Five Star Lawyers 2025

LAWYERS WORLDWIDE
AWARDS MAGAZINE
5 STAR LAWYERS
2025

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Lawyers Worldwide Awards Magazine
Five Star Lawyers 2025
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the world to recognise the most prestigious professionals in their specialised
areas of practice.
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around the world working both nationally and internationally in their field of
expertise.
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Lawyers Worldwide Awards Magazine
Five Star Lawyers 2025
Index
Ana del Mar Morales Cotto
Business Immigration Lawyer of the Year – USA
BGA ADVOGADOS, SP, RL
Labour Law Firm of the Year - Portugal
Bridgefield Corporate Finance
M&A Advisory Firm of the Year - Belgium
Camden Associates
Mid-Market Investment Advisory Boutique Firm of the Year - UK
Cannons Law Practice
Aviation Law Firm of the Year - UK
Carlton Elleker Chase
Joel Barry
Trademarks Law Lawyer of the Year - UK
Claude Jiang
Project Finance Lawyer of the Year – ASEAN Countries
Demps & Partner
Retail & Distribution Law Firm of the Year - Austria
Dreyfus & Associes
Trademarks Law Firm of the Year – France
Fawcus Corporate
Corporate Finance Advisory Firm of the Year - UK
Ferber & Co
Investment Banking Law Firm of the Year – Germany
IMCI+ Group
Alternative Project Finance Advisory Firm of the Year - Switzerland
KANGXIN LEGAL
Fiona Zhang
Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the Year - China
Leaf Legal
M&A Law Firm of the Year - China
Ligan & Uy
Litigation Law Firm of the Year - Philippines

Mackrell Turner Garrett
Full-Service Law Firm of the Year – UK
Meilin International Law Firm
Wealth Management Law Firm of the Year – Japan
MK Legal
Corporate Tax Law Firm of the Year - Greece
Orem Law Office
Franchise Law Firm of the Year – USA
Pirola Corporate Finance S.p.A.
Equity Capital Markets Advisory Firm of the Year - Italy
Rachel L. Virk, P.C.
Mediation Service Provider of the Year – USA
Ramus & Company
M&A Projects Advisory Firm of the Year - Switzerland
Socios Financieros
Corporate Finance Law Firm of the Year - Spain
Studio Legale Sutti
Corporate Litigation Law Firm of the Year - Italy
The Hechanova Group
Trademarks Law Firm of the Year – Philippines
Vitale & Co S.p.A.
Food & Beverage Mergers & Acquisitions Law Firm of the Year - Italy
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
Corporate Governance Law Firm of the Year – USA
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
Banking & Investment Law Firm of the Year – USA
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
Mergers & Acquisitions Law Firm of the Year – USA
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
David A. Katz
Mergers & Acquisitions Lawyer of the Year – USA
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
David A. Katz
Lawyer of the Year – USA

Joel Barry
Trademarks Law Lawyer of the Year – UK
Joel is a Solicitor-Advocate who is an all-round litigator. He is an IP specialist and his
practise encompasses all forms of intellectual property and associated sectors including art,
fashion, advertising, media and technology as well as commercial work. He is best known
for his trade mark practice, particularly in the media and entertainment sectors. He has
conducted litigation and undertaken advocacy in the UK courts and throughout Europe
including before the Appointed Person and the General Court of the European Union in
relation to IP matters. The breadth of Joel’s practice has given him experience across
Europe and, specifically, in relation to pan-EU injunctive relief.
He is also experienced in related regulatory matters including advertising, FMCG, food, and
gaming regulations. Joel pioneered the ‘one stop shop’ for intellectual property and has
established teams to work on the complete life-cycle of rights from clearing for use and
registering through to enforcement and licensing. Joel has headed two of the largest IP
practices in the UK and his practice combines trade mark, design and patent prosecution
and litigation as well as commercial transactions within a single team.
Outside the IP sphere, Joel’s practice includes fashion disputes, art disputes and deals,
partnership disputes, film and TV disputes, music disputes, contractual disputes, advertising
clearance and new brand clearances and launches.
Carlton Elleker Chase is a broad commercial law practice for individuals and businesses
designed to meet the rapidly growing demand for a flexible and solutions driven approach
to commercial transactions and disputes.

Carlton Elleker Chase is a full-service, sector-focused law firm that was established in early
2024. It was established to bring something different to the legal market. Powered by
smart, passionate lawyers and embracing technology and flexible working. Carlton Elleker
Chase provides access to a network of experienced lawyers across a range of legal
disciplines. Since its inception, the firm has rapidly expanded, gaining recognition for its
expertise in six sectors. These are: Intellectual Property, Dispute Resolution and Litigation,
Company and Commercial, Financial Services, Real Estate, and Entertainment. With a
strong foundation in these core practice areas, the firm has built a reputation for providing
sophisticated legal solutions tailored to the specific needs of its clients.
Company/Commercial
Carlton Elleker Chase undertakes a full range of corporate advisory services from corporate
governance, through to regulatory advice and restructuring. Carlton Elleker Chase can also
advise on a full range of corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions,
shareholder arrangements, buybacks, and fundraising.
From start-ups to listed companies, Carlton Elleker Chase helps in relation to the organic
growth of clients’ businesses by, for example, brand extension, licensing, franchising and
distribution arrangements; finding the right balance of commercial risk and reward.
Carlton Elleker Chase has extensive experience in relation to ‘talent’ arrangements such as
sponsorship arrangements and talent agreements and particular skills in relation to data
protection and privacy law. Carlton Elleker Chase’s commercial team can help with a full
range of technology contractual arrangements, from SaaS to software distribution
arrangements, and the ever-evolving world of AI.
The Firm’s data privacy expertise complements the Litigation Company/Commercial
Departments and is a standalone practice. The firm can assist on a wide range of data
privacy matters from GDPR compliance to complex cross-border data transfers. Jan
Bingham has a wealth of experience in dealing with employee data privacy issues and
GDPR compliance for international corporate groups and heads the team.
Dispute Resolution/Litigation
Carlton Elleker Chase is a full service, multi-disciplinary dispute resolution practice, with
particular expertise in the technology and media sectors. Its knowledge and experience in
relation to the art, employment, financial services, family, and privacy/data protection,
advertising, music, IT and intellectual property arenas places it among the top tier
litigators.
Carlton Elleker Chase has a broad and experienced dispute resolution team covering the
full gamut of commercial litigation, with specialisms in media, technology, financial
services, equine law, employment, fraud, commercial, corporate, partnership disputes and
family matters. Carlton Elleker Chase’s highly skilled team is led by Michael Cotter & James
Wilkes and they ensure that cases get the attention that is needed and many of their
specialist litigators have higher rights.

