"Led high-value disputes with the Israel Tax Authority and represented noteworthy clients from the fintech and shipping sectors"
By Chambers Global

Overview

Industries:

Described by Chambers Global as being an “extraordinary lawyer who provides sophisticated and brilliant advice”, Leor Nouman chairs the firm’s Tax Practice Group. His tax practice covers every aspect of Israeli corporate, partnership and individual taxation, including cross border taxation, transfer pricing policies, the scope of double taxation treaties, tax planning, estates and trusts, employee incentive schemes, the taxation of real estate and disputes (including white collar tax litigation) with the Israeli tax authorities and extensive experience in commercial real estate transactions.

Leor’s clients include multinationals, publicly traded and private companies, financial institutions, real estate and property developers, investors, funds, charities, not for profit organisations, trusts and foundations and high net worth individuals.

He advises his clients on tax structuring, tax reporting and the tax effects of transactions spanning a wide range of activities and industries. Leor’s expertise includes acting for clients in the structuring of local and cross border mergers and acquisitions, the structuring of investments in Israeli real estate and other assets, tax on financial transactions, the structuring of tax efficient employee stock option plans and other reward systems for employees and obtaining Israeli tax rulings for various corporate activities and other potential tax events.

Leor also has extensive experience advising individuals, families, trusts, foundations and charities, from many jurisdictions, on all aspects of Israeli income tax, capital gains tax and the tax benefits and tax holidays that may be available in Israel. He provides tax planning and wealth protection advice and is an expert in setting up tax efficient structures for the holding property and other investments in Israel and overseas.

In addition, Leor represents clients on disputed tax assessments as well as voluntary disclosure of unreported taxable income. Leor has a wealth of experience resolving and negotiating settlements with the Israeli tax authorities and, where necessary, successfully challenging disputed tax assessments before the tax appeal committees, the district courts and the Supreme Court.

Languages: EnglishHebrew
Admissions: Israel Bar, 1999
Education: Bar Ilan University, LL.M. magna cum laude, (1998)Bar Ilan University, LL.B. magna cum laude, (1997)Bar Ilan University, B.A. in Economics, magna cum laude, (1997)

Experience

Leor’s tax experience includes, among many others, successful representation of the following:

  • Advising Danaher group on different tax aspects of a purchase as a reverse triangular merger of the shares of Advanced Vision Technology Ltd (an Israeli public company).
  • Representing Veolia on tax dispute with respect to the sale of its water, waste and energy activities in Israel to funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management LP in Israel’s largest management buyout, value of transaction $341 million.
  • Representing Pathfinder Strategic Credit LP in various tax aspects in connection with its investment in ECI Telecom Ltd, including in connection with the planned IPO of ECI Telecom Group Ltd on the London Stock Exchange, the merger of ECI Telecom Group Ltd with Ribbon Communications Ltd for a $324 million company value and its exit, via a share sale agreement, of its interests, for approx. $95 million
  • Representing Kimberly-Clark Corporation on its tax structuring in the acquisition of a 49.9% interest in Hogla-Kimberly from Hadera Paper Ltd. for NIS 648 million (approximately US$162.5 million).
  • Representing EADS on on tax agreements in its joint venture with one of Israel’s leading aeronautic and defense company’s.
  • Representing Booking.com on tax aspects in the acquisition of Evature Ltd.
  • Advising U.S private equity fund Advent International in tax structuring and aspects in its acquisition (together with Crosspoint Capital Partners) of cyber security company, Forescout Technologies.
  • Representing AIG on tax issues in a major financial transaction regarding the sale of 50% of Taavura shares.
  • Advising the Cisco Group in relation to a majore settlement agreements with major Israeli clients
  • Representing Publicis Groupe Holdings BV in relation to the sale of shares in Matomy Media Group Ltd to Israeli medical device company, Medigus Ltd.
  • Advising Virgin Atlantic Airways (VAA), TAP Air Portugal, IATA, Pernod Ricard, Petroplan and many other non-Israeli business entities, concerning tax ramifications in regard to the activity conducted in Israel.
  • Advising AIG, Ambridge Europe and other Insurance entities, regarding tax aspects of rendering insurance cover to certain major share purchase transactions in which an Israeli resident group was about to be sold.
  • Advising major foreign banks, including Bank Hapoalim, the State Bank of India, Barclays, Royal Bank of Canada, Nordea Bank, SG private banking and many other banks and financial institutions, on different tax aspects resulting from their various financial transactions. Advising an Israeli bank on varicos tax issues in the master agreements with the credit companies MASTERCARD and VISA.
  • Advising Allianz group, Llyods, Cardif group and other similar insurance entities, in the matters of Israeli and international cross border transactions and business.
  • Advising Rigaku on an investment in a certain Israeli resident company.
  • Representing the Qualitest Group in its tax issues concerning the purchase of the shares of Algotrace Ltd, an Israeli start-up.
  • Advising the Bullguard Group in a sale of IP transaction.
  • Advising Final group, Warner Bros. and many other such multinationals in tax matters concerning reorganizations.
  • Advising Readymix Industries (Israel) Ltd. in relation to a purchase of rights in a partnership which hold a concrete plant and related business activities. Likewise, providing tax planning advice to Readymix in relation to a number of sales of high-value buildings and real estate rights, including in the Haifa and Zichron Yaakov area.
  • Advising and representing IVM Minrav Sadyt, a construction partnership between the Minrav and Sadyt groups, in a tax dispute in connection with a a NIS 1.4 billion BOT desalination project in Ashdod.
  • Representing the Israel Electric Company on a complicated major tax dispute with an Israeli insurance company and the Israeli Tax Authority regarding the lack of tax withholding in respect of insurance policy payments in the total amount of approximately NIS 80 million. Likewise, advising IEC in various tax issues such as the settlement agreement with Siemens Industry Inc, the sale of power stations etc.
  • Representing Flying Cargo group on a major tax dispute with the tax authorities.
  • Representing Arkin group in several different tax matters under discussions with the Israel Tax Authority, including legal proceedings before the Israeli Supreme Court regarding a major sale of shares of Bezeq (Israel’s leading telecommunications provider).
  • Representing Shikun & Binui Solel Boneh, a leading and most-well-known real estate corporation, before the Tel Aviv Municipality and court in tax disputes regarding a requirement for a Municipality Tax (“Arnona”) for certain parts of the company’s construction in relation to the Red Line. The Red Line is the first section of a Light rail system of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, known as Tel Aviv Light Rail.
  • Representing Perrigo, one of the largest generic pharma groups in the world, in several different tax matters concerning the tax classification of various agreements executed by the group.
  • Representing and advising The Lotter, one of the biggest lottery/gaming groups, in respect of restructuring of the group and also a major tax audit conducted by the Israeli Tax Authority.
  • Representing Faina Kirshenbaum, previous Knesset member, in a civil tax appeal (district court and other tax discussions with the tax authorities) concerning tax assessments resulting from a criminal legal proceedings.
  • Representing Dubek Ltd., Israel’s largest cigarette manufacturing company, in a dispute with the tax authorities concerning purchase tax and VAT payable in connection with the export of cigarettes for subsequent sale abroad.  We are also representing the Dubek group in complex tax restructuring, and advising the group on the tax aspects of its reorganisation and the transfer of its real estate assets to an affiliate
  • Advising Hadassah Medical Center and the Women’s Zionist Organization of America Inc (WZO) on various tax issues including a BOT transaction for the building of an Energy Center (a production plant for electricity and thermal energy through natural gas). and major property tax issues in respect of joint real estate with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem , on a BOT transaction for the building of an Energy Center (a production plant for electricity and thermal energy through natural gas).
  • Advising the XConnect Group in relation to a raft of tax matters stemming from the writing off of a debt as part of an insolvency and reorganization process.
  • Advising the Ashdod Port Company in respect of disagreement with the customs authorities concerning the importation of goods.
  • Advising City People on a reorganization of ownership in Tama 38 projects with its business partner, and also advising in respect of some of their building projects.
  • Advising the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation on tax aspects in respect of some complex type of real estate and rental transactions.
  • Representing the Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS) in tax planning (including several unique aspects) and negotiations concerning a major and complicated real estate transaction valued at NIS 1 billion (approximately US$ 250 million) relating to the construction of a science park (a 250 acre property development), one of Israel’s largest industry and office building parks, and the planning of a residential area for the institution’s scientists. Likewise, advising WIS and Yeda R&D Ltd on different tax matters in respect of their activities.
  • Providing tax planning advice to Paz Oil Company Ltd. in connection with different agreements and transactions, including a complex sale transaction regarding land and buildings in central Tel Aviv.
  • Advising Radiancy (Israel) Ltd. in respect of a US$ 150 million reverse acquisition of PhotoMedex.
  • Providing on-going tax advice to a number of major companies regarding various employee benefit plans, in particular Israeli tax aspects, including Ladbrokes, Sony, Morgan Stanley, Johnson & Johnson, UBS, AB InBev, the Vitec Group, the Griffey Investors LP and Griffey Global Holdings Inc., and Assa Abloy AB, Nokia inc, Pace Plc ,Final inc.
  • Representing a major academic institution in tax planning (including several unique aspects) and negotiations concerning a major real estate transaction valued at approximately US$ 250 million relating to the construction of a science park (a 250 acre property development), one of Israel’s largest industry and office building parks, and the planning of a residential area for the institution’s scientists.
  • Representing the Beit Berl College in tax planning and negotiations concerning a complicated real estate transaction valued at approximately US$ 25 million relating to a lease agreement with the Berl Katznelson Foundation.

