Withers

Growth in Withers’ international offices has driven turnover upwards with revenues up 12.4 per cent from £100.8m to £113.3m in 2011–12.

Despite there also being growth in the firm’s equity partner headcount, from 60 to 65, average profit per equity partner recovered from a five-year low, finishing 19.5 per cent up from £323,000 to £386,000. Net profit almost doubled, up 75 per cent from £19m to £33.3m.

The firm said 54 per cent of the turnover (£51.4m) was generated in Withers’ nine international offices, with Hong Kong performing particularly well. The addition of a family team from Hong Kong independent Hampton Winter and Glynn led by partner Sharon Ser in 2010 has been particularly positive, with Withers now able to tap into cross-border family disputes across Asia.

The private client and family groups contributed the largest portion to turnover, with £58m (51 per cent) generated by the group. It has been a standout year for the contentious practice in London, which contributed almost half of the office’s £62m turnover.  The group covers among other areas family, employment and commercial litigation.