Our BABC Profile: Hope Krebs
Hope Krebs is a masterful juggler. Throughout her life she has relied upon her brain, determination, education and network of family, friends and mentors to meet success, not only as a professional, but as a valued leader in both professional and personal circles. Hope is an international attorney at a top global law firm, and she is also deeply dedicated to her family. Hope’s most recent success and appointment as the first female Chair of Multilaw, a leading global network of independent law firms, indicates she is a true master of accomplishing a successful career and a fulfilling personal life. Hope has somehow found a way to manage a demanding career, a family, and various extracurricular activities. Her acumen most recently led her from Philadelphia suburbs to Hong Kong and Taipei where she was promoted to lead Multilaw, in addition to her current and continued practice of law for major law firm, Duane Morris LLP.
How did Hope, prior BABC President and decade-long Board Member, go from managing the accounting for her family’s motel business, beginning at the age of 13, to becoming an international lawyer and the first female chair of a global legal network? As an undergraduate, Hope worked and studied business and accounting in the renowned cooperative educational program at Drexel University. Her first job was in a medium-sized Philadelphia based accounting firm. She went to Villanova University School of Law for her J.D. and New York University School of Law for her LL.M. in taxation. Upon law school graduation, Hope secured her first law position for a corporate law firm in New York. Eventually she made her way back to Philadelphia where she was a senior manager of International Tax Services for Ernst & Young LLP, and then became a partner at Duane Morris.
For more than 25 years Hope has been providing tax and legal advice to US businesses and individuals investing and expanding their business interests within the US. She has co-authored and written many articles on tax law, and is a frequent speaker on the topic. Hope has been a member of the BABC Board of Directors for more than a decade. She served as BABC President from December 2011 – December 2013. During her tenure, Hope inaugurated the Chapter’s Young Professionals Group; traveled with Mayor Michael A. Nutter and a group of 14 companies to London on a trade mission; grew membership; and presided over approximately one program per month. Hope currently serves as BABC Membership Chair. In addition to her work with the BABC and Multilaw, Hope is also a member of the Executive Committee and Planning Board for the Annual Philadelphia Tax Conference.
Hope’s day job is international tax partner and co-chair of Duane Morris’ International Practice Group. Evolving from a partnership of prominent lawyers in Philadelphia a century ago, Duane Morris operates in the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia with more than 700 attorneys. Hope’s two-year commitment to Chair Multilaw will benefit both her and the firm. “It is an honor to be elected Chair of Multilaw especially at such a pivotal time in the globalization of law firms and networks,” said Hope. “Multilaw is a tremendous platform for our members, each of which is a recognized leader in its own geographic market. It enables Duane Morris and each member firm to offer to their clients cost-effective immediate legal and business access to the rest of the world. Our clients appreciate knowing that they can access a network of trusted advisors around the world through their lawyer down the street. I look forward to further expanding Multilaw’s global coverage.”
Multilaw was founded in 1990 on the premise that an alliance of carefully selected, independent firms working together worldwide would offer the most effective way of fulfilling clients’ international legal needs. Multilaw’s headquarters are in London, and Hope’s demanding travel itinerary spanning the globe will keep her very busy during the next few years. Coffee and a strong, supportive network of family, friends and work colleagues will keep her going. The BABC salutes Hope on her Multilaw Chair appointment, and wishes her the best of luck in her new role. If anyone can do it, it is Hope.
