Leading law firm for 19 areas in Asia Pacific in 2023 editions of Chambers Greater China and Legal 500

As individuals, families and businesses explore growth opportunities and navigate new uncertainties across Asia, our determination in providing instrumental support for our clients remains resolute. 

Our role in supporting success has earned us the recognition as a leading firm by Legal 500 Asia Pacific in 18 practice areas; and by Chambers and Partners in 2 practice areas in its Greater China Guide. Along with these prestigious accolades, a total of 16 of our lawyers have likewise been recognised for their excellence in their respective market-leading practices. This closely follows our recent incredible showing in the Chambers Asia Pacific Guide 2023.

We are honoured to receive these accolades, which are only possible through the thoughtful feedback provided by our clients and business partners.

We are thankful to everyone who has supported us, and we look forward to remaining as your trusted legal partner in the years to come.

Testimonials

Banking & Finance

Kenneth Szeto offers innovative solutions to problems and has a strong knowledge of banking and finance matters, particularly property financing.

Corporate M&A

Erlene Tan and the team have assisted us in drafting numerous agreements for investments. Erlene is always very clear in understanding our needs and never fails to ensure that the agreements reflect so. Erlene and the team are always very responsive, be it on emails or texts and never fail to turn around the agreements, even when there is limited time. We value and treasure this very much.

Erlene Tan is spot on, commercial sensible and a great negotiator in joint ventures.

The leading counsel Daniel Yong, while has deep technical knowledge in law, is pragmatic in his approach and listen to his client’s need. The team as a whole work cohesively and respond to promptly which is critical to M&A transaction.

Mabel Lui is well aware of the business environment in Hong Kong and in Mainland China, and gets the deals done.

Dispute Resolution

Collaborative approach to solving disputes. Very dedicated individuals who find creative solutions.

Chenthil Kumarasingam is outstanding. Dedicated, and fights for his clients.

Knowledgeable about the space, can handle complex cross-border matters, able to provide solid and practical advice.

International Arbitration

Sherlin Tung's advice on this was excellent because she showed very good judgement in a couple of respects, in terms of how she managed to put pressure on individuals and the company at the right time.

Sherlin Tung is a genuine thought leader in the arbitration space and looks to be a future heavyweight. She has a committed and loyal client following and a keen commercial eye.

Intellectual Property

Consistency and practicality in its advice is what makes the team work for us. They’ve helped us throughout the years with very sound advice whenever we encounter set backs in our TM applications in the region.

Easy to contact and promptly responds to our queries, no matter how complex or simple they are.

Investment Funds

Practical and relevant. Sensitive on cost aspect of client.

Yoshihiro Omori and Hirokazu Miyamoto are aware of various practical matters, from their experience in the asset management business. Yoshihiro is responsive, practical and efficient in his service.

The funds team at Withers is quick, commercial, and very experienced despite the young age of the team. A top-rate team doing top-rate work.

Koji Yamamoto is incredibly knowledgeable about the funds industry and also very commercial, which allows him to provide invaluable strategic advice in addition to technical legal advice.

Yoshiyuki Omori knows fund regulations and practice inside out and guides clients with a steady hand.

The Withers team is unique in that it brings a Japanese regulatory capability with an deep understanding of the needs and wants of international institutional investors and managers. Couple this with an in house tax capability and the Withers team have an offering to the asset management industry that is unique in its completeness.

Koji Yamamoto stands out as a Japanese lawyer with outstanding international law firm experience and pedigree, understanding of the global industry, coupled with Japan law technical expertise. This allows him to bring to bear a combination extensive experience of international best practices and innovations, deep Japanese regulatory knowledge, with both international and domestic market.

Labour and Employment 

Amarjit Kaur. Very good, solution-oriented employment lawyer and someone that can be recommended to contacts. She provides training on #MeToo and diversity & inclusion issues.

The team members have pleasant personalities and are approachable. As they understood the case better and got to know me better, they showed compassion and understanding. Their passion to seek justice for me is strong, very professional. Knowing that my financial strength is limited and I do not qualify for pro bono assistance, the team tries to control the legal costs to relieve my burden.

Deborah Barker is very approachable and calm during our interactions and helps in rationalising the issues and fine-combing our responses. Very professional. Amarjit Kaur was my first contact with the team as she attended to the APO execution. Despite the stress on that day, I remember she made me comfortable going through the APO process in the presence of plaintiffs lawyers and supervising solicitors. She was pleasant, observant and very thorough. She was the main person handling the defence responses and her passion shines through.

Extraordinary team at employment and dispute resolution. Professional and thoughtful. Always five steps ahead of everyone else.

Deborah Barker and Amarjit Kaur possess superior legal minds. Exhaustive in their approach and tireless in their effort.

Private Wealth and Family law

Very strong technical knowledge and strategic in resolutions. Direct, forthcoming, prompt and highly competent. Meticulous strong advisory.

The team has people with superlative knowledge in their field. They know the subject matter thoroughly and are able to practically and successfully guide their clients through the various approval stages. Also, Withers KhattarWong is well connected in the industry and is able to connect with various service providers, which makes the process and their service offerings comprehensive.

We worked closely with Stacy Choong and Yong Sheng Hon. With both of them, we have been impressed with their knowledge, their experience, their guidance and their manner of execution. We always felt we were in safe hands with their counsel.

Ivan Cheong is easy to work with and pragmatic.

Ivan Cheong is an experienced, personable family lawyer who gives sensible and practical advice. Would recommend him.

Withers KhattarWong’s team possess very strong expertise in wealth, estate planning, family office establishment and management, tax areas. Whatever questions I have, the team will deliver satisfactory answers. One of the best law firms I’ve worked with.

Care for clients’ wellbeing, attention to details and prompt response to my inquiries. Yong Sheng Hon is just fantastic!

Stacy Choong, Fernando Gandioli and Lian Chuan Yeoh are particularly impressive as their understanding of UHNW families includes a strong grasps of the asset classes and types that such families may be invested.

They are proficient in their work across the board and set the industry standard in terms of their client service. Their clients' interests are always at the forefront of their operations.

They have provided invaluable advice to the client and eventually obtained a favourable outcome - definitely value for money.

Samantha Gershon is a solid lawyer and she works enormously hard - not just on cases in front of her but on professional knowledge too.

Jocelyn Tsao is easy to talk to, and gives you support where you need it.

Real Estate

The team provided a passionate voice during extremely under-pressure cases.

They are always quick in responding to my requests and completing the assignments.

I am really impressed by Polly Chu's professional and competent services. Her experience and insights have driven the case from the beginning and given us immense confidence.

Restructuring and Insolvency

Very responsive, solid client management, good knowledge and dedicated.

Tax

Yeoh Lian Chuan is technically strong and able to deal with the most complex of issues.

White-Collar Crime

Responsive and timely, proactive, commercial and practical, able to advise on difficult and complex issues.

Personable but still willing to have hard conversations.

Diversity and collaboration.

Wide breadth and depth of experience and business nuances.

Shashi Nathan is my lawyer of choice for white-collar crime matters. Quick, savvy and practical, he never fails to provide sound advice and strategies.