Financial Services
Carlton Elleker Chase’s Financial Services team, headed by Michael Cotter, has a strong
reputation in fraud and mis-selling claims as well as unregulated investments, cryptodisputes,
and class actions. The firm also advises retail and wholesale financial services
clients and assists in resolving regulatory action and disputes. Michael is an experienced
litigator in both complicated regulated-services fraud, to emerging unregulated schemes
that target unsophisticated investors advising clients in multi-million pound international
actions against financial services firms in a multiple of jurisdictions.
Michael assists those in the regulated sector, assisting professional firms in their
representations with their regulator and other authorities. In particular but not limited to
regulatory investigations and where required, Michael can provide representation at
Tribunal.
Intellectual Property
The firm has strong expertise across all aspects of intellectual property. It is a full-service IP
firm: from performing IP audits; trade mark, design and patent searches to identify
potential risks; filing for registered protection; advising on unregistered rights such as
copyright, confidential information and database rights; litigation for IP related disputes;
and drafting and negotiating IP and IT agreements. The firm’s experts also advise on client
registrations and those of competitors to ensure their clients’ IP strategy matches the plan
for growth and assist with their commercial arrangements.
Carlton Elleker Chase is actively involved in the protection and enforcement of national
and international trade mark and patent rights, providing filing and prosecution services in
addition to enforcement for its clients. Carlton Elleker Chase’s lawyers act in relation to the
full range of IP disputes - patent, trademark, copyright and design rights, database rights
and confidential information. The team is led by Joel Barry.
Real Estate
Carlton Elleker Chase’s team of experts deliver in-depth knowledge across every area of
property law, encompassing property litigation, commercial property, residential property,
property investment and management. The firm’s team can advise on a wide range of
matters, whether it’s a complex commercial property purchase, a construction project, a
high stakes investment, granting a new lease, or a time sensitive residential purchase.
The commercial property team at Carlton Elleker Chase is led by co-heads Simon
Hopewell and Dona Karimova and covers a full range of commercial property
transactions: conveyancing, leases, property development and investment, planning,
commercial property finance and litigation. The firm also has expertise in property
litigation and can assist with effective notice and resolution procedures on a range of
disputes including: breach of contract, boundary or access rights, co-owner disagreements,
or construction claims. The property litigation team at Carlton Elleker Chase is also
equipped to act on urgent matters in the United Kingdom and through its international
network of trusted advisors.

Carlton Elleker Chase’s residential property team has experience managing transactions for
a wide range of clients, including developers, housing associations, charities, and individual
buyers and sellers both domestically and abroad. Carlton Elleker Chase also has a property
investment team, with lawyers who specialise in supporting investors—whether individuals
or institutions—in navigating complex property transactions and portfolio management. As
well as a property investment team, Carlton Elleker Chase’s property management
lawyers offer tailored legal support for landlords and property managers, handling
everything from tenancy agreements to disputes, evictions, and legal compliance.
Entertainment and Sport
Carlton Elleker Chase’s team is led by co-heads Fiona Chambers and Emma Topping. It
has very strong sector expertise in entertainment law. This expertise spans across all the
creative industries (including screen, video games, consumer products, music, publishing,
stage and experiential) and from all perspectives: as IP owner, licensor, agent, licensee,
financier, distributor, production company and creative.
The firm’s entertainment law expertise has a global remit and includes, for example:
advising and negotiating the licensing, acquisition and exploitation of rights, television
programming, formats and social media content across all platforms (including AVOD,
FAST and streamers) as well as consumer product. The team also advises on publishing and
advertising matters within the entertainment space.
At the forefront of our Sports Law practice is Michael Cotter, Head of Department and a
trusted advisor to clients across the sporting spectrum. With a particular focus on boxing,
football, and regulatory disputes, Michael brings deep legal and commercial insight to the
negotiation of athlete contracts, sponsorship arrangements, and disciplinary matters. He is
also highly experienced in handling agency agreements and advising intermediaries on
regulatory compliance with governing bodies such as FIFA, the FA, and the British Boxing
Board of Control. Our team is uniquely positioned to support clients navigating the
increasingly complex legal landscape of professional sport. Michael’s hands-on experience
working with athletes, promoters, managers, and clubs means he understands the
commercial realities as well as the regulatory obligations that shape modern sport.
Whether resolving contractual disputes, advising on transfers, or guiding clients through
disciplinary proceedings, we provide tailored, strategic advice with discretion and clarity.
James Wilkes brings extensive knowledge and personal involvement in the equestrian
world, particularly in horse racing, eventing, and show jumping. They regularly advise on
the private and commercial purchase of horses and are well-versed in the rules and
practices of bodies such as the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), FEI, and affiliated
national federations. Their combined legal and industry insight offers clients comprehensive
support across ownership disputes, bloodstock transactions, and equine-related regulatory
issues, with particular expertise in tax affairs that uniquely impact this industry.
In 2025, the UK legal sector faces significant challenges, including economic fluctuations,
rising operational costs, and evolving client priorities. Despite launching in early 2024
during a period of economic uncertainty, Carlton Elleker Chase has not only navigated

