Withers Bergman Adds Trusts & Estates Attorney

New York, NY – January 7, 2013 – The international law firm Withers (known as Withers Bergman in the US) announced today that leading trusts and estates attorney Louis Mezzullo has joined the firm on January 1, as a Consulting Partner.

Mr. Mezzullo is widely recognized as one of the foremost estate planning and business succession planning attorneys in the United States. He has written extensively on taxation, estate and business succession planning, and employee benefits issues.

“Lou is among the most esteemed and experienced estate planning attorneys in the country,” said Ivan Sacks, Global Chairman of Withersworldwide. “We’re very pleased to have Lou join us and be able to draw upon his unparalleled knowledge in the field.”

Mr. Mezzullo is the immediate past president of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, where he has also served as chair of the Business Planning, Employee Benefits in Estate Planning and Elder Law Committees, and will chair the Organization’s nominating committee this year. He is also a former chair of the American College of Tax Counsel; current chair of the Chapter 14 Subcommittee of the Estate and Gift Taxes Committee of the ABA Section of Taxation; former vice-chair of publications of the ABA Section of Taxation; and past chair of the ABA Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law. Mr. Mezzullo is also ranked in the top category for wealth management (Western Region) by Chambers, USA.

“My practice aligns well with Withers Bergman, and joining the firm gives me the opportunity to use my experience in a very complete way,” said Mr. Mezzullo. “I have no doubt my clients will benefit from the firm’s comprehensive services, and I am looking forward to sharing the knowledge I’ve acquired during my decades of practice.”

Mr. Mezzullo will be based in Rancho Santa Fe, California, from which he will help advise Withers' national and international clientele as well as help expand the firm’s service to clients in California. Mr. Mezzullo earned his J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law, where he was a Gold Medal Recipient for Best Student in Graduating Class, and earned his M.A. and B.A. from the University of Maryland. He is admitted to the Bars of California and Virginia, and often serves as an expert witness in matters related to estate, tax and business planning and trust administration.

About Withers Bergman:

Withers Bergman LLP, and its affiliated entities (collectively Withersworldwide), have advised successful individuals, families and institutions on their business and personal legal needs both at home and abroad for more than 100 years. The firm has some 350 attorneys in 11 offices spread across Europe, US, the Caribbean and Asia. The firm represents a significant number of the world’s wealthiest individuals and families.