. Because of interest in communication system, he then attended in the Graduate Institute of Communication Engineering (GICE) of NTU. During his research life in GICE, he also started to get involved in knowledge and skills of patentrelated matters for taking and receiving the qualification of patent attorney. Mr. Tsai also attended to receive an IP master from Law School of University of New Hampshire, also known as Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property, had an internship with InterDigital, Inc., and passed the U.S. Patent Bar Examination. Currently, Mr. Tsai is working for Deep & Far Attorneys-at-Law as a patent attorney.

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

It is our philosophy to provide competent legal services that other firm cannot comparably provide. The necessitated ensuing problem is how we can so provide? Deep & Far so achieve by selecting, edifying and nurturing peoples who have the following personalities: learned in expertise, morally earnest and sincerely behaved in mind and strictly disciplined between give and take. It is well-believed that such properties are key factors for peoples to properly and competently behave themselves. Because the clients become more understood in the knowledge of IP and more budget-sensitive, they usually want to select an agent who can more efficiently and effectively deal with their IP matters. They often invite bids, set out tenders and call for interview before they decide to entrust a service provider. Taking patent for example, they gather information of costs for patent prosecution, previous works, and firm introduction materials in a preliminary choice stage, and hold an interview to obtain further details of the firm which has passed the preliminary choice stage. We represent international giants, e.g. InterDigital, MPS, Schott Glas, Toyo Ink, Motorola, Cypress, Google, Armani.

We always keep updating the newest state of this firm, recruiting elite patent engineers and strictly training them the essential skills, improving the efficiency and quality of service, and developing new strategies that can assist the clients effectively protecting their intellectual property rights. This firm believes that if the efficiency, quality, and enthusiasm of the services can be consistently monitored and maintained, overcoming complexities, challenges or changes is just a result rather than an issue.

Our aspiration and directions would be developing more potential clients either in domestic or foreign countries, and expanding the size of this firm to assist more clients in pursuing most satisfactory IP protection. Although the domestic IP market, especially in the patent field in 2013 shrank a little, we expect this situation may finally change because there is a phenomenon that the gross economy is starting to recover in 2014.

Contact Details: Deep & Far Yu-Li. Tsai Tel: 886-2-25856688#900 Fax: 886-2-25989900//886-2-25978989 Add: 13th Fl., 27 Sec. 3, Chung San N. Rd., Taipei, Taiwan Web: www.deepnfar.com.tw Email: lawtsai@deepnfar.com.tw

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

Litigation Law Firm of the Year—UK Essenhigh Farrington Law has spent the last 12 months focusing on a major restructure and a rebrand.

With a combined 40 years experience between the Directors of Essenhigh Farrington Law alone and a will to provide the service that you deserve we hope to change the face of the legal industry and to show each and every client that they are equally as important.

The awards that we have received in the last 12 months go a long way to evidencing the hard work, dedication and commitment that we have, but more importantly, that we can give you what you need.

We are not a traditional firm. We think outside the box and take a modern approach. We have a no-nonsense attitude and ultimately want to make the law work for our clients the way that it should.

This firm will speak to you on your level. We can be trusted. We are reliable. We are honest and we are transparent enough to give you access to our systems so that you can, at any time, log in to ensure that we are doing the work required to meet the needs of you personally and/or the needs of your business.

Practice Areas: Civil Litigation Commercial Law/Litigation (Contracts, Agreements, Shareholders Disputes, Asset Purchase, Joint Ventures, etc.)

Debt Recovery HMRC or FCA Investigations First & Upper Tier Tax Tribunal Claims and Appeals Professional Negligence Mis-selling Foreign Property/ Time shares Property Litigation Housing Disrepair Clinical Negligence Cosmetic Negligence Personal Injury Contentious Probate Continuing Care Disputes (Care Home Fee reclaims).

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

Samantha Essenhigh is one of the founders of Essenhigh Farrington Law. Samantha is a Senior Litigation Executive, Practice Manager and designated COFA of the Firm.

With over 12-years working in the field of civil litigation, Samantha has extensive experience in Personal Injury, Clinical/Medical Negligence, Cosmetic Negligence, Professional Negligence, Sports Injury and complex Commercial Litigation including areas that encompass Breach of Contract, Asset Purchase and Shareholders Disputes.

Samantha has also been involved in claims against Government(s), HMRC, the FCA, international professional practices and is actively pursuing cases against major Financial Institutions in the wake of alleged negligence surrounding Interest Variable Rate Swap loans, Mis-sold Mortgages and Global Investment Funds.

Samantha’s approach to her clients, and indeed the Law, maybe considered “unconventional”. Unlike many law firms and lawyers, she has always been passionate about ensuring that clients do not enter into protracted litigation purely for the sake of it.

