Withers, the international law firm, has added to its global immigration practice with the senior appointment of Mark Lanning, a former tax treaty negotiator for the US. He joins as director of immigration in Hong Kong.

Withers, the international law firm, has added to its global immigration practice with the senior appointment of Mark Lanning, a former tax treaty negotiator for the US. He joins as director of immigration in Hong Kong, a newly created position, Withers later told this publication.

Lanning previously worked at the US Consulate in Hong Kong, where he advised high-net-worth individuals and Fortune 500 Chinese and Hong Kong companies on visa and other US investment regulations.

The move is also a sign of how officials from government can switch to private sector roles to advise individuals and business about the very laws their erstwhile employers have created.

During his tenure as a trade and investment officer at the consulate, he organised investment conferences and led an investment delegation of 50 Chinese companies to the US, Withers said. Lanning has also negotiated US tax treaties with foreign governments and worked with tax professionals on US citizenship renunciation.

He has also advised companies and individuals on US immigration, citizenship and foreign direct investment in various roles at the US Embassy in London, the US Consulate in Guangzhou and the US Department of State, under the direction of Secretary of State Colin Powell.