Baker McKenzie Strengthens Hong Kong Team with Prominent Tax Litigator Stefano Mariani

Baker McKenzie Strengthens Hong Kong Team with Prominent Tax Litigator Stefano Mariani

Baker McKenzie is bolstering its team in Hong Kong by welcoming Stefano Mariani, a prominent tax lawyer, as their newest tax disputes counsel. Mariani brings extensive expertise in tax litigation and is highly regarded in the field. He holds a unique position as the sole solicitor advocate with higher rights of audience, actively advocating for clients in tax appeals across various judicial bodies, including the Inland Revenue Board of Review, the District Court, the High Court, and the Court of Appeal in Hong Kong. His representation spans all stages of civil proceedings.

Mariani brings a wealth of experience in both advisory and contentious tax affairs, covering a broad spectrum of areas such as corporate taxation, group reconstructions, personal taxation, stamp duties, and property taxes.

His expertise extends to all aspects of Hong Kong and international tax law, with a special emphasis on resolving disputes. He possesses a deep understanding of cross-border tax planning and specialises in tax structuring guided by Double Taxation Treaties. In addition to his tax-related work, Mariani guides resolving trust disputes, including those involving international trusts, estate planning, succession litigation, and charitable matters.

"Stefano's deep understanding of the tax authority, strong market reputation for tax litigation and broad range of experience in Hong Kong tax matters will further enhance the team for our clients," Pierre Chan, Head of the Tax Practice in Hong Kong SAR, said while welcoming Mariani to the team.

Brendan Kelly, Chair of the Asia Pacific Tax Practice, added: "Tax is a leading strategic area of practice for Baker McKenzie. With the pressure to generate collections, governments will continue to target multinational corporations as a source for revenue generation. We expect to see a continuation of the recent trend of a major uptick in audits and controversy across the region. In addition, we believe tax advice is not simply about reading the rules, but about knowing what can be supported and sustained in the courts. Hong Kong is no different in this regard. We look forward to Stefano joining us and contributing to the growth of our market-leading team."