Samantha understands how difficult a case can be for clients, and is dedicated to providing an exceptional service. She will always endeavour to ensure that clients of Essenhigh Farrington Law are not only represented, but are also supported through the legal process, both professionally and personally.

Contact Details: 19 Anchor Street Southport Merseyside PR9 0UT Tel: +44 1704 517480 Fax: +44 1704 537710 Email: se@essenhighfarringtonlaw.com

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year—India SINGH & SINGH LALL & SETHI (SSL&S) The Firm Singh & Singh Lall & Sethi (SSL&S) is a merger of two highly acclaimed IP Law Firms of the country.

The merger took place in April 2015. The merger brought professionals passionately dedicated to create perfect synergy with specialist IP practitioners and litigators in different fields of intellectual property law. The firm serves as a one stop solution for IP, Telecom, Competition laws, Information Technology and related aspects, as also technology, media and telecommunication laws with a wide bandwidth to handle large portfolios and litigation across all areas.

The firm also handles a large number of non-IP matters especially in the field of pharma regulatory, arbitrations, policy making in IP and Telecom Sectors, including Compulsory Licensing and Copyright Amendment Act 2012.

The firm not only represents a large volume of Patent and Trademark litigation cases in India, but also provides unrivalled IP services, including but not limited to domestic and international filing and prosecution.

The firm currently has offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Colombo and Kathmandu.

The Founders and Partners The founders are four of the most prolific litigators of the country. Mr. Sandeep Sethi, Mr. Maninder Singh and Ms. Prathiba M. Singh are all designated Senior Advocates. Mr. Chander M. Lall took over the mantle from the founders and is the Founding and Managing Partner of the merged firm. SSL&S is a professionally managed firm with 9 partners, over 40 attorneys and patent agents and a total strength of over 120 personnel. Out of the 9 partners in the Firm, the Managing Partner and two other Partners are involved in Patent litigation. One Partner heads the Patent Prosecution. Four Partners are heading IP Prosecution and Enforcement teams and one partner is involved in Telecom & Broadcasting. There is an entire team of lawyers and patent agents working under each Partner.

Patents The patent professionals of SSL&S have wide ranged experience in drafting applications of various technologies and liaising with inventors, technical experts and in-house patent counsels in the preparation of specifications.

Because of its day to day experience in patent litigation, SSL&S is able to provide assistance in strategizing complex innovation related issues, enforcement of patents, and analysing strength of patents prior to enforceability, streamline prosecution etc.

SSL&S is estimated to be engaged in over 70% of the patent litigations currently pending in the country concerning technologies like pharmaceuticals, bio-similar, medical devices, mechanical engineering, chemicals, electrical and electronics, to name a few. In the area of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs), the firm is engaged in virtually all pending cases in India and is instrumental in assisting development of the law in this field.

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

Trademarks On the trademarks front, SSL&S has been instrumental in laying down the law in several areas such as comparative advertising, trade dress protection and a wide variety of internet and IT law related issues. The firm has been involved in many civil and criminal anti-counterfeiting actions. The firm currently represents 7 of the top 25 of the world renowned trademarks listed by Interbrand. SSL&S is the preferred firm not just in India but the entire South Asian region, including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives and Bhutan.

Telecom and Broadcasting SSL&S practices extend beyond core IP. It has a strong presence in the area of telecom and broadcasting representing a large number of broadcasters in different forums including the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).

Bespoke IP Management Software All the work is carried out on a unique bespoke IP management software platform ClickIPR. The software has IP law engines for all jurisdictions around the world ensuring automated docketing of files worldwide and populating of forms. The use of the software system, which is far superior to any known IP software system, ensures that deadlines are never missed and costs are kept low. The firm was perhaps the first in the world to maintain all its files in electronic form.

Clients SSL&S has a very wide list of clients from all over the world which include The Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, GSK, Bayer, Merck KgaA, Monsanto, Citibank, Mondelez, KraftHeinz, Diageo, Warner Bros., Twentieth Century Fox, United Technologies Corporation, Kimberly-Clark, Lacoste, Gant, Hewlett Packard, Nike, Ebay, Cisco, Amazon, Samsung, Reckitt Benckiser, Panasonic, DuPont, to name a few International one with an equally impressive list of Indian clients which includes Zee, Marico, Havells, Woodland, HCL, NIIT, Essel, ITC, Eicher, HeroEco and Fabindia.

