BLP scoops Best Tax Team in a Law Firm at LexisNexis Taxation Awards 2009

[private]Berwin Leighton Paisner’s (BLP’s) tax team has been named the ‘Best Tax Team in a Law Firm’ at the LexisNexis Taxation Awards, which are based partly on client feedback and recognise client service, teamwork, innovation and determination to improve.

The award acknowledges the BLP team’s growth over the past 12 months. It is now the largest partner-led and broadest based legal tax practice in the City, and the only large City firm to offer the full range of legal tax services, including both contentious and advisory work for private and corporate clients.

BLP took the strategic decision to further expand its tax group and develop tax as a fifth pillar of expertise with the hire of industry specialist Michael Wistow in September 2007. This was followed by the creation of a highly regarded tax risk and resolution team in the form of Liesl Fichardt, Jonathan Levy and Andrew Watters. More recently, former Goldman Sachs International tax counsel, Michael McKenna and corporate tax expert Kevin Cummings have joined as partners taking the total number of tax partners at BLP to 21.

Michael Wistow, BLP’s head of tax said: “This recognition is very encouraging. These are challenging economic times but we have remained committed to serving our clients with market leading advice. BLP is the only City law firm with such a strong focus on tax issues and the team has gained significant instructions on transactions that have historically been the preserve of the Magic Circle or the Big Four accountancy firms.”[/private]