The Legal 500 - Asia Pacific (2024)

Antitrust and Competition – Tier 1
Banking and Finance – Tier 1
Capital Markets: Equity and Debt – Tier 2
Capital Markets: Structured Finance, Derivatives and Securitisation – Tier 1
Construction – Tier 1
Corporate and M&A – Tier 2
Data Protection and Cyber Security – Tier 1
Dispute Resolution – Tier 1
Fintech and Financial Services Regulatory – Tier 1
Insurance – Tier 1
Intellectual Property – Tier 2
International Arbitration – Tier 2
Investment Funds – Tier 1
Labour and Employment – Tier 1
Private Wealth and Family Law – Tier 1
Projects and Energy – Tier 1
Real Estate – Tier 1
Restructuring and Insolvency – Tier 1
Start-up and Venture Capital – Tier 2
Shipping – Tier 1
Tax – Tier 2
TMT – Tier 1
White-Collar Crime – Tier 1
Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration: Leading Firms – Tier 3

Leading Lawyers:
Angela Lim – Banking and Finance
Anne Yeo – Investment Funds
Brian Ng - Start-Up and Venture Capital
Chia Kim Huat – Capital Markets: Equity and Debt
Chua Beng Chye- Restructuring and Insolvency
Desmond Wee – Labour and Employment
Elaine Tay – Insurance
Evelyn Wee - Capital Markets: Equity and Debt
Francis Xavier – Dispute Resolution
Hamidul Haq – White-Collar Crime
Kala Anandarajah – Antitrust and Competition
Kendall Tan - Shipping
Lau Kok Keng – Intellectual Property
Lee Eng Beng – Dispute Resolution
Lim Wee Hann – Corporate and M&A
Leong Kah Wah – Shipping
Muralidharan Pillai, SC – Labour and Employment
Ng Kim Beng - Construction
Norman Ho – Real Estate
Patrick Ang – Restructuring and Insolvency
Rajesh Sreenivasan – Data Protection and Cyber Security
Raymond Tong – Capital Markets: Equity and Debt
Regina Liew – Capital Markets: Structured Finance, Derivatives and Securitisation, Fintech and Financial Services Regulatory
Shemane Chan – Construction; Projects and Energy
Steve Tan – Data Protection and Cyber Security, TMT
Tracy Ang – Start-Up and Venture Capital
Thong Chee Kun – White-Collar Crime
Toh Kian Sing, SC – Shipping
Vikna Rajah – Private Wealth and Family Law, Tax
Wee Hann Lim – Corporate and M&A

Next Generation Lawyers:
Benjamin Cheong – TMT
Benjamin Tay – Real Estate
Benjamin Liew – Capital Markets: Structured Finance, Derivatives and Securitisation
Ho Mei Shi – Banking and Finance
Jasmine Chew – Investment Funds
Philip Yeo – Investment Funds
Josephine Chee- White-Collar Crime
Loh Yong Hui – Projects and Energy

Hall of Fame:
Andre Yeap SC – International Arbitration
Arnold Tan – Investment Funds
Lee Eng Beng, SC – Restructuring and Insolvency
Rajesh Sreenivasan - TMT
Sandy Foo – Corporate and M&A
Simon Goh - Insurance

Key Lawyers:
Adzfar Alami – Banking and Finance
Alvin Ee - Insurance
Alvin Tan – Antitrust and Competition
Avinash Pradhan - Construction
Benjamin Liew - Fintech and Financial Services Regulatory
Cheryl Tan – Banking and Finance
Cynthia Wu - Capital Markets: Equity and Debt
Danny Lim – Corporate and M&A, Capital Markets: Equity and Debt
Devathas Satianathan – International Arbitration
Divyesh Menon – International Arbitration
Evelyn Wee – Real Estate
Favian Tan – Corporate and M&A
Gazalle Mok – Real Estate
Jainil Bhandari - Shipping
Jansen Chow – Dispute Resolution
Jared Kok – Labour and Employment
Joshua Seet – Antitrust and Competition
Justin Lee - TMT
Kee Lay Lian - Private Wealth and Family Law
Kelvin Poon,SC - Dispute Resolution
Kevin Tan – Dispute Resolution
Larry Lim - Projects and Energy
Lee Weilin – Banking and Finance
Lee Xin Mei – Banking and Finance, Capital Markets: Structured Finance, Derivatives and Securitisation, Capital Markets: Equity and Debt
Leong Kah Wah - Shipping
Lionel Tan - Data Protection and Cyber Security, TMT
Michelle Lee – White Collar Crime
Murali Pillai – Dispute Resolution
Raelene Pereira - Restructuring and Insolvency
Samuel Lim - Fintech and Financial Services Regulatory
Sim Kwan Kiat – Restructuring and Insolvency
Soh Lip San – Construction, Projects and Energy
Tan Chuan Thye – Dispute Resolution
Tanya Tang – Antitrust and Competition, TMT
Tng Sheng Rong – Intellectual Property
Vanina Sucharitkul – International Arbitration
Yang Tianzhou - Data Protection and Cyber Security
Zixiang Sun – Investment Funds

