Lawrence H. Schoenbach, a highly experienced trial attorney and litigator, has been practicing law for more than 40 years in the areas of criminal defense, international extradition, and corporate compliance. He is the New York partner for the Institute for Tax and Commercial Law, a Swiss-based consulting firm that serves clients throughout the world. Mr. Schoenbach began his career in 1980 as a public defender in New York City, having previously worked at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom. He opened his own private law practice three years later. For the past 30-plus years, he has earned Martindale-Hubbell’s prestigious AV rating, a peer ranking at the highest level of professional excellence and ethics.

Mr. Schoenbach is admitted to the bar in the State of New York and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as federal courts in the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, the District of Puerto Rico, the United States Courts of Appeal for the First, Second and Third Circuits, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Mr. Schoenbach received his law degree from Hofstra University where he was a Law Fellow in Property and Criminal Law and was awarded the Citation of Excellence in Constitutional Law. He also earned a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York at Albany and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Franklin & Marshall College. He has taught trial techniques for more than 35 years at the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) at Hofstra University School of Law and at the Intensive Trial Advocacy Program (ITAP) at Yeshiva University, Cardozo School of Law. He has been a frequent guest commentator on TruTV (formerly CourtTV).

Ellen Bessis, who is affiliated with the firm’s Paris and Guadaloupe office, is admitted to both the Paris and Guadeloupe Bars. Her practice concentrates on international commercial law, primarily in the areas of corporate law, employment law, intellectual property, telecommunications and TV. Prior to practicing law, she was a journalist for the French National Radio (France Inter) and various French newspapers (Le Monde, Chambre et Senat, and Marie France). She has authored or co-authored a number of books, including, Demain l’Europe (1979), a description of Europe and the ECC; and l’Effet Booster, an exploration of intercultural and human resources in corporations. Bessis is also a contributor to Professor Marc Bosch’s collective treatise devoted to intercultural management. She teaches commercial law, European law, lobbying techniques, and communications in France. She is fluent in French, English, Italian, and Spanish, and has working knowledge of Russian, Portuguese, Arabic and Hebrew.

Jürg Brand is the lead attorney for the Zurich firm of B&P Lawyers. Focusing on complex civil litigation related to taxation and banking , he collaborates with associates throughout the world. He is also responsible for the operation of the firm’s offices in Zug and Bern, Switzerland. Mr. Brand began his career as an attorney for Price Waterhouse, subsequently becoming a certified tax expert. He and Lawrence H. Schoenbach are partners in the Swiss-based Institute for Tax and Commercial Law, a consulting firm with an international clientele.He received his legal training at the prestigious University of Bern, as well as the Institute of International and Comparative Law in London. He is fluent in German, English, Spanish, French and Italian.