Michael Shine & Partners

Founder: Michael Shine (1946-2020)

Senior Partner: Shira Shine

Managing Partner: Alon Shine

Partner: Trevor Silverman

Michael Shine & Partners, one of the leading and most well-established law Firms in Israel in the Private Client field, was established in 1977 by the late Michael Shine, who had an international reputation in all matters of international tax planning, structuring and protection of multi-national family asset holdings, trust law, and the administration of trusts.

Today, the Firm specializes in international taxation and asset protection, the establishment and administration of trusts, trust taxation and reporting, multi-jurisdictional asset protection, family wealth preservation and cross-border estate planning, as well as acting as general legal counsel for HNW families.

The Firm is also a leader in the areas of AML and compliance. By analyzing the client’s multi-faceted needs, we are able to provide bespoke services and care through our multi-disciplinary offering. Additionally, benefitting from an extensive, long-established global network of financial institutions, and legal and accounting firms, we are able to cater for every jurisdiction relevant to the particular client situation.

The Firm has won numerous awards and is regularly rated, both in Israel and overseas, as a leading Firm in its main field of expertise being Private Client. Furthermore, it is regularly ranked by Dun & Bradstreet as a leading Firm in the areas of Private Client, Trusts and Family Wealth.

In 2010 the partners of the Firm established what is today called “The Shine Group” which comprises:

1. M.S.A. Shine Global Family Office Ltd. - which manages and administers the affairs of multi-national families, providing professional and corporate advice and investment management services.

2. Alphen Trust Company A.G. – in-house, FINMA-licensed Trust Company in Zurich.

3. Alphen Asset Management A.G. - a FINMA-licensed, independent Investment Advisory and Asset Management Company based in Zurich, Switzerland.

Estate planning and Asset protection

The firm advises on all aspects of international estate planning for the preservation and protection of assets and private wealth. Our expert team specializes in the establishment of family trusts and their administration, with an acute awareness of international tax considerations for families with beneficiaries in varying jurisdictions. When there is a need for consultation with local advisors in the various jurisdictions, the firm has the ability to consult with its network of expert professional advisors, inter alia by virtue of the fact that the firm is a member of the International Tax Planning Association and International Bar Association, to obtain and centrally collate advice for the client.

Thus, for example, a family which is spread out throughout the world with assets in various jurisdictions, is able to obtain through us a comprehensive advice that incorporates the advice of the numerous advisors in the relevant jurisdictions and will simplify the task of identifying the appropriate family structure, which will provide the required estate planning and asset protection for the preservation and transmission of the family wealth, but also, and no less importantly, understanding and complying with the various tax and regulatory requirements in the various related countries.

Of course, the firm’s staff always places an emphasis on understanding the requirements of the family, learning to know the internal relations, the desire or need to maintain the family wealth for the future generations, and giving attention to thinking ahead for the next generations, with a sensitivity and understanding of the family’s needs to receive personal and discrete services.

Establishing Trusts and Legal Structures

The firm has a distinguished international reputation amongst the international professional community working in this boutique field, and operates as a “one stop shop”, providing the necessary advice and attending to all aspects of implementation on the structuring of family assets in the interest of asset protection and family wealth preservation.

The firm’s client offering extends to establishing trusts and foundations and the incorporation of foreign holding companies in a large range of territories, including companies which provide benefits under various tax conventions, and provision of corporate directorship and secretarial services through in-house foreign service companies. We also offer protector services in instances where clients require an additional layer of protection. We are also experienced in setting up private trust companies for families interested in such.

In addition the firm has access to fully regulated and licensed in-house foreign trust companies (Swiss and BVI) that can act as trustees of client’s trusts and which exclusively serve the clients of the firm. At the same time, the firm is able to take over the Trusteeship and administration of complex structures, and has vast experience in coordinating the migration of entities between jurisdictions.

Furthermore, the firm has a team of compliance officers who have extensive up to date knowledge and expertise in international banking regulations and due diligence requirements (with particular focus on Switzerland), who are proficient at successfully opening accounts with numerous private banking institutions in Israel and abroad for both private clients and trust structures, inter alia, through banking institutions with whom the firm works, the Family Office and the Swiss investment portfolio management company owned by the partners of the firm.

Compliance

Our compliance team actively handles entity classification and complex structure analysis and evaluation, annual AML, compliance and banking related requests from the company level all the way up to the individual trusts and beneficiaries, including unexpected additional requests from banks, company administrators, investment managers, brokers, funds, trustees, directors, auditors and legal and tax advisors in Israel and abroad.

Our compliance team undertakes annual comprehensive CRS/FATCA analysis and individual classification of structure entities on standalone terms and in the wider context of the entire structure.

Our compliance team compiles and submits CRS reports in all relevant jurisdictions for all affected entities (companies, trusts and individuals as applicable) and attends to the deregistration of legal entities from the CRS portal.