these complexities but has also exceeded expectations in its inaugural year. The firm
surpassed its initial financial goals, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in a
challenging market.
Carlton Elleker Chase is committed to sustained growth and expansion, with a particular
focus on strengthening its property, IT/tech, media and entertainment sectors. By attracting
highly experienced professionals, including those with direct business experience in these
industries, the firm is well-positioned to become a leading provider of legal services in these
dynamic fields. This influx of expertise will enable the firm to attract new clients and offer
more comprehensive support to businesses in fast-evolving sectors.
Globally, the media and tech sectors are poised for significant growth, driven by
technological advancements (including AI), increasing brand awareness, and the growing
need to protect digital assets. Carlton Elleker Chase is prepared to meet this demand by
enhancing its IP practice and staying ahead of industry trends. The firm is dedicated to
remaining at the forefront of legal developments, ensuring clients receive the most relevant
and effective advice in 2025 and beyond.
Contact Details:
+44 (0) 203 105 1755
info@ceclegal.co.uk

Business Immigration Lawyer of the Year - USA
At the Law Firm of Ana Del Mar Morales Cotto & Rushford Legal Group, we have been
providing exceptional legal services for over 40 years in critical areas such as family and
business immigration, banking law, regulatory affairs, corporate, and tax law. We have
established ourselves as trusted partners for individuals, businesses, and international artists
seeking reliable and effective legal representation.
Family Immigration Law: Our team of immigration experts deeply understands the
importance of family unity. We are dedicated to helping our clients navigate the
complexities of family immigration law, from obtaining family visas to navigating consular
procedures, ensuring comprehensive support throughout the immigration process.
Business Immigration Law: As global business opportunities expand, we specialize in
business immigration law to support entrepreneurs, investors, and companies in achieving
their immigration goals. With a proven track record of success, we facilitate efficient
immigration processes, from obtaining labour certifications and employment visas to EB5
investor visas and E2 investor visas.
Banking Law and Regulatory Affairs: We recognize the importance of compliance in the
banking industry. Our team, knowledgeable about banking regulations, works closely with
clients to ensure compliance with federal and state banking laws. We offer everything from
regulatory compliance assistance and licensing to risk assessment and management,
providing comprehensive support tailored to the specific needs of each client.
Corporate Law and Tax Matters Services: We understand the unique challenges faced by
businesses and individuals in the corporate and tax realm. Our team of specialized
attorneys provides a full range of services to strengthen the legal and tax structure of your
company. From reviewing and modifying contracts, managing permits, and leveraging tax
incentives such as Act 60, to representing in IRS debt litigation and negotiating tax audits.
We ensure that every aspect of your corporate and tax needs is handled with the utmost
professionalism and precision, contributing to the success and sustainability of your
company in a competitive environment.
Contact Details:
Phone: 1: (787) 644-5867, Phone: 2: 305-694-9125
info@attorneyvisa.com

Labour Law Firm of the Year – Portugal
In 2008, the law firm was founded as BERNARDES, GONÇALVES & ASSOCIADOS –
SOCIEDADE DE ADVOGADOS, RL. Since 2010 it incorporated the third partner, Filipe
Sousa Raposo, and numerous new members to it’s team. Soon the firm´s brand became
largely recognized in the legal landscape, as BGA ADVOGADOS and subsequently it was
registered as a legal brand in 2021. In 2023 the firm changed its legal name to BGA
ADVOGADOS SP, RL.
Based in Porto, Portugal, offers a tailored approach that combines the precision of a
boutique firm with the comprehensive resources of a full-service practice.
The firm the firm has 9 lawyers, in addition to several external colleagues working in
various parts of the country.
BGA ADVOGADOS operates on the principle that effective legal solutions stem from a
deep understanding of the clients’ industries, objectives, and challenges. Its services span
numerous areas such as: banking, finance, labour, employment, corporate and commercial
law, tax and real estate, with clients in different areas as retail, finance, pharmaceuticals,
technology, energy.
The firm’s litigation and dispute resolution team stand out, known for their strategic
acumen, BGA’s litigators have represented clients in high-stakes litigation, with an
approach to conflict resolution that emphasizes legal skill and an understanding of the
client’s broader business needs, with the goal of achieving outcomes that protect client
interests while minimizing disruption.
The firm has an office in Porto, northern Portugal. However, it provides services throughout
the country and beyond, with clients all over Europe, but also in the United States.

