Withers makes up 14 new partners in female-dominated promotions round as CEO wins fourth term
CEO Margaret Robertson set to hold the top role until 2021 as firm makes up 10 women to partner in 14-strong round
July 16, 2018 at 07:52 AM
2 minute read
Withers has appointed 14 new partners across Asia, Europe and the US, in a female-dominated promotions round.
The promotions follow the re-election of longstanding CEO Margaret Robertson (pictured) for a fourth term.
Five of the newly promoted partners are based in London, with further appointments in Milan, Hong Kong, Greenwich (Connecticut), San Francisco and Singapore. Ten of the new partners are female.
In London, tax specialists Alana Petraske and Lara Crompton, banking lawyer Xanthe Lok, inheritance lawyer Alessia Paoletto and commercial litigation-focused Lesley Timms will join the firm's partnership.
Milan is home to the second highest number of new partners after London, gaining three promotions across M&A, commercial and banking litigation, and corporate. All of the promotions came into effect on 1 July.
Robertson meanwhile has secured an additional three-year term following an uncontested election. The appointment means that Robertson, who joined in 1984 and became CEO in 2007 having previously served as head of litigation and employment and joint managing director, will hold her title until 2021.
As joint managing director, Robertson oversaw the 2002 merger of UK firm Withers LLP and Connecticut-based Bergman Horowitz and Reynolds, alongside her US counterpart Bill Swift. Under her leadership, the firm has grown from one office to 17 offices, including six offices in the US, three in Europe and five in Asia-Pacific.
Commenting on the partner promotions, Robertson said: "Our new partner appointments are an exceptionally large and varied group this year, and this is a strong reflection of the strong performances across our international business. We are glad to promote talented new partners across our practices and to bring them into the firm's leadership across our European, US and Asia offices."
Withers partner promotions in full:
London: Lara Crompton, tax and succession planning; Xanthe Lok, banking and finance; Alessia Paoletto, international succession and trust planning; Alana Petraske, tax; Lesley Timms, commercial litigation and arbitration.
Milan: Stefano Cignozzi, M&A; Matilde Rota, commercial and banking litigation; Sharon Whitehouse, corporate.
San Francisco: Joy Chang, estate and gift planning.
Singapore: Chua Yee Hoong, tax; Leong Chuo Ming, corporate.
Hong Kong: Billy Ko, family law, civil litigation and media law; Jocelyn Tsao, matrimonial law.
Greenwich (Connecticut): Joseph Morales, M&A.
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