International legal and fiduciary services provider Ogier is planning to open a boutique law firm as well as a fiduciary business focusing on corporate and fund administration in Luxembourg later this year.
Ogier said the plans are part of the strategy to have a significant presence in each of the world’s key financial markets, and across all time zones.
Group Chief Executive Officer Nick Kershaw said, “In opening a legal office, Ogier will be the first offshore firm to have an onshore legal presence in Luxembourg. The new office is being driven by client demand as many of our existing clients currently use or have expressed an interest in using Luxembourg, either standalone or as part of an offshore structure. Having a Luxembourg legal capability will therefore complement our existing suite of services.”
Ogier’s Luxembourg legal practice will be headed up by François Pfister, who has experience in Luxembourg with particular emphasis on investment funds, international taxation, mergers and acquisitions and corporate law. He is a senior partner of OPF Partners in Luxembourg.
Ogier’s Luxembourg firm will predominantly concentrate on providing services to existing offshore investment fund clients with Luxembourg structures, either alongside or in addition to their offshore structures, as well as introducing new business into Luxembourg from existing clients from other Ogier offices, notably in Asia and North America.
The firm said it is envisaged the office will open with two partners. Daniel Richards, a group partner in Ogier’s Jersey office who has taken a lead role in the initiative, will relocate to Luxembourg to work alongside François Pfister. Mr. Richards has experience dealing with European investment funds and is fluent in French.
François Pfister said Luxembourg is a natural fit for Ogier.
“The convergence between offshore and onshore law as it relates to the investment funds industry makes this a very exciting time to be joining a leading offshore law firm,” he said.
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