In early 2024, Aquilino Pérez Puga, Managing Partner of BOKS International’s Spanish member AOS Abogados, received an urgent request from a client to repatriate funds from a bank account in Florida, USA. As BOKS did not yet have a member in Florida, Aquilino turned to the BOKS team to find a suitable partner outside the alliance. In line with the BOKS commitment to connecting members to partners within 48 hours, BOKS quickly introduced Aquilino to Orlando Gamarra, Managing Partner of Gamarra & Associates LLC, a prospective member in Miami, with whom the alliance was in ongoing discussions.

Navigating Legal and Tax Complexities

The client’s funds were tied up in the U.S., and repatriating them to Spain was complicated by intricate legal and tax challenges. To proceed, AOS needed to secure legal authority over the client’s family estate, obtain the necessary court approvals, and coordinate documentation across both countries. This called for precise handling and expertise in cross-border financial regulations.

Orlando’s team at Gamarra & Associates had the expertise to manage these challenges, but since they weren’t yet BOKS members, Aquilino arranged to meet Orlando in Miami as part of a business trip he had scheduled to the Americas. This in-person meeting helped Aquilino to verify the firm’s quality and professionalism firsthand. Had Gamarra & Associates already been a BOKS member, this level of verification would not have been necessary, given that BOKS membership guarantees quality and expertise through the alliance’s stringent joining criteria and thorough onboarding processes.

“Aquilino’s visit allowed us to establish trust and ensure our approach aligned with the client’s needs,” said Orlando.

Delivering the Solution

The first obstacle was securing legal guardianship over the U.S. bank account linked to the client’s family estate. Fluent in Spanish and English, Orlando’s team guided the client through the U.S. legal requirements, helping to prepare and submit the necessary court petitions. All the while collaborating closely with AOS to ensure all legal documents met the standards of both the U.S. and Spanish legal systems.

Once guardianship was obtained, Gamarra & Associates managed the communication in the U.S., ensuring all banking protocols were followed, including compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and tax reporting requirements. They also helped manage the cross-border bank transfer process, ensuring that currency exchange rates and transaction fees were optimised for the client’s benefit.

This seamless coordination ensured all regulatory requirements were met, the U.S. bank account was closed without complications, and the funds were transferred securely and efficiently to Spain. Both firms kept the client informed throughout this process, providing guidance and reassurance at every step.

“We were truly impressed with the service provided by Gamarra & Associates,” the client said. “Their ability to navigate the U.S. and Spanish legal systems was invaluable. They communicated everything clearly in Spanish, which made us feel at ease and handled every aspect of the process efficiently and professionally.”

A New Member Joins BOKS International

Impressed by the successful collaboration, Aquilino encouraged Orlando to join BOKS International. Orlando recognised the value of working within the alliance and decided to apply. Gamarra & Associates has since become a BOKS member, strengthening the alliance’s presence in the United States and providing a trusted partner in Florida.

“The trust we built while managing this project made me realise the value of being part of BOKS. We applied and joined the alliance upon completing the task,” Orlando said.

Reflections on the Partnership

“BOKS is an invaluable resource,” said Aquilino. “We effectively serviced our client and built a lasting professional relationship. It’s a testament to how BOKS enables connections that lead to successful outcomes.”

Orlando adds, “Becoming part of BOKS will be transformative for our firm. We can now offer our clients greater access to global expertise and look forward to further collaborations within the BOKS alliance.”