Withers

Firm Overview:

Withers is one of the world’s first international law firms dedicated to the business, personal and philanthropic interests of successful people, their businesses, families and advisers. With over 200 partners and 1,300 other staff members in 15 offices across Europe, the US, Asia Pacific and the Caribbean, Withers has unparalleled expertise in the key legal issues facing individuals, their families and their businesses. Its clients’ interests span over 100 countries and the firm has acted for 78% of the top 100 UK ‘Sunday Times Rich List’, and a significant number of the US ’Forbes List’ of Richest Americans and the Asian ‘Hurun Rich List’.

Main Areas of Practice:

Private Client & Tax:

Withers has one of the largest and most comprehensive private client practices in the world. Whether you require advice on legal and tax structuring for your business and investments, family and business governance, tax and estate planning, pensions or help with a vulnerable person in your family, Withers will deliver tailored solutions to meet your specific needs. Many of its clients’ interests are purely domestic, whilst others are international families with interests in a number of locations. In a fast-moving and increasingly compliance focused world, the need for integrated advice that reaches across borders has never been greater. The firm’s clients have achieved success in many fields, from senior executives to multi-generational families, owners, managers and investors in private capital. The firm also has the largest litigation team in the world specialising in advising clients with domestic or contentious trust and probate litigation matters.

Contact: Christopher Groves

Immigration:

Withers is the only international private client firm to have an immigration practice. This is unique, and enables Withers to meet the needs of an international elite which depends on global mobility. Withers' clients insist on a bespoke service, and minimal disclosure of their private affairs and finances. The team undertake a lion's share of Investor visas enabling High Net Worth's coming to the UK.

Contact: Nicolette Bostock

Family:

As one of the largest, longest established and most experienced family and divorce teams in the world, there are few situations the practice has not handled. The family team predominantly acts for HNW individuals and senior professionals, frequently advising on cross border and complex financial cases. A central aim is to help clients avoid a traumatic and protracted court battle, securing the best possible outcome and a fair and appropriate settlement. Withers has also been instrumental in shaping and setting precedents in family and divorce law both in the UK and Hong Kong.

Contact: Suzanne Todd

Residential Real Estate:

Withers handles all aspects of residential property, from buying and selling homes to landlord and tenant matters. The firm routinely assists with renovations, leasehold enfranchisement and complex funding arrangements and ensures the most tax-efficient ways to own and hold residential property. The team has a strong track record for successfully settling real estate disputes over property ownership, between landlords and tenants and relating to development contracts, among many other issues. A longstanding focus is also rural real estate where we facilitate the buying, selling and development of every kind of country home, estate and business.

Contact: Nicholas Vaughan

Litigation & Arbitration:

The firm has been defending the interests of successful individuals, businesses and brands for many years, and it does not shy away from taking on major institutions to achieve that, pursuing matters swiftly and robustly where necessary. Whilst the firm is experienced in almost all areas of commercial litigation, it also offers a number of specialisms, including public international law, handling tax controversy, regulatory issues, media and reputation management, employment, professional negligence, crisis management and white collar investigations, for professionals and HNW individuals, family offices, investors and their businesses. The global team is also well known for its work in the art, sports, fashion and luxury assets sectors. The firm has a wealth of arbitration expertise and a current overall disputes portfolio valued at $10 billion. It has pioneered the use of arbitration and mediation for different types of commercial disputes and, more recently, trust disputes.

Contact: Stephen Ross

Corporate:

The global corporate group has a developed a strong reputation as lawyers to private capital, individuals and entrepreneurs on their investments, business interests and their philanthropic giving. As well as being particularly well known for investment work, the group advises clients across a range of sectors including technology, life sciences, luxury brands, hospitality and sport. Its work is both domestic and international in nature. With the team’s extensive experience in private capital as well as in advising on personal and corporate issues, it finds solutions to thorny regulatory problems and assists with day-to-day operations. Advising successful people and businesses around the world means that the team understands the unique legal issues surrounding private capital. This can range from investment, structuring and control of cross-border investments, setting up a foundation through to the corporate and personal tax issues created.

Contact: Paul McGrath