The Legal 500

DLA Piper Singapore Pte. Ltd. handles high-value mining and energy arbitrations. ‘Clear thinker and communicator’ Justyn Jagger has an outstanding track record of successfully handling insurance cases, including a $60m claim involving the collapse of a coal mine in Indonesia. John Goulios relocated from DLA Piper Australia

Clients appreciate Drew & Napier LLC’s ‘efficiency, excellence and professionalism’. Jimmy Yim and Abraham Vergis are co-counsel in a $20m construction contract dispute. The ‘exceptional’ Cavinder Bull, deputy chairman of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, wins clients’ ‘highest accolades and recommendations’, handling an $80m international arbitration over a major infrastructure project. Clients recommend the ‘highly intelligent’ Harpreet Singh Nehal, ‘standout litigator’ Davinder Singh, construction expert Tan Liam Beng and the ‘hugely impressive’ Indranee Rajah.

Herbert Smith LLP’s ‘top-quality, thorough’ practice is led by Maurice Burke, recommended for his ‘strong, solutions-oriented advice’, and the ‘helpful, knowledgeable’ Nicholas Peacock, who specialises in energy, telecommunications and financial services. Highlights included acting on an AAA/ICDR arbitration for three global energy companies, and representing a global bank in an SIAC arbitration with an Indonesian corporate. Nicholas Peacock and Alastair Henderson sit as arbitrators.

Norton Rose (Asia) LLP handles matters across Southeast Asia and India, and its QFLP licence enables it to undertake local work. The ‘hardworking, persistent’ Guy Spooner handles issues relating to culture clashes within joint ventures. KC Lye focuses on energy and aviation, recently promoted partner Robert Driver handles energy and international trade disputes, and Peter Cash specialises in pharmaceutical and regulatory matters.

Clients rate Rajah & Tann LLP as ‘best in class’. Chong Yee Leong and his ‘prompt, thorough’ team acted for an Indian satellite company against a Bermudan company in a $311m ICC arbitration. Chong Boon Leong represented a German company against a Cayman Island company in an SIAC arbitration.

Allen & Gledhill LLP provides ‘insightful, knowledgeable advice’. Andrew Yeo represented the project owner in a multimillion-dollar SIAC arbitration concerning a major mass transport infrastructure contract dispute. Together with Dinesh Dhillon, Yeo represented a consortium of international banks in a SIAC arbitration in relation to a claim by a purchaser of distressed assets. Edwin Tong represented a major power generation company in a S$100m dispute.

K&L Gates’ Raja Bose and ‘straight talking’ Mike Pollen handle complex international and regional disputes. Clients including Keppel Verolme and CMIA China Fund II.

King & Spalding LLP recruited John Savage, former practice head and SIAC director, together with Simon Dunbar and Elodie Dulac, all from Shearman & Sterling LLP. Savage is representing The Dow Chemical Company in a $5bn ICC arbitration. Clients appreciate his ‘strategic thinking, cultural awareness and ability to read the other side’.

Christopher Chong and ‘enthusiastic, capable’ managing partner Mohan Pillay lead Pinsent Masons MPillay LLP’s dedicated arbitration team, which handles construction, projects and energy cases across the region. Clients include Sembawang Engineers and Constructors Pte and Aditya Birla Chemical (Thailand).

Shearman & Sterling LLP’s practice head and ‘solid attorney’ Yu-Jin Tay, who regularly sits as an arbitrator, handles joint venture and shareholder disputes and has particular expertise in investment treaty arbitration. Daryl Chew is recommended for ‘consistently high-quality work’. Simon Dunbar and Elodie Dulac left to join King & Spalding LLP.

WongPartnership LLP’s ‘combined litigation and arbitration practice’, led by managing partner Alvin Yeo and Andre Maniam, successfully represented the Astro group in a $230m multi-jurisdictional arbitration. The firm’s regional offices attract international arbitration work, including CIETAC arbitrations.

