The team at Baker McKenzie has extensive experience in handling domestic and cross-border tax and succession planning issues for high net worth clients, including providing advice on trusts, foundations and inter-generational family structures.
The firm wins praise for its integrated private client service, with one market commentator stating: "Since they have a global office footprint, you can go to them and they can cover multi-jurisdictional issues and get family client work coordinated." Another wealth commentator explains: "It is a pretty seamless process if the client has assets in the US, People's Republic of China and Hong Kong SAR, the firm would be able to assist, because they have lawyers based in all these jurisdictions and expertise within the firm." A third source states: "With their global network and the right expertise in their Hong Kong office, they provide a one-stop shop service."
Notable practitioners
Michael Olesnicky returned to Baker McKenzie in 2019 as of counsel, joining from KPMG China. Olesnicky gains praise across the market for his knowledge of private client and taxation issues.
"He is very well known for tax and is a household name," says a wealth expert.
Pierre Chan "is a very measured lawyer," according to a fellow practitioner. He is held in high regard for his experience in assisting affluent individuals and their families with domestic and international tax planning and dispute resolution matters. Chan is also a fluent Mandarin speaker. A wealth adviser says:
"He does not get creative for the sake of being creative. He gives very practical advice and clients like that he is not aggressive," adding:
"They like that he is to the point and he is able to explain difficult concepts in layman's terms. He is very useful for Mainland China and Hong Kong clients." Steven Sieker is the firm's managing partner in the region and has longstanding experience advising wealthy individuals and families on a range of private wealth matters, including domestic and international tax planning, and contentious tax matters. A market insider says Sieker is a
"go-to for Canadian-related matters." Another interviewee adds:
"He is very friendly, approachable and professional. He is very clear in explaining issues to the client." 