Areas of law
FINANCIAL CRIMINAL LAW
«The strongest bond with a client is formed during criminal tax proceedings.»
sylvia freygner
A financial criminal proceeding often determines the fate of a person and their family.
Everything is at stake.
Our law firm specializes in highly complex and difficult cases in financial criminal law.
Criminal tax proceedings require close and effective cooperation between the client and the lawyer.
In this critical life situation, a client needs full support:
The family and social standing are affected, and the media and press are at the door. Expertise in criminal tax law, communication skills, empathy, and sensitivity give our clients the security they need in this crisis.
With our proven international tax expertise, we quickly and comprehensively assess and analyze situations: We evaluate tax structures, international aspects, and the handling of international agreements.
We work with our clients to establish the facts of the case precisely and in detail, assess them from a legal perspective, and, on this basis, develop a strategy with our clients to arrive at a quick and efficient solution in a cooperative manner.
Ideally, we provide our consulting services preventively before or during tax audits. This enables us to identify and resolve uncertainties relating to criminal tax law in good time.
COMMERCIAL CRIMINAL LAW
«The trust of our clients is a gift that we treat with the utmost respect and care.»
sylvia freygner
In commercial criminal law, criminal law, economic expertise, and tax law go hand in hand and are mutually dependent.
For a good defense, it is therefore crucial to prepare the economic facts of the case.
Our activities include defending against criminal prosecution, securing assets, backing up data, and quickly recovering any damages.
We assist our clients in establishing protective structures within their companies. Given current developments in legislation—and particularly in case law—such measures are sensible and help prevent legal proceedings. Specifically, we provide support in setting up in-house compliance departments and offer ongoing assistance with questions relating to legal prevention.
In matters of corporate criminal law, we represent companies and their executive bodies with great care, diligence, and strategic focus.
INTERNATIONAL TAX LAW
DISCLAIMER: These areas of law are offered exclusively through FREYGNER Advocaturbuero AG Switzerland.
«We operate confidently in the international tax arena.»
sylvia freygner
With a focus on Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, we are a boutique law firm at the forefront of national and international tax law. We advise our clients on issues relating to international structures, the application of international agreements, exit tax, succession planning, inheritance tax regulations, and asset protection.
This applies equally to the ideal structuring of company acquisitions, reorganizations, and restructuring, as well as to the establishment of funds. We support our clients in private wealth management and tax planning. In addition, we offer our expertise in tax due diligence reviews and real estate transactions.
This applies equally to the ideal structuring of company acquisitions, reorganizations, and restructuring, as well as to the establishment of funds. We support our clients in private wealth management and tax planning. In addition, we offer our expertise in tax due diligence reviews and real estate transactions.
International agreements
This is not just a matter of personal life planning, but also of optimal adaptation to tax and legal circumstances. We live in an increasingly complex world with European standards and international agreements (TIEA, DBA, CRS, AIA, BEPS, OECD) that make financial transactions more transparent. We use our strengths to take into account the needs of our clients and to comply with the various legislations. We support our clients in contract drafting and tax planning and assist them in corporate, tax, and competition law, as well as in tax planning and structuring their assets in the area of wealth planning.
Cross-border issues place high demands on company management. Thanks to our core expertise in Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, we can provide support with specific knowledge of the applicable laws for the international and cross-border structuring of companies.
We support our clients in the tax structuring of their intellectual property rights in national and international corporate structures, as well as in the planning of licensing models and licensing societies. We assist you in setting up an IP box and the associated tax and legal advantages.
Our services
DISCLAIMER: These areas of law are offered exclusively through FREYGNER Advocaturbuero AG Switzerland.
