International Practice

As one of the first international law firms, Sullivan & Cromwell for over 125 years has advised individuals, families and trustees worldwide regarding their U.S.-related legal matters. These representations require the effective coordination with counsel, tax and business advisors in the family’s “home” country or countries, and in the relevant trust centers and other jurisdictions in which the family may have interests. Current projects include:

Latin America

Representation of several different Latin American families in connection with estate and business succession planning. This includes the creation of offshore trusts, foundations and companies designed to retain control of various family-owned entities and to make assets available to the greatest extent to family members who are or may become U.S. persons, while limiting U.S. income, gift and estate taxation.

Multinational

Representation of numerous families with ties to both Europe and the United States in the structuring and administration of trusts throughout the leading offshore trust centers, including the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the Channel Islands and England. These assignments often involve the incorporation of private trust companies in jurisdictions such as Bermuda, England and Guernsey.

Asia

Long-term representation of a Chinese family with holdings in Taiwan, Hong Kong, the United States and the Cayman Islands. Among many projects, we have advised on (i) various tax-advantaged structures for investment in U.S. commercial real estate intended for major hotel development, (ii) minimizing the income, gift, estate and inheritance tax consequences of residence by family members and family businesses in multiple jurisdictions, and (iii) administering the multi-national estates of deceased family members, including the negotiation of complex cross-border tax arrangements with taxing authorities.