Withers launches US east coast family practice with new partner Nicky S. Rooz

International law firm Withers has expanded its international family law team by establishing a practice in New York, headed by new partner Nicky S. Rooz. Nicky joins Withers from Salzano Ettinger Lampert & Wilson LLP, and previously worked in the family and matrimonial law group at Blank Rome LLP for nearly a decade beforehand.

The creation of a family law practice in New York follows that of family teams in California and Singapore in 2021, adding to well-established teams in the UK and Hong Kong.

Nicky advises on all aspects of family law, including cohabitation, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, divorce and separation, paternity actions, complex financial issues, child and spousal support, high-conflict custody disputes and domestic violence restraining orders/ orders of protection. As well as representing clients in court-based trials, Nicky also offers mediation services and is certified to the 18b Panel for the Manhattan Family and Supreme Court (New York County).  Nicky is also certified to serve as an Attorney for the Child (“AFC”), and often takes on that role in both private and pro bono matters.

Nicky’s clients include high net worth and high-profile individuals, including tech sector entrepreneurs and investors.

Peter Wood, CEO of Withers' Dispute Resolution division, comments: "Welcoming Nicky to the firm and opening a family law practice in New York is a big step for us. Creating an east coast practice to mirror our California team, led by Samantha Klein, has long been an ambition, and it has taken time to find exactly the right lawyer to do it. Nicky has exactly the right skills and focus, and we're really pleased to now offer clients one of the most truly international family law teams in the market."

Nicky adds: "Withers has been an undisputed leader in family law for decades, working with many of the world’s most successful people and families, and I'm very excited to join the firm and establish the firm's east coast family practice. The opportunities for a firm with such extensive international reach are huge, and I very much look forward to working with the 14 other family partners around the world to provide our clients with the very best levels of service."

Nicky is co-chair of the Advancing Women in the Law Committee for the New York Women's Bar Association (NYWBA) and serves on the judiciary selection and screening committee for the NYWBA.