Withers KhattarWong, the Singapore office of the international law firm Withersworldwide, marked its 50th anniversary with a celebration held at its brand new premises. The event brought together over 120 clients, intermediaries and guests, reflecting on the firm’s illustrious history and celebrating its future. Relive the highlights and celebrate with us by viewing the Withers KhattarWong 50th anniversary video below.

Withers KhattarWong celebrates 50 years of excellence and innovation

The evening was graced by Guest of Honour, Minister Indranee Rajah, Senior Counsel – Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and National Development. Minister Rajah emphasized the importance of a thriving and innovative legal environment in Singapore. She commended the firm’s growth and its significant contributions to the legal landscape over the past five decades. Minister Rajah highlighted the firm’s commitment to pro bono initiatives and gender equity, including the launch of the Future Female Leaders award in partnership with Singapore Management University and the mentorship programme with the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Joint Managing Partner Shashi Nathan expressed his gratitude, stating, 'As we celebrate this monumental milestone, we reflect on our journey and look forward to the future with renewed commitment. Our newly enhanced alumni programme and our pledge of 1,000 hours of pro bono services and CSR underscore our commitment to giving back to the community and supporting the next generation of legal talent.'

Joint Managing Partner Daniel Yong added, 'Our 50th anniversary is not just a celebration of our past achievements but also a testament to our vision for the future. Our initiatives, including the upcoming mentorship programme with NUS and our focus on expanding our presence in key markets such as Indonesia, reflect our strategic growth and dedication to serving our clients with unparalleled legal expertise.'

Global Chairperson Justine Markovitz spoke about the firm’s storied journey and enduring relationships with clients and partners. She acknowledged the visionary leadership of Deborah Barker, Senior Counsel, who contributed significantly to the firm’s success and handed over leadership to Shashi Nathan and Daniel Yong earlier this year.

Firm's commitment to excellence and innovation

Withers KhattarWong has long been dedicated to providing exceptional legal services, advising a wide range of clients, including 52% of the Forbes Singapore's 50 Richest People List, public and private companies, MNCs, financial institutions, family offices, UHNWIs, charities, and not-for-profit organizations. The firm is among the largest international law firms in Singapore and is part of the Withersworldwide network of 17 offices across Asia, the US, and Europe. 

Earlier this year, Withers KhattarWong announced its association with KARNA Partnership, a dynamic and multi-service law firm based in Indonesia. This collaboration strengthens both firms’ capacity to provide comprehensive legal advice to their clientele in Indonesia and internationally.

Founded in 1974, Withers KhattarWong has over 200 lawyers and business services staff. The firm recently moved to a new open-concept office which supports the flexibility required for agile working while fostering collaboration and innovation. This move reflects the firm's commitment to creating a modern, adaptable work environment for its team while ensuring a sustainable future as part of the building's overall eco-friendly design.

Vision of the future: Insights from Minister Indranee Rajah

Minister Indranee Rajah highlighted Singapore’s role as a leading sustainable finance hub for Asia, emphasizing the significance of the Finance for Net Zero Action Plan (FiNZ) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), which aims to mobilize financing to drive Asia’s transition to net zero. She discussed the development of innovative solutions, such as blended finance, to support sustainable infrastructure projects and the importance of improving disclosures to reduce greenwashing.

On tax developments, Minister Indranee Rajah mentioned the implementation of BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) 2.0 and the Domestic Top-up Tax and Income Inclusion Rule starting January 2025, designed to align with international standards and minimize compliance burdens on businesses. She underscored the role of legal firms in helping clients navigate these changes.

Minister Indranee Rajah also highlighted Singapore’s status as a global-Asia family office hub, offering a stable and well-developed ecosystem for managing wealth. She drew attention to Singapore’s regulatory environment and its comprehensive professional services, which attract top global families seeking to manage their wealth and drive impact investments.

Regarding the future of the legal profession, Minister Indranee Rajah emphasized the transformative potential of generative AI in legal work. She encouraged legal professionals to harness AI for research, discovery, analysis, and drafting, supported by the Productivity Solutions Grant for the Legal Sector, which offers financial assistance for adopting AI-powered legal tech tools.

Read Minister Indranee Rajah's full speech here.