Withers has appointed partner Justine Markovitz as its chairperson. She will formally start the role on 1 July 2019. Justine is the second female partner to occupy Withers' chairperson position, following Diana Parker who was chair from 1997 to 2006. With Justine working alongside chief executive Margaret Robertson, Withers is proud to be have a female senior leadership team.
Justine follows the firm's first US-based chairperson, Ivan Sacks, who has served for the maximum permissible period of two terms. During Ivan's tenure the firm expanded its footprint across the US and Asia, transforming its global reach and capabilities as the leading international adviser to private capital with a network of 16 offices.
Justine joined Withers in 1999, becoming partner in 2004. She has a very successful career as a tax, trusts and estates adviser, working with international families on their succession planning and the structure of their personal assets and business interests. Since 2005 she has headed Withers' Swiss practice, based in Geneva and has also co-headed the firm's global Private Client and Tax team.
Margaret Robertson, Chief Executive, comments: "Justine is a great fit for chairperson as she is universally respected, an exceptionally strong lawyer and has occupied a number of international leadership roles for many years. It speaks volumes of our partners' confidence in Justine that the vote for her appointment was entirely uncontested. I very much look forward to working with her on managing the continuing success of the firm and the excellence of the services we provide to our clients."
Justine adds: "I am thrilled to have been appointed chairperson and excited to continue Withers' position as the leading adviser to private capital around the world. It's a great honour to have been elected to build on Ivan's achievements and to take the firm’s success story forward."
