Head Of Khattar Wong’s Criminal Practice Resigns..

Subhas Anandan has resigned as head of KhattarWong’s criminal litigation department and will be joining a new legal firm set up by three of KhattarWong’s former top men.

Today Online Singapore reports that the new firm – RHT Law LLP – is the brainchild of KhattarWong’s former managing partner, Mr Tan Chong Huat; Mr Rajan Menon, former senior partner in its corporate and securities laws department (Mr Tan was the head of that department); and Mr Hee Theng Fong, former head of its international China practice and partner in its litigation and dispute resolution department.

Legal circles, however, told MediaCorp they were not too surprised to learn of the new developments. They had heard of ripples in KhattarWong for some time now.

Mr Anandan, asked if rumours of a clash of ideas between senior partners, as reported previously, was the reason behind his departure, said they were “somewhat true” but declined to elaborate.

Mr Anandan will be an equity partner in RHT Law as well as head of its litigation department, which will handle both criminal and civil cases.

According to him, there will be some 60 lawyers in the new firm.

Mr Anandan said he has been “toying with the idea for a few weeks but finally decided to resign yesterday”.

He told MediaCorp: “My parting with KhattarWong is friendly and amicable but I decided we have to take different directions. The new firm is giving me more responsibilities and it is a bigger challenge; all court proceedings in the new firm will be under me. I’ll also be in charge of recruiting more people for the new divisions, so it’s really exciting for me.”

Mr Anandan, who was formerly with Harry Elias, was brought in to beef up KhattarWong’s crime team in 2007 – and his departure will be felt, sources said.

His last day with KhattarWong should be at the end of next month and he expects to start work with the new firm on June 1.

http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110430-0000290/Criminal-lawyer-Anandan-quits-KhattarWong