Withers picks new head of family law

Withers has promoted family law partner Julian Lipson to head its family practice.

Lipson ;replaces ;Gill Doran, who is set to return to a fee-earning role in the practice.

Withers managing director Margaret Robertson said the swap reflected a long-term succession strategy.

“Gill ;wanted ;to ;see ­someone younger come into the role while she was still within the practice,” said Robertson. “She’s led the practice for the last decade, building it up in both size and reputation.”

Lipson is expected to lead the international expansion of Withers’ family practice in response to a growing number of multijurisdictional divorce cases.

Robertson ;hailed Lipson as a “consummate ­practitioner who’s very good at leading by example”.

Withers’ family practice group is currently acting for Kevin McGee, the civil ­partner of Mishcon de Reya client and Little Britain star Matt Lucas, in what is being billed in the media as the first multimillion-pound gay celebrity divorce case.