Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 21, 2015 -- M/Advocates of Law is pleased to announce the addition of Leonardo Castellana and Sophia Yazane, as respectively Senior Counsel and Senior Associate.

Leonardo has over 25 years of experience in the Private Wealth industry, having occupied various positions in both the legal and wealth management fields. He then went on to found and head a prominent Geneva based asset management and multi- family office platform. He gained versatility and experience in the advice to wealthy families in the set-up, organization, staffing and operations of single- and multi-family offices, having notably overseen the incorporation and follow-up of affiliated companies in several global financial centers and having acted as trustee and protector to multiple trusts and family foundations. Leonardo holds a Master degree in Law from Geneva University.

Sophia is a tax specialist with over 10 years of experience in the field. She regularly advises both institutional and private clients on international tax matters and cross border tax planning strategies. She notably assists Middle Eastern and European high net worth individuals and family offices on structuring their operational assets and global wealth. Having previously worked at both big-4 and international law firms in Luxembourg and the UAE, Sophia will lead the firm’s Private Wealth tax team.

Commenting on both appointments, Yann Mrazek, Managing Partner at M/Advocates of Law said:

“We are very pleased with the addition of Leonardo and Sophia, which reinforces our position as a leading Private Wealth firm in the Gulf. Leonardo brings a unique skill set and formidable added-value to the firm and its existing clients. Sophia’s appointment is in line with the firm’s commitment to continue to build a strong tax team in what we view as the premier structuring jurisdiction for entrepreneurs operating in emerging and frontier markets. She is one of the most promising tax specialists in the region and we are very pleased that she chose our firm to take her career to the next level.”

The Firm has been operating in the UAE since 2009.

Ali Ibrahim, Founding Partner at Ali Ibrahim Advocates commented:

"Partners of the firm have a strong regional track record advising families organizing and preserving family assets and implementing inter-generational wealth transfer strategies and vehicles. At a time when many locally based entrepreneurial families are faced with the challenge of involving the next generation, M/Advocates of Law is perfectly positioned to assist.”

Contact:
Patrick Sulzer
MHQ Ltd
Office 13, Al Gurg Tower 3, Baniyas Road,
Rigga Al Buteen, PO Box 186549,
Dubai, UAE
+97142955727
[email protected]
http://www.m-hq.com