Withers has won the International Legal Team of the Year (large firm) and People’s Choice – Trusted Advisor of the Year categories at the STEP 2019/20 Private Client Awards, with Alana Petraske picking up the coveted Trusted Advisor title.
The Private Client Awards are highly regarded as a celebration of excellence across the private client world. All entries go through a rigorous, practitioner-led judging process to select the best in the industry.
Commenting on the awards, STEP's judges said: "We were impressed by Withers’ innovative approach in operating as a single profit centre, and its focus on sector-specific special interest groups, which enables it to leverage the expertise of lawyers from across the firm to seamlessly service the needs of its clients across jurisdictions.
"Alana is known for her expertise in advising families, businesses, institutions, and the charities she establishes on cross-border tax-efficient giving, structuring of charitable and non-profit entities, venture philanthropy and social investment. Described by Chambers as “very innovative, open to ideas and proactive”, she has a passion for helping private wealth do public good."
Alana comments: "I’m delighted and humbled to have been recognised by my STEP peers. Trusted Advisor is what we strive for every day! I have the privilege of advising in the philanthropy and nonprofit sector, and with the whole Withers team we are committed to integrating philanthropy into wealth planning practice."
Jason Dinwoodie, co-head of Withers' Private Client and Tax team, adds: "Building on our international network to cover all of the key financial centres of business around the world has been our key strategic policy over the past 10 years. We now offer clients direct and knowledgeable advice from these locations and winning this valuable award from STEP is a gratifying recognition of how this network makes us unique amongst private client law firms."
