Private-client specialist law firm Withers has entered into a Formal Law Alliance (FLA) with Singapore’s KhattarWong. The FLA, which comes into effect in April, will see the firms form “Withers KhattarWong,” and the entire KhattarWong partnership will also become partners at Withers.

Singapore’s KhattarWong has welcomed back criminal defence lawyer Shashi Nathan, who joins as a partner in its criminal litigation department from boutique firm INCA Law.

Singapore firm KhattarWong has announced a wave of promotions, with Adrian Chin, Chua Yee Hoong and Haresh Kamdar being promoted to salaried partner, and Sandra Choy and Sharanjit Kaur being promoted to equity partner.The firm has also hired corporate and securities partner Kelvyn Oo from Duane Morris & Selvam and Yoong Nim Chor from Yoong & Partners.

Slaughter and May and regional firms KhattarWong and Tumbuan & Partners are advising on Borneo Lumbung Energi & Metal’s proposed $1 billion acquisition of a 23.8% stake in LSE-listed coal miner Bumi from Long Haul Holdings and debt-laden family-run Indonesian conglomerate Bakrie, which is currently attempting to avoid a loan default.

Singapore law firm RHT Law has made its first announcements as a new entity on the firm’s strategy going forward setting its sights on becoming an international ‘local’ firm with a presence in numerous locations across the Asia Pacific.

KhattarWong has lost approximately 105 staff and lawyers as managing partner Tan Chong Huat leaves – taking with him seven KhattarWong equity partners and 17 salary partners, to start up RHT law.