Greenberg Traurig Continues to Bolster its Derivatives Capabilities

NEW YORK – July 10, 2015 – The international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP has further bolstered its capabilities in equity and hedge fund transactions, a key strategic growth area, with the addition of John Kaufmann as of counsel in the firm’s Tax Practice in New York. Kaufmann joins the firm from RBC Capital Markets, where he was the senior tax specialist in their Global Arbitrage and Trading Group.

Kaufmann is experienced in financial instrument taxation. He will focus his practice on debt and equity derivatives, international tax, trade structuring, and tax risk management.

 “As we continue to grow our derivatives work, John is a perfect fit,” said Shareholder Barbara T. Kaplan, co-chair of the Global Tax Practice and chair of the New York Tax Practice. “His extensive skillset in tax consequences of financial products and derivatives coupled with his great deal of business-related experience will further strengthen our ability to advise clients on those matters.”

Greenberg Traurig’s global team of fund lawyers represents private equity, hedge, venture capital, and real estate funds, as well as other private investors such as family offices, and the range of companies financed by such sources. The firm’s private equity funds team works with clients on a broad range of matters, including initial formation, buyouts, and investment structuring, and delivers transactional representation to clients around the world in the automotive, technology, financial services, retail, healthcare, and consumer products sectors, among others.

“Joining Greenberg Traurig is an incredible opportunity that I am looking forward to,” said Kaufmann. “I believe my insight of having once been a client as well as my business acumen will further enhance the firm’s capabilities to better serve clients.”

Kaufmann holds an LL.M., from New York University School of Law, where he received the Tax Law Review scholarship; a J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School; an M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin; and an A.B., magna cum laude, from the University of Chicago.

Kaufmann joins on the heels of several other recent hires in New York: Linda L. D’Onofrio as shareholder in the Tax Practice, Anthony L. Perricone and Nanette Aguirre as shareholders in the Corporate & Securities Practice, Peter Gruenberger as senior counsel in the Litigation Practice, and Niall E. O’Hegarty as of counsel in the Government Law & Policy Practice.

Greenberg Traurig – Tax Practice

To stay competitive in today's global marketplace, international companies must seek out greater efficiency in their tax planning and compliance, including coordinating tax decisions from country to country. For U.S. operations, an environment of increased scrutiny – including passage of more restrictive legislation and a spike in audit activity at every level – is quickly becoming the norm, likewise spurring a need for greater self-evaluation and for more frequent representation in controversies and litigation with tax authorities. Greenberg Traurig’s multidisciplinary tax team works closely with our clients to address these and other tax planning needs, as well as tax controversies and litigation issues.

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Greenberg Traurig, LLP is an international, multi-practice law firm with approximately 1800 attorneys serving clients from 37 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm is among the “Power Elite” in the 2014 BTI Client Relationship Scorecard report, which assesses the nature and strength of law firms' client relationships. For additional information, please visit www.gtlaw.com.