Antitrust and Competition
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP command a strong reputation in the Singapore market for handling complex cross-border merger and investigation mandates. Practice head Kala Anandarajah is one of the most prominent competition and antitrust lawyers in the region, overseeing a practice with experience spanning multiple jurisdictions including Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Tanya Tang is a trusted advisor to a number of major private clients and regulatory bodies in Singapore and the wider region, while Joshua Seet, having rejoined from Fangda Partners in August 2022, significantly bolsters the team’s expertise relating to merger control and corporate distribution and cooperation practices. Alvin Tan Yong Joon brings solid experience advising on anti-competitive arrangements across key sectors including automotives, shipping, pharmaceuticals, consultancy and defence.

Banking and Finance
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP has a prolific record in bulge-bracket financings, particularly in relation to real estate and REITs. It is also at the forefront of sustainability-linked and green loans, especially those connected to real estate acquisitions and developments. The firm has a burgeoning presence in cross-border financings, including those involving India, Indonesia and China. It has close links to a multitude of regional and international lenders, along with a number of REITs and other corporates in Asia Pacific. Angela Lim is qualified to practise in England and Singapore, is co-head of the banking and finance group, and has extensive experience in high-value local and cross-border loans, including sustainability-linked financings. Also co-head of the team, Ng Sey Ming is Singapore, Malaysia and UK qualified, and is a leading figure in real estate finance, acquisition finance, and sustainability-linked loans. Lee Weilin is further noted for sustainability-linked financings, REIT transactions, and corporate loans. Lee Xin Mei and Cheryl Tan cover banking and debt capital markets transactions.

Capital Markets
Praised for its ‘excellent technical knowledge’, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP acts for issuers, issue managers, underwriters and originators on IPOs, listing of companies, REITs and business trusts on the Mainboard and Catalist of the SGX. With demonstrable experience across the energy and resources, healthcare, lifestyle, real estate and manufacturing sectors, the firm houses a SPACs multidisciplinary practice and maintains a strong track record in domestic and cross-border equity, debt, and hybrid transactions. Hoon Chi Tern, who handles local and international IPOs, secondary listings and fund-raising mandates, jointly leads the team alongside Tan Mui Hui, who advises on primary and secondary listings in Singapore, as well as overseas exchanges, including, HKEx and NYSE. Evelyn Wee is noted for her expertise in SGX Mainboard listings, as well as REITs and business trusts listings, while Lee Xin Mei frequently advises on domestic and multi-jurisdictional debt restructuring transactions. Other key contacts in the group include Raymond Tong, who focuses on high-profile equity capital markets deals, and regional head of the firm’s corporate and transactional group, Chia Kim Huat.

Capital Markets: Structured Finance, Derivatives and Securitisation
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP has demonstrable experience advising on listed and unlisted derivatives and structured products, in addition to handling matters concerning novel financial products. Regina Liew, who has considerable experience acting for banks and other financial institutions on a broad range of advisory, transactional and enforcement mandates, jointly leads the team alongside Larry Lim, who focuses on fintech, crowdfunding and digital currencies matters. Benjamin Liew counts retail and private banks, investment advisers, fund managers, fintech entities and derivative dealers among his key roster of clients, while Lee Xin Mei advises on structured debt and securitisation transactions.

