Withers has become the latest outfit to enter Australia after sealing an alliance with Ashurst corporate partner and former Asia practice head for Blake Dawson Justin Shmith, and Sydney tax boutique Balazs Lazanas & Welch.

The firm has also hired ex-Baker & McKenzie immigration partner Rita Chowdhury for the practice, with all lawyers set to work together under the banner 'Withers SBL'.

The three entities, which include Shmith as a sole proprietor, BL&W and Withers, will not be financially integrated immediately, but Withers said it would be open to a full merger further down the line.

Melbourne-based Shmith previously worked for Blake Dawson, now Ashurst Australia, for 25 years, doing stints as managing partner and also Asia practice head resident in Shanghai. He has extensive experience on cross border work between Asia and Australia.

Chowdhury, located in Sydney, worked for Deloitte until May this year, and before that was with Baker & McKenzie for 13 years. She joins with associate Sandy Natarajan, a former senior legal officer with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, and one paralegal.

"This alliance represents a huge step forward in the development of Withers' international footprint," said Withers managing director Margaret Robertson.

"We have monitored the Australian legal market for growth opportunities for many years… the alliance provide[s] an incredibly strong entry proposition into what is a fairly fragmented field for private client firms."

Withers is among a handful of firms to enter Australia this year; most foreign outfits having poured into the market between 2009 and 2012.

The alliance approach is seen as a way to test the market; and was also adopted by Bird & Bird when it first launched its Australian offering via a tie-up with Truman Hoyle in 2013.

The UK firm has since financially integrated with the TMT boutique, rebranding as Bird & Bird Australia.