Group Profile:
TELFA (Trans European Law Firms Alliance) is an alliance of leading independent commercial law firms based in major commercial centres in the European Union together with Cyprus, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey.
TELFA was established in 1990 with its headquarters in Brussels and its member firms comprise more than 600 lawyers throughout Europe.
TELFA's members are well established law firms which provide a coordinated, cost effective, high quality service achieved by its transnational teams, all of whom adhere to TELFA's quality standards.
As a result TELFA offers:
- a high quality national coverage;
- a rapid access to legal expertise and advice in all European jurisdictions, from known and trusted legal experts;
- a partner led service provided for clients throughout Europe;
- an international service for clients
- representational facilities in Brussels
The requirements of clients (both within and outside the European Union) can thus be serviced in a coordinated manner through the TELFA Network.
TELFA can access lawyers in different specialisations through its transnational teams. These facilitate cross-border issues to be dealt rapidly and effectively. For instance:
-as many corporate transactions now have a European dimension, TELFA's corporate team work closely together on transnational mergers and acquisitions. Common papers are produced, such as "comparative tables of forms of business in EU jurisdictions" (1996), "country manuals on forms of business" (1996) and a review of legal due diligence procedures.
-In Europe as a whole, employment and pensions questions are of increasing importance as the social dimension is a major issue for clients as they extend their business activities throughout Europe. Directives issued by the European Commission tend towards a degree of harmonization in the legal social status of employees (for example social security, redundancies, transfer of undertakings, insolvency of employers, etc...). However, the implementation of such directives has not resulted in a complete unification of the interpretation of the directives in different countries. It is, as a result, important to identify continuing differences and indeed certain important areas have not yet been harmonised. Companies and their advisers must know the main differences that apply in different jurisdictions, especially for expatriate employees. The employment/pensions team provides specialist lawyers in this area to exchange information on the situation in their respective jurisdictions.
In addition, TELFA members provide:
- Seminars and conferences on important issues are arranged to inform clients on developments in the law.
- Co-ordinating office in Brussels providing services to members consisting of:
- monitoring EU legal and policy developments on a daily basis;
- providing a direct link with EU officials for consultation and representation of clients' interests;
- meeting and office facilities for all members and their clients, within a walking distance from the European Commission.
TELFA reflects the changing business environment throughout Europe, and the Union in particular. Its members are committed to continue TELFA's development and ensure that it responds to the new legal and commercial situation in Europe, effected by the advent of the single market, the developments in central Europe and the introduction of the Euro. |