António Coimbra Gonçalves graduated in Universidade Portucalense Infante D. Henrique,
in Oporto City in 2001. Initiated the formation in the Portuguese Bar Association (Ordem
dos Advogados Porugueses) right after finish college, and has been a lawyer since June
2003.
Antonio Coimbra Gonçalves and Bruno Tomaz Bernardes, in May 2003 still as a trainee
lawyers. opened a small office becoming partners. BGA Advogados Law firm in fact dates
back to May 2003, although it was only in 2008 that the legal entity BGA was created
(then called Bernardes, Gonçalves & Associados - Sociedade de Advogados RL).
Antonio’s main area of expertise is labour law, in particular, although leasing and
immigration are also areas to which he is particularly dedicated.
His work is mainly carried out in the area of labour law with clients, essentially with the
largest portuguese retailer in the area of supermarkets and other specific shops, but also in
the area of the pharmaceutical industry (production of cannabis for medicinal use),
another client in the area of electrical energy and one of the companies still considered one
of the Portuguese Unicorns, in the area of technology. These are the areas of business clients
that absorb the most of his work at BGA. This area of labour law developed at BGA is
shared with his partner Bruno Tomaz Bernardes, while partner Filipe Raposo dedicates
himself to other areas of activity, namely civil law.
The team are confident for the coming years. The challenges are great and complex, but
they are certain that BGA is on the right track. The company continues to grow, continues
to attract more interest and clients from different areas and geographical zones, all this in
a country like Portugal which, despite its small size, has excellent training and is
increasingly attractive to foreign investment.
BGA is following this evolution and they are therefore optimistic because the market is also
giving them this feedback.
Contact Details:
Rua Eugénio de Castro, nº248, 1º andar, Salas 133 e 135 • 4100-225 Porto
T.: (+351) 222 013 126 | (+351) 222 013 127 | E.: bga@bga.pt | www.bga.pt

Fiona Zhang
Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year – China
Fiona Zhang, an acclaimed legal expert, excels in intellectual property law with a focus on
trademark and copyright prosecution, litigation and enforcement. After over 10-year
working experience, her strategic insights and legal expertise have established her as
a leading authority in trademark strategy and corporate compliance. Active in INTA
Bulletin, AIPPI, China Anti-Infringement and Anti-Counterfeiting Alliance (CASSA),
Capital Intellectual Property Services Association, and China Trademark Association,
Beijing Primary Court and other IP associations, she contributes articles and is invited as
speakers, and moderators at global IP events, offering expert commentary on legal
developments in Chinese IP landscape.
Fiona Zhang has over ten years of experience working in IP services since 2012. During
her IP practice, she has assisted IP owners from around the world in developing and
implementing tailored strategies for IP protection in China, covering both prosecution,
enforcement and litigation. Fiona is rich experienced in handling cases involving various
IP matters, including trademarks, copyright, Customs, administrative / infringement
litigation, and domain names, etc. She has acclaimed praises from numerous clients
worldwide for her proactive, insightful, and professional advice, encyclopaedic knowledge
and rich experience in IP world. Fiona is also active in the field of IP transactions and
licensing. She has successfully assisted clients in monetizing their IP assets through various
means and provided legal services and gained high reputation in field of cross-boarder IP
protection, IP transaction, IP strategy and enforcement / litigation.
Since 2023, Fiona has joined Kangxin Legal, where she assists clients in various areas
ranging from trademark prosecution to enforcement and infringement litigations,
investigations, C & D letters, ISP complaints, Raid Actions, and criminal and civil lawsuits,
etc. As a qualified member of INTA Bulletin, AIPPI, China Anti-Infringement and Anti-
Counterfeiting Alliance (CASSA), Capital Intellectual Property Services Association, and
China Trademark Association, etc., Fiona has authored numerous articles in both
Chinese and international journals and is frequently consulted and interviewed by
legal media to share her comments and opinions on the latest influential IP cases and
other developments in the legal system in China. In addition, she has been constantly
awarded as Top Lawyer in the field of intellectual property by various international
media and organizations, such as Asia IP, WTR, MIP, Global Law Experts, etc.
Contact Details:
Fiona.zhang@kangxinlegal.com

Trademark Law Firm of the Year – Philippines
The Hechanova Group – Hechanova & Co. and Hechanova Bugay Vilchez & Andaya-Racadio – is
based in Manila, where the former firm focuses on prosecution matters and the latter on litigation
work. The group advises on matters related to trademarks, patents, copyright, domain names,
utility models, designs, litigation, licensing and franchising. The Hechanova Group is very strong in its
patent and trademark practice. The law firm has been recognized by ASIA IP Magazine as winner
for 2017 for trademarks, and copyright in 2019. The total complement of the HECHANOVA Group
is 48 with 12 lawyers, and 22 engineers/science professionals. Partners/Principals Editha R
Hechanova, Maria Gladys Vilchez, Brenda Rivera, Noemi Rivera, Chrissie Ann Barredo and Joy
Marie Gabor-Tolentino concentrate on IP. All its 5 senior associate lawyers can lead enforcement
actions and have an average of 8 years in IP litigation work. In September, 2020, Hechanova
Bugay Vilchez & Andaya-Racadio was able to prevail in a landmark trademark infringement case
Zuneca vs. Natrpharm (G.R. No. 211850) by proving Zuneca as a prior trademark user in good faith,
and hence, non-infringing. Just recently this June, 2021, despite the pandemic, the law firm was
able to conduct a raid action led by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and seized about
168,000 pairs of counterfeit Havaianas slippers and its colorable imitations with estimated value of
US$3.6 Million.
Atty. Editha R. Hechanova
President/Managing Partner
Editha R. Hechanova is the President and CEO of Hechanova & Co., Inc., member of the
HECHANOVA Group is an IP consulting firm handling patent and trademark prosecution,
copyright, domain name, plant variety, product registrations, consulting on IP creation and
protection, and all other non-contentious IP services. Hechanova Bugay Vilchez & Andaya-
Racadio is a full service law firm offering a complete range of legal services such as general
counseling, commercial transactions and special projects, corporate/M&A; intellectual property
enforcement, litigation and other contentious IP matters; regulatory compliance, corporate
governance; litigation and dispute resolution, tax advisory and tax compliance, labor and
employment, immigration, commercial disputes including civil, criminal, administrative, and
regulatory issues; dispute resolution and arbitration matters, corporate secretary and directorship
services.
Contact Details:
Editha R. Hechanova, Esq.
HECHANOVA GROUP
Ground Floor Salustiana D. Ty Tower
104 Paseo de Roxas Avenue
Makati City 1229
Philippines
Tel. Nos. (632) 8888-4293;
Fax Nos. (632) 8888-4290;
Email:
mail@hechanova.com.ph

