The law firm, which has offices in 17 jurisdictions across the world, has added to its presence in California.

(Updates article with comments from law firm.)

Californian trust and estates firm Hoffman Sabban & Watenmaker – founded in 1981 – has joined international law firm Withers. 

The joiners, who are based in Los Angeles, form a  practice of eight lawyers, three paralegals and additional team members. 

HSW's four partners include:

Paul Gordon Hoffman, who advises on domestic and international tax, estate planning, trust administration and probate, and charitable planning; 

Alan Watenmaker, who advises on tax, gift and estate planning, trust administration and probate, and charitable planning; 

Chang Chae, who advises on domestic and international estate planning, trust administration, business succession and tax and charitable planning; and 

Eric Tokuyama, who advises on tax, estate and property tax planning, trust and estate administration, and trust and estate litigation.

The team also includes attorneys Mary Ramsden, Renee Wittlif, Garen Kirakosian and Aubrey Van de Wetering.

Jay Dinwoodie is CEO of Withers' private client and tax division. Around the world, Withers has 17 offices.
 

Left to right:  Alan Watenmaker, Michael Brophy, Elizabeth Bawden, Eric Tokuyama, Chang Chae. (Brophy is LA office managing director/ regional divisional leader of the private client and tax division at Withers.) 

Asked about the reasons for bringing the California-based team into the firm, Jay Dinwoodie, said: “We have always believed that the opportunity for us in California was greater than we could fully support, given our relatively modest size.”

Withers has operated in California for a decade.

“However, we wanted to be cautious about expanding our team; it was important for us to add only the right people. For us, HSW was worth the wait - they are highly skilled, practice at our level and are very well connected and respected in the LA entertainment community, which is a key driver of wealth creation in LA,” Dinwoodie said. 

The former HSW lawyers are fully integrating into Withers and have ceased practicing as HSW as of January 1.