Dentons Rodyk & Davidson is one of Singapore’s largest full-service firms, stacked with notable partners who are experts in their fields. The firm has stellar banking, construction, disputes, competition and technology and telecommunications practices. This year its shipping , capital markets and restructuring and insolvency practices move up one tier in the rankings. The firm’s combination with Dentons, the largest law firm in the world, provides clients with an extensive network of global experts from over 200 offices around the world in more than 80 countries.
Partners to note include banking specialist Doreen Sim, M&A partner Eng Leng Ng, IP specialists Ai Ming Lee and I-An Lim, insurance director Edric Pan, projects expert Joo Thye Tan, disputes specialist Lawrence The, and senior counsel Edmund Leow.
Work highlights
Acted for the state of Sri Lanka in the Singapore courts in an action against six defendants who are the owning interests of a Singapore-registered vessel known as the X-Press Pearl.
Key clients
Bulk Trident Shipping, INEOS Styrolution Korea, WEM-3
Established in July 2019, JLex is headed by Joseph Tan and Joanna Poh specialising in commercial disputes with a particular focus on shipping and international trade. The firm often receives instructions from foreign solicitors to act in Singapore litigation cases. Tan regularly acts as arbitrator in international arbitrations seated in Singapore and Hong Kong and speaks at various conferences involving maritime and international trade matters.
Client feedback
“Commercially minded in their approach.” – Shipping
“They are very professional.” – Shipping
Joseph Tan
“Contactable, commercial-minded.”
“Very detailed.”
Work highlights
Acted for China Coal Solution (Singapore) in the Singapore Court of Appeal on a case to determine the extent of the doctrine of ‘subject to contract’.
Acted for SP PowerAssets in a claim against the owner of a jackup rig for damage to an undersea cable tunnel caused by the negligent mooring of the jackup rig.
Key clients
Bary Commodities, Global Projects Services, Ishima, Orient Asia Maritime, Ultro International
Niru & Co is known for its shipping practice, active in both litigation and advisory work. The firm often deals with substantial ship collision cases as well as major oil pollution cases. Apart from shipping, the firm also advises on aviation matters including work injury claims, freight forwarders’ liability issues and so on. It has Malaysian associated office Suflan T H Liew & Partners.
Client feedback
“Efficiency and timely manner.” – Dispute resolution
“Follow up a summary of our discussions. Keep us posted with the developments. Provide meaningful advice on the approach, with our target objectives in mind. Act with our interest in mind.” – Dispute resolution
“The firm was very meticulous towards details and possible loopholes. The firm was also able to communicate with clients in a way that is very detailed yet keeping their language easy to understand.” – Dispute resolution
“Niru and Co provides proactive and practical legal approaches to address legal issues and the matter in hand. Treating customers friendly and respectfully.” – Insurance
“Extremely committed, reliable and professional.” – Shipping
“Positively details and meticulously organised.” – Shipping
Teck Huat Liew
“Very good communication skills. Unique ability to simplify complexed legal matters for us businessman to digest and decide upon.”
“In-depth knowledge and responsive to our industry requirement.”
Niru Pillai
“Expert knowledge practical approaches positive relationship with the professionals.”
Alex Yeo
“Alex was very meticulous towards details and possible loopholes. He was also able to communicate with clients in a way that is very detailed yet keeping the language easy to understand.”
“Listens well, provides good advice, acts with our interest in mind, patient and reachable.”
“Alex was very meticulous towards details and possible loopholes. He was also able to communicate with clients in a way that is very detailed yet keeping the language easy to understand.”
Work highlights
Represented Swiss bank Banque Cantonale de Geneve in a claim against the defendant for breach of bailee’s duty and/or conversion of cargo that was shipped aboard the vessel ‘Kronviken’.
Acted for the plaintiff Trans Asian Shipping Services in a claim against the defendant for negligence and breach of duty.
Asia Practice is a corporate and finance-focused firm with experience in the projects and shipping space. The firm’s clients include corporations and financial institutions including export credit agencies and other state-owned banks and leasing subsidiaries. It works with borrowers and other market players on transactions including container leasing, asset-backed securitisation and ECA-supported financing. The firm is adept at advising on regulatory matters relating to the financial industry, particularly to clients in the fintech, wealthtech and startups sectors.
Chien Herr Lee is the main partner for corporate and M&A, while Jonathan Tan and Leon Low lead its banking and finance practice. Associate director Marc Teh brings further strength to the finance team.
Client feedback
“Asia Practice is able to provide quick legal solutions in a timely and cost-efficient manner.” – Banking and finance
“Very clear on Singapore law and gave practical advice.” – Capital markets
“Professional and technically competent.” – Corporate and M&A
“They are generally competitive and extremely responsive.” – Shipping
Chien Herr Lee
“He generally responds within two hours. He is concise and precise.”
Jonathan Tan
“Quick, responsive, and able to give legal solutions and guidance, able to anticipate legal issues and provide counter-solutions.”
“Understands our needs very well and able to provide practical advice and solutions.”
Marc Teh
“Efficient, quick turnaround and technically competent.”
Work highlights
Acted for a major oilfield service company on a multi-million dollar bond and notes issuance.
Advised a club of Korean lenders on a $250 million vessel financing.
CMS Holborn Asia houses a number of renowned specialist lawyers, such as construction experts Kelvin Aw and Lynette Chew, employment director Lakshanthi Fernando, as well as IP and TMT-focused Sheena Jacob. The firm is particularly known for its sector focus across technology, healthcare, life science, media, consumer goods and services, and infrastructure. The banking and finance offering continues to grow under the leadership of director Daniel Tan.
Client feedback
“Thorough understanding of construction disputes.” – Construction
“Provides very good advice on building contract matters, especially on adjudication.” – Dispute resolution
“Well-resourced and efficient.” – Media and entertainment
Kelvin Aw
“Conscientious, dedicated and thorough in advice.”
Lynette Chew
“Tenacious. She leaves no stone unturned.”
Sheena Jacob
“Very efficient and responsive to our needs.”
Work highlights
Advised Ascenda Loyalty on a secured venture debt financing provided by Claret Capital.
Acted for Barclays Bank on a loan facility for Wilmar Trading.
Key clients
Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Cuscaden Peak Investments, ResponsAbility Investments
Dentons Rodyk & Davidson is one of Singapore’s largest full-service firms, stacked with notable partners who are experts in their fields. The firm has stellar banking, construction, disputes, competition and technology and telecommunications practices. This year its shipping , capital markets and restructuring and insolvency practices move up one tier in the rankings. The firm’s combination with Dentons, the largest law firm in the world, provides clients with an extensive network of global experts from over 200 offices around the world in more than 80 countries.
Partners to note include banking specialist Doreen Sim, M&A partner Eng Leng Ng, IP specialists Ai Ming Lee and I-An Lim, insurance director Edric Pan, projects expert Joo Thye Tan, disputes specialist Lawrence The, and senior counsel Edmund Leow.
Work highlights
Advised Straits Developments Private on its new investment products which relate to fractionalised properties.
Key clients
Boulevard Development, DBS Bank, Jurong Port Tank Terminals, Lakeside Residential, OCBC
Helmsman excels at shipping law, but it also has growing banking, employment and general disputes practices. The firm acts for commodity traders, banks and charterers in high-value, cross-border disputes across the globe. The team also has substantial experience in the mid and downstream liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, particularly in LNG shipping and chartering and LNG trade disputes. As an affiliate of Hong Kong firm Tang & Co, Helmsman houses 18 specialist fee earners, which makes it one of the biggest dedicated shipping and commodities practices in Asia. The key contacts are managing directors Ian Teo and Chong Jun Tang, and directors Maureen Poh and Lynette Koh. Recently, the firm welcomed senior disputes specialists, director Una Khng and counsel Benjamin Bala, from the Supreme Court of Singapore and TSMP Law Corporation respectively.
Client feedback
“Helmsman acted quickly and provided an excellent and useful memo. In particular, I appreciated the proactive approach where we were given advice on specific documents and questions to pursue to gain more understanding of the relevant facts.” – Dispute resolution
“They are available whatever the time is and react super-fast in an efficient manner. Very accurate on their points. They give us the feeling of having a dedicated lawyer in charge of our matters, which does help a lot when it comes to understanding.” – Shipping
“Cheap, fast and good.” – Shipping
Zhida Chen
“Intelligent and commercially minded.”
Una Khng
“She demonstrated high legal skills, was pragmatic in terms of providing useful advice, and good in communications.”
Maureen Poh
“She gave immediate answers to any questions, whatever the time was. Available to travel overseas for assistance in commercial deals. She always kept a positive attitude to come out on top of any issue. She gives the right advice with a permanent very good mood.”
Work highlights
Advised Trafigura in respect of advance payments of up to $80 million granted to Valeura Energy Asia.
Assisted a Chinese institutional bank as the lender to China Hainan Rubber Industry.
Represented ship leasing company CSSC, on a series of three sale and leaseback arrangements for three newbuild vessels valued at more than $100 million.
JurisAsia is a boutique firm that specialises in corporate and M&A and general commercial transactions. Its intellectual property practice has been fairly active in the past year. It has an exclusive association with international law firm Gowling. The firm’s offering includes M&As, foreign direct investment, joint ventures, venture capital and private equity investments, fund management and capital markets advice, with a particular focus on Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China and Vietnam. Tan Choon Leng is the key contact.
Client feedback
“Fast responses and accommodating.” – Corporate and M&A
“They are always available to help, are creative, concise and supportive. Lawyers have a very positive attitude.” – Corporate and M&A
Choon Leng Tan
“He’s the best lawyer I ever met: practical, quick, innovative and concise.”
Vincent Tan
“Vincent offers quick responses and can give commercial feedback on the deal.”
Work highlights
Advised Claret Capital Partners, a UK-based private credit fund with a focus on providing growth financing to innovative businesses, on its financing facility to Una Brands.
Key clients
Geeq Corporation
QED Law Corporation is a banking and finance focused boutique law firm. It handles a significant body of structured financing, real estate financing, acquisition financing, project financing as well as regulatory and advisory work. The firm is increasingly involved in the structuring of financing transactions particularly with cross-border elements, complex shareholding and asset-holding structures. Susan Kong, Marilyn Goh and Linda Cai are core members of the firm.
Client feedback
“Hard-working, cooperative and swift. Awareness of the time zone difference.” – Banking and finance
“The lawyers are very responsive, careful and business-oriented.” – Corporate and M&A
Annabelle Wang
“Annabelle is very professional. She definitely manages her time very good, which allows her to respond to our queries in time. It is very important for us as we are in a timezone which is -5 hours to Singapore. Her advice is always clear and thoughtful.”
Work highlights
All the deals submitted during the research period remain strictly confidential. However, the firm has been busy acting for clients in various term loan facility and refinancing matters.
Shook Lin & Bok works with an impressive roster of clients, including major banks, multinational corporations and private equity investors, on large transactions locally and across the region. The firm is highly active in banking and finance, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution and restructuring and insolvency. It is also skilled in advising on real estate finance, particularly on the lender side. The market-leading banking practice boasts 26 dedicated lawyers, including 13 partners that each specialise in a different area of banking and jurisdictions. Key lawyers include Kai Zee Liew for banking and finance, Marilyn See for capital markets, David Chong for corporate and M&A, and Sarjit Singh Gill and David Chan for dispute resolution and insolvency. Shipping and trade partner Probin Dass moved to DennisMathiew.
Client feedback
“SLB is always very responsive and their comments are very practical.” – Banking and finance
“The firm is capable of handling complexities in the deal and turnaround with quality work within the set timelines every time.” – Banking and finance
“Responsive and lawyers have good knowledge.” – Capital markets
“The take a commercial approach, have strong attention to detail, and lightning-fast response times.” – Corporate and M&A
“The team is very responsive and always delivers on time.” – Corporate and M&A
“Good value for money, very responsive and on the ball.” – Corporate and M&A
“Very approachable, personable, good at explaining to non-legal clients and, overall, good advice.” – Dispute resolution
“Extremely customer-centric and easy to work with. Willing to go the extra mile and turn up at our offices when requested to do so. Really sound practical advice which can be applied in the commercial context.” – Intellectual property
“The partners have a good team of lawyers with vast experience with regards to real estate S&P process and the regulations governing the transactions.” – Real estate
“Knowledgeable in their work and they understand the clients' concerns. They are able to address those concerns.” – Real estate
Daryl Fong
“Excellent communicator, clear, concise and very approachable.”
Ying Ming Ho
“Very commercial, very hands-on.”
Clement Khoo
“Clement is quite hands-on with the work handed over to him. Great interpersonal skills and diligent in his work.”
Sally Lee
“Very responsive and always strives to give targeted solutions.”
“Timely and responsive.”
“Sally Lee has been able, helpful and prompt in her work turnaround.”
Stanley Lim
“Stanley has deep insights into Singapore financial laws and regulations. He is very responsive and is always welcoming.”
Jevon Louis
“Really knowledgeable and excellent commercial acumen. Understands the business concerns and applies the law accordingly to tailor and address each and every need.”
Ying Yi Siow
“Commercial-minded, attentive to detail and lightning-fast response times.”
Kenneth Szeto
“He is always very calm and resourceful to propose solutions when there are hurdles presented by the counterparty.”
John Tan
“Positive and knowledgeable in his area of work. He is responsive too with good solutions proposals.”
Daniel Tan
“He has a good ability to balance legal advice with commerciality and risk. Value for service as there is partner attention given to matters.”
Pearlyn Xie
“Responsive and has good knowledge.”
Work highlights
Acted for Malayan Banking on its US dollar-denominated sustainability-linked revolving credit-I facility to AET Singapore Holdings.
Assisted CIMB, HSBC and OCBC on the financing of a privatisation offer for Healthway Medical Corporation.
Advised EvolutionX on its credit facility granted to Mensa brands.
Stephenson Harwood has a noted aviation and maritime practice, and a well-regarded banking and finance offering. It is part of the Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance, which includes a formal relationship between Stephenson Harwood and Virtus Law. The firm’s aviation finance experience includes leasing, lessor financings and complex structured financings for household name aviation sector clients. Gregory Xu is a key contact, with Pedram Norton being another name to note.
Work highlights
Acted for Golden Equator Capital and other investors in connection with its loan to Agritrade Resources.
Represented ABN AMRO, acting out of its head office in Amsterdam, in relation to a senior secured multi-currency revolving and term loan to Peacock Asset Company.
Key clients
ADB, Axis Bank, Bank of China, ICICI Bank, MUFG Bank, OCP, TransAsia Private Capital, Venturra Capital
Wong Tan & Molly Lim offers legal services to clients with international business interests and is focused on capital markets, M&A, banking and finance, and general commercial and corporate law. The firm entered into a formal alliance with Watson Farley & Williams in 2017, lending it a unique strength in contentious and advisory work related to the maritime and international trade sectors. The banking group covers all areas of banking and finance, including secured and syndicated loan transactions and guarantees, structured finance and project finance. The firm has acted for many international banks in drafting and advising on standard form documentation for general banking transactions. The disputes team has seen a rise in cases involving cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Managing director Beng Hong Ong and director Swee Gek Tan are key contacts for both banking and finance, and capital markets. Director Philip Ling helms the dispute resolution practice.
Work highlights
Representing Heart Media in a dispute against the owner of an NFT ecosystem platform involving the minting and sale of NFTs of an international luxury brand on the Binance NFT platform.
Advising the controllers of JG Jewelry and JDM Import in a long-standing JV dispute against one of the largest diamond and jewellery suppliers in India.
Represented Foreland Singapore, a commodities trading firm, against IG Asia in relation to the London Metal Exchange’s unprecedented decision to suspend and reverse nickel trades that were closed.
Successfully acted for Sino-Trust Global as the claimant in an arbitration in the SIAC against one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of high carbon ferrochrome in the world.
Aquinas Law Alliance’s corporate finance practice covers a wide range of capital markets work. It is active in primary listings, de-listings, privatisations and secondary offerings. The firm also regularly advises on ongoing listing compliance and transfer listings. The technology practice is a stand-out with an experienced, specialist partner and repeat tech sector clients seeking advice on VC fundraisings, digital token and cryptocurrency offerings, payment services regulations, NFT platform terms, financial securities regulations, software development and co-development agreements, software-as-a-service agreements and personal data protection matters. Many of the firm’s clients are repeat clients who use it for their various fundraisings and other technology-related matters.
Joint managing partners Kok Meng Lim and Aloysius Wee are key contacts at the firm for transactional work. The disputes quarter is headed by Cephas Yee and Mark Cham Shan Jie, bolstered by the expertise of arbitration specialist Steve Ngo. Highly praised Joshua Tan is another name to note for his technology expertise, while Sean Lee is a restructuring and insolvency-focused partner.
Client feedback
“Great team, versatile, commercially-oriented and thorough.” – Banking and finance
“Thorough, clear and savvy.” – Banking and finance
“Up-to-date advice on corporate and capital markets-related work. The advice was clear and concise. They are attentive to clients' queries.” – Capital markets
“Responsive, professional and efficient.” – Capital markets
“I appreciate their timeliness and quality of advice.” – Corporate and M&A
“Good attitude, proactive and problem-solving skills.” – Corporate and M&A
“Very client-focused solutions. Highly practical and commercial advice. Excellent work ethic.” – Corporate and M&A
“Provides good commercial-minded legal advice.” – Corporate and M&A
“Great customer service and very good legal advice.” – Dispute resolution
“Cost-effective, value-driven and practical. The partners are keen to understand the business context and provide a solution that can be implemented quickly and with minimal collateral expense.” – Dispute resolution
“Lawyers give no-nonsense answers and are honest with deliverables. They have assisted well with litigation strategy and mapping of past events.” – Labour and employment
“Collaborative, deep knowledge, and delivery of sound advice that saves time and money.” – Media and entertainment
“Would recommend for their founder-friendly terms, knowledge, efficiency and efficacy.” – Private equity
“Responsive and professional.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Responsive, give sharp advice, and have an understanding of commercial intents.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Good understanding of local culture and practices, skilled in special situations and ability to advise on a diverse range of issues.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Mark Cham
“He gives very good legal advice and strategies.”
Nichola Koh
“Highly knowledgeable, efficient and professional.”
Sean Lee
“Depth of knowledge, client handling and practical application of law.”
“Responsive, sharp advice, creative solutions and understanding.”
“Ability to think on behalf of clients, technically strong, commercial and skilled in special situations.”
“Incredibly hard-working and consistently tries to surpass expectations. He has never been unprepared for discussions.”
“Responsive.”
Kok Meng
“He is good in restructuring and has lots of patience with difficult clients.”
“Proactive and good problem-solving skills.”
Joshua Tan
“Thorough, cheerful, available and knowledgeable.”
“Timeliness of advice, depth of knowledge and ability to provide advice that takes into account commercial considerations.”
“He is affirming, genuine and knows his area of expertise. He also takes the time to coach me in areas that I require support and contextualisation. I look to him for advice before I embark on creative projects. His contracts have protected me from potentially debilitating consequences financially.”
“Great knowledge and speed.”
Cephas Yee
“Pragmatic and flexible.”
Titus Yeo
“Titus epitomises excellence. His meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to quality shine through in every aspect of his work. Titus has been an indispensable member to the group’s legal endeavours. He navigates challenges with dedication, ensuring the group's journey toward trade resumption is not just smooth but also successful. Titus's contributions are nothing short of excellent, his work and that of Aquinas are the epitome of professionalism and expertise. Aquinas Law Alliance is undoubtedly fortunate to have Titus as a cornerstone, a rising star for sure.”
Work highlights
Acted for Trendy King on the acquisition of shares in a company listed on the Catalist Board of the Singapore Exchange.
Advised Green Build Technology on the share placement for the issuance and allotment of new ordinary shares in the company to two subscribers.
Key clients
Camsing Healthcare, Imperium Crown, ISOTeam
Bird & Bird ATMD upholds its ‘Outstanding’ ranking with a strong intellectual property practice and expertise in the technology and telecommunications sector. Lorraine Tay and Alban Kang are key figures for IP. The firm is also active in capital markets, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, energy and labour and employment. This year it moves up in the energy table, and debuts in the construction and private equity categories. Marcus Chow, Sandra Seah and Beng Chai Tay are the main corporate partners at the firm. Jonathan Choo is a dispute resolution lawyer particularly active in international arbitration and Seow Hui Goh focuses on labour and employment.
Client feedback
“Extremely pragmatic and commercial, excellent attention to detail, but does not belabour legal points unnecessarily.” – Aviation
“Commercially sound while providing solid legal advice and willing to go the extra mile.” – Aviation
“Responsive, practical and commercial-oriented.” – Capital markets
“Proactive and responsible.” – Capital markets
“Responsive with the ability to anticipate and identify potential issues. Has the ability to propose solutions.” – Capital markets
“Fast and logical responses.” – Competition/antitrust
“Highly responsive and can devise value-adding solutions to commercial issues.” – Corporate and M&A
“The firm's legal documents are sophisticated and can capture most legal issues that we need to mitigate or prevent. When there is an issue, they are quick to provide solutions.” – Corporate and M&A
“Staff are timely, dedicated, professional, responsive and client-oriented.” – Corporate and M&A
“Prompt and completed the work within the schedule.” – Corporate and M&A
“Professional and efficient.” – Corporate and M&A
“Very professional, work effectively within time frame.” – Corporate and M&A
“It has comprehensive in-depth knowledge of the energy industry and thus is in position to provide good advice” – Energy
“The partner is helpful and turnaround time is quick. Great service.” – Intellectual property
“They are very responsive and the team has demonstrated in past projects their ability to deliver commercially sensible legal advice at very competitive fee quotes.” – Intellectual property
“Responsive, understands our business and our needs.” – Privacy and data protection
“Fast, reliable and a trusted partner.” – Private equity
“Completed the task promptly.” – Regulatory
Chua Lijun
“Receptive, fast responses and good knowledge of the relevant law and good understanding of the issues.”
Goh Seow Hui
“We value her professionalism, compassion for clients and humility.”
“Seow Hui did an outstanding job of understanding the client's needs. She advised me what was best for the client. She handled the case so swiftly to settle it amicably and moved on. I am impressed by her professionalism to take ownership after [another] lawyer left the firm. She took the responsibility of closing it. I am pleased with her customer service and compassion.”
Jeremy Tan
“Responsive, great attention to detail, he is client and results oriented.”
Jolie Giouw
“Highly responsive, she identifies the key issues quickly and comes out with solutions. We have always been impressed.”
“Excellent service-oriented mindset, has strong commercial acumen and able to advise well on the law.”
“Responsive and experienced. Able to provide prompt and quality advice and solutions.”
Lawrence Wong
“Communicates well to solve all the requirements requested by the SGX in Singapore.”
Leo Fattorini
“Leo is responsive, accessible and user-friendly. With counterparts he comes across very well without compromising our position.”
“Leo is responsive, accessible and user-friendly.”
“He has industry-wide knowledge of the Asian region, and is commercially savvy when it comes to negotiating with external parties.”
“Fast turnaround time and knowledgeable.”
Marcus Chow
“Marcus is knowledgeable in early-stage transactions and he is always available to the team to provide an opinion.”
“He is very smart and has extensive knowledge in venture capital investment as well as M&A.”
“Listens to what the client wants, and provides accurate suggestions and solutions.”
“Responsive, responsible and is able to communicate effectively with people of all levels.”
“Very commercial and good understanding of the client's needs.”
“Responsive, has ability to propose innovative solutions, and has good client relationship management.”
“Provides in-depth knowledge and advice to the board, resolving issues with advance steps taken.”
“Marcus was very responsive and can be depended on to deliver sound pragmatic advice, even outside of regular office hours. He is also quick to understand the commercial issues at hand, and propose solutions to address these issues.”
Sandrea Seah
“Very helpful and exhibits very good in-depth industrial knowledge. Gives very sound advice.”
“Professional, good listener, understands issues quickly and timely in responses.”
Work highlights
Advised SenseTime Group on its $700 million IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Acted for Viu International on its proposed listing in the US.
Representing Hyphen Group on its proposed listing via an acquisition by special purpose acquisition company, Provident Acquisition Corporation.
Key clients
JEP Holdings, LS 2 Holdings, Starburst Holdings, United Global, United Overseas Bank
CNPLaw, formerly known as Colin Ng & Partners, is active in all major practice areas, including banking and finance, capital markets, corporate and M&A, investment funds and private equity. The firm has experience in advising companies in the real estate and technology and telecommunication sectors, particularly active in blockchain and cryptocurrency. This year, the firm debuts in the industry sector tables for banking and financial services, and consumer goods and services, and in the competition ranking. The corporate and finance team has established a niche practice advising companies in high-growth, emerging markets like Myanmar, Indo-China and the Philippines. Lisa Theng, Ken Chia, Pradeep Kumar Singh, Min-Li Tan, Xiaomeng Ge, and Bill Jamieson are key contacts for transactional work. Soo Ling See Tow and Subramanian Pillai are the key partners for contentious matters.
Client feedback
“Proactive in solving issues and good project management capability.” – Capital markets
“They respond very quickly to any demands we make of them, even considering the reasonable difference in time zones from Singapore to Brazil. They request any documentation or tasks we have to do so they can start the process in a very organised manner.” – Capital markets
“Very quick and efficient. Clear legal advice and transparent fees.” – Capital markets
“They do not overcharge. They listen do what we want in the agreement and put it accurately in the agreement. They do not overpromise.” – Corporate and M&A
“Reliable and keep to promises and timelines. Professional at all times.” – Corporate and M&A
“CNPLaw provides extremely thorough and detailed responses, taking into account all possible scenarios and explaining the implications of each one. They also refer to local laws and guidelines so that we can further read up on the subject if needed.” – Labour and employment
“Prompt with turnaround, experienced with technology law and the healthcare industry.” – Technology and telecommunications
Kenn Lim
“Friendly and observant.”
Min-Li Tan
“Very technically sound, experienced and friendly. Good at managing client's expectation and a very good team player that also looks out for other professionals.”
Lisa Theng
“Knowledgeable and reliable.”
Pei Ling Wong
Responsive and objective. Always ready to address issues to find a swift solution.”
“Pei-Ling and her colleagues understand that Singapore is a new jurisdiction for us. As such, they kindly take the time to explain their responses in great detail so that we can make informed business decisions. They are also very conscientious about our time-zone differences and always respond to our queries very quickly.”
“She is very knowledgeable about technology law and the healthcare industry in Singapore.”
Work highlights
Represented Ambipar Lux as its Singapore listing agent in relation to the client’s listing of green notes due 2031 on the Singapore Exchange.
Advised Silverlake Axis on amendments to the general mandate for interested person transactions.
Key clients
Global Palm Resources Holdings, Minerva Luxembourg, Raffles Education, Southern Archipelago
Dentons Rodyk & Davidson is one of Singapore’s largest full-service firms, stacked with notable partners who are experts in their fields. The firm has stellar banking, construction, disputes, competition and technology and telecommunications practices. This year its shipping , capital markets and restructuring and insolvency practices move up one tier in the rankings. The firm’s combination with Dentons, the largest law firm in the world, provides clients with an extensive network of global experts from over 200 offices around the world in more than 80 countries.
Partners to note include banking specialist Doreen Sim, M&A partner Eng Leng Ng, IP specialists Ai Ming Lee and I-An Lim, insurance director Edric Pan, projects expert Joo Thye Tan, disputes specialist Lawrence The, and senior counsel Edmund Leow.
Work highlights
Represented Westpac Banking Corporation on an update of its $70 billion programme for the issuance of debt instruments and $40 billion global covered bond programme.
Key clients
Boustead Projects, Digo Corporation, HSBC Institutional Trust Services, Prime Partners Corporate Finance, Prometheus, RBC Investor Services, Validus Capital, Vertex Venture Holdings
Duane Morris & Selvam provides a range of legal services to assist clients in banking and finance, capital markets, corporate and M&A, construction and dispute resolution. The firm is regularly instructed by Korean, Chinese and Indian companies on various banking and regulatory matters. Key figures include Jamie Benson for capital markets, Leon Yee for corporate and M&A, and Sarbjit Singh Chopra for dispute resolution. The firm welcomed litigation and arbitration director Clement Tan from Singapore’s state courts.
Work highlights
Acted for the president of India and Life Insurance Corporation of India in relation to its India IPO. This will be the largest IPO in Indian history.
Represented Elara Capital, IIFL Securities, Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors, and Yes Securities on the QIP of Union Bank of India.
Advised ICICI Securities, Nomura and UBS on Sansera Engineering’s IPO.
Key clients
Ambit Private, Arvind Fashions, Axis Capital, Equirus Capital
Icon Law is focused specifically on corporate-related work, including equity capital markets, investments, M&A, employment, privacy, funds and corporate administration. Launched in late 2022, it is an evolution of the former Singapore member firm of the ZICO Law network and is currently being integrated into KPMG. It is ZICO's new Singapore member firm and has “best friend” status with KPMG Law in Singapore.
The firm is helmed by managing director Chun Bin Soh and director Jeremiah Huang.
Work highlights
Represented Carsome on its fundraising round in 2023.
Advised Noco-Noco on its de-spac, one of the first few of this type involving a Singapore company.
Key clients
Global Holdings, Hyphens Pharma International, ISOTeam, Swettenham Capital
TSMP Law Corporation is especially well known for its work in finance, corporate and M&A and dispute resolution. The banking and finance group acts for financial institutions and corporate in high-value financing deals, spanning cross-border secured and syndicated lending, acquisition financing, debt restructuring, purchase of loans and refinancing. The same team also specialises in corporate real estate financing, particularly in land acquisition financing and land development financing. The capital markets team is sought after for equity and debt listings, reverse takeovers, foreign IPOs and secondary fundraisings, while the corporate M&A department runs a market-leading practice in public company takeovers.
The dispute resolution practice proudly states that it takes on difficult cases, ones that test, shape or advance the law. The disputes team covers the full gamut of litigation and arbitration, notably complex commercial and corporate litigation with a focus on boardroom, shareholder and investment disputes. There is additionally a growing practice specialising in the crypto-space, working with clients across the ecosystem from investors to exchanges.
The firm not only acts for various major corporations and financial institutions but also is frequently sought out by different regulatory bodies. Senior counsels Shen Yi Thio and Jeffrey Chan Wah Teck, corporate lawyer Stefanie Yuen Thio, construction specialists Melvin Chan and Derek Loh and labour expert Ian Lim are key figures at the firm. Jennifer Chia and June Ho are other names to note for banking and finance and M&A.
Work highlights
Acted for mm2 Asia on its one-for-two rights issue. The rights issue was half underwritten by two prominent Singapore tycoons, who undertook to subscribe to excess rights shares not taken up by otherwise entitled shareholders, subject to a cap. This underwriting structure is rarely seen outside of REITs equity financing in Singapore.
Represented Impact Investment Exchange in relation to its capacity as portfolio manager in the issuance of $88 million 7.25% Women's Livelihood Bond 6 due 2027 by a Mauritian issuer.
Key clients
Credit Suisse, DBS Bank, Morgan Stanley, UBS
Wong Tan & Molly Lim offers legal services to clients with international business interests and is focused on capital markets, M&A, banking and finance, and general commercial and corporate law. The firm entered into a formal alliance with Watson Farley & Williams in 2017, lending it a unique strength in contentious and advisory work related to the maritime and international trade sectors. The banking group covers all areas of banking and finance, including secured and syndicated loan transactions and guarantees, structured finance and project finance. The firm has acted for many international banks in drafting and advising on standard form documentation for general banking transactions. The disputes team has seen a rise in cases involving cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Managing director Beng Hong Ong and director Swee Gek Tan are key contacts for both banking and finance, and capital markets. Director Philip Ling helms the dispute resolution practice.
Work highlights
Acted for Asia Vets Holdings on a reverse takeover.
Represented Sing Investments & Finance in connection with its bonus issue comprising over 78 million shares.
Represented PrimePartners Corporate Finance in relation with the proposed dual listing on the SGX-ST Main Board of TSH Resource, a Malaysian palm oil company also listed in the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia.
Acted for Shenzhen Sanland Technology on its proposed listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
As one of Singapore’s ‘Big Four’ law firms, Drew & Napier possesses a diverse roster of lawyers offering an extensive range of legal services in Singapore and across the region. The firm remains a dispute resolution powerhouse with a deep bench of top advocates including Jimmy Yim and Cavinder Bull. Disputes and insolvency lawyer Siraj Omar, construction specialist Christopher Chong and elite tax practitioner Ong Sim Ho further reinforce the team. Other key names to note include Pauline Chong for finance, Petrus Huang for capital markets, Chong Kin Lim for competition and technology, Steven Lo for corporate and M&A, Tony Yeo for IP, and Sushil Nair and Blossom Hing for restructuring and insolvency. Consultant Gary Pryke is another well-known practitioner in the development and implementation of a licensing, regulatory and competition framework for the liberalisation of the Bruneian Postal Sector corporate and finance space.
Client feedback
“Professional.” – Banking and finance
“Meticulous.” – Capital markets
“Proactive, they are able to anticipate issues and advise accordingly. Efficient, they controlled the board verification meetings well.” – Capital markets
“Prompt advice.” – Capital markets
“Efficient response time, commercially savvy, and easy-to-understand advice with practical solutions.” – Competition/antitrust
“Service is prompt. Advice is always well considered.” – Construction
“They are very knowledgeable with good advocacy skills.” – Construction
“Embodies commerciality and practicality.” – Corporate and M&A
“I appreciate their competence, responsiveness, effectiveness and quality.” – Dispute resolution
“D&N provide full support on the arrangements and follow through in tight timelines and communicated strategically when the MA in our matter refused to convene the EGM despite the fact we had more than the stipulated signatures on the requisition.” – Dispute resolution
“Rapid, thorough advice and action.” – Dispute resolution
“Extremely dedicated and proactive team. It is a true dispute resolution firm, not only conducting the role of solicitors.” – Dispute resolution
“Exceptional legal approach, top-notch legal research, and the preparation of court papers and witness statements are exceptional. They always produce the highest quality work at very reasonable hourly time costs.” – Dispute resolution
“Responsive and careful-thinking.” – Dispute resolution
“Shumin's team is very efficient and thorough. You feel like you can rely on them. They are also very measured and firm in their approach, which helps greatly during settlement negotiations.” – Dispute resolution
“Great legal know-how, accuracy, clarity and excellent work ethic. Superb litigation and client relations.” – Dispute resolution
“It is very accessible and provides well-considered advice.” – Dispute resolution
“Extremely professional and capable, very good at clear communication in terms of issues and obtaining instructions from us. Cavinder Bull SC is an outstanding advocate and a joy to work with and he runs an extremely well planned and organised team. They all work extremely hard to deliver results.” – Dispute resolution
“Appreciate its attention to detail. The lawyers are responsive to customer comments and requests.” – Dispute resolution
“Calculated and sound advice on procedural and strategic issues. Very responsive and able to turnaround actions very quickly.” – Dispute resolution
“I have worked with Mahesh Rai's team (so Mahesh, Jonathan Yong and Samuel Soo, in particular). They are excellent lawyers who bring significant strategic insight and close attention to detail to their work, which is efficient and cost effective.” – Dispute resolution
“Provide practical solutions and managed to help us come to a settlement after a few years of litigation.” – Dispute resolution
“They are very focused and committed. From day one they have created a clear strategy which led us to win our case against the claimants. The team members involved have taken accountability. Deliverables during the arbitration were outstanding.” – Dispute resolution
“Recommended for their curiosity to understand the business context and ability to understand the business needs and challenges. They are responsive and experts in the field.” – Dispute resolution
“Top-quality lawyers that produce excellent work. Highly efficient individuals that are clear and concise with their delivery and statements.” – Dispute resolution
“Precise, effective and professional.” – Dispute resolution
“Perfect mix of exceptional legal ability and commercial nous.” – Dispute resolution
“Brilliant legal minds, listen to client and have first-class advocacy.” – Dispute resolution
“Choosing Drew & Napier was the best decision I made for my legal needs. They not only provided expert legal advice but also showed genuine care and emotional support throughout my matter. They took the time to understand my situation, provided clear guidance and advice, and fought tirelessly on my behalf. They do well in navigating my complex and high-profile disputes.” – Dispute resolution
“Good analytical skills, judgement and advising capability.” – Dispute resolution
“Lawyers are logical.” – Dispute resolution
“Good availability and teamwork.” – Dispute resolution
“They are able to work closely with myself and provide very useful, effective advice. Able to revert in a timely manner.” – Dispute resolution
“Strong experience and technical knowledge. Very prompt and easy to work with.” – Dispute resolution
“Drew & Napier's lawyers are well-versed in the law and provide useful and strategic advice in a dispute. They communicate clearly and tell us all that we need to know, when we need to know it. Ultimately, they put the best case forward and consistently deliver the results I need.” – Dispute resolution
“The law firm is highly knowledgeable and experienced, which made me feel at peace for letting them handle my case. Their team is compassionate and empathetic, providing personalised support and making me feel valued during a stressful time. They maintained excellent communication, keeping me informed. Additionally, their commitment to justice and willingness to help, evident in them taking my case as pro bono work. I believe that their professionalism and integrity make them an exceptional law firm.” – Dispute resolution
“First-class legal strategy and adept at providing a global approach to cases that considers the most effective way to reach the end goal right from the start.” – Dispute resolution
“Drew & Napier provides excellent legal services. They guide and explain matters to us clearly. They prepare thoroughly and respond promptly to our queries and requests for clarification. We are very satisfied with their services. Throughout the proceedings, we have had a positive experience working with them.” – Dispute resolution
“Quality of service and clarity of advice.” – Intellectual property
“D&N don't shy away from difficult or complex cases. They take the time to understand the client's needs, dig into the details and develop a well thought out strategy to meet the client's goals.” – Intellectual property
“Professional communication, expertise, practical advice and cost-effective.” – Intellectual property
“Professional and insightful.” – Intellectual property
“They are knowledgeable in the law, reliable and provide services in a cost-effective manner.” – Intellectual property
“Professional, knowledgeable, sharp, quick-minded and disciplined. The team did exceedingly well in understanding my case and representing my company.” – Intellectual property
“Very detailed in their attention and high-quality service with fast turnaround.” – Intellectual property
“Professional, prompt and very experienced.” – Intellectual property
“Strong and committed team from partner to associate level that has a strong understanding of our business and fund structure, and are able to propose innovative yet fundamentally sound advice.” – Investment funds
“Fast response, good-quality work and reasonable fees.” – Labour and employment
“Client-oriented and dedicated.” – Labour and employment
“Responsive, timely and insightful. Both Kelvin Tan and Benjamin Goh have provided sharp advice on how we deal with our labour and employment matters.” – Labour and employment
“The work was led by Benjamin Gaw, who was excellent, very knowledgeable, responsive, rigorous and commercial in his approach. The whole team provided good value for money too.” – Labour and employment
“Fit for purpose, practical legal advice and recommendations. Highly responsive, able to deliver on short notice and under urgent timelines. Reasonable legal fees.” – Labour and employment
“Response time is very fast, concise and precise advice reflecting the matter at hand.” – Oil and gas
“They have experience and expertise, understand the client's needs, are practical, solutions-oriented, timely, and value for money.” – Privacy and data protection
“There is attention to detail, practical advice given by very knowledgeable lawyers, tailored to your business needs.” – Privacy and data protection
“Incisive regulatory advice.” – Privacy and data protection
“Drew & Napier is very knowledgeable and comes up with practical solutions that comply with the law while balancing the needs of the business.” – Privacy and data protection
“They produce quality work and are strategic in their advice.” – Privacy and data protection
“Efficient and thorough service. Very professional.” – Private client
“Would recommend for their industry knowledge and willingness to think creatively for solutions.” – Real estate
“Very detailed in drafting of terms and conditions that protects client interest.” – Real estate
“Professional.” – Real estate
“They are experts in the field of data protection and have a wide range of experience to draw from. They are extremely cooperative and always willing to go the extra mile to assist their clients. They are readily available to us and are always eager to answer any queries or doubts that may arise. They give us the confidence to do our job well and are committed to building a relationship with us.” – Regulatory
“Drew managed to look outside the box, understand the whole situation, analysed the risk, and recommended a few alternatives with the associated risk for us to discuss and decide.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“They were able to coordinate the various wants from different parties and stakeholders and laid out clearly the pertinent issues, and efficient in drafting the docs that follow our agreements.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Commercial-minded, responsive and very collaborative.” – Tax
David Alfred
“Incisive regulatory advice, cuts to the heart of legal issues and solid legal recommendations.”
Emmanuel Aw
“He has the impressive ability to quickly acquire a deep and comprehensive understanding of the relevant facts and to propose a logical and commercially sensible approach. He is a great communicator and his advice was always clear. He managed the case well, met all deadlines and constantly kept us informed. Most importantly, he led us to a successful outcome.”
“He is highly knowledgeable and experienced in employment law, which ensured that every aspect of my situation was handled with expertise. His strong analytical skills allowed him to quickly grasp the points from a pile of documents and shared strategies. He is also extremely compassionate and empathetic, always taking the time to listen to my concerns and provide support throughout the process. This personal approach made me feel valued and understood during a very stressful time. He also has excellent communication skills as I was always kept informed, and he was always available to answer my questions when I needed. Importantly, his willingness to take on my case pro bono demonstrated not only his dedication to his profession but also his genuine desire to help.”
“First-class legal mind. Fantastic team player. Excellent communication. Highly adept at devising a winning strategy for the client from the start of the case all the way to its conclusion.”
Manoj Belani
“Very knowledgeable, responsive and always available.”
Cavinder Bull
“Top lawyer.”
Daniel Cai
“Extremely responsive and knowledgeable.”
Anastasia Su-Anne Chen
“Professional, experienced, deep expertise, wide knowledge of other jurisdictions' laws, taking ownership of client's problems and solutions-oriented.”
