The Legal 500

Allen & Gledhill LLP has unrivalled experience in PPP and regional energy/infrastructure work, advising RBS on the Jurong Aromatics project, acting for the Ministry of Finance on the Sports Hub PPP, and advising Tuas Power on its state-of-the-art multi-utilities complex on Jurong Island. Kevin Wong, Ho Chien Mien and Kok Chee Wai are recommended.

Clients appreciate Tay Peng Cheng’s ‘practical solid advice’, and Ian de Vaz’s ‘excellent reputation for EPC’ (engingeering, procurement and construction) at WongPartnership LLP. Highlights included advising Keppel Merlimau Cogen on the S$900m expansion of its power plant on Jurong Island, and acting for Resorts World at Sentosa on construction matters. The team has particular expertise in construction disputes and arbitrations. Clients appreciate Susan Wong’s ‘level-headed, practical solutions’.

ATMD Bird & Bird was reappointed as external corporate counsel to the Energy Market Authority of Singapore. Sandra Seah and her team advised on pioneering projects in Singapore and the region, notably green building projects (the first LEED GOLD CERTIFICATION logistics warehousing in Singapore), solar PV (Phoenix Solar’s first EPC projects in Thailand), LPG (Petredec’s LPG operations in Mauritius and Africa), and desalination (PUB’s latest desalination plant leases in Tuas South).

Lee & Lee’s strong project financing capability, in conjunction with its joint law venture with Hogan Lovells Lee & Lee, maintains its strong presence in the PPP sector. Finance expert Louise Tan is recommended.

Chong Yee Leong and his team at Rajah & Tann LLP focus on construction and heavy engineering, advising Jurong Aromatics on its $2.4bn Jurong Island project. Soh Lip San represented an international mining and construction company in disputes with an Indonesian coal producer.

Bernard Lui and his team at Stamford Law Corporation advise on big-ticket project financing, notably advising special purpose vehicle Galaxy NewSpring on the Hyflux Water Trust delisting and exit offer.

TSMP Law Corporation’s Melvin Chan successfully represented the principal structural works subcontractor for the Marina Bay Sands Resorts against the main contractor. Derek Loh acted for a specialist aviation fuel sub-contractor in arbitration proceedings with the main contractor. The team is advising construction industry clients affected by the tragic earthquake and tsunami in Sendai, Japan.

Subramanian Pillai, who heads Colin Ng & Partners LLP’s dedicated construction and infrastructure projects group, represented the main contractors in a $23m arbitration with German electrical sub-contractors on the Marina Centre Project. Bill Jamieson wins plaudits from peers and clients.

Drew & Napier LLC’s ‘sharp, responsive, dedicated’ Sandy Foo, Tan Liam Beng, Eugene Tan and consultant David Chin are representing Hyflux in the $890m project financing of Singapore’s second desalination plant.

Tan Chau Yee leads the construction engineering and infrastructure practice at Harry Elias Partnership LLP, which advised a joint venture consortium on the environmentally conscious S$2.5bn South Beach project.

KhattarWong lost Anne Chua, Azman Jaafar, Kaylee Kwok and Yeong Wai Cheong to breakaway firm RHT Law LLP. Chia Ho Choon and Tan Spring acted in arbitrations relating to construction projects in Singapore and Vietnam.

Pinsent Masons MPillay LLP’s ‘clear, succinct’ Mohan Pillay and Jonathan Howes handle infrastructure projects throughout the region., recently representing Subsea 7 in a Singapore High Court suit against a sub-contractor on offshore project in Vietnam. The team was boosted by the arrival of ‘solutions-oriented tactical thinker’ David Platt from Shearman & Sterling LLP and construction lawyer Helen Waddell from Pinsent Masons LLP in London.

Rodyk & Davidson LLP’s Herman Jeremiah and his team acted for ABN AMRO in the judicial management of Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of China Enersave Ltd (CEL), and the re-structuring of CEL.

M Rajaram and his team at Straits Law Practice LLC represents Indian companies in Singapore, advising Binani Cement and Bhumi Resources Singapore on the acquisition of a coal mine in Indonesia. Steven Lo joined from Allen & Gledhill LLP.

Wong & Leow LLC fields a regional project finance and development practice in conjunction with Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow. Clients recommend Chew Chin, who represented a syndicate of international and Thai banks in the project finance of a petrochemical plant in Map Ta Phut, Thailand.

Allen & Overy’s ‘quality work is supported by in-depth knowledge’. Jason Humphreys led a team advising BP, Standard Chartered Bank and ICON Capital Corp on the $2.4bn subordinated financing of the Jurong Aromatics petrochemical project. Kayal Sachi advised DBS Bank on Altai Investments’ acquisition of part of the business of Hong Kong-based Quality HealthCare Asia. The debt financing included a $135m term and bridge facility and a HK$273 term facility.

Clifford Chance’s team, led by Ting Ting Tan and