Private client specialist Charles Russell Speechlys (CRS) has bolstered its international tax capacity in Asia by adding a four-lawyer tax team from U.S. firm Butler Snow, led by partners Kurt Rademacher (L) and Ivan Lu, to its recently launched Singapore office.

All four lawyers are U.S.-qualified and provide U.S. legal advice to clients based in the Asia-Pacific region who have business or personal interests or interaction with the U.S. and need integrated, locally sourced advice on the applicable tax considerations, the firm said in a statement.

The tax team joins just days after CRS welcomed international arbitration and investigations partner Peter Brabant in Singapore. The Singapore office, which was launched in July last year, now has five partners.

Rademacher is set to lead CRS’ U.S. private client team. With experience in international wealth transfer planning, Rademacher started his career at Butler Snow in the U.S. in 2000 before moving to Withers, where he spent six years in its London and Hong Kong offices. He rejoined Butler Snow in  2010.

Lu spent over seven years at Butler Snow, specialising in high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families with respect to estate planning. He also has experience representing U.S.-connected families in the Greater China region and Southeast Asia. In addition to estate and tax planning, Lu assists clients with IRS compliance and disclosures.

Joining Rademacher and Lu in the move to CRS are legal director Timmoney Ng and senior associate Hara Kee.

“We are delighted to welcome the new tax advisory team to our Singapore Office,” said managing partner at CRS, Simon Ridpath, in a statement. 

“The team’s combined knowledge of the firm and private capital will undoubtedly strengthen our Firm’s position as a leader in the Asia market. The new team enhances our offering in Singapore and Hong Kong and gives us an added edge to our private capital offering, that we are establishing across our office network,” Ridpath added.