International law firm Withers has welcomed Usha Chandradas as a Consultant in its Private Client and Tax team in Singapore.
Usha joins Withers KhattarWong LLP, a Singapore law practice and a member of international law firm Withers. She brings with her a distinctive blend of legal, tax and arts expertise, drawing on 20 years of experience across private practice, governments, academia, and the creative sector. Her appointment further strengthens the firm's capabilities in advising clients at the intersection of wealth, legacy, cultural stewardship and philanthropy.
Usha is a seasoned tax lawyer, with a uniquely strong background as an Accredited Tax Specialist with the Singapore Chartered Tax Professionals and a Chartered Accountant of Singapore (non-practising). A former partner of the tax practice group at Allen and Gledhill, she has over a decade of experience advising clients on complex tax matters relating to financial services and private wealth.
Usha co-founded Plural Art Mag, a widely respected online platform dedicated to making Southeast Asian contemporary art more accessible. Through this platform, she aims to demystify art discourse and encourage accessible and engaging conversations about the region’s dynamic art scene. Her advocacy for greater public engagement in the creative sector saw her appointed to a role as a Nominated Member of the 14th Parliament of Singapore, representing the arts.
In addition to her legal qualifications, Usha holds a master's degree in professional accounting from Singapore Management University and a master’s degree in Asian art history from Goldsmiths, University of London.
At Withers, Usha will draw on her deep expertise to support high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices and local and multinational corporates in navigating the complexities of tax-efficient structuring, succession planning, and cross-border wealth management. With her unique perspective on the intersection of tax, policy, and the arts, she brings valuable insights to clients with significant art collections and philanthropic ambitions. Whether advising on the stewardship of cultural assets, legacy planning, or the evolving landscape of charitable giving and art investment, Usha will advise clients who seek to preserve and enhance their legacies across generations and across borders.
Stacy Choong, Partner in the Private Client and Tax team in Singapore, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Usha to our team. Her distinguished career, including her role as a Nominated Member of Parliament, demonstrates her leadership and dedication to both her profession and the wider community. Usha’s breadth of experience, spanning international tax advisory, policy work, and her contributions to the arts, will be invaluable as we continue to support clients with sophisticated, cross-border needs. Her unique insights into art and cultural philanthropy will add further depth to our practice, especially for clients with significant collections and philanthropic interests."
Usha added: "I am delighted to join Withers and to work alongside such a highly regarded, top-tier team. I look forward to helping our clients navigate the increasingly complex intersections of tax, legacy, and philanthropy, particularly where their passions for art and culture play a role in their family and wealth planning. It is an exciting opportunity to bring together my legal, tax, and arts experience to support our clients’ ambitions in a meaningful way."
Usha previously served as a Legal Officer at the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore and as a member of the International Monetary Fund’s Legal Department’s Panel of Experts, providing technical assistance to foreign tax administrations on the interpretation and drafting of tax laws.
She is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University, lecturing on International Tax and Trade Law. She serves on the board of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore and actively contributes to the community through volunteer work with Pro Bono SG, the Singapore Red Cross, and the Singapore Medical Association Charity Fund. She is also an independent director on the boards of two publicly listed entities – one in the real estate investment trust (REIT) sector and the other in healthcare – where she brings legal and commercial insight to board deliberations.