Clients find it ‘efficient to do business with’ Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow’s one-stop-shop for international arbitration and litigation. The team is led by Andy Leck who, together with Celeste Ang, acted for the owner and operator of a power plant in Central Asia in ICC arbitration. Former practice head Chuan Thye Tan left to join Stamford Law Corporation.

Clifford Chance’s ‘first-rate’ team, led by Nish Shetty, was strengthened by four associates, notably Kabir Singh from Drew & Napier LLC and Julia Dreosti from Clayton Utz. The practice serves as an international hub, drawing on its relationships with major banks and regional footprint in Asia and Australia.

Clyde & Co’s clients benefit from ‘a wealth of experience and cultural awareness’, focusing on insurance, shipping and aviation energy, construction and international trade. John Champion wins plaudits from peers and clients. Chris Edwards specialises in marine insurance. Aviation experts David Clark and Peng Lim are recommended.

Recently promoted partner Jonathan Leach, who ‘demonstrates great understanding of sensitive issues’, and Paul Teo, legal advisor to the Singapore Construction Association, at Hogan Lovells Lee & Lee handle regional and international disputes involving joint venture, project/construction, maritime, trade and energy.

Holman Fenwick Willan LLP handles disputes across Southeast Asia and India. Managing partner Simon Davidson handles dry shipping disputes; insurance specialist Simon Sloane is recommended for his ‘expertise, user-friendliness and flexibility’; and the ‘commercially strong’ Barry Stimpson and James Donoghue are highlighted for energy and mining disputes.

Ince & Co’s practice head and ‘standout lawyer’ Denys Hickey is a member of SIAC. The team focuses on shipping, international trade and energy disputes. Peter Rogan specialises in insurance and reinsurance. The establishment of the Ince Law Alliance with newly-formed Singapore law practice Incisive Law LLC enables the firm to handle domestic and international arbitrations requiring knowledge of Singapore and English law.

Stephenson Harwood’s marine and offshore practice, led by Durai Shunmugam - ‘who solves issues at the earliest stage’, includes respected arbitrators Timothy Elsworth and the ‘perceptive’ Dirk Janssen. Key mandates related to the Korea Line Corporation rehabilitation proceedings and the grounding of Chinese registered ship Shen Neng 1, on the Great Barrier Reef. Daryll Ng was promoted to partner.

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP provides ‘excellent service and technical know-how’ in shipbuilding, projects, energy and commodities. Practice head Marcus Gordon successfully represented Oilex (West Kampar) in an ICC arbitration. Marine/construction specialist Jon Ray achieved a substantial victory for Global Process Systems.

White & Case LLP’s ‘competent, professional’ Aloke Ray is considered ‘at the top of his game’. Together with Nandakumar Ponniya, Ray represented an Asian contractor in a $1.4bn ICC arbitration concerning an oil refinery and pipelines in Latin America. As sole arbitrator, Ray successfully represented a US corporation in a complex pensions and accounting dispute.

ATMD Bird & Bird’s Boey Swee Siang acted for a major Asian telecommunications giant. Former practice head Anand Nalachandran joined litigation boutique Braddell Brothers LLP.

Andrew Battisson is the Singapore contact for Allen & Overy’s international arbitration group. Hong Kong partner Matthew Gearing represented a major oil company in a high-value SIAC arbitration.

Ashurst LLP handles arbitrations across Southeast Asia, India and the Middle East, notably representing Malaysian client Sime Darby. ‘Competent, experienced arbitrator’ Ben Giaretta handled an ICC arbitration over breach of sales contracts.

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s practice head Patric McGonigal focuses on shipping and international trade, while recently promoted partner Mark Errington leads the insurance practice. The team will merge with Clyde & Co in November 2011.

Braddell Brothers LLP’s ‘good strategist and communicator’ Edmund Kronenburg is advising PT Lirik Petroleum in enforcing its $35m ICC arbitration award against PT Pertamina in Singapore and Jakarta.