Awards SSL&S is the more extensive awarded firm of 2016 being acknowledged as a leader in IP law. The firm has bagged several awards and maintains highest rankings in many categories. The `Managing Intellectual Property` has ranked Singh & Singh Lall & Sethi as Tier 1 for Patent Contentious, Trade Mark Contentious and Copyright respectively for 2016. The `Chambers & Partners` has ranked the firm as `Band 1 in Intellectual Property` and Chander Lall as `Band 1 Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer in India`. `Legal Era` positioned Singh & Singh Lall & Sethi as the `IP Law Firm of 2015`. The firm also bagged `WTR Gold award for Enforcement and Litigation` and Chander bagged the `Gold award` in individual category. The firm shot the `Deal of the Year 2015` award for representing Glenmark Pharmaceuticals in Merck Sharp & Dohme and Sun Pharma v Glenmark Pharmaceuticals by India Business Law Journal besides bagging the `2015 - Indian Law Firm Awards - Intellectual Property`. The M&A magazine declared the firm as the Law Firm of the Year - Intellectual Property – India. `Professional Sector Network` has accolade the firm with `IP Law Firm of the Year – India`. WIPR chose Chander Lall as `Leaders 2016 in Patents & Trademark`, while Sudeep Chatterjee was chosen for Trademarks.

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

Biography CHANDER M. LALL- FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER Co- founder of the previously reigning IP boutique, Lall & Sethi Advocates, Mr. Chander M. Lall is currently the Senior Partner and spear-head of the merged entity ‘Singh & Singh Lall & Sethi’ (Singh & Singh is India’s leading IP litigation firm – the two firms merged to form this IP Powerhouse since April this year).

An adventure sports enthusiast by heart and a successful Advocate by profession, Mr. Lall is a renaissance man, who has many firsts in his name in the legal profession. He was the first to have the foresight to commence patent drafting outsourcing to India in the year 2002, when the concept was relatively unknown. Under his mentoring and leadership, in the year 2007, his firm developed one of the world’s first proprietary IP Management Software (Click IPR) for international filing and management. His firm went completely paperless as long back as in the year 2010, perhaps one of the first, internationally. He argued his first case with the complete file on a tablet in that year itself.

In court, Mr. Lall is rated amongst the best IP litigators. He was counsel for a winning cause in two of the lead decisions (whirlpool and Ocuflox) of the Supreme Court of India on well-known and famous marks – decisions which were pathbreaking not just in India, but internationally. His litigation and enforcement foresight is legendary when one considers the impact his strategies had on bringing down film piracy levels in India whilst representing a consortium consisting of the Motion Pictures Association of America, the leading Hollywood studios and many leading Indian film producers. The Supreme Court decision on curtailing cable piracy stands at the forefront of this initiative. He is widely acknowledged as one of the best in the field of copyright and copyright litigation.

Post his graduation, Mr. Lall enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of India in 1989. He has been practicing in various forums including the Supreme Court of India, Delhi High Court, in addition to other High Courts around the country for over 25 years. He was also a part of the Core Group to make amendments in the copyright laws of India. Mr. Lall is a leading member of the Pharmaceutical Trade Marks Group and advises and represents many leading pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Bayer and Merck on various IP issues. His firms protects 8 of the top 30 brands of the world listed in the Interbrand 2014 Rankings.

Besides having an illustrious career as a litigator, Mr. Lall is also a proud member of various globally renowned network and associations. He was perhaps the youngest, and the first Indian and south Asian member to be on the Board of Directors of the International Trademarks Association (INTA), a world-wide association of trademark owners & professionals from the year 1998 to 2000. He was also the Chairperson of the World-Wide Anti-Counterfeiting and Enforcement Committee at INTA for a two year term and also serves as the President of the Intellectual Property Rights Attorney Association. Besides his exceptional litigating skills, Mr. Lall demonstrated his outstanding writing abilities by being the contributing Author and Editor for the publication entitled "Trademark Anti-Counterfeiting in Asia and the Pacific Rim". He has also authored the chapter on Indian law in both the editions of the publication of INTA entitled "Trademark Law and the Internet".

Mr. Lall has is consistently listed as one of the leading IP practitioners in India by virtually all leading international publications. He frequently attends and speaks at national and international IP conferences and is on the WIPO Panel of speakers and resource persons for their Training of Trainers (TOT) Programs. He has participated in well over 20 TOT programs in over 3 continents including Africa, South America and Asia.

In addition to being a distinguished lawyer, Mr. Lall is an advanced certified scuba diver, a fervent mountaineer, an avid and former national lever cyclist, a bold bungee jumper, a one-time sky diver, a want to-be Harley Davidson Hog and a passionate water and alpine skier.

Contact Details: Address: D-17, South Extension – II, New Delhi – 110 049.

Tel: 91-11-4289 9999.

