Withers KhattarWong’s dispute resolution practice often works with different offices across the Asia-Pacific region, providing seamless cross-border disputes advice. It acts for a wide range of international clients including corporate entities and directors, high-net-worth individuals and their businesses, governments and government agencies, manufacturers, banks, broker-dealers and trust companies. The firm is particularly known for private capital, employment, family and matrimonial, white-collar and tax-related disputes. It has established a strong reputation for handling complex and high-profile cases, making it a go-to choice for many high-net-worth individuals and businesses. Its global dispute resolution practice comprises more than 160 lawyers around the world and they are handling a claims portfolio of more than $10 billion.
Its experienced litigators include senior counsel Deborah Barker, criminal lawyer Shashi Nathan, financial services disputes lawyer Chenthil Kumarasingam, employment specialist Amarjit Kaur, international arbitration expert Spring Tan, restructuring and insolvency specialist Justin Yip, family and matrimonial expert Ivan Cheong, and Sharon Lin, an insurance director with a focus on professional indemnity matters. In early 2025, the firm welcomed its new Singapore litigation head, commercial and criminal litigator and international arbitration specialist Pardeep Khosa from Morgan Lewis Stamford.
The firm's insolvency practice has gained recognition for handling major restructuring cases, including acting for KPMG as liquidators in the high-profile ZenRock Commodities Trading case. The challenges of this case involved intricate investigations related to fraud and mismanagement. The largest customer-creditor of Zipmex also relied on the Withers KhattarWong team during the debtor-led restructuring of the Zipmex Group. The firm successfully resisted extensions of the moratorium as the group prepares for imminent liquidation. This case involved complex debt recovery strategies within the cryptocurrency sector.
Another highlight for the firm was its involvement in a commercial dispute where the clients faced allegations from their former employer, Blockchain Founders, regarding a launch party for TOKEN 2049 Singapore. The claims range from breach of contractual obligations to copyright infringement. The firm represented the clients to ensure the event proceeded smoothly and filed counterclaims on their behalf. In another notable matter, the team acted for two individual clients who were induced to provide funds under false pretenses. The defendant allegedly conducted fraudulent activities, including forging documents to mislead the clients about loan transactions. The case raised novel legal questions regarding the effects of misrepresentations on time limitations for claims.
Key clients include Estée Lauder Cosmetics, HSBC, Kaddra, Luxasia, Multimedia Engineering, United Overseas Bank and VIVA International Trust.
Client feedback
"The lawyer I interacted with was very forthcoming in the advice he provided, often doing so out of goodwill." – Family and matrimonial
"The lead counsel demonstrated empathy and tailored a suitable strategy for me." – Family and matrimonial
"They possess good industry knowledge, fight hard for clients (including individuals as opposed to corporations), and are a pleasure to work with." – Labour and employment
"They provide proactive and timely advice, along with concise legal advice and documentation." – Labour and employment
"They have one of the best white-collar crime teams in Singapore helmed by Shashi Nathan.” – White-collar crime
"WKW has an excellent white- collar and regulatory team. Shashi Nathan and Jeremy Pereira are particular standouts." – White-collar crime
Ivan Cheong
"Ivan is capable of providing good and practical advice. He listens to my concerns and issues and devises effective strategies."
Shaun Ho
"Shaun Ho was very forthcoming in the advice he provided, often doing so out of goodwill."
Amarjit Kaur
"She has strong industry knowledge in employment and labor, and fights hard for clients, including individual clients as opposed to just corporates."
"She is always positive and available. She understands her clients' needs well, stands true to her profession, and provides reliable, timely, and clear advice."
Shashi Nathan
"Shashi is very generous with his time. He reassures clients and keeps clients informed of developments. He has a wealth of experience and is the only lawyer in the Singapore market who can sustain a white-collar crime practice for his entire career spanning over 30 years. I will not hesitate to recommend Shashi to colleagues and clients.”
"Shashi has excellent subject-matter knowledge and is a seasoned trial advocate."
"He is creative, calm, and confident, providing practical advice every time."
"Shashi Nathan is an excellent and creative criminal counsel. He is my counsel of choice when my clients or contacts require criminal law advice and representation.”