- Family foundations
- Establishment of international holding structures
- Expert opinions and legal representation in matters of European tax law
- Expert opinion work in the areas of international tax law, application and interpretation of double taxation agreements, foreign tax law, inheritance and gift tax law
- International tax planning
- International tax burden comparisons
- Tax optimization of investment decisions, both nationally and internationally
- Tax-oriented corporate financing
- Tax advice regarding Austrian and Liechtenstein private foundations and other asset structures, e.g., trusts
- Asset and succession planning, anticipated succession, gifts
- Relocation and immigration planning
- Advice on complex international inheritance and succession planning
- Advice on highly complex tax and legal issues
- Corporate restructuring
- Avoiding double taxation, erosion of assets, and excessive tax burdens
Cross-border structuring
Cross-border issues place high demands on company management. Thanks to our core expertise in Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, we can provide support with specific knowledge of the applicable laws for the international and cross-border structuring of companies.
Private Clients
One of our law firm’s core competencies is advising domestic and foreign family businesses as well as HNWIs and UHNWIs with domestic and foreign assets. In addition to corporate law, we focus primarily on succession and asset planning. To this end, we employ a wide range of legal measures for asset protection in the areas of tax and corporate law to safeguard assets.
Exit tax
When restructuring companies and changing residence, it is always important to consider tax reporting obligations—both in the country of arrival and in the country of departure. It is also important to consider which limited tax obligations or inheritance and gift tax obligations remain in place.
Tax law and intellectual property law
Cross-border issues place high demands on company management. Thanks to our core expertise in Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, we can provide support with specific knowledge of the applicable laws for the international and cross-border structuring of companies.
DISCLAIMER: These areas of law are offered exclusively through FREYGNER Advocaturbuero AG Switzerland.
Money laundering prevention & compliance
Consulting on money laundering prevention, supervisory law, and due diligence regulations. Money laundering prevention and supervisory and due diligence regulations stipulate that a business operating under these regulations must be organized in such a way as to avoid violations of applicable law.
Banks, financial service providers, insurance companies, and financial intermediaries are subject to strict regulatory and due diligence requirements.
We advise financial intermediaries on compliance with this wide range of legal regulations and support clients in preparing compliance dossiers for transactions and establishing banking relationships.
We advise, develop, and create protective structures for companies to prevent criminal offenses from occurring in the first place.
Given current developments in legislation—and case law—such precautions pay off many times over.
Specifically, we provide support in setting up your own compliance departments and offer ongoing assistance with questions regarding legal prevention. We also offer the following services:
Expert opinions, analyses, and statements on compliance violations and their risks (risk assessment) Development of compliance management systems, guidelines, and codes of conduct Internal audits and investigations (internal investigations) and review of compliance violations.
Workshops and training courses in the areas of criminal law, house searches, corruption, and money laundering Implementation of whistleblowing systems in companies, trusted lawyer or ombudsperson for whistleblowers
Capital market law
Advice on contentious, non-contentious, and regulatory matters relating to financial market law. We advise on contentious, non-contentious, and regulatory matters and advise regulated entities, companies, and private individuals on all relevant aspects of financial market law.
Corporate law
Our knowledge of general corporate law enables us to provide comprehensive support to our clients throughout the entire corporate cycle. We assist you in strategic decisions and legal matters.
3.6.1. Foundations and trusts
Foundation law in Austria and Liechtenstein is one of our law firm’s main areas of expertise. We advise clients on all matters relating to Austrian private foundation law and assist with the establishment of new private foundations and amendments to existing foundations.
We advise founders, beneficiaries, and board members on matters of foundation governance and disputes relating to foundation law.
We also assist you in planning and securing assets and succession arrangements. Liechtenstein law has a long tradition in foundation law.
The tax agreement between Austria and Liechtenstein has created legal certainty, making the Liechtenstein foundation an attractive alternative.
We advise and support you in matters relating to private family foundations and charitable foundations for the pursuit of philanthropic works.
Our law firm is also your competent partner for questions regarding the establishment and administration of trusts and the Liechtenstein trust system.
3.6.2. Mergers & Acquisitions
We assist international investors and owners in the acquisition and purchase of companies and investment targets:
From project planning and process strategy to due diligence processes to the drafting and negotiation of transaction agreements. Our law firm specializes in corporate, commercial, and business law in an international environment.
Our focus is on tax and licensing issues. This makes us a sought-after partner for professional and cross-border expertise in handling complex and cross-thematic transactions.