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

Criminal Defence Law Firm of the Year—Poland Aleksandra Kowalik Kancelaria Adwokacka Kowalik 2000-2005- The Faculty of Law and Administration of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń graduated on 7th July 2005- Master of Law;

2005- 2008- Statutory judical trainee at the District, Regional and Appeal Divisions Court in Toruń:

2005-2007: Criminal Divisions (first and higher instances including Prosecution Service); final criminal examination; 2007- 2008: Civil Divisions & Family Divisions (first and higher instances); 2009: final judical examination certificated by the Ministry of Justice;

2000- 2009- Legal trainee at Andrzej Kowalik' s Chambers (Bar Practice);

2009- called to the Bar- member of the Regional Bar Council in Bydgoszcz;

2009- 2012- Frame cooperation with Andrzej Kowalik' s Chambers

since 2012- has been running the individual Bar Practice;

since 2013- Registered European Lawyer in England and Wales;

since 2014- member of The Honourable Society of The Inner Temple; Since 2015- the PhD researcher- The Department of the Criminal Procedure- European Arrest Warrant issues between The United Kingdom and Poland (comparative law report).

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

Member of European Criminal Bar Associaton, International Bar Association and Academy of European Law in Trier.

The areas of the expertise: criminal law, criminal procedure including the international criminal cooperation and mutual assistance, extradition (European Arrest Warrant) between The United Kingdom and Poland, taxation- VAT, VAT frauds, commercial disputes a, international trade agreements, medical negligence claims.

Awarded by ACQ Global Awards 2016- Poland- Cross Border Law Firm of the Year (Poland- UK); Awarded by ACQ Global Awards 2016- Poland- Cross Border Law Firm of the Year (Poland- UK); Awarded by ACQ Global Awards 2017- Poland- Cross Border Law Firm of the Year (Poland- UK); Global Awards 2017 Winner- @Excellence in Extradition Law Services Lawyers Worldwide Awards Magazine- Super Lawyers 2017 (Criminal Defence Law Firm of The Year- Poland); The Lawyers Worldwide Awards Super Lawyers 2017 (-The Lawyers Worldwide Awards Magazine)- Criminal Defence Law Firm of the Year - Poland The life motto: "there are no facts, only interpretation"- Friedrich Nietzsche.

Contact Details: 1. The United Kingdom:

2: Poland

Justitia Chambers

Bar Practice Aleksandra Kowlik

Fox Court

Sadowa 18a Street

14 Gray’ s Inn Road

86—100

WC1X 8HN

Swiecie

London email: aleksandrakowalik@op.pl/ biuro@akowalik.com

email: kancelaria.kowalik@op.pl

Aleksandra@justitiachambers.co.uk fax: 01158718908

tel/fax: (0048) 52 33 14444

mobile: 07540977720 mobile: (0048) 500010850

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

Law Firm of the Year—Czech Republic The law office GĂœRLICH & Co was founded on 1st February 2002. All members of the firm are experienced lawyers possessing outstanding professional expertise in various branches of law.

Currently, the firm consists of many lawyers who are supported by a qualified office staff. Besides, on a case to case basis, we would invite for cooperation many other external specialists and free-lance lawyers. This law firm is fully capable of offering legal services to both individuals and legal entities in almost all fields of civil and commercial law, all over the territory of the Czech Republic. We are capable of providing legal services in the Czech and English languages.

In the event of cross-border transactions and litigation, this office hires its cooperating international law offices as well as external foreign lawyers. Still, this Law Firm remains a purely Czech legal office free of any financial or other influence exerted by foreign and/or local nationals. This allows the firm to provide its services in compliance with law, professionally and independently.

Our law firm focuses mainly on the following areas of law: Civil law, Corporate and business law, Real Estate law, Intellectual property, Labor law and Litigation.

Above all we deal with, among the advisory on real estate property transactions (e.g. sale, purchase or lease of apartments and commercial property), drafting all documents relating to real estate financing, drafting all security related documents (mortgages, lien over property and other assets including sets of movable assets, lien over IP or a business or part thereof, security / collateral agreements relating to banking accounts, shares and ownership interests, as well as numerous fiduciary assignments of rights demanded by banks), arranging registration and all other related steps, including advice on governing law. Moreover, we focus on advisory to developers, on investment in real estate, lease and sublease agreements, liens on real estate, creation of easements, building law.

Our law firm provides its services at a high professional level, quickly and with complete independence. Two of our key values that help to drive businesses of our clients are flexibility and personal approach that we manage to maintain through the hard work of our young but skilled colleagues who are at all times prepared to offer tailormade solutions. Within the scope of legal assistance, our law firm provides prevailingly advisory services in selecting the most suitable procedure with a view to client’s needs, prepares various documents and arranges for the preparation of opinions and legal analyses.

The highest level of professionalism that we try to maintain encompasses taking into account forthcoming legal amendments, detailed continuous study of judicature of both the national and European courts. However, while focusing on professionalism we never forget that it goes

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

hand in hand with a personal approach which ensures that clients can always rely on our services and we provide our best in the shortest possible time with a broad level of transparency and detailed records of our performance.

