Offshore Trusts, Banks, and High-Stakes Compliance Risks

Blake Harris | Blake Harris Law

Blake Harris is the founding principle at Blake Harris Law, where he assists clients throughout the world with Asset Protection. Blake’s extensive experience helping families protect their property has made him well regarded as an authority in handling the difficult and sensitive issues surrounding asset protection planning. Before Blake Harris Law, Blake worked for one of the nation’s largest wealth management firms, where he helped high-net-worth and ultrahigh-net-worth clients protect their assets. Blake founded Blake Harris Law because he is passionate about helping families protect their wealth and pass it to the next generation. Not only does he value building long-lasting client relationships, he also strives to provide each client with peace of mind about their assets.

In addition to his active practice, Blake also strives to share his in-depth knowledge to help other professionals advance in their careers. Across the nation, Blake has given numerous presentations and continuing education lectures on asset protection and estate planning to CPAs, financial advisors, and other attorneys. Blake has been quoted in state wide and national publications, such as ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, The Denver Post, and Market Watch, and he has been named a “Rising Star” for 2020, 2021, and 2022 by Super Lawyers Magazine. Blake is also the author of the book “Asset Protection, How to Protect Your Property from Lawsuits”.

Blake graduated in 2007 with a degree in Finance from the University of Florida and received a Juris Doctorate in 2010 from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, a top-tier law school. Blake is the founder of the Blockchain Asset Protection Council and an active member of the American Bar Association and International Bar Association. Blake has been a member in good standing of the Florida Bar since 2010 and the Colorado Bar since 2013. Outside of work, Blake enjoys traveling and spending time with family.

Ali El-Haj | Blake Harris Law

Ali is a New York licensed attorney at Blake Harris Law with a distinguished academic background, holding an LL.B. (First Class Honors) from University College London and an LL.M. from the University of Cambridge. With experience as a research fellow at the Max Planck Institute and a law lecturer at Humboldt University in Berlin, Ali El-Haj brings a wealth of knowledge and a global perspective to this practice, having also worked with various international law firms.

Ali El-Haj’s exposure to different jurisdictions and industries through his studies and work has honed his ability to quickly understand and  adapt to new industries and fact patterns. He is highly aware and attentive to clients’ needs, creating a space where these needs are clearly articulated and communicated. His ability to deeply understand and address client concerns is complemented by a natural commitment to delivering high-quality care.

I. Understanding offshore trusts | 1:00pm – 1:30pm

• This section will provide a synopsis of asset protection and the strategic role offshore trusts play in safeguarding wealth. It will define what offshore trusts are, explain their common uses in estate planning, and highlight how they compare to domestic trust structures. Attendees will gain a framework for evaluating when offshore planning may be appropriate, along with key legal and jurisdictional considerations

II. Understanding offshore banking and alternative assets | 1:30pm – 2:00pm

• Participants will be guided into prominent offshore banking jurisdictions. This section will examine the benefits and inherent risks of offshore banking in estate planning and asset protection. In addition, this section will touch on the growing use of alternative investments —such as cryptocurrency, gold, and silver— and how these assets are increasingly being integrated into offshore strategies

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm 

III. Reporting requirements, penalties, and enforcement actions | 2:10pm – 2:40pm

• This section will provide a practical overview of U.S. reporting obligations, including FBAR, FATCA, and required forms such as 3520, 3520-A, and 8938. It will cover IRS and FinCEN enforcement thresholds, deadlines, and oversight responsibilities, as well as common mistakes that lead to compliance failures. Finally, this section will present strategies for mitigating risk and addressing past non compliance through proper structuring and collaboration with tax professionals