Withers LLP

Withers is one of the world’s first international law firms dedicated to the business, personal, and philanthropic interests of successful individuals, their families, businesses, and advisers. The firm has more than 220 partners and over 1,000 staff members across 17 offices in Europe, the United States, Asia Pacific, and the Caribbean. With a client base spanning more than 100 countries, the firm has represented 74% of the UK’s Sunday Times Rich List, a significant number of the US Forbes Richest Americans, and the Asian Hurun Rich List.

The firm has one of the largest private client practices in the UK, advising on legal and tax structuring for businesses and investments, family and business governance, tax and estate planning, immigration, pensions, and matters involving vulnerable individuals. Its clients range from senior executives and multi-generational families to owners, managers, and investors in private capital, with both domestic and cross-border interests.

Withers’ family practice is one of the largest and most experienced globally, acting for high-net-worth individuals, founders, and senior professionals. The team frequently advises on cross-border and complex financial cases, aiming to secure appropriate settlements while avoiding prolonged court disputes. The practice has also influenced the development of family and divorce law in the UK and Hong Kong.

The firm’s dispute resolution practice comprises more than 180 lawyers worldwide and advises on multi-jurisdictional disputes in sectors including art, sport, fashion, luxury assets, and natural resources. Areas of expertise include international arbitration, public international law, tax controversy, media and reputation management, employment and regulatory, white collar investigations, professional negligence, shareholder disputes, insolvency, and fraud. Its BVI office has particular strength in cross-border litigation, insolvency, asset tracing, and recovery. With a disputes portfolio valued at $11bn, the firm has pioneered arbitration and mediation for commercial and trust disputes.

The real estate team advises on commercial, residential, and non-profit transactions, including complex development projects and day-to-day investments, with additional expertise in tax structuring, dispute resolution, and finance.

The corporate practice advises across the life cycle of companies, from securing investment and structuring equity incentives to mergers and acquisitions. It has extensive experience with issues involving private capital, including cross-border investments and related tax considerations.

The charities and philanthropy practice advises a wide range of not-for-profit organisations, from national charities to small private foundations, and acts for more than half of the UK’s top 50 charities by income. The team also provides US/UK cross-border charity advice and is actively involved in shaping legal reform within the sector.

Withers tech, the firm’s global technology team, advises entrepreneurs, investors, and high-growth companies across industries including life sciences, fintech, cleantech, adtech, blockchain, crypto, and artificial intelligence. The practice brings together expertise in intellectual property, corporate restructuring, venture capital, employment law, and finance.

Languages
More than 60

Staffing
Over 220 global partners
90 UK partners
194 other UK lawyers