Construction
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP has a large team of construction specialists. The firm has rounded expertise in the full lifecycle of construction specialists, though is best known for its disputes expertise. The firm is noted for its experience in disputes connected to large-scale construction projects around Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar, along with projects in India, Mongolia and elsewhere in Asia. The firm has worked on a series of front-end construction projects in Singapore and has experienced further growth in engagements stemming from data centre and clean energy projects. Sim Chee Siong leads the construction and projects team and has extensive experience in disputes in Singapore, Southeast Asia and beyond. Soh Lip San and Avinash Pradhan are also experienced figures in construction and engineering disputes, particularly in relation to energy and infrastructure assets. Deputy managing partner Ng Kim Beng also has an outstanding reputation in construction cases and has an estimable track record in Singapore and Southeast Asia disputes. Shemane Chan provides further front-end construction expertise, particularly in relation to Singapore projects, but also across Asia.

Corporate and M&A
The ‘practical and efficient’ team at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP has demonstrable experience in cross-border transactions across the Asia Pacific region, with notable expertise in high-value private equity transactions. Regional head of the firm’s corporate and transactional group, Chia Kim Huat advises on public and private M&A, multi-jurisdictional joint ventures and private equity investments, while Sandy Foo maintains a standout track record in big-ticket transactions. Lim Wee Hann acts for clients in the biotechnology, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors on cross-border acquisitions and divestments, and Evelyn Wee is praised as ‘a star in the team’. Terence Quek and Favian Tan spearhead the technology M&A practice, and Tracy-Anne Ang counts multinational companies, startups, SMEs, private equity investors and venture capital funds among her key roster of clients.

Data Protection and Cyber Security
Praised as ‘one of the top firms in Singapore’ for data protection and cyber security, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP handles the full gamut of mandates, from regulatory investigations and compliance projects to data breaches and cyber incidents, including the drafting of response plans and policies. Data governance and cyber security expert Rajesh Sreenivasan jointly leads the team alongside Steve Tan, who is commended as ‘one of the most eminent lawyers in the practice of privacy and data protection’, and Benjamin Cheong, who advises on data protection compliance matters. Lionel Tan, who ‘has demonstrated excellent insight and delivered practical and sound advice into data protection matters and breaches’, is another key contact in the group.

Dispute Resolution
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP has a deep and impressive dispute resolution team that covers a wide range of cases. It has eight senior counsel within its ranks and has taken key roles in 52 out of 140 SICC judgments as of June 2023. It has earned further accolades for cases involving stolen cryptocurrency, corporate succession, the enforcement of arbitral awards and the largest claim for fraudulent trading. Its wide-ranging industry experience includes headline cases in the real estate, energy and resources, fintech and shipping sectors. It has also demonstrated its expertise in commercial fraud, asset recovery and investigations. Francis Xavier SC is regional head of dispute resolution and has an outstanding record in large cross-border cases. Adrian Wong is head of commercial litigation. Vikram Nair is deputy head of the team and noted for South Asia disputes. Lee Eng Beng SC is rated for banking disputes and insolvency litigation. Murali Pillai SC is another seasoned figure with a fine record in employment and financial services disputes. Kevin Poon SC and Andre Yeap SC provide further senior-level expertise in international arbitration. Tan Chuan Thye SC, Kevin Tan and Jansen Chow also impress. Danny Ong left the firm to co-found Setia Law LLC.

Fintech and Financial Services Regulatory
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP is well placed to give regulatory advice on novel financial projects, multi-jurisdictional transactions, and crowdfunding mandates. Payment services licence applications, NFT product offerings and the issuance of digital tokens are other notable areas of activity for the team, with venture capital fundraisings a further sweet spot. Capital markets expert Regina Liew co-heads the practice; she handles an array of advisory, transactional and enforcement matters for financial institutions and also has a strong fintech practice. Fellow co-head Larry Lim is highlighted for his expertise in licensing and regulatory clearances, open banking and real estate tokenisation. Benjamin Liew is adept at advising a wide range of financial institutions on issues such as China’s legislative framework for derivatives. Samuel Lim excels in matters relating to the Payment Services Act 2019.

Insurance
A formidable practice, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP remains a market leader in the insurance and reinsurance arenas. Often at the forefront of high-stakes cases, the practice is adept in handling contentious and non-contentious matters, including advisory work for major insurers and regulators. Alongside specialisms in regulatory, corporate, and employment mandates, the team has expertise in insurance regulation and disputes, in addition to advising on insurance-linked securities and catastrophe bond issues. Simon Goh brings a wealth of experience in contentious and non-contentious work, and jointly leads the team alongside Wang Ying Shuang, who handles regulatory and transactional matters, often focusing on coverage disputes and recoveries. Elaine Tay is well-placed to advise on property and energy insurance issues, as well as other corporate and regulatory work.

