Boltenko has substantial experience providing a broad range of tax advice to companies on all stages of transactions, beginning with tax planning and structuring, through preventive tax measures via interactive communication with tax authorities, and finally, in the course of possible disputes with the tax authorities.

“Olga is an outstanding tax lawyer who provides insightful guidance on all tax aspects of investment funds, from establishing and structuring the fund, to debt finance, investments, and exit strategies,” said Garry Pegg, Managing Partner of the London office. “Her experience in preparing companies for IPOs and other fundraising initiatives are highly valuable skills for our firm and the clients we represent.”

Commenting on her move to Hogan & Hartson, Boltenko said: “I am very eager to begin working with my new colleagues at this firm and to offer tax guidance to its clients. This move provides me with the necessary resources along with a global platform to expand my practice.”

Boltenko joins Hogan & Hartson from Dewey & LeBoeuf, where she was a senior associate in the firm’s tax practice, handling international, Russian, and UK tax matters.

Boltenko has degrees from Wolfson College at Cambridge University, majoring in International Tax in 2004, and from the BPP Law School, where she received her degree in 2003. She also earned degrees from the College of Law in London in 2001 and from Saratov Law Academy in 1999. She is a qualified Russian Federation tax inspector and a qualified solicitor of England and Wales. A native of Russia, Boltenko is fluent in English and is a frequent contributor of articles and regularly speaks at conferences on tax issues.

“The addition of a Munich office significantly bolsters Allen & Overy’s presence in Germany”, comments Dr Cornelius Fischer-Zernin, Senior Partner at Allen & Overy Germany. “The Bavarian state capital is one of the most important locations in the German legal market and is also one of the major European economic centres. A presence on the ground in Munich will enable us to provide an even better service to our clients in the region. Gottfried Breuninger and Astrid Krüger enjoy an excellent reputation in Munich and beyond. They form a great start-up team, which I am convinced will prove a real asset to our practice in Germany.”

Dr Gottfried E. Breuninger specialises in national and international corporate tax law, with a particular focus on M&A transactions and post-acquisition structures, tax-driven restructurings and the tax structuring of hybrid and cross-border financings. Before joining Allen & Overy, he headed the Munich office of Shearman & Sterling for more than three years. Furthermore, he became head of German tax at Shearman & Sterling in 2002 and co-head of their global tax group last year.

Dr Astrid Krüger also joins Allen & Overy from Shearman’s Munich office, where she has been a partner since 2006. She specialises in national and cross-border M&A transactions, as well as in corporate restructurings and in the implementation of tax structurings.

“Astrid Krüger perfectly complements our existing M&A practice. By winning her for our team, we have clearly demonstrated both to our clients and our competitors that we are committed to continuing to pursue our strategy of expanding our corporate/M&A practice”, says partner Dr Helge Schäfer, head of Allen & Overy’s corporate practice in Germany.

Partner Eugen Bogenschütz, head of Allen & Overy’s German tax practice, adds: “I am very pleased that Gottfried Breuninger has decided to join our team. The arrival of one of the leading German tax-law experts presents a unique opportunity for us to strengthen our international tax practice.”

Last year Allen & Overy increased its presence in Germany with the addition of two new offices in Düsseldorf and Mannheim. Cornelius Fischer-Zernin adds: “The integration of our Düsseldorf and Mannheim teams into our German practice and our international network has been extremely successful. I am convinced that the integration of the Munich office will be just as smooth.”

Mr. Fletcher will be active in Morrison & Foerster’s cross-border tax practice, providing tax-planning and organizational strategies to clients with multinational ownership and operations. “A significant amount of client tax work in our San Francisco office arises from cross-border business relationships,” said Thomas A. Humphreys, co-chair of the Tax Department and head of the firm’s Federal Tax Practice Group. “Joe has a thorough understanding of U.S. tax implications associated with international M & A and corporate restructurings, as well as IP transactions. We’re happy to welcome him, and are certain he’ll enhance the firm’s tax capabilities in key markets in Asia and Europe.”

