Zeven & Associates is a full service law firm providing legal advice and services to organizations and individuals engaged in international investing and commerce in the offshore investment and finance industry. It has offices in New York City in the state of New York and Curaçao in the Netherlands Antilles. The firm specializes in the legal aspects of offshore mutual funds and related entities as well as structured financing. To assist our clients, the firm's attorneys are fluent in English, Dutch, Spanish, German and French.

Zeven & Associates was also formed with the concept of expanding the practice of law from the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba to the entire Caribbean region and Bermuda. Accordingly it has established numerous liaisons and joint cooperation arrangements with other law firms in those jurisdictions. This legal network has been made available by one entity, Zeven & Associates. Thus clients enjoy a consolidated and more efficient approach to the various jurisdictions and service providers of the Caribbean.

Because the firm has extensive contacts with many custodians, administrators, transfer agents, accounting firms and U.S. law firms, it also offers direction to clients as to possible service providers for offshore funds.

The firm's practice also includes structured finance transactions, debt and equity offerings and international investment management. Zeven & Associates regularly works with U.S. counsel on matters involving their clients and has represented:

• U.S.-sponsored fund complex consisting of numerous Netherlands Antilles open-ended investment companies in connection with the restructuring of an entire product line.

• U.S.-sponsored fund complex in connection with re-domiciliation of a Netherlands Antilles open-ended investment company to Luxembourg.

• A Netherlands Antilles open-ended investment company in connection with the authorization of the sale of its shares to the public in Germany.

• One of the major Dutch banks in connection with organizing a subsidiary for structured financing purposes and the issue of debentures.

• U.S.-sponsored fund complex in connection with the organization and structuring of a Netherlands Antilles open-ended investment company.
  

Background and Expertise

Frank P.C. Zeven, founding and managing partner of Zeven & Associates, has extensive experience in dealing with all facets of offshore investment products, including their organization and structuring, as well as providing jurisdictional analysis, and drafting of offering memoranda and service agreements. Mr. Zeven currently has submitted draft legislation in the Netherlands Antilles which is designed to enhance the jurisdiction's status as an offshore center.

He also has participated in the listing of several Netherlands Antilles corporations on the New York Stock Exchange and has acquired considerable experience in such matters.

Prior to establishing Zeven & Associates in September 1994, Mr. Zeven was, since 1989, the resident partner in the New York office of a Netherlands Antilles law firm. Mr. Zeven has contributed to the development of the offshore mutual fund industry in Curaçao within the past decade and was the mutual fund specialist for that firm.

Previously, Mr. Zeven lectured on the faculty of law at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands and was an attorney with the Curaçao branch of Pierson, Heldring and Pierson, a Dutch bank.

Firm's Objective

The objective of Zeven & Associates is to deliver service oriented professionalism with a strong turn around time for clients at a lower cost basis than other law firms. We aim to provide beneficial collaboration through a wide client base where needed.

Representative Clients

Zeven & Associates represents many international clients, including Fortune 500 companies, multinational mutual funds, banks, internationally recognized law firms, accounting firms and tax advisors all over the world. Investment companies and investment advisory clients represent a major component of the firm's practice.

Overall Statement of Practice

Banks and Banking Law, Business Law, Commercial Law, Company Law, Contracts, Corporate Law, Finance Law, Investments Law, Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures, Resorts and Leisure Law, Securities Law and Taxation, Foreign Investments, International Contracts, Mutual Funds, Property and Real Estate Law.