Litigation Law Firm of the Year – Philippines
Ligan & Uy is a full-service law firm positioned to provide legal services observing the most exacting
standards. The Firm represents the integration of vast experiences and practices of two professional
lawyers. James Russel D. Ligan and Jessamyn H. Uy possess professional qualifications in the practice
of law. They achieved experience and expertise in their respective practice areas by having worked
with top-tier and established law firms of international stature.
Ligan & Uy has a diverse clientele, which includes, multinational corporations, BPOs, emerging and
medium enterprises, start-ups, real estate developers, manufacturing companies, health care
professionals and hospitals, distribution and logistics companies, professional services firms, financial
sectors, retailers and wholesalers, and those engaged in telecommunication, media and technology,
and restaurant and food industries.
They have a thorough understanding of the industries in which their clients operate. The Firm is well
placed to service the requirements of its clients across the Philippines in all fields of law and also
adequately equipped to handle cross-border transactions. Particularly, the Firm has extensive
experience in the areas of corporate law and specializes in representing major foreign and domestic
corporations. They handle labor law, wills and estate, immigration, insurance, real estate, family
law, and intellectual property issues.
They also offer their proven capabilities in litigation and dispute resolution, representing their clients
in high courts and various quasi-judicial tribunals, including the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals,
National Labor and Relations Commission, National Privacy Commission, Intellectual Property
Office, Securities and Exchange Commission, and other adjudicatory bodies.
The Team:
James Russel D. Ligan
Jessamyn H. Uy-Ligan
Ligan & Uy have a very strict policy regarding the confidentiality of their clients.
Due to the pandemic, most of the clients had to lay off their employees. Consequently, there were
so many illegal dismissal cases filed against their clients. Nevertheless, all of these cases were decided
in favour of their client notwithstanding the fact that their labor laws tilt in favour of the
employees.
There were also a lot of immigration cases involving the deportation of their foreign clients for
failure to extend their visas due to the COVID-19 situation. Ligan & Uy are glad that they were able
to assist our clients and cleared their records with the Bureau of Immigration without being
deported.

Ligan & Uy was not immune to the negative impacts caused by the pandemic and current
inflation. Some of their clients, unfortunately, closed their business, which consequently terminated
the legal services being provided. Nevertheless, they took this opportunity to expand their skills and
office. During the pandemic, they took the opportunity to expand their office while the rental fees
were low. Some of their lawyers undertook further studies. In fact, their Atty. Jessamyn Uy-Ligan
studied at the University of California – School of Law and finished her Master of Laws with a
Certificate of Specialization in Business Law in 2021. She was also awarded Best in Legal
Memorandum. The Firm also actively ventured into new areas of practice such as arbitration and
settlement of taxes.
Practice Areas:
Corporate & Commercial Law
Foreign Investment
Labor & Employment Law
Immigration Law
Real Estate Management
Intellectual Property
Estate Planning
Family & Marital Law
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Notarization, Legalization, Apostilzation
Ligan & Uy’s goal is always to be one of the leading law firms in the Philippines. They are very
optimistic that the market for their legal services will constantly grow, especially considering now
that the economy is opening. They can see that there are new foreigners investing in the
Philippines.
Contact Details:
Address:
9/F High Street South Corporate Plaza Tower I
9th Avenue corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Metro Manila, Philippines 1634
Telephone No.:
+ 63 (2) 8290 3364
E-mail address:
attorneys@liganuylaw.com

Corporate Tax Law Firm of the Year – Greece
MK Legal (www.mklegal.gr) was established in 2015 by Dr George S. Mavraganis lawyer –
former Deputy Finance Minister and Dr Stylianos Koutnatzis, lecturer in Law at Democritus
University of Thrace Law Schools, the latter suspending his professional activity after his
appointment as General Secretary of the Cabinet in July 2019 and therefore the law firm
continues its business as “G. Mavraganis Law Firm” and the brand name MK legal. The firm
specializes in providing high quality legal and consulting services to businesses with respect
to all their activities and transactions.
MK legal specializes in providing high quality legal and consulting services to businesses
with respect to all their activities and transactions. We combine knowledge and
international best practices on transactions with great practical experience in both the
private sector and public administration, aiming to provide tailor-made solutions in close
cooperation with our customers.
In order to address specific issues, we cooperate with experts in Greece and abroad, where
necessary, thus ensuring an integrated approach to all the issues arising in modern
economic life.
Beyond the usual legal support before courts that often requires disproportionate time and
resources, we focus, instead, on proactive means of legal support, such as providing
consulting services and legal opinions on the interpretation of legal documents, assistance in
negotiations and extrajudicial settlement of disputes, or proceedings before independent
authorities.
The firm specializes in corporate and individual income tax, VAT, accounting law, tax
audits and tax litigation. It also places particular emphasis on business law and especially
on providing assistance to negotiations and drafting of contracts for business transactions,
including financial transactions, acquisitions, mergers, restructuring (including cross-border),
GDPR, real estate projects, privatizations and projects of public and private partnership,
insurance and banking/finance law.
MK legal deals with all issues of contract law, ranging from effective negotiation to legal
protection in case of violation of contractual terms.
An additional area of specialization due to the great knowledge and long experience is
that of constitutional and international law, also including EU law. MK legal’s lawyers
effectively invoke arguments on fundamental rights, where required, before national and
European courts and document issues of incompatibility between national law on the one
hand, European and international law on the other hand, including also agreements for
the avoidance of double taxation.
George S. Mavraganis is Lawyer to the Supreme Court, President of the Tax Academy an
institution set up by the European Public Law Organization, former Deputy Minister of
Finance of the Hellenic Republic (2012-2015) and former KPMG Partner in Charge of Legal
Tax and Bookkeeping. He was Partner in Charge of KPMG Greece Tax Bookkeeping and
Legal (2007-2012) and Member of the Management Board of KPMG Greece, Visiting

