Jeffrey L. Rubinger

Jeff is known worldwide as the lawyer to seek out when companies require a creative, sophisticated solution to a complex international tax situation. From US companies expanding overseas to foreign businesses investing in the United States, clients turn to Jeff for his extensive knowledge of the tax laws in a wide variety of jurisdictions, including countries in South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Jeff is distinctive in Florida for his significant experience with outbound matters.

Prior to joining the Firm, Jeffrey handled the following matters:

• Advised on internal tax restructuring for multibillion-dollar energy trading hedge fund. Our work enabled certain United States investors to obtain long-term capital gain on a portion of the funds earnings relating to energy futures contracts.

• Advised USD 5 billion hedge fund on synthetic investment, through total return swap, in publicly-traded REIT to avoid withholding tax on distributions to fund’s foreign feeder.

• Advised on international tax planning for energy trading hedge fund in connection with investment by its Cayman feeder fund in a publicly-traded REIT via a total return equity swap.

• Provided tax advice in the structuring of an umbrella partnership real estate investment trust (UPREIT).

• Representation of real estate fund client in the private placement securities offering of a flagship private equity fund comprised of two separate real estate funds, one focused on debt investments and the other focused on direct residential and commercial investments. The funds' structures include more than 30 entities, including Cayman Islands and Netherlands entities and a REIT.

• Assisted client in structuring a publicly-traded timber REIT to allow for tax-free distributions and sale of shares to foreign investors.

• Assisted with the restructuring of a family-owned and family-run global private equity fund, where two-thirds of the family lives in France (some are US citizens), and one third resides in the US, to maximize global tax efficiency in light of US tax reform law. Guided specific cross-border tax planning for the sale of one of their current holdings.

• Restructured entities to avoid currency restrictions in Belize to facilitate partial sale of a domestic beer company to a global brand and distributor. Advised on minimizing US tax resulting from the restructuring and sale to defer US recognition of the gain from the sale. Additional restructuring ensured the availability of foreign tax credits, which was unclear given the unusual nature of the Belize tax system and the recency and lack of guidance on the global intangible high-taxed income (GILTI) provisions under US law.

• Advised on tax planning with state, federal, and international impact and provided contractual advice in connection with confidential settlement agreements of over USD 200 million among top executive of a global investment and advisory financial services firm. The international tax planning related to the establishment of residency in Italy and taking advantage of relevant treaty provisions to avoid US taxation with respect to the settlement amounts.

• Representation of a multimillion-dollar Malaysian investment firm regarding the restructuring of United States real estate investments. The restructuring allowed our client to achieve the most efficient tax structure prior to entering into a joint venture with the largest Malaysian sovereign wealth funds to invest in United States real estate.

• Leading Individual, Tax Law, The Best Lawyers in America, 2009 - present
• Lawyer of the Year, Litigation & Controversy, Tax, The Best Lawyers in America, 2017, 2021
• Band 1, Tax, Chambers USA, 2011, 2014 - present
• Leading Individual, Florida Super Lawyers, 2015 - present

• American Bar Association Tax Section, Chair of USAFTT (US Activities of Foreigners and Tax Treaties) Committee
• American College of Tax Counsel
• The Florida Bar, Tax Section
• International Fiscal Association, Tax Section