Colin Ng & Partners LLP’s litigation head See Tow Soo Ling handles SIAC arbitrations, and advised foreign companies on enforcing an arbitration award.

Eversheds LLP’s practice is part of its cross-office international arbitration group. Leading names are managing partner Desmond Ong and practice head Oommen Mathew, who is representing an Indian company in an ICC arbitration regarding a wind energy project in India.

Kennedys’ 11-lawyer dedicated arbitration team handles insurance-related work. Julian Wallace represents ACE Insurance, Chartis and Munich Re. Construction specialist Gordon Smith represented an international contractor in SIAC arbitration proceedings involving claims of S$6m. Robert Joiner and Iain Sharp handle shipping and international trade disputes.

At Legis Point LLC, ‘excellent litigator and arbitrator’ Samuel Chacko is ‘good value for money’.

Sole practitioner Michael Hwang SC at Michael Hwang SC has an international reputation as co-arbitrator and sole arbitrator in prominent ICC, UNCITRAL and SIAC disputes.

Respondek & Fan Pte Ltd’s Andreas Respondek regularly represents major European companies in SIAC proceedings.

Shook Lin & Bok LLP’s Sarjit Singh Gill SC contributes a ‘wealth of experience’, acting for an Indian company in a $150m arbitration against an Italian entity. Vinodh Coomaraswamy SC was sole arbitrator in a $8m SIAC dispute.

Stamford Law Corporation is ‘going places’. Practice head Tan Chuan Thye, who joined from Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow, is considered ‘clever and client-focused’. Richard Tan is ‘a great rainmaker with an excellent track-record’. The 11-lawyer team handles complex, multi-jurisdictional matters involving construction, energy, shipping, technology and IP.

Harry Elias Partnership LLP’s Francis Goh advised a Nordic construction company in a dispute involving the MRT Circle Line project, and handled Singapore’s largest construction adjudication claims.

Quek Mong Hua, Michael Kuah and Yang Yung Chong at Lee & Lee acted in international arbitrations concerning a foreign airport terminal. Retired Supreme Court Judge Goh Joon Seng, Tan Tee Jim SC and Yang Yung Chong are qualified arbitrators

Rodyk & Davidson LLP’s managing partner and chair of Maxwell Chambers, Philip Jeyaretnam SC, successfully represented an Indonesian mining and metals business in the fastest arbitration in the history of SIAC. He successfully represented PTG in the Court of Appeal regarding the decision to set aside an arbitration award. Herman Jeremiah and Lawrence Teh are recommended.

Sidley Austin LLP’s Hong Kong-based bilingual Yang Ing Loong, who ‘can effectively bridge Chinese and Western cultures’, acted as presiding arbitrator in a Chinese language CIETAC arbitration in Shanghai. He represented the national Malaysian automobile manufacturer regarding its joint venture with a Chinese company and enforcement of SIAC arbitral awards in China.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP’s Paul Mitchard QC, one of the few QCs based in Asia, represented a Chinese energy company in a dispute with one of its investors in a New York-law governed international arbitration in Hong Kong. Frances Kao relocated to Singapore from the office in Chicago.

Oon & Bazul LLP’s expanding team represent marine insurers, financial institutions, traders, shipowners and P&I clubs. Bazul Ashhab, who is ‘exceptional at crisis management’, and Oon Thian Seng handle complex, high-value claims.

Thio Shen Yi SC and Ian Lim at TSMP Law Corporation represented an Indonesian listed company in an ICC arbitration against an international pharmaceutical company regarding a long-standing distributorship. Melvin Chan is handling an arbitration over the 2008 ATP tennis tournament.

Wikborg Rein’s Chris Grieveson, ClaraTan and lateral hire Russel Low from Ince & Co represented the Vietnamese government in arbitrations over a $100m shipbuildingproject. Grieveson successfully represented a European private equity fund in a $30m claim involving a long-term bareboat charterparty.

Wong Tan & Molly Lim LLC’s Molly Lim handles litigation and arbitration.