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 major player in private wealth and family law in Singapore and as part of a global firm that leads the market in this area. The Singapore team represents a high proportion of the wealthiest individuals and families in the jurisdiction. It has been at the forefront of advising family offices on the use of the Singapore Variable Capital Company for the structuring of family funds. The Singapore office has detailed knowledge of the Singapore tax landscape, along with other international tax regimes, and it has extensive experience in trusts, wills and probate, and immigration matters. Fernando Gandioli is a US-qualified international tax and estate planning specialist, while Stacy Choong is an international estate and wealth planning expert with a background as a senior private banking professional. Ivan Cheong is ‘a seasoned family lawyer‘ and Connie Yik Kong is a go-to for international tax and succession planning.

Singapore > Tax: local firms Tier 1

Praised as a ‘leading firm in Singapore for private wealth and tax planning matters’, Withers KhattarWong LLP is noted for its expertise in handling domestic and cross-border tax matters spanning real estate funds, commercial investments, renewable energy, logistics, infrastructure, residential and retail property, with additional experience advising high-net-worth individuals on matters concerning wealth management issues. Practice leader Eric Roose is well-versed in mandates concerning the tax aspects of cross-border M&A and investments, while Yeoh Lian Chuan is commended as ‘a brilliant mind and has a keen ability to provide creative solutions for particularly sticky situations’.

Singapore > Labour and employment: local firms Tier 2

Withers KhattarWong LLP has a long history in the employment sphere, particularly on the disputes side. Given the firm’s focus on private wealth, it is noted for its representation of senior executives and individuals, alongside its corporate client base. The firm has an impressive background in employee terminations, harassment claims, and senior executive exits. Deborah Barker SC has decades of experience in dispute resolution, including a significant proportion of employment cases. Amarjit Kaur is an emerging talent and esteemed litigator, who balances contentious and non-contentious employment work, including contract negotiation and employee benefits, while frequently acting for executives in employment disputes against large corporates, including breach of confidentiality claims.

Singapore > Real estate: local firms Tier 2

At Withers KhattarWong LLP, the team regularly acts for institutional investors, property funds, high-net-worth individuals, and developers in cross-border transactions. Residential and commercial property matters are key areas of work for the group, which is equally adept at handling instructions from the industrial and hospitality sectors. The department is very well known for advising on work in relation to self-storage facilities. Kenneth Szeto heads the practice, which is amalgamated with the firm’s banking and finance offering. Tien Gui Koh has an excellent track record in advising on hotels deals.

Singapore > Banking and finance: local firms Tier 3

Withers KhattarWong LLP‘s banking and finance practice is closely linked to the firm’s real estate team. Much of the practice centres on financing real estate acquisitions and developments, with additional experience in project finance and restructuring engagements. Private debt, subscription line financings and tech-sector financings are also fortes for the firm. It has an impressive client base of local and regional lenders, funds, and a number of major borrowers. Guan Feng Chen is a hugely experienced banking and finance specialist with a fine record in cross-border financings involving Indonesia and Malaysia. Kenneth Szeto is a key figure in real estate finance, as is Agatha Lee, who provides further senior-level expertise at the consultant level.

Singapore > Dispute resolution: local firms Tier 3

Withers KhattarWong LLP has dispute resolution at the heart of its Singapore practice, with Deborah Barker SC, a senior counsel since 2001, at the helm. The Singapore office has a major focus on private capital, resulting in a steady pipeline of commercial and personal disputes engagements. The team is also rated for employment, white-collar crime and tax cases. Moreover, it is building its standing in tech, crypto and blockchain-related disputes. Chenthil Kumarasingam is an experienced commercial litigation and arbitration specialist, with Shaun Leong providing further senior-level arbitration expertise. Ushan Premaratne departed the practice in September 2023 to join Meritus Law LLC.

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

Led by cross-border private equity and M&A transactional specialist Daniel Yong, Withers KhattarWong LLP assists clients operating in the fintech space with private equity, financial and technology transactions and strategic alliances. Privacy and data security compliance and financial services and bank regulatory advisory work are further strengths of the multi-disciplinary team. Tech specialist Joel Shen leads the startups and emerging markets practice at the firm. His varied portfolio of work encompasses tax structuring matters and advice on investments in tech companies. Leong Chuo Ming further extends the corporate transactional expertise at the firm. Senior associate Yap Ling Man is another name to note.

Singapore > Intellectual property: Local firms Tier 3

Withers KhattarWong LLP’s ‘reliable, responsible and professional’ IP practice advises on transactions, portfolio management, and litigation, with demonstrable experience in the technology, media, entertainment, and the arts arenas. Jonathan Kok leads the team and advises on IP-related transactions, while Alvin Lim focuses on patent litigation.

Singapore > Investment funds: local firms Tier 3

Withers KhattarWong LLP’s specialisation in investment funds coupled with its deep tax experience, makes it well-equipped to advise clients on open-end and closed-end funds. Clients include family offices, private equity funds, hedge funds, venture capital funds, real estate managers and investors. It is particularly rated for funds structuring in the family office arena. More broadly, the team is well-suited to tax structuring, regulatory advice, fund formation and downstream investment. It has been especially active in the establishment of VCC structures and is also noted for technology and digital assets-related funds. Daniel Yong leads the investment funds team, splitting his time between funds formation engagements and private equity and M&A transactions. Eric Roose provides extensive tax expertise.

Singapore > Restructuring and insolvency: local firms Tier 3

With a strong focus on private investments and financings, Withers KhattarWong LLP acts for private investors in the investment, acquisition and financing of distressed assets and companies in the region, including Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Other key areas of expertise include debt restructurings, as well as enforcement and workout mandates. Justin Yip leads the team and advises on debt restructurings, corporate rescues and special situation transactions. Other key contacts in the group include Erlene Tan and Zhen Yu Lam.

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

Withers KhattarWong LLP’s full service practice represents numerous investment funds, venture and growth capital funds, as well as acting for emerging companies in structuring equity, debt and hybrid investments involving several institutional investors and angels. Practice head Joel Shen has strong expertise in the Indonesian market, where his clients include major technology companies, financial institutions and venture capital fund managers. Daniel Yong is another key contact in the group, especially regarding regulatory and licensing issues affecting fund managers and capital markets intermediaries.

Singapore > White-collar crime - Local firms Tier 3

Withers KhattarWong LLP’s criminal law practice covers a broad range of white-collar mandates, regularly defending senior executives on cases involving corruption, misconduct, fraud and bribery, with additional experience in conducting corporate investigations. Shashi Nathan leads the criminal litigation practice and is an expert on regulatory and compliance matters; as part of this, Nathan is noted for her expertise of the Securities and Futures Act, as well as the Prevention of Corruption Act. At the associate level, Jeremy Pereira is another key contact in the group and has experience in criminal litigation in state courts, alongside military courts and disciplinary tribunals.

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

Providing ‘valuable insights and strategic guidance to clients, helping navigate complex challenges effectively’, Withers KhattarWong LLP advises on M&A, buyouts and takeovers, purchases of shares in companies, joint ventures, commercial transactions and corporate governance matters. Private equity investments is another key area of expertise. Daniel Yong leads the team and focuses on investment funds, in addition to cross-border private equity and M&A transactions, with demonstrable experience in the real estate, financial services and energy sectors.

Singapore > International arbitration