19 Jul 2024
Rajah & Tann Singapore is the only law firm conferred Champion of Good 2024 by National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre
Rajah & Tann Singapore (R&T) has been recognised as a "Champion of Good 2024" by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) - the highest recognition under the new Company of Good (“COG”) Recognition System. The other 3 categories are "Company of Good 1 Heart", "Company of Good 2 Hearts" and "Company of Good 3 Hearts".
The firm stands among 78 organisations and is the only law firm conferred the highest recognition of "Champion of Good" in the 2024 Cohort. These exemplary organisations demonstrated progressive commitment to Corporate Purpose and made holistic contributions, including influencing stakeholders for multiplied impact, across the People, Society, Governance, Environment and Economic dimensions at a national level.
To qualify as a Champion of Good, organisations undergo a rigorous evaluation by an inter-agency judging panel on corporate purpose, policies and practices, quantitative indicators and target setting for each impact area and level of engagement with external stakeholders. The judging panel is led by the NVPC and the Singapore Business Federation and consist of representatives from National Council of Social Service, Singapore Institute of Directors, Singapore National Employers Federation and UN Global Compact Network Singapore.
Patrick Ang, Managing Partner, Rajah & Tann Singapore said, “We are honoured to have been recognised for our efforts in contributing our expertise and resources to support our community. As a purpose-driven firm, we are a part of a larger ecosystem, and we are responsible to do good for our community because that is the right thing to do. We will continue to strive for excellence and remain committed to driving meaningful changes for a better Singapore.”
A national recognition initiative under NVPC’s COG strategy, the COG system aims to recognise the contributions of organisations in Singapore for their commitment to corporate purpose and impact.
18 Jul 2024
Rajah & Tann strengthens China practice with new office in Shenzhen
Rajah & Tann Singapore (R&T) has received approval from China’s State Council for its second office in the country, to be based in the southern economic and tech hub of Shenzhen.
R&T’s Shenzhen office will be led by Hew Kian Heong, who has more than 30 years of international experience, particularly in representing major Chinese and international firms in arbitration, litigation and mediation. Mr Hew is recognised as a leading lawyer in international construction and infrastructure disputes.
Mr Hew and Linda Qiao, who heads the Shanghai office, will co-lead R&T’s practice in China, which was established 21 years ago.
The new office will be officially launched in the fourth quarter of the year and will work closely with lawyers across the Rajah & Tann Asia network, including those in the Singapore-based Greater China practice. They include projects and construction partner Loh Yong Hui and dispute resolution partner David Isidore Tan. Mr Loh will also serve as the Chief Representative of the Shenzhen Representative Office.
The expansion comes at a time of rapid integration of cities in China’s Greater Bay Area, boosted by the recent opening of the mega Shenzhen-Zhongshan bridge, and the surge in Chinese investments in Southeast Asia. R&T said these developments are expected to fuel economic growth and drive demand for cross-border legal services in the Pearl River delta in the coming years.
The newly-licensed office will be located in Qianhai, a dynamic and modern business district in Shenzhen that has emerged as China's financial and technological hub. It offers a prime location just an hour’s drive from Hong Kong.
Lured by favourable tax policies, excellent infrastructure, IP and trademark protection, among others, banks, IT and logistic companies and professional services firms, have in recent years been setting up in Qianhai.
Patrick Ang, Managing Partner of R&T, said: “The rise in trade and investments between China and Southeast Asia has seen clients looking to regional firms with cross-jurisdictional capabilities like Rajah & Tann. Our new office in Shenzhen is in response to their needs, and will complement and support the work we are already doing in Shanghai and Singapore.
“Kian Heong is an experienced China hand who has advised major Chinese and international clients in construction and infrastructure projects in China and across various jurisdictions. We are confident that with his experience and expertise, Rajah & Tann will be well placed to provide premier services to our clients in southern China.”
Mr Ang added that R&T’s strengths in alternative dispute resolution fit well in Qianhai, which aims to become an international arbitration centre.
Mr Hew is supported by three international counsel in its China practice, namely Ma Tianyu, Andrew Lin, and Xing Chengdong, who bring a wealth of experience in international construction and managing complex and high-stakes arbitrations across various sectors and jurisdictions.
Separately, R&T has also added Huang Shilin, a seasoned Taiwanese lawyer in dispute resolution, who brings over 30 years of experience and a deep understanding of Taiwan’s legal landscape, to support Chinese mainland and Taiwan-based firms looking to expand into Southeast Asia.
R&T’s Singapore office will also play a pivotal role in supporting the Shanghai and Shenzhen offices, particularly in the areas of construction projects and technology.
About Rajah & Tann Asia – https://www.rajahtannasia.com/
Rajah & Tann Asia brings together leading law firms and lawyers in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, with each offering the highest standards of service to locally-based clients while collectively having the capability to handle the most complex regional and cross-border transactions and to provide excellent legal counsel seamlessly across the region. With 1,000 fee earners, all working towards one shared goal, we are lawyers who know Asia and who give our clients home advantage.
