TAG Alliances Annual Review 2021

Felipe Pestana
Grupo Planus (Rio de Janeiro & São Paulo, Brazil - TIAG)

Graeme Penman
Anderson Anderson & Brown LLP (Scotland - TIAG)

Irwin Kishner
Herrick, Feinstein LLP (New York, USA - TAGLaw)

Rodrigo Felló
Bergstein Abogados (Uruguay - TAGLaw)

"...the World Opened to Us."

"From the moment we became members of TAG Alliances, the World opened to us. In less than 7 months of membership, we connected with multiple other members, organized cross-border project collaborations from Ireland to Sweden to the USA, and got referred by colleagues from around the world."

–Marko Porobija, POROBIJA & ŠPOLJARIĆ LLC (Croatia - TAGLaw)

"...A Holistic and Global Experience for our High Net-Worth Clients."

"TAG Alliances has allowed us to tap into the network’s expertise to provide a holistic and global experience for our High Net-Worth clients. One recent collaboration of note was with Simon Fitzpatrick from Boodle Hatfield LLP (London, England - TAGLaw). His insightfulness and knowledge in his niche field allowed us to be globally connected, locally respected."

––Sim Mong Teck; Sim Mong Teck & Partners (Singapore - TAGLaw)

"...Provided Comprehensive Support..."

"Concern Dialog actively cooperates with TAG Alliances members. We have reached out to dozens of members to receive legal and accounting services, as well as preliminary advise in their respective jurisdictions. A number of requests have been made to us as well, which have been duly addressed.

The most successful cooperation this year has been with LEADELL Pilv Advokaadibüroo AS (TAGLaw) from Estonia. Since contacting the firm through the TAGLaw alliance, they have provided comprehensive support to our client in an employment law matter, including advisement on the risks and implications of terminating an employment agreement, and have assisted through successful negotiations with the employee in question in Estonia. To this day, the client both directly and through Concern Dialog cooperates with LEADELL and seeks services with respect to their activities in Estonia." 

––Narine Beglaryan and Lilit Karapetyan; Concern-Dialog Law Firm (Armenia - TAGLaw)

"We Were Quite Pleased..."

"In 2021 we opened a professional liability policy with fellow TAG Alliances member HUB International Limited (North America - TAG-SP). We were quite pleased with the service we received and look forward to continuing our relationship."

––John Delaney; Delaney Partners (Bahamas - TAGLaw) 

"...Quick and Efficient Settlements for our Clients."

"Paul Tauber and Gregg Ficks at Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass LLP (San Francisco, CA, USA - TAGLaw) assisted two Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP clients threatened with claims under the California Unruh Civial Rights Act. Gregg’s experience negotiating and settling similar such claims with the law firms making the allegations was instrumental in quick and efficient settlements for our clients."

––Alexander Lourie; Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP  (Illinois, USA - TAGLaw)

"...Leverage the Collective Knowledge and Experience..."

"On multiple occasions in 2021, I sent inquiries to the TAG Alliances Audit & Assurance group regarding various unique auditing situations. I received very timely and helpful responses from members who were able to assist me in these matters. It's great to be able to leverage the collective knowledge and experience of other auditors around the world."

––Gordon Cummings; D&H Group LLP (British Columbia, Canada - TIAG)

"…A Source of Great Knowledge for The Firm."

"Our firm has benefited immensely from TAG Alliances membership in 2021. The different webinars that TAG Alliances arranged in 2021 were a source of great knowledge for the firm. The webinar on 'Use of Data to Help Improve Business Performance' gave us immense insights on using data in a strategic and intentional manner for improving decision making and profitability. The other mentionable webinar was the TAG Alliances Virtual International Conference Best Practices & Firm Management Session. Apart from learning best global management practices, the session was a great opportunity to virtually meet and discuss ideas with many of the management members of peer firms within the alliance.

In addition, both inbound and outbound assignments generated from previous years are continuing in collaboration with peer firms."

––Ferdaus Rahman; A.S & Associates (Bangladesh - TAGLaw)

"We Are Very Fortunate…"

"We recently referred a high-net-worth client from California to Wendy On at Fineman West & Co. LLP (Los Angeles, California, USA - TIAG). In addition, a law firm in Cleveland referred us to a business in Massachusetts that was sold in a complicated transaction, ultimately leading them to look to a new firm to handle their accounting needs. We are very fortunate to have made a new client out of this referral!"

––Norman Posner and Randall Smith; Samet & Company (Massachusetts, USA - TIAG)

"We are very happy to be part of TIAG..."

