Michael Wistow joins White & Case as co-head of EMEA tax practice
White & Case LLP has expanded its Global Tax Practice with the addition of market leading lawyer Michael Wistow as a new partner in London and co-head of the Firm’s tax practice in EMEA.
“Few other law firms can match the cross-border and European tax capabilities, both transactional and advisory, that White & Case has built in key markets across the region,” said partner Kim Boylan, Head of the Global Tax Practice. “Michael is a leading tax lawyer, and his arrival is of clear strategic importance as we look to continue expanding our role advising clients on all aspects of corporate taxation from both a transactional and a tax advisory and restructuring perspective.”
The addition of Wistow, who joins the Global Tax Practice, supports the Firm’s strategic focus on profitable growth in London and in M&A. His practice is focused on corporate, finance and real estate industry-based transactions and clients, including real estate finance, property and debt funds, securitisation, leasing and structured financings and corporate acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and restructurings. With more than 28 years of experience, he joins White & Case from Berwin Leighton Paisner, where he was Head of the Tax Department from 2007 and also a member of the board and executive committee. Wistow started his career at Clifford Chance, where he spent ten years as a tax partner before joining Berwin Leighton Paisner.
“Michael is a highly regarded, top ranked lawyer and proven leader who is widely recognised as one of the most imaginative and technically capable tax advisers in the market,” said partner Jan Matejcek, Regional Section Head, EMEA M&A/Corporate. “As well as strengthening our cross-border tax capabilities, Michael’s wealth of real estate and finance industry knowledge and experience will be a valuable asset as we continue to develop our leading EMEA real estate, corporate and finance practices.”
Oliver Brettle, member of the Firm’s Executive Committee and London Office Executive Partner, said: “With our recent expansion across our practices in London, and continued focus on profitable growth, we believe a larger tax team is appropriate and necessary here in London. The team will continue to focus on both high value tax advice-driven mandates and supporting our transactional practices. Our tax lawyers will play a particularly strategic role in the ongoing development of our real estate, private equity, finance and infrastructure industry practices. I imagine Michael will be working especially closely with our real estate team, including recent addition Jeffrey Rubinoff.”
The White & Case tax team provides cross-border tax advice and, in EMEA, local tax law advice in the UK, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, Slovakia and Turkey. The team supports all types of corporate transactions as well as providing tax advisory and restructuring advice to a broad range of clients including corporations, funds, financial institutions, individuals, closely held companies, government entities and sovereigns.