Scope of Legal Services: Business Transactions Civil Law Intellectual Property Corporate Law and Business Law, Public Procurement Labour Law Real Estate Litigation

Contact details: GĂœRLICH & Co Politickych veznu 19

110 00 Prague 1 Czech Republic tel.: +420 222 101 591 Fax: +420 222 101 590 Email: info@akrg.cz Web: www.akrg.cz

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

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Your local contact for all intellectual property services: worldwide - around the clock All your IP matters will be handled by a single, dedicated Dennemeyer contact, while more complex tasks may be managed by a team of experts and offices worldwide.

AUSTRALIA • BRAZIL • CHINA • CROATIA • FRANCE • GERMANY • JAPAN • LUXEMBOURG • POLAND • ROMANIA • SWITZERLAND • UAE • UK • US Note: Legal services are provided by our patent law firm Dennemeyer & Associates S.A., respectively its local subsidiaries and branch offices.

Learn more: http://www.dennemeyer.com/contact/

Securities Litigation Law Firm of the Year — USA Entwistle & Cappucci is a national law firm providing exceptional legal representation to clients globally in the most complex and challenging legal matters. Our practice encompasses all areas of litigation including securities, antitrust, corporate transactions, general corporate and commercial, creditor’s rights and bankruptcy, corporate governance and fiduciary duty, government affairs, insurance, investigations and white collar defense. Our clients include public and private corporations, major hedge funds, public pension funds, governmental entities, leading institutional investors, domestic and foreign financial services companies, emerging business enterprises and individual entrepreneurs.

Andrew J. Entwistle is the firm’s managing partner in New York City. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and his law degree from the University of Syracuse College of Law. Mr. Entwistle's practice principally involves the representation of public and private institutional investors and public and private corporations in complex litigation (including both the prosecution and defense of securities and antitrust cases), corporate finance and transactional matters and internal investigations.

Our senior partners have diverse experience in the management of complex business litigation, transactions and corporate investigations in bet the company situations. Over the years, the Firm represented an impressive roster of clients including the nation’s largest public pension systems, publicly traded corporations, private equity firms, hedge funds, high net worth investors and charitable organizations.

As an entrepreneurial firm, we approach the issues facing our clients not merely as lawyers but as business owners who understand the realities of the modern business environment. We partner closely with our clients both in formulating highly effective solutions to the challenges they face and in identifying opportunities that present themselves. This approach has rewarded us with loyal and expansive relationships of which we are immensely proud. Our reputation as the most highly skilled and accomplished litigators among clients, adversaries and the judiciary has not been inherited from prior generations but has been earned day-by-day, client-by-client and matter-by-matter.

Our Firm has litigated newsworthy, high profile and complex cases across a broad spectrum of substantive areas, representing public and private corporations, major hedge funds, public pension funds and other leading institutional investors.

We managed through all of these changes on the strength of our Chief Financial Officer and Paralegal Manager who led the restructuring and move with fantastic support from the rest of our staff.

In late 2015 we restructured our entire IT department in order to move to a cutting edge cloud based platform that would provide a more collaborative environment for clients and co-counsel. At the same time we moved to new space with a more flexible floor plan.

We are wholly focused on serving the most complex and serious of our clients' litigation, investigative and transactional needs.

This is work that cannot be efficiently or cost effectively handled in-house at the level these fast moving situations require.

Contact Details: Andrew J. Entwistle 299 Park Avenue 20th Floor New York, NY 10171 aentwistle@entwistle-law.com Telephone: (212) 894-7200 Fax: (212) 894-7272

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

Most Professional Asset & Trade Finance Law Firm of the Year— International APT Finance is an independent finance company providing asset finance and Trade finance to all kinds of businesses, from start ups and sole traders to some of the biggest companies in the UK. After many years specialising in the Entertainment and IT industries, APT's financial packages now cover any kind of product and all types of businesses.

Our short term (1-6 months) and long term (1-5 years) finance packages enable you to make the most of the assets of your business - your cash resources, your customers, the equipment you own, your sales force and your business track record.

For ten years APT Finance has worked closely with the suppliers and users of equipment in the entertainment industry and although our expertise is the funding of "high tech" equipment such as IT, cameras, pro audio, video, sound and lighting, A/V, multimedia and digital imaging, we also finance "low tech" products used by the same customers, such as fixture and fittings for bars and clubs, signage, vehicles and furniture. If it is tangible, we can finance it!

The three directors of APT Finance each have over twenty years experience in general management, finance or marketing for both small and large IT manufacturers and so, whether you are a supplier wanting to implement your own label leasing programme or an end user needing advice on the tax implication of leasing versus hire purchase, you can be sure of getting responsive and experienced help from APT. Designing and implementing supplier (vendor) leasing programmes is one of APT's key activities because the directors have each spent over 20 years, before setting up APT, in senior marketing and finance roles with a variety of IT companies, from own start up ventures to major international PLCs.