 

Recognition

Leor is frequently recommended for his Tax expertise by the major legal directories, including:

  • Chambers Global 2024: “Leor Nouman is aware, responsive and has a broader perspective.”
  • Chambers Global 2022: “…has significant experience handling a broad array of contentious tax mandates.”; “He finds good solutions for his clients.”
  • World Tax 2022 has recognized Leor as one of the leading lawyers in Israel in the practice area of Tax controversy, while he was ranked there as ‘WT – Highly Regarded’ and ‘EG Tax Leading Advisor’.
  • Chambers Global 2021: ‘Leor Nouman is described as “very experienced” for his work on a broad array of contentious tax mandates. He appears regularly before the tax authorities on matters relating to income tax and real estate taxation, as well as advising clients on cross-border corporate matters.’
  • The Legal 500 EMEA 2021: “Leor Nouman advises a diverse range of clients on all areas of corporate, partnership and individual taxation”; ‘Leor Nouman and the wider team make taxation fun. He is the most dedicated lawyer I know’.
  • The Legal 500 EMEA 2020: Leor is described as one of the ‘key names’ in the tax field in Israel.
  • Chambers Global 2019: “led high-value disputes with the Israel Tax Authority and represented noteworthy clients from the fintech and shipping sectors.”
  • Chambers Global 2018:  “extremely competent and knowledgeable” and “an excellent lawyer with vast experience in the field and with a very good understanding of the business aspects of his work.”
  • Legal 500 EMEA, 2018: “Practice head Leor Nouman is ‘invaluable’ in disputes with the ITA and handles transactional and advisory mandates for the Weizmann Institute of Science, Veolia Group and Shikun & Binui Solel Boneh Infrastructure.”
  • Chambers Global: “Leor advises individuals and businesses based in Israel and abroad on their tax activities and planning, and also assists clients with tax disputes and taxation as an element of broader corporate transactions. Sources say: “He has a breadth of experience and expertise across many different types of taxation, and is highly reliable counsel.”
  • Chambers Global Client’s Guide has described Leor as “prized by clients as a thoroughly knowledgeable adviser who is easy to work with” and “an extraordinary lawyer who provides ‘sophisticated and brilliant advice’”.
  • The European Legal 500 has variously mentioned in its recommendation of Leor that he “is smart and reliable”; “very creative and practical”; and has “extensive knowledge and the ability to find a suitable solution”.
  • Which Lawyer? and European Legal Experts have both ranked Leor as a leading lawyer and expert in the tax field.

Other Activities

  • Leor is Vice Chairman of the Tax Committee of the Israel Bar Association.
  • He also serves on the Tax, International Tax and VAT Committees of the Israel Bar Association.

Recent News

TAX NEWSFLASH – SEPTEMBER 2024

21/09/2024 | By S. Horowitz & Co.

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Tax Newsflash– August 2024

27/08/2024 | By S. Horowitz & Co.

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TAX NEWSLETTER – JULY 2024

22/07/2024 | By Leor Nouman & Moti Saban

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Safe Harbor for SAFEs

| By Mordehay (Moti) Malca, Leor Nouman, Ophir Kaplan, Miriam Zaltsman

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Client Update: COVID-19 – Legal Updates Regarding the Coronavirus Crisis – S. Horowitz & Co. (in Hebrew)

| By Aharon (Anthony) Bloch, Amir Assali, Hagai doron, Leor Nouman, Avigail Kastiel, Dovev Apel, Moran Katz, Lior Mimon, Lina Makhuli

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Tax Aspects of the Coronavirus Outbreak

| By Leor Nouman, Ophir Kaplan and Moti Saban

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Sodastream PepsiCo

22/08/2019 | By S. Horowitz & Co.

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Top Ranked By Chambers Global 2019

18/02/2019 | By S. Horowitz & Co.

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Tax and Businesses 2019 Conference

21/11/2018 | By S. Horowitz & Co.

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Watch Your Wallet (In Hebrew)

| By Leor Nouman and Moti Saban

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