Assistant Professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business, Business
Administration Department (2008-2011 and 2015-2017) and Accounting and Finance
Department (2016). He holds a Ph.D. (1992, awarded scholarship from the Ministry of
Finance’s NATO program) and an LL.M. degree (1989) from the University College London
(UCL) and is a graduate of the Athens Law School (1987).
He started his career in 1992 as a lawyer and tax counsel to corporations and cooperated
with consulting companies Deloitte (until 1995) and KPMG (until 2001). He was a founding
member and then partner of the KPMG Law Firm "C. Papacostopoulos & Associates" until
2005 and subsequently provided services to companies until the end of 2006 when he
returned to KPMG where he worked until 2012. He was then appointed Deputy Finance
Minister introducing the new Income Tax Code (2013), the first Code of Tax Procedure
(2013) and the innovative Greek Accounting Code (2014). He also modernized tax
administration and managed to apply electronic transactions and payments in tax
administration. After his term as Deputy Minister of Finance (June 2012 - January 2015) he
returned to business with a new law office as a lawyer - consultant to Greek and
multinational businesses and to teaching at Master's class at the Athens University of
Economics and Business.
Member of the Athens Bar Association since 1990 and various professional organizations, he
has also served as a research associate of the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation
(IBFD) contributing with publications related to taxation in Greece (The Taxation of
Companies in Europe, European Tax Handbook, European Corporate Tax Law, Transfer
Pricing Database). He has extensive experience in tax law (corporate taxation,
international tax law, EU tax law, tax litigation etc.) and commercial law (mergers,
acquisitions, privatizations, concession and construction projects, capital markets, financial
aspects etc.). He has participated in consulting projects involving large investments and
companies’ restructuring in Greece and has published several articles in international
taxation journals (European Taxation, Intertax, Bulletin for International Taxation/Fiscal
Documentation, International Transfer Pricing Journal).
Contact Details:
MK legal Law Firm
9 Dim. Soutsou Str., Mavili Sq.
11521 Athens, Greece
Tel.: +30 210 6456 731
e-mail: info@mklegal.gr, www.mklegal.gr

Cannons Law Practice
Aviation Law Firm of the Year – UK
My name is Frank Cannon, a qualified lawyer in Scotland. My principal area of expertise is
in dispute resolution and court litigation. I have also a special interest in Aviation Law,
having been a qualified pilot most of my adult life. I have been a qualified lawyer as well
as a qualified pilot for more than 50 years.
At the age of 78 years I still supervise all cases, and the clients still have direct access to me.
No answering services, no “leave messages” just individual direct access on mobile phone at
all times. Individual lawyers are deployed to their specialisms and strengths.
Our firm traces its origins right back to 1969 when I started the firm. The firm has always
been a problem solver, particularly in difficult situations. The clients I started with are all
the same age as I am and now their children instruct my daughter who runs the firm with
me. We have 6 lawyers and cover all areas of general practice.
Our main selling point is economy of cost. Our lawyers have no targets for “billable hours”
and the only motivational force in our office is to ensure that justice wins at the most
economical cost to the client.
We act typically for family businesses and individuals. We love helping people who need
justice.
As we do not have an eye for maximum profit, we are, and were, able to weather
economic downturns. A lot of the cases we do in court are taken on a “no-win-no-fee” basis
which is a “win-win” for the clients.
By being ultra-flexible, we weather all storms, and we avoid high overheads. Otherwise all
businesses have to pass their overheads on to their clients.
Living now in an over-regulated society, much effort is expended on the regulation itself
and the transparency of the regulation. The paper-trail of over-regulation is the monster in
the room. This applies, unfortunately, now to all parts of society, and it is probably here to
stay. Unfortunately too, parliamentarians think that if they regulate, the problem goes
away.

Our long-term mantra is
“OUR WORK IS LAW”.
We have used this motto for 50 years.
This year we also boast “50 YEARS OF LEGAL EXCELLENCE”
Contact Details:
CANNONS LAW PRACTICE
Aviation Lawyers
11 Somerset Place
GLASGOW G3 7JT
Tel 0044 141 204 5115
Fax 0044 141 22 62 221
Web www.cannonslaw.com