16 May 2024
Rajah & Tann sweeps 10 awards including SE Asia Deal Firm of the Year and Regional Litigation Law Firm of the Year at the ALB SE Asia Law Firm Awards 2024
Rajah & Tann Singapore (R&T) emerged as the top winner at the Asian Legal Business (ALB) SE Asia Law Awards 2024, held on 16th May 2024, bagging a total of ten awards. These awards include six Law Firm of the Year awards, three individual accolades, and one Deal of the Year award.
R&T was awarded SE Asia Deal Firm of the Year and Regional Litigation Law Firm of the Year, showcasing our leading expertise in both dealmaking and litigation across the region. The firm also won Firm of the Year awards in the following categories:
- Maritime Law Firm of the Year
- Restructuring and Insolvency Law Firm of the Year
- Singapore Litigation Law Firm of the Year
- Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Firm of the Year
R&T’s Managing Partner and Vice-Chairman of Rajah & Tann Asia Patrick Ang was named Managing Partner of the Year, recognising his outstanding leadership of the firm.
Evelyn Wee, Deputy Head of the Corporate and Transactional Group and Head of the Capital Markets Practice, was named Dealmaker of the Year for her outstanding track record in dealmaking.
Sheila Ng, Deputy Head of the Restructuring and Insolvency Practice, emerged as Young Lawyer of the Year, demonstrating her exceptional potential as a young talent in the legal industry.
One standout matter earned M&A Deal of the Year for the firm. Led by Partners Raymond Tong, Brian Ng, Jasselyn Seet and Goh Jun Yi, R&T acted for 17LIVE Inc. in its S$923 million business combination for Vertex Technology Acquisition Corporation Ltd, which was Singapore’s first acquisition of a target company by a SPAC transaction.
Organised annually by ALB, a subsidiary firm of Thomson Reuters, the esteemed awards honour outstanding achievements of both private practitioners and in-house counsel across Southeast Asia and beyond.
About Rajah & Tann Asia – https://www.rajahtannasia.com/
Rajah & Tann Asia brings together leading law firms and lawyers in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, with each offering the highest standards of service to locally-based clients while collectively having the capability to handle the most complex regional and cross-border transactions and to provide excellent legal counsel seamlessly across the region. With more than 1,000 fee earners, all working towards one shared goal, we are lawyers who know Asia and who give our clients home advantage.
26 Jan 2024
Rajah & Tann Strengthens China Practice with Appointment of Four International Counsel
Rajah & Tann Singapore (R&T) has appointed a team of four international counsel to its China practice, effective from 1 January 2024. The team, based in China, includes Zheng Haotian, a home-grown lawyer who specialises in mergers and acquisitions, corporate commercial and employment matters. The other three lawyers are Ma Tianyu, Andrew Lin, and Xing Chengdong, who bring with them a wealth of experience and expertise in international construction and managing complex and high-stakes arbitrations across various sectors and jurisdictions. Ma Tianyu, Andrew Lin, and Xing Chengdong will work together with Hew Kian Heong, a veteran China-based lawyer, who is leading the firm’s International Arbitration and Construction practice in China.
Patrick Ang, Managing Partner of R&T, said: “We are excited to welcome this team of international counsel to bolster our China practice. They bring with them a wealth of knowledge and skills in international arbitration, construction and corporate matters, which will greatly enhance our ability to serve our clients in China and the region.
“Their addition reflects our commitment to strengthening our presence and capabilities in one of the most important and dynamic markets in the world."
Ma Tianyu, Andrew Lin and Xing Chengdong will advise clients on a range of dispute resolution matters, including commercial, investment, construction, and energy disputes. They will also represent clients before major arbitration institutions, such as the International Chamber of Commerce, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission and the London Court of International Arbitration.
Zheng Haotian joined the Shanghai Representative Office of Rajah & Tann Singapore in 2017 and is experienced in mergers and acquisitions, corporate commercial as well as employment matters. She has advised on numerous cross-border transactions involving Chinese and foreign companies. She has also assisted clients in regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and general corporate matters.
Established in 2003, Rajah & Tann Singapore’s Shanghai Representative Office has played a key role in assisting foreign clients in their investment in China and linking Chinese clients with the vibrant Southeast Asian market. The firm’s outstanding performance in serving Chinese clients, including state-owned enterprises of China, resulted in its unique appointment as the legal advisor to the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Singapore in 2016. This unprecedented appointment signified the growing trade, investment and exchange between Singapore and China. The firm’s multi-disciplinary China Practice is also a winner of the Shipping category at the China Business Law Awards 2023 and was the winner of the Restructuring & Insolvency and Tax categories of the same awards in 2022.
About Rajah & Tann Asia – https://www.rajahtannasia.com/
Rajah & Tann Asia brings together leading law firms and lawyers in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, with each offering the highest standards of service to locally-based clients while collectively having the capability to handle the most complex regional and cross-border transactions and to provide excellent legal counsel seamlessly across the region. With 970 fee earners, all working towards one shared goal, we are lawyers who know Asia and who give our clients home advantage.