CHAPLIN, BÉNÉDICTE & Co. is a boutique Legal Services firm specialized in technology and international tax structuring

In this day and age, international trade and the need for transnational law have multiplied invariably. As many companies open their economy, either moderately or completely, they recognize or work towards a uniform system of law. This process of globalization is evident in all facets of law. Predicting the escalated need for international trading led to the establishment of CHAPLIN, BÉNÉDICTE & Co.

Fabien Bénédicte Suant started the company when he was just 21 at the time, and now manages it alongside Constance Mury, junior partner of the firm. The company opened its doors in the City of London in 1999. The European Union was then introducing free movement of capital and trade which prompted the pair to establish a firm solely focused on assisting entrepreneurs to take full advantage of those new rules.

The firm quickly specialized in offshore legal services, working mostly with international entrepreneurs, assisting them in their globalization’s challenges. The basic idea which is still valid today is to allow smaller businesses to access international structuring in the same fashion as large multinational companies but at a cost they could afford.

To support demand, we quickly opened other offices in leading offshore jurisdictions and New-York.

The firm’s clientele is very diverse, coming from new technologies, fintechs, cinema, aviation, and international trade. We work in close relationships with our clients, coming from all over the EU and beyond to be guided on international structuring and to organize their international affairs.

This unique approach of business and laws coupled with that diversity makes CHAPLIN, BÉNÉDICTE & Co truly distinctive.

Fabien Bénédicte Suant, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, will walk us through the journey of the company

Q. What makes CHAPLIN, BÉNÉDICTE & Co. relevant in today’s times? Could you give us some context?

The world is getting more globalized every day and technology is disrupting. The law can be very complex, and the reality of international business operations is made even more complicated due to external factors such as compliance or the increased globalization of business operations.

Simple things like opening or maintaining a business account is now dictated not by laws but, instead, by compliance algorithms. Businesses that need to venture outside of their country of residence need to be consulted by a firm who understands how to handle those issues and creatively find alternatives.

Q. Legal work requires lots of rational thinking and research. How do you maintain efficiency in your service?

At CHAPLIN, BÉNÉDICTE & Co we know too well that laws and regulations are constantly shifting. That’s why we use digital and local resources all around the world to remain aware at all time of any changes ahead of time, so that we are always on top of things when the time comes.

Q. It is quite difficult to achieve success in every case/scenario. Do you promise success to your clients?

For our clients, success is based on our ability to deliver innovative solutions to boost their growth and remedy complex issues, as well as solving insoluble situation. With over 20 years of experience, we know almost every time know the feasibility of a project in advance, so we’re always super direct and frank with our clients when it comes to our assessment of success.

Q. How do you deal with changing legal paradigms?                        

At CHAPLIN, BÉNÉDICTE & Co, we strongly believe and support the idea that the legal business of the future will grow through networks and allied organisations.

Law’s hesitant embrace of collaboration is deeply rooted. Rather than just resorting to aggressive competition, firms must start collaborating with those around them, as well as internationally for increased growth. Working together with—among others—specialized lawyers and service providers helps building an ecosystem that is engineered for our clients’ success.

Q. Technology has transformed the practice of law. Which are some of the technologies that have helped you to improve your services?

We’re usually first when it comes to experimenting with new technologies. We actually have a separate department that solely focuses on researching and testing new technologies. Most ideas are not adopted in the long term; however, private cloud computing and videoconferencing facilities were two examples of new technologies that we implemented early, long before COVID. Once the pandemic started, our firm was already well equipped to work remotely, thus meaning there was no downtime nor any loss of productivity.

Q. If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out in law field, what would it be?

To be flexible and remain open-minded. The world is changing faster than ever and we need to be ready to take a U-turn at any time. Moreover, the devil is in the details; paying close attention to the smallest details can have the biggest impact on the successful resolution of a case.

Q. What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?

First, we’re launching new locations where others are deserting. We’re opening an office Kyiv in September 2022 despite the war situation in Ukraine and our office in Madrid will open in 2023.

Secondly, we are attributing our leadership to our unique positioning in the legal sector. This is cemented by a strong internal culture and open minded approach so we’ll continue recruiting talents from all parts of the world and encouraging international mobility within our collaborators in order to continue offering an amazing service to our clients.

Q. What does the future hold for CHAPLIN, BÉNÉDICTE & Co and its clients?

We’re very excited about web 3.0 and the positive disruption and opportunities brought by blockchain technology. At CHAPLIN, BÉNÉDICTE & Co we are never shy of embracing new technologies and looking for practical solutions for our clients. Businesses and global entrepreneurs can count on us to advise them in navigating those areas.

Brief about the luminary

Born in France and having immigrated to England at the age of 20, Fabien Bénédicte Suant is still Managing Partner of CHAPLIN, BÉNÉDICTE & Co, 23 years after co-founding the firm. His professional expertise is clearly geared toward complex due diligence challenges faced by entrepreneurs and international businesses in today’s globalized economy and shaped the firm to what it is today.

Fabien consults HNWI on international tax planning strategies, jurisdiction selection, and particularly enjoys working with Entrepreneurs in their development phase. He also sit on the board of a several international companies where his ability to find solutions to complex international operations helps bringing value.

His personal interests include architecture, European contemporary art and, being a CAA licensed multi-engine rated pilot, flying light aircrafts all over the world.