About Us
One network — built for the era of complexity.
An invitation-only network of doctoral scholars, former OECD officials and senior practitioners, focused exclusively on tax law.
A Message from Management
Why WTL exists
WTL was created to solve a fundamental problem: tax complexity at today's scale is no longer answered by any single firm — it requires assembling the world's best minds. The OECD's Pillar Two, the United Nations' growing role, digitalisation, and the sheer proliferation of tax law have produced an environment of unprecedented complexity. Modern tax leadership needs judgment, not just access to information.
Every WTL member holds, or is actively pursuing, a PhD in tax law or an equivalent academic distinction. We assemble independent senior specialists matched to the specific problem — without the commercial conflicts of interest that constrain a global firm's footprint.
Who We Are
Scholars, officials, practitioners
WTL is an invitation-only network of doctoral scholars, former OECD officials, and senior practitioners focused exclusively on tax law. Three things distinguish the network:
- 100% PhD-level membership in tax law, economics or related fields;
- Global geographic reach across Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia-Pacific;
- A singular focus on tax law — no adjacent services, no distractions.
Our Mission
To connect the world's most distinguished tax scholars and practitioners into a single network — so that every client, in every jurisdiction, has immediate access to the deepest expertise available.
Why Now
The most significant transformation in a century
International tax is undergoing its most significant transformation in a century. The traditional advisory model was not built for it.
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Surge in cross-border tax disputes since 2020
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New international tax rules adopted in the last decade
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Countries implementing Pillar Two
Why World Tax Lawyers
Four reasons clients come to the network
Founded by OECD Leaders
Our founding members include former OECD officials who drafted the very rules governing modern international taxation. We advise from the intent of the rules, not just their text.
Built for Unprecedented Complexity
Pillar Two is a systemic rewrite of the international tax architecture. WTL was purpose-built for this scale of change — not retro-fitted to it.
Experts, Not Brands
Clients engage named individuals with published credentials rather than firm reputations. You know exactly whose judgment you are buying.
One-Team Delivery
Cross-border matters run through a single senior lead with a coordinated global team — not a patchwork of separate firms with separate interests.
How We Work
From brief to standing counsel
Engage
A senior member receives the brief and establishes scope, timelines and fees directly with the client.
Assemble
The right experts across jurisdictions and specialisms are convened into a single, unified team.
Deliver
Clear, defensible advice grounded in academic rigour and alive to compliance reality.
Sustain
Ongoing support, monitoring and dispute preparation as the rules — and your business — evolve.
Membership
Four criteria. No exceptions.
Admission requires a unanimous decision of the Council. Membership cannot be purchased.
Doctoral Degree
A PhD, SJD or equivalent in tax law, economics or a related field.
Published Scholar
Substantial peer-reviewed publications and recognised academic authority.
Senior Practitioner
An active senior role advising governments, corporates or high-stakes matters.
Invitation Only
Admission by unanimous Council decision — and only by invitation.
Thought Leadership
Members who shape the field
- Participation in OECD Working Parties on BEPS and Pillar Two
- University chairs at leading law and economics faculties
- Published treatises and casebooks relied on by governments and courts
- Government advisory roles on domestic implementation
- Keynotes at IFA, OECD and academic conferences
- Editorial and peer-review roles at the leading tax journals
Governance
Three tiers, one standard
Founding Members
OECD veterans and academic leaders who set the network's strategic direction.
The Council
The Board of Directors and Advisory Board — overseeing admissions, standards and ethics.
Members
Independent practitioner-scholars admitted by the Council, operating under shared standards.
If the greatest minds in international tax can advise you, why settle for less?
Tell us where the problem is. We'll bring the minds.