Phineas Hirsch

Phineas advises domestic and international (including US and European) individuals and families on their succession and tax planning using sophisticated wills, trusts and other structures. He has expertise dealing with a wide range of UK and cross-border personal tax, residence and trust issues and acts for trustees and beneficiaries in relation to the creation, governance, and taxation of their trusts and international asset holding structures.   

Being a fluent French and Spanish speaker, Phineas has developed significant experience working closely with a network of local advisors in Continental Europe in dealing with foreign assets and estates.  In this context, he also advises on complex multi-jurisdictional probate and succession matters as well as the international tax issues that arise from cross-border legacies and high value property transactions. 

Phineas has advised frequently on the establishment of international asset holding structures for families and business owners, often with multi-generational beneficiaries resident in several jurisdictions. 

Phineas trained at Slaughter and May where he qualified into the Corporate Tax team 2010. He joined Withers as a Private Client practitioner in 2012 and moved to Payne Hicks Beach in 2024. 

In 2017 he was nominated as one of eprivateclients’s “Top 35 under 35” private client advisors. And in 2017 and 2019 he was recognised as “One to Watch” by Private Client Global Elite. 

In 2019 Phineas became a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), having been awarded an overall Distinction in his STEP Diploma, which included an Advanced Certificate in Advising Vulnerable Beneficiaries. 

In a personal capacity, Phineas acts as Trustee and Treasurer of US private family foundation, that funds non-profit organizations to facilitate progressive social change in the areas of homelessness and criminal justice reform. He is also a proud father with strong family values.