Taxation of Trusts in Israel

The firm has extensive experience and knowledge in providing tax advice and guidance to its clients in all matters regarding trust taxation in Israel and the accompanying reporting to the tax authorities, as well as comprehensive advice to returning residents and new immigrants in all matters regarding trusts, tax exemptions and any issue involved with these matters.

In order to complete the service for its clients, the firm has enlisted elite tax experts, who have previously worked with the tax authorities, who provide support and assistance in cases where communications and discussions with the tax authorities is required for the purpose of filing various reports, as well as a unique specialization in “pre-rulings” for trusts on a no names basis, and voluntary disclosure proceedings.

Real Estate

The firm’s real estate department handles all aspects of real estate transactions, both in the business sector and in the private sector. The firm specializes in representing families and individuals who are not Israeli residents and accompanying them in all matters relating to the purchase of real estate in Israel.

The firm has acquired a great deal of experience in commercial and private real estate transactions and in the sale and/or purchase of land involving various stages of planning, whilst emphasizing the tax solutions in all aspects (capital gains tax, dividends tax, property betterment tax, property improvement levies, etc.), whether concerning individuals who are Israeli residents or foreign residents and companies.

Moreover, the firm regularly advises a number of foreign investors operating in the private, commercial and hotel property markets, both in Israel and overseas.

The real estate department places an emphasis on each and every stage of the various proceedings in real estate transactions, and accompanies the clients already from the first stages of the transaction, emphasizing quality and professionalism and carrying out the appropriate comprehensive checks, up until the final stage, as well as representation before the relevant authorities, such as the Land Registration Office, the Israel Land Administration Authorities, the Tax Authorities and the Municipal Authorities.

The real estate department handles, inter alia, the following matters:

Legal advice on land transactions of all types, including purchase and sale transactions, both from the contractor and second-hand, purchase groups, options, rental contracts, etc.

Real estate purchases through a trust company and the implementation of the relevant tax convention, as well as transfers from a trustee to a beneficiary and transfers for no consideration.

Representation of families and individuals who are not Israeli residents in respect of everything involved in the purchase of real estate in Israel.

The real estate department works seamlessly with other departments in the firm, operating in parallel and in full cooperation to coordinate all relevant advice including tax advice.

International Tax and Cross Border Advice

The firm is a member of the International Tax Planning Association and International Bar Association.

The firm advises clients on cross border planning and coordinates international tax advice for private clients and multi-national families in particular, but also for international corporations, through our network of professional advisors in jurisdictions such as the U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, U.A.E., Malta, Cyprus, Singapore, Hong Kong and the U.S.A.

Immigration to Israel and 10-Year Tax Exemption

Michael Shine & Partners is one of the leading firms advising on immigration to Israel and entitlement to the 10-year tax exemption and other “Aliyah” benefits afforded to new immigrants and veteran returning residents. We advise on all aspects of immigration including, citizenship and permanent residence, tax resident status, entitlement to the 10-year tax exemption, risks of permanent establishment, as well as issues faced following the end of the 10-year exemption period and initial reporting to the Israeli Tax Authority.

Inheritance & Estates

Michael Shine & Partners specializes in advising clients in all matters regarding local and international wills. Amongst other things, the firm cooperates with international advisors in all matters regarding specific areas of jurisdiction and specializes in the preparation and wording of wills that are adapted to the unique needs of the client.

The firm handles the probating of Israeli wills and estate administration in Israel, with a particular focus and specialism for foreign residents. This includes preparing the appropriate applications and ancillary documents for succession orders and probate orders, the filing of objections to wills and representation before the Inheritance Registrar, the Guardian General, and the Courts. The firm closely appreciates the needs of foreign clients and guides them throughout the process of the application with the Inheritance Registrar, the administration of the estate assets, the process for the distribution of the estate, and the registration of rights with the relevant authorities.

The firm also provides expert opinions on foreign law in all matters regarding inheritance laws applicable in South Africa and England and Wales. We also provide expertise in the preparation and submission of Enduring Powers of Attorney according to clients’ specific needs.

Commercial Law

Commercial Agreements and Investments in Companies:

Advising and supporting private clients and foreign companies with investments in companies and ventures in Israel, including drafting and reviewing of investment, joint venture, partnership, and non-disclosure agreements, negotiations, due diligence checks, legal feasibility checks, tax advice, the forming of local and overseas companies, opening of bank accounts and ongoing assistance.

Incorporation, Dissolution and Revival of Companies

The firm attends to all aspects relating to the formation of Israeli companies.

The firm deals with the dissolution of local holding companies which served for the holding and management of immovable assets, and the revival of companies which hold historical assets, as part of the preparation of the assets for their realization.

International Financing

The firm accompanies financial transactions in local and international projects from the initial stage until completion, including the drafting of financial agreements, preparation of collateral documents, due diligence procedures and trust and fiduciary services.

Location:

Sea View Building, 4th floor 11 Hasadnaot St., Herzliya Pituach P.O Box 2053, 4612001, Israel

Contact Details:

+972 (0) 9 9531953

Fax: +972 (0) 9 9531954

Email:

[email protected]