Associate (US Tax)

Withers KhattarWong LLP 

Job title:     Associate (US Tax) 

Division:     Private Client & Tax| US Tax team 

Location:    Singapore

About Withersworldwide

A law firm focused on people and collaboration

For the past 125 years, Withers has supported some of the world's most remarkable people and organisations at defining moments in their lives.

We are the only international law firm focused on successful individuals and private capital, working closely with founders, investors and family offices. We also advise governments, charities, global brands and start-ups of all shapes and sizes.

Many of our clients are shaping the future and creating solutions to tackle many of the world's problems.  It makes for a fascinating and challenging practice. Our role is to get to know each individual client, find out where they want to be, and help them to get there – whether they are building a business, looking after their family, involved in a complex dispute or protecting their finances for the future. 

To meet their unique needs we are exceptionally collaborative, working together across teams and time zones. 

We are agile, focusing on strategy rather than rigid ideas and traditional hierarchy. It is a truly flexible working culture that puts people first.

Join us to be part of a team that is always looking to the future. Where initiative, big ideas and bold moves are always encouraged. Where you can truly be yourself.

The Department

Our top-ranking wealth planning team has a number of market-leading partners who advise domestic and internationally based clients and their family offices in relation to trusts and tax, as well as estate and succession issues. 

Our team helps successful families and entrepreneurs around the world structure their assets in a way that will preserve their wealth now and for future generations.  We advise on all aspects of wealth structuring, using domestic and international trusts and foundations, private trust companies in local as well as offshore jurisdictions and we co-ordinate the acquisition of appropriate investments. 

Our clients are international families with family members who are living across the world and have US connections and want to understand their tax exposure and where possible engage in planning to mitigate it. 

The role

The role is for a US qualified tax and wealth planning lawyer interested in an associate position in Singapore.  The associate would join a team of over ten tax and private client and practitioners in Singapore, many of whom are US qualified.  The team regularly works with its colleagues in other offices Hong Kong, Tokyo, London, New York and San Francisco among others.

The associate will advise high net worth individuals, their families on US and international tax, trust and estate planning issues as well as on US expatriation and immigration issues and IRS Voluntary Disclosure programs.  They also will advise on structuring investments into businesses and real estate as well as into funds.  They will work with US and international trusts and foundations, private trust companies, holding companies and family offices and advise on FATCA and CRS reporting issues.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive.  It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for the performance of this position and as such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.

Key Skills and Experience 

• 2-4 years of relevant experience preferred 
• Admitted to practice law in the US 
• LLM in taxation is preferable 
• Strong commercial awareness, financial aptitude and with the integrity to handle highly confidential information appropriately
• Excellent communication skills and high levels of interpersonal skills, and of course, able to stay calm under pressure
• Organised, conscientious and highly detail-oriented and 
• Technically competent and importantly, an ability to use your initiative to adapt and think laterally 
• Enjoy being a team player, with a flexible and can-do attitude and approach
• Self-motivated and goal focussed, you will enjoy change and variety, and thrive under pressure

The Essentials

• From time to time, the incumbent will have the opportunity to be involved in our wider firm social & cultural activities.  We think this is a great thing!
• Our Firm operates under a 'Mobile Working' arrangement.  As such, and with due consideration for the needs of the business, requirements for in-office activities as well as maintaining strong engagement with the team and colleagues within the office, the Associate will have the opportunity to divide their time working in or external to the office.
• Business hours:  Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 6:00pm however given the nature and scope of the role, flexibility in availability is required.
• We provide 25 annual leave days per annum + an annual "Wither's Day"

About Withersworldwide

Withersworldwide has been acting for successful individuals, families and institutions for 125 years.  We advise clients on the full range of their business, personal and philanthropic legal needs, both at home and abroad. With offices in the key financial centres of Europe, Asia-Pacific, the United States and the Caribbean, we provide coverage and services that other law firms focussed on the needs of the individual cannot.  We have represented 66% of the Top 100 in The Sunday Times Rich List, 25% of the Forbes 400 List, 35% of the Hong Kong Forbes Rich List and 35% of Forbes Asia's Richest Families list.

Information for Recruitment Agencies

Withersworldwide endeavours to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, Withersworldwide operates a preferred supplier list and will not be accepting unsolicited applications from non-PSL agencies for this role.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement 

It is the policy of Withersworldwide to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion. Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability.

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