International law firm Withers has hired immigration lawyer Philip Barth in its London office. His job will be to establish a European and Asian immigration practice, working closely with Of Counsel Reaz Jafri, who joined the firm’s New York office in October 2012.

Barth joins from UK commercial and private client law firm Penningtons Solicitors.

As well as advising within the banking, private banking and wealth management sectors on immigration matters, Barth also advises corporate and educational sponsors on compliance and risk issues and has expertise in nationality law, human rights cases and those involving EU law, criminality and exclusion.