"We are very happy to be part of TIAG, because we are growing and we are learning a lot from firms in other countries. We find support with the TIAG management team and with other members. Our firm's TIAG mentor, Felipe Pestana of Grupo Planus (Rio de Janeiro & São Paulo, Brazil - TIAG), has helped us with the staff structure to make our firm more efficient. We have also worked with Camero, Camero & Asociados (Panama - TIAG) on transfer pricing and accounting matters with many international clients. Since joining TIAG we have the goal of speaking more English and having more foreign clients."

––Yohanna Paredes; Paredes, Saravia & Asociados (PARSA) (Guatemala - TIAG)

"…An Excellent Partner…"

"Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. (Texas, USA - TAGLaw) was an excellent partner as our local counsel on a trade secret case in federal court in Austin, Texas, and we're grateful they ask us to serve as their local counsel here in Tennessee."

––Stephen Zralek; Spencer Fane Bone McAllester (Tennessee, USA - TAGLaw)

A TAGLaw TIAG Cooperation

"Thanks to our membership in TAGLaw, Jack Millhouse, International Tax Senior Manager with FGMK, LLC (Illinois, USA), a TIAG member, reached out to our law firm seeking an explanation of some Czech tax questions. We were happy to provide advice and valued the cooperation among the TAG Alliances members across jurisdictions and specializations in particular."

––Jiri Ctibor; Z/C/H Legal v.o.s. (Czech Republic - TAGLaw)

"…Look Forward to Reconnecting..."

"Many thanks to Eric Golden and Blaney McMurtry LLP (Ontario, Canada - TAGLaw) (along with the TAG Alliances of course) for all the time and effort that went into making the Toronto conference productive and enjoyable. Eric and Blaney McMurtry chose a lovely setting in Langdon Hall.  The hotel observed COVID protocols and arranged events in ways that made attendees feel safe. The conference was the perfect blend of business discussions and pleasure.  The food was superb. Guests were treated to a care package of Canadian treats by Hub International. The always entertaining Denis Cloutier of Cain Lamarre (Quebec, Canada - TAGLaw) led our group in a tasting of British Columbian wines, which were introduced by winemaker Severine Pinte. Eric Golden went to great lengths to reconnect members through pre-arranged small networking groups at each meal.  For example, on the night of our arrival Eric had arranged for Bob and me to dine with Paul Tauber and Mary Wang Oskamp. It was the perfect chance to thank Paul and Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass LLP (San Francisco, California, USA - TAGLaw) for referring North Carolina real estate and employment law work to Williams Mullen for one of their clients who has relocated to the Research Triangle. With the Toronto conference as an example, everyone can look forward to reconnecting in Vancouver!"

––Elizabeth Scott; Williams Mullen (North Carolina & Virginia, USA - TAGLaw) 

"Both Firms...Were Instrumental…"

"One of our clients recently purchased an Italian company. This was their first international acquisition, so they needed both local attorneys and accountants. We connected them with TAGLaw firm Studio Legale Sutti (Italy) and TIAG firm Studio Rock S.T.P. Srl (Milan, Italy). Both firms provided valuable services and were instrumental in facilitating a successful closing."

––Ray Polantz; Cohen & Company (Ohio & Michigan, USA - TIAG)

"...TAGLaw Partner Firms Throughout Europe."

"In 2021, we acquired a new client from the financial services industry. The client operates an internet platform through which companies can sell and buy receivables. Sellers and buyers of receivables can be located anywhere in Europe. Since our client also handles the invoicing for buyers and sellers, he needed a VAT assessment of his own activities and for the sale of receivables for various European countries.

We have carried out the VAT assessment on a national level. Due to the harmonization of VAT law, we were able to ask specific questions to the European colleagues of TAGLaw. Together with TAGLaw partner firms, we were able to examine the facts of the case with regard to the national specifics of VAT law. Despite harmonization, the different countries treated the facts differently and thus came to different results, legal consequences and requirements. By working together, we were able to quickly point out to the client the specific features and risks of each country.

At the national level, our expertise in VAT law and our goal-oriented work enabled us to outperform reputable law firms specializing in VAT. A comprehensive mandate support was also possible, above all, through the network, as we were able to efficiently involve TAGLaw partner firms throughout Europe. With their assessment, we presented the client with an overview of the special VAT features of financial services with the sale of receivables for a large number of European countries. The client himself already realized in the first discussions that such an Europe-wide overview would give him an immense market advantage over competitors.

