Withers Worldwide About us Practice areas People Offices Features Publications Blog Events Careers Search Personal Family office & family business » Overview » Employees » Family businesses » Family dispute resolution » Family members » Funds & investment » Governance & operations » Legal risk management » Ownership of assets » Philanthropy » Reputation management » Structure Home » Practice areas » Family office & family business » Overview Print Family office & family business The meaning of Family Office is still fluid. A family office may be an entity set up to run a family's affairs which has separate legal personality from the family. It may just be a place where the family administers its affairs or it may be a network of employees and advisors in a number of different places who work together to run the family's investments. Globally, it is thought that there are 11,000 family offices in existence - with 2,500 to 3,000 in the US a further 2,500 in Europe, and 200 in Australia. This number is expected to grow in time, as the needs of wealthy families become more complex. Having looked after successful people, their families and advisers for over 100 years, we have real insight into the concerns of wealthy families. This insight helps us when we assist our clients to set up and operate their family offices. Read more Recent work Helping a number of international clients to set up offices - a reflection of growing demand for family offices. Working with several internationally based family offices on complex global restructuring projects for the families. Reviewing the structure and operations of several established family offices with the goal of providing recommendations for improving or expanding services provided. Advising the holders of a significant stake in a recently listed company on the structuring of IPO proceeds and their retained shareholdings, as well as the formation of a family office, the UK tax treatment of further investments - in particular offshore funds and deep discounted securities, the establishment of a hedge fund, the acquisition of a private jet and private yacht and the formation of a charitable foundation. Related information Features Global Warning The Meaning of Wealth in the 21st Century IRS Voluntary Disclosure Family Office First Momentum Our California expansion Contacts Patricia Milner DD: +44 (0)20 7597 6092 Email me Justine Markovitz DD: +41 (0)22 593 7711 Email me Katie Graves DD: +852 3711 1636 Email me Jeremy B. Crickard DD: +1 858 400 1306 Email me Meet the team Related practice areas Business Closely held businesses Corporate Distribution & regulatory issues Financial products Fund reviews for investors HR legal advice Health & safety (in the UK) Investment management Leasing Partnerships Private investment Services for art galleries, dealers and advisors Personal Financial services regulatory Tax Trust & succession disputes Wealth structuring Related news & publications Asian Family Offices as Cornerstone LPs Register of persons with significant control of companies Single family offices and the AIFMD - should you be bothered? Privacy Policy Complaints Suspicious Emails Accessibility Legal Notice/Attorney Advertising Contact us © Withers 2015 Cookies on this site This site uses cookies, as described in our cookie policy, to improve user experience. By using this site you agree to our use of these. Analytics We anonymously measure your use of this website to improve your experience. Continue