An educator and frequent speaker on business tax issues, Mr. Fletcher teaches tax law at Golden Gate University, as an adjunct professor in the Master of Laws in Taxation Program. He has taught courses such as “Taxation of Mergers and Acquisitions” and “Taxation of Intellectual Property.” Mr. Fletcher was also a panelist on the topic of “Living With Emboldened Tax Authorities: International Trends in Tax Investigations and Audits,” as part of the April 2008 Inter-Pacific Bar Association Annual Conference. He will speak at New York University’s 67th Institute on Federal Taxation on November 13. His expected topic: “By the Numbers: Coping with U.S. Tax Reporting for International Matters.”

He was formerly a partner in the San Francisco office of Holland & Knight LLP.

Mr. Fletcher earned his LL.M. in taxation from Georgetown University (1993), and his J.D. from the University of San Diego Law School (1990), where he was senior editor of the Journal of Contemporary Legal Issues. He received a B.A. in biology (with a minor in chemistry) from the University of Pennsylvania (1986). Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Fletcher was a trial attorney for the Internal Revenue Service.

Prior to joining Caplin & Drysdale, Mr. Breen was Chief of Branch 6 in the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (International) at the Internal Revenue Service, which has responsibility for transfer pricing matters and related issues.Click here for more details.

Olswang’s new partners include Natasha Kaye (pictured) - Natasha advises on a wide variety of tax issues including corporate sales and acquisitions, re-organisations, private equity transactions, employment tax issues and employee incentivisation packages. She also advises on real estate tax matters such as property investment and stamp duty land tax.

Reed Smith LLP has announced the addition of Craig P. Tanner to its firmwide Tax, Benefits & Wealth Planning Group.  He is resident in the firm’s San Francisco office, where his practice focuses on global compensation and human resources matters for multinational corporations.

“Craig is among the pioneers in the global compensation field,” said John Martini, Head of Reed Smith’s Tax Benefits and Wealth Planning Group.  “His significant experience in the global compensation field is ideally suited to meet the needs of our expanding global client base with operations in numerous countries, at a time when demand for expertise in this area is definitely increasing.”

On global compensation matters, Mr. Tanner works with clients on the design and implementation of equity-based compensation programs, including options, purchase rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and stock appreciation rights, as well as salary and cash bonus programs.  He regularly advises on the tax, securities, employment, currency exchange, and communications issues that the companies encounter when offering these programs to employees, directors, and consultants throughout the world.  He also advises clients on U.S. and cross-border compensation issues arising in mergers and acquisitions.

On human resources matters, Mr. Tanner advises companies on a wide variety of issues including codes of conduct, data privacy, employment agreements, entitlements, leaves of absence, reductions in force, and works councils.  These human resources matters typically involve transferring employees, cross-border employees, contingent workers, and consultants.

“The opportunity to play a key role in further developing a top tier global compensation practice comes along once in a lifetime,” said Mr. Tanner.  “As Reed Smith expands into major markets worldwide, providing this kind of support and helping its clients ensure their compensation programs and related resources are competitive in the global economy is going to add tremendous value.”

Mr. Tanner began his career as a litigator before transitioning his practice to the global compensation field.  He was a member of the team at Baker & McKenzie in San Francisco that launched one of the first global compensation practices in the nation. Prior to joining Reed Smith, he was a partner in the Corporate and Securities practice group at DLA Piper.

“Craig is a well-respected leader in the executive compensation field,” said David A. Thompson, Reed Smith’s San Francisco Managing Partner.  “He is another great addition to the exceptional team we have in the Bay Area.”

Mr. Tanner earned his JD from the University of San Francisco in 1993, and his BS from the University of Colorado at Boulder, in 1988.  He is a member of National Association of Stock Plan Professionals (NASPP), the Global Equity Organization (GEO), WorldAtWork, and the Bay Area Compensation Association (BACA).  Mr. Tanner has published and presented widely on topics related to global compensation and human resources issues.

He is the second attorney to join Reed Smith’s firmwide Tax, Benefits and Wealth Planning Group this month.  Angelo Ciavarella, a federal income tax specialist, joined the firm’s New York office on March 3.

