International law firm McDermott Will & Emery today announced that Astrid Owen has joined as a partner in its Private Client Practice Group, based in the Firm’s London office. Astrid Owen provides the Firm with added depth and experience handling international trust, tax and wealth transfer matters on an international scale.
Astrid has considerable experience across Europe, the Middle East and the United States, creating wealth holding structures for high net worth families, trustees and private banks including planning to protect assets in unstable jurisdictions. She also focuses on the structuring of family businesses through the use of trusts, foundations and holding companies.
“We are delighted to have Astrid join our world-class team of private client lawyers at McDermott,” said Martyn Gowar, partner and head of the London international private client team. “Astrid is one of the leading trusted advisers in London to the globally wealthy, with many years of experience in cross-border planning for large families and institutions. Her profile, and her European / American background, fits perfectly with McDermott’s client base and the development of its international private client platform.”
“It is a great pleasure to welcome Astrid to our growing team of practitioners in London,” added Hugh Nineham, partner and head of McDermott’s London office. “With our impressive range of Private Client lawyers on the ground around the globe, McDermott is uniquely able to serve high net worth individuals, families and closely held businesses wherever they are located. Having Astrid on the team will allow us to expand our international reach.”
Astrid received her LL.M. degree from Harvard Law School and an LL.B from the London School of Economics. In addition to being able to practice in Europe, she is also admitted to the New York Bar.
McDermott is recognized as the leading firm for high net worth individuals, families and closely held businesses for all significant facets of wealth planning around the globe. Its team of more than 60 lawyers and 20 non-lawyer professionals is recognized by prestigious organizations as the top private client practice in the United States and among the top practices worldwide. In 2011, U.S. News–Best Lawyers named McDermott “Law Firm of the Year” in Trusts & Estates Law, and Chambers USA ranked McDermott’s private client practice alone in the top tier in wealth management.
The Firm has a stellar reputation in the U.S. for its private client practice. McDermott’s London Private Client group, which was formed in 2009, is led by partner Martyn Gowar. CityWealth Magic Circle Awards named Mr. Gowar “Private Client Lawyer of 2010,” and he was also named one of the ‘Top Five’ Tax and Trusts Solicitors in Spear’s Legal Index (2010). The London-based team is widely recognized for their international work with cross-border issues, as well as providing advice on English law matters.
