International law firm Withers has taken a significant step in the development of its Southeast Asian practice through the creation of a Formal Law Alliance (FLA) with Singapore law firm KhattarWong.  In April 2015, the firms will form "Withers KhattarWong" to provide a leading range of Singapore, UK and US legal services to clients. The entire KhattarWong partnership will also become partners at Withers.

 

"We are delighted to be able to enter into this agreement with KhattarWong.  We have got to know the firm very well since we set up our own practice in the same building in 2012 and have long recognized KhattarWong's reputation as one of Singapore's most well-established and respected firms.  Through working together as Withers KhattarWong, the alliance will offer corporations, institutions, successful individuals and families in Southeast Asia with a full range of wealth planning, litigation and arbitration and commercial legal capabilities that we feel is currently not adequately provided in the market," says Withers managing director Margaret Robertson.

 

Withers' Singapore office has nine lawyers, including six partners, offering tax and estate planning, corporate, cross-border dispute resolution and arbitration advice.  The office works closely with Withers' Hong Kong office, which has over 35 lawyers.  KhattarWong's practices include banking, finance and property; corporate and securities; criminal litigation; intellectual property and technology; litigation and dispute resolution; and tax and private client.  The firm has over 70 lawyers and was set up over 40 years ago.