Hong Kong, one of the leading financial centres worldwide, will host the AIJA Half Year Conference from 22-25 May 2019. The Conference is expected to attract over 200 international legal professionals and will feature three distinct seminars: “How to Raise Money from International Perspectives”, “Tax: A Dream, not a Nightmare” as well as a seminar organised by the International Private Clients and Family Law Commission.
Pre-registrations are now open. By pre-registering, participants can benefit from the early bird fees with no deadline and enter a prize competition which will take place during the conference. Fill in the online pre-registration form and return it to office@aija.org.
To learn more about the Half Year Conference, we spoke with the co-chairs of the organising committee Jennifer Maxwell, Partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, and Moritz Maurer, Senior Associate, Niederer Kraft Frey.
Q1: What are the main highlights of the Conference?
Jennifer Maxwell: A strong scientific programme is already in place that should appeal to anyone who is involved in international transactions (which should be everyone). High profile speakers from companies and law firms will update participants on the latest tax, capital markets, financing and corporate law developments. On top of that, Hong Kong is an amazing location for an AIJA event, both from a business development and social perspective. We promise great things.
Moritz Maurer: Sessions will include topics such as “Best practices in private equity financings”, “Fundraising in the M&A context”, “Cross-border listings”, “Recent APAC tax developments”, “Multinational compliance considerations”, “Tax and immigration planning and compliance for high net worth individuals” and many more. We look forward to this exceptional edition of the Half Year Conference in May 2019.
Q2: In your view, what are the main challenges and opportunities in maintaining a robust international tax structure for a business with global presence?
Jennifer Maxwell: We are seeing increasing public focus on the tax structuring of international business. As a result, corporate structures will not last if they are only established for tax purposes, rather than on a sound economic basis. Notwithstanding increased pressure and legal complexity, many opportunities still exist for companies to create an efficient and effective international tax structure. Our seminar will explore the cutting-edge thinking on these matters and will be of interest to lawyers who act for companies (large or small) that have operations that transcend national borders.
Q3: In your view, what are the main challenges and opportunities in raising money for corporate growth?
Moritz Maurer: Raising money for a company is now, more than ever, an international project. In today’s current economic climate, money is extremely agile which is both a challenge (when local investors disappear) and an opportunity (when foreign investors are willing to invest abroad). Showing a client that you know how to access capital pools in other jurisdictions is a valuable legal and business skill for any lawyer.
More to be discussed in May 2019. To pre-register, visit the dedicated webpage and fill in the online form. See you in Hong Kong!
Conference powered by AIJA’s Commissions on Banking, Finance and Capital Markets, International Business and Sports Law, International Private Clients and Family Law, Tax Law; and organised by the organising committee:
- Matthew CULLEN (SWITZERLAND)
- Bruno GUARNIERI, Miguel Neto Advogados (BRAZIL)
- Aliasghar KANANI, BONNARD LAWSON International Law Firm (SWITZERLAND)
- Camille Ka-ying LEUNG, Cazimir BV/CVBA (BELGIUM)
- Alan LO, Liberty Chambers (HONG KONG)
- Moritz MAURER, Niederer Kraft Frey Ltd (SWITZERLAND)
- Jennifer MAXWELL, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (CANADA)
- Bethan WATERS, Farrer & Co (UNITED KINGDOM)
- Louise Kam Faye WONG, The Law Society of Hong Kong (HONG KONG)
- Minglei WU, Mingleilegal LLC (CHINA)