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

The APT Team are here to rapidly source funding for your business. We have considerable expertise in:

Lease Hire Purchase Sale and Leaseback Business Start-ups

Sales-Aid Finance Extended Hire Schemes Operating Leasing

Over the last 15 years, APT established itself as the clear Service Leader in Broker Finance, and has funded thousands of assets of every description to thousands of small, medium and large UK businesses, from sole traders to PLC's.

Over the years our expertise has expanded from financing Film & Television production equipment, professional sound & lighting, production CD & DVD, into event finance, entertainment venue finance, Video Walls, Plasma Screens, CCTV systems, Computer Equipment and Software-only Leasing.

For example, if a club owner often wants finance for his bar and kitchen equipment, or a recording studio needs some air conditioning - and so to provide a comprehensive service to our customers, APT has the resources and experience to finance any asset costing between ÂŁ1000 and ÂŁ1 million.

The APT's team are all seasoned business professionals and we have recruited management and support staff with years of experience in the relevant disciplines and markets in order to provide our customers with informed, competent and responsive service and advice.

Contact Details: APT Finance 22, Reading Road, Henley on-Thames Oxon RG9 1AG United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1491 642077 Fax: +44 (0)1491 642078

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

In Association With

About LGS In our more than 29 years of service, we have secured our position as the premier Indonesian corporate transaction and commercial litigation law firm. We have over a hundred lawyers and experience representing a diverse range of clients, including domestic and multinational corporations, public and private companies, Government instrumentalities and State Owned Enterprises. We work closely with our clients to understand their problems, determine their needs, and arrive at practical solutions that are both cost-effective and viable over the long term.

Representative Clients Adaro Indonesia; American Bureau of Shipping; Astra International; Astratel Nusantara; Bank Mandiri; Charoen Pokphand Indonesia; DBS Bank Ltd; Goldman Sachs; Hitachi; Hutchison (Hong Kong); Indonesia Infrastructure Guarantee Fund; Indonesian State Electricity Company (PLN); Japan Tobacco International Indonesia; Krakatau Steel; Liga Primer Indonesia (LPI); Medco Energi International; Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia; Mitsui & Co., Ltd; Mitsui Banking Corporation; Mitsui Indonesia; Pamapersada Nusantara; Sampoerna Strategic; Sime Darby (Malaysia); Simpson, Spence & Young (SSY); Standard Chartered Bank; Sumitomo; Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited; and Unilever Indonesia.

ISO LGS has obtained Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance certifications of ISO 9001:2008 for Quality Management systems and ISO 14001:2004 for Environmental Management systems to ensure that all aspects of the firm’s operations and the quality of services are on par with the most well managed companies and organizations in the world.

Our Practice Areas • ADR and Arbitration • Antitrust • Bank and Debt Restructuring • Banking and Secured Transactions • Bankruptcy • Capital Markets • Construction • Consumer Protection Defence Litigation • Corporate Finance • Distribution of Goods and Services • E-commerce

Menara Imperium 30th Floor Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. 1 Kuningan Jakarta 12980, Indonesia Tel: +62 21 831 5005 Fax: +62 21 831 5015

• Energy • Foreign and Domestic Investment • Forestry and Plantations • General Corporate • Information Technology • Infrastructure • Insurance • Intellectual Property Rights • International Trade • Labour • Maritime and Shipping

lgs@lgslaw.co.id www.lgsonline.com

• Mergers and Acquisitions • Mining, Oil and Gas • Privatization • Project Finance • Property and Real Estate • Refinancing and Bank Lending • Shariah Transactions • Structured Finance • Telecommunications • US Representative Offices and Strategic Investment for Residency

Shipping & Maritime Law Firm of the Year—Ukraine The ANK Law Firm founded in 1996 in the port city of Odessa, provides for complex legal support of citizens and enterprises whose personal and commercial interests in some way concern the Odessa region.

Taking into account the special nature of the Odessa region ANK Law Firm, since the moment of its foundation, pays special attention to the sea law. Without prejudice to others, legal support of merchant shipping activity is still one of our most valuable and favorite practices.

At the same time, ANK doesn't restrain itself to the area of sea practice. Any issues of real estate, tax, corporate, civil, labour and many other "overland" branches of law are equally close to us.

Professional resources of the ANK Law Firm allow us to function as a self-sufficient mechanism able to provide for exhaustive legal evaluation of the business entity's activity, to work out individual strategy of protection of client's interests and, actually, to realize such strategy by means of complex legal support.

From the point of view of organization the ANK follows the principle of internal specialization: the firm personnel includes qualified specialists, whose sphere of interests was defined in the course of their professional development and experience in different branches of law practice. The client may be sure of the competence of our lawyers advice. Any services rendered by the firm are available in four languages: Ukrainian, English, Russian, and German.

The ANK maintains close contacts with lawyers from Austria, Azerbaijan, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Georgia, Italy, Latvia, the Russian Federation, the USA, Turkey and other countries that allows to react promptly and engage foreign colleagues when it is required for the protection of our clients interests.