Ron Cheng
“Strong understanding of the industry, our business and fund structure, patient and committed, strong risk management, innovative and has a strong team.”
Voon Jiet Chia
“Highly professional, good demeanour, extremely quick on his feet and knows the business well enough to give practical and sound advice.”
“Professional, thorough, knowledgeable and empathetic.”
Desmond Chng
“Very up-and-coming and bright lawyer. Client-focused and commercial minded.”
Christopher Chong
“Positive and realistic approach to problems and solutions.”
“Very knowledgeable and helpful, and commercially sound.”
Andrew Chua
“Wonderful personality.”
“Very focused on his work and able to give me timely and effective advice.”
Yuet Min Foo
“Overall management of the team and the case.”
“Very approachable, competent and experienced.”
Benjamin Gaw
“Professional and gives quality advice.”
“Easy to work with, responsive, down-to-earth and offers pragmatic solutions.”
“Benjamin was excellent, responsive, technically knowledgeable and very commercial. He was also very down-to-earth and easy to work with.”
“Benjamin is very easy to work with. He is knowledgeable in employment and data privacy matters. He is responsive and gives answers that are straight to the point.”
Benjamin Goh
“Responsive and understanding of our business concerns. Benjamin does well in providing quick and concise advice and is responsive to our time-sensitive issues.”
Blossom Hing
“Combination of exceptional legal ability, commercial nous and integrity.”
Man Er Kong
“She is a director at D&N and a good lawyer. She has excellent case and client management skills. She manages her team well and prepares all court papers meticulously. She has strong legal skills and formulates effective case strategies. She is always well-prepared and guides clients efficiently. She is knowledgeable about all case details and delivers excellent presentations when making arguments before the tribunal. She is a very hard-working lawyer, and a patient and good-natured person.”
Rakesh Kirpalani
“Responsive, effective, efficient, comprehensive, skilled, knowledgeable and understands the industry.”
Meryl Koh
“She is a star! She is community builder and a champion for SMEs. She has a strong sense of mission, and she wants to make a difference in the world with her work. She is very curious and prioritises understanding the business context – that is client-centricity. She is a pragmatic problem-solver and doesn't overcomplicate the issue and hence wins trust of the client.”
Wilson Koh
“Wilson is a game-changer for me. I have worked with many lawyers and know how frustrating it can be to work with some of them. In contrast, working with Wilson has been a breeze. He has a full grasp of the law at his fingertips and thus can adapt quickly to fast-moving situations, no matter how intricate the issues at hand.
One of the most invaluable traits that he possesses is his ability to envision all possible scenarios and evaluate the risks and benefits to each approach before I even have time to think about them. This is a rare trait that I have not seen in many lawyers, who in my humble experience often wait for me to ask what decisions I can take and how my decisions will affect me. Instead, Wilson will always give me multiple options to consider and explain the risks associated with each choice. This helps me make informed decisions within a short amount of time. He helps clients who have hectic schedules to make the right judgement call every single time.
He is able to do this because he is an excellent listener who can cut through distractive situations and focus on the crux of the issues. By being so attuned to my interests and objectives, he can “read my mind”. Thus, he understands my key points easily, which puts us on the same page in terms of strategy. Whereas many lawyers need me to provide lengthy explanations before they understand, Wilson is able to grasp what I am saying with ease. His strategic and calm advice helped to alleviate the intense pressure I felt during my extremely high-profile case, and that has been the difference between my successes and failures.
Finally, he understands that many complex cases often carry deep personal significance to clients, who may be anxious. He goes the extra mile by being available at any time. I have encountered lawyers who charge expensive fees but are unavailable or slow to reply. In contrast, Wilson picks up the phone even when I call at inconvenient hours and is incredibly patient. Many deals were closed after spontaneous phone calls or WhatsApp messages between us. The accessibility of your legal adviser can be the difference between a successful deal and a failed one.
In summary, Wilson is a lawyer that you want on your side. His deep understanding of the law and ability to adapt quickly make working with him a breeze. He anticipates scenarios, evaluates risks and presents multiple options with clarity and patience, helping me make informed decisions swiftly. His ability to navigate complex situations and alleviate pressure is exceptional. No amount of superlatives will reflect how strongly I commend Wilson. I hope that legal directories like you can give him a platform to receive the appreciation he deserves.”
Julian Kwek
“Julian listens and understands clients’ needs. He does not say no to any suggestion but is always willing to think outside the box to provide creative solutions and highlights the associated risk with such solutions.”
Sok Hiang Lau
“Responsible and professional.”
“Excellent industry knowledge.”
“Enthusiastic and responsive.”
“Very good knowledge in providing advice. Detailed in drafting of T&Cs protecting clients’ interests.”
Gerui Lim
“Gerui Lim is an exceptional talent; spot-on analysis and strategic thinker, excellent research and writer. And has always produced expected results.”
Siau Wen Lim
“Professional and sharp.”
“She is knowledgeable in the law and responsive when there are queries.”
Chong Kin Lim
“Practical, efficient, extremely knowledgeable with great client relationship development.”
“He is extremely knowledgeable and is able to explain complex concepts in easily understandable terms. His professionalism instils confidence in his clients.”
Shumin Lin
“She is quick and sharp. She identifies the issues quickly and accurately and provides very good advice and solution. She is also prompt in her work.”
“Shumin is a force of nature, I think she pushes settlement negotiations through very well. Would have liked to see her doing cross-examination.”
“Lin Shumin was prompt with her advice, she identified the issues quickly and accurately and provided sound advice that helped us in our matter.”
Adam Maniam
“Excellent responsiveness. Amazing ability to grasp and recall details. Excellent in court.”
Sushil Nair
“Sees the big picture and understands the issues all parties have.”
Pei Tong Ng
“Soft spoken but effective.”
“Patient and listens well. Forthcoming and on time.”
“Very responsive and prompt.”
“Good listening skills and problem-solving.”
Siraj Omar
“Very professional, top of his game.”
Ken Loon Ong
“I find Ken Loon to be one of the most collaborative tax partners in Singapore. Pleasure to work with. She speaks her mind and gives you transparent advice that is implementable.”
Mahesh Rai
“Very hard-working, responsive, easy to work with and results-oriented. He is also very bright and solution-oriented.”
“Mahesh is a strategic thinker who directs his team to do effective and efficient work.”
“Both from a personal and a professional point of view, I found Mahesh as someone impressive and genuine. He has great analytical skills, able to listen well, and very good in communication, as I often saw him carry himself so well in the court or in any kind of joint discussions. He provides me as a client with great sensitivity, tending the needs of my case in his best way. Mahesh also always comes up with great strategy, showing his creativity as a veteran lawyer.”
“Good problem-solving skills and decision-making.”
“Mahesh Rai is exceptional, bright, and very responsive.”
“A superb advocate and on par with other senior counsels.”
“Professional, knowledgeable and approachable. His quick and laser mind would do well in any subject-matter.”
Chern Yang See
“Chern Yang is a highly competent, intelligent and astute individual and lawyer who has from the onset of our first meeting proven to be 100% committed to achieving our goals while constantly reminding us to remain commercial in all our decisions and not to get carried away with emotions, which will end up with fighting aimlessly. The first objective would always be to find an amicable resolution and only when all else fails should we turn to the courts to have the matter resolved. He has vision and deep knowledge of the client, facilitating advice and making the processes adjust to the realities faced, with the objective to be more efficient in the case management.
He is our go-to lawyer as we know we will always receive excellent advice in a timely manner. He understands our structure intimately and is able to rally a global team to provide advice on any jurisdiction through his network of contacts whilst acting as an interface for us. They consistently deliver a very high level of support, often on an urgent basis, and provide a holistic view which takes into account other areas of risk for us. He is also very fortunate to be supported by a skilled team that helps him rise up above the rest.”
Kelvin Tan
“Amazing subject-matter expertise, depth and breadth of experience. Practical and relevant advice that can be adopted as compared to theoretical, ideal legal positions which are often not feasible for clients. Prompt and responsive.”
Benedict Teo
“Comprehensive and systematic.”
Ruby Tham
“We value her responsiveness, straightforward advice and that she is client-oriented.”
Shu Yan Woo
“She is a very able and personable lawyer, and Cavinder Bull's number two on the case. I really enjoyed working with her and the rest of the large team on this case.”
“Responsive and strategically minded. Leads her junior team members very well.”
See Chern Yang
“Whilst the firm's branding does play a part, it is See Chern Yang that is the sole reason why we engaged D&N and will keep engaging him for all our dispute resolution and litigation matters.”
En Li Yap
“Very responsive to calls and comments. Provides useful comments and feedback and thoughts on matters.”
“Easily accessible, hard-working and responsive. Produces high-quality work that is clear and concise.”
Javier Yeo
“Very fast work rate and able to grasp the core of the matter very well.”
“Javier Yeo has good commercial sense and a quick turnaround rate.”
Tony Yeo
“Experienced in the matter and has had a long relationship with us.”
“Tony is the lawyer you want in all your complex IP cases. He doesn't sit on the fence when giving his opinion. He takes the case as it is, digs into the facts and comes up with the best strategy for the situation.”
“Tony is very knowledgeable and approachable, able to explain complicated legal concepts in simple terms for ease of understanding. He has the attention for detail, able to see both the larger picture and the smaller details. Top-notch.”
“Professional and very experienced.”
“Strategic and has a great depth of knowledge of his specialty, which is IP. He’s a great litigator.”
Jimmy Yim
“Brilliant advocate who understands the issues. His written pleadings are excellent, advocacy is excellent and he demonstrates first-class client relations.”
Yang Shi Yong
“Had good understanding of the matter and reverted back with advice in a prompt manner. Always accessible.”
Work highlights
Advised the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam
Key clients
ADB BVBA, Chevron, Deliveroo, Heliconia Capital Management, Info-Communications, Temasek, Visa Worldwide, Volkswagen
CMS Holborn Asia houses a number of renowned specialist lawyers, such as construction experts Kelvin Aw and Lynette Chew, employment director Lakshanthi Fernando, as well as IP and TMT-focused Sheena Jacob. The firm is particularly known for its sector focus across technology, healthcare, life science, media, consumer goods and services, and infrastructure. The banking and finance offering continues to grow under the leadership of director Daniel Tan.
Client feedback
“Thorough understanding of construction disputes.” – Construction
“Provides very good advice on building contract matters, especially on adjudication.” – Dispute resolution
“Well-resourced and efficient.” – Media and entertainment
Kelvin Aw
“Conscientious, dedicated and thorough in advice.”
Lynette Chew
“Tenacious. She leaves no stone unturned.”
Sheena Jacob
“Very efficient and responsive to our needs.”
Work highlights
Advised Samsung C&T Corporation in an SIA arbitration against a specialist mechanical and electrical subcontractor in relation to a major mixed-use development being one of the largest shopping malls in Singapore.
Represented Cluny Development in relation to disputes arising out of a residential property development project in Singapore.
Key clients
BioNTech, Favelle Favco Cranes, HPC Builders, Treasure Development
Harry Elias Partnership has offices in Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. Built upon one of the most respected and influential litigation lawyers in the country, Harry Elias, the firm has an established reputation for its dispute resolution and family and matrimonial expertise. The firm is also notable for its construction, infrastructure, corporate and M&A and intellectual property practices. Philip Fong, Justin Chia, Tan Chau Yee, Brian Law, Pearl Lim and Claudia Teo are key contacts for dispute resolution, restructuring and insolvency, intellectual property, construction, banking, and corporate and M&A, respectively.
Client feedback
“Efficient, creative and responsive.” – Corporate and M&A
“Prompt and efficient.” – Dispute resolution
“Very clear in-depth brief on the strategy and won the case at the court of appeal.” – Dispute resolution
“They are well versed in the law.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Kennedy Chen
“Efficient, responsive and creative.”
Justin Chia
“Justin is well versed in the law.”
Andy Lem
“Quick at responses and willing to lend his ear.”
Chau Yee Tan
“Takes a strategic, practical and broad-picture approach.”
Work highlights
Continues to act as the claims specialist to project manager Surbana Jurong Consultants and superintending officer and employer, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, for the Tuas Port Terminal Project 1, which is part of the upcoming Tuas Mega Port project. The project is of national strategic importance to Singapore and the first of its kind in the country for decades.
Defending YTL Concrete against claims for damage caused and other losses by HSL Construction and the Public Utilities Board.
Key clients
Ministry of Health Holdings, Rich-Link Construction, SMRT Trains, Wee Hur Holdings
Established in 2018, LIMN Law Corporation has a strong track record of excellence for contentious construction matters. The firm climbs into the ‘Recognised’ tier for construction this year. Key partner John Lim is an experienced litigator with specialisms in construction and engineering and infrastructure projects such as mass rapid transit projects, hotels, specialised warehouses and residential developments. Lim also has front-end drafting capability. The firm’s clientele includes established local owners, developers, contractors and consultants as well as award-winning interior design firms.
Work highlights
Advised an owner of a flatted factory, an industrial products supplier, in a dispute with the main contractor over progress payments.
Acted for a lift installation sub-contractor in a claim against Kone, an international engineering and service company.
Representing a subsidiary proprietor in disputing the quantum of compensation pursuant to a land acquisition before the Appeals Board.
Founded in 2017 by senior counsel Lok Vi Ming, LVM Law Chambers is a respected, mid-sized disputes boutique offering a comprehensive range of dispute resolution services spanning commercial litigation, construction, insurance, media and telecommunications, tax, mediation, real estate, regulatory and white-collar matters. The firm has been consistently instructed in high-profile cross-border cases involving China, Brazil, Europe, Japan, Malaysia, the UK and the US. It has a dedicated China desk and has been quite active for these clients in the construction, technology, infrastructure and PE sectors. The firm added shipping capabilities to its growing array of specialisms, with the hiring of former Incisive Law director, Mohd Haireez. Managing director Lok Vi Ming leads an experienced team that includes construction specialists Joseph Lee and Waltan Pak. The team also welcomed the arrival of director Jean Chan from the Singapore High Court to bolster its white-collar crime and regulatory offering. Construction expert Joanna Seetoh departed last year for Harry Elias Partnership.
Client feedback
“LVM is very proactive in providing practical solutions to the client. LVM does not only advise on the legal aspect, but they really help the client to choose the 'best' route to achieve the best outcome possible, given the commercial circumstances.” – Dispute resolution
“They have lawyers who are intelligent, attentive and know their specialised areas well.” – Dispute resolution
“The firm is able to distil complex issues to distinct bitesize chunks and tackle each of these pointedly. They have the grit and soft skills to disarm the defendants with finesse. They deliver par excellence.” – Dispute resolution
“The lawyers are professional and knowledgeable on the case; they were able to find the supporting evidence in the court documents to defend my case.” – Private client
“Responsive and experienced team, able to pull in senior counsel when required.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Honest, quick and frank.” – Shipping
“Quick response and practical advice.” – Shipping
Mohd Haireez
“Able to provide quick and concise advice.”
“Solid legal and sector knowledge, attentive and meticulous.”
“Hard-working, efficient, brilliant and affable.”
Jonathan Muk
“Jonathan has very good legal knowledge as well as industry knowledge, to provide the client with practical advice. He is also very responsive to clients’ queries.”
“Jonathan not only listens, he does his homework and always researches thoroughly. He is always accessible and he responds to queries promptly. He keeps tabs on costs and timeline diligently.”
Huey Hien Ooi
“Responsive, detailed and diligent.”
Michelle Yeo
“She is hardworking and well-versed in knowledge on my case.”
Work highlights
Assisted Fajarbaru Builders to enforce the arbitral award of a Malaysian court order in Singapore against the individual defendant.
Representing Laud Architects and one of its directors in an ongoing dispute commenced in the Singapore High Court by SH Design and Build.
TSMP Law Corporation is especially well known for its work in finance, corporate and M&A and dispute resolution. The banking and finance group acts for financial institutions and corporate in high-value financing deals, spanning cross-border secured and syndicated lending, acquisition financing, debt restructuring, purchase of loans and refinancing. The same team also specialises in corporate real estate financing, particularly in land acquisition financing and land development financing. The capital markets team is sought after for equity and debt listings, reverse takeovers, foreign IPOs and secondary fundraisings, while the corporate M&A department runs a market-leading practice in public company takeovers.
The dispute resolution practice proudly states that it takes on difficult cases, ones that test, shape or advance the law. The disputes team covers the full gamut of litigation and arbitration, notably complex commercial and corporate litigation with a focus on boardroom, shareholder and investment disputes. There is additionally a growing practice specialising in the crypto-space, working with clients across the ecosystem from investors to exchanges.
The firm not only acts for various major corporations and financial institutions but also is frequently sought out by different regulatory bodies. Senior counsels Shen Yi Thio and Jeffrey Chan Wah Teck, corporate lawyer Stefanie Yuen Thio, construction specialists Melvin Chan and Derek Loh and labour expert Ian Lim are key figures at the firm. Jennifer Chia and June Ho are other names to note for banking and finance and M&A.
Work highlights
Successfully represented Asiabuild Engineering as plaintiff in resisting an application to set aside an adjudication determination made against counterpart Soilbuild.
Acted for Architects 61 and an individual who are defendants in an MCST claim in relation to defects at the V on Shenton condominium in the Singapore central business district.
Key clients
GS Engineering & Construction, Hyundai E&C, Menard Geosystems, Soletanche Bachy, YTL Cement, YTL Power
Singapore corporate boutique AEI Legal is active in the corporate and M&A and private equity spaces with a particular focus on technology, real estate and consumer goods. The firm boasts long-standing clients that span MNCs and blue-chip corporates such as Mitsui, GoTo, Kakao and Telstra. Recently, the firm has grown to collaborate more frequently with litigation and arbitration, IP and tax specialists to provide clients with a one-stop shop offering.
Managing director Andrea Chee is a key contact and she leads a team of eight fee-earners.
Client feedback
“Highly client- and solutions-focused.” – Corporate and M&A
“They take into account the commercial aspects of the transaction, understand market practice, and have solid teamwork and swift responses.” – Corporate and M&A
Andrea Chee
“Humility abounds alongside strategic and technical brilliance.”
“She considers the commercial aspects of the transaction, provides practical advice and is responsive.”
Work highlights
Advised GoTo Group on a JV deal involving the Carousell Group and Heliconia Capital.
Acted for Entech Global Solutions on its successful acquisition of the Pestbusters Group in Singapore and Malaysia.
Asia Practice is a corporate and finance-focused firm with experience in the projects and shipping space. The firm’s clients include corporations and financial institutions including export credit agencies and other state-owned banks and leasing subsidiaries. It works with borrowers and other market players on transactions including container leasing, asset-backed securitisation and ECA-supported financing. The firm is adept at advising on regulatory matters relating to the financial industry, particularly to clients in the fintech, wealthtech and startups sectors.
Chien Herr Lee is the main partner for corporate and M&A, while Jonathan Tan and Leon Low lead its banking and finance practice. Associate director Marc Teh brings further strength to the finance team.
Client feedback
“Asia Practice is able to provide quick legal solutions in a timely and cost-efficient manner.” – Banking and finance
“Very clear on Singapore law and gave practical advice.” – Capital markets
“Professional and technically competent.” – Corporate and M&A
“They are generally competitive and extremely responsive.” – Shipping
Chien Herr Lee
“He generally responds within two hours. He is concise and precise.”
Jonathan Tan
“Quick, responsive, and able to give legal solutions and guidance, able to anticipate legal issues and provide counter-solutions.”
“Understands our needs very well and able to provide practical advice and solutions.”
Marc Teh
“Efficient, quick turnaround and technically competent.”
Work highlights
Advised an Indian energy storage systems manufacturer on its $48 million fundraising.
Assisted a cultural culinary brand in Singapore on a million-dollar investment in a modern Cantonese fine dining restaurant.
Atlas Asia Law Corporation is a Singapore law firm in association with EY. The firm has a team of five directors and eight associates active in acquisitions, investments and divestments as well as private equity across various sectors including fintech, logistics, real estate, insurance, education and healthcare. A highlight for the firm was its significant client win in advising EZ-Link and Transit Link, being subsidiaries of the Land Transport Authority of Singapore, on their proposed merger into a single entity.
The team is led by managing director, corporate and PE specialist Kenneth Cheow.
Work highlights
Advised Presidio Singapore on its merger with Arkphire Singapore.
Represented Chip Eng Seng on its corporate reorganisation.
Acted for Infront Football Media on its legal entity rationalisation exercise.
Advised DVM Holdings on its sale of shares to Indo Medika.
Key clients
Dentsu, Knauf, Kokusai Pulp & Paper, Lyte Ventures, Resonac, Saint-Gobain, Super Marine
Bird & Bird ATMD upholds its ‘Outstanding’ ranking with a strong intellectual property practice and expertise in the technology and telecommunications sector. Lorraine Tay and Alban Kang are key figures for IP. The firm is also active in capital markets, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, energy and labour and employment. This year it moves up in the energy table, and debuts in the construction and private equity categories. Marcus Chow, Sandra Seah and Beng Chai Tay are the main corporate partners at the firm. Jonathan Choo is a dispute resolution lawyer particularly active in international arbitration and Seow Hui Goh focuses on labour and employment.
Client feedback
“Extremely pragmatic and commercial, excellent attention to detail, but does not belabour legal points unnecessarily.” – Aviation
“Commercially sound while providing solid legal advice and willing to go the extra mile.” – Aviation
“Responsive, practical and commercial-oriented.” – Capital markets
“Proactive and responsible.” – Capital markets
“Responsive with the ability to anticipate and identify potential issues. Has the ability to propose solutions.” – Capital markets
“Fast and logical responses.” – Competition/antitrust
“Highly responsive and can devise value-adding solutions to commercial issues.” – Corporate and M&A
“The firm's legal documents are sophisticated and can capture most legal issues that we need to mitigate or prevent. When there is an issue, they are quick to provide solutions.” – Corporate and M&A
“Staff are timely, dedicated, professional, responsive and client-oriented.” – Corporate and M&A
“Prompt and completed the work within the schedule.” – Corporate and M&A
“Professional and efficient.” – Corporate and M&A
“Very professional, work effectively within time frame.” – Corporate and M&A
“It has comprehensive in-depth knowledge of the energy industry and thus is in position to provide good advice” – Energy
“The partner is helpful and turnaround time is quick. Great service.” – Intellectual property
“They are very responsive and the team has demonstrated in past projects their ability to deliver commercially sensible legal advice at very competitive fee quotes.” – Intellectual property
“Responsive, understands our business and our needs.” – Privacy and data protection
“Fast, reliable and a trusted partner.” – Private equity
“Completed the task promptly.” – Regulatory
Chua Lijun
“Receptive, fast responses and good knowledge of the relevant law and good understanding of the issues.”
Goh Seow Hui
“We value her professionalism, compassion for clients and humility.”
“Seow Hui did an outstanding job of understanding the client's needs. She advised me what was best for the client. She handled the case so swiftly to settle it amicably and moved on. I am impressed by her professionalism to take ownership after [another] lawyer left the firm. She took the responsibility of closing it. I am pleased with her customer service and compassion.”
Jeremy Tan
“Responsive, great attention to detail, he is client and results oriented.”
Jolie Giouw
“Highly responsive, she identifies the key issues quickly and comes out with solutions. We have always been impressed.”
“Excellent service-oriented mindset, has strong commercial acumen and able to advise well on the law.”
“Responsive and experienced. Able to provide prompt and quality advice and solutions.”
Lawrence Wong
“Communicates well to solve all the requirements requested by the SGX in Singapore.”
Leo Fattorini
“Leo is responsive, accessible and user-friendly. With counterparts he comes across very well without compromising our position.”
“Leo is responsive, accessible and user-friendly.”
“He has industry-wide knowledge of the Asian region, and is commercially savvy when it comes to negotiating with external parties.”
“Fast turnaround time and knowledgeable.”
Marcus Chow
“Marcus is knowledgeable in early-stage transactions and he is always available to the team to provide an opinion.”
“He is very smart and has extensive knowledge in venture capital investment as well as M&A.”
“Listens to what the client wants, and provides accurate suggestions and solutions.”
“Responsive, responsible and is able to communicate effectively with people of all levels.”
“Very commercial and good understanding of the client's needs.”
“Responsive, has ability to propose innovative solutions, and has good client relationship management.”
“Provides in-depth knowledge and advice to the board, resolving issues with advance steps taken.”
“Marcus was very responsive and can be depended on to deliver sound pragmatic advice, even outside of regular office hours. He is also quick to understand the commercial issues at hand, and propose solutions to address these issues.”
Sandrea Seah
“Very helpful and exhibits very good in-depth industrial knowledge. Gives very sound advice.”
“Professional, good listener, understands issues quickly and timely in responses.”
Work highlights
Advised Ingram Micro on its $7.2 billion acquisition by Platinum Equity.
Acted for KludeIn I Acquisition Corporation on its merger with Near Intelligence Holdings.
Assisted Blockchain.com Group Holdings’ cash and stock acquisition of Altonomy.
Key clients
90 Seconds, CurrencyFair, EV Growth, LYS Energy Solutions, Treis Asia
Established in late 2020, BTPLaw is a boutique corporate law firm with a notable specialism in investment funds and private equity. It has been established as a market leader for deals using the Singapore variable capital company (VCC) structure. At the time of research, BTPLaw had closed 20% of the global market share of VCC fund formation structures.
In addition to its core areas, the firm covers mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, FSR regulatory and general corporate work, and is active in the blockchain and cryptocurrency spaces. The firm has its own BVI practice, headed up by an offshore law veteran, and is uniquely able to handle BVI fund matters in-house.
Managing director Brandon Tee is the key contact. In 2024 the firm welcomed director Lynn Soh from Eng & Co to bolster its M&A and employment practice, and head of capital markets Leeza Lee from Linklaters Hong Kong to shore up its capital markets offering.
Client feedback
“They are fast and efficient. They demonstrated deep understanding of the industry and the requirements.” – Capital markets
“BTPLaw was very attentive with very fast turnaround on some innovative solutions to our unique requirements.” – Corporate and M&A
“Very responsive, experienced in this particular area of law, and it is able to turnaround and move fast to facilitate our end-client requirements.” – Investment funds
“BTPLaw is extremely knowledgeable about the VCC structure and provides timely advice that is commercially viable.” – Investment funds
“Very hard-working, knowledgeable and professional. Brandon Tee takes the lead on all client discussions. His team, including the other partners and associates, are very prompt and professional.” – Investment funds
Brandon Tee
“He is knowledgeable and provides good advice.”
“Brandon is very responsive and has a very fast turnaround to documents drafting. He is very attentive to details and provides very good insights on some of our proposed requirements.”
“Very efficient, responsive, client-friendly, and most importantly, business-friendly.”
“Brandon is very knowledgeable in the VCC area and responds very quickly with practical advice.”
“Very few lawyers have his level of proficiency and professionalism. He has always come to my aid on legal and structuring matters over the last four to five years.”
Work highlights
Advised Radiant1 on pre-Series A investment led by Monk’s Hill Ventures
Assisted the offeror in the mandatory general offer for all the issued and paid-up ordinary shares in the capital of Datapulse Technology.
Key clients
Beijing TongRenTang II, Covenant Capital Master VCC, NVT Associates, Refin Group
CHP Law is a full-service firm with ties to CNPLaw, its senior consultant being Colin Ng. The team is active in corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, IP, real estate, labour and private client matters.
The firm is helmed by managing partner Christopher Huang and includes seven senior lawyers including funds specialist Randall Perera, IP and intangible assets expert Dixon Soh and FSR specialist Ian Phung. The firm welcomed two new directors to boost their disputes and private client practices: Danny Quah from TSMP and Kannan Nadarajan from Eden Law Corporation, respectively.
Client feedback
“Subject experts in Singapore funds law.” – Capital markets
“They always have a good strategy to tackle problems.” – Construction
“Commercial, fast and professional.” – Corporate and M&A
“Good suggestions on deal structure.” – Corporate and M&A
“Responsive. Excellent client service.” – Dispute resolution
“The firm in general, and its lawyers like Danny Quah, are very responsive and provide good commercial advice.” – Dispute resolution
“Knowledgeable and quick to respond. We can always rely upon them to provide invaluable advice and insights to any issues or potential issues when we raise concerns to them.” – Investment funds
“CHP is conversant with the business we are in and able to provide valuable advice and inputs pertaining to our funds launch.” – Investment funds
“CHP Law has consistently demonstrated excellence in various areas, establishing itself as a reliable and highly competent legal partner. Here are some of the positive attributes and strengths that we have observed through our collaboration:
Expertise in licensing as a fund manager – CHP Law has provided invaluable assistance in navigating the complex licensing requirements for managing funds that include both capital market products and non-capital markets assets. Their deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and their meticulous attention to detail have ensured that we remain compliant with all necessary legal standards.
Comprehensive legal opinions – the legal opinions provided by CHP Law are thorough, well-researched, and clearly articulated. They have consistently offered insightful and practical advice that has helped guide our strategic decisions and operations.
Keeping abreast of legal trends in digital assets – CHP Law is highly adept at staying current with the latest legal trends and developments in the digital assets space. Their proactive approach to monitoring and interpreting new regulations and legal precedents has been instrumental in helping us adapt and thrive in this rapidly evolving field.
Overall, CHP Law’s expertise, diligence, and forward-thinking approach have significantly contributed to our success. Their ability to handle complex legal issues with precision and clarity makes them an outstanding partner in the legal domain.” – Investment funds
“Extremely professional and efficient, especially in the responses.” – Labour and employment
“Professional, timely, practical and a commercial approach to solutions.” – Private client
Christopher Huang
“Commercial, professional and fast.”
Raj Mannar
“Works hard, is supportive and helpful.”
“Commercial and practical approach to service delivery, in a timely manner.”
Ian Phung
“Subject expert and approachable.”
“Ian is very responsive and able to provide timely advice whenever we need his legal advice.”
“Ian isa reliable professional who knows how to engage his team when they work on our case. So happy to work with him for many years now.”
Danny Quah
“Danny Quah is very responsive and provides good commercial advice.”
“Highly recommend his personality, legal knowledge and experience. Excellent communication skills.”
“Appreciate his blend of accuracy and empathy.”
“Working with Danny from CHP Law on my recent litigation case was a game-changer. His approach was refreshingly human, offering genuine insights and explanations that set him apart from other firms with a more corporate feel. Danny's straightforwardness and astute predictions about the corporate entity's actions were invaluable. His blend of accuracy and empathy not only calmed my nerves but also empowered me to make informed decisions throughout the case. Thanks to Danny's expertise and support, I achieved a more positive outcome than I ever imagined. I'm incredibly grateful for his guidance and relieved that I chose him over other law firms.”
Selena Teng
“Fast worker and reliable. Very organised and meticulous in her work.”
Arthur Yap
“Straightforward lawyer and no hidden agenda.”
“Responsive and excellent client manner. Bright.”
“Thinks out of the box.”
Work highlights
Advised iRace Media on its $10 million sale to a UK-listed media conglomerate.
Acted for a Vietnam-based private equity firm on their $5 million investment into an agritech company that operates in southeast Asia.
CNPLaw, formerly known as Colin Ng & Partners, is active in all major practice areas, including banking and finance, capital markets, corporate and M&A, investment funds and private equity. The firm has experience in advising companies in the real estate and technology and telecommunication sectors, particularly active in blockchain and cryptocurrency. This year, the firm debuts in the industry sector tables for banking and financial services, and consumer goods and services, and in the competition ranking. The corporate and finance team has established a niche practice advising companies in high-growth, emerging markets like Myanmar, Indo-China and the Philippines. Lisa Theng, Ken Chia, Pradeep Kumar Singh, Min-Li Tan, Xiaomeng Ge, and Bill Jamieson are key contacts for transactional work. Soo Ling See Tow and Subramanian Pillai are the key partners for contentious matters.
Client feedback
“Proactive in solving issues and good project management capability.” – Capital markets
“They respond very quickly to any demands we make of them, even considering the reasonable difference in time zones from Singapore to Brazil. They request any documentation or tasks we have to do so they can start the process in a very organised manner.” – Capital markets
“Very quick and efficient. Clear legal advice and transparent fees.” – Capital markets
“They do not overcharge. They listen do what we want in the agreement and put it accurately in the agreement. They do not overpromise.” – Corporate and M&A
“Reliable and keep to promises and timelines. Professional at all times.” – Corporate and M&A
“CNPLaw provides extremely thorough and detailed responses, taking into account all possible scenarios and explaining the implications of each one. They also refer to local laws and guidelines so that we can further read up on the subject if needed.” – Labour and employment
“Prompt with turnaround, experienced with technology law and the healthcare industry.” – Technology and telecommunications
Kenn Lim
“Friendly and observant.”
Min-Li Tan
“Very technically sound, experienced and friendly. Good at managing client's expectation and a very good team player that also looks out for other professionals.”
Lisa Theng
“Knowledgeable and reliable.”
Pei Ling Wong
Responsive and objective. Always ready to address issues to find a swift solution.”
“Pei-Ling and her colleagues understand that Singapore is a new jurisdiction for us. As such, they kindly take the time to explain their responses in great detail so that we can make informed business decisions. They are also very conscientious about our time-zone differences and always respond to our queries very quickly.”
“She is very knowledgeable about technology law and the healthcare industry in Singapore.”
Work highlights
Acted for Global Palm Resources Holdings, a Main Board-listed company, in relation to a voluntary conditional cash offer.
Advised Datapulse Technology in relation to a mandatory conditional cash offer.
Collyer Law is a boutique Singapore law firm founded by veteran corporate lawyers with a particular focus on representing emerging growth companies and the innovation economy. It has developed sector-focused groups such as fintech, life sciences and health tech, e-commerce, digital media and sharing economy. The firm is led by managing director Azmul Haque and director Vincent Bu.
Work highlights
Advised Veative Labs and its founders, in relation to the sale and purchase of all intellectual property.
Acted for Fitsurge, a franchise of two F45 studios in Singapore, in connection with its sale of business to SMV Health & Fitness.
As one of Singapore’s ‘Big Four’ law firms, Drew & Napier possesses a diverse roster of lawyers offering an extensive range of legal services in Singapore and across the region. The firm remains a dispute resolution powerhouse with a deep bench of top advocates including Jimmy Yim and Cavinder Bull. Disputes and insolvency lawyer Siraj Omar, construction specialist Christopher Chong and elite tax practitioner Ong Sim Ho further reinforce the team. Other key names to note include Pauline Chong for finance, Petrus Huang for capital markets, Chong Kin Lim for competition and technology, Steven Lo for corporate and M&A, Tony Yeo for IP, and Sushil Nair and Blossom Hing for restructuring and insolvency. Consultant Gary Pryke is another well-known practitioner in the development and implementation of a licensing, regulatory and competition framework for the liberalisation of the Bruneian Postal Sector corporate and finance space.
Client feedback
“Professional.” – Banking and finance
“Meticulous.” – Capital markets
“Proactive, they are able to anticipate issues and advise accordingly. Efficient, they controlled the board verification meetings well.” – Capital markets
“Prompt advice.” – Capital markets
“Efficient response time, commercially savvy, and easy-to-understand advice with practical solutions.” – Competition/antitrust
“Service is prompt. Advice is always well considered.” – Construction
“They are very knowledgeable with good advocacy skills.” – Construction
“Embodies commerciality and practicality.” – Corporate and M&A
“I appreciate their competence, responsiveness, effectiveness and quality.” – Dispute resolution
“D&N provide full support on the arrangements and follow through in tight timelines and communicated strategically when the MA in our matter refused to convene the EGM despite the fact we had more than the stipulated signatures on the requisition.” – Dispute resolution
“Rapid, thorough advice and action.” – Dispute resolution
“Extremely dedicated and proactive team. It is a true dispute resolution firm, not only conducting the role of solicitors.” – Dispute resolution
“Exceptional legal approach, top-notch legal research, and the preparation of court papers and witness statements are exceptional. They always produce the highest quality work at very reasonable hourly time costs.” – Dispute resolution
“Responsive and careful-thinking.” – Dispute resolution
“Shumin's team is very efficient and thorough. You feel like you can rely on them. They are also very measured and firm in their approach, which helps greatly during settlement negotiations.” – Dispute resolution
“Great legal know-how, accuracy, clarity and excellent work ethic. Superb litigation and client relations.” – Dispute resolution
“It is very accessible and provides well-considered advice.” – Dispute resolution
“Extremely professional and capable, very good at clear communication in terms of issues and obtaining instructions from us. Cavinder Bull SC is an outstanding advocate and a joy to work with and he runs an extremely well planned and organised team. They all work extremely hard to deliver results.” – Dispute resolution
“Appreciate its attention to detail. The lawyers are responsive to customer comments and requests.” – Dispute resolution
“Calculated and sound advice on procedural and strategic issues. Very responsive and able to turnaround actions very quickly.” – Dispute resolution
“I have worked with Mahesh Rai's team (so Mahesh, Jonathan Yong and Samuel Soo, in particular). They are excellent lawyers who bring significant strategic insight and close attention to detail to their work, which is efficient and cost effective.” – Dispute resolution
“Provide practical solutions and managed to help us come to a settlement after a few years of litigation.” – Dispute resolution
“They are very focused and committed. From day one they have created a clear strategy which led us to win our case against the claimants. The team members involved have taken accountability. Deliverables during the arbitration were outstanding.” – Dispute resolution
“Recommended for their curiosity to understand the business context and ability to understand the business needs and challenges. They are responsive and experts in the field.” – Dispute resolution
“Top-quality lawyers that produce excellent work. Highly efficient individuals that are clear and concise with their delivery and statements.” – Dispute resolution
“Precise, effective and professional.” – Dispute resolution
“Perfect mix of exceptional legal ability and commercial nous.” – Dispute resolution
“Brilliant legal minds, listen to client and have first-class advocacy.” – Dispute resolution
“Choosing Drew & Napier was the best decision I made for my legal needs. They not only provided expert legal advice but also showed genuine care and emotional support throughout my matter. They took the time to understand my situation, provided clear guidance and advice, and fought tirelessly on my behalf. They do well in navigating my complex and high-profile disputes.” – Dispute resolution
“Good analytical skills, judgement and advising capability.” – Dispute resolution
“Lawyers are logical.” – Dispute resolution
“Good availability and teamwork.” – Dispute resolution
“They are able to work closely with myself and provide very useful, effective advice. Able to revert in a timely manner.” – Dispute resolution
“Strong experience and technical knowledge. Very prompt and easy to work with.” – Dispute resolution
“Drew & Napier's lawyers are well-versed in the law and provide useful and strategic advice in a dispute. They communicate clearly and tell us all that we need to know, when we need to know it. Ultimately, they put the best case forward and consistently deliver the results I need.” – Dispute resolution
“The law firm is highly knowledgeable and experienced, which made me feel at peace for letting them handle my case. Their team is compassionate and empathetic, providing personalised support and making me feel valued during a stressful time. They maintained excellent communication, keeping me informed. Additionally, their commitment to justice and willingness to help, evident in them taking my case as pro bono work. I believe that their professionalism and integrity make them an exceptional law firm.” – Dispute resolution
“First-class legal strategy and adept at providing a global approach to cases that considers the most effective way to reach the end goal right from the start.” – Dispute resolution
“Drew & Napier provides excellent legal services. They guide and explain matters to us clearly. They prepare thoroughly and respond promptly to our queries and requests for clarification. We are very satisfied with their services. Throughout the proceedings, we have had a positive experience working with them.” – Dispute resolution
“Quality of service and clarity of advice.” – Intellectual property
“D&N don't shy away from difficult or complex cases. They take the time to understand the client's needs, dig into the details and develop a well thought out strategy to meet the client's goals.” – Intellectual property
“Professional communication, expertise, practical advice and cost-effective.” – Intellectual property
“Professional and insightful.” – Intellectual property
“They are knowledgeable in the law, reliable and provide services in a cost-effective manner.” – Intellectual property
“Professional, knowledgeable, sharp, quick-minded and disciplined. The team did exceedingly well in understanding my case and representing my company.” – Intellectual property
“Very detailed in their attention and high-quality service with fast turnaround.” – Intellectual property
“Professional, prompt and very experienced.” – Intellectual property
“Strong and committed team from partner to associate level that has a strong understanding of our business and fund structure, and are able to propose innovative yet fundamentally sound advice.” – Investment funds
“Fast response, good-quality work and reasonable fees.” – Labour and employment
“Client-oriented and dedicated.” – Labour and employment
“Responsive, timely and insightful. Both Kelvin Tan and Benjamin Goh have provided sharp advice on how we deal with our labour and employment matters.” – Labour and employment
“The work was led by Benjamin Gaw, who was excellent, very knowledgeable, responsive, rigorous and commercial in his approach. The whole team provided good value for money too.” – Labour and employment
“Fit for purpose, practical legal advice and recommendations. Highly responsive, able to deliver on short notice and under urgent timelines. Reasonable legal fees.” – Labour and employment
“Response time is very fast, concise and precise advice reflecting the matter at hand.” – Oil and gas
“They have experience and expertise, understand the client's needs, are practical, solutions-oriented, timely, and value for money.” – Privacy and data protection
“There is attention to detail, practical advice given by very knowledgeable lawyers, tailored to your business needs.” – Privacy and data protection
“Incisive regulatory advice.” – Privacy and data protection
“Drew & Napier is very knowledgeable and comes up with practical solutions that comply with the law while balancing the needs of the business.” – Privacy and data protection
“They produce quality work and are strategic in their advice.” – Privacy and data protection
“Efficient and thorough service. Very professional.” – Private client
“Would recommend for their industry knowledge and willingness to think creatively for solutions.” – Real estate
“Very detailed in drafting of terms and conditions that protects client interest.” – Real estate
“Professional.” – Real estate
“They are experts in the field of data protection and have a wide range of experience to draw from. They are extremely cooperative and always willing to go the extra mile to assist their clients. They are readily available to us and are always eager to answer any queries or doubts that may arise. They give us the confidence to do our job well and are committed to building a relationship with us.” – Regulatory
“Drew managed to look outside the box, understand the whole situation, analysed the risk, and recommended a few alternatives with the associated risk for us to discuss and decide.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“They were able to coordinate the various wants from different parties and stakeholders and laid out clearly the pertinent issues, and efficient in drafting the docs that follow our agreements.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Commercial-minded, responsive and very collaborative.” – Tax
David Alfred
“Incisive regulatory advice, cuts to the heart of legal issues and solid legal recommendations.”