The client's long-term goal is to open the platform across European borders. As we are now continuing to advise the client on this path due to the successful cooperation in the initial phase, we are also looking forward to being able to address our global TAG Alliances partners with this topic in the hopefully near future."

––Kay Jess; LPA-GGV (Frankfurt am Main, Germany - TAGLaw & TIAG)

"TAGLaw Members in 18 Countries..."

"My colleague and partner, Greg Hessinger approached me regarding his client who was seeking to expand operations globally. We coordinated with the TAG Alliances Executive Team in reaching out to TAGLaw members in 18 countries of interest. The response we received was overwhelming and timely. The teamwork and collaboration displayed by our TAG Alliances firms on this project has reinforced our belief in the value of this impactful organization. Our client was happy with our collective results and MSK could not have handled this project otherwise."

––Larry Drapkin; Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP (Los Angeles, California, USA - TAGLaw) 

"Being TAG Members is Hugely Beneficial to our Business."

"Blake Morgan were principal sponsors of the TAG Alliances pop-up event in London on 18-20 October where we also earned new business. This event was part of the TAG Hybrid International Conference 2021, which saw members come together both virtually and in person in London, Brussels and Ontario. The networking and collaboration afforded to members of TAG Alliances helped Blake Morgan to win new business. I attended the event hosted by Blake Morgan, Boodle Hatfield and accountancy firm Mercer & Hole.

Being at the conference was really useful to catch up with members we know and connect with new member firms and representatives who we may not have met before. It was great that, as a result of being at the conference, we were able to secure profitable work from another TAG member relating to a re-organisation of their client's workforce in the UK. We regularly refer work throughout the year to TAG and TIAG members as well as receiving the same. Being TAG members is hugely beneficial to our business.”

––Rajiv Joshi; Blake Morgan LLP (Cardiff & Southampton, England - TAGLaw)

"We Were Quickly Able to File an Injunction..."

"A client of another TAGLaw member firm lost a key employee to a direct competitor located in Michigan. We were quickly able to file an injunction action in Michigan State Court seeking compliance with the post-employment restrictions and the return of the client’s property including a company computer which contained confidential, trade secret, and proprietary information. While the action is still pending, the filing resulted in the immediate return of the client’s property."

––Mark Kowalsky; Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer & Weiss, P.C. (Michigan, USA - TAGLaw)

"...TAG Alliances and Everything it Stands For."

"In February 2021, The Dutch Employment Lawyers Association organized a digital “convention" with nearly 1,000 participants and many high-profile speakers. Together with one of my colleagues of the Dutch Employment Lawyers Association, we prepared a presentation for the event on “Corona around the world”. Over several weeks, we conducted and recorded online interviews with four TAGLaw members around the world, discussing hot topics in their jurisdiction on how to deal with COVID-19 in view of employment related matters. We then consolidated the recordings and streamed them during the convention.

The participants included:

• Kristin Nealey Meier of Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC (Washington, USA - TAGLaw); 
• Nils Wördemann of RWP Rechtsanwälte (Düsseldorf, Germany - TAGLaw);
• Lara Radik of Carter Newell (Australia - TAGLaw); and
• Kevin McKenna of Kuit Steinart Levy LLP (Manchester, England - TAGLaw). 

Although no direct reference was made to TAG Alliances in the recordings, this project is a result of the TAG Alliances and everything it stands for. We are very grateful for the assistance we received from our participants.”

––Martijn van de Mortel; Nysingh advocaten-notarissen N.V. (Zwolle, Netherlands - TAGLaw)

The Importance of TAG Alliances Events

"During 2021 I worked on a matter with Marc Ellul of Ellul & Co (Gibraltar - TAGLaw), who I had the pleasure of meeting at the TAG Alliances Spring 2019 International Conference in London. Marc was recommended to advise our client via a different third party but the fact that both our firms are TAG Alliances members was something our client was pleased to learn. My having met Marc is definitely something which brought extra comfort to our client."

––Michael Bacina; Piper Alderman (Australia - TAGLaw)

“We were delighted to co-host the TAG Alliances Asia-Pacific Virtual Regional Meeting in July 2021 in conjunction with Ashok Maheshwary & Associates LLP (Gurgaon, India - TIAG). The meeting was a great opportunity to connect with members in the region and participants particularly enjoyed the networking activity. The panel session that was moderated by Simon Venus of Piper Alderman was also a highlight and included a mix of distinguished external panelists as well as panelists from TAG Alliances members Ashok Maheshwary and LehmanBrown (Beijing & Shanghai, China - TIAG).”

––Tony Britten-Jones; Piper Alderman (Australia - TAGLaw)