Withers KhattarWong LLP > Singapore, Singapore > Firm Profile

Withers KhattarWong LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Singapore > Private wealth and family law – local firms Tier 1

Withers KhattarWong LLP is a global titan in private wealth and family law, with the growth of the Singapore office providing a further boost to its worldwide reputation. As part of the firm’s local and international standing, it represents some of the wealthiest individuals and families in Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific and around the world. The practice centres on estate planning, immigration, and the resolution of family and inheritance disputes. Using its eminent expertise in tax, the Singapore office has an impressive background in launching family offices in Singapore, making investments through trusts and establishing other related vehicles. Stacy Choong is a prominent figure in estate planning, including wills, trusts, family governance and shareholders’ agreements, along with establishing family offices and private trust companies. US qualified tax lawyer Connie Yik Kong also provides further expertise in succession planning, including cross-border estate and trust planning, and estate administration, while Hon Yong Sheng is also rated for estate planning and wealth protection. Ivan Cheong heads the divorce and family team in Singapore.

Singapore > Tax: local firms Tier 1

Praised for its ability to ‘service the whole spectrum of clients’, Withers KhattarWong LLP is a key port of call for corporates and high-net-worth individuals seeking assistance on domestic and cross-border tax matters. The group handles real estate funds, commercial investments, renewable energy, logistics, infrastructure, residential and retail property matters. Practice head Eric Roose is noted for his experience providing tax advice involving international M&A, cross-border transactions and investments. Associate Charles Kwek advises on all aspects of Singapore revenue law, as well as advising private clients on the establishment and structuring of family offices.

Singapore > Labour and employment: local firms Tier 2

Withers KhattarWong LLP has an especially strong reputation in employment litigation, particularly where it acts for senior executives against large corporates. It also represents a range of corporates and business owners in connection with employment contracts, HR policies and investigations into employee misconduct. It has a fine record in onboarding, termination, exits, redundancies and departure package issues. Amarjit Kaur is a recognised employment specialist with a fine reputation in contentious and non-contentious matters, particularly for senior executives. Deborah Barker SC is an immensely experienced litigator with a considerable focus on employment disputes.

Singapore > Real estate: local firms Tier 2

Singapore > Banking and finance: local firms Tier 3

Withers KhattarWong LLP has an established combination of local and international legal expertise with close links to domestic and foreign banks and financial institutions. The banking and finance team is fused with the real estate department, giving it additional firepower in property financings involving the acquisition of real estate assets in Singapore and overseas. The group is also noted for distressed debt transactions, where it is able to leverage the additional expertise of the firm’s restructuring and insolvency team. Project finance is another forte, as is private credit financings. Leading name Chen Guan Feng is an experienced figure in cross-border financings involving Indonesia and Malaysia, and has established connections to Singapore banks and Singapore-based international banks and financial institutions. Kenneth Szeto  has left the firm.

Singapore > Dispute resolution Tier 3

At the core of Withers KhattarWong LLP’s offering is a strong focus on dispute resolution. The firm is renowned for its extensive work in private capital disputes, which ensures a consistent flow of commercial and personal cases. It is also distinguished for its expertise in employment law, white-collar crime, and tax disputes, while increasingly gaining recognition in technology, cryptocurrency, and blockchain-related matters. Deborah Barker SC is a key port of call for banks, financial institutions, insurance companies and multinational corporations seeking assistance in a wide range of matters. Mohammed Reza joined the team in 2025, leading on the international arbitration group with his extensive expertise in investigations within the energy and banking sectors. Chenthil Kumarasingam leads the team.

Singapore > Fintech and financial services regulatory: local firms Tier 3

Singapore > Intellectual property: Local firms Tier 3

The team at Withers KhattarWong LLP undertakes a wide spectrum of IP work spanning advice and transactions, portfolio management, and litigation. The firm’s offering encapsulates both non-contentious and contentious work, allowing it to support the full IP life cycle, covering various forms of IP. Leading the team, Jonathan Kok advises international media and tech companies on IP identification and protection, while also engaging in complex licensing and acquisition transactions across multiple jurisdictions.

Singapore > Investment funds: local firms Tier 3

Singapore > Restructuring and insolvency: local firms Tier 3

Withers KhattarWong LLP focuses on private investments and financings, advising private investors on acquiring and financing distressed assets and companies throughout Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The firm is also highly skilled in debt restructurings, enforcement actions, and workout strategies. Practice head Justin Yip is a key port of call for multi-national corporations, Singapore-listed companies, local and foreign banks and financial institutions seeking advise on debt restructurings, corporate rescues and special situation transactions.

Singapore > Start-up and venture capital – Local firms Tier 3

Withers KhattarWong LLP has a significant presence in local and regional start-up and venture capital matters, bringing its prominent tax advisory expertise to many of its prime engagements. Much of its practice centres on early stage, growth and later stage funding rounds, along with bridge financings, venture debt, M&A and technology transfers. It is also noted for venture fund formation, along with its particular expertise in the Indonesian market. Clients include start-ups and growth companies from around the region, along with a range of venture funds. Joel Shen leads the tech Asia team and the Indonesia practice; he represents a large number of clients in the Indonesian market. Daniel Yong provides additional senior expertise.

Singapore > White-collar crime - Local firms Tier 3

With an active presence in the white-collar defence sphere, the criminal law team at Withers KhattarWong LLP is highly regarded for its work defending senior executives on cases involving corruption, misconduct, fraud and bribery, with additional experience in conducting corporate investigations. The team is spearheaded by Shashi Nathan, who advises and defends institutions, as well as individual clients, on Singapore’s regulatory and compliance framework. Nathan also earns praise for his expert focus on the Securities and Futures Act and the Prevention of Corruption Act. Jeremy Pereira covers a broad spectrum of criminal litigation, investigations and regulatory compliance.

Singapore > Corporate and M&A: local firms Tier 4

The team at Withers KhattarWong LLP advises on domestic and cross-border transactions, from acquisitions and divestments to joint ventures, takeovers and corporate governance mandates, in addition to private equity and venture capital investments. Practice leader Daniel Yong handles M&A and private equity deals, and counts private fund managers, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and corporates among his key roster of clients. Joel Shen, who advises on cross-border investments, acquisitions and joint ventures, is another key contact in the group.