Intellectual Property
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP’s IP team handles a broad range of transactional and brand protection matters, with demonstrable experience in IP litigation, notably handling trade mark and copyright infringement cases. The team excels in the technology, media and food and beverages sectors, in addition to the gaming industry, evidenced by its recent advice to video game publisher NetEase in a dispute involving Riot Games Inc. The practice is spearheaded by 'outstanding' Lau Kok Keng, who has considerable experience in IP litigation, particularly in the sports, media, and gaming arenas. Tng Sheng Rong, who focuses on copyright and trade mark infringement claims, is another key contact in the group.

International Arbitration
‘Leading firm in Southeast Asia’ Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP has a ‘well-established and highly regarded’ international arbitration practice, with expertise in high-value cross-border litigation and arbitration proceedings. The department is particularly well versed in government-related work, joint venture, international construction and natural resources. The team is jointly led by ‘master strategist’ Kelvin Poon SC and Avinash Pradhan, who enjoys a strong reputation in multiple fields, including corporate finance, M&A, joint venture, and shareholder disputes. For one client, Devathas Satianathan and Andre Yeap SC’s ‘knowledge of international commercial law and arbitration is outstanding’. The team continues to grow, with the arrival of Divyesh Menon from Mayer Brown in August 2022, and Vanina Sucharitkul from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in March 2023.

Investment Funds
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP is a leader in the formation of private funds, having focused on the area for over 25 years. It has extensive regulatory expertise, focused on licensing and ongoing regulation for fund managers. The firm’s client base represents a significant market share of licensed and registered fund managers that conduct fund management business in Singapore. It has also played a pivotal role in the development of Singapore’s variable capital company (VCC) regime. Anne Yeo is at the pinnacle of the market, with Philip Yeo and Jasmine Chew also recognised as top practitioners. Arnold Tan is a doyen of the Singapore investment funds market.

Labour and Employment
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP has a broad mix of contentious and non-contentious employment work, fielding one of the largest teams in the Singapore market. It is a member of Ius Laboris, the global legal network that specialises in labour and employment law. The wide-ranging practice encompasses an impressive flow of engagements, including employment policy reviews, trade union negotiations, employment disputes, investigations and disciplinary processes, and retrenchment and restructuring exercises. The firm is also rated for managing multi-jurisdictional employment issues. Desmond Wee leads the non-contentious employment team with an impressive background in retrenchments and restructurings, investigations, and employee benefits. The highly-rated Jonathan Yuen heads the employment disputes group, handling high-stakes cases and major investigations. Murali Pillai, SC is another leading employment litigator.

Private Wealth
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP advises a substantial number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals and wealthy families in Asia and worldwide, along with a range of institutional clients. It continues to work intensively in the establishment of family offices and in business succession planning. It has a prestigious record in wills and probate, family and matrimonial law, real estate, integrated tax, and trusts and estate wealth planning and structuring, among other areas. Vikna Rajah heads the tax and trust practice, co-heads the private client group, and has an outstanding record in the establishment of family offices. Chandra Mohan Rethnam co-heads the private client team and is an experienced figure in disputes involving private wealth. Kee Lay Lian heads the family law practice.

Projects and Energy
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP is well versed in handling complex cross-border mandates within the projects and energy sectors. The team has considerable expertise in advising on regulatory work in the transportation and infrastructure sectors, as well as advising on conventional and green power development projects. The group’s workload includes high-value financings, acquisitions and disposals. Chee Siong Sim heads the practice, and has over two decades of experience in the arena, with noted strength in infrastructure, energy and resources matters. Shemane Chan is a key name for procurement work, and Loh Yong Hui focuses on front-end construction and engineering matters.

Real Estate
The corporate real estate team at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP handles the gamut of real estate matters. The group advises on all aspects of commercial, residential, and mixed developments, and is equally strong in advising on complex real estate transactions, M&A deals, leases, collective sales, and developments and redevelopments. The practice is adept at representing sellers and purchasers, as well as developers, REITs and other public and private entities. Elsa Chai specialises in conveyancing matters, and co-heads the department with Ching Chou, who has considerable expertise in divestments and acquisitions. Practice deputy head Benjamin Tay is 'a seasoned legal adviser in the real estate domain.' Norman Ho and Gazalle Mok are also key names in the group.