The ANK Law Firm supports numerous non-commercial projects. They include the assistance to bodies of state authority and local government by consulting and independent legal analysis of legal acts.

The ANK renders complex legal assistance to the Honourable consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany in Odessa.

Contact Details 9, Lanzheronovskaya Str., Odessa, 65026, Ukraine. +38 (0482) 348 716 office@ank.odessa.ua

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

Labour Law Firm of the Year—Mexico Natividad Abogados, S.C., is a Law Firm that has consolidated a position, relations and prestige in the forum, based on development and innovation in consulting, planning and conflict solution, in all areas of Labour Law and Social Security.

The Firm is acknowledged expert in Mexico’s labour matters with presence of more than 35 years.

We offer our clients integrated solutions, providing the best cost/benefit relation, seeking to increase their competitiveness and security. We are known for offering quality services, business sustainability, opportunities for professional and personal development of our collaborators, making a positive contribution, always based on reason and passion for our work.

The Law Firm is member of L&E Global, world-wide alliance of boutique labour law firms in the main countries and key business centers in the world. Our partners can provide advisory services to our clients: www.leglobal.org.

We have a portal: Renatio, where our clients can consult the status of their matters. They can enter directly using their user and passwords, thus keeping them continuously informed of their matters.

Because of its strengths, the Law Firm is recognized in the Labour Law environment, among other things, because: • We provide direct and personalized attention.

• We participate in the work teams of our clients.

• We protect exclusively the rights of companies and employers, both national and multinational as well as governmental.

• We actively participate in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, representing employers’ organizations, before the Federal and Local Conciliation and Arbitration Boards, the National Minimum Salaries Commission, as well as in renowned national and international forums.

• We promote the Labour Reforms.  We teach courses and give training and education programs which enable compliance of the workeremployer relations; prepare labour diagnostics, elaborate and prepare contracts, deeds and any document our clients may require.

The firm has the relations to help and guide our clients to obtain the required legal approvals and has relations with Unions throughout the country. Our unique selling point is collective bargaining in employment relations.

Our Director Partner and Founder, Tomas H. Natividad, is member of the Social Security and Labour Committee of the Employers’ Coordinating Council, and Member of the Labour Committee of the Employers’ Confederation of Mexico (Coparmex).

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

Our main clients are Banks, auto parts, food industry and services provision companies. We negotiate collective agreements.

Our main complexities and challenges over the past year were having negotiated with the unions Collective Bargaining Agreements to adjust the benefits taking into account our clients’ economic situation.

We have overcome complexities, challenges and changes through our professional negotiators, who are aware of the particular needs of each client.

The law firm has an area of 18 specialized lawyers in collective matters, who are well related with all the Union Centrals throughout the country and can fully handle all union matters, as external advisors or through implant personnel who work for the law firm while directly collaborating at our client’s companies.

In 2015/2016 we will continue working in the same way that we have consolidated during these 35 years and negotiate employment conditions that will allow us to maintain competitive sources of work, and observing the rights of the workers.

Contact Details: Buffon No. 4, Col. Nueva Anzures, Deleg.

Miguel Hidalgo MĂŠxico Distrito Federal 11590.

Contact Number: +52 55 5089 7200 Email Address: gilda.sanchez@natividad-abogados.com.mx

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

Business Crime Law Firm of the Year—UK Rustem Guardian was founded in 2005 by Managing Partner, Mr. Timur Rustem, after a very successful and high profile career based in the City of London. Just ten years on, Rustem Guardian has established itself as a formidable niche criminal defense law firm in London with a reputation associated with high profile and high complex criminal cases. The firm's reputation means that Timur is regularly invited to comment in the media.

Timur Rustem, founder and Managing Partner comments: "We have a small but dedicated team with an enviable reputation for meticulous case preparation and tenacity in defending its clients. We take pride in being a multi-cultural firm with a team of solicitors and paralegals that speak a range of languages. We are a leader in criminal defense work as Rustem Guardian uniquely houses both solicitors and barristers, placing ourselves above other standard practicing law firms.

Clients choose Rustem Guardian as the firm is known for its discreet and sensitive approach to what can be complex and life destroying allegations.

We appreciate that the law is complex and challenging and we strive to give every client the advice and support they are entitled to. We also recognize that problems can arise at inconvenient times. We are therefore available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."