Wealth Management Law firm of the Year – Japan
Masatoshi Tanaka is an Attorney at Law (registered in 1999), Patent Attorney (registered
in 2001), Managing Partner/ Founder of Meilin International Law Firm
Expertise: Cross-Border Investment, Intellectual Property, Contracts, M&A, Corporate. Have
extensive experiences of International Arbitrations and Cross-Border Disputes.
I have been practicing on international business-related matters and providing full-legal
services to approximately 200 companies including public companies each year.
Meilin International Law Firm has its main office in Fukuoka, Japan with other domestic
branch offices in Tokyo and Nagoya, overseas in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, and
Vietnam. We are available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
With regard to businesses between Asia, EU, USA and Japan, we provide a wide range of
full-service to companies on, including but not limited to, cross-border disputes resolution
and business expansions.
Established in Fukuoka, Japan in 2010. Currently we have 22 lawyers in our firm.
Areas of Expertise:
Corporate: Contracts, Start-ups, Support for Structure of Internal Control and Compliance,
Business Consulting, Finance, IPO and Capital Markets, M&A, Labor and Employment,
Debt Collections, Tax, Entertainment and Sports, Antitrust, Corporate Crises Management,
Restructuring, Insolvency, Venture
International Matters: Research on Overseas Laws and Regulations, International business
expansion consulting, Contracts, Comply with Administrative Agency, Cross-Border M&A,
International Litigation
Intellectual Property: IP Prosecution, Drafting and Negotiation for IP Agreements,
Protection of Trade Secret, Dispute Resolution, Strategic Exploitation
For Individual: Inheritance and Will, Wealth Management, Traffic Accident, Divorce and
other Family Law Matters, Parent-Child Relationship, Real Estate and Construction-related
disputes, Medical Malpractice, Debt-related disputes, Consumer Law, Labor and
Employment, Workers’ Compensation, Insurance claim, Criminal Cases and Juvenile Cases.

We are proud of our professional teams specialized in each practice area to deliver highskilled
legal services such as on International Business Legal issues, Contracts, Incorporation,
Intellectual Property, M&A, Corporate and Individual Asset Management.
We have been delivering premier quality legal services for the large enterprises and public
companies in Japan, EU, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and Singapore in relation to
international business issues.
We are eager to expand and improve our overseas branch offices as well as our domestic
offices, and based on delivering legal services by introducing IT, we are willing to improve
our legal services with a wide range of our expertise and geographical coverage as well.
Additionally, We are targeting to successfully resolve diverse legal needs mainly in the
areas of Content Business (Content Marketing), Business related to AI, Big Data Use
Business and Intellectual Property.
We have grown significantly and passionately to deepen our knowledge and expertise. We
are here for our clients to deliver truly reliable services for their businesses in Japan and
other countries as well.
Contact Details:
Meilin International Law Firm
Address: Tenjin Twin Building 7F,
1-6-8 Tenjin Chuo-ku, Fukuoka JAPAN
TEL: +81 92-736-1550
FAX: +81 92-736-1560
E-mail info@meilin-law.jp
URL http://www.meilin-law.jp

Claude Jiang
Project Finance Lawyer of the Year – ASEAN Countries
Claude Jiang has dedicated his focus to project finance since he joined King & Wood
Mallesons in 2007 and continued in this area after he joined Shearman & Sterling in 2011
and has accumulated in total more than 14 years of experience in project development
and project financing with regional experiences across Asia, Middle East, and Africa.
Claude represents many of the world’s leading corporations, financial institutions in
working on ground-breaking and precedent-setting matters by providing commercial
advice to assist our clients in achieving their ambitions. Claude has worked on various
multibillion US dollar financings for commercial banks, ECAs and multilaterals. He has also
represented sponsors on the development of various large-scale international projects in
different jurisdictions in industries including power, telecom, mining and oil and gas.
Claude is one of those few lawyers who has extensive first-hand project financing
experiences and fluent in Chinese and understands the Asian culture generally. This proves
to be extremely helpful in the emerging ASEAN market where the projects are usually
developed and financed based on typical international standard, but also involve
significant Chinese investments or other Asian influences. Claude provides significant value
to his clients in filling the gap between different cultures, streamlining understandings
between different parties and smoothen the process of commercial negotiations generally.
Claude also appreciates commercial intentions of the parties and use innovative
approaches to facilitate the consummation of transactions to overcome potential legal or
regulatory obstacles projects may facing. He believes that it is more important to align the
interest of the various parties in a commercial transaction than just furthering the
instruction of one party, and this helped several more difficult/unusual projects to proceed.
Claude’s recent experiences include:
• China Telecom Corporation on its Philippines third telecom license project
including its concession bidding and EPC arrangements and subsequent project
financing
• Shanghai Electrics in its proposed investment in and the financing of a 660
MW mine-mouth coal fired power plant at Thar Block I, Sindh Province of Pakistan
• a consortium of lenders including BOC, CEXIM, CDB, CMBC, ABC, CCB and
ICBC in the financing to the 1200 MW coal-fired Nam Dinh 1 IPP in northern
Vietnam sponsored by ACWA
• a consortium of lenders including IFC, ADB, KEXIM, OPEC Fund for
International Development and Korea Development Bank in relation to the
development and financing of the Upper Trishuli 216 MW domestic hydroelectric
power project in Nepal
• a consortium of lenders including China EXIM, CDB, SRF and IFC in the
US$1.792 billion financing to the Karot Hydro project, which is the largest hydro
project to date in Pakistan at the time it was financed
• a consortium of lenders including KfW, SCB, Riyad Bank, BSF and Apicorp
supporting ACWA’s development and financing of Al Dur 2 IWPP with a 1500MW
natural gas fired power facility and a 50 MIGD desalination facility in Bahrain

• the Note Purchasers and Commercial Lenders on the bond and loan mixed
refinancing to the 250,000m3 per day high efficiency desalination facility and
electricity transmission interconnection facilities of the Shuaibah Two Water
Development Project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• a consortium of lenders including EBRD, IFC and ICBC in the financing of a
485 MW gas/distillate -fired power plant in Jordan
• Lenders in relation to the Salalah II 445 MW gas-fired independent power
project (IPP) in the Dhofar region of the Sultanate of Oman constructed by
Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation III
This last year has not been the year anyone expected, but we have acted boldly and
decisively to strengthen the Firm and its financial position for the long term. We are
continuing to serve our clients in the face of unprecedented circumstances, while
protecting our people. We will continue to realize our Firm’s full potential. The
important steps we have taken over the last year ensure that the Firm is in the best
possible position for the future. Our strategy has given us great momentum heading
into 2021.
Contact Details:
Claude Jiang
05-11, 8 Keng Chin Road
Singapore
258710
+65 6230 3835
Claude.Jiang@Shearman.com