About Reed Smith

Reed Smith is one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, with more than 1,600 lawyers in 23 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises.  Its attorneys provide litigation services in multi-jurisdictional matters and other high stake disputes, deliver regulatory counsel, and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions.  Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising and media, shipping, international trade and commodities, real estate, manufacturing, and education.  For more information, visit reedsmith.com

U.S.: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Princeton, Northern Virginia, Wilmington, Century City, Richmond

Europe: London, Paris, Munich, Birmingham, Greece

Middle East:  Abu Dhabi, Dubai

Asia: Hong Kong, Beijing

“Transfer pricing is an important growth area for Baker & McKenzie,” said John Peterson, Chair of Baker & McKenzie’s Global Tax Practice Group. “Expanding our global reach in transfer pricing is key, given the multi-national nature of every transfer pricing project; as well as the increased focus of various tax authorities on transfer pricing as a compliance area. Dick will boost the Firm’s critical mass and skill set necessary to be a major player in the global transfer pricing market.”

Commenting on Mr. Boykin joining, Alex Chadwick, head of tax in London, said: “Having Dick team up with us in London will increase our capabilities to manage multi-jurisdiction matters with multi-national teams providing first-rate transfer pricing services.”

“We are excited to have Dick join us. He complements our existing capabilities in transfer pricing and will greatly enhance our presence in New York,” added Duane Webber, Chair of Baker & McKenzie’s North American Tax Practice Group. “Adding transfer pricing professionals, like Dick, in all regions is essential to meet the growing needs of our clients.“

Mr. Boykin has been practicing transfer pricing economics at KPMG since 1990, having been based in Washington, D.C., the Silicon Valley, London, and New York. Mr. Boykin has held a number of key positions while at KPMG including leadership of the firm’s global transfer pricing services group. A well-known transfer pricing advisor, he speaks and writes frequently on transfer pricing and related topics. Mr. Boykin holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Maryland.

“Dick’s well-regarded position within the economics community and our well-established position in the market for legal advice is a winning combination,” said David Hackett, North American Managing Partner. “He will add significant depth and breadth to our tax and transfer pricing practice globally, in Europe, and in the United States. Our clients benefit from the ability to use Baker & McKenzie as a ‘one-stop shop’ for many of our services, including tax planning, tax controversy and transfer pricing advice.”

Baker & McKenzie has significantly added to its transfer pricing and economics capability with the recent additions of Ken Okawara in Tokyo and Glenn DeSouza in Shanghai. Over the last few years, the firm has also added Richard Fletcher (London), Stephan Schnorberger (Dusseldorf), Brian Cromwell (Palo Alto) and many others in the U.S., Europe, Mexico and other Latin American countries. There are more than 50 practitioners in the Firm’s Economics Group worldwide and over 150 practitioners in the broader Global Transfer Pricing Practice.

Commenting on his joining, Mr. Boykin said: “I am excited to bring my practice to Baker & McKenzie. The Firm has a recognized tax practice offering extensive expertise in transfer pricing issues, particularly in transfer pricing audits, controversies, and dispute resolution. I look forward to working with the Firm in driving the growth of the practice.”

With a worldwide team of more than 550 tax lawyers, economists and financial analysts, Baker & McKenzie’s Global Tax Practice is the largest tax practice of any law firm in the world. It ranks in 24 countries in the International Tax Review World Tax 2008. Fifty-two of our tax lawyers were named leading individuals in their field. In addition, Euromoney recognized twenty-one of our transfer pricing lawyers in its 2008 Guide to the World’s Leading Transfer Pricing Advisers.

Jean-Marc Groelly is a specialist in international tax law who advises on structured finance, M&A, private equity and real estate transactions. He joined NautaDutilh in January 2006, having spent over six years working in Luxembourg for Anglo-American law and consultancy firms.

NautaDutilh is the largest law firm in the Benelux market with 400 lawyers, civil law notaries and tax advisers in offices in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Luxembourg, Brussels, London and  New York. NautaDutilh works in close cooperation with leading law firms worldwide on a non-exclusive basis.