Restructuring and Insolvency
With one of the region’s largest restructuring and insolvency practices, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP assists on the full spectrum of domestic and cross-border matters, contentious and non-contentious alike, and counts lenders and creditors, debtors, liquidators and judicial managers among its key roster of clients. In addition to commodities, consumer goods and financial services, the practice is noted for its expertise in the marine and offshore, energy and oil and gas sectors. Praised as ‘technically strong, practical and commercial’, Sim Kwan Kiat leads the team alongside Chua Beng Chye, who is ‘constantly exceeding expectations’ when advising on bankruptcy and corporate insolvency mandates, and Sheila Ng. Other key contacts include ‘technically strong’ Patrick Ang and Lee Eng Beng SC, who has considerable experience advising on debt enforcement matters and insolvency litigation.

Shipping
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP’s well-established shipping practice advises on the gamut of matters across the maritime space. Its workload includes related insolvencies and restructurings; financings; cargo claims; collisions disputes; and marine casualty matters. Clients consist of a range of both local and international financial institutions, P&I clubs, shipowners, charterers, and commodity houses. The team is well-versed in complex cross-border and multi-jurisdictional matters. It is led by Kendall Tan, who has over 20 years’ experience and has advised on a number of high-profile marine, oil and gas insolvencies, alongside disputes-focused V Bala, and shipping finance specialist Chua Choon King. Arbitration and shipping disputes expert Leong Kah Wah and maritime specialist Toh Kian Sing SC are also noteworthy team members.

Startup and Venture Capitals
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP assists investors and start-ups in their transactions, business operations and expansion endeavours throughout Singapore and the wider region. Sandy Foo is an M&A expert and oversees the practice which, on the start-up side, regularly advises on complex matters related to governance, IP, employment, data privacy, corporate and regulatory affairs. Tracy-Anne Ang , who is praised for her ‘vast experience and sheer brilliance’, and Terence Quek are also leading figures, acting for numerous top investors throughout Southeast Asia, encompassing venture capital and private equity funds, corporate venture capital divisions, and other strategic or financial investors.

Tax
Praised as an ‘excellent tax team, recognised as a leading practice amongst peers and the industry alike’, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP handles a broad range of mandates, from cross-border tax advisory and tax controversy to goods and services, in addition to stamp duty and property tax. An expert in tax disputes against the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, Vikna Rajah leads the practice and is ‘at the top of his game, achieving results for clients due to his strategic thinking and attention to detail’.

TMT
The ‘incredibly responsive and commercial’ team at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP services its stellar client roster on big-ticket technology and telecoms transactions, disputes, and regulatory mandates, with demonstrable experience advising on fintech and e-commerce developments. Data protection and cybersecurity is another key area of focus for the group. Praised as ‘one of the top lawyers in the field of TMT’, Steve Tan stands out for his experience in data privacy and jointly leads the team alongside Benjamin Cheong, who advises on a range of technology-related transactions, and data protection and cybersecurity expert Rajesh Sreenivasan. Tanya Tang is ‘extremely knowledgeable’ in regulatory mandates and Lionel Tan handles cases concerning internet defamation and fraud, online security breaches, and confidential information.

White Collar Crime
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP continues to advise on a series of headline cases throughout the region and beyond. A comprehensive practice, the team has extensive experience assisting both regional and global clients on cross-jurisdictional criminal, financial, and regulatory matters, with extensive experience in major frauds, extradition, insider trading, and anti-corruption mandates, as well as cyber issues, breach of trust cases and investigations. The team regularly engages in both defence and prosecution cases for multinational corporations, financial institutions, governmental authorities and high-profile individuals across a vast number of sectors. Co-heads Hamidul Haq and Thong Chee Kun have considerable experience as public prosecutors; Haq focuses on disclosure and other corporate matters, as well as money laundering, while Kun is proficient in criminal law, with specialisms in financial and regulatory offences. Josephine Chee is another key contact in the group and handles securities fraud mandates, including market manipulation, insider trading and compliance issues.