Mr. Rustem is a highly sought after Serious Crime Solicitor with over twenty years' experience in the City of London and the highest level of media exposure appearing on Sky, the BBC, Channel 5 and ITV to name a few. Mr. Rustem was named ‘Recommended Lawyer, 2014’ by Legal 500 and has many accolades under his belt including the prestigious ‘Super Lawyer’ award. Mr. Rustem is called upon specifically for his focused specialist areas Sexual Offences, Fraud and Appeals and has built a multi-award winning firm which is now one of the top criminal law firms in the UK. Tim built his reputation in Terrorism Law and is often invited to comment in the media on terrorism legislation. Most recently Rustem Guardian was named ‘Niche Terrorism Law Firm of the Year 2014’

by ACQ5. His tenacious and formidable approach was founded in his representation of a defendant in the Airline Bombing (Terrorism) case in 2006, which won him the ‘Lawyer of the Year’, presented at the House of Lords.

His legal expertise covers, but is not restricted to:

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

• Serious Sexual Offences including Historical Sexual Offences, Rape, Sexual Offences Against Children, Child Pornography, Indecent Exposure, Downloading Indecent Images, Voyeurism, Trafficking and Sex Offenders Register • Serious Fraud including VHCC, Boiler Room Fraud, Insurance Fraud, Mortgage Fraud and Money Laundering • Appeals against Conviction and Sentencing • Serious Violent Offences including Murder • Drug trafficking • Terrorism • Private Investigations and Private Prosecutions • Private Immigration • Blackmail • Drug trafficking • Motoring Offences Sexual Offences Since founding Rustem Guardian ten years ago, Mr. Rustem has an unrivalled reputation in representing those accused of the most serious Sexual Offences and is a sought-after legal expert often invited to comment in the media (please see below). Mr. Rustem holds long-term and trusted relationships with his clients, offering them sophisticated, practical and supportive legal advice. His depth of experience means that he is well accustomed with media attention and is well equipped to keep potentially high profile cases out of the public eye. His high success rate coupled with his media profile is recognized; recently Rustem Guardian was awarded ‘Niche Sexual Offences Law Firm of the Year, 2014’ by ACQ5 in conjunction with the ft.com.

Fraud Under Mr. Rustem’s leadership, Rustem Guardian was one of few UK criminal law firms awarded prestigious status to deal with VHCC cases. Mr. Rustem was recently awarded the accolade ‘Super Lawyer, 2013’ for his White Collar Fraud work and ‘Business Crime Lawyer of the Year’, 2014 by Lawyer Monthly. Under Mr. Rustem’s leadership of the Fraud department the firm has built a reputation for taking on the most complex of Fraud cases which is widely recognized. Most recently Rustem Guardian was awarded ‘Business Crime Law Firm of the Year 2014’ by Finance Monthly.

Appeals Mr. Rustem is quickly establishing Rustem Guardian as the go-to firm for private Appeals as his case load is growing in number and Mr. Rustem is realising more wins. Mr. Rustem is passionate about fighting for justice and believes there are many falsely accused individuals who have been sentenced unjustly, taking on Appeals at any stage. He understands that in these cases it is the wider family and friends that also victims of convictions, and Mr. Rustem approaches cases with the utmost sensitivity and care.

Contact Details: Rustem Guardian LLP 5 Chancery Lane 4th floor London EC4A 1BL

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

International Tax Law Firm of the Year—Brazil Intercorp Group is a high level consulting firm specializing in Tax, Estate Planning and Fiduciary structures. Our team consists of professionals with extensive experience. With this, we operate in a very unique way in addressing issues of taxation, accounting and international transactions. Once we have assisted our clients in determining their needs, our primary purpose is to facilitate and coordinate the development and implementation of the steps involved in their project.

Intercorp Group was established under the guidance of Leonardo Braune with the purpose of becoming one of the few truly international tax consulting boutiques, providing high quality tax services as well as estate planning and fiduciary structuring services, delivering to its clients only the most efficient, practical and customized solutions.

Our initial step is to assign one of our qualified coordinators, who will act throughout the entire advisory and consulting process. Our coordinators have access to an international network of professionals and specialists in many areas and are responsible for "playing the role of the client", being therefore extremely capable of clarifying questions and giving suggestions and practical solutions to their issues. Commitment, creativity, technicality, quality and reliability are our core strengths. At Intercorp Group, our clients can have direct or indirect access to a unique global network of specialists and professionals who will work in a simple, clear and objective manner. Our goal is to make our clients feel confident and comfortable that we are handling their matters properly and efficiently.

For over 20 years, Leonardo Braune has acted as a tax consultant in the areas of international tax, real estate planning, wealth preservation, fiduciary advice, implementation and management of international structures and project management. He began his career as a trainee at Arthur Andersen where he quickly became Senior Manager of the tax consulting area, acting significantly in many segments there and working very closely with several international offices on significant global projects.

With a vast experience in tax, an extremely diversified client base and a very strong global network of top specialists in many different business related areas, Leonardo Braune has been a part of a large number of successful projects in several industries such as oil and gas, telecommunications, real estate, international services, investment funds and asset management.

Contact Details leonardo@intercorpgroup.com Rio de Janeiro T + 55 21 3282 5288 London T + 44 20 3427 3308

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

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