Full Service Law Firm of the Year – UK
Mackrell Turner Garrett is an award-winning, full service London law firm, with a truly global
reach.
Headquartered in central London with an additional office in Surrey, we have been providing high
quality legal advice and services since 1845.
As a firm, we are here to make your life easier. Providing clear, practical solutions through an
otherwise complex web of legal jargon, our ability to make legal advice accessible has resulted in us
maintaining an impressively high retention rate amongst our clients.
Despite significant growth in recent years we remain personal enough to provide the tailored
service clients look for and every case is supervised by one of our Partners, working closely with our
team at all levels throughout. We are also large enough to offer comprehensive and practical
expertise so our clients are able to use our firm to deal with all of their legal needs, no matter what
the scale or complexity may be.
Being a full service firm also allows us to easily refer work between departments– avoiding
outsourcing of parts of a client’s legal requirements saves the client both time and money;
something we are able to provide both domestically and internationally through our international
association Mackrell International.
We are founders of Mackrell International, a world leading global network of approximately 5000
lawyers across 60 countries, enabling us to offer the added value of immediate international legal
advice and assistance in any jurisdiction worldwide. We are a worldwide web of lawyers, with local
knowledge.
Our expertise is also widely recognised within our profession, in the UK and further afield. In 2015,
we were named Litigation Law Firm of the Year and Dispute Resolution Firm of the Year, and in
2016, Full Service Law Firm of the Year and Arbitration Law Firm of the Year
Mackrell Turner Garrett – an innovative, traditional, local and truly global firm, in one.
Nigel is the Managing Partner and Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution in the London office
of Mackrell Turner Garrett.
He is experienced in complex litigation matters, and various forms of dispute resolution.
Clients include in the banking and hedge fund sector [Indus Capital LLP, KBC Bank NV];
Information Technology and Management [AFD Software, Blue Cube Group]; Property [William
Pears Group]; Motor [JLC Ltd (Jaguar Land Rover), Imperial Carriages Limited]; Publishing
[Financial-I, Grapo AS]; Restaurant & Entertainment [Sketch, Wainscott Studios]; Architecture &
Design [Space Projects Ltd].

A brief look at his experience of acting in the last year including cases with potential injunctions
includes:-
Acting for a US hedge fund against a UK bank in a claim for in excess of $10m claiming
misrepresentation
Acting for a UK based software company in a claim for £15m against a UK infringer claiming
commercial infringement
Acting for a US film producer in a claim against a UK media company claiming commercial
infringement of rights
Acting for a US high net worth individual in a claim against a UK architect designer claiming
substantial over invoicing
Acting for a SA company in a £12m claim against a Canadian conglomerate – share dispute
Acting for a UK motor trader in a £1m+ claim against a UK individual – breach of guarantee
Acting for a UK company director in defending a claim against an Iranian state owned business –
alleged misallocation of payments
Acting for a Middle Eastern Royal in defending a £20m+ claim made by a UK bank – alleged bank
guarantee default.
Nigel has considerable experience in defending FCA prosecutions, and HMRC Appeals.
He is an International committee member for EMEA on Mackrell International, the independent
network of 80+ law firms around the world and Chairman of the Membership Committee for
Mackrell International.
As a result of the firms membership of Mackrell International, Nigel is very experienced in crossborder
disputes, and multi jurisdictional litigation.
Nigel studied at Caterham School, City of London University before training at Mackrell & Co who
he joined in 1988. He was made partner at Mackrell Turner Garrett in 1991.
In 2012 Nigel was named England and Wales Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year as well as
being appointed Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, Member of the Diversity Law Institute
and Member of the Trial Law Institute.
Contact Details:
Tel: 00 44 (0) 207 240 0521
Fax: 00 44 (0) 207 240 9457
Email: nigel.rowley@mackrell.com

Corporate Litigation Law Firm of the Year – Italy
Studio Legale Sutti is an international business law firm headquartered in Italy and active
as well throughout the Balkans, with representative offices in London, Tokyo and Berlin.
The Firm also offers IP agency and business/tax consulting services.
Studio Legale Sutti was founded in 1953 by Dr. Angelo Sutti, Knight of the Italian Republic,
as an Italian law firm with a strong focus on Company-Commercial Law and Intellectual
property & Competition Law, offering its services to local businesses and entrepreneurs.In
the late seventies the Firm began an uninterrupted growth cycle, making it eventually one
of the ten largest independent Italian firms, Thus, the Firm was dramatically reorganised –
profiting also from an early investment in state-of-the-art IT infrastructures – into a
structure based on four firm-wide departments (Company Commercial and Business Public
Law; IP & Competition; Labour; Tax), which is still in place.
All lawyers at Studio Legale Sutti, including those mostly involved with transactional work,
undergo advocacy and litigations continuing education programmes for their entire
careers, and each file is entrusted to an ad hoc team led by a partner and including
lawyers specialising in each relevant angle of the case at hand.
Contact Details:
Studio Legale Sutti http://www.sutti.com
Headquarters: Via Montenapoleone 8 20121 Milan, Italy
Tel. +39 02 76204.1
maildesk@sutti.com

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