Emmanuel Aw
“He has the impressive ability to quickly acquire a deep and comprehensive understanding of the relevant facts and to propose a logical and commercially sensible approach. He is a great communicator and his advice was always clear. He managed the case well, met all deadlines and constantly kept us informed. Most importantly, he led us to a successful outcome.”
“He is highly knowledgeable and experienced in employment law, which ensured that every aspect of my situation was handled with expertise. His strong analytical skills allowed him to quickly grasp the points from a pile of documents and shared strategies. He is also extremely compassionate and empathetic, always taking the time to listen to my concerns and provide support throughout the process. This personal approach made me feel valued and understood during a very stressful time. He also has excellent communication skills as I was always kept informed, and he was always available to answer my questions when I needed. Importantly, his willingness to take on my case pro bono demonstrated not only his dedication to his profession but also his genuine desire to help.”
“First-class legal mind. Fantastic team player. Excellent communication. Highly adept at devising a winning strategy for the client from the start of the case all the way to its conclusion.”
Manoj Belani
“Very knowledgeable, responsive and always available.”
Cavinder Bull
“Top lawyer.”
Daniel Cai
“Extremely responsive and knowledgeable.”
Anastasia Su-Anne Chen
“Professional, experienced, deep expertise, wide knowledge of other jurisdictions' laws, taking ownership of client's problems and solutions-oriented.”
Ron Cheng
“Strong understanding of the industry, our business and fund structure, patient and committed, strong risk management, innovative and has a strong team.”
Voon Jiet Chia
“Highly professional, good demeanour, extremely quick on his feet and knows the business well enough to give practical and sound advice.”
“Professional, thorough, knowledgeable and empathetic.”
Desmond Chng
“Very up-and-coming and bright lawyer. Client-focused and commercial minded.”
Christopher Chong
“Positive and realistic approach to problems and solutions.”
“Very knowledgeable and helpful, and commercially sound.”
Andrew Chua
“Wonderful personality.”
“Very focused on his work and able to give me timely and effective advice.”
Yuet Min Foo
“Overall management of the team and the case.”
“Very approachable, competent and experienced.”
Benjamin Gaw
“Professional and gives quality advice.”
“Easy to work with, responsive, down-to-earth and offers pragmatic solutions.”
“Benjamin was excellent, responsive, technically knowledgeable and very commercial. He was also very down-to-earth and easy to work with.”
“Benjamin is very easy to work with. He is knowledgeable in employment and data privacy matters. He is responsive and gives answers that are straight to the point.”
Benjamin Goh
“Responsive and understanding of our business concerns. Benjamin does well in providing quick and concise advice and is responsive to our time-sensitive issues.”
Blossom Hing
“Combination of exceptional legal ability, commercial nous and integrity.”
Man Er Kong
“She is a director at D&N and a good lawyer. She has excellent case and client management skills. She manages her team well and prepares all court papers meticulously. She has strong legal skills and formulates effective case strategies. She is always well-prepared and guides clients efficiently. She is knowledgeable about all case details and delivers excellent presentations when making arguments before the tribunal. She is a very hard-working lawyer, and a patient and good-natured person.”
Rakesh Kirpalani
“Responsive, effective, efficient, comprehensive, skilled, knowledgeable and understands the industry.”
Meryl Koh
“She is a star! She is community builder and a champion for SMEs. She has a strong sense of mission, and she wants to make a difference in the world with her work. She is very curious and prioritises understanding the business context – that is client-centricity. She is a pragmatic problem-solver and doesn't overcomplicate the issue and hence wins trust of the client.”
Wilson Koh
“Wilson is a game-changer for me. I have worked with many lawyers and know how frustrating it can be to work with some of them. In contrast, working with Wilson has been a breeze. He has a full grasp of the law at his fingertips and thus can adapt quickly to fast-moving situations, no matter how intricate the issues at hand.
One of the most invaluable traits that he possesses is his ability to envision all possible scenarios and evaluate the risks and benefits to each approach before I even have time to think about them. This is a rare trait that I have not seen in many lawyers, who in my humble experience often wait for me to ask what decisions I can take and how my decisions will affect me. Instead, Wilson will always give me multiple options to consider and explain the risks associated with each choice. This helps me make informed decisions within a short amount of time. He helps clients who have hectic schedules to make the right judgement call every single time.
He is able to do this because he is an excellent listener who can cut through distractive situations and focus on the crux of the issues. By being so attuned to my interests and objectives, he can “read my mind”. Thus, he understands my key points easily, which puts us on the same page in terms of strategy. Whereas many lawyers need me to provide lengthy explanations before they understand, Wilson is able to grasp what I am saying with ease. His strategic and calm advice helped to alleviate the intense pressure I felt during my extremely high-profile case, and that has been the difference between my successes and failures.
Finally, he understands that many complex cases often carry deep personal significance to clients, who may be anxious. He goes the extra mile by being available at any time. I have encountered lawyers who charge expensive fees but are unavailable or slow to reply. In contrast, Wilson picks up the phone even when I call at inconvenient hours and is incredibly patient. Many deals were closed after spontaneous phone calls or WhatsApp messages between us. The accessibility of your legal adviser can be the difference between a successful deal and a failed one.
In summary, Wilson is a lawyer that you want on your side. His deep understanding of the law and ability to adapt quickly make working with him a breeze. He anticipates scenarios, evaluates risks and presents multiple options with clarity and patience, helping me make informed decisions swiftly. His ability to navigate complex situations and alleviate pressure is exceptional. No amount of superlatives will reflect how strongly I commend Wilson. I hope that legal directories like you can give him a platform to receive the appreciation he deserves.”
Julian Kwek
“Julian listens and understands clients’ needs. He does not say no to any suggestion but is always willing to think outside the box to provide creative solutions and highlights the associated risk with such solutions.”
Sok Hiang Lau
“Responsible and professional.”
“Excellent industry knowledge.”
“Enthusiastic and responsive.”
“Very good knowledge in providing advice. Detailed in drafting of T&Cs protecting clients’ interests.”
Gerui Lim
“Gerui Lim is an exceptional talent; spot-on analysis and strategic thinker, excellent research and writer. And has always produced expected results.”
Siau Wen Lim
“Professional and sharp.”
“She is knowledgeable in the law and responsive when there are queries.”
Chong Kin Lim
“Practical, efficient, extremely knowledgeable with great client relationship development.”
“He is extremely knowledgeable and is able to explain complex concepts in easily understandable terms. His professionalism instils confidence in his clients.”
Shumin Lin
“She is quick and sharp. She identifies the issues quickly and accurately and provides very good advice and solution. She is also prompt in her work.”
“Shumin is a force of nature, I think she pushes settlement negotiations through very well. Would have liked to see her doing cross-examination.”
“Lin Shumin was prompt with her advice, she identified the issues quickly and accurately and provided sound advice that helped us in our matter.”
Adam Maniam
“Excellent responsiveness. Amazing ability to grasp and recall details. Excellent in court.”
Sushil Nair
“Sees the big picture and understands the issues all parties have.”
Pei Tong Ng
“Soft spoken but effective.”
“Patient and listens well. Forthcoming and on time.”
“Very responsive and prompt.”
“Good listening skills and problem-solving.”
Siraj Omar
“Very professional, top of his game.”
Ken Loon Ong
“I find Ken Loon to be one of the most collaborative tax partners in Singapore. Pleasure to work with. She speaks her mind and gives you transparent advice that is implementable.”
Mahesh Rai
“Very hard-working, responsive, easy to work with and results-oriented. He is also very bright and solution-oriented.”
“Mahesh is a strategic thinker who directs his team to do effective and efficient work.”
“Both from a personal and a professional point of view, I found Mahesh as someone impressive and genuine. He has great analytical skills, able to listen well, and very good in communication, as I often saw him carry himself so well in the court or in any kind of joint discussions. He provides me as a client with great sensitivity, tending the needs of my case in his best way. Mahesh also always comes up with great strategy, showing his creativity as a veteran lawyer.”
“Good problem-solving skills and decision-making.”
“Mahesh Rai is exceptional, bright, and very responsive.”
“A superb advocate and on par with other senior counsels.”
“Professional, knowledgeable and approachable. His quick and laser mind would do well in any subject-matter.”
Chern Yang See
“Chern Yang is a highly competent, intelligent and astute individual and lawyer who has from the onset of our first meeting proven to be 100% committed to achieving our goals while constantly reminding us to remain commercial in all our decisions and not to get carried away with emotions, which will end up with fighting aimlessly. The first objective would always be to find an amicable resolution and only when all else fails should we turn to the courts to have the matter resolved. He has vision and deep knowledge of the client, facilitating advice and making the processes adjust to the realities faced, with the objective to be more efficient in the case management.
He is our go-to lawyer as we know we will always receive excellent advice in a timely manner. He understands our structure intimately and is able to rally a global team to provide advice on any jurisdiction through his network of contacts whilst acting as an interface for us. They consistently deliver a very high level of support, often on an urgent basis, and provide a holistic view which takes into account other areas of risk for us. He is also very fortunate to be supported by a skilled team that helps him rise up above the rest.”
Kelvin Tan
“Amazing subject-matter expertise, depth and breadth of experience. Practical and relevant advice that can be adopted as compared to theoretical, ideal legal positions which are often not feasible for clients. Prompt and responsive.”
Benedict Teo
“Comprehensive and systematic.”
Ruby Tham
“We value her responsiveness, straightforward advice and that she is client-oriented.”
Shu Yan Woo
“She is a very able and personable lawyer, and Cavinder Bull's number two on the case. I really enjoyed working with her and the rest of the large team on this case.”
“Responsive and strategically minded. Leads her junior team members very well.”
See Chern Yang
“Whilst the firm's branding does play a part, it is See Chern Yang that is the sole reason why we engaged D&N and will keep engaging him for all our dispute resolution and litigation matters.”
En Li Yap
“Very responsive to calls and comments. Provides useful comments and feedback and thoughts on matters.”
“Easily accessible, hard-working and responsive. Produces high-quality work that is clear and concise.”
Javier Yeo
“Very fast work rate and able to grasp the core of the matter very well.”
“Javier Yeo has good commercial sense and a quick turnaround rate.”
Tony Yeo
“Experienced in the matter and has had a long relationship with us.”
“Tony is the lawyer you want in all your complex IP cases. He doesn't sit on the fence when giving his opinion. He takes the case as it is, digs into the facts and comes up with the best strategy for the situation.”
“Tony is very knowledgeable and approachable, able to explain complicated legal concepts in simple terms for ease of understanding. He has the attention for detail, able to see both the larger picture and the smaller details. Top-notch.”
“Professional and very experienced.”
“Strategic and has a great depth of knowledge of his specialty, which is IP. He’s a great litigator.”
Jimmy Yim
“Brilliant advocate who understands the issues. His written pleadings are excellent, advocacy is excellent and he demonstrates first-class client relations.”
Yang Shi Yong
“Had good understanding of the matter and reverted back with advice in a prompt manner. Always accessible.”
Work highlights
Acted for SK ecoplant on its acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of TES-Envirocorp at an enterprise value of $1 billion.
Key clients
Aboitiz Equity Ventures, ATH Holdings, Bulten Holding, Chuan Hup Holdings, Dale Ventures, Flame Gold International, IBS Software, Metis Energy, MOL Chemical Tankers, THM Partners, Yokogawa Electric Corporation
Eng and Co, PwC Legal’s member firm in Singapore, provides corporate and commercial legal services to financial institutions, corporates, funds and private clients. This year it moves up the ranks in the capital markets and investment fund tables. Founding partner Rachel Eng, who has nearly 30 years of corporate experience, offers clients a one-stop service covering the capital markets, corporate and M&A, investment funds and labour and employment. Directors Andrew Heng, Lynn Soh, Colin Ong and Yuh Huey Khoo are other key contacts.
Client feedback
“Professional, fast and effective.” – Corporate and M&A
“Responsive, capable and measured.” – Corporate and M&A
“Their turnaround time is quite quick and their responses are generally professional. The senior lawyer is fairly involved in the advisory process which is assuring when being advised by the firm.” – Regulatory
“Prompt, responsive and professional.” – Technology and telecommunications
Andrew Heng
“He is perfect.”
“Andrew is always responsive, measured and knowledgeable.”
Yuh Huey Khoo
“Attends to the matter promptly and has good initiative. Good follow-up and meets requested timelines.”
Lynn Soh
“Responsible, thorough and highly knowledgeable.”
Work highlights
Advised Boustead Singapore on its voluntary general offer to acquire, privatise and delist its real estate subsidiary, Boustead Projects.
Acted for YCP Holdings Global on its acquisition of Auctus Advisors Private.
Represented Mitsubishi Logistics Corporation on its acquisition of 13.63% of Indo Trans Logistics Corporation in Vietnam from funds managed by Franklin Templeton.
The corporate department at FC Legal Asia advises on business and asset acquisitions across various industries as well as the structuring of joint ventures and resolving disputes between joint venture partners. The firm has strong expertise in equity and quasi-equity investments across various industries, including early to late-stage fundraising rounds, and business and asset acquisitions. Senior director Chan Wan Hong is the key contact for corporate and M&A transactions.
Client feedback
Chan Wan Hong
“Wan Hong, the partner we worked with, is a pleasure to deal with. He understands deeply how to structure investments. He balances risks with practical advice. When needed, Wan Hong is able to help speak to the other party to be able to bridge gaps with practical solutions.”
Work highlights
Advised Secura Group on its acquisition of 51% of the issued share capital of Onesecure Asia from its sole shareholder.
Icon Law is focused specifically on corporate-related work, including equity capital markets, investments, M&A, employment, privacy, funds and corporate administration. Launched in late 2022, it is an evolution of the former Singapore member firm of the ZICO Law network and is currently being integrated into KPMG. It is ZICO's new Singapore member firm and has “best friend” status with KPMG Law in Singapore.
The firm is helmed by managing director Chun Bin Soh and director Jeremiah Huang.
Work highlights
Advised the founders and shareholders of Brylchem Group on its sale to IMCD.
Acted for Ditrolic Energy Holdings on its investment by BlackRock Climate Finance Partnership.
JurisAsia is a boutique firm that specialises in corporate and M&A and general commercial transactions. Its intellectual property practice has been fairly active in the past year. It has an exclusive association with international law firm Gowling. The firm’s offering includes M&As, foreign direct investment, joint ventures, venture capital and private equity investments, fund management and capital markets advice, with a particular focus on Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China and Vietnam. Tan Choon Leng is the key contact.
Client feedback
“Fast responses and accommodating.” – Corporate and M&A
“They are always available to help, are creative, concise and supportive. Lawyers have a very positive attitude.” – Corporate and M&A
Choon Leng Tan
“He’s the best lawyer I ever met: practical, quick, innovative and concise.”
Vincent Tan
“Vincent offers quick responses and can give commercial feedback on the deal.”
Work highlights
Advised Rimkus Consulting Group on its £104 million acquisition of Capital Consulting International, a global consultancy of delay, quantum and technical experts advising the insurance and construction industries.
Acting for Annamite Resources Holdings, a French-based precious and base metals mineral exploration company in relation to its proposed investment into a copper and gold mineral prospecting and exploration company in Laos.
Represented Hangry, the leading Indonesian cloud kitchen company, in relation to the investment by a Singapore-based venture debt firm, InnoVen Capital.
Oon & Bazul, Singapore’s largest conflict-free law firm, is best known for its contentious practices, notably shipping, and restructuring and insolvency. Its corporate M&A practice has been making strong headway in the past few years and is enjoying growing market prominence for its visibility on domestic and cross-border transactions. On top of its traditional strength in shipping, the firm has been frequently engaged in sectors such as energy, oil and gas, manufacturing and fintech. On the shipping side, the firm is noted for its multijurisdictional expertise across the entire spectrum of general dry shipping, casualty and wet work, arrests and security-taking, ship finance, trade and marine insurance, in the highly specialised area of mis-delivery claims and it regularly acts for shipowners and bill of lading holders. The shipping practitioners also have substantial experience applying for and defending mandatory injunctions taken up by shipowners under letters of indemnity in both the Singapore and UK courts. This has led to substantial instructions in the wake of the collapse of Hin Leong Trading and Hontop Energy, and other oil trading entities.
Bazul Ashhab heads the firm alongside key partners: shipping-focused Thian Seng Oon, head of international arbitration Suresh Divyanathan, head of litigation Kelly Yap, head of shipping Prakaash Silvam, and insolvency head Keith Han. The corporate division is headed by Yi Wayn Ng.
Client feedback
“Recommended for their thoroughness, advisory and client engagement.” – Corporate and M&A
“It has very strong customer relations. I found the explanations to non-lawyer colleagues especially helpful and pragmatic. Legal expertise was very good.” – Corporate and M&A
“They are professional and provide quality advice in a timely manner.” – Corporate and M&A
“Oon & Bazul possesses a myriad of positive attributes that set them apart in the legal landscape. Their commitment to client satisfaction is unmatched, evident in their proactive communication and dedication to understanding the intricacies of each case. Moreover, their legal acumen is truly impressive, enabling them to devise innovative solutions and effectively advocate on behalf of their clients.” – Dispute resolution
“Very responsive, absolutely professional, and gives clear, concise and practical advice. Prakaash Silvam and Bazul Ashhab are stand-out individuals and leaders in their sector.” – Dispute resolution
“They are dedicated and prompt.” – Shipping
Keith Han
“Provides quality advice.”
“Keith is commercial, user-friendly and strategic in his approach. He knows the law at his fingertips and is able to provide prompt and practical solutions. We enjoy working with him on our matters and have no hesitation in recommending him highly to anyone looking for dispute resolution lawyers in Singapore or the Asia Pacific region for that matter.”
Yi Wayn Ng
“Outstanding client management and support, strong knowledge and ability to provide good recommendations as needed.”
“I loved Yi Wayn's approach to solving problems and how pragmatic her advice was. I felt very confident that we were getting an expert opinion.”
Prakaash Silvam
“Absolutely charming and knows your case inside out. He has an extraordinary natural talent of quickly reading into your case and knowing what were the essential elements of success.”
“Friendly, prompt, knowledgeable and organised.”
Christian Teo
“Christian's positive attributes, including integrity, leadership, adaptability, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, empathy and commitment to excellence, contribute to his effectiveness and success in various personal and professional endeavours.”
Work highlights
Advised AL Wealth Partners on the sale of its entire issued and paid up share capital to Nasdaq-listed AlTi Tiedemann Global.
Acted for the selling shareholders in Chien Chi Tow Healthcare on their 51% share sale to Eu Yan Sang International.
Rajah & Tann is one of the most visible among Singapore’s ‘Big Four’ law firms in the southeast Asian market. It occupies the top tier across an array of practice areas and sectors, with well-established teams in both the transactional and contentious arena. The firm has outstanding experience in complex and high-value cross-border matters, closely working with its R&T Asia network with specialised industry expertise. The firm has a traditional strength in dispute resolution backed by the largest litigation practice in Singapore with seven senior counsels. This year the firm proves its dominance again with its ascension into the ‘Outstanding’ tier for its tax practice. Key names include Angela Lim for banking and finance, Kim Huat Chia for capital markets and corporate and M&A, Kala Anandarajah for competition, Francis Xavier and Andre Yeap for dispute resolution, Arnold Tan for investment funds, Patrick Ang and Eng Beng Lee for restructuring and insolvency, Vikna Rajah for tax and private client matters, and Rajesh Sreenivasan for technology and telecommunications.
Client feedback
“Quick turnaround time.” – Aviation
“Responsive and client-centric approach.” – Banking and finance
“The core team led by Lee Xin Mei at Rajah & Tann is always highly responsive, consistently delivers expert and quality legal advice and, most importantly, constant assurance that they are professionals who have the backs of their clients on all transactions.” – Banking and finance
“Carries out a thorough analysis of the legislation in question and case law. When required, thinks out-of-the-box looking for solutions.” – Banking and finance
“Responsive, takes initiative, partners are humble and a commercial value-add.” – Competition/antitrust
“They were competent and efficient in handling our claim.” – Construction
“R&T can be the one-stop shop for complex legal transaction and matters. For example, R&T has advised me on a complex merger and acquisition transaction with broad legal support covering many different specific and technical practice areas such as corporate, real estate, banking, IP, competition, antitrust, etc.” – Corporate and M&A
“Sandy, Mark and Jun Yi lead a very strong and responsive team who push themselves very hard to serve clients’ interests. Our group’s demands are exacting with multiple listed entities across multiple jurisdictions. We trust Sandy and Jun Yi to lead their team to serve us well.” – Corporate and M&A
“Informative and responsive.” – Dispute resolution
“Sheng Rong [Tng], and the firm in general, are very responsive and provide good and detailed commercial advice.” – Dispute resolution
“Easy to communicate with.” – Dispute resolution
“In tune with the market and highly responsive.” – Dispute resolution
“Appreciated for their timeliness, and local and industry-related knowledge.” – Dispute resolution
“Recommended for their extensive experience and professionalism, demonstrating exceptional attention to detail. Moreover, their approachable and collaborative demeanour makes them truly outstanding to work with.” – Dispute resolution
“Prompt, flexible and pays attention to detail.” – Insurance
“Knowledgeable, thorough, strategic and efficient.” – Insurance
“Very knowledgeable on the regulatory landscape of the insurance sector. Advice is always well considered and commercial.” – Insurance
“Provides practical advice to lubricate the progress of the transaction.” – Investment funds
“Solid commercial approach, quick turnaround time, strong legal knowledge and strategic.” – Labour and employment
“Excellent responsiveness.” – Privacy and data protection
“Commerciality in approach and expertise in the subject-matter.” – Private equity
“Very knowledgeable and responsive, provided very useful and practical feedback.” – Real estate
“Knowledgeable, professional, and able to provide the most honest and balanced analysis for clients to make informed decisions.” – Regulatory
“Responsive and understands our business objectives well.” – Regulatory
“Stellar expertise in Singapore regulatory matters as it relates to fund management.” – Regulatory
“They are well-versed with the law.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“They are very knowledgeable and try to apply it to the case management.” – Tax
Kala Anandarajah
“Responsive, humble and commercial.”
Jainil Bhandari
“Knowledgeable, skilled, strategic and thorough.”
Alroy Chan
“Responsive. Understands very well our business and how we work internally.”
Mark Cheng
“Mark is well-versed in the law and able to solve the issues as they come.”
Benjamin Cheong
“Always available, solution-oriented.”
“Benjamin has excellent client engagement skills and is able to understand commercial and operational constraints. He shows strong initiative in supporting clients to resolve issues.”
Jasmine Chew
“Highly recommended. She listens to clients, understand their needs, analyse them well, and is able to provide various solutions and the pros and cons of each solution for clients to make informed decisions. She is very good. Because of Jasmine's good work, my firm has moved most of the Singapore and SEA legal matters to Rajah & Tann.”
Simon Goh
“He pays attention to details, is flexible and has a good knowledge of the industry.”
Jared Kok
“Knowledgeable and strategic. Has the ability to keep calm and collected under pressure.”
Xin Mei Lee
“Xin Mei is our go-to lawyer for highly structured and complex leveraged and acquisition financings. She is a high-calibre and top-tier legal talent with an extremely astute mind. She is always able to quickly grasp the nuances in highly complex transactions and is extremely knowledgeable in both legal and commercial issues. She is solution-oriented and is always able to structure bespoke solutions to meet the needs of her demanding clients. She is extremely dedicated, always responsive and highly reliable – you can always count on her to deliver high-quality work even under compressed deadlines. She is also highly personable, connects well with her clients and demonstrates great leadership. Xin Mei is an absolute bright spark amongst the banking and finance equity partners at Rajah & Tann.”
“Responsive, client-centric and solutions-oriented.”
Nathanael Lin
“Strong industry and local knowledge. Timeliness.”
Paul Ng
“Good communication skills and depth of knowledge.”
Vikna Rajah
“Patient, knowledgeable and attentive to the issue.”
“He is extremely pragmatic and approachable. He is a star in that region.”
Chee Siong Sim
“He is professional in his work and able to provide valuable advice.”
Zixiang Sun
“Provides clear and pragmatic advice.”
“Extremely knowledgeable and sensitive to our needs. He positions himself as a fair and reasonable counsel. He is highly responsive and available for discussion.”
Kevin Tan
“Kevin is a diligent and responsive professional who consistently demonstrated a deep knowledge of the law. His innovative approach to problem-solving and his commitment to keeping me abreast of the latest developments in my case ensured that he provided a top-tier service. His responsiveness and dedication made him an invaluable asset in my legal matter.”
“Responsive.”
Steve Tan
“Responsive.”
Kendall Tan
“He is very knowledgeable and has many ideas to manage claims.”
“He thinks out of the box, making himself available when needed.”
Lionel Tay
“Plugged into the market and responsive.”
Marcus Tay
“He is very knowledgeable, experienced and responsive. Very helpful to push through the transaction.”
Sheng Rong Tng
“Sheng Rong is very responsive and provides good commercial advice.”
“Strong understanding and grasps the issues with ease.”
Ying Shuang Wang
“Ying Shuang is extremely knowledgeable on the regulatory requirements of the insurance sector and particularly good at advising us, the client, on MAS requirements and regulatory approach. She has helped us immensely with obtaining MAS approvals on insurance-related matters and achieves what we need to progress our business plans and goals in a timely manner.”
Evelyn Wee
“Evelyn Wee is knowledgeable and has the depth of experience to handle complex corporate matters. She is always on top of things and has the leadership to lead different teams across different practice areas to provide fast, reliable and sound advice. Her team is impressive and can balance commercial goals of the client and the need to have appropriate legal protection.”
Anne Yeo
“She has a client-first stance, deep knowledge of Singapore regulatory matters and a deep understanding of our company.”
Work highlights
Acted for VinFast Auto on its $23 billion business combination with Black Spade Acquisition, a special purpose acquisition company. This was Vietnam’s largest M&A ever.
Represented Temasek Holdings and Baluran on the $8.7 billion combination of Sembcorp Marine and Keppel Offshore & Marine.
Key clients
Bridgetown 2 Holdings, Coca-Cola, Duchess Avenue, Kirin Holdings Company, Link REIT, Sunseap Group
RHTLaw Asia is a full-service firm that has a well-respected technology practice. Boasting partners that are qualified in multiple jurisdictions such as China, US, Hong Kong, Australia and Malaysia, the firm routinely handles complex cross-border transactions. The firm is organised around eight industry groups: consumer brands, healthcare and life sciences, private wealth, technology and media, construction and projects, financial institutions and technology, transportation and logistics, and education. The technology group specialises in tech infrastructure, blockchain, data processing and telecommunications. The key contacts include corporate partners Erwan Barre and Eu Jin Yang, IP specialist Rizwi Wun and disputes leader Nandakumar Renganathan. The corporate and capital markets groups last winter welcomed partners Parikhit Sarma and Esther Wee from Virtus Law and Harry Elias Partnership, respectively.
Client feedback
“They have amazing customer service, are passionate about their job and their knowledge is unparalleled. Total empathy for clients.” – Dispute resolution
“Organised, efficient, understands the interaction of business and law, cost-conscious and smart.” – Intellectual property
“Responsive and excellent professional advice provided by the lawyers.” – Intellectual property
Sharon Chong
“Had empathy and total understanding of the subject-matter. Amazing advice and foresight.”
“Sharon was always genuine and sincere in offering help. At every interaction she was always positive yet realistic. I am not exaggerating when I say Sharon was a god-sent angel into my life. In my darkest days, she was doing all the work at the back, so I can stand on my feet again. She was empathetic, passionate and appropriately aggressive when she needs to protect and exert her client's rights. Sharon never fails to provide me with different options and solutions when I seek her professional opinion. It's truly comforting to know someone like her exists in her line of work.”
“Sharon was always prompt to deliver, but more than that, always provided different options and perspectives for me. This is invaluable from a business standpoint because sometimes there are really better ways to do things, ways that are more amicable, professional and pocket-friendly.”
Esther Wee
“Effective, responsive and resourceful.”
Rizwi Wun
“Smart, knowledgeable, creative, business-savvy and organised. He gets that almost every legal decision is at its core a business decision and understands how to navigate that potential conflict.”
Work highlights
Advised Volare Group on rules of the Singapore code on takeovers and mergers in relation to a partial offer.
Acted for Sysma Holdings on its voluntary cash offer to privatise a listed company.
Represented BW Epic Kosan on its offer for all the issued and paid-up outstanding shares in the capital of the company, a company listed on the Oslo Euronext Growth.
Rubicon Law is a corporate boutique firm that was established four years ago. The firm has particular expertise in local and cross-border mergers and acquisitions and fundraising transactions. Its key clients include startup companies, SMEs, venture capital and private equity firms as well as public listed companies. It is predominantly an independent Singapore law firm, but enjoys strong informal networks with other law firms around the region, namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the PRC. Shiao Ning Lam is the founder and key figure at the firm. The team expanded last year with the joining of counsel Stephanie Law and Malaysian foreign-qualified lawyer Goh Ruo-Yan.
Client feedback
“Solid knowledge of Singapore law with lots of experience in M&A. They are practical, efficient and reasonably priced.” – Corporate and M&A
“They are extremely fast, but also extremely careful. We trust their work. They are also very friendly, and we feel they are on our side as partners. Our reason to call Singapore our home was built on the idea that we can find partners such as Rubicon – they represent the very best of what Singapore can offer to companies.” – Corporate and M&A
Shiao Ning Lam
“Great client service, strong knowledge of Singapore law and deep experience in M&A and corporate transactions.”
“Extremely careful, fast, and we feel she is a genuine supporter and partner for us. She is on our side and we can rely on and trust her. She also finds ways to accommodate and advise us on how best to incorporate our intentions into a legal framework.”
Work highlights
Advised Digital Treasures Center on its pre-Series A fundraising exercise.
Acted for Eu Yan Sang International on its acquisition of a substantial stake in Chien Chi Tow Healthcare from its four founding shareholders.
Represented Ignite Thailand Holdings on its acquisition of an insurtech business in Indonesia.
TLB focuses on commercial and corporate transactions, capital markets and corporate reorganisations involving both private and public companies, non-profit organisations and entrepreneurs. Due to the founder’s long track record as an in-house counsel at a telecoms firm, TLB has deep expertise in the telecommunications industry. Clients seek the team out for advice on the financial and emerging technologies space, as the lawyers are well-versed in blockchain technologies, crypto-tokens, as well as related services and the attendant legal and regulatory implications. Its clients range from founders of layer-1 or 2 public blockchains, non-profit token foundations, dApps, DAOs, web 3 companies, private investment funds and crypto-exchanges to centralised and decentralised financial intermediaries. The firm has completed over 400 varied transactions, more than half being cross-border. Philippe Taverne and Mathilde Broustau are key contacts. They are qualified to practice Singapore, French and UK law.
Client feedback
“Trustworthy, understanding of business environment, available and speedy.” – Corporate and M&A
Work highlights
Advised A2Z Private Capital on its acquisition of an exiting shareholder.
Acted for Exo Travel for the formation of a joint venture with Elaf Group in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Represented Triple A Technologies on their Series A round fundraising.
TSMP Law Corporation is especially well known for its work in finance, corporate and M&A and dispute resolution. The banking and finance group acts for financial institutions and corporate in high-value financing deals, spanning cross-border secured and syndicated lending, acquisition financing, debt restructuring, purchase of loans and refinancing. The same team also specialises in corporate real estate financing, particularly in land acquisition financing and land development financing. The capital markets team is sought after for equity and debt listings, reverse takeovers, foreign IPOs and secondary fundraisings, while the corporate M&A department runs a market-leading practice in public company takeovers.
The dispute resolution practice proudly states that it takes on difficult cases, ones that test, shape or advance the law. The disputes team covers the full gamut of litigation and arbitration, notably complex commercial and corporate litigation with a focus on boardroom, shareholder and investment disputes. There is additionally a growing practice specialising in the crypto-space, working with clients across the ecosystem from investors to exchanges.
The firm not only acts for various major corporations and financial institutions but also is frequently sought out by different regulatory bodies. Senior counsels Shen Yi Thio and Jeffrey Chan Wah Teck, corporate lawyer Stefanie Yuen Thio, construction specialists Melvin Chan and Derek Loh and labour expert Ian Lim are key figures at the firm. Jennifer Chia and June Ho are other names to note for banking and finance and M&A.
Work highlights
Acted for Halcyon Agri Corporation on its potential mandatory general offer by China Rubber Investment Group.
Advised Stellar Asia Holdings II on its investment in Singapore Telecommunications’ regional data centre business.
Advised Axington on its reverse takeover of Serial System’s computer peripherals business.
Key clients
IFC, LOGOS Property, NTG Holdings, TE Capital Partners, utu, Worldwide Webb Acquisition Corporation
Wong Tan & Molly Lim offers legal services to clients with international business interests and is focused on capital markets, M&A, banking and finance, and general commercial and corporate law. The firm entered into a formal alliance with Watson Farley & Williams in 2017, lending it a unique strength in contentious and advisory work related to the maritime and international trade sectors. The banking group covers all areas of banking and finance, including secured and syndicated loan transactions and guarantees, structured finance and project finance. The firm has acted for many international banks in drafting and advising on standard form documentation for general banking transactions. The disputes team has seen a rise in cases involving cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Managing director Beng Hong Ong and director Swee Gek Tan are key contacts for both banking and finance, and capital markets. Director Philip Ling helms the dispute resolution practice.
Work highlights
Advised China Hainan Rubber Industry Group on its mandatory conditional cash offer of all the issued and paid up share capital of Halcyon Agri Corporation.
Acted for Asia Vets Holdings on its $45 million acquisition of AlDigi Holdings.
Represented Advanced Holdings on the disposal of several companies in the US and UK.
Yuen Law is a boutique legal practice offering services ranging from dispute resolution to corporate and commercial, real estate, family law and private wealth. The firm is especially active in fundraising and venture capital investment for SMEs and startups. One of the firm’s key strengths lies in M&A concerning Monetary Authority of Singapore regulated entities, due to its strengths in fintech and financial regulatory law. Its corporate department is led by the managing partner Samuel Yuen and is supported by senior director Kevin Chua and director Angeline Wong, while its disputes group is helmed by Amos Cai.
Client feedback
“Yuen Law provides business-oriented services.” – Corporate and M&A
“Yuen Law has consistently been the firm that I go back to for practical, sound and contextualised advice that balances my objectives, financial capacity and business acumen.” – Corporate and M&A
“Knowledgeable and professional.” – Dispute resolution
“Honest, hard-working, very knowledgeable and good value. They execute with high quality.” – Investment funds
Amos Cai
“Patient and professional.”
Kevin Chua
“Kevin is patient and seeks to understand the situation, managing us with sound advice, especially with his background from his regulatory experience. Kevin has been good at dealing with complicated and complex matters.”
Work highlights
Acted for Worldgate Express Lines as the sellers of freight forwarding businesses in India and Singapore in a dual acquisition by a Japanese-listed company.
Advised Simply Sakal on its cross-border sale by a subsidiary of a Nasdaq-listed company involving a multi-currency purchase consideration.
Full-service firm Advocatus Law has been on the scene for 15 years now. Its dispute resolution offering is a pillar of strength that other areas have branched out from, including corporate and transactions-related work, real estate, regulatory compliance, risk management and IP. The experienced disputes team had nine reported High Court and Court of Appeal decisions in 2023 involving a panoply of issues such as insolvency, fraud, breach of fiduciary duties, professional negligence, misrepresentation and crime. The team has also been involved in various high-profile insolvency cases, including those of Hin Leong Trading and Three Arrows Capital. The firm is a member of the Alliott Global Alliance and the Asia-Pacific Legal Innovation and Technology Association.
Managing partner Christopher Daniel heads the team that includes partners Harjean Kaur, Ganga Avadiar, Mervyn Cheong, Priyalatha Naidu and Eileen Yeo. Daniel notably has a strong insurance practice, while Cheong has a specialist certificate in intangible asset management.
Work highlights
Advising three family members of the Hin Leong Group in a litigation against their former Singapore solicitors.
Successfully defended Strategic Wealth Consultancy against claims by the plaintiff for fraudulent misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, innocent misrepresentation, and unlawful and lawful means conspiracy.
Acted for Sunrise Industries in relation to a dispute regarding the performance of a supply and purchase contract, and installation contract. The matter raised interesting and novel issues before the High Court and Appellate Court, including whether an extension of time in a letter of credit could impact on an extension of time to deliver goods under a contract, and how post-judgment interest is to be computed.
Client feedback
“Keeps me well informed of my position. Thus, can give the best advice moving forward.” – Dispute resolution
“They are excellent lawyers, their work is first rate and they are responsive.” – Dispute resolution
“They were meticulous and thorough in their work and provided a lot of support and good advice along the way.” – Dispute resolution
“Timeliness, good quality of work and ability to find common ground with stakeholders.” – Energy
“They provided invaluable expertise and support throughout the dispute period and after.” – Private client
Ganga Avadiar
“Responsive and creative with good knowledge.”
Christopher Anand Daniel
“He is knowledgeable and a fighter who does not give up or in easily. But yet, he is a practical and objective lawyer who will tell it as it is. This is much appreciated.”
“Keen understanding, willing to listen and provides constructive solutions.”
“He is an excellent litigator with a great court presence.”
Harjean Kaur
“She is very patient.”
Work highlights
Advising three family members of the Hin Leong Group in a litigation against their former Singapore solicitors.
Successfully defended Strategic Wealth Consultancy against claims by the plaintiff for fraudulent misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, innocent misrepresentation, and unlawful and lawful means conspiracy.
Acted for Sunrise Industries in relation to a dispute regarding the performance of a supply and purchase contract, and installation contract. The matter raised interesting and novel issues before the High Court and Appellate Court, including whether an extension of time in a letter of credit could impact on an extension of time to deliver goods under a contract, and how post-judgment interest is to be computed.
Aldgate Chambers is a boutique disputes firm that has been active at all levels of court. It works with domestic and international clients and has experience representing other law firms and lawyers in disciplinary tribunal hearings. Its highlights from the past year include defending a listed company’s subsidiary and acting in an arbitration against another country. The firm is helmed by managing director Kenneth Pereira and director Francine Lai.
Work highlights
Acted for CH Biovest in the High Court in relation to the Envy Holdings fraud. The liquidators of Envy are claiming back the profits paid to the client by Envy. The dispute is unique as the issue on how to deal with the proceeds of a Ponzi scheme for an unknowing investor has not been clarified under Singapore law. The judge hearing the matter also noted its novelty of issues and suggested that a young amicus curiae be appointed to assist in the decision-making.
Ascendant Legal has been in a formal law alliance with Norton Rose Fulbright since 2018. The disputes offering has long been a core area of strength for the firm, notably acting in all manners of corporate and commercial, restructuring and insolvency, regulatory compliance, shipping, competition and IP disputes. Due to its sprawling and deep regional and global network, the firm is active in numerous sophisticated and complex cross-border litigation and arbitration mandates. Its enviable client list spans household name multinationals, listed companies and Asian giants.
The 12 fee-earner team is led by managing partner Chew Kei-Jin. Another key name to note is R&I head, Meiyen Tan.
Work highlights
Defended BP Singapore in multiple suits arising from the insolvency of Hin Leong Trading.
Represented the former directors of Hwa Hong Corporation against claims brought against it by the company, arising from their engagement of Evercore Asia as professional advisers to the company.
Key clients
BP, Carlsberg, EFG, Mirana Corp
Bird & Bird ATMD upholds its ‘Outstanding’ ranking with a strong intellectual property practice and expertise in the technology and telecommunications sector. Lorraine Tay and Alban Kang are key figures for IP. The firm is also active in capital markets, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, energy and labour and employment. This year it moves up in the energy table, and debuts in the construction and private equity categories. Marcus Chow, Sandra Seah and Beng Chai Tay are the main corporate partners at the firm. Jonathan Choo is a dispute resolution lawyer particularly active in international arbitration and Seow Hui Goh focuses on labour and employment.
Client feedback
“Extremely pragmatic and commercial, excellent attention to detail, but does not belabour legal points unnecessarily.” – Aviation
“Commercially sound while providing solid legal advice and willing to go the extra mile.” – Aviation
“Responsive, practical and commercial-oriented.” – Capital markets
“Proactive and responsible.” – Capital markets
“Responsive with the ability to anticipate and identify potential issues. Has the ability to propose solutions.” – Capital markets
“Fast and logical responses.” – Competition/antitrust
“Highly responsive and can devise value-adding solutions to commercial issues.” – Corporate and M&A
“The firm's legal documents are sophisticated and can capture most legal issues that we need to mitigate or prevent. When there is an issue, they are quick to provide solutions.” – Corporate and M&A
“Staff are timely, dedicated, professional, responsive and client-oriented.” – Corporate and M&A
“Prompt and completed the work within the schedule.” – Corporate and M&A
“Professional and efficient.” – Corporate and M&A
“Very professional, work effectively within time frame.” – Corporate and M&A
“It has comprehensive in-depth knowledge of the energy industry and thus is in position to provide good advice” – Energy
“The partner is helpful and turnaround time is quick. Great service.” – Intellectual property
“They are very responsive and the team has demonstrated in past projects their ability to deliver commercially sensible legal advice at very competitive fee quotes.” – Intellectual property
“Responsive, understands our business and our needs.” – Privacy and data protection
“Fast, reliable and a trusted partner.” – Private equity
“Completed the task promptly.” – Regulatory
Chua Lijun
“Receptive, fast responses and good knowledge of the relevant law and good understanding of the issues.”
Goh Seow Hui
“We value her professionalism, compassion for clients and humility.”
“Seow Hui did an outstanding job of understanding the client's needs. She advised me what was best for the client. She handled the case so swiftly to settle it amicably and moved on. I am impressed by her professionalism to take ownership after [another] lawyer left the firm. She took the responsibility of closing it. I am pleased with her customer service and compassion.”
Jeremy Tan
“Responsive, great attention to detail, he is client and results oriented.”
Jolie Giouw
“Highly responsive, she identifies the key issues quickly and comes out with solutions. We have always been impressed.”
“Excellent service-oriented mindset, has strong commercial acumen and able to advise well on the law.”
“Responsive and experienced. Able to provide prompt and quality advice and solutions.”
Lawrence Wong
“Communicates well to solve all the requirements requested by the SGX in Singapore.”
Leo Fattorini
“Leo is responsive, accessible and user-friendly. With counterparts he comes across very well without compromising our position.”
“Leo is responsive, accessible and user-friendly.”
“He has industry-wide knowledge of the Asian region, and is commercially savvy when it comes to negotiating with external parties.”
“Fast turnaround time and knowledgeable.”
Marcus Chow
“Marcus is knowledgeable in early-stage transactions and he is always available to the team to provide an opinion.”
“He is very smart and has extensive knowledge in venture capital investment as well as M&A.”
“Listens to what the client wants, and provides accurate suggestions and solutions.”
“Responsive, responsible and is able to communicate effectively with people of all levels.”
“Very commercial and good understanding of the client's needs.”
“Responsive, has ability to propose innovative solutions, and has good client relationship management.”
“Provides in-depth knowledge and advice to the board, resolving issues with advance steps taken.”
“Marcus was very responsive and can be depended on to deliver sound pragmatic advice, even outside of regular office hours. He is also quick to understand the commercial issues at hand, and propose solutions to address these issues.”
Sandrea Seah
“Very helpful and exhibits very good in-depth industrial knowledge. Gives very sound advice.”
“Professional, good listener, understands issues quickly and timely in responses.”
Work highlights
Acted for a global software supplier in a dispute with its customer, including delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Representing Retrospect Investment, Permenpronic Technologies and its main shareholder in a series of Singapore court proceedings involving minority oppression and conspiracy and issues relating to buy-out of client’s shares.
Acting for Voltas in multiple Singapore court proceedings against various sub-contractors arising out of multiple government infrastructural projects.
Represented Greenbay Marine in an action involving breach of confidence and breach of contract.
Key clients
ICOP Construction, Oracle Corporation Singapore, Roche Singapore
BR Law Corporation provides a strong dispute resolution offering for clients, with its roots in litigation and arbitration planted long before the firm was re-branded into its current iteration six years ago. The team is well-versed in complex commercial disputes and boasts a panel of experienced litigators who have advocated at the highest levels of court. The family and matrimonial practice is another busy bright spot for the firm, with its key practitioners working across a spectrum of family issues, from separation to annulments, and adoption to divorce.
Managing director Bernard Doray leads a veteran team that includes co-founder and senior consultant S Radakrishnan and disputes specialists Soon Yien Foo, Sivakumar Ponnampalam and Daniel Loh.
Work highlights
Acted for Petrotech Marine Services on its case against four defendants for breach of fiduciary duties, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment.
Acted for the liquidator of BIT Baltic Investment & Trading against a former director of the company for breach of his director’s duties in relation to unfair preference payments made by the company to related companies.
Represented the plaintiff in the first reported case in Singapore of a negligence lawsuit involving dogs.
Key clients
GBA Corporation
Founded in 1883, Braddell Brothers is one of Singapore’s oldest independent law practices that exclusively focuses on dispute resolution. The team is currently handling disputes worth a combined value of over $5 billion and it prides itself on working on some of the toughest, most complex cases from around the region. The firm regularly advises financial institutions, high net-worth individuals and clients in the energy, real estate and healthcare sectors. Apart from counsel work, the partners are presently handling seven arbitration cases as arbitrator seated in various forums around the region. The team prides itself on being “hopeless case” specialists, for example successfully representing PT First Media to block an enforcement of over 99% of a $250 million SIAC arbitral award in the Astro-Lippo case in Singapore. It remains one of the few Singapore firms engaging in Russian federation and Kazakhstan arbitration work.
Edmund Kronenburg, Angelia Thng and Kyle Gabriel Peters are key contacts at the firm. Peters joined the team in August 2023 from PD Legal.
Client feedback
“They are efficient in the giving of their legal advice. They are fast and to the point, which is what is needed in this fast-paced world of business.” – Construction
“Very clear terms of cooperation. Excellent quality, clarity and speed in completing assignments.” – Oil and gas
Edmund Kronenburg
“A very friendly and pleasant to deal with expert of the highest calibre. Excellent team coordination skills. Excellent knowledge of the market and colleagues.”
Angelia Thng
“She is clear and knowledgeable in her advice, and has a cheerful and friendly disposition.”
Work highlights
Successfully acted for a prominent Italian businessman in an action for conspiracy and breaches of contract against Revez Corporation and its subsidiary and defending the client against counterclaims.
Represented MHC Medical Network against claims filed by a group of nine medical clinics, and pursuing counterclaims asserting improper medical treatment and possible medical fraud.
Acted for a Korean company in a massive SIAC IP-related arbitration.
Starred in a high-value Vietnam power plant arbitration involving a Russian contractor
Key clients
Atlas Asset Management, Autodesk, BASF, BeIn Sports, Ericsson Telecommunications, Garuda, Hyundai Engineering, JSC Power Machines, Krafton, NTT Asia Pacific Holdings, OSO Group, Singapore Medical Council, Transmedia, Wondershare Technology
Coleman Street Chambers was founded in 2011 as a dispute resolution boutique with a focus on high-value commercial litigation and arbitration, and criminal litigation. It has a high win and settlement rate in court and through mediations. Its clients largely comprise offshore and onshore SMEs. Director Daniel Chia Jin Chong and associate director Vickie Tan Lin Yin are the key contacts.
Work highlights
Advised four defendants, including Big Bus Singapore City Sightseeing and Singapore Ducktours, on a claim and counterclaim against two foreign companies in an intellectual property suit.
Acted for Shanghai Afute Food and Beverage Management on an intellectual property claim and unlawful conspiracy matter, and two defendants in counterclaim in a misrepresentation claim.
Key clients
Certis CISCO Aviation, Citiponics, Exim & Mfr Holdings, Primustech
Founded in 2016, Covenant Chambers is a dispute resolution-focused firm that leverages on digital automation to serve clients on technology-driven advisory and strategic solutions. The team works with individuals, as well as institutional clients and businesses across a range of industries on contentious corporate commercial, IP and employment matters, among others.
The firm is helmed by managing director Ee Yang Lee and deputy managing director Ronald JJ Wong. Lee is a contentious real estate expert, while Wong has a strength in technology disputes. They lead a team of no less than eight senior practitioners, including four directors and four associate directors. Two of these, Khelvin Xu and Jing En Tay, were recruited in the last year from Rajah & Tann and PD Legal, respectively.
Client feedback
“Reasonable professional fees and prompt advice.” – Intellectual property
Ronald Wong
“Good client relationship management and professional in correspondence and providing advice.”
Work highlights
Successfully acted for an individual client in a High Court application for a declaration that a procedurally irregular CPF nomination was legally valid.
Representing a client in third-party interest proceedings which spun out of divorce ancillary matters involving real estate.
Acting for CNL Logistics Solutions and Gilmon Transportation & Warehousing in an appeal against an infringement decision under the Competition Act in relation to warehouse services.
As one of Singapore’s ‘Big Four’ law firms, Drew & Napier possesses a diverse roster of lawyers offering an extensive range of legal services in Singapore and across the region. The firm remains a dispute resolution powerhouse with a deep bench of top advocates including Jimmy Yim and Cavinder Bull. Disputes and insolvency lawyer Siraj Omar, construction specialist Christopher Chong and elite tax practitioner Ong Sim Ho further reinforce the team. Other key names to note include Pauline Chong for finance, Petrus Huang for capital markets, Chong Kin Lim for competition and technology, Steven Lo for corporate and M&A, Tony Yeo for IP, and Sushil Nair and Blossom Hing for restructuring and insolvency. Consultant Gary Pryke is another well-known practitioner in the development and implementation of a licensing, regulatory and competition framework for the liberalisation of the Bruneian Postal Sector corporate and finance space.
Client feedback
“Professional.” – Banking and finance
“Meticulous.” – Capital markets
“Proactive, they are able to anticipate issues and advise accordingly. Efficient, they controlled the board verification meetings well.” – Capital markets
“Prompt advice.” – Capital markets
“Efficient response time, commercially savvy, and easy-to-understand advice with practical solutions.” – Competition/antitrust
“Service is prompt. Advice is always well considered.” – Construction
“They are very knowledgeable with good advocacy skills.” – Construction
“Embodies commerciality and practicality.” – Corporate and M&A
“I appreciate their competence, responsiveness, effectiveness and quality.” – Dispute resolution
“D&N provide full support on the arrangements and follow through in tight timelines and communicated strategically when the MA in our matter refused to convene the EGM despite the fact we had more than the stipulated signatures on the requisition.” – Dispute resolution
“Rapid, thorough advice and action.” – Dispute resolution
“Extremely dedicated and proactive team. It is a true dispute resolution firm, not only conducting the role of solicitors.” – Dispute resolution
“Exceptional legal approach, top-notch legal research, and the preparation of court papers and witness statements are exceptional. They always produce the highest quality work at very reasonable hourly time costs.” – Dispute resolution
“Responsive and careful-thinking.” – Dispute resolution
“Shumin's team is very efficient and thorough. You feel like you can rely on them. They are also very measured and firm in their approach, which helps greatly during settlement negotiations.” – Dispute resolution
“Great legal know-how, accuracy, clarity and excellent work ethic. Superb litigation and client relations.” – Dispute resolution
“It is very accessible and provides well-considered advice.” – Dispute resolution
“Extremely professional and capable, very good at clear communication in terms of issues and obtaining instructions from us. Cavinder Bull SC is an outstanding advocate and a joy to work with and he runs an extremely well planned and organised team. They all work extremely hard to deliver results.” – Dispute resolution
“Appreciate its attention to detail. The lawyers are responsive to customer comments and requests.” – Dispute resolution
“Calculated and sound advice on procedural and strategic issues. Very responsive and able to turnaround actions very quickly.” – Dispute resolution
“I have worked with Mahesh Rai's team (so Mahesh, Jonathan Yong and Samuel Soo, in particular). They are excellent lawyers who bring significant strategic insight and close attention to detail to their work, which is efficient and cost effective.” – Dispute resolution
“Provide practical solutions and managed to help us come to a settlement after a few years of litigation.” – Dispute resolution
“They are very focused and committed. From day one they have created a clear strategy which led us to win our case against the claimants. The team members involved have taken accountability. Deliverables during the arbitration were outstanding.” – Dispute resolution
“Recommended for their curiosity to understand the business context and ability to understand the business needs and challenges. They are responsive and experts in the field.” – Dispute resolution
“Top-quality lawyers that produce excellent work. Highly efficient individuals that are clear and concise with their delivery and statements.” – Dispute resolution
“Precise, effective and professional.” – Dispute resolution
“Perfect mix of exceptional legal ability and commercial nous.” – Dispute resolution
“Brilliant legal minds, listen to client and have first-class advocacy.” – Dispute resolution
“Choosing Drew & Napier was the best decision I made for my legal needs. They not only provided expert legal advice but also showed genuine care and emotional support throughout my matter. They took the time to understand my situation, provided clear guidance and advice, and fought tirelessly on my behalf. They do well in navigating my complex and high-profile disputes.” – Dispute resolution
“Good analytical skills, judgement and advising capability.” – Dispute resolution
“Lawyers are logical.” – Dispute resolution
“Good availability and teamwork.” – Dispute resolution
“They are able to work closely with myself and provide very useful, effective advice. Able to revert in a timely manner.” – Dispute resolution
“Strong experience and technical knowledge. Very prompt and easy to work with.” – Dispute resolution
“Drew & Napier's lawyers are well-versed in the law and provide useful and strategic advice in a dispute. They communicate clearly and tell us all that we need to know, when we need to know it. Ultimately, they put the best case forward and consistently deliver the results I need.” – Dispute resolution
“The law firm is highly knowledgeable and experienced, which made me feel at peace for letting them handle my case. Their team is compassionate and empathetic, providing personalised support and making me feel valued during a stressful time. They maintained excellent communication, keeping me informed. Additionally, their commitment to justice and willingness to help, evident in them taking my case as pro bono work. I believe that their professionalism and integrity make them an exceptional law firm.” – Dispute resolution
“First-class legal strategy and adept at providing a global approach to cases that considers the most effective way to reach the end goal right from the start.” – Dispute resolution
“Drew & Napier provides excellent legal services. They guide and explain matters to us clearly. They prepare thoroughly and respond promptly to our queries and requests for clarification. We are very satisfied with their services. Throughout the proceedings, we have had a positive experience working with them.” – Dispute resolution
“Quality of service and clarity of advice.” – Intellectual property
“D&N don't shy away from difficult or complex cases. They take the time to understand the client's needs, dig into the details and develop a well thought out strategy to meet the client's goals.” – Intellectual property
“Professional communication, expertise, practical advice and cost-effective.” – Intellectual property
“Professional and insightful.” – Intellectual property
“They are knowledgeable in the law, reliable and provide services in a cost-effective manner.” – Intellectual property
“Professional, knowledgeable, sharp, quick-minded and disciplined. The team did exceedingly well in understanding my case and representing my company.” – Intellectual property
“Very detailed in their attention and high-quality service with fast turnaround.” – Intellectual property
“Professional, prompt and very experienced.” – Intellectual property
“Strong and committed team from partner to associate level that has a strong understanding of our business and fund structure, and are able to propose innovative yet fundamentally sound advice.” – Investment funds
“Fast response, good-quality work and reasonable fees.” – Labour and employment
“Client-oriented and dedicated.” – Labour and employment
“Responsive, timely and insightful. Both Kelvin Tan and Benjamin Goh have provided sharp advice on how we deal with our labour and employment matters.” – Labour and employment
“The work was led by Benjamin Gaw, who was excellent, very knowledgeable, responsive, rigorous and commercial in his approach. The whole team provided good value for money too.” – Labour and employment
“Fit for purpose, practical legal advice and recommendations. Highly responsive, able to deliver on short notice and under urgent timelines. Reasonable legal fees.” – Labour and employment
“Response time is very fast, concise and precise advice reflecting the matter at hand.” – Oil and gas
“They have experience and expertise, understand the client's needs, are practical, solutions-oriented, timely, and value for money.” – Privacy and data protection
“There is attention to detail, practical advice given by very knowledgeable lawyers, tailored to your business needs.” – Privacy and data protection
“Incisive regulatory advice.” – Privacy and data protection
“Drew & Napier is very knowledgeable and comes up with practical solutions that comply with the law while balancing the needs of the business.” – Privacy and data protection
“They produce quality work and are strategic in their advice.” – Privacy and data protection
“Efficient and thorough service. Very professional.” – Private client
“Would recommend for their industry knowledge and willingness to think creatively for solutions.” – Real estate
“Very detailed in drafting of terms and conditions that protects client interest.” – Real estate
“Professional.” – Real estate
“They are experts in the field of data protection and have a wide range of experience to draw from. They are extremely cooperative and always willing to go the extra mile to assist their clients. They are readily available to us and are always eager to answer any queries or doubts that may arise. They give us the confidence to do our job well and are committed to building a relationship with us.” – Regulatory
“Drew managed to look outside the box, understand the whole situation, analysed the risk, and recommended a few alternatives with the associated risk for us to discuss and decide.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“They were able to coordinate the various wants from different parties and stakeholders and laid out clearly the pertinent issues, and efficient in drafting the docs that follow our agreements.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Commercial-minded, responsive and very collaborative.” – Tax
David Alfred
“Incisive regulatory advice, cuts to the heart of legal issues and solid legal recommendations.”
Emmanuel Aw
“He has the impressive ability to quickly acquire a deep and comprehensive understanding of the relevant facts and to propose a logical and commercially sensible approach. He is a great communicator and his advice was always clear. He managed the case well, met all deadlines and constantly kept us informed. Most importantly, he led us to a successful outcome.”
“He is highly knowledgeable and experienced in employment law, which ensured that every aspect of my situation was handled with expertise. His strong analytical skills allowed him to quickly grasp the points from a pile of documents and shared strategies. He is also extremely compassionate and empathetic, always taking the time to listen to my concerns and provide support throughout the process. This personal approach made me feel valued and understood during a very stressful time. He also has excellent communication skills as I was always kept informed, and he was always available to answer my questions when I needed. Importantly, his willingness to take on my case pro bono demonstrated not only his dedication to his profession but also his genuine desire to help.”
“First-class legal mind. Fantastic team player. Excellent communication. Highly adept at devising a winning strategy for the client from the start of the case all the way to its conclusion.”
Manoj Belani
“Very knowledgeable, responsive and always available.”
Cavinder Bull
“Top lawyer.”
Daniel Cai
“Extremely responsive and knowledgeable.”
Anastasia Su-Anne Chen
“Professional, experienced, deep expertise, wide knowledge of other jurisdictions' laws, taking ownership of client's problems and solutions-oriented.”
Ron Cheng
“Strong understanding of the industry, our business and fund structure, patient and committed, strong risk management, innovative and has a strong team.”
Voon Jiet Chia
“Highly professional, good demeanour, extremely quick on his feet and knows the business well enough to give practical and sound advice.”
“Professional, thorough, knowledgeable and empathetic.”
Desmond Chng
“Very up-and-coming and bright lawyer. Client-focused and commercial minded.”
Christopher Chong
“Positive and realistic approach to problems and solutions.”
“Very knowledgeable and helpful, and commercially sound.”
Andrew Chua
“Wonderful personality.”
“Very focused on his work and able to give me timely and effective advice.”
Yuet Min Foo
“Overall management of the team and the case.”
“Very approachable, competent and experienced.”
Benjamin Gaw
“Professional and gives quality advice.”
“Easy to work with, responsive, down-to-earth and offers pragmatic solutions.”
“Benjamin was excellent, responsive, technically knowledgeable and very commercial. He was also very down-to-earth and easy to work with.”
“Benjamin is very easy to work with. He is knowledgeable in employment and data privacy matters. He is responsive and gives answers that are straight to the point.”
Benjamin Goh
“Responsive and understanding of our business concerns. Benjamin does well in providing quick and concise advice and is responsive to our time-sensitive issues.”
Blossom Hing
“Combination of exceptional legal ability, commercial nous and integrity.”
Man Er Kong
“She is a director at D&N and a good lawyer. She has excellent case and client management skills. She manages her team well and prepares all court papers meticulously. She has strong legal skills and formulates effective case strategies. She is always well-prepared and guides clients efficiently. She is knowledgeable about all case details and delivers excellent presentations when making arguments before the tribunal. She is a very hard-working lawyer, and a patient and good-natured person.”
Rakesh Kirpalani
“Responsive, effective, efficient, comprehensive, skilled, knowledgeable and understands the industry.”
Meryl Koh
“She is a star! She is community builder and a champion for SMEs. She has a strong sense of mission, and she wants to make a difference in the world with her work. She is very curious and prioritises understanding the business context – that is client-centricity. She is a pragmatic problem-solver and doesn't overcomplicate the issue and hence wins trust of the client.”
Wilson Koh
“Wilson is a game-changer for me. I have worked with many lawyers and know how frustrating it can be to work with some of them. In contrast, working with Wilson has been a breeze. He has a full grasp of the law at his fingertips and thus can adapt quickly to fast-moving situations, no matter how intricate the issues at hand.
One of the most invaluable traits that he possesses is his ability to envision all possible scenarios and evaluate the risks and benefits to each approach before I even have time to think about them. This is a rare trait that I have not seen in many lawyers, who in my humble experience often wait for me to ask what decisions I can take and how my decisions will affect me. Instead, Wilson will always give me multiple options to consider and explain the risks associated with each choice. This helps me make informed decisions within a short amount of time. He helps clients who have hectic schedules to make the right judgement call every single time.
He is able to do this because he is an excellent listener who can cut through distractive situations and focus on the crux of the issues. By being so attuned to my interests and objectives, he can “read my mind”. Thus, he understands my key points easily, which puts us on the same page in terms of strategy. Whereas many lawyers need me to provide lengthy explanations before they understand, Wilson is able to grasp what I am saying with ease. His strategic and calm advice helped to alleviate the intense pressure I felt during my extremely high-profile case, and that has been the difference between my successes and failures.
Finally, he understands that many complex cases often carry deep personal significance to clients, who may be anxious. He goes the extra mile by being available at any time. I have encountered lawyers who charge expensive fees but are unavailable or slow to reply. In contrast, Wilson picks up the phone even when I call at inconvenient hours and is incredibly patient. Many deals were closed after spontaneous phone calls or WhatsApp messages between us. The accessibility of your legal adviser can be the difference between a successful deal and a failed one.
In summary, Wilson is a lawyer that you want on your side. His deep understanding of the law and ability to adapt quickly make working with him a breeze. He anticipates scenarios, evaluates risks and presents multiple options with clarity and patience, helping me make informed decisions swiftly. His ability to navigate complex situations and alleviate pressure is exceptional. No amount of superlatives will reflect how strongly I commend Wilson. I hope that legal directories like you can give him a platform to receive the appreciation he deserves.”
Julian Kwek
“Julian listens and understands clients’ needs. He does not say no to any suggestion but is always willing to think outside the box to provide creative solutions and highlights the associated risk with such solutions.”
Sok Hiang Lau
“Responsible and professional.”
“Excellent industry knowledge.”
“Enthusiastic and responsive.”
“Very good knowledge in providing advice. Detailed in drafting of T&Cs protecting clients’ interests.”
Gerui Lim
“Gerui Lim is an exceptional talent; spot-on analysis and strategic thinker, excellent research and writer. And has always produced expected results.”
Siau Wen Lim
“Professional and sharp.”
“She is knowledgeable in the law and responsive when there are queries.”
Chong Kin Lim
“Practical, efficient, extremely knowledgeable with great client relationship development.”
“He is extremely knowledgeable and is able to explain complex concepts in easily understandable terms. His professionalism instils confidence in his clients.”
Shumin Lin
“She is quick and sharp. She identifies the issues quickly and accurately and provides very good advice and solution. She is also prompt in her work.”
“Shumin is a force of nature, I think she pushes settlement negotiations through very well. Would have liked to see her doing cross-examination.”
“Lin Shumin was prompt with her advice, she identified the issues quickly and accurately and provided sound advice that helped us in our matter.”
Adam Maniam
“Excellent responsiveness. Amazing ability to grasp and recall details. Excellent in court.”
Sushil Nair
“Sees the big picture and understands the issues all parties have.”
Pei Tong Ng
“Soft spoken but effective.”
“Patient and listens well. Forthcoming and on time.”
“Very responsive and prompt.”
“Good listening skills and problem-solving.”
Siraj Omar
“Very professional, top of his game.”
Ken Loon Ong
“I find Ken Loon to be one of the most collaborative tax partners in Singapore. Pleasure to work with. She speaks her mind and gives you transparent advice that is implementable.”
Mahesh Rai
“Very hard-working, responsive, easy to work with and results-oriented. He is also very bright and solution-oriented.”
“Mahesh is a strategic thinker who directs his team to do effective and efficient work.”
“Both from a personal and a professional point of view, I found Mahesh as someone impressive and genuine. He has great analytical skills, able to listen well, and very good in communication, as I often saw him carry himself so well in the court or in any kind of joint discussions. He provides me as a client with great sensitivity, tending the needs of my case in his best way. Mahesh also always comes up with great strategy, showing his creativity as a veteran lawyer.”
“Good problem-solving skills and decision-making.”
“Mahesh Rai is exceptional, bright, and very responsive.”
“A superb advocate and on par with other senior counsels.”
“Professional, knowledgeable and approachable. His quick and laser mind would do well in any subject-matter.”
Chern Yang See
“Chern Yang is a highly competent, intelligent and astute individual and lawyer who has from the onset of our first meeting proven to be 100% committed to achieving our goals while constantly reminding us to remain commercial in all our decisions and not to get carried away with emotions, which will end up with fighting aimlessly. The first objective would always be to find an amicable resolution and only when all else fails should we turn to the courts to have the matter resolved. He has vision and deep knowledge of the client, facilitating advice and making the processes adjust to the realities faced, with the objective to be more efficient in the case management.
He is our go-to lawyer as we know we will always receive excellent advice in a timely manner. He understands our structure intimately and is able to rally a global team to provide advice on any jurisdiction through his network of contacts whilst acting as an interface for us. They consistently deliver a very high level of support, often on an urgent basis, and provide a holistic view which takes into account other areas of risk for us. He is also very fortunate to be supported by a skilled team that helps him rise up above the rest.”
Kelvin Tan
“Amazing subject-matter expertise, depth and breadth of experience. Practical and relevant advice that can be adopted as compared to theoretical, ideal legal positions which are often not feasible for clients. Prompt and responsive.”
Benedict Teo
“Comprehensive and systematic.”
Ruby Tham
“We value her responsiveness, straightforward advice and that she is client-oriented.”
Shu Yan Woo
“She is a very able and personable lawyer, and Cavinder Bull's number two on the case. I really enjoyed working with her and the rest of the large team on this case.”
“Responsive and strategically minded. Leads her junior team members very well.”
See Chern Yang
“Whilst the firm's branding does play a part, it is See Chern Yang that is the sole reason why we engaged D&N and will keep engaging him for all our dispute resolution and litigation matters.”
En Li Yap
“Very responsive to calls and comments. Provides useful comments and feedback and thoughts on matters.”
“Easily accessible, hard-working and responsive. Produces high-quality work that is clear and concise.”
Javier Yeo
“Very fast work rate and able to grasp the core of the matter very well.”
“Javier Yeo has good commercial sense and a quick turnaround rate.”
Tony Yeo
“Experienced in the matter and has had a long relationship with us.”
“Tony is the lawyer you want in all your complex IP cases. He doesn't sit on the fence when giving his opinion. He takes the case as it is, digs into the facts and comes up with the best strategy for the situation.”
“Tony is very knowledgeable and approachable, able to explain complicated legal concepts in simple terms for ease of understanding. He has the attention for detail, able to see both the larger picture and the smaller details. Top-notch.”
“Professional and very experienced.”
“Strategic and has a great depth of knowledge of his specialty, which is IP. He’s a great litigator.”
Jimmy Yim
“Brilliant advocate who understands the issues. His written pleadings are excellent, advocacy is excellent and he demonstrates first-class client relations.”
Yang Shi Yong
“Had good understanding of the matter and reverted back with advice in a prompt manner. Always accessible.”
Work highlights
Represented investors in Credit Suisse Additional Tier-1 bonds in a complex collective investor-state treaty action.
Successfully acted for Shanghai Electric in resisting a challenge to an SIAC award mounted by Reliance Infrastructure. The challenge was based on allegations that the underlying agreement, which contained the arbitration agreement, was forged.
Key clients
Apple, Edge Capital Fund SP2, Hin Leong Trading, Lippo Marina Collection
Duane Morris & Selvam provides a range of legal services to assist clients in banking and finance, capital markets, corporate and M&A, construction and dispute resolution. The firm is regularly instructed by Korean, Chinese and Indian companies on various banking and regulatory matters. Key figures include Jamie Benson for capital markets, Leon Yee for corporate and M&A, and Sarbjit Singh Chopra for dispute resolution. The firm welcomed litigation and arbitration director Clement Tan from Singapore’s state courts.
Work highlights
Acted for an established Korean logistics and shipping company in a case against former employees for embezzlement.
Representing Hyundai Corporation in the Singapore High Court on its $9 million action against a metal trading company in Singapore for fraud and conspiracy to defraud.
Key clients
AGR1, Apex Energy International, KDB, Kitchen Culture Holdings, TransAsia Private Capital
Boutique dispute resolution firm Eugene Thuraisingam specialises in high-stakes disputes and multi-jurisdictional commercial disputes including international arbitration. The firm is also known for its criminal defence capability and its regular representation of clients in public interest litigation and pro bono cases. As the firm has partners who are proficient in Mandarin and Bahasa Indonesia, the firm is regularly instructed on cross-border matters with Chinese or Indonesian connection. Peers continue to unfailingly acknowledge Eugene Thuraisingam as a lawyer of note in the criminal law space and for constitutional matters. Founder Thuraisingam features in most high stakes matters, but new managing partner Suang Wijaya and partner Chooi Jing Yen can be found consistently leading on many commercial litigation and contentious labour and employment cases.
Client feedback
“Professional and clear communication.” – Construction
“Very responsive, very reasonable pricing.” – Dispute resolution
“Strong litigation focus. Client-centric and pragmatic. Great for criminal law work.” – Dispute resolution
“Very good presentation by partner of the firm, Jing Yen and his counter-arguments in court were succinct and impactful. His team’s compilation of the mitigation plea was very well structured due to extensive research. The lawyer's references to past case studies swung the judge's opinion. The whole team also looked the most professional in court.” – Private client
“Always supportive and able to provide all information in a timely and detailed manner. The insight into the legal system is in-depth, whereby the firm is aware of all types of reactions and proactively takes measures to ensure all bases are covered.” – Regulatory
Eugene Thuraisingam
“Very experienced and good communicator. Always looks after his client's interest. My go-to lawyer for criminal law matters.”
Suang Wijaya
“Sharp mindfulness. Clear understanding of the issue.”
“Responsive, prepared to admit he does not know something, and willing to learn and research.”
“Covers all bases, has in-depth knowledge of all fields, able to predict situations based on experiences. Most importantly, able to demonstrate a certain level of restraint in his legal approach, which is key to the intricacies of certain cases.”
Chooi Jing Yen
“Good listening skills, humble, knowledgeable, kind and understanding and empathetic.”
“Jing Yen was willing to listen to his client's opinions and has the patience to advise the client accordingly.”
Work highlights
Acting for one of the 10 accused persons in Singapore’s largest money laundering scandal.
Representing the fourth respondent in his application to, inter alia, set aside the claimant’s Singapore judgment in terms of a Chinese arbitral award.
Acting for plaintiff Sports Connection in a $3.5 million action arising from the breach of a former shareholder and director’s duties, which resulted in the company suffering loss and damage.
Focus Law Asia is a specialist litigation and arbitration boutique with a particular strength in shipping and insurance matters. The team counts major world-class ship owners such as Maersk, Torm and Ardmore Shipping as loyal clients, as well as leading marine insurers like Skuld, UK P&I Club and Japan P&I Club. The firm is a member of the One Asia Lawyers network and it boasts Japan and Korea desks with Japanese and Korean lawyers. It uniquely is focused on developing a North-Asian disputes practice. Managing director Shem Khoo and directors Mark Tan, Ker Sheon Lim and June Lim are the key contacts. Lim is a family law specialist who joined the team in early 2024 from her own matrimonial boutique, Eden Law Corporation.
Work highlights
Acted for Banque de Commerce et de Placements in proceedings against China Aviation Oil Corporation for unpaid sums of $19 million, arising from a paper trade with no genuine underlying cargo.
Representing Maersk Tankers Singapore in several matters including its claim against Winson Oil Trading pursuant to a letter of indemnity granted by Winson Oil to the client for the discharge of cargoes without the original bills of lading.
Client feedback
“Responsive and senior attention is given to my matters.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Effective and efficient.” – Shipping
Shem Khoo
“Very responsive and knowledgeable about litigation and insolvency strategies.”
“Represented our client in Singapore court efficiently and effectively.”
“He knows the area of law well. He is able to appreciate both the legal and practical issues involved.”
“Shem Khoo is a good lawyer. He knows the area of work and is capable.”
Fullerton Law Chambers is a Singapore-based disputes boutique primarily focused on corporate and commercial dispute resolution, with a rising number of energy-related cases. The firm’s practice spans a wide range of domestic and cross-border disputes, frequently acting for blue-chip corporate clients. Recent active areas of representation include finance, infrastructure, employment, defamation, TMT, real estate, insolvency and regulatory disputes. Corporate and white-collar crime investigations, as well as international asset tracing and fraud matters, are on the uptick for the firm.
Edmund Eng and Wei Chern Tham are key directors, with associate director Brinden Anandakumar gaining prominence among clients. All of the directors have also consistently been instructed as both arbitrator and counsel in international and domestic arbitrations conducted under the auspices of various leading arbitration institutions.
Client feedback
“Well-researched, well thought-through strategy and good defence.” – Construction
“Their advice on the law is clear and well communicated.” – Dispute resolution
“Very systematic and steady.” – Dispute resolution
“The firm's clear communication and strategic approach, combined with lawyer Brinden Anandakumar's exceptional diligence and sharp legal acumen, ensured a favourable outcome. Highly recommended for their efficient and reliable service in providing effective legal counsel.” – Insurance
“They are well versed with the law.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Brinden Anandakumar
“Lawyer Brinden Anandakumar exemplifies talent, robust work ethic, and sharp legal insight. His hard-working demeanour and commercial-minded approach ensure comprehensive representation. With a robust understanding of intricate legal matters, he navigates complexities with ease, delivering favourable outcomes. Anandakumar's dedication and sharp focus on client needs ensure personalised and effective counsel. Highly recommended for those seeking a talented attorney who is commercially minded and committed to excellence.”
“Proactive, thinks strategically, empathetic.”
“Their lawyer Brinden Anandakumar was extremely helpful in giving me advice at our first meeting and continued helping me craft my WhatsApp and email responses to HR. With his proactive approach, he got HR to back down from making me sign a restrictive agreement on leaving and essentially conceding that I had no trade secrets or confidential information. This I believe prevented the company from taking legal action to enforce the non-compete clause in my contract, or significantly reduce their chance of a successful attempt.”
Edmund Eng
“He listens intently and has a wealth of strategies.”
Wei Chern Tham
“Very clear and good advice, fair-minded.”
“Calm, steady and systematic.”
“Wei Chern is well versed in the law and able to solve the issues as they come.”
Work highlights
Acted for Elcarim and an individual in a $1.5 million High Court matter against a former director for breaches of director’s duties which resulted in the client being investigated and charged for offences under the Strategic Goods Act.
Representing Accelera Precious Timber and Strategic Agriculture, Perfect Earth Management and two individuals in relation to a $3 million claim by ARI Investments and Asian Infrastructure. The appeal will touch on the important issue of whether a claim is an abuse of process if it could have been raised in earlier proceedings but was not.
Advised the Royal Bank of Canada against individuals who perpetrated a fraud on the client causing the bank to transfer C$5.6 million ($4.1 million) to a bank account in Singapore. A prompt application to the Singapore courts resulted in the majority of the account being frozen before the bulk of the money could be moved out of Singapore. A judgment was also obtained against the fraudster.
Helmsman excels at shipping law, but it also has growing banking, employment and general disputes practices. The firm acts for commodity traders, banks and charterers in high-value, cross-border disputes across the globe. The team also has substantial experience in the mid and downstream liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, particularly in LNG shipping and chartering and LNG trade disputes. As an affiliate of Hong Kong firm Tang & Co, Helmsman houses 18 specialist fee earners, which makes it one of the biggest dedicated shipping and commodities practices in Asia. The key contacts are managing directors Ian Teo and Chong Jun Tang, and directors Maureen Poh and Lynette Koh. Recently, the firm welcomed senior disputes specialists, director Una Khng and counsel Benjamin Bala, from the Supreme Court of Singapore and TSMP Law Corporation respectively.
Client feedback
“Helmsman acted quickly and provided an excellent and useful memo. In particular, I appreciated the proactive approach where we were given advice on specific documents and questions to pursue to gain more understanding of the relevant facts.” – Dispute resolution
“They are available whatever the time is and react super-fast in an efficient manner. Very accurate on their points. They give us the feeling of having a dedicated lawyer in charge of our matters, which does help a lot when it comes to understanding.” – Shipping
“Cheap, fast and good.” – Shipping
Zhida Chen
“Intelligent and commercially minded.”
Una Khng
“She demonstrated high legal skills, was pragmatic in terms of providing useful advice, and good in communications.”
Maureen Poh
“She gave immediate answers to any questions, whatever the time was. Available to travel overseas for assistance in commercial deals. She always kept a positive attitude to come out on top of any issue. She gives the right advice with a permanent very good mood.”
Work highlights
Acting for Trafigura in a dispute which arose out of the insolvency of Hin Leong Trading.
Advising Weifang JS Trading, a global chemicals trading and manufacturing company headquartered in China, in respect of court proceedings in St Lucia against the issuing bank under the letter of credit for failing to make payment against a compliant presentation of documents under the letter of credit, and a trading dispute vis-à-vis its buyers.
The offering at Joseph Lopez is primarily focused on dispute resolution. It is noted for its strength in contentious shipping, commodities, international trade, infrastructure and energy matters. The team is also adept at commercial and corporate litigation. Its client base spans continents from southeast Asia to Africa, Europe and the US. The firm provides litigation at all levels of the Singapore courts, conducts arbitration under the arbitration institutional rules of the key forums around the globe, offers private and institutional mediation, as well as adjudications under the Security of Payment Act for building and construction matters.
The key contacts at the firm are managing partner Joseph Lopez and partner Kyle Yew.
Client feedback
“Meticulous and constantly updating and advising clients on their rights.” – Dispute resolution
“They are very practical, replying precisely and in a short period of time. So far what they do they are doing very well.” – Dispute resolution
“They are client-focused, prioritising clients' needs and providing personal services. They are easy to reach and quick in response. They have a strong track record in handling cases related to bulk commodities. Excellent teamwork among attorneys and staff. They possess a deep understanding of specific areas of law and the communications are effective, clear and easy to understand. They also have a good standing within the trading fraternity.” – Dispute resolution
Chang Mao Kyle Yew
“Meticulous and knowledgeable in legal matters.”
“Quick, professional and precise advice, always available for discussion.”
Joseph Lopez
“Easy to reach and responsive to client inquiries. Straight talker and gives clear, transparent advice.”
Work highlights
Representing the shipping company respondent in ongoing Singapore-seated arbitration proceedings under the SIAC Rules, arising from alleged breaches of corporate guarantee which relate to joint venture agreements for financing arrangements and vessel construction and operation.
Acting for a Chinese high-net-worth individual, in a claim involving the shares of a Singapore-registered fund management company with over $1 billion of assets under management.
Representing multiple claimants in an ongoing New York-seated arbitration under the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association, involving a claim amount of almost $70 million.
JTJB, or Joseph Tan Jude Benny, has one of the most experienced and dedicated shipping practices in Singapore. The firm handles complex high-profile matters in both wet and dry shipping including trade finance, industry M&As and investments, cargo disputes, charterparties and bills of lading disputes, marine casualties, shipbuilding, marine insurance and ship finance. The firm also handles a fair number of restructuring and insolvency matters. Murali Pany, John Sze and Danny Chua are key members of the firm.
Client feedback
“Proactive suggestions and fast, practical advice.” – Dispute resolution
“Fast responses, helpful advice and reasonable charges.” – Shipping
“Deep knowledge of the law practice combined with advice well-honed from decades of experience.” – Shipping
“The solicitors from JTJB listen to the needs of their clients and always have good solutions.” – Shipping
Danny Chua
“Quick, experienced and personable.”
“Incisive knowledge and decisive advice.”
John Sze
“Calm under pressure. Strategic, out-of-the-box analysis and advice.”
“He has been a preferred solicitor for us on local shipping matters. He listens to what we need and want.”
“He acts in an aggressive way for his clients.”
Murali Pany
“Good knowledge and well-planned strategy.”
Work highlights
Acting for the judicial managers of Xihe Holdings and dozens of ship-owning companies in relation to the collapse of Hin Leong Trading Group.
Representing AmBank against a Singapore-listed oil and gas company, Falcon Energy Group, in respect of very significant financing provided.
Key clients
SC Dalian, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank
JTJB, or Joseph Tan Jude Benny, has one of the most experienced and dedicated admiralty and maritime practices in Singapore. It debuts in the banking and finance table this year. The firm handles complex high-profile matters in both wet and dry shipping, including trade finance, industry M&As and investments, cargo disputes, charterparties and bills of lading disputes, marine casualties, shipbuilding, marine insurance and ship finance. The firm also handles a fair number of restructuring and insolvency matters. Murali Pany, John Sze and Danny Chua are key members of the firm.
Client feedback
“The prompt turnaround time along with the completeness of advisory have been the key positives.” – Banking and finance
“Appreciate the quick turnaround and responsiveness.” – Energy
“They are proactive and technically sound in marine insurance.” – Insurance
“Proactive, knowledgeable and client-focused.” – Shipping
Ting Chi Yen
“He is very approachable and literally a phone call away. He understands the requirements of the case in totality and then suggests a way forward.”
“Gives practical advice.”
K Murali Pany
“Client-focused and an expert at shipping and maritime disputes.”
“Technically sound and strategises well at mediation.”
Work highlights
Acted for the judicial managers of Xihe Holdings and dozens of shipowning companies in relation to the collapse of Hin Leong Trading Group.
Advised the judicial managers of Dong Nan Tankers, Nan King Maritime and Hua Zhong Shipping as the shipowners in the enforcement of lien for unpaid charterhire in interpleader proceedings.
Represented Transworld GLS against Mind ID in a misdelivery claim.
Founded in 2017 by senior counsel Lok Vi Ming, LVM Law Chambers is a respected, mid-sized disputes boutique offering a comprehensive range of dispute resolution services spanning commercial litigation, construction, insurance, media and telecommunications, tax, mediation, real estate, regulatory and white-collar matters. The firm has been consistently instructed in high-profile cross-border cases involving China, Brazil, Europe, Japan, Malaysia, the UK and the US. It has a dedicated China desk and has been quite active for these clients in the construction, technology, infrastructure and PE sectors. The firm added shipping capabilities to its growing array of specialisms, with the hiring of former Incisive Law director, Mohd Haireez. Managing director Lok Vi Ming leads an experienced team that includes construction specialists Joseph Lee and Waltan Pak. The team also welcomed the arrival of director Jean Chan from the Singapore High Court to bolster its white-collar crime and regulatory offering. Construction expert Joanna Seetoh departed last year for Harry Elias Partnership.
Client feedback
“LVM is very proactive in providing practical solutions to the client. LVM does not only advise on the legal aspect, but they really help the client to choose the 'best' route to achieve the best outcome possible, given the commercial circumstances.” – Dispute resolution
“They have lawyers who are intelligent, attentive and know their specialised areas well.” – Dispute resolution
“The firm is able to distil complex issues to distinct bitesize chunks and tackle each of these pointedly. They have the grit and soft skills to disarm the defendants with finesse. They deliver par excellence.” – Dispute resolution
“The lawyers are professional and knowledgeable on the case; they were able to find the supporting evidence in the court documents to defend my case.” – Private client
“Responsive and experienced team, able to pull in senior counsel when required.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Honest, quick and frank.” – Shipping
“Quick response and practical advice.” – Shipping
Mohd Haireez
“Able to provide quick and concise advice.”
“Solid legal and sector knowledge, attentive and meticulous.”
“Hard-working, efficient, brilliant and affable.”
Jonathan Muk
“Jonathan has very good legal knowledge as well as industry knowledge, to provide the client with practical advice. He is also very responsive to clients’ queries.”
“Jonathan not only listens, he does his homework and always researches thoroughly. He is always accessible and he responds to queries promptly. He keeps tabs on costs and timeline diligently.”
Huey Hien Ooi
“Responsive, detailed and diligent.”
Michelle Yeo
“She is hardworking and well-versed in knowledge on my case.”
Work highlights
Representing a defendant in relation to a claim by his son, which he alleges that his father had made an oral contract to transfer to him a majority share in a company. This claim raises issues concerning the formation of an oral contract, as well as the standard of proof to satisfy the intentions to create legal relations requirement in a familial context.
Acting for a Beijing-based dental surgeon in an action against a former partner. This case raises issues concerning equity and trusts law.
Assisting Unipec in five disputes which relate to five separate parcels of cargo shipped on board four different ships. They arise out of the collapse of the Hin Leong Trading Group, which is widely recognised as the largest corporate fraud in Singapore history.
Key clients
DBS, Deloitte & Touche, Goldlands Holdings Company, Yihua Lifestyle Technology.
Mayer Brown PK Wong & Nair is known for its expertise in dispute resolution, restructuring and insolvency, and corporate and commercial law. The team has a wealth of experience in a broad range of commercial disputes arising out of breaches of securities regulations, commodity trading disputes, insolvency, employment and contractual disputes, and estate claims. Seasoned litigator Suresh Nair is the main disputes partner, while Mark Wong heads up the corporate division. Andrew Ang, Bryan Tan, Basil Ong, Jennifer Chih and Jacinda Wong are other names to note. At the beginning of 2023, PK Wong & Nair entered into a joint law venture with international firm Mayer Brown. This entity can provide clients with integrated and seamless advice on international and Singapore law. Local litigation is provided through PK Wong & Nair.
Client feedback
“I have a well-established working relationship with Suresh Nair. This firm would be my first stop because they are hungry, excellent at what they do, and always on top of their game.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“The lawyers are friendly.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Suresh Nair
“He is among the best insolvency practitioners in Singapore. An exceptional advocate, he is razor-sharp and precise and provides timely and practical advice in the most personable way possible.”
Bryan Tan
“Friendly and responsive.”
Work highlights
Acting for British and Malayan Trustees in its capacity as trustee of unsecured notes issued by Laguna to various members. This case is significant because it involves the novel point of whether or not Laguna as issuer of the unsecured notes is entitled to vote or participate in noteholders’ meetings in its capacity as registered noteholder of certain unsecured notes it repurchased from previous noteholders but did not cancel. It is also the first case in Singapore that decided the applicability and effect of "no action" clauses.
Advised Antanium Resources on a proposed restructuring of its debts.
Meritus Law is a recently established firm specialising in commercial disputes and general corporate work. Its clients consist of local and international corporations, state-owned enterprises and high-net-worth individuals (HNWI). The lawyers are experienced in a wide spectrum of contentious matters before the Singapore courts, as well as arbitration proceedings before the SIAC. The firm frequently receives briefs from international law firms and picks up conflict work from larger domestic players. Managing director Alfred Lim spearheads the leadership that includes corporate specialist Amos Tan, and disputes-focused directors Jaime Lye and Ushan Premaratne. Premaratne joined in September 2023 from Withers KhattarWong.
Client feedback
“Rapid response time with a strong foundation in construction law. Alfred is concise and clear in explanations and solution design.” – Construction
“It is very professional, knowledgeable, fast and responsive.” – Dispute resolution
“Alfred Lim and Jaime Lye are both professional in their opinions and offer different perspectives and are honest in their advice.” – Dispute resolution
“Meritus is responsive and cost-effective. Its lawyers, particularly Alfred Lim and Jaime Lye, are practical and extremely competent.” – Dispute resolution
“Very professional and knowledgeable.” – Dispute resolution
“One letter of demand back to them and the entire issue ceased. Sharp and crisp, saved all the unnecessary time.” – Dispute resolution
“Meritus Law has a thorough understanding of commercial law and was able to provide clear and strategic advice to ensure our interests were protected at each stage of the process. They were meticulous in every detail and prompt to respond to each challenge encountered. The successful recovery of our payment following this dispute is testament to their exceptional legal acumen and dedication to achieving a favourable outcome.” – Dispute resolution
“Quick turnaround and accuracy of legal advice. Attuned to the specifics of the industry-related questions. Able to execute legal strategies and plans.” – Dispute resolution
“They respond to every email within the same day, provide concise and practical guidelines immediately, understand clients' business nature well and accommodate special needs, and overall are an effective but cost-friendly service.” – Dispute resolution
“They are well-informed.” – Private client
“Excellent to work with even remotely as I was not in Singapore for the entire length of the legal action. Proactive and committed to a positive outcome.” – Private client
“They detailed the list of facts and analysed the contract, gave us suggestions, advice and subsequently proposed an appropriate course of action to take.” – Real estate
“It is a very experienced law firm and the lawyers have an excellent perspective of things. They are responsive and transparent, especially Alfred Lim and Jaime Lye.” – Regulatory
“Deep knowledge of the law and skill at crafting affidavits. Skilful representation in court.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Alfred Lim
“Clear, concise and quick to respond. He is very adept at identifying the key points of contention and rebutting the points with clear explanations.”
“Professional, sharp and motivated.”
“Candid, transparent and straight to the point.”
“Alfred is knowledgeable and credible. He makes decisions quickly and his advice is sound and practical.”
“Very honest and professional.”
“Responsible, sharp and resolute.”
“Alfred has a remarkable depth of knowledge in dispute resolution. Alfred could quickly dissect complex legal matters accurately and efficiently, which was testament of his analytical skills and strategic thinking. Alfred is meticulous with every detail and ensures nothing is overlooked. When handling our matter, Alfred showed that he is an excellent communicator and can facilitate clearly and provide compelling, persuasive arguments. He has also shown to be unwavering in his dedication to protect our interests, which we appreciate greatly.”
“Knows his work well.”
“Excellent communicator, great problem-solving skills and excellent legal knowledge.”
“Observant, professional, sharp, decisive and determined. These are the attributes to have when you need a lawyer to assist you.”
“Excellent communications and excellent advice to the client".
Jaime Lye
“Meticulous, diligent, able to explain legal concepts in a concise manner and able to perceive the best targeted approach towards resolving a legal issue.”
“She understood the clients' business in depth and accommodates its special needs. She was timely in responding to emails with effective communications. She has a deep understanding of the law and effectively applies precedents.”
“She is responsive and provides different perspectives of situations for better decision-making.”
Work highlights
Acted for a Malaysia company in its claim against a Timor-Leste company for non-payment of diesel and light fuel oil supplied to power plants in Timor-Leste.
Represented a HNWI in the defence against claims from a former director and a former shareholder for tort of conspiracy by lawful means and unlawful means, damages for fraudulent misrepresentations and account for profits made by alleged conspirators.
Advised the co-founder of Zilingo in investigations into fraud and breach of fiduciary duties of the other co-founder and the subsequent sale of Zilingo to new investors.
Nicholas Narayanan established Nicholas & Tan Partnership as a specialist litigation firm in 2010. Its areas of expertise include banking, corporate, real estate and IP disputes. Additionally, it is active in administrative, tort and white-collar crime cases.
Work highlights
Successfully represented foreign listed corporation in an application for partial setting aside of an International Chamber of Commerce arbitral award, the decision for which is currently pending an appeal before the Court of Appeal.
Acting for a client who is accused of theft of gasoil worth approximately $32.1 million from Shell Eastern Petroleum at its Pulau Bukom site. The client is one of the 14 men charged in connection with the alleged theft.
Nine Yards Chambers is a dispute resolution boutique that was established in late 2022. It has carved out a niche in representing listed Singapore companies in shareholder disputes, oppression claims and hostile takeovers, among other contentious commercial matters. It has a strong track record in investment recovery work, trusts claims and commercial disputes. In its first year alone, the team worked on four written judgments issued by the Singapore High Court. The key contact at the firm is managing director Nichol Yeo.
Client feedback
“Able to understand the rules, assist to perform searches, and make appropriate disclosures.” – Capital markets
“Nichol assessed the case facts, including hearing my event recounts and analysing my evidence, and provided professional advice on how to go about claiming the amount payable from the debtor. He has excellent communication skills and asked crucial questions as we arrived at facts irrebuttable by the defendant. Nichol and his team provided timely updates to me about my case such that I did not have to worry about leaving the case entirely in their care.” – Corporate and M&A
“We recommend it for professional advice, patience in listening, inclusive discussions, timely responses and empathy regardless of the type of cases. The lawyers have excellent communication that allows discussions regardless of time of the day. They demonstrate expertise in acting in the best interest of the client and evaluating with confidence.” – Dispute resolution
“Knowledgeable about the law and on-the-ground dynamics.” – Dispute resolution
“The lawyers are commercial and have a good grasp of both substantive and technical issues relating to contentious matters. The take a balanced approach to achieve realistic probability adjusted outcome for their client.” – Dispute resolution
“They are very quick in their actions and they provide a holistic guide on possible action to take with respective pros and cons so it is easy to make a decision.” – Dispute resolution
“They fully understand our request and take fast action when we give them permission.” – Dispute resolution
“Effective, timely responses and comprehensive comments.” – Dispute resolution
“Nine Yards provides very practical solutions within the applicable rules and regulations.” – Dispute resolution
“Their managing director Mr. Nichol Yeo's many years of experience in the dispute resolution space value-adds to my needs, providing a very commercial and comprehensive perspective on the case files. Despite their relatively lean team, Nine Yards Chambers has been able to deliver work in a very timely fashion without any compromise in quality. Their team of lawyers also cover a broad spectrum of specialisms such as to position Nine Yards Chambers well to deliver full-suite services to clients with both dispute resolution as well as commercial and corporate transactional needs. I personally also noticed a strong culture of embracing the use of technology in the work of Nine Yards Chambers, such as their adoption of the innovative applications for document review and processing. This increases their productivity which translates into efficient and effective delivery of services to me and my clients.” – Dispute resolution
“We strongly recommend the team for their depth of research into the matter, finding new and better ways to resolve without costly ongoing litigation. They apply appropriate commercial pressure and ensure the other party was aware of the consequences of delaying the resolution. They are two, if not three, steps ahead of opposing counsel.” – Intellectual property
“Their professionalism and dedication to our case were truly commendable, providing us with invaluable support throughout the process. Their assistance was pivotal in resolving the matter efficiently and effectively.” – Private client
“The firm has been extremely understanding and attentive to all areas of my concerns in view of the current MI. As I am the sole provider and care giver of my two elderly parents, the firm always took extra care and trouble to provide valuable advice and assistance to the needs of my family.” – Private client
“Readily responsive and provided great advice.” – Private client
“I am extremely impressed with the exceptional legal services provided by Nine Yards Chambers with Mr. Nichol Yeo. Their attention to details and commitment to accountability were evident throughout the entire process. The detailed reporting and regular updates kept me informed and confident in their handling of my case.
Their thorough forensic evidence-finding skills were impressive, leaving no stone unturned to build a strong case. The clear and transparent communications made the legal process easy to understand, and their guidance was invaluable.
I highly recommend this law firm for their expertise, professionalism, and dedication to delivering outstanding results. Their exceptional service has earned my trust and gratitude.” – Private client
“Competent in applying the appropriate law to the situation.” – Regulatory
“Very fast and responsive. Quick to understand and very easy to communicate with. They are composed, very intelligent, resourceful, and set us at ease with their professionalism.” – Regulatory
Nichol Yeo
“Attentive and able to provide practical solutions.”
“He possesses a professional and convincing demeanour that allows me to feel comfortable having him handle my case.”
“Ability to apply his experience and knowledge into all scenarios. This allows him to advise the client accordingly. The element of using a passive aggressive approach shows his experience in handling cases.”
“Understands the industry very well and is bilingual.”
“Good commercial sense, clear communications and good analytical skills.”
“He is always professional yet friendly in handling our case. He takes time to explain matters in laymen’s terms if necessary.”
“Nichol and his team followed up on our case very closely.”
“Extensive legal knowledge, responds to questions in a timely manner and gives effective answers.”
“Practical, sharp mind and easy to deal with.”
“Nichol brings with him many years of experience in dispute resolution, covering litigation, arbitration and mediation. He has an exceptional work ethic that places the needs and priorities of his clients at the forefront, giving each and every file his close attention and personal touch. His strong intellect and intense intellectual curiosity is an especially cherished attribute in my opinion, making him a most reliable collaborator for co-counselling in complex and high-value dispute resolution matters.”
“He is always on point when it comes to the matter at hand. He is pragmatic, well prepared and researched. He was there to win for us.”
“Nichol is truly understanding and attentive to all areas of my concerns in view of the current MI. He always took extra care and trouble to provide valuable advice and assistances to the needs of my family. Nichol is truly a good lawyer, always ready to help and fight for people. I could always see troubled clients walking into the office to meet Nichol and after they walked out with relieved smiles on their faces. I am indeed blessed to have Nichol and his team as my lawyers.”
“Resolves issues promptly and provides great advice.”
“Empathetic to client’s situation and proactive in finding solutions.”
“Quick-witted, sharp, resourceful, intelligent, practical and direct.”
Work highlights
Represented the deputy of a high-net-worth individual who had lost mental capacity to recover gifts made to a girlfriend within a period of six months amounting to $9 million. This case sparked off a public discussion and article on the safeguards for vulnerable elderly persons and the protection of their assets, and the importance of lasting powers of attorney to be executed in Singapore.
Successfully resisted a hostile takeover extraordinary general meeting of a Singapore-listed company by applying for a declaration that the requisitionists were not members of the company.
Acted for a “white knight” plaintiff in a case where a novel point of law was argued relating to a “freestanding injunction” to be granted in Singapore to restrain an extraordinary general meeting to be held. This case clarified the law on “freestanding” injunctions.
Litigation specialist firm PDLegal represents foreign public-listed companies, multinational corporations, SMEs and private individuals at all levels in the Singapore courts, covering a broad spectrum of contentious matters. The firm is also experienced in the full range of shipping and admiralty work. Peter Doraisamy, Andrew Lee and Gerard Quek are key members of the firm. Senior partner and disputes specialist Nazim Khan joined earlier this year from UniLegal. Partner Wei Hong Ling arrived last October from Marsh Singapore, while corporate partner Daomin Chiam left in April.
Work highlights
Acting for a beneficiary to a large estate of a deceased renowned technopreneur.
Defending a former director of a company presently in liquidation against multimillion dollar claims arising from the failed development of a luxury island resort.
Key clients
Louis Dreyfus Company Asia, Pacific Distribution Investment Company, Rotating Offshore Solutions, Skuld P&I Club.
Mayer Brown PK Wong & Nair is known for its expertise in dispute resolution, restructuring and insolvency, and corporate and commercial law. The team has a wealth of experience in a broad range of commercial disputes arising out of breaches of securities regulations, commodity trading disputes, insolvency, employment and contractual disputes, and estate claims. Seasoned litigator Suresh Nair is the main disputes partner, while Mark Wong heads up the corporate division. Andrew Ang, Bryan Tan, Basil Ong, Jennifer Chih and Jacinda Wong are other names to note. At the beginning of 2023, PK Wong & Nair entered into a joint law venture with international firm Mayer Brown. This entity can provide clients with integrated and seamless advice on international and Singapore law. Local litigation is provided through PK Wong & Nair.
Client feedback
“I have a well-established working relationship with Suresh Nair. This firm would be my first stop because they are hungry, excellent at what they do, and always on top of their game.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“The lawyers are friendly.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Suresh Nair
“He is among the best insolvency practitioners in Singapore. An exceptional advocate, he is razor-sharp and precise and provides timely and practical advice in the most personable way possible.”
Bryan Tan
“Friendly and responsive.”
Work highlights
Acting for British and Malayan Trustees in its capacity as trustee of unsecured notes issued by Laguna to various members. This case is significant because it involves the novel point of whether or not Laguna as issuer of the unsecured notes is entitled to vote or participate in noteholders’ meetings in its capacity as registered noteholder of certain unsecured notes it repurchased from previous noteholders but did not cancel. It is also the first case in Singapore that decided the applicability and effect of "no action" clauses.
Advised Antanium Resources on a proposed restructuring of its debts.
RBN Chambers is an up-and-coming disputes boutique that boasts extensive expertise in complex civil, commercial and employment disputes. The firm is regularly engaged by multinationals, small and medium enterprises and private clients in both local and multi-jurisdictional disputes. The firm is led by Ramesh Nagaratnam.
Client feedback
“Mr Ramesh listens attentively, is prompt, reliable and does thorough research to understand the property law in Malaysia as I am a Singaporean. Most importantly, he makes things easy for me to understand in laymen's terms as I am unsure of many technical terms and procedures. I felt at ease when Mr Ramesh sees this case as an act of unjust enrichment.” – Dispute resolution
“They were very positively engaging. They were patient in allowing me to understand and learn the processes involved. They were very upfront and clear in the ups and downsides of each action we undertook or the path we were looking to embark on. This is very essential for Clients, especially hand-holding us during this entire process, which can be quite stressful and cumbersome.” – Dispute resolution
Ramesh Nagaratnam
“He listens attentively, explains in detail in laymen's terms so that it easy for me to understand, prompt, committed, thorough and reliable.”
“Very professional, well versed with the Employment Dispute laws, and innovative in thinking and strategising for positive results.”
Work highlights
Acting for a former director, the 1st defendant, of a real estate development company in liquidation in a claim initiated by the liquidators of the company for S$65 million in the Singapore High Court.
Acted for the directors of a Singapore group of companies in the construction and engineering industry in their appeal against the decision of the Singapore High Court to dismiss their application to stay the bankruptcy proceedings to restructure the directors’ liabilities amounting to S$15 million.
With eight fee-earners, RevLaw focuses on dispute resolution with a particular expertise in restructuring and insolvency. It has also been active in contentious employment matters, as well as general commercial litigation and arbitration work. The firm comprises experienced litigators who have handled disputes before all levels of Singapore courts and international arbitral tribunals. It has a broad spectrum of clients across various industries including banks, insurers, private equity funds, property developers, hotel owners and insolvency practitioners. Managing director Sui Tong Chua and director Yik Wee Liew are key contacts.
Client feedback
“Very responsive and punches well above their weight as a boutique.” – Dispute resolution
Sui Tong Chua
“Very experienced and offers practical solutions.”
Work highlights
Acted for steel conglomerate ArcelorMittal Holding in enforcing an international arbitration award in Singapore.
Representing the former head of the PE desk of a major bank as one of the defendants in Singapore court proceedings involving claims for fraudulent misrepresentation in connection with notes offering.
RHTLaw Asia is a full-service firm that has a well-respected technology practice. Boasting partners that are qualified in multiple jurisdictions such as China, US, Hong Kong, Australia and Malaysia, the firm routinely handles complex cross-border transactions. The firm is organised around eight industry groups: consumer brands, healthcare and life sciences, private wealth, technology and media, construction and projects, financial institutions and technology, transportation and logistics, and education. The technology group specialises in tech infrastructure, blockchain, data processing and telecommunications. The key contacts include corporate partners Erwan Barre and Eu Jin Yang, IP specialist Rizwi Wun and disputes leader Nandakumar Renganathan. The corporate and capital markets groups last winter welcomed partners Parikhit Sarma and Esther Wee from Virtus Law and Harry Elias Partnership, respectively.
Client feedback
“They have amazing customer service, are passionate about their job and their knowledge is unparalleled. Total empathy for clients.” – Dispute resolution
“Organised, efficient, understands the interaction of business and law, cost-conscious and smart.” – Intellectual property
“Responsive and excellent professional advice provided by the lawyers.” – Intellectual property
Sharon Chong
“Had empathy and total understanding of the subject-matter. Amazing advice and foresight.”
“Sharon was always genuine and sincere in offering help. At every interaction she was always positive yet realistic. I am not exaggerating when I say Sharon was a god-sent angel into my life. In my darkest days, she was doing all the work at the back, so I can stand on my feet again. She was empathetic, passionate and appropriately aggressive when she needs to protect and exert her client's rights. Sharon never fails to provide me with different options and solutions when I seek her professional opinion. It's truly comforting to know someone like her exists in her line of work.”
“Sharon was always prompt to deliver, but more than that, always provided different options and perspectives for me. This is invaluable from a business standpoint because sometimes there are really better ways to do things, ways that are more amicable, professional and pocket-friendly.”
Esther Wee
“Effective, responsive and resourceful.”
Rizwi Wun
“Smart, knowledgeable, creative, business-savvy and organised. He gets that almost every legal decision is at its core a business decision and understands how to navigate that potential conflict.”
Work highlights
Acting for a Japanese-owned global hedge fund against a former employee for claims of breach of confidence and breach of contractual duty of confidentiality under an employment agreement
Representing BRF Global, one of the largest food companies in the world, in claiming for a breach of distribution agreement.
Shook Lin & Bok works with an impressive roster of clients, including major banks, multinational corporations and private equity investors, on large transactions locally and across the region. The firm is highly active in banking and finance, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution and restructuring and insolvency. It is also skilled in advising on real estate finance, particularly on the lender side. The market-leading banking practice boasts 26 dedicated lawyers, including 13 partners that each specialise in a different area of banking and jurisdictions. Key lawyers include Kai Zee Liew for banking and finance, Marilyn See for capital markets, David Chong for corporate and M&A, and Sarjit Singh Gill and David Chan for dispute resolution and insolvency. Shipping and trade partner Probin Dass moved to DennisMathiew.
Client feedback
“SLB is always very responsive and their comments are very practical.” – Banking and finance
“The firm is capable of handling complexities in the deal and turnaround with quality work within the set timelines every time.” – Banking and finance
“Responsive and lawyers have good knowledge.” – Capital markets
“The take a commercial approach, have strong attention to detail, and lightning-fast response times.” – Corporate and M&A
“The team is very responsive and always delivers on time.” – Corporate and M&A
“Good value for money, very responsive and on the ball.” – Corporate and M&A
“Very approachable, personable, good at explaining to non-legal clients and, overall, good advice.” – Dispute resolution
“Extremely customer-centric and easy to work with. Willing to go the extra mile and turn up at our offices when requested to do so. Really sound practical advice which can be applied in the commercial context.” – Intellectual property
“The partners have a good team of lawyers with vast experience with regards to real estate S&P process and the regulations governing the transactions.” – Real estate
“Knowledgeable in their work and they understand the clients' concerns. They are able to address those concerns.” – Real estate
Daryl Fong
“Excellent communicator, clear, concise and very approachable.”
Ying Ming Ho
“Very commercial, very hands-on.”
Clement Khoo
“Clement is quite hands-on with the work handed over to him. Great interpersonal skills and diligent in his work.”
Sally Lee
“Very responsive and always strives to give targeted solutions.”
“Timely and responsive.”
“Sally Lee has been able, helpful and prompt in her work turnaround.”
Stanley Lim
“Stanley has deep insights into Singapore financial laws and regulations. He is very responsive and is always welcoming.”
Jevon Louis
“Really knowledgeable and excellent commercial acumen. Understands the business concerns and applies the law accordingly to tailor and address each and every need.”
Ying Yi Siow
“Commercial-minded, attentive to detail and lightning-fast response times.”
Kenneth Szeto
“He is always very calm and resourceful to propose solutions when there are hurdles presented by the counterparty.”
John Tan
“Positive and knowledgeable in his area of work. He is responsive too with good solutions proposals.”
Daniel Tan
“He has a good ability to balance legal advice with commerciality and risk. Value for service as there is partner attention given to matters.”
Pearlyn Xie
“Responsive and has good knowledge.”
Work highlights
Acting for HSBC against the ex-directors and ex-employee of Hin Leong Trading in claims of fraudulent misrepresentation, conspiracy by unlawful means, procurement of breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation.
Representing Standard Chartered Bank in resisting a claim by Winson Oil Trading.
Acting for the liquidators of the Envy companies to recover unauthorised and fraudulent transactions made out of investors' funds. This is Singapore’s largest investment fraud.
Established in 2019, Solitaire is a dispute resolution boutique firm. It boasts an enviable client list for a firm of its size, and in its first year of operations it was able to secure a portfolio of disputes work involving $100 million. The litigation team is particularly experienced in shareholders’ disputes, breaches of directors’ duties and investment recovery work, and the practitioners have a keen focus on crisis litigation and management. Partners Nichol Yeo and Marcus Tan are the key contacts. Tan joined last year from Kelvin Chia Partnership.
Client feedback
“Professional and competent.” – Private client
Nichol Yeo
“Competent, professional and responsive.”
Work highlights
Represented Darco Water Technologies on suing its ex-CEO for breaches of fiduciary duties and employee duties for the failure to exercise due care and diligence in the Singapore High Court.
Defending Renaissance United in an employment dispute where a former executive director and CFO claimed alleged unpaid salaries and other sums totalling more than $1 million.
Key clients
Camelot, Milton Exhibits International
Tan Kok Quan Partnership provides legal services across a broad spectrum of industry sectors, with particular recognition for its work in dispute resolution, and restructuring and insolvency. In the past 12 months, the team has handled matters across a spectrum of industries with a portfolio value of more than $1 billion. The firm has a distinguished record of handling litigation in the banking and financial services, energy, real estate and technology sectors. Senior counsel Marina Chin and Eddee Ng are key partners for dispute resolution, while senior partner Paul Seah is a key figure for restructuring and insolvency.
Client feedback
“Very responsive, clear in their advice, pragmatic and commercial.” – Dispute resolution
“Professional and yet commercial.” – Energy
“Responsive, proactive, technically strong and good business acumen.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Marina Chin
“Extremely responsive, commercial, approachable, knowledgeable and with a strategic mindset. She is an accomplished lawyer as well as extremely personable, from a human interaction perspective.”
Keith Tnee
“Approachable and quick to respond.”
Paul Seah
“Good business acumen and a good communicator.”
Work highlights
Acted for Sengkang Town Council in three appeals. This is a widely reported Court of Appeal case that concerns important and novel questions of law, including the question of whether elected members of parliament owe fiduciary duties to the town council and if so, what the scope of such duties is.
Representing United Overseas Bank on its claims for fraud and conspiracy against, among others, property developer Lippo Marina Collection.
Advising a client, the former CEO and chairman of Kitchen Culture Holdings, in four suits concerning allegations of breach of Catalist rules, fiduciary duties, the Companies Act and the Code of Corporate Governance, wrongful termination and defamation, and conspiracy, hiring and payroll improprieties.
Tan Rajah & Cheah is a disputes-focused firm that is led by the widely recognised and acclaimed senior counsel, Chelva Rajah. He is an active court lawyer, arbitration counsel of choice, former judicial commissioner, arbitrator and judge of the Qatar International Court since 2011. The firm is best known for its commercial litigation prowess and contentious family law expertise, and is a seasoned player in high stakes, long-running and complex litigations. It is also active in insolvency, international arbitration and white-collar crime matters. This year the firm debuts in the labour and employment table. Rajah leads an experienced team that includes MK Eusuff Ali, Moiz Haider Sithawalla, Shobna Chandran, Megan Chia, and family law veteran Imran Khwaja.
Client feedback
“Fast, responsive and can discuss in detail what options are available.” – Dispute resolution
“Chelva Rajah SC is still a doyen of the Singapore litigation bar and someone we consider for difficult cases that need sensitive advocacy by an elder statesman who is universally respected and lauded at the Singapore bar.” – Dispute resolution
“Focused, organised, sharp and incisive.” – Dispute resolution
“Fantastic litigation firm, it does this very well. Friendly, 'old school' firm with low attrition rates and believes in providing solutions and not causing problems where they don't exist.” – Dispute resolution
“Experts in the areas that were consulted on, professional and timely advice was provided.” – Intellectual property
“They are a solution provider, not just spouting legalese at non-lawyers like us! They made effort to understand what we wanted, why we asked for certain conditions. Where they felt these conditions could be challenged, they recommended other ways to achieve the same results. They did not just take orders nor did they just insist we adopt everything they recommended; they were patient in dealing with every single question, big or small, and clarification we asked for. This made us feel assured they were sincere in helping our business.” – Labour and employment
“Detailed and takes care of my interest and position while being pragmatic on the approach.” – Private client
“Tan Rajah & Cheah is very professional, detailed and highly efficient, especially during trial when everything happens fast. They are also very quick to respond to my questions. The team also worked well with the other co-accused's counsel.” – Private client
Eusuff Ali
“Listens well and protects my interests.”
Zahara Bakar
“Timely and professional. She ensures that she understands customer needs and provides solutions apt to the requirement.”
“Responsive, committed, sincere and listens well. She gives me solutions.”
Megan Chia
“Attentive, clear-minded and detailed.”
“Megan is very dedicated. She always strived to provide me with accurate and thorough information and ran through with me all scenarios that she could think of so that I could make my decision. She is very patient in addressing my questions and concerns and explaining to me why some of my plans won't work. I felt respected and well taken care of and protected while working with her. Definitely very fast in responding to my questions even if it's out of office hours.”
Chelva Rajah
“Very effective litigator. Astute and sharp.”
“Top go-to litigator.”
Moiz Sithawalla
“He is extremely personable and has a calm manner. Excellent bedside manner. Seemingly strong grasp of the law and very good to lean on.”
Work highlights
Engaged by the Government of Malaysia to assist in the recovery of seized 1MDB assets in Singapore.
Represented Innovative Corporation on a complex claim against an errant director and his company for appropriating the client’s maturing business opportunity.
Defended five individuals against claims of breaches of fiduciary duties, duties of skill and care and statutory duties and concerns novel issues. This was the first case interpreting the Town Councils Act and the duties and obligations of town councillors.
TSMP Law Corporation is especially well known for its work in finance, corporate and M&A and dispute resolution. The banking and finance group acts for financial institutions and corporate in high-value financing deals, spanning cross-border secured and syndicated lending, acquisition financing, debt restructuring, purchase of loans and refinancing. The same team also specialises in corporate real estate financing, particularly in land acquisition financing and land development financing. The capital markets team is sought after for equity and debt listings, reverse takeovers, foreign IPOs and secondary fundraisings, while the corporate M&A department runs a market-leading practice in public company takeovers.
The dispute resolution practice proudly states that it takes on difficult cases, ones that test, shape or advance the law. The disputes team covers the full gamut of litigation and arbitration, notably complex commercial and corporate litigation with a focus on boardroom, shareholder and investment disputes. There is additionally a growing practice specialising in the crypto-space, working with clients across the ecosystem from investors to exchanges.
The firm not only acts for various major corporations and financial institutions but also is frequently sought out by different regulatory bodies. Senior counsels Shen Yi Thio and Jeffrey Chan Wah Teck, corporate lawyer Stefanie Yuen Thio, construction specialists Melvin Chan and Derek Loh and labour expert Ian Lim are key figures at the firm. Jennifer Chia and June Ho are other names to note for banking and finance and M&A.
Work highlights
Acted for Asiana Airlines in its dispute with its catering agent over the applicability, validity and scope of the various arbitration agreements. This will be the first case since that of Anupam Mittal where the issue of arbitrability has come into play.
Represented the owners of 12 shop units in the Macpherson Mall against the mall’s developer, LVND Investments. This is a novel case in Singapore, which will hopefully shed light on whether common areas may be sold as private property.
Assisted a defendant in a dispute between Luckin Coffee and two of it Malaysian investors over its accounting statements.
Key clients
Citibank, Deloitte, DHL, Disney, Emerson, Facebook, GS E&C, Hyundai E&C, IBM, KPMG, Twitter, YTL PowerSeraya
Yuen Law is a boutique legal practice offering services ranging from dispute resolution to corporate and commercial, real estate, family law and private wealth. The firm is especially active in fundraising and venture capital investment for SMEs and startups. One of the firm’s key strengths lies in M&A concerning Monetary Authority of Singapore regulated entities, due to its strengths in fintech and financial regulatory law. Its corporate department is led by the managing partner Samuel Yuen and is supported by senior director Kevin Chua and director Angeline Wong, while its disputes group is helmed by Amos Cai.
Client feedback
“Yuen Law provides business-oriented services.” – Corporate and M&A
“Yuen Law has consistently been the firm that I go back to for practical, sound and contextualised advice that balances my objectives, financial capacity and business acumen.” – Corporate and M&A
“Knowledgeable and professional.” – Dispute resolution
“Honest, hard-working, very knowledgeable and good value. They execute with high quality.” – Investment funds
Amos Cai
“Patient and professional.”
Kevin Chua
“Kevin is patient and seeks to understand the situation, managing us with sound advice, especially with his background from his regulatory experience. Kevin has been good at dealing with complicated and complex matters.”
Work highlights
Acted for a Taiwanese bakery chain in claims related to breaches of directors' duties by its former director.
Defended EON Reality against a $1 million claim by its ex-employee for breach of contract for outstanding commissions and balance salary.
Bird & Bird ATMD upholds its ‘Outstanding’ ranking with a strong intellectual property practice and expertise in the technology and telecommunications sector. Lorraine Tay and Alban Kang are key figures for IP. The firm is also active in capital markets, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, energy and labour and employment. This year it moves up in the energy table, and debuts in the construction and private equity categories. Marcus Chow, Sandra Seah and Beng Chai Tay are the main corporate partners at the firm. Jonathan Choo is a dispute resolution lawyer particularly active in international arbitration and Seow Hui Goh focuses on labour and employment.
Client feedback
“Extremely pragmatic and commercial, excellent attention to detail, but does not belabour legal points unnecessarily.” – Aviation
“Commercially sound while providing solid legal advice and willing to go the extra mile.” – Aviation
“Responsive, practical and commercial-oriented.” – Capital markets
“Proactive and responsible.” – Capital markets
“Responsive with the ability to anticipate and identify potential issues. Has the ability to propose solutions.” – Capital markets
“Fast and logical responses.” – Competition/antitrust
“Highly responsive and can devise value-adding solutions to commercial issues.” – Corporate and M&A
“The firm's legal documents are sophisticated and can capture most legal issues that we need to mitigate or prevent. When there is an issue, they are quick to provide solutions.” – Corporate and M&A
“Staff are timely, dedicated, professional, responsive and client-oriented.” – Corporate and M&A
“Prompt and completed the work within the schedule.” – Corporate and M&A
“Professional and efficient.” – Corporate and M&A
“Very professional, work effectively within time frame.” – Corporate and M&A
“It has comprehensive in-depth knowledge of the energy industry and thus is in position to provide good advice” – Energy
“The partner is helpful and turnaround time is quick. Great service.” – Intellectual property
“They are very responsive and the team has demonstrated in past projects their ability to deliver commercially sensible legal advice at very competitive fee quotes.” – Intellectual property
“Responsive, understands our business and our needs.” – Privacy and data protection
“Fast, reliable and a trusted partner.” – Private equity
“Completed the task promptly.” – Regulatory
Chua Lijun
“Receptive, fast responses and good knowledge of the relevant law and good understanding of the issues.”
Goh Seow Hui
“We value her professionalism, compassion for clients and humility.”
“Seow Hui did an outstanding job of understanding the client's needs. She advised me what was best for the client. She handled the case so swiftly to settle it amicably and moved on. I am impressed by her professionalism to take ownership after [another] lawyer left the firm. She took the responsibility of closing it. I am pleased with her customer service and compassion.”
Jeremy Tan
“Responsive, great attention to detail, he is client and results oriented.”
Jolie Giouw
“Highly responsive, she identifies the key issues quickly and comes out with solutions. We have always been impressed.”
“Excellent service-oriented mindset, has strong commercial acumen and able to advise well on the law.”
“Responsive and experienced. Able to provide prompt and quality advice and solutions.”
Lawrence Wong
“Communicates well to solve all the requirements requested by the SGX in Singapore.”
Leo Fattorini
“Leo is responsive, accessible and user-friendly. With counterparts he comes across very well without compromising our position.”
“Leo is responsive, accessible and user-friendly.”
“He has industry-wide knowledge of the Asian region, and is commercially savvy when it comes to negotiating with external parties.”
“Fast turnaround time and knowledgeable.”
Marcus Chow
“Marcus is knowledgeable in early-stage transactions and he is always available to the team to provide an opinion.”
“He is very smart and has extensive knowledge in venture capital investment as well as M&A.”
“Listens to what the client wants, and provides accurate suggestions and solutions.”
“Responsive, responsible and is able to communicate effectively with people of all levels.”
“Very commercial and good understanding of the client's needs.”
“Responsive, has ability to propose innovative solutions, and has good client relationship management.”
“Provides in-depth knowledge and advice to the board, resolving issues with advance steps taken.”
“Marcus was very responsive and can be depended on to deliver sound pragmatic advice, even outside of regular office hours. He is also quick to understand the commercial issues at hand, and propose solutions to address these issues.”
Sandrea Seah
“Very helpful and exhibits very good in-depth industrial knowledge. Gives very sound advice.”
“Professional, good listener, understands issues quickly and timely in responses.”
Work highlights
Assisted the Building and Construction Authority on a template energy performance contract to accelerate the adoption of energy conservation measures for the Green Building Council.
Advising the energy regulator, Energy Market Authority of Singapore, in the implementation of Singapore's first utility-scale energy storage system.
Appointed as legal counsel to the Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Association of Singapore to help Singapore in its decarbonisation efforts and move towards a greener environment.
Key clients
Energy Market Company, FE Energy Efficiency, LYS Energy Group, SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust
Founded in 2017 by senior counsel Lok Vi Ming, LVM Law Chambers is a respected, mid-sized disputes boutique offering a comprehensive range of dispute resolution services spanning commercial litigation, construction, insurance, media and telecommunications, tax, mediation, real estate, regulatory and white-collar matters. The firm has been consistently instructed in high-profile cross-border cases involving China, Brazil, Europe, Japan, Malaysia, the UK and the US. It has a dedicated China desk and has been quite active for these clients in the construction, technology, infrastructure and PE sectors. The firm added shipping capabilities to its growing array of specialisms, with the hiring of former Incisive Law director, Mohd Haireez. Managing director Lok Vi Ming leads an experienced team that includes construction specialists Joseph Lee and Waltan Pak. The team also welcomed the arrival of director Jean Chan from the Singapore High Court to bolster its white-collar crime and regulatory offering. Construction expert Joanna Seetoh departed last year for Harry Elias Partnership.
Client feedback
“LVM is very proactive in providing practical solutions to the client. LVM does not only advise on the legal aspect, but they really help the client to choose the 'best' route to achieve the best outcome possible, given the commercial circumstances.” – Dispute resolution
“They have lawyers who are intelligent, attentive and know their specialised areas well.” – Dispute resolution
“The firm is able to distil complex issues to distinct bitesize chunks and tackle each of these pointedly. They have the grit and soft skills to disarm the defendants with finesse. They deliver par excellence.” – Dispute resolution
“The lawyers are professional and knowledgeable on the case; they were able to find the supporting evidence in the court documents to defend my case.” – Private client
“Responsive and experienced team, able to pull in senior counsel when required.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Honest, quick and frank.” – Shipping
“Quick response and practical advice.” – Shipping
Mohd Haireez
“Able to provide quick and concise advice.”
“Solid legal and sector knowledge, attentive and meticulous.”
“Hard-working, efficient, brilliant and affable.”
Jonathan Muk
“Jonathan has very good legal knowledge as well as industry knowledge, to provide the client with practical advice. He is also very responsive to clients’ queries.”
“Jonathan not only listens, he does his homework and always researches thoroughly. He is always accessible and he responds to queries promptly. He keeps tabs on costs and timeline diligently.”
Huey Hien Ooi
“Responsive, detailed and diligent.”
Michelle Yeo
“She is hardworking and well-versed in knowledge on my case.”
Work highlights
Advised MS First Capital Insurance in relation to claims relating to an insurance policy insuring against business interruption losses, and whether they will be engaged in respect of losses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Represented the insurers of Singapore’s railway network in relation to a dispute which arose out of a collision between two trains.
Assisted EQ Insurance, whose client, Asia Medical Enviro Services, suffered damages due to a nearby fire which spread to its premises.
Led by Anparasan Kamachi, WhiteFern specialises in insurance and reinsurance law. The firm regularly acts for major insurance companies on a wide spectrum of both contentious and non-contentious matters including property and casualty, public liability, financial lines, and professional indemnity matters. Its core offerings include policy coverage advice, third-party claim management, defence and mitigation, and business-related advice for insurers. The team is experienced at providing counsel on disputes between insurers and service providers, contract reviews with business partners such as vendor and marketing platforms, and policy wording evaluations for new products. Beyond insurers, the firm is a trusted adviser to intermediaries, loss adjusters and other market players. Apart from Kamachi, director Grace Tan is another name to note.
Client feedback
“They are knowledgeable, flexible, nimble, able to come up with creative solutions, efficient and effective.” – Insurance
Grace Tan
“Grace is a great litigator, thorough, knowledgeable and strategic.”
Work highlights
Advised an insurance company on a claim arising from the collapse of a ceiling in a coldroom facility.
Represented India International Insurance on a developer’s call on an on-demand performance bond.
Acted for MS First Capital Insurance in a claim arising from an employee of the insured suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest at the club after a round of golf and subsequently passed away on the way to the hospital.
Represented China Taiping Insurance in relation to an accident where a cyclist passed away as a result.
Key clients
Allied World Assurance Company, AXS Insurance Singapore, MSIG Insurance, QBE Insurance Singapore
Amica Law is the largest boutique intellectual property firm in Singapore and is recommended for the breadth of its local and international IP expertise. The firm climbs into the top tier for IP this year for the continued demonstration of market-leading work. Its leadership are all former Allen & Gledhill IP partners. In the past year, the firm was appointed to the panels of the government’s Housing and Development Board and the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s JTC Corporation to advise on intellectual property matters. It also launched a new corporate and commercial department that complements its IP and technology offerings. Jo-Ann See, Wilson Wong, Winnie Tham, Jason Chan, Geraldine Tan and Melvin Pang are key figures at the firm. The firm welcomed director Yee-Swan Boo from Lee & Lee earlier this year.
Work highlights
Represented Element Six Technologies in a long-running patent infringement suit over synthetic diamond patents, which is now on appeal before Singapore’s apex court.
Successfully defended the operators of Luke’s Lobster lobster roll shacks against a trademark infringement and passing off action launched by the owners of Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chop House restaurants.
Acted for Align Technology in a trademark infringement suit in the High Court against Zenyum.
Key clients
Amazon.com, Banking Computer Services, National University of Singapore, Twitter, UOL Group
Bird & Bird ATMD upholds its ‘Outstanding’ ranking with a strong intellectual property practice and expertise in the technology and telecommunications sector. Lorraine Tay and Alban Kang are key figures for IP. The firm is also active in capital markets, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, energy and labour and employment. This year it moves up in the energy table, and debuts in the construction and private equity categories. Marcus Chow, Sandra Seah and Beng Chai Tay are the main corporate partners at the firm. Jonathan Choo is a dispute resolution lawyer particularly active in international arbitration and Seow Hui Goh focuses on labour and employment.
Client feedback
“Extremely pragmatic and commercial, excellent attention to detail, but does not belabour legal points unnecessarily.” – Aviation
“Commercially sound while providing solid legal advice and willing to go the extra mile.” – Aviation
“Responsive, practical and commercial-oriented.” – Capital markets
“Proactive and responsible.” – Capital markets
“Responsive with the ability to anticipate and identify potential issues. Has the ability to propose solutions.” – Capital markets
“Fast and logical responses.” – Competition/antitrust
“Highly responsive and can devise value-adding solutions to commercial issues.” – Corporate and M&A
“The firm's legal documents are sophisticated and can capture most legal issues that we need to mitigate or prevent. When there is an issue, they are quick to provide solutions.” – Corporate and M&A
“Staff are timely, dedicated, professional, responsive and client-oriented.” – Corporate and M&A
“Prompt and completed the work within the schedule.” – Corporate and M&A
“Professional and efficient.” – Corporate and M&A
“Very professional, work effectively within time frame.” – Corporate and M&A
“It has comprehensive in-depth knowledge of the energy industry and thus is in position to provide good advice” – Energy
“The partner is helpful and turnaround time is quick. Great service.” – Intellectual property
“They are very responsive and the team has demonstrated in past projects their ability to deliver commercially sensible legal advice at very competitive fee quotes.” – Intellectual property
“Responsive, understands our business and our needs.” – Privacy and data protection
“Fast, reliable and a trusted partner.” – Private equity
“Completed the task promptly.” – Regulatory
Chua Lijun
“Receptive, fast responses and good knowledge of the relevant law and good understanding of the issues.”
Goh Seow Hui
“We value her professionalism, compassion for clients and humility.”
“Seow Hui did an outstanding job of understanding the client's needs. She advised me what was best for the client. She handled the case so swiftly to settle it amicably and moved on. I am impressed by her professionalism to take ownership after [another] lawyer left the firm. She took the responsibility of closing it. I am pleased with her customer service and compassion.”
Jeremy Tan
“Responsive, great attention to detail, he is client and results oriented.”
Jolie Giouw
“Highly responsive, she identifies the key issues quickly and comes out with solutions. We have always been impressed.”
“Excellent service-oriented mindset, has strong commercial acumen and able to advise well on the law.”
“Responsive and experienced. Able to provide prompt and quality advice and solutions.”
Lawrence Wong
“Communicates well to solve all the requirements requested by the SGX in Singapore.”
Leo Fattorini
“Leo is responsive, accessible and user-friendly. With counterparts he comes across very well without compromising our position.”
“Leo is responsive, accessible and user-friendly.”
“He has industry-wide knowledge of the Asian region, and is commercially savvy when it comes to negotiating with external parties.”
“Fast turnaround time and knowledgeable.”
Marcus Chow
“Marcus is knowledgeable in early-stage transactions and he is always available to the team to provide an opinion.”
“He is very smart and has extensive knowledge in venture capital investment as well as M&A.”
“Listens to what the client wants, and provides accurate suggestions and solutions.”
“Responsive, responsible and is able to communicate effectively with people of all levels.”
“Very commercial and good understanding of the client's needs.”
“Responsive, has ability to propose innovative solutions, and has good client relationship management.”
“Provides in-depth knowledge and advice to the board, resolving issues with advance steps taken.”
“Marcus was very responsive and can be depended on to deliver sound pragmatic advice, even outside of regular office hours. He is also quick to understand the commercial issues at hand, and propose solutions to address these issues.”
Sandrea Seah
“Very helpful and exhibits very good in-depth industrial knowledge. Gives very sound advice.”
“Professional, good listener, understands issues quickly and timely in responses.”
Work highlights
Acting for HungryPanda SG in a trademark infringement action brought by Foodpanda.
Represented Novartis Singapore in a patent infringement action brought by Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Johnson & Johnson.
Assisting Monster Energy Company in all of its trademark disputes including various trademark oppositions in the Singapore Trade Marks Registry.
Key clients
Banyan Tree Holdings, Coalition Against Piracy, Fanco Fan Marketing, Fox Networks Group, Kao Corporation, Novartis, Smart Shooter
Gateway Law Corporation’s IP practice delivers services across the region including in Australia, China, Hong Kong and India. In addition to its patent and trademark registration services, the team advises clients on the protection, enforcement and commercialisation of its intellectual property rights. Max Ng is a key figure. The firm recently welcomed director Kevin Lim and advocate Simon Dunbar from King & Spalding.
Work highlights
Managing the IP portfolio of the National University of Singapore.
Advising Formula One Management on its trademark opposition matters in Singapore.
JurisAsia is a boutique firm that specialises in corporate and M&A and general commercial transactions. Its intellectual property practice has been fairly active in the past year. It has an exclusive association with international law firm Gowling. The firm’s offering includes M&As, foreign direct investment, joint ventures, venture capital and private equity investments, fund management and capital markets advice, with a particular focus on Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China and Vietnam. Tan Choon Leng is the key contact.
Client feedback
“Fast responses and accommodating.” – Corporate and M&A
“They are always available to help, are creative, concise and supportive. Lawyers have a very positive attitude.” – Corporate and M&A
Choon Leng Tan
“He’s the best lawyer I ever met: practical, quick, innovative and concise.”
Vincent Tan
“Vincent offers quick responses and can give commercial feedback on the deal.”
Work highlights
Drafting, filing and prosecuting patents for National University of Singapore and Duke-NUS Medical School.
Filing and prosecution of patents, trademarks and designs for Dyson Technology.
Key clients
Anthr, Government Technology Agency, Nippon Paint Holdings
The Mirandah Group of companies includes Mirandah Asia and Mirandah Law. Mirandah Law has a significant IP footprint in Asia with a proven track record of representing major multinationals in complex IP disputes and contentious issues. Mirandah Asia is a boutique practice providing a full suite of non-contentious services in all IP areas for numerous countries around the region. It has a very busy prosecution practice that includes some of the highest volume of filings in Singapore. The firm Mirandah Law has five lawyers handling contentious and non-contentious IP work, supported by around 40 technical patent specialists and trademark executives in its affiliated companies across Asia. It is particularly strong in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector. Managing partner Denise Mirandah and partner Suhaimi Lazim are key figures at Mirandah Law, while Gladys Mirandah is the managing partner of Mirandah Asia.
Work highlights
Acted for L`Air Liquide SA on obtaining a foreign filing licence where the Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions Singapore should be included as the entity seeking authority alongside the inventor.
Advised a life sciences company on the removal of an inadvertently included applicant.
Assisted a global pharmaceutical company on patent term extension for different jurisdictions.
Represented an education group in a trademark opposition against Allschools for the registration of the trademark “Allschool”. In dispute was the scope of what makes a mark well-known in Singapore, and the requisite evidential threshold to determine if a mark is well-known.
Mirandah Law is part of the Mirandah Group of companies that includes Mirandah Asia. Mirandah Law has a significant IP footprint in Asia with a proven track record of representing major multinationals in complex IP disputes and registrations. Mirandah Asia is a boutique practice providing non-contentious services in all IP areas for numerous countries around the region, with notable prosecution work. The firm Mirandah Law has five lawyers handling contentious and non-contentious IP work, supported by around 40 technical patent specialists and trademark executives in its affiliated companies across Asia. It is particularly strong in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector. Managing partner Denise Mirandah and partner Suhaimi Bin Lazim are key figures at Mirandah Law, while Gladys Mirandah is the managing partner of Mirandah Asia.
Work highlights
Representing Parkway Holdings in trademark prosecution matters and its associated companies in order to register its global trademark portfolio in over 20 countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, India, Sudan, China and Kenya.
Established in 2016, OC Queen Street is a member of Osborne Clarke’s international legal practice. The firm is exceptionally active across the TMT, digital businesses, fintech sectors. The firm serves clients in the Asia-Pacific, European and US markets. The firm also advises on various IP matters, with particular strength in copyright protection. Chia Ling Koh is the main contact at the firm.
Client feedback
“Very responsive and understands the market and industry very well.” – Dispute resolution
“Personal approach; work ethic; excellent communication; timely and precise.” – Dispute resolution
Yvette Anthony
“Strengths include good communication, understanding, drilling down, explanations, problem-solving, work ethic, exceeding expectations.”
Work highlights
Represented SingTel in proceedings commenced by the intellectual property rights holder seeking the court’s order to have SingTel prohibit its users from accessing certain sites that infringe upon the holder’s intellectual property rights.
Ravindran Associates is a boutique intellectual property firm renowned for handling contentious IP matters. Additionally, it has an active enforcement practice dealing with online and offline infringements. Managing partner Ravindran Muthucumarasamy is the key contact, he leads a team that includes four partners and two associates. Partner Alvin Lim departed for Withers KhattarWong last year.
Client feedback
“They have vast experience in IP and they are able to balance client's business needs and IP rights protection.” – Intellectual property
“They understand and are able to focus on the core issues of the matter. The lawyers talk in a client-oriented language and are efficient.” – Intellectual property
Ravindran Muthucumarasamy
“He is very honest and upfront about discussing different IP legal matters from trends to obscure points of law. He is extremely intelligent and happy to share his knowledge.”
Work highlights
Acted for the representative body for wine grape growers and winemakers in Australia, Australian Grape & Wine Incorporated, in opposing an application by an Italian consortium to register “Prosecco” as a geographical indication denoting wines only originating from a specified region in Italy.
Represented Louis Vuitton Malletier in opposing an application by a Chinese vehicle company to register “Human Horizons” as a trademark.
Advised Bulgari in a High Court suit for trademark infringement and passing off against a medical services company.
Key clients
Calvin Klein, Christian Dior, Ferrero, GrabTaxi Holdings, L’Oreal, Minor Food Group, NBC Universal, Rolex
Adi Law is a specialist investment funds firm that works with fund managers and investors in relation to open-end and closed-end funds. Clients manage a variety of asset classes and employ different investment strategies. The firm is headed up by managing director Amit Dhume, who has nearly two decades of experience in corporate and financial services law. He is highly adept at advising fund managers in procuring licences in Singapore for Singapore management companies. He has also advised on fund formation in Singapore and in offshore jurisdictions by providing regulatory advice and drafting fund documentation. The firm boasts an impressive client base of hedge funds, PE funds, real estate and infrastructure funds, VC funds and family office funds.
Client feedback
“Extremely helpful, very knowledgeable, objective advice in the interest of all stake holders, prompt service and excellent quality of work.” – Investment funds
“Commercially-savvy lawyers who solve business and legal problems quickly and efficiently. Quick to return calls and always willing to make time to resolve issues.” – Private client
Amit Dhume
“Amit is a master problem-solver. He is very accessible, a good listener, and he resolves issues on time and at reasonable cost.”
“Extremely knowledgeable, helpful and prompt.”
Work highlights
Advised FundBridge Capital in restructuring of a fund that is a sub-fund of an umbrella variable company investing in US real estate assets.
Represented Impact Capital Asset Management on its successful launch and various closings of a sub-fund of an umbrella variable capital company structured PE fund.
Key clients
Alpha Quest, AXSA Wealth Management, Farro Capital, Pilgrim Partners Asia, Prosperitas Capital
Established in late 2020, BTPLaw is a boutique corporate law firm with a notable specialism in investment funds and private equity. It has been established as a market leader for deals using the Singapore variable capital company (VCC) structure. At the time of research, BTPLaw had closed 20% of the global market share of VCC fund formation structures.
In addition to its core areas, the firm covers mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, FSR regulatory and general corporate work, and is active in the blockchain and cryptocurrency spaces. The firm has its own BVI practice, headed up by an offshore law veteran, and is uniquely able to handle BVI fund matters in-house.
Managing director Brandon Tee is the key contact. In 2024 the firm welcomed director Lynn Soh from Eng & Co to bolster its M&A and employment practice, and head of capital markets Leeza Lee from Linklaters Hong Kong to shore up its capital markets offering.
Client feedback
“They are fast and efficient. They demonstrated deep understanding of the industry and the requirements.” – Capital markets
“BTPLaw was very attentive with very fast turnaround on some innovative solutions to our unique requirements.” – Corporate and M&A
“Very responsive, experienced in this particular area of law, and it is able to turnaround and move fast to facilitate our end-client requirements.” – Investment funds
“BTPLaw is extremely knowledgeable about the VCC structure and provides timely advice that is commercially viable.” – Investment funds
“Very hard-working, knowledgeable and professional. Brandon Tee takes the lead on all client discussions. His team, including the other partners and associates, are very prompt and professional.” – Investment funds
Brandon Tee
“He is knowledgeable and provides good advice.”
“Brandon is very responsive and has a very fast turnaround to documents drafting. He is very attentive to details and provides very good insights on some of our proposed requirements.”
“Very efficient, responsive, client-friendly, and most importantly, business-friendly.”
“Brandon is very knowledgeable in the VCC area and responds very quickly with practical advice.”
“Very few lawyers have his level of proficiency and professionalism. He has always come to my aid on legal and structuring matters over the last four to five years.”
Work highlights
Advised Verge Capital Management in the formation of an umbrella VCC with one closed-end sub-fund.
Assisted Grasshopper Asset Management on the formation of an umbrella VCC with one open-ended sub-fund.
Key clients
Allwin Fund Management, Apex, Aurous Capital, Citco, Fenix Fund Management, Haulio, InCred Global Wealth, IQ-EQ, LGZ Capital, Phillip Street Partners, Sunline, SwissAsia Financial Services, Wealth Management Alliance
CHP Law is a full-service firm with ties to CNPLaw, its senior consultant being Colin Ng. The team is active in corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, IP, real estate, labour and private client matters.
The firm is helmed by managing partner Christopher Huang and includes seven senior lawyers including funds specialist Randall Perera, IP and intangible assets expert Dixon Soh and FSR specialist Ian Phung. The firm welcomed two new directors to boost their disputes and private client practices: Danny Quah from TSMP and Kannan Nadarajan from Eden Law Corporation, respectively.
Client feedback
“Subject experts in Singapore funds law.” – Capital markets
“They always have a good strategy to tackle problems.” – Construction
“Commercial, fast and professional.” – Corporate and M&A
“Good suggestions on deal structure.” – Corporate and M&A
“Responsive. Excellent client service.” – Dispute resolution
“The firm in general, and its lawyers like Danny Quah, are very responsive and provide good commercial advice.” – Dispute resolution
“Knowledgeable and quick to respond. We can always rely upon them to provide invaluable advice and insights to any issues or potential issues when we raise concerns to them.” – Investment funds
“CHP is conversant with the business we are in and able to provide valuable advice and inputs pertaining to our funds launch.” – Investment funds
“CHP Law has consistently demonstrated excellence in various areas, establishing itself as a reliable and highly competent legal partner. Here are some of the positive attributes and strengths that we have observed through our collaboration:
Expertise in licensing as a fund manager – CHP Law has provided invaluable assistance in navigating the complex licensing requirements for managing funds that include both capital market products and non-capital markets assets. Their deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and their meticulous attention to detail have ensured that we remain compliant with all necessary legal standards.
Comprehensive legal opinions – the legal opinions provided by CHP Law are thorough, well-researched, and clearly articulated. They have consistently offered insightful and practical advice that has helped guide our strategic decisions and operations.
Keeping abreast of legal trends in digital assets – CHP Law is highly adept at staying current with the latest legal trends and developments in the digital assets space. Their proactive approach to monitoring and interpreting new regulations and legal precedents has been instrumental in helping us adapt and thrive in this rapidly evolving field.
Overall, CHP Law’s expertise, diligence, and forward-thinking approach have significantly contributed to our success. Their ability to handle complex legal issues with precision and clarity makes them an outstanding partner in the legal domain.” – Investment funds
“Extremely professional and efficient, especially in the responses.” – Labour and employment
“Professional, timely, practical and a commercial approach to solutions.” – Private client
Christopher Huang
“Commercial, professional and fast.”
Raj Mannar
“Works hard, is supportive and helpful.”
“Commercial and practical approach to service delivery, in a timely manner.”
Ian Phung
“Subject expert and approachable.”
“Ian is very responsive and able to provide timely advice whenever we need his legal advice.”
“Ian isa reliable professional who knows how to engage his team when they work on our case. So happy to work with him for many years now.”
Danny Quah
“Danny Quah is very responsive and provides good commercial advice.”
“Highly recommend his personality, legal knowledge and experience. Excellent communication skills.”
“Appreciate his blend of accuracy and empathy.”
“Working with Danny from CHP Law on my recent litigation case was a game-changer. His approach was refreshingly human, offering genuine insights and explanations that set him apart from other firms with a more corporate feel. Danny's straightforwardness and astute predictions about the corporate entity's actions were invaluable. His blend of accuracy and empathy not only calmed my nerves but also empowered me to make informed decisions throughout the case. Thanks to Danny's expertise and support, I achieved a more positive outcome than I ever imagined. I'm incredibly grateful for his guidance and relieved that I chose him over other law firms.”
Selena Teng
“Fast worker and reliable. Very organised and meticulous in her work.”
Arthur Yap
“Straightforward lawyer and no hidden agenda.”
“Responsive and excellent client manner. Bright.”
“Thinks out of the box.”
Work highlights
Acted for a VC fund manager on the launch of a new closed-ended sub-fund under its existing VCC umbrella structure.
Assisted a variable capital company on the change of its investment manager.
RHTLaw Asia is a full-service firm that has a well-respected technology practice. Boasting partners that are qualified in multiple jurisdictions such as China, US, Hong Kong, Australia and Malaysia, the firm routinely handles complex cross-border transactions. The firm is organised around eight industry groups: consumer brands, healthcare and life sciences, private wealth, technology and media, construction and projects, financial institutions and technology, transportation and logistics, and education. The technology group specialises in tech infrastructure, blockchain, data processing and telecommunications. The key contacts include corporate partners Erwan Barre and Eu Jin Yang, IP specialist Rizwi Wun and disputes leader Nandakumar Renganathan. The corporate and capital markets groups last winter welcomed partners Parikhit Sarma and Esther Wee from Virtus Law and Harry Elias Partnership, respectively.
Client feedback
“They have amazing customer service, are passionate about their job and their knowledge is unparalleled. Total empathy for clients.” – Dispute resolution
“Organised, efficient, understands the interaction of business and law, cost-conscious and smart.” – Intellectual property
“Responsive and excellent professional advice provided by the lawyers.” – Intellectual property
Sharon Chong
“Had empathy and total understanding of the subject-matter. Amazing advice and foresight.”
“Sharon was always genuine and sincere in offering help. At every interaction she was always positive yet realistic. I am not exaggerating when I say Sharon was a god-sent angel into my life. In my darkest days, she was doing all the work at the back, so I can stand on my feet again. She was empathetic, passionate and appropriately aggressive when she needs to protect and exert her client's rights. Sharon never fails to provide me with different options and solutions when I seek her professional opinion. It's truly comforting to know someone like her exists in her line of work.”
“Sharon was always prompt to deliver, but more than that, always provided different options and perspectives for me. This is invaluable from a business standpoint because sometimes there are really better ways to do things, ways that are more amicable, professional and pocket-friendly.”
Esther Wee
“Effective, responsive and resourceful.”
Rizwi Wun
“Smart, knowledgeable, creative, business-savvy and organised. He gets that almost every legal decision is at its core a business decision and understands how to navigate that potential conflict.”
Work highlights
Acted for Falcon Investment Advisors on the formation of a VCC investing into public equities of India and other emerging markets.
Represented InCorp Global on the formation of a private equity VCC with each sub-fund having its own investment metrics.
Key clients
Lima Capital Asia, NH Hedge Asset Management, RHT DigiCapital
Bird & Bird ATMD upholds its ‘Outstanding’ ranking with a strong intellectual property practice and expertise in the technology and telecommunications sector. Lorraine Tay and Alban Kang are key figures for IP. The firm is also active in capital markets, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, energy and labour and employment. This year it moves up in the energy table, and debuts in the construction and private equity categories. Marcus Chow, Sandra Seah and Beng Chai Tay are the main corporate partners at the firm. Jonathan Choo is a dispute resolution lawyer particularly active in international arbitration and Seow Hui Goh focuses on labour and employment.
Client feedback
“Extremely pragmatic and commercial, excellent attention to detail, but does not belabour legal points unnecessarily.” – Aviation
“Commercially sound while providing solid legal advice and willing to go the extra mile.” – Aviation
“Responsive, practical and commercial-oriented.” – Capital markets
“Proactive and responsible.” – Capital markets
“Responsive with the ability to anticipate and identify potential issues. Has the ability to propose solutions.” – Capital markets
“Fast and logical responses.” – Competition/antitrust
“Highly responsive and can devise value-adding solutions to commercial issues.” – Corporate and M&A
“The firm's legal documents are sophisticated and can capture most legal issues that we need to mitigate or prevent. When there is an issue, they are quick to provide solutions.” – Corporate and M&A
“Staff are timely, dedicated, professional, responsive and client-oriented.” – Corporate and M&A
“Prompt and completed the work within the schedule.” – Corporate and M&A
“Professional and efficient.” – Corporate and M&A
“Very professional, work effectively within time frame.” – Corporate and M&A
“It has comprehensive in-depth knowledge of the energy industry and thus is in position to provide good advice” – Energy
“The partner is helpful and turnaround time is quick. Great service.” – Intellectual property
“They are very responsive and the team has demonstrated in past projects their ability to deliver commercially sensible legal advice at very competitive fee quotes.” – Intellectual property
“Responsive, understands our business and our needs.” – Privacy and data protection
“Fast, reliable and a trusted partner.” – Private equity
“Completed the task promptly.” – Regulatory
Chua Lijun
“Receptive, fast responses and good knowledge of the relevant law and good understanding of the issues.”
Goh Seow Hui
“We value her professionalism, compassion for clients and humility.”
“Seow Hui did an outstanding job of understanding the client's needs. She advised me what was best for the client. She handled the case so swiftly to settle it amicably and moved on. I am impressed by her professionalism to take ownership after [another] lawyer left the firm. She took the responsibility of closing it. I am pleased with her customer service and compassion.”
Jeremy Tan
“Responsive, great attention to detail, he is client and results oriented.”
Jolie Giouw
“Highly responsive, she identifies the key issues quickly and comes out with solutions. We have always been impressed.”
“Excellent service-oriented mindset, has strong commercial acumen and able to advise well on the law.”
“Responsive and experienced. Able to provide prompt and quality advice and solutions.”
Lawrence Wong
“Communicates well to solve all the requirements requested by the SGX in Singapore.”
Leo Fattorini
“Leo is responsive, accessible and user-friendly. With counterparts he comes across very well without compromising our position.”
“Leo is responsive, accessible and user-friendly.”
“He has industry-wide knowledge of the Asian region, and is commercially savvy when it comes to negotiating with external parties.”
“Fast turnaround time and knowledgeable.”
Marcus Chow
“Marcus is knowledgeable in early-stage transactions and he is always available to the team to provide an opinion.”
“He is very smart and has extensive knowledge in venture capital investment as well as M&A.”
“Listens to what the client wants, and provides accurate suggestions and solutions.”
“Responsive, responsible and is able to communicate effectively with people of all levels.”
“Very commercial and good understanding of the client's needs.”
“Responsive, has ability to propose innovative solutions, and has good client relationship management.”
“Provides in-depth knowledge and advice to the board, resolving issues with advance steps taken.”
“Marcus was very responsive and can be depended on to deliver sound pragmatic advice, even outside of regular office hours. He is also quick to understand the commercial issues at hand, and propose solutions to address these issues.”
Sandrea Seah
“Very helpful and exhibits very good in-depth industrial knowledge. Gives very sound advice.”
“Professional, good listener, understands issues quickly and timely in responses.”
Work highlights
Representing a marketing solutions company, its Singapore subsidiary and its director in defending a High Court suit brought by an ex-contractor alleging multiple complex claims for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duties and conspiracy.
Advising a multinational payments company in an employee investigation following whistle-blower allegations.
Representing an international school located in Singapore in an unfair dismissal claim by former faculty staff.
Successfully represented a major liquefied natural gas company in Singapore and its former employee in defending wrongful dismissal and conspiracy claims brought by a former commodities trader.
Founded in 2016, Covenant Chambers is a dispute resolution-focused firm that leverages on digital automation to serve clients on technology-driven advisory and strategic solutions. The team works with individuals, as well as institutional clients and businesses across a range of industries on contentious corporate commercial, IP and employment matters, among others.
The firm is helmed by managing director Ee Yang Lee and deputy managing director Ronald JJ Wong. Lee is a contentious real estate expert, while Wong has a strength in technology disputes. They lead a team of no less than eight senior practitioners, including four directors and four associate directors. Two of these, Khelvin Xu and Jing En Tay, were recruited in the last year from Rajah & Tann and PD Legal, respectively.
Client feedback
“Reasonable professional fees and prompt advice.” – Intellectual property
Ronald Wong
“Good client relationship management and professional in correspondence and providing advice.”
Work highlights
Successfully defended directors and their company, Fifty One Corp Company, against claims in an exceptional case involving legal principles that have not yet been applied in Singapore law.
Acted for Systematic Airconditioning in a claim against its director, his wife, and their companies for breach of fiduciary duties, dishonest assistance and conspiracy to injure.
IRB Law has six dedicated labour and employment lawyers acting for both employers and employees. It covers a wide range of employment matters from unfair dismissal, non-payment of correct salary, discrimination and breach of contract. Mohamed Baiross and Muntaz Zainuddin are key figures at the firm.
Client feedback
“Ability to keep the legal fees within the budgeted amount. Ability to keep put up a strong defence and reduced the number of charges brought against me to a large extent. Quoted relevant case law to defend my position.” – Labour and employment
Work highlights
Advised a client on his rights and how to change the situation to redundancy or mutual separation from termination or forced resignation.
Tan Rajah & Cheah is a disputes-focused firm that is led by the widely recognised and acclaimed senior counsel, Chelva Rajah. He is an active court lawyer, arbitration counsel of choice, former judicial commissioner, arbitrator and judge of the Qatar International Court since 2011. The firm is best known for its commercial litigation prowess and contentious family law expertise, and is a seasoned player in high stakes, long-running and complex litigations. It is also active in insolvency, international arbitration and white-collar crime matters. This year the firm debuts in the labour and employment table. Rajah leads an experienced team that includes MK Eusuff Ali, Moiz Haider Sithawalla, Shobna Chandran, Megan Chia, and family law veteran Imran Khwaja.
Client feedback
“Fast, responsive and can discuss in detail what options are available.” – Dispute resolution
“Chelva Rajah SC is still a doyen of the Singapore litigation bar and someone we consider for difficult cases that need sensitive advocacy by an elder statesman who is universally respected and lauded at the Singapore bar.” – Dispute resolution
“Focused, organised, sharp and incisive.” – Dispute resolution
“Fantastic litigation firm, it does this very well. Friendly, 'old school' firm with low attrition rates and believes in providing solutions and not causing problems where they don't exist.” – Dispute resolution
“Experts in the areas that were consulted on, professional and timely advice was provided.” – Intellectual property
“They are a solution provider, not just spouting legalese at non-lawyers like us! They made effort to understand what we wanted, why we asked for certain conditions. Where they felt these conditions could be challenged, they recommended other ways to achieve the same results. They did not just take orders nor did they just insist we adopt everything they recommended; they were patient in dealing with every single question, big or small, and clarification we asked for. This made us feel assured they were sincere in helping our business.” – Labour and employment
“Detailed and takes care of my interest and position while being pragmatic on the approach.” – Private client
“Tan Rajah & Cheah is very professional, detailed and highly efficient, especially during trial when everything happens fast. They are also very quick to respond to my questions. The team also worked well with the other co-accused's counsel.” – Private client
Eusuff Ali
“Listens well and protects my interests.”
Zahara Bakar
“Timely and professional. She ensures that she understands customer needs and provides solutions apt to the requirement.”
“Responsive, committed, sincere and listens well. She gives me solutions.”
Megan Chia
“Attentive, clear-minded and detailed.”
“Megan is very dedicated. She always strived to provide me with accurate and thorough information and ran through with me all scenarios that she could think of so that I could make my decision. She is very patient in addressing my questions and concerns and explaining to me why some of my plans won't work. I felt respected and well taken care of and protected while working with her. Definitely very fast in responding to my questions even if it's out of office hours.”
Chelva Rajah
“Very effective litigator. Astute and sharp.”
“Top go-to litigator.”
Moiz Sithawalla
“He is extremely personable and has a calm manner. Excellent bedside manner. Seemingly strong grasp of the law and very good to lean on.”
Work highlights
Advising the Embassy of the Argentine Republic in Singapore regularly on Singapore employment law, such as on their hiring and termination processes, and drafting and reviewing of the related employment documents compliant with Singapore law.
TSMP Law Corporation is especially well known for its work in finance, corporate and M&A and dispute resolution. The banking and finance group acts for financial institutions and corporate in high-value financing deals, spanning cross-border secured and syndicated lending, acquisition financing, debt restructuring, purchase of loans and refinancing. The same team also specialises in corporate real estate financing, particularly in land acquisition financing and land development financing. The capital markets team is sought after for equity and debt listings, reverse takeovers, foreign IPOs and secondary fundraisings, while the corporate M&A department runs a market-leading practice in public company takeovers.
The dispute resolution practice proudly states that it takes on difficult cases, ones that test, shape or advance the law. The disputes team covers the full gamut of litigation and arbitration, notably complex commercial and corporate litigation with a focus on boardroom, shareholder and investment disputes. There is additionally a growing practice specialising in the crypto-space, working with clients across the ecosystem from investors to exchanges.
The firm not only acts for various major corporations and financial institutions but also is frequently sought out by different regulatory bodies. Senior counsels Shen Yi Thio and Jeffrey Chan Wah Teck, corporate lawyer Stefanie Yuen Thio, construction specialists Melvin Chan and Derek Loh and labour expert Ian Lim are key figures at the firm. Jennifer Chia and June Ho are other names to note for banking and finance and M&A.
Work highlights
Advised an individual client pro bono in an appeal against parts of an order of the Employment Claims Tribunal (ECT). This was a landmark case that made law. This is only the second ECT appeal case in Singapore’s history. The matter involved statutory interpretation that had not been determined by the Singapore courts. The clarification and determination on the issue affects all future employees and employers when it comes to claims for overtime work performed. It also prevents employers from abusing the overtime work system presently in place, better protect vulnerable foreign workers and better regulate the overtime pay regime in Singapore.
Represented CCIC Singapore in claims against former employees who conspired to damage the company’s interests. This case stands to set a new precedent as it not only identifies breaches of employment agreement but calls out the defendants as conspirators.
Key clients
Accor, Bombardier, CD Travel, Citibank, DHL, EssilorLuxottica, IBM, KraftHeinz, Marsh & McLennan, Sabre, Samsonite, Seagate, Symrise
Bird & Bird ATMD upholds its ‘Outstanding’ ranking with a strong intellectual property practice and expertise in the technology and telecommunications sector. Lorraine Tay and Alban Kang are key figures for IP. The firm is also active in capital markets, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, energy and labour and employment. This year it moves up in the energy table, and debuts in the construction and private equity categories. Marcus Chow, Sandra Seah and Beng Chai Tay are the main corporate partners at the firm. Jonathan Choo is a dispute resolution lawyer particularly active in international arbitration and Seow Hui Goh focuses on labour and employment.
Client feedback
“Extremely pragmatic and commercial, excellent attention to detail, but does not belabour legal points unnecessarily.” – Aviation
“Commercially sound while providing solid legal advice and willing to go the extra mile.” – Aviation
“Responsive, practical and commercial-oriented.” – Capital markets
“Proactive and responsible.” – Capital markets
“Responsive with the ability to anticipate and identify potential issues. Has the ability to propose solutions.” – Capital markets
“Fast and logical responses.” – Competition/antitrust
“Highly responsive and can devise value-adding solutions to commercial issues.” – Corporate and M&A
“The firm's legal documents are sophisticated and can capture most legal issues that we need to mitigate or prevent. When there is an issue, they are quick to provide solutions.” – Corporate and M&A
“Staff are timely, dedicated, professional, responsive and client-oriented.” – Corporate and M&A
“Prompt and completed the work within the schedule.” – Corporate and M&A
“Professional and efficient.” – Corporate and M&A
“Very professional, work effectively within time frame.” – Corporate and M&A
“It has comprehensive in-depth knowledge of the energy industry and thus is in position to provide good advice” – Energy
“The partner is helpful and turnaround time is quick. Great service.” – Intellectual property
“They are very responsive and the team has demonstrated in past projects their ability to deliver commercially sensible legal advice at very competitive fee quotes.” – Intellectual property
“Responsive, understands our business and our needs.” – Privacy and data protection
“Fast, reliable and a trusted partner.” – Private equity
“Completed the task promptly.” – Regulatory
Chua Lijun
“Receptive, fast responses and good knowledge of the relevant law and good understanding of the issues.”
Goh Seow Hui
“We value her professionalism, compassion for clients and humility.”
“Seow Hui did an outstanding job of understanding the client's needs. She advised me what was best for the client. She handled the case so swiftly to settle it amicably and moved on. I am impressed by her professionalism to take ownership after [another] lawyer left the firm. She took the responsibility of closing it. I am pleased with her customer service and compassion.”
Jeremy Tan
“Responsive, great attention to detail, he is client and results oriented.”
Jolie Giouw
“Highly responsive, she identifies the key issues quickly and comes out with solutions. We have always been impressed.”
“Excellent service-oriented mindset, has strong commercial acumen and able to advise well on the law.”
“Responsive and experienced. Able to provide prompt and quality advice and solutions.”
Lawrence Wong
“Communicates well to solve all the requirements requested by the SGX in Singapore.”
Leo Fattorini
“Leo is responsive, accessible and user-friendly. With counterparts he comes across very well without compromising our position.”
“Leo is responsive, accessible and user-friendly.”
“He has industry-wide knowledge of the Asian region, and is commercially savvy when it comes to negotiating with external parties.”
“Fast turnaround time and knowledgeable.”
Marcus Chow
“Marcus is knowledgeable in early-stage transactions and he is always available to the team to provide an opinion.”
“He is very smart and has extensive knowledge in venture capital investment as well as M&A.”
“Listens to what the client wants, and provides accurate suggestions and solutions.”
“Responsive, responsible and is able to communicate effectively with people of all levels.”
“Very commercial and good understanding of the client's needs.”
“Responsive, has ability to propose innovative solutions, and has good client relationship management.”
“Provides in-depth knowledge and advice to the board, resolving issues with advance steps taken.”
“Marcus was very responsive and can be depended on to deliver sound pragmatic advice, even outside of regular office hours. He is also quick to understand the commercial issues at hand, and propose solutions to address these issues.”
Sandrea Seah
“Very helpful and exhibits very good in-depth industrial knowledge. Gives very sound advice.”
“Professional, good listener, understands issues quickly and timely in responses.”
Work highlights
Acted for Woowa Brothers’ SAFE investment into a Malaysian e-commerce company.
Advised AIZEN Asia Pacific on its Series B investment round.
Key clients
Altair ASEAN Fund, PI Opportunities Fund, United Overseas Bank, Vulcan Capital Singapore Management
Collyer Law is a boutique Singapore law firm founded by veteran corporate lawyers with a particular focus on representing emerging growth companies and the innovation economy. It has developed sector-focused groups such as fintech, life sciences and health tech, e-commerce, digital media and sharing economy. The firm is led by managing director Azmul Haque and director Vincent Bu.
Work highlights
Advised New Quest Advisors in relation to the $75 million Series C fundraising of KrazyBee.
Acted for Avendus on its Series C investment in Zeta Investments Holdings.
Represented ShopUp on its $75 million Series B financing round.
Advised Flipkart on an investment in Goat Brand Labs.
TLB focuses on commercial and corporate transactions, capital markets and corporate reorganisations involving both private and public companies, non-profit organisations and entrepreneurs. Due to the founder’s long track record as an in-house counsel at a telecoms firm, TLB has deep expertise in the telecommunications industry. Clients seek the team out for advice on the financial and emerging technologies space, as the lawyers are well-versed in blockchain technologies, crypto-tokens, as well as related services and the attendant legal and regulatory implications. Its clients range from founders of layer-1 or 2 public blockchains, non-profit token foundations, dApps, DAOs, web 3 companies, private investment funds and crypto-exchanges to centralised and decentralised financial intermediaries. The firm has completed over 400 varied transactions, more than half being cross-border. Philippe Taverne and Mathilde Broustau are key contacts. They are qualified to practice Singapore, French and UK law.
Client feedback
“Trustworthy, understanding of business environment, available and speedy.” – Corporate and M&A
Work highlights
Advised Citystar Private Equity on its disposal of certain assets in Cambodia.
Acted for 3AC QCP Deribit SPV in a joint venture SPV with Three Arrows Capital to extract maximum participation held by the SPV.
Represented Calmsea on its fundraising for option traders’ toolkit.
Dentons Rodyk & Davidson is one of Singapore’s largest full-service firms, stacked with notable partners who are experts in their fields. The firm has stellar banking, construction, disputes, competition and technology and telecommunications practices. This year its shipping , capital markets and restructuring and insolvency practices move up one tier in the rankings. The firm’s combination with Dentons, the largest law firm in the world, provides clients with an extensive network of global experts from over 200 offices around the world in more than 80 countries.
Partners to note include banking specialist Doreen Sim, M&A partner Eng Leng Ng, IP specialists Ai Ming Lee and I-An Lim, insurance director Edric Pan, projects expert Joo Thye Tan, disputes specialist Lawrence The, and senior counsel Edmund Leow.
Work highlights
Advised Union Investment Real Estate in the sale of VisonCrest Commercial, a grade-A office building. This was the largest office deal in 2023.
Key clients
City Developments, Evermega Investment Holdings, Mezzo Development, Sim Lian Group, Smartisan Development, UOL Property Investments, Wingcrown Investment
TSMP Law Corporation is especially well known for its work in finance, corporate and M&A and dispute resolution. The banking and finance group acts for financial institutions and corporate in high-value financing deals, spanning cross-border secured and syndicated lending, acquisition financing, debt restructuring, purchase of loans and refinancing. The same team also specialises in corporate real estate financing, particularly in land acquisition financing and land development financing. The capital markets team is sought after for equity and debt listings, reverse takeovers, foreign IPOs and secondary fundraisings, while the corporate M&A department runs a market-leading practice in public company takeovers.
The dispute resolution practice proudly states that it takes on difficult cases, ones that test, shape or advance the law. The disputes team covers the full gamut of litigation and arbitration, notably complex commercial and corporate litigation with a focus on boardroom, shareholder and investment disputes. There is additionally a growing practice specialising in the crypto-space, working with clients across the ecosystem from investors to exchanges.
The firm not only acts for various major corporations and financial institutions but also is frequently sought out by different regulatory bodies. Senior counsels Shen Yi Thio and Jeffrey Chan Wah Teck, corporate lawyer Stefanie Yuen Thio, construction specialists Melvin Chan and Derek Loh and labour expert Ian Lim are key figures at the firm. Jennifer Chia and June Ho are other names to note for banking and finance and M&A.
Work highlights
Advised BDx Singapore as the purchaser of a high-tech industrial building that houses a datacentre.
Represented Ten SC as the purchaser in the purchase and financing of Serene Centre
Key clients
DBS, OCBC, Oxley, UOB
A formidable market leader in the full gamut of corporate and finance matters, WongPartnership comprises over 300 lawyers in eight global cities. It offers extensive experience in handling high-stakes structured finance, M&A, funds, private equity, project finance and syndicated loans. The firm also has plentiful expertise on big-ticket domestic and cross-border disputes involving corporate, construction, insolvency and regulatory matters. Key lawyers include Susan Wong for banking and finance, Ameera Ashraf for competition, Andrew Ang and Wai King Ng for corporate and M&A and private equity, Alvin Yeo for dispute resolution, and Manoj Pillay Sandrasegara for restructuring and insolvency. In addition, Chung Nian Lam, Kah Keong Low, Jenny Tsin and Dorothy Marie Ng are regarded for their work in IP, investment funds, employment and real estate, respectively. Construction guru Christopher Chuah departed to set up his own boutique firm in October 2023.
Client feedback
“Excellent lawyers, the whole team is very knowledgeable and they give great practical advice.” – Intellectual property
“Their attorneys are always super-responsive and communicate with their clients clearly and efficiently. They are knowledgeable and understand all relevant information regarding a subject so that they can make an informed decision.” – Intellectual property
“Very efficient and comprehensive.” – Intellectual property
“Clear legal advice, responsive, reliable, practical and business-oriented.” – Oil and gas
“Excellent teamwork and attention to detail.” – Real estate
“WongPartnership’s teams are all very professional and extend valuable advice to all our legal contracts' queries." – Real estate
“Wong Partnership excels in prioritising client satisfaction by building long-term relationships based on trust and mutual respect. They thoroughly understand clients' objectives and offer personalised legal advice to achieve their goals. With an innovative approach to problem-solving and a commitment to quality, they deliver creative solutions and ensure the best representation and outcomes for their clients.” – Real estate
“A strong bench with highly competent lawyers.” – Real estate
“WongPartnership has a high level of expertise in technology law and regulatory compliance. They are highly professional and provide timely and accurate legal advice. Despite being a Singaporean firm, through their network they can handle cross-border legal issues, making them extremely valuable for clients, both for multinational and domestic projects.” – Technology and telecommunications
Cornelia Fong
“Responsive, obliging, business-oriented and very knowledgeable in the area of real estate.”
Chung Nian Lam
“Chung Nian is an extremely knowledgeable lawyer and excels in his area of practice. He has great communication skills, which helps in making the global clients understand even a complex matter easily. He is very responsive and extremely patient, and a great listener. He is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after IP lawyers in Singapore.”
“Superb practitioner, very knowledgeable.”
“Very brilliant.”
“Chung Nian is one of the most professional attorneys I've had the privilege to work with. He is intelligent, responsive, courteous, and delivers good advice.”
Dorothy Marie Ng
“Very pleasant and patient, attentive to detail and very responsive.”
“Reliable, trustworthy and can be counted on to provide sound advice and deliver outstanding work.”
“Proactive, she gets to the heart of the matter quickly and is solution-oriented.”
“She was very proactive, efficient and time-sensitive.”
Kylie Peh
“She is an expert in her field!”
Serene Soh
“Serene has been a great legal counsel to our office leases, and extends sound and valuable advice when we have challenging cases to resolve.”
Teck Howe Tan
“Teck Howe stands out for his strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. He has strong analytical skills, finds creative solutions to complex legal issues, pays meticulous attention to details in legal documentation and case preparation, and ensures accuracy to minimise errors.”
Work highlights
Acted for CapitaLand Ascendas REIT Management on its acquisition of a cold-storage logistics facility in Singapore through the purchase of A3 SG Eta from A3 Lux Alpha for nearly $200 million.
Assisted EZA Hill Property Management and JD Property Hong Kong Corporation Limited on their joint venture and acquisition of five logistics properties from ESR-LOGOS REIT.
Key clients
Frasers Centrepoint Asset Management, Hong Fok Land, Hong Leong Properties, IOI Properties Group, UOL Group, IOI Properties Group, UOL Group
Founded in 2017 by senior counsel Lok Vi Ming, LVM Law Chambers is a respected, mid-sized disputes boutique offering a comprehensive range of dispute resolution services spanning commercial litigation, construction, insurance, media and telecommunications, tax, mediation, real estate, regulatory and white-collar matters. The firm has been consistently instructed in high-profile cross-border cases involving China, Brazil, Europe, Japan, Malaysia, the UK and the US. It has a dedicated China desk and has been quite active for these clients in the construction, technology, infrastructure and PE sectors. The firm added shipping capabilities to its growing array of specialisms, with the hiring of former Incisive Law director, Mohd Haireez. Managing director Lok Vi Ming leads an experienced team that includes construction specialists Joseph Lee and Waltan Pak. The team also welcomed the arrival of director Jean Chan from the Singapore High Court to bolster its white-collar crime and regulatory offering. Construction expert Joanna Seetoh departed last year for Harry Elias Partnership.
Client feedback
“LVM is very proactive in providing practical solutions to the client. LVM does not only advise on the legal aspect, but they really help the client to choose the 'best' route to achieve the best outcome possible, given the commercial circumstances.” – Dispute resolution
“They have lawyers who are intelligent, attentive and know their specialised areas well.” – Dispute resolution
“The firm is able to distil complex issues to distinct bitesize chunks and tackle each of these pointedly. They have the grit and soft skills to disarm the defendants with finesse. They deliver par excellence.” – Dispute resolution
“The lawyers are professional and knowledgeable on the case; they were able to find the supporting evidence in the court documents to defend my case.” – Private client
“Responsive and experienced team, able to pull in senior counsel when required.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Honest, quick and frank.” – Shipping
“Quick response and practical advice.” – Shipping
Mohd Haireez
“Able to provide quick and concise advice.”
“Solid legal and sector knowledge, attentive and meticulous.”
“Hard-working, efficient, brilliant and affable.”
Jonathan Muk
“Jonathan has very good legal knowledge as well as industry knowledge, to provide the client with practical advice. He is also very responsive to clients’ queries.”
“Jonathan not only listens, he does his homework and always researches thoroughly. He is always accessible and he responds to queries promptly. He keeps tabs on costs and timeline diligently.”
Huey Hien Ooi
“Responsive, detailed and diligent.”
Michelle Yeo
“She is hardworking and well-versed in knowledge on my case.”
Work highlights
Acted for an individual client in relation to charges of corruption and falsification of documents made against him.
Representing the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore to conduct private prosecutions against construction companies which caused damage to internet cables during construction.
Assisted personnel of a public listed education entity in an investigation by the authorities and potential prosecution in relation to a suspected breach imposed by the Securities and Futures Act.
Yuen Law is a boutique legal practice offering services ranging from dispute resolution to corporate and commercial, real estate, family law and private wealth. The firm is especially active in fundraising and venture capital investment for SMEs and startups. One of the firm’s key strengths lies in M&A concerning Monetary Authority of Singapore regulated entities, due to its strengths in fintech and financial regulatory law. Its corporate department is led by the managing partner Samuel Yuen and is supported by senior director Kevin Chua and director Angeline Wong, while its disputes group is helmed by Amos Cai.
Client feedback
“Yuen Law provides business-oriented services.” – Corporate and M&A
“Yuen Law has consistently been the firm that I go back to for practical, sound and contextualised advice that balances my objectives, financial capacity and business acumen.” – Corporate and M&A
“Knowledgeable and professional.” – Dispute resolution
“Honest, hard-working, very knowledgeable and good value. They execute with high quality.” – Investment funds
Amos Cai
“Patient and professional.”
Kevin Chua
“Kevin is patient and seeks to understand the situation, managing us with sound advice, especially with his background from his regulatory experience. Kevin has been good at dealing with complicated and complex matters.”
Work highlights
Acted for a regulated financial institution specialising in providing businesses with comprehensive card solutions in its expansion into MAS-regulated activities and third-party support services.
Advised a Singapore-based registered fund manager through complex redemption and wind-down processes, optimising fund recovery via innovative repayment strategies to investors.
Aquinas Law Alliance’s corporate finance practice covers a wide range of capital markets work. It is active in primary listings, de-listings, privatisations and secondary offerings. The firm also regularly advises on ongoing listing compliance and transfer listings. The technology practice is a stand-out with an experienced, specialist partner and repeat tech sector clients seeking advice on VC fundraisings, digital token and cryptocurrency offerings, payment services regulations, NFT platform terms, financial securities regulations, software development and co-development agreements, software-as-a-service agreements and personal data protection matters. Many of the firm’s clients are repeat clients who use it for their various fundraisings and other technology-related matters.
Joint managing partners Kok Meng Lim and Aloysius Wee are key contacts at the firm for transactional work. The disputes quarter is headed by Cephas Yee and Mark Cham Shan Jie, bolstered by the expertise of arbitration specialist Steve Ngo. Highly praised Joshua Tan is another name to note for his technology expertise, while Sean Lee is a restructuring and insolvency-focused partner.
Client feedback
“Great team, versatile, commercially-oriented and thorough.” – Banking and finance
“Thorough, clear and savvy.” – Banking and finance
“Up-to-date advice on corporate and capital markets-related work. The advice was clear and concise. They are attentive to clients' queries.” – Capital markets
“Responsive, professional and efficient.” – Capital markets
“I appreciate their timeliness and quality of advice.” – Corporate and M&A
“Good attitude, proactive and problem-solving skills.” – Corporate and M&A
“Very client-focused solutions. Highly practical and commercial advice. Excellent work ethic.” – Corporate and M&A
“Provides good commercial-minded legal advice.” – Corporate and M&A
“Great customer service and very good legal advice.” – Dispute resolution
“Cost-effective, value-driven and practical. The partners are keen to understand the business context and provide a solution that can be implemented quickly and with minimal collateral expense.” – Dispute resolution
“Lawyers give no-nonsense answers and are honest with deliverables. They have assisted well with litigation strategy and mapping of past events.” – Labour and employment
“Collaborative, deep knowledge, and delivery of sound advice that saves time and money.” – Media and entertainment
“Would recommend for their founder-friendly terms, knowledge, efficiency and efficacy.” – Private equity
“Responsive and professional.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Responsive, give sharp advice, and have an understanding of commercial intents.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Good understanding of local culture and practices, skilled in special situations and ability to advise on a diverse range of issues.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Mark Cham
“He gives very good legal advice and strategies.”
Nichola Koh
“Highly knowledgeable, efficient and professional.”
Sean Lee
“Depth of knowledge, client handling and practical application of law.”
“Responsive, sharp advice, creative solutions and understanding.”
“Ability to think on behalf of clients, technically strong, commercial and skilled in special situations.”
“Incredibly hard-working and consistently tries to surpass expectations. He has never been unprepared for discussions.”
“Responsive.”
Kok Meng
“He is good in restructuring and has lots of patience with difficult clients.”
“Proactive and good problem-solving skills.”
Joshua Tan
“Thorough, cheerful, available and knowledgeable.”
“Timeliness of advice, depth of knowledge and ability to provide advice that takes into account commercial considerations.”
“He is affirming, genuine and knows his area of expertise. He also takes the time to coach me in areas that I require support and contextualisation. I look to him for advice before I embark on creative projects. His contracts have protected me from potentially debilitating consequences financially.”
“Great knowledge and speed.”
Cephas Yee
“Pragmatic and flexible.”
Titus Yeo
“Titus epitomises excellence. His meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to quality shine through in every aspect of his work. Titus has been an indispensable member to the group’s legal endeavours. He navigates challenges with dedication, ensuring the group's journey toward trade resumption is not just smooth but also successful. Titus's contributions are nothing short of excellent, his work and that of Aquinas are the epitome of professionalism and expertise. Aquinas Law Alliance is undoubtedly fortunate to have Titus as a cornerstone, a rising star for sure.”
Work highlights
Acted for Boldtek Holdings on its out-of-court restructuring.
Advised Logistics Construction on its restructuring by way of an intended scheme of arrangement, and then by way of judicial management.
Key clients
Finaxar Holdings, NutryFarm International, Reenova Investment Holding
Ascendant Legal has been in a formal law alliance with Norton Rose Fulbright since 2018. The disputes offering has long been a core area of strength for the firm, notably acting in all manners of corporate and commercial, restructuring and insolvency, regulatory compliance, shipping, competition and IP disputes. Due to its sprawling and deep regional and global network, the firm is active in numerous sophisticated and complex cross-border litigation and arbitration mandates. Its enviable client list spans household name multinationals, listed companies and Asian giants.
The 12 fee-earner team is led by managing partner Chew Kei-Jin. Another key name to note is R&I head, Meiyen Tan.
Work highlights
Acted for Sunshine Coast Regional Council in respect of its rights and obligations under an international submarine cable contract entered into with RTI Connectivity following the latter’s receivership.
Acted for Mirana Corp in the Singapore courts for the recovery of a debt of $13 million against prominent cryptocurrency hedge fund, Three Arrows Capital.
Incorporated in 2016, BlackOak is a dedicated distress and special situations firm active in all fields of the corporate and insolvency process. Peers consistently nod to its expertise and unique offering in the market, and the firm remains solidified in the top tier again this year for R&I. BlackOak is often instructed in various cross-border restructurings by, among others, the debtors, creditors, and white knight investors. Its size and structure allow it greater independence compared to larger law firms, and keeps the firm nimble for non-domestic mandates. Under the leadership of Ashok Kumar and Darius Tay, the firm handles both contentious and non-contentious aspects of the practice. It is also particularly active in bond restructurings. The team has been growing its cross-border capabilities and building up its global networks, particularly in southeast Asia.
Client feedback
“Experienced, knowledgeable, commercial and incredibly hard-working.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Intellectual, commercial, experienced and client-driven.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Prompt responses and practical advice.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Proactive, strong technical skills and good communication skills.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Approachable, friendly, proactive, quick response time and flexible.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“They are as good if not better than any of the Big Four law firm restructuring teams. They are dedicated with heavy partner involvement, and strategic advice 24 hours a day.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“They are good at strategising and taking charge of matters.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Great technical insolvency expertise, efficient and works well with international counsel.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Competent team with innovative ideas on both the commercial and legal front. Willing and able to walk into unchartered territory. For example, they helped obtain the first ever recognition of a Malaysian scheme in Singapore.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Ashok Kumar
“Friendly and knowledgeable.”
Darius Tay
“Client-focused, very experienced and incredibly bright!”
“Incredibly hard-working, dedicated to getting the client what they need and super-fast and flexible. He is the best!”
“A market leader. A perfect blend of commercial knowledge, cutting-edge legal knowledge and with the advocacy in the courtroom.”
“He is good at taking charge of a matter and leading it.”
“Darius Tay is a great lawyer, technically astute and a leader amongst his peers.”
“Undoubtedly a rising star in the Singapore legal fraternity. Able to think on his feet, provide innovative solutions and has an impressively short turnaround time.”
Work highlights
Advised FTX on its Chapter 11 proceedings in connection with Singapore.
Acting for No Va Land Investment Group on the restructuring of its bonds in Singapore by way of a pre-packaged scheme of arrangement.
Represented Century Sunshine Group Holdings, its group of companies and the joint provisional liquidators on its provisional liquidation.
Key clients
Eqonex, KordaMentha, Nam Cheong, WeWork
CHP Law is a full-service firm with ties to CNPLaw, its senior consultant being Colin Ng. The team is active in corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, IP, real estate, labour and private client matters.
The firm is helmed by managing partner Christopher Huang and includes seven senior lawyers including funds specialist Randall Perera, IP and intangible assets expert Dixon Soh and FSR specialist Ian Phung. The firm welcomed two new directors to boost their disputes and private client practices: Danny Quah from TSMP and Kannan Nadarajan from Eden Law Corporation, respectively.
Client feedback
“Subject experts in Singapore funds law.” – Capital markets
“They always have a good strategy to tackle problems.” – Construction
“Commercial, fast and professional.” – Corporate and M&A
“Good suggestions on deal structure.” – Corporate and M&A
“Responsive. Excellent client service.” – Dispute resolution
“The firm in general, and its lawyers like Danny Quah, are very responsive and provide good commercial advice.” – Dispute resolution
“Knowledgeable and quick to respond. We can always rely upon them to provide invaluable advice and insights to any issues or potential issues when we raise concerns to them.” – Investment funds
“CHP is conversant with the business we are in and able to provide valuable advice and inputs pertaining to our funds launch.” – Investment funds
“CHP Law has consistently demonstrated excellence in various areas, establishing itself as a reliable and highly competent legal partner. Here are some of the positive attributes and strengths that we have observed through our collaboration:
Expertise in licensing as a fund manager – CHP Law has provided invaluable assistance in navigating the complex licensing requirements for managing funds that include both capital market products and non-capital markets assets. Their deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and their meticulous attention to detail have ensured that we remain compliant with all necessary legal standards.
Comprehensive legal opinions – the legal opinions provided by CHP Law are thorough, well-researched, and clearly articulated. They have consistently offered insightful and practical advice that has helped guide our strategic decisions and operations.
Keeping abreast of legal trends in digital assets – CHP Law is highly adept at staying current with the latest legal trends and developments in the digital assets space. Their proactive approach to monitoring and interpreting new regulations and legal precedents has been instrumental in helping us adapt and thrive in this rapidly evolving field.
Overall, CHP Law’s expertise, diligence, and forward-thinking approach have significantly contributed to our success. Their ability to handle complex legal issues with precision and clarity makes them an outstanding partner in the legal domain.” – Investment funds
“Extremely professional and efficient, especially in the responses.” – Labour and employment
“Professional, timely, practical and a commercial approach to solutions.” – Private client
Christopher Huang
“Commercial, professional and fast.”
Raj Mannar
“Works hard, is supportive and helpful.”
“Commercial and practical approach to service delivery, in a timely manner.”
Ian Phung
“Subject expert and approachable.”
“Ian is very responsive and able to provide timely advice whenever we need his legal advice.”
“Ian isa reliable professional who knows how to engage his team when they work on our case. So happy to work with him for many years now.”
Danny Quah
“Danny Quah is very responsive and provides good commercial advice.”
“Highly recommend his personality, legal knowledge and experience. Excellent communication skills.”
“Appreciate his blend of accuracy and empathy.”
“Working with Danny from CHP Law on my recent litigation case was a game-changer. His approach was refreshingly human, offering genuine insights and explanations that set him apart from other firms with a more corporate feel. Danny's straightforwardness and astute predictions about the corporate entity's actions were invaluable. His blend of accuracy and empathy not only calmed my nerves but also empowered me to make informed decisions throughout the case. Thanks to Danny's expertise and support, I achieved a more positive outcome than I ever imagined. I'm incredibly grateful for his guidance and relieved that I chose him over other law firms.”
Selena Teng
“Fast worker and reliable. Very organised and meticulous in her work.”
Arthur Yap
“Straightforward lawyer and no hidden agenda.”
“Responsive and excellent client manner. Bright.”
“Thinks out of the box.”
Work highlights
Represented a creditor of Ideal Homes International and coordinated cross-border litigation strategy across Singapore, Hong Kong and Guangzhou.
Advised a creditor of VE Technology Group.
Best known for being a heavyweight firm specialised in construction, Eldan Law holds strong in the top tier for its dedicated full scope practice. It is the home of respected construction law veterans Edwin Lee and Lawrence Tan. Apart from the market-acknowledged construction, projects and infrastructure strengths, the firm’s restructuring and insolvency offering that is led by director Imran Rahim has been winning more mandates. The firm works closely with insolvency practitioners from KordaMentha, Quantuma, Argile Partners, Grant Thornton, and AAG Corporate Advisory, including their practitioners outside of Singapore. Other key directors to note are Daniel Koh, Khoon Lim, Ming Ming Looi, Boon On Yong and Danna Er. Corporate partner Gerry Gan joined the firm in May 2023 from WongPartnership.
All construction matters handled over the research period are confidential.
Client feedback
“Excellent knowledge of the construction sector.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Danna Er
“She is a very devoted lawyer and a true expert in construction projects. She is also pleasant to work with and is open to different strategies and problem-solving ideas. She is also extremely detailed.”
“Danna Er at Eldan Law gives sound and practical feedback and advice. She was also available around the clock for us.”
Work highlights
Represented the second largest unsecured creditor of Logistics Construction and Buildforms in their objection to Logistics’ nominee for judicial manager and in the judicial management of Logistics.
Represented Kams Singapore as court-appointed liquidator in negotiating and executing agreement to fund the liquidator’s application to examine.
Harry Elias Partnership has offices in Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. Built upon one of the most respected and influential litigation lawyers in the country, Harry Elias, the firm has an established reputation for its dispute resolution and family and matrimonial expertise. The firm is also notable for its construction, infrastructure, corporate and M&A and intellectual property practices. Philip Fong, Justin Chia, Tan Chau Yee, Brian Law, Pearl Lim and Claudia Teo are key contacts for dispute resolution, restructuring and insolvency, intellectual property, construction, banking, and corporate and M&A, respectively.
Client feedback
“Efficient, creative and responsive.” – Corporate and M&A
“Prompt and efficient.” – Dispute resolution
“Very clear in-depth brief on the strategy and won the case at the court of appeal.” – Dispute resolution
“They are well versed in the law.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Kennedy Chen
“Efficient, responsive and creative.”
Justin Chia
“Justin is well versed in the law.”
Andy Lem
“Quick at responses and willing to lend his ear.”
Chau Yee Tan
“Takes a strategic, practical and broad-picture approach.”
Work highlights
Represented HSBC Institutional Trust Services as trustee of Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust in the Hyflux Group restructuring.
Acted for First Abu Dhabi Bank in relation to the Agritrade restructuring.
Assisted DBS Bank as secured creditors of debtors TEE International and its group of companies.
Key clients
CDL Properties, GAM Kimura Commodity Trade Finance Fund, Standard Chartered Bank
Mayer Brown PK Wong & Nair is known for its expertise in dispute resolution, restructuring and insolvency, and corporate and commercial law. The team has a wealth of experience in a broad range of commercial disputes arising out of breaches of securities regulations, commodity trading disputes, insolvency, employment and contractual disputes, and estate claims. Seasoned litigator Suresh Nair is the main disputes partner, while Mark Wong heads up the corporate division. Andrew Ang, Bryan Tan, Basil Ong, Jennifer Chih and Jacinda Wong are other names to note. At the beginning of 2023, PK Wong & Nair entered into a joint law venture with international firm Mayer Brown. This entity can provide clients with integrated and seamless advice on international and Singapore law. Local litigation is provided through PK Wong & Nair.
Client feedback
“I have a well-established working relationship with Suresh Nair. This firm would be my first stop because they are hungry, excellent at what they do, and always on top of their game.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“The lawyers are friendly.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Suresh Nair
“He is among the best insolvency practitioners in Singapore. An exceptional advocate, he is razor-sharp and precise and provides timely and practical advice in the most personable way possible.”
Bryan Tan
“Friendly and responsive.”
Work highlights
Advising a creditor client to place Yang Kee Logistics under judicial management.
Representing the informal steering committee of Pacific Andes Resources Development as bondholders on a chapter 11 restructuring.
Mayer Brown PK Wong & Nair is known for its expertise in dispute resolution, restructuring and insolvency, and corporate and commercial law. The team has a wealth of experience in a broad range of commercial disputes arising out of breaches of securities regulations, commodity trading disputes, insolvency, employment and contractual disputes, and estate claims. Seasoned litigator Suresh Nair is the main disputes partner, while Mark Wong heads up the corporate division. Andrew Ang, Bryan Tan, Basil Ong, Jennifer Chih and Jacinda Wong are other names to note. At the beginning of 2023, PK Wong & Nair entered into a joint law venture with international firm Mayer Brown. This entity can provide clients with integrated and seamless advice on international and Singapore law. Local litigation is provided through PK Wong & Nair.
Client feedback
“I have a well-established working relationship with Suresh Nair. This firm would be my first stop because they are hungry, excellent at what they do, and always on top of their game.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“The lawyers are friendly.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Suresh Nair
“He is among the best insolvency practitioners in Singapore. An exceptional advocate, he is razor-sharp and precise and provides timely and practical advice in the most personable way possible.”
Bryan Tan
“Friendly and responsive.”
Work highlights
Advising a creditor client to place Yang Kee Logistics under judicial management.
Representing the informal steering committee of Pacific Andes Resources Development as bondholders on a chapter 11 restructuring.
Prolegis is the Singapore arm of Herbert Smith Freehills. Its litigation and insolvency departments were launched in May 2023 with the arrival of veteran practitioners from Morgan Lewis Stamford. The restructuring and insolvency team focuses on cross-border restructuring and contentious insolvency. It also advises liquidators and debtors in Thailand, Indonesia, and the BVI and Cayman Islands. The firm also has a historical track record of corporate and transactional capabilities.
The team is helmed by managing director Daniel Chia, deputy head of litigation Yanguang Ker and head of restructuring and insolvency Jonathan Tang. All three joined in the spring of 2023 from Morgan Lewis Stamford.
Client feedback
“I appreciate their approachability. They’ve got a good reputation in the crypto space.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Jonathan Tang
“Very approachable and willing to assist.”
Work highlights
Acting for Zipmex in its restructuring proceedings in the Singapore High Court. This matter was the first successful crypto-related restructuring sanctioned in Asia, possibly worldwide.
Representing Genesis Global Capital groups in Singapore recognition proceedings and Babel Group's restructuring proceedings.
Acting for four individual defendants in clawback proceedings filed by the administrators of FTX's Chapter 11 proceedings.
With eight fee-earners, RevLaw focuses on dispute resolution with a particular expertise in restructuring and insolvency. It has also been active in contentious employment matters, as well as general commercial litigation and arbitration work. The firm comprises experienced litigators who have handled disputes before all levels of Singapore courts and international arbitral tribunals. It has a broad spectrum of clients across various industries including banks, insurers, private equity funds, property developers, hotel owners and insolvency practitioners. Managing director Sui Tong Chua and director Yik Wee Liew are key contacts.
Client feedback
“Very responsive and punches well above their weight as a boutique.” – Dispute resolution
Sui Tong Chua
“Very experienced and offers practical solutions.”
Work highlights
Represented the the opposing creditor committee in the restructuring of Defi payments, a distressed crypto company.
Advising the interim judicial managers of the AAX Group.
Acted for the liquidators of An Wei Shipping in claims for vessel sale proceeds.
Tan Kok Quan Partnership provides legal services across a broad spectrum of industry sectors, with particular recognition for its work in dispute resolution, and restructuring and insolvency. In the past 12 months, the team has handled matters across a spectrum of industries with a portfolio value of more than $1 billion. The firm has a distinguished record of handling litigation in the banking and financial services, energy, real estate and technology sectors. Senior counsel Marina Chin and Eddee Ng are key partners for dispute resolution, while senior partner Paul Seah is a key figure for restructuring and insolvency.
Client feedback
“Very responsive, clear in their advice, pragmatic and commercial.” – Dispute resolution
“Professional and yet commercial.” – Energy
“Responsive, proactive, technically strong and good business acumen.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Marina Chin
“Extremely responsive, commercial, approachable, knowledgeable and with a strategic mindset. She is an accomplished lawyer as well as extremely personable, from a human interaction perspective.”
Keith Tnee
“Approachable and quick to respond.”
Paul Seah
“Good business acumen and a good communicator.”
Work highlights
Advised Warehouse Logistics Net Asia on its restructuring.
Acting in the restructuring of the Koon group of companies, one of the leading infrastructure and civil engineering groups in the region, involving, among other things, two schemes of arrangement that have since been put in place. The total debt involved is at least S$77.8 million ($57.3 million) and more than 400 creditors.
TSMP Law Corporation is especially well known for its work in finance, corporate and M&A and dispute resolution. The banking and finance group acts for financial institutions and corporate in high-value financing deals, spanning cross-border secured and syndicated lending, acquisition financing, debt restructuring, purchase of loans and refinancing. The same team also specialises in corporate real estate financing, particularly in land acquisition financing and land development financing. The capital markets team is sought after for equity and debt listings, reverse takeovers, foreign IPOs and secondary fundraisings, while the corporate M&A department runs a market-leading practice in public company takeovers.
The dispute resolution practice proudly states that it takes on difficult cases, ones that test, shape or advance the law. The disputes team covers the full gamut of litigation and arbitration, notably complex commercial and corporate litigation with a focus on boardroom, shareholder and investment disputes. There is additionally a growing practice specialising in the crypto-space, working with clients across the ecosystem from investors to exchanges.
The firm not only acts for various major corporations and financial institutions but also is frequently sought out by different regulatory bodies. Senior counsels Shen Yi Thio and Jeffrey Chan Wah Teck, corporate lawyer Stefanie Yuen Thio, construction specialists Melvin Chan and Derek Loh and labour expert Ian Lim are key figures at the firm. Jennifer Chia and June Ho are other names to note for banking and finance and M&A.
Work highlights
Advised KPMG on claims of audit negligence during the restructuring of Hyflux.
Acting for AlmaStone Opportunities in the restructuring of Antanium Resources.
Engaged by the judicial managers in the liquidation of Nan Chiau Maritime.
Key clients
AFC Merchant Bank, Bank of America, DBS, OUE, Perennial Real Estate Holdings
Withers KhattarWong is regularly sought out by high-profile private clients and banks for its expertise in financing, dispute resolution, tax and corporate matters. The firm’s funds practice is growing, backed by its established tax advisory team. The managing partner Deborah Barker is a key figure. Other lawyers to note include Chenthil Kumarasingam for disputes, Shaun Leong for arbitration, Jonathan Kok for IP and TMT, and Eric Roose for tax.
Client feedback
“Thorough research, accurate information, excellent domain knowledge and timely responses.” – Banking and finance
“Recommended for their ability to complete the job on time and with good quality.” – Banking and finance
“Speedy turnaround, commercial savviness, swift decision-making and cost-efficient solutions.” – Dispute resolution
“The lawyers empathise with the client needs and are very astute in their legal advice.” – Insurance
“Experienced with quick turnaround.” – Investment funds
“They are sincere, earnest and have a good understanding of the issues.” – Technology and telecommunications
Guan Feng Chen
“Strong knowledge of the industry and always trying to find a solution.”
“He is very knowledgeable and knows how to resolve issues in a timely manner. He is very responsive and cooperative.”
“Guan Feng is very knowledgeable and knows how to resolve issues in documentation in a timely manner.”
Mahesh Kumar
“Excellent knowledge of the subject, prompt and innovative.”
Shaun Leong
“Shaun Leong is a strategic thinker with substantial experience in cross-border disputes. He is very adept at pre-empting guerilla tactics from the opposing party and is able to deploy effective counteractive strategies to secure clients' interests. He is very committed to clients' interests and is someone you would want in your corner in the high stakes, complex disputes. Top of the class in international arbitration work with an increasingly prominent reputation in tech-related work. He is one of the most dynamic lawyers out there doing top-tier international work.” – Dispute resolution
“Shaun Leong delivers best-in-class legal advice and representation in highly complex cross-border disputes. He has a razor-sharp ability to distil complicated matters and pierce through multi-jurisdictional complexities with elegant solutions with his strategic mind, backed by many years of substantial experience in difficult international matters. An outstanding advocate who pursues his clients' cause without fear, and a brilliant star in the world of international arbitration, with a fast-growing practice in emerging tech disputes including AI, he is our go-to lawyer for high stakes complex disputes.”
“Prompt and responsive, he applies common sense in a practical manner.”
“Forthcoming with great knowledge of the law.”
Sharon Lin
“She empathises with the client and is very knowledgeable on the law.”
Daniel Yong
“Knowledgeable.”
Work Highlights
Acting for the interim judicial managers, judicial managers and the current liquidators (from KPMG) in all aspects of the attempted restructuring and subsequent insolvency of ZenRock.
Acted for FTI Consulting as the liquidators of six SPVs of Xihe Capital.
Key clients
HSBC, KPMG, Luxasia, Maybank Singapore, UOB
Focus Law Asia is a specialist litigation and arbitration boutique with a particular strength in shipping and insurance matters. The team counts major world-class ship owners such as Maersk, Torm and Ardmore Shipping as loyal clients, as well as leading marine insurers like Skuld, UK P&I Club and Japan P&I Club. The firm is a member of the One Asia Lawyers network and it boasts Japan and Korea desks with Japanese and Korean lawyers. It uniquely is focused on developing a North-Asian disputes practice. Managing director Shem Khoo and directors Mark Tan, Ker Sheon Lim and June Lim are the key contacts. Lim is a family law specialist who joined the team in early 2024 from her own matrimonial boutique, Eden Law Corporation.
Work highlights
Acting for Torm, a Danish shipping group, on its claims against its bunker supplier, Petrochina International Singapore arising out of the supply of contaminated marine fuel to numerous Torm vessels which subsequently damaged vessel machinery and caused significant delays out of the need to de-bunker and re-bunker fuel.
Advised Plymouth Shipco on the potential arrest of its vessel Ardmore Seawolf by CIMB Bank for a potential claim that had arisen out of the misdelivery of cargo without the original bills of lading.
Acted for Japan P&I Clun and shipowner of the vessel Jeil Crystal on a $2.1 million claim by Banque Cantonale de Geneve.
Helmsman excels at shipping law, but it also has growing banking, employment and general disputes practices. The firm acts for commodity traders, banks and charterers in high-value, cross-border disputes across the globe. The team also has substantial experience in the mid and downstream liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, particularly in LNG shipping and chartering and LNG trade disputes. As an affiliate of Hong Kong firm Tang & Co, Helmsman houses 18 specialist fee earners, which makes it one of the biggest dedicated shipping and commodities practices in Asia. The key contacts are managing directors Ian Teo and Chong Jun Tang, and directors Maureen Poh and Lynette Koh. Recently, the firm welcomed senior disputes specialists, director Una Khng and counsel Benjamin Bala, from the Supreme Court of Singapore and TSMP Law Corporation respectively.
Client feedback
“Helmsman acted quickly and provided an excellent and useful memo. In particular, I appreciated the proactive approach where we were given advice on specific documents and questions to pursue to gain more understanding of the relevant facts.” – Dispute resolution
“They are available whatever the time is and react super-fast in an efficient manner. Very accurate on their points. They give us the feeling of having a dedicated lawyer in charge of our matters, which does help a lot when it comes to understanding.” – Shipping
“Cheap, fast and good.” – Shipping
Zhida Chen
“Intelligent and commercially minded.”
Una Khng
“She demonstrated high legal skills, was pragmatic in terms of providing useful advice, and good in communications.”
Maureen Poh
“She gave immediate answers to any questions, whatever the time was. Available to travel overseas for assistance in commercial deals. She always kept a positive attitude to come out on top of any issue. She gives the right advice with a permanent very good mood.”
Work highlights
Acted for Unifeeder FZCO and Feedertech to win freezing injunctions against Ti2 Logistics and Ti2 Shipping Lines. This is one of the rare occasions where the Singapore courts granted a freezing injunction against a third party in aid of arbitration proceedings, on the basis that the funds in possession of the third party may be the assets of the defendant in the arbitration.
Advised Hong Lam Marine in relation to a claim arising out of a delay in the discharge of cargo with high levels of hydrogen sulphide.
Representing Yangtze Harmony Company on high-value claims and complex issues arising from the arrest of the vessel, including procedural issues, priority of claims, and technical issues from related shipping arrangements.
Key clients
Keegan Shipping Holdings, Kithnos Special Maritime Enterprise, Prima Marine Public Company, Strofades Special Maritime Enterprise.
Oon & Bazul, Singapore’s largest conflict-free law firm, is best known for its contentious practices, notably shipping, and restructuring and insolvency. Its corporate M&A practice has been making strong headway in the past few years and is enjoying growing market prominence for its visibility on domestic and cross-border transactions. On top of its traditional strength in shipping, the firm has been frequently engaged in sectors such as energy, oil and gas, manufacturing and fintech. On the shipping side, the firm is noted for its multijurisdictional expertise across the entire spectrum of general dry shipping, casualty and wet work, arrests and security-taking, ship finance, trade and marine insurance, in the highly specialised area of mis-delivery claims and it regularly acts for shipowners and bill of lading holders. The shipping practitioners also have substantial experience applying for and defending mandatory injunctions taken up by shipowners under letters of indemnity in both the Singapore and UK courts. This has led to substantial instructions in the wake of the collapse of Hin Leong Trading and Hontop Energy, and other oil trading entities.
Bazul Ashhab heads the firm alongside key partners: shipping-focused Thian Seng Oon, head of international arbitration Suresh Divyanathan, head of litigation Kelly Yap, head of shipping Prakaash Silvam, and insolvency head Keith Han. The corporate division is headed by Yi Wayn Ng.
Client feedback
“Recommended for their thoroughness, advisory and client engagement.” – Corporate and M&A
“It has very strong customer relations. I found the explanations to non-lawyer colleagues especially helpful and pragmatic. Legal expertise was very good.” – Corporate and M&A
“They are professional and provide quality advice in a timely manner.” – Corporate and M&A
“Oon & Bazul possesses a myriad of positive attributes that set them apart in the legal landscape. Their commitment to client satisfaction is unmatched, evident in their proactive communication and dedication to understanding the intricacies of each case. Moreover, their legal acumen is truly impressive, enabling them to devise innovative solutions and effectively advocate on behalf of their clients.” – Dispute resolution
“Very responsive, absolutely professional, and gives clear, concise and practical advice. Prakaash Silvam and Bazul Ashhab are stand-out individuals and leaders in their sector.” – Dispute resolution
“They are dedicated and prompt.” – Shipping
Keith Han
“Provides quality advice.”
“Keith is commercial, user-friendly and strategic in his approach. He knows the law at his fingertips and is able to provide prompt and practical solutions. We enjoy working with him on our matters and have no hesitation in recommending him highly to anyone looking for dispute resolution lawyers in Singapore or the Asia Pacific region for that matter.”
Yi Wayn Ng
“Outstanding client management and support, strong knowledge and ability to provide good recommendations as needed.”
“I loved Yi Wayn's approach to solving problems and how pragmatic her advice was. I felt very confident that we were getting an expert opinion.”
Prakaash Silvam
“Absolutely charming and knows your case inside out. He has an extraordinary natural talent of quickly reading into your case and knowing what were the essential elements of success.”
“Friendly, prompt, knowledgeable and organised.”
Christian Teo
“Christian's positive attributes, including integrity, leadership, adaptability, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, empathy and commitment to excellence, contribute to his effectiveness and success in various personal and professional endeavours.”
Work highlights
Defending Winson Oil against proceedings brought about by misdelivery of cargo.
Acted for Southeaster Maritime as the shipowners of the vessel Aquafreedom in a moderation of security application.
Litigation specialist firm PDLegal represents foreign public-listed companies, multinational corporations, SMEs and private individuals at all levels in the Singapore courts, covering a broad spectrum of contentious matters. The firm is also experienced in the full range of shipping and admiralty work. Peter Doraisamy, Andrew Lee and Gerard Quek are key members of the firm. Senior partner and disputes specialist Nazim Khan joined earlier this year from UniLegal. Partner Wei Hong Ling arrived last October from Marsh Singapore, while corporate partner Daomin Chiam left in April.
Work highlights
Acting for owners of SOV Southern Star, a DP3 vessel, in a suit against the bareboat charterers who wrongfully failed to pay charterhire.
Representing Japanese ship owner Masao Mizobuchi in a dispute with one of its Singapore-incorporated company’s trustees over shares in the company.
Advised shipowners in a grounding incident on the Eauripik atoll in the Federated States of Micronesia.
Rajah & Tann is one of the most visible among Singapore’s ‘Big Four’ law firms in the southeast Asian market. It occupies the top tier across an array of practice areas and sectors, with well-established teams in both the transactional and contentious arena. The firm has outstanding experience in complex and high-value cross-border matters, closely working with its R&T Asia network with specialised industry expertise. The firm has a traditional strength in dispute resolution backed by the largest litigation practice in Singapore with seven senior counsels. This year the firm proves its dominance again with its ascension into the ‘Outstanding’ tier for its tax practice. Key names include Angela Lim for banking and finance, Kim Huat Chia for capital markets and corporate and M&A, Kala Anandarajah for competition, Francis Xavier and Andre Yeap for dispute resolution, Arnold Tan for investment funds, Patrick Ang and Eng Beng Lee for restructuring and insolvency, Vikna Rajah for tax and private client matters, and Rajesh Sreenivasan for technology and telecommunications.
Client feedback
“Quick turnaround time.” – Aviation
“Responsive and client-centric approach.” – Banking and finance
“The core team led by Lee Xin Mei at Rajah & Tann is always highly responsive, consistently delivers expert and quality legal advice and, most importantly, constant assurance that they are professionals who have the backs of their clients on all transactions.” – Banking and finance
“Carries out a thorough analysis of the legislation in question and case law. When required, thinks out-of-the-box looking for solutions.” – Banking and finance
“Responsive, takes initiative, partners are humble and a commercial value-add.” – Competition/antitrust
“They were competent and efficient in handling our claim.” – Construction
“R&T can be the one-stop shop for complex legal transaction and matters. For example, R&T has advised me on a complex merger and acquisition transaction with broad legal support covering many different specific and technical practice areas such as corporate, real estate, banking, IP, competition, antitrust, etc.” – Corporate and M&A
“Sandy, Mark and Jun Yi lead a very strong and responsive team who push themselves very hard to serve clients’ interests. Our group’s demands are exacting with multiple listed entities across multiple jurisdictions. We trust Sandy and Jun Yi to lead their team to serve us well.” – Corporate and M&A
“Informative and responsive.” – Dispute resolution
“Sheng Rong [Tng], and the firm in general, are very responsive and provide good and detailed commercial advice.” – Dispute resolution
“Easy to communicate with.” – Dispute resolution
“In tune with the market and highly responsive.” – Dispute resolution
“Appreciated for their timeliness, and local and industry-related knowledge.” – Dispute resolution
“Recommended for their extensive experience and professionalism, demonstrating exceptional attention to detail. Moreover, their approachable and collaborative demeanour makes them truly outstanding to work with.” – Dispute resolution
“Prompt, flexible and pays attention to detail.” – Insurance
“Knowledgeable, thorough, strategic and efficient.” – Insurance
“Very knowledgeable on the regulatory landscape of the insurance sector. Advice is always well considered and commercial.” – Insurance
“Provides practical advice to lubricate the progress of the transaction.” – Investment funds
“Solid commercial approach, quick turnaround time, strong legal knowledge and strategic.” – Labour and employment
“Excellent responsiveness.” – Privacy and data protection
“Commerciality in approach and expertise in the subject-matter.” – Private equity
“Very knowledgeable and responsive, provided very useful and practical feedback.” – Real estate
“Knowledgeable, professional, and able to provide the most honest and balanced analysis for clients to make informed decisions.” – Regulatory
“Responsive and understands our business objectives well.” – Regulatory
“Stellar expertise in Singapore regulatory matters as it relates to fund management.” – Regulatory
“They are well-versed with the law.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“They are very knowledgeable and try to apply it to the case management.” – Tax
Kala Anandarajah
“Responsive, humble and commercial.”
Jainil Bhandari
“Knowledgeable, skilled, strategic and thorough.”
Alroy Chan
“Responsive. Understands very well our business and how we work internally.”
Mark Cheng
“Mark is well-versed in the law and able to solve the issues as they come.”
Benjamin Cheong
“Always available, solution-oriented.”
“Benjamin has excellent client engagement skills and is able to understand commercial and operational constraints. He shows strong initiative in supporting clients to resolve issues.”
Jasmine Chew
“Highly recommended. She listens to clients, understand their needs, analyse them well, and is able to provide various solutions and the pros and cons of each solution for clients to make informed decisions. She is very good. Because of Jasmine's good work, my firm has moved most of the Singapore and SEA legal matters to Rajah & Tann.”
Simon Goh
“He pays attention to details, is flexible and has a good knowledge of the industry.”
Jared Kok
“Knowledgeable and strategic. Has the ability to keep calm and collected under pressure.”
Xin Mei Lee
“Xin Mei is our go-to lawyer for highly structured and complex leveraged and acquisition financings. She is a high-calibre and top-tier legal talent with an extremely astute mind. She is always able to quickly grasp the nuances in highly complex transactions and is extremely knowledgeable in both legal and commercial issues. She is solution-oriented and is always able to structure bespoke solutions to meet the needs of her demanding clients. She is extremely dedicated, always responsive and highly reliable – you can always count on her to deliver high-quality work even under compressed deadlines. She is also highly personable, connects well with her clients and demonstrates great leadership. Xin Mei is an absolute bright spark amongst the banking and finance equity partners at Rajah & Tann.”
“Responsive, client-centric and solutions-oriented.”
Nathanael Lin
“Strong industry and local knowledge. Timeliness.”
Paul Ng
“Good communication skills and depth of knowledge.”
Vikna Rajah
“Patient, knowledgeable and attentive to the issue.”
“He is extremely pragmatic and approachable. He is a star in that region.”
Chee Siong Sim
“He is professional in his work and able to provide valuable advice.”
Zixiang Sun
“Provides clear and pragmatic advice.”
“Extremely knowledgeable and sensitive to our needs. He positions himself as a fair and reasonable counsel. He is highly responsive and available for discussion.”
Kevin Tan
“Kevin is a diligent and responsive professional who consistently demonstrated a deep knowledge of the law. His innovative approach to problem-solving and his commitment to keeping me abreast of the latest developments in my case ensured that he provided a top-tier service. His responsiveness and dedication made him an invaluable asset in my legal matter.”
“Responsive.”
Steve Tan
“Responsive.”
Kendall Tan
“He is very knowledgeable and has many ideas to manage claims.”
“He thinks out of the box, making himself available when needed.”
Lionel Tay
“Plugged into the market and responsive.”
Marcus Tay
“He is very knowledgeable, experienced and responsive. Very helpful to push through the transaction.”
Sheng Rong Tng
“Sheng Rong is very responsive and provides good commercial advice.”
“Strong understanding and grasps the issues with ease.”
Ying Shuang Wang
“Ying Shuang is extremely knowledgeable on the regulatory requirements of the insurance sector and particularly good at advising us, the client, on MAS requirements and regulatory approach. She has helped us immensely with obtaining MAS approvals on insurance-related matters and achieves what we need to progress our business plans and goals in a timely manner.”
Evelyn Wee
“Evelyn Wee is knowledgeable and has the depth of experience to handle complex corporate matters. She is always on top of things and has the leadership to lead different teams across different practice areas to provide fast, reliable and sound advice. Her team is impressive and can balance commercial goals of the client and the need to have appropriate legal protection.”
Anne Yeo
“She has a client-first stance, deep knowledge of Singapore regulatory matters and a deep understanding of our company.”
Work highlights
Successfully acted for Herbalife International Singapore in a landmark Singapore High Court case against the Comptroller of Goods and Services Tax (GST). This is only the second ever GST case in Singapore’s history to reach the Singapore High Court.
Assisted Singapore Cement Manufacturing Company in a dispute over whether a cement silo qualifies as "plant" for capital allowance purposes.
Withers KhattarWong is regularly sought out by high-profile private clients and banks for its expertise in financing, dispute resolution, tax and corporate matters. The firm’s funds practice is growing, backed by its established tax advisory team. The managing partner Deborah Barker is a key figure. Other lawyers to note include Chenthil Kumarasingam for disputes, Shaun Leong for arbitration, Jonathan Kok for IP and TMT, and Eric Roose for tax.
Client feedback
“Thorough research, accurate information, excellent domain knowledge and timely responses.” – Banking and finance
“Recommended for their ability to complete the job on time and with good quality.” – Banking and finance
“Speedy turnaround, commercial savviness, swift decision-making and cost-efficient solutions.” – Dispute resolution
“The lawyers empathise with the client needs and are very astute in their legal advice.” – Insurance
“Experienced with quick turnaround.” – Investment funds
“They are sincere, earnest and have a good understanding of the issues.” – Technology and telecommunications
Guan Feng Chen
“Strong knowledge of the industry and always trying to find a solution.”
“He is very knowledgeable and knows how to resolve issues in a timely manner. He is very responsive and cooperative.”
“Guan Feng is very knowledgeable and knows how to resolve issues in documentation in a timely manner.”
Mahesh Kumar
“Excellent knowledge of the subject, prompt and innovative.”
Shaun Leong
“Shaun Leong is a strategic thinker with substantial experience in cross-border disputes. He is very adept at pre-empting guerilla tactics from the opposing party and is able to deploy effective counteractive strategies to secure clients' interests. He is very committed to clients' interests and is someone you would want in your corner in the high stakes, complex disputes. Top of the class in international arbitration work with an increasingly prominent reputation in tech-related work. He is one of the most dynamic lawyers out there doing top-tier international work.” – Dispute resolution
“Shaun Leong delivers best-in-class legal advice and representation in highly complex cross-border disputes. He has a razor-sharp ability to distil complicated matters and pierce through multi-jurisdictional complexities with elegant solutions with his strategic mind, backed by many years of substantial experience in difficult international matters. An outstanding advocate who pursues his clients' cause without fear, and a brilliant star in the world of international arbitration, with a fast-growing practice in emerging tech disputes including AI, he is our go-to lawyer for high stakes complex disputes.”
“Prompt and responsive, he applies common sense in a practical manner.”
“Forthcoming with great knowledge of the law.”
Sharon Lin
“She empathises with the client and is very knowledgeable on the law.”
Daniel Yong
“Knowledgeable.”
Work highlights
Advised DBS Bank as local tax counsel in the launch of the world’s first bank-backed multi-family office VCC.
Acted as lead tax counsel PAG Renewables fund, which will develop, build, operate and invest in renewable energy in Asia.
Key clients
FLOW Digital Infrastructure, Nuveen Alternative Living Fund, PAG Real Estate Property Fund III
As one of Singapore’s ‘Big Four’ law firms, Drew & Napier possesses a diverse roster of lawyers offering an extensive range of legal services in Singapore and across the region. The firm remains a dispute resolution powerhouse with a deep bench of top advocates including Jimmy Yim and Cavinder Bull. Disputes and insolvency lawyer Siraj Omar, construction specialist Christopher Chong and elite tax practitioner Ong Sim Ho further reinforce the team. Other key names to note include Pauline Chong for finance, Petrus Huang for capital markets, Chong Kin Lim for competition and technology, Steven Lo for corporate and M&A, Tony Yeo for IP, and Sushil Nair and Blossom Hing for restructuring and insolvency. Consultant Gary Pryke is another well-known practitioner in the development and implementation of a licensing, regulatory and competition framework for the liberalisation of the Bruneian Postal Sector corporate and finance space.
Client feedback
“Professional.” – Banking and finance
“Meticulous.” – Capital markets
“Proactive, they are able to anticipate issues and advise accordingly. Efficient, they controlled the board verification meetings well.” – Capital markets
“Prompt advice.” – Capital markets
“Efficient response time, commercially savvy, and easy-to-understand advice with practical solutions.” – Competition/antitrust
“Service is prompt. Advice is always well considered.” – Construction
“They are very knowledgeable with good advocacy skills.” – Construction
“Embodies commerciality and practicality.” – Corporate and M&A
“I appreciate their competence, responsiveness, effectiveness and quality.” – Dispute resolution
“D&N provide full support on the arrangements and follow through in tight timelines and communicated strategically when the MA in our matter refused to convene the EGM despite the fact we had more than the stipulated signatures on the requisition.” – Dispute resolution
“Rapid, thorough advice and action.” – Dispute resolution
“Extremely dedicated and proactive team. It is a true dispute resolution firm, not only conducting the role of solicitors.” – Dispute resolution
“Exceptional legal approach, top-notch legal research, and the preparation of court papers and witness statements are exceptional. They always produce the highest quality work at very reasonable hourly time costs.” – Dispute resolution
“Responsive and careful-thinking.” – Dispute resolution
“Shumin's team is very efficient and thorough. You feel like you can rely on them. They are also very measured and firm in their approach, which helps greatly during settlement negotiations.” – Dispute resolution
“Great legal know-how, accuracy, clarity and excellent work ethic. Superb litigation and client relations.” – Dispute resolution
“It is very accessible and provides well-considered advice.” – Dispute resolution
“Extremely professional and capable, very good at clear communication in terms of issues and obtaining instructions from us. Cavinder Bull SC is an outstanding advocate and a joy to work with and he runs an extremely well planned and organised team. They all work extremely hard to deliver results.” – Dispute resolution
“Appreciate its attention to detail. The lawyers are responsive to customer comments and requests.” – Dispute resolution
“Calculated and sound advice on procedural and strategic issues. Very responsive and able to turnaround actions very quickly.” – Dispute resolution
“I have worked with Mahesh Rai's team (so Mahesh, Jonathan Yong and Samuel Soo, in particular). They are excellent lawyers who bring significant strategic insight and close attention to detail to their work, which is efficient and cost effective.” – Dispute resolution
“Provide practical solutions and managed to help us come to a settlement after a few years of litigation.” – Dispute resolution
“They are very focused and committed. From day one they have created a clear strategy which led us to win our case against the claimants. The team members involved have taken accountability. Deliverables during the arbitration were outstanding.” – Dispute resolution
“Recommended for their curiosity to understand the business context and ability to understand the business needs and challenges. They are responsive and experts in the field.” – Dispute resolution
“Top-quality lawyers that produce excellent work. Highly efficient individuals that are clear and concise with their delivery and statements.” – Dispute resolution
“Precise, effective and professional.” – Dispute resolution
“Perfect mix of exceptional legal ability and commercial nous.” – Dispute resolution
“Brilliant legal minds, listen to client and have first-class advocacy.” – Dispute resolution
“Choosing Drew & Napier was the best decision I made for my legal needs. They not only provided expert legal advice but also showed genuine care and emotional support throughout my matter. They took the time to understand my situation, provided clear guidance and advice, and fought tirelessly on my behalf. They do well in navigating my complex and high-profile disputes.” – Dispute resolution
“Good analytical skills, judgement and advising capability.” – Dispute resolution
“Lawyers are logical.” – Dispute resolution
“Good availability and teamwork.” – Dispute resolution
“They are able to work closely with myself and provide very useful, effective advice. Able to revert in a timely manner.” – Dispute resolution
“Strong experience and technical knowledge. Very prompt and easy to work with.” – Dispute resolution
“Drew & Napier's lawyers are well-versed in the law and provide useful and strategic advice in a dispute. They communicate clearly and tell us all that we need to know, when we need to know it. Ultimately, they put the best case forward and consistently deliver the results I need.” – Dispute resolution
“The law firm is highly knowledgeable and experienced, which made me feel at peace for letting them handle my case. Their team is compassionate and empathetic, providing personalised support and making me feel valued during a stressful time. They maintained excellent communication, keeping me informed. Additionally, their commitment to justice and willingness to help, evident in them taking my case as pro bono work. I believe that their professionalism and integrity make them an exceptional law firm.” – Dispute resolution
“First-class legal strategy and adept at providing a global approach to cases that considers the most effective way to reach the end goal right from the start.” – Dispute resolution
“Drew & Napier provides excellent legal services. They guide and explain matters to us clearly. They prepare thoroughly and respond promptly to our queries and requests for clarification. We are very satisfied with their services. Throughout the proceedings, we have had a positive experience working with them.” – Dispute resolution
“Quality of service and clarity of advice.” – Intellectual property
“D&N don't shy away from difficult or complex cases. They take the time to understand the client's needs, dig into the details and develop a well thought out strategy to meet the client's goals.” – Intellectual property
“Professional communication, expertise, practical advice and cost-effective.” – Intellectual property
“Professional and insightful.” – Intellectual property
“They are knowledgeable in the law, reliable and provide services in a cost-effective manner.” – Intellectual property
“Professional, knowledgeable, sharp, quick-minded and disciplined. The team did exceedingly well in understanding my case and representing my company.” – Intellectual property
“Very detailed in their attention and high-quality service with fast turnaround.” – Intellectual property
“Professional, prompt and very experienced.” – Intellectual property
“Strong and committed team from partner to associate level that has a strong understanding of our business and fund structure, and are able to propose innovative yet fundamentally sound advice.” – Investment funds
“Fast response, good-quality work and reasonable fees.” – Labour and employment
“Client-oriented and dedicated.” – Labour and employment
“Responsive, timely and insightful. Both Kelvin Tan and Benjamin Goh have provided sharp advice on how we deal with our labour and employment matters.” – Labour and employment
“The work was led by Benjamin Gaw, who was excellent, very knowledgeable, responsive, rigorous and commercial in his approach. The whole team provided good value for money too.” – Labour and employment
“Fit for purpose, practical legal advice and recommendations. Highly responsive, able to deliver on short notice and under urgent timelines. Reasonable legal fees.” – Labour and employment
“Response time is very fast, concise and precise advice reflecting the matter at hand.” – Oil and gas
“They have experience and expertise, understand the client's needs, are practical, solutions-oriented, timely, and value for money.” – Privacy and data protection
“There is attention to detail, practical advice given by very knowledgeable lawyers, tailored to your business needs.” – Privacy and data protection
“Incisive regulatory advice.” – Privacy and data protection
“Drew & Napier is very knowledgeable and comes up with practical solutions that comply with the law while balancing the needs of the business.” – Privacy and data protection
“They produce quality work and are strategic in their advice.” – Privacy and data protection
“Efficient and thorough service. Very professional.” – Private client
“Would recommend for their industry knowledge and willingness to think creatively for solutions.” – Real estate
“Very detailed in drafting of terms and conditions that protects client interest.” – Real estate
“Professional.” – Real estate
“They are experts in the field of data protection and have a wide range of experience to draw from. They are extremely cooperative and always willing to go the extra mile to assist their clients. They are readily available to us and are always eager to answer any queries or doubts that may arise. They give us the confidence to do our job well and are committed to building a relationship with us.” – Regulatory
“Drew managed to look outside the box, understand the whole situation, analysed the risk, and recommended a few alternatives with the associated risk for us to discuss and decide.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“They were able to coordinate the various wants from different parties and stakeholders and laid out clearly the pertinent issues, and efficient in drafting the docs that follow our agreements.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“Commercial-minded, responsive and very collaborative.” – Tax
David Alfred
“Incisive regulatory advice, cuts to the heart of legal issues and solid legal recommendations.”
Emmanuel Aw
“He has the impressive ability to quickly acquire a deep and comprehensive understanding of the relevant facts and to propose a logical and commercially sensible approach. He is a great communicator and his advice was always clear. He managed the case well, met all deadlines and constantly kept us informed. Most importantly, he led us to a successful outcome.”
“He is highly knowledgeable and experienced in employment law, which ensured that every aspect of my situation was handled with expertise. His strong analytical skills allowed him to quickly grasp the points from a pile of documents and shared strategies. He is also extremely compassionate and empathetic, always taking the time to listen to my concerns and provide support throughout the process. This personal approach made me feel valued and understood during a very stressful time. He also has excellent communication skills as I was always kept informed, and he was always available to answer my questions when I needed. Importantly, his willingness to take on my case pro bono demonstrated not only his dedication to his profession but also his genuine desire to help.”
“First-class legal mind. Fantastic team player. Excellent communication. Highly adept at devising a winning strategy for the client from the start of the case all the way to its conclusion.”
Manoj Belani
“Very knowledgeable, responsive and always available.”
Cavinder Bull
“Top lawyer.”
Daniel Cai
“Extremely responsive and knowledgeable.”
Anastasia Su-Anne Chen
“Professional, experienced, deep expertise, wide knowledge of other jurisdictions' laws, taking ownership of client's problems and solutions-oriented.”
Ron Cheng
“Strong understanding of the industry, our business and fund structure, patient and committed, strong risk management, innovative and has a strong team.”
Voon Jiet Chia
“Highly professional, good demeanour, extremely quick on his feet and knows the business well enough to give practical and sound advice.”
“Professional, thorough, knowledgeable and empathetic.”
Desmond Chng
“Very up-and-coming and bright lawyer. Client-focused and commercial minded.”
Christopher Chong
“Positive and realistic approach to problems and solutions.”
“Very knowledgeable and helpful, and commercially sound.”
Andrew Chua
“Wonderful personality.”
“Very focused on his work and able to give me timely and effective advice.”
Yuet Min Foo
“Overall management of the team and the case.”
“Very approachable, competent and experienced.”
Benjamin Gaw
“Professional and gives quality advice.”
“Easy to work with, responsive, down-to-earth and offers pragmatic solutions.”
“Benjamin was excellent, responsive, technically knowledgeable and very commercial. He was also very down-to-earth and easy to work with.”
“Benjamin is very easy to work with. He is knowledgeable in employment and data privacy matters. He is responsive and gives answers that are straight to the point.”
Benjamin Goh
“Responsive and understanding of our business concerns. Benjamin does well in providing quick and concise advice and is responsive to our time-sensitive issues.”
Blossom Hing
“Combination of exceptional legal ability, commercial nous and integrity.”
Man Er Kong
“She is a director at D&N and a good lawyer. She has excellent case and client management skills. She manages her team well and prepares all court papers meticulously. She has strong legal skills and formulates effective case strategies. She is always well-prepared and guides clients efficiently. She is knowledgeable about all case details and delivers excellent presentations when making arguments before the tribunal. She is a very hard-working lawyer, and a patient and good-natured person.”
Rakesh Kirpalani
“Responsive, effective, efficient, comprehensive, skilled, knowledgeable and understands the industry.”
Meryl Koh
“She is a star! She is community builder and a champion for SMEs. She has a strong sense of mission, and she wants to make a difference in the world with her work. She is very curious and prioritises understanding the business context – that is client-centricity. She is a pragmatic problem-solver and doesn't overcomplicate the issue and hence wins trust of the client.”
Wilson Koh
“Wilson is a game-changer for me. I have worked with many lawyers and know how frustrating it can be to work with some of them. In contrast, working with Wilson has been a breeze. He has a full grasp of the law at his fingertips and thus can adapt quickly to fast-moving situations, no matter how intricate the issues at hand.
One of the most invaluable traits that he possesses is his ability to envision all possible scenarios and evaluate the risks and benefits to each approach before I even have time to think about them. This is a rare trait that I have not seen in many lawyers, who in my humble experience often wait for me to ask what decisions I can take and how my decisions will affect me. Instead, Wilson will always give me multiple options to consider and explain the risks associated with each choice. This helps me make informed decisions within a short amount of time. He helps clients who have hectic schedules to make the right judgement call every single time.
He is able to do this because he is an excellent listener who can cut through distractive situations and focus on the crux of the issues. By being so attuned to my interests and objectives, he can “read my mind”. Thus, he understands my key points easily, which puts us on the same page in terms of strategy. Whereas many lawyers need me to provide lengthy explanations before they understand, Wilson is able to grasp what I am saying with ease. His strategic and calm advice helped to alleviate the intense pressure I felt during my extremely high-profile case, and that has been the difference between my successes and failures.
Finally, he understands that many complex cases often carry deep personal significance to clients, who may be anxious. He goes the extra mile by being available at any time. I have encountered lawyers who charge expensive fees but are unavailable or slow to reply. In contrast, Wilson picks up the phone even when I call at inconvenient hours and is incredibly patient. Many deals were closed after spontaneous phone calls or WhatsApp messages between us. The accessibility of your legal adviser can be the difference between a successful deal and a failed one.
In summary, Wilson is a lawyer that you want on your side. His deep understanding of the law and ability to adapt quickly make working with him a breeze. He anticipates scenarios, evaluates risks and presents multiple options with clarity and patience, helping me make informed decisions swiftly. His ability to navigate complex situations and alleviate pressure is exceptional. No amount of superlatives will reflect how strongly I commend Wilson. I hope that legal directories like you can give him a platform to receive the appreciation he deserves.”
Julian Kwek
“Julian listens and understands clients’ needs. He does not say no to any suggestion but is always willing to think outside the box to provide creative solutions and highlights the associated risk with such solutions.”
Sok Hiang Lau
“Responsible and professional.”
“Excellent industry knowledge.”
“Enthusiastic and responsive.”
“Very good knowledge in providing advice. Detailed in drafting of T&Cs protecting clients’ interests.”
Gerui Lim
“Gerui Lim is an exceptional talent; spot-on analysis and strategic thinker, excellent research and writer. And has always produced expected results.”
Siau Wen Lim
“Professional and sharp.”
“She is knowledgeable in the law and responsive when there are queries.”
Chong Kin Lim
“Practical, efficient, extremely knowledgeable with great client relationship development.”
“He is extremely knowledgeable and is able to explain complex concepts in easily understandable terms. His professionalism instils confidence in his clients.”
Shumin Lin
“She is quick and sharp. She identifies the issues quickly and accurately and provides very good advice and solution. She is also prompt in her work.”
“Shumin is a force of nature, I think she pushes settlement negotiations through very well. Would have liked to see her doing cross-examination.”
“Lin Shumin was prompt with her advice, she identified the issues quickly and accurately and provided sound advice that helped us in our matter.”
Adam Maniam
“Excellent responsiveness. Amazing ability to grasp and recall details. Excellent in court.”
Sushil Nair
“Sees the big picture and understands the issues all parties have.”
Pei Tong Ng
“Soft spoken but effective.”
“Patient and listens well. Forthcoming and on time.”
“Very responsive and prompt.”
“Good listening skills and problem-solving.”
Siraj Omar
“Very professional, top of his game.”
Ken Loon Ong
“I find Ken Loon to be one of the most collaborative tax partners in Singapore. Pleasure to work with. She speaks her mind and gives you transparent advice that is implementable.”
Mahesh Rai
“Very hard-working, responsive, easy to work with and results-oriented. He is also very bright and solution-oriented.”
“Mahesh is a strategic thinker who directs his team to do effective and efficient work.”
“Both from a personal and a professional point of view, I found Mahesh as someone impressive and genuine. He has great analytical skills, able to listen well, and very good in communication, as I often saw him carry himself so well in the court or in any kind of joint discussions. He provides me as a client with great sensitivity, tending the needs of my case in his best way. Mahesh also always comes up with great strategy, showing his creativity as a veteran lawyer.”
“Good problem-solving skills and decision-making.”
“Mahesh Rai is exceptional, bright, and very responsive.”
“A superb advocate and on par with other senior counsels.”
“Professional, knowledgeable and approachable. His quick and laser mind would do well in any subject-matter.”
Chern Yang See
“Chern Yang is a highly competent, intelligent and astute individual and lawyer who has from the onset of our first meeting proven to be 100% committed to achieving our goals while constantly reminding us to remain commercial in all our decisions and not to get carried away with emotions, which will end up with fighting aimlessly. The first objective would always be to find an amicable resolution and only when all else fails should we turn to the courts to have the matter resolved. He has vision and deep knowledge of the client, facilitating advice and making the processes adjust to the realities faced, with the objective to be more efficient in the case management.
He is our go-to lawyer as we know we will always receive excellent advice in a timely manner. He understands our structure intimately and is able to rally a global team to provide advice on any jurisdiction through his network of contacts whilst acting as an interface for us. They consistently deliver a very high level of support, often on an urgent basis, and provide a holistic view which takes into account other areas of risk for us. He is also very fortunate to be supported by a skilled team that helps him rise up above the rest.”
Kelvin Tan
“Amazing subject-matter expertise, depth and breadth of experience. Practical and relevant advice that can be adopted as compared to theoretical, ideal legal positions which are often not feasible for clients. Prompt and responsive.”
Benedict Teo
“Comprehensive and systematic.”
Ruby Tham
“We value her responsiveness, straightforward advice and that she is client-oriented.”
Shu Yan Woo
“She is a very able and personable lawyer, and Cavinder Bull's number two on the case. I really enjoyed working with her and the rest of the large team on this case.”
“Responsive and strategically minded. Leads her junior team members very well.”
See Chern Yang
“Whilst the firm's branding does play a part, it is See Chern Yang that is the sole reason why we engaged D&N and will keep engaging him for all our dispute resolution and litigation matters.”
En Li Yap
“Very responsive to calls and comments. Provides useful comments and feedback and thoughts on matters.”
“Easily accessible, hard-working and responsive. Produces high-quality work that is clear and concise.”
Javier Yeo
“Very fast work rate and able to grasp the core of the matter very well.”
“Javier Yeo has good commercial sense and a quick turnaround rate.”
Tony Yeo
“Experienced in the matter and has had a long relationship with us.”
“Tony is the lawyer you want in all your complex IP cases. He doesn't sit on the fence when giving his opinion. He takes the case as it is, digs into the facts and comes up with the best strategy for the situation.”
“Tony is very knowledgeable and approachable, able to explain complicated legal concepts in simple terms for ease of understanding. He has the attention for detail, able to see both the larger picture and the smaller details. Top-notch.”
“Professional and very experienced.”
“Strategic and has a great depth of knowledge of his specialty, which is IP. He’s a great litigator.”
Jimmy Yim
“Brilliant advocate who understands the issues. His written pleadings are excellent, advocacy is excellent and he demonstrates first-class client relations.”
Yang Shi Yong
“Had good understanding of the matter and reverted back with advice in a prompt manner. Always accessible.”
Work highlights
Assisted the Infocomm Media Development Authority in a comprehensive review of the Telecom Competition Code and Media Market Conduct Code, and to draft and implement a harmonised competition code for the telecommunications and media industries.
Engaged by the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam to assist with the development and implementation of Brunei’s personal data protection law and regulatory framework for the private sector.
Key clients
Alibaba Group, AT&T, Cisco Systems, PCCW, Singapore Telecommunications, Tencent Holdings
OrionW is a specialist firm dedicated to technology, media and telecommunications and fintech matters. The firm’s key expertise lies in domestic and cross-border transactions, data protection, cybersecurity, blockchain, export control matters, regulatory compliance, licensing and platform developments. Moreover, the firm works with Fortune 500, FTSE 100 and other multinational companies as well as innovative startups in the financial services, logistics, healthcare, technology, sports and retail sectors. In the past year, the firm’s media practice grew significantly with the increased focus on regulatory issues involving the use of developing technologies like AI. The firm is the exclusive Singapore member of the PrivacyRules alliance, a global professional alliance of more than 70 data privacy experts in the legal and technology fields. Managing director Winnie Chang is the key contact.
Client feedback
“Approachable, cost-effective, expert and user-friendly.” – Intellectual property
“Responsive, knowledgeable and reasonable charges.” – Labour and employment
“The lawyers at OrionW are really domain experts on legal issues relating to technology. You know you will get good guidance in clear language a client can understand and apply.” – Privacy and data protection
“Provided efficient solutions to address various concerns under the migration and facilitated the moving procedure.” – Regulatory
Winnie Chang
“Approachable, expert, understands brief and pragmatic.”
“Responsive and knowledgeable.”
“Winnie is deeply knowledgeable on data privacy and technology-related matters. She is also extremely personable and a pleasure to deal with.”
“Understands the client's needs, provides services efficiently and is a real problems resolver.”
Work highlights
Advised a satellite services company in Asia on regulatory compliance and licensing issues.
Assisted a digital token exchange on various regulatory compliance and licensing matters in relation to its operation.
Advised a global commercial order management solutions provider for communications on a review of its master supply agreement.
Rajah & Tann is one of the most visible among Singapore’s ‘Big Four’ law firms in the southeast Asian market. It occupies the top tier across an array of practice areas and sectors, with well-established teams in both the transactional and contentious arena. The firm has outstanding experience in complex and high-value cross-border matters, closely working with its R&T Asia network with specialised industry expertise. The firm has a traditional strength in dispute resolution backed by the largest litigation practice in Singapore with seven senior counsels. This year the firm proves its dominance again with its ascension into the ‘Outstanding’ tier for its tax practice. Key names include Angela Lim for banking and finance, Kim Huat Chia for capital markets and corporate and M&A, Kala Anandarajah for competition, Francis Xavier and Andre Yeap for dispute resolution, Arnold Tan for investment funds, Patrick Ang and Eng Beng Lee for restructuring and insolvency, Vikna Rajah for tax and private client matters, and Rajesh Sreenivasan for technology and telecommunications.
Client feedback
“Quick turnaround time.” – Aviation
“Responsive and client-centric approach.” – Banking and finance
“The core team led by Lee Xin Mei at Rajah & Tann is always highly responsive, consistently delivers expert and quality legal advice and, most importantly, constant assurance that they are professionals who have the backs of their clients on all transactions.” – Banking and finance
“Carries out a thorough analysis of the legislation in question and case law. When required, thinks out-of-the-box looking for solutions.” – Banking and finance
“Responsive, takes initiative, partners are humble and a commercial value-add.” – Competition/antitrust
“They were competent and efficient in handling our claim.” – Construction
“R&T can be the one-stop shop for complex legal transaction and matters. For example, R&T has advised me on a complex merger and acquisition transaction with broad legal support covering many different specific and technical practice areas such as corporate, real estate, banking, IP, competition, antitrust, etc.” – Corporate and M&A
“Sandy, Mark and Jun Yi lead a very strong and responsive team who push themselves very hard to serve clients’ interests. Our group’s demands are exacting with multiple listed entities across multiple jurisdictions. We trust Sandy and Jun Yi to lead their team to serve us well.” – Corporate and M&A
“Informative and responsive.” – Dispute resolution
“Sheng Rong [Tng], and the firm in general, are very responsive and provide good and detailed commercial advice.” – Dispute resolution
“Easy to communicate with.” – Dispute resolution
“In tune with the market and highly responsive.” – Dispute resolution
“Appreciated for their timeliness, and local and industry-related knowledge.” – Dispute resolution
“Recommended for their extensive experience and professionalism, demonstrating exceptional attention to detail. Moreover, their approachable and collaborative demeanour makes them truly outstanding to work with.” – Dispute resolution
“Prompt, flexible and pays attention to detail.” – Insurance
“Knowledgeable, thorough, strategic and efficient.” – Insurance
“Very knowledgeable on the regulatory landscape of the insurance sector. Advice is always well considered and commercial.” – Insurance
“Provides practical advice to lubricate the progress of the transaction.” – Investment funds
“Solid commercial approach, quick turnaround time, strong legal knowledge and strategic.” – Labour and employment
“Excellent responsiveness.” – Privacy and data protection
“Commerciality in approach and expertise in the subject-matter.” – Private equity
“Very knowledgeable and responsive, provided very useful and practical feedback.” – Real estate
“Knowledgeable, professional, and able to provide the most honest and balanced analysis for clients to make informed decisions.” – Regulatory
“Responsive and understands our business objectives well.” – Regulatory
“Stellar expertise in Singapore regulatory matters as it relates to fund management.” – Regulatory
“They are well-versed with the law.” – Restructuring and insolvency
“They are very knowledgeable and try to apply it to the case management.” – Tax
Kala Anandarajah
“Responsive, humble and commercial.”
Jainil Bhandari
“Knowledgeable, skilled, strategic and thorough.”
Alroy Chan
“Responsive. Understands very well our business and how we work internally.”
Mark Cheng
“Mark is well-versed in the law and able to solve the issues as they come.”
Benjamin Cheong
“Always available, solution-oriented.”
“Benjamin has excellent client engagement skills and is able to understand commercial and operational constraints. He shows strong initiative in supporting clients to resolve issues.”
Jasmine Chew
“Highly recommended. She listens to clients, understand their needs, analyse them well, and is able to provide various solutions and the pros and cons of each solution for clients to make informed decisions. She is very good. Because of Jasmine's good work, my firm has moved most of the Singapore and SEA legal matters to Rajah & Tann.”
Simon Goh
“He pays attention to details, is flexible and has a good knowledge of the industry.”
Jared Kok
“Knowledgeable and strategic. Has the ability to keep calm and collected under pressure.”
Xin Mei Lee
“Xin Mei is our go-to lawyer for highly structured and complex leveraged and acquisition financings. She is a high-calibre and top-tier legal talent with an extremely astute mind. She is always able to quickly grasp the nuances in highly complex transactions and is extremely knowledgeable in both legal and commercial issues. She is solution-oriented and is always able to structure bespoke solutions to meet the needs of her demanding clients. She is extremely dedicated, always responsive and highly reliable – you can always count on her to deliver high-quality work even under compressed deadlines. She is also highly personable, connects well with her clients and demonstrates great leadership. Xin Mei is an absolute bright spark amongst the banking and finance equity partners at Rajah & Tann.”
“Responsive, client-centric and solutions-oriented.”
Nathanael Lin
“Strong industry and local knowledge. Timeliness.”
Paul Ng
“Good communication skills and depth of knowledge.”
Vikna Rajah
“Patient, knowledgeable and attentive to the issue.”
“He is extremely pragmatic and approachable. He is a star in that region.”
Chee Siong Sim
“He is professional in his work and able to provide valuable advice.”
Zixiang Sun
“Provides clear and pragmatic advice.”
“Extremely knowledgeable and sensitive to our needs. He positions himself as a fair and reasonable counsel. He is highly responsive and available for discussion.”
Kevin Tan
“Kevin is a diligent and responsive professional who consistently demonstrated a deep knowledge of the law. His innovative approach to problem-solving and his commitment to keeping me abreast of the latest developments in my case ensured that he provided a top-tier service. His responsiveness and dedication made him an invaluable asset in my legal matter.”
“Responsive.”
Steve Tan
“Responsive.”
Kendall Tan
“He is very knowledgeable and has many ideas to manage claims.”
“He thinks out of the box, making himself available when needed.”
Lionel Tay
“Plugged into the market and responsive.”
Marcus Tay
“He is very knowledgeable, experienced and responsive. Very helpful to push through the transaction.”
Sheng Rong Tng
“Sheng Rong is very responsive and provides good commercial advice.”
“Strong understanding and grasps the issues with ease.”
Ying Shuang Wang
“Ying Shuang is extremely knowledgeable on the regulatory requirements of the insurance sector and particularly good at advising us, the client, on MAS requirements and regulatory approach. She has helped us immensely with obtaining MAS approvals on insurance-related matters and achieves what we need to progress our business plans and goals in a timely manner.”
Evelyn Wee
“Evelyn Wee is knowledgeable and has the depth of experience to handle complex corporate matters. She is always on top of things and has the leadership to lead different teams across different practice areas to provide fast, reliable and sound advice. Her team is impressive and can balance commercial goals of the client and the need to have appropriate legal protection.”
Anne Yeo
“She has a client-first stance, deep knowledge of Singapore regulatory matters and a deep understanding of our company.”
Work highlights
Advised ByteDance and its subsidiaries on their expansion into southeast Asia.
Assisted Bayer AG’s launch of innovative digital agriculture and sustainability initiatives across the region.
Acted for Ant Financial Group on the launch of its blockchain-backed smart contract platform for cross-border trade by SMEs.
Key clients
HoYoverse, Microsoft, Sephora, SpoonX, Starbucks
TLB focuses on commercial and corporate transactions, capital markets and corporate reorganisations involving both private and public companies, non-profit organisations and entrepreneurs. Due to the founder’s long track record as an in-house counsel at a telecoms firm, TLB has deep expertise in the telecommunications industry. Clients seek the team out for advice on the financial and emerging technologies space, as the lawyers are well-versed in blockchain technologies, crypto-tokens, as well as related services and the attendant legal and regulatory implications. Its clients range from founders of layer-1 or 2 public blockchains, non-profit token foundations, dApps, DAOs, web 3 companies, private investment funds and crypto-exchanges to centralised and decentralised financial intermediaries. The firm has completed over 400 varied transactions, more than half being cross-border. Philippe Taverne and Mathilde Broustau are key contacts. They are qualified to practice Singapore, French and UK law.
Client feedback
“Trustworthy, understanding of business environment, available and speedy.” – Corporate and M&A
Work highlights
Advised Polemos Labs on the terms of use of its digital assets rental platform.
Assisting Algorand Foundation, Moonbeam Foundation and Kyriba SEA with their ongoing advisory work.
A formidable market leader in the full gamut of corporate and finance matters, WongPartnership comprises over 300 lawyers in eight global cities. It offers extensive experience in handling high-stakes structured finance, M&A, funds, private equity, project finance and syndicated loans. The firm also has plentiful expertise on big-ticket domestic and cross-border disputes involving corporate, construction, insolvency and regulatory matters. Key lawyers include Susan Wong for banking and finance, Ameera Ashraf for competition, Andrew Ang and Wai King Ng for corporate and M&A and private equity, Alvin Yeo for dispute resolution, and Manoj Pillay Sandrasegara for restructuring and insolvency. In addition, Chung Nian Lam, Kah Keong Low, Jenny Tsin and Dorothy Marie Ng are regarded for their work in IP, investment funds, employment and real estate, respectively. Construction guru Christopher Chuah departed to set up his own boutique firm in October 2023.
Client feedback
“Excellent lawyers, the whole team is very knowledgeable and they give great practical advice.” – Intellectual property
“Their attorneys are always super-responsive and communicate with their clients clearly and efficiently. They are knowledgeable and understand all relevant information regarding a subject so that they can make an informed decision.” – Intellectual property
“Very efficient and comprehensive.” – Intellectual property
“Clear legal advice, responsive, reliable, practical and business-oriented.” – Oil and gas
“Excellent teamwork and attention to detail.” – Real estate
“WongPartnership’s teams are all very professional and extend valuable advice to all our legal contracts' queries." – Real estate
“Wong Partnership excels in prioritising client satisfaction by building long-term relationships based on trust and mutual respect. They thoroughly understand clients' objectives and offer personalised legal advice to achieve their goals. With an innovative approach to problem-solving and a commitment to quality, they deliver creative solutions and ensure the best representation and outcomes for their clients.” – Real estate
“A strong bench with highly competent lawyers.” – Real estate
“WongPartnership has a high level of expertise in technology law and regulatory compliance. They are highly professional and provide timely and accurate legal advice. Despite being a Singaporean firm, through their network they can handle cross-border legal issues, making them extremely valuable for clients, both for multinational and domestic projects.” – Technology and telecommunications
Cornelia Fong
“Responsive, obliging, business-oriented and very knowledgeable in the area of real estate.”
Chung Nian Lam
“Chung Nian is an extremely knowledgeable lawyer and excels in his area of practice. He has great communication skills, which helps in making the global clients understand even a complex matter easily. He is very responsive and extremely patient, and a great listener. He is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after IP lawyers in Singapore.”
“Superb practitioner, very knowledgeable.”
“Very brilliant.”
“Chung Nian is one of the most professional attorneys I've had the privilege to work with. He is intelligent, responsive, courteous, and delivers good advice.”
Dorothy Marie Ng
“Very pleasant and patient, attentive to detail and very responsive.”
“Reliable, trustworthy and can be counted on to provide sound advice and deliver outstanding work.”
“Proactive, she gets to the heart of the matter quickly and is solution-oriented.”
“She was very proactive, efficient and time-sensitive.”
Kylie Peh
“She is an expert in her field!”
Serene Soh
“Serene has been a great legal counsel to our office leases, and extends sound and valuable advice when we have challenging cases to resolve.”
Teck Howe Tan
“Teck Howe stands out for his strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. He has strong analytical skills, finds creative solutions to complex legal issues, pays meticulous attention to details in legal documentation and case preparation, and ensures accuracy to minimise errors.”
Work highlights
Advised DBS Bank and UBS as the joint financial advisers on the legal and regulatory aspects across technology, media, entertainment, broadcasting and data laws in the context of a de-spac process involving an online streaming platform business with gaming elements.
Represented OCBC in relation to the roll-out of its digital banking services, and assisted with the drafting and reviewing the terms and conditions of such digital banking services and use of third-party software platforms in conjunction with such digital banking services.
Key clients
Pico Immersive, Savu Investments, Singapore Airlines, Smartchain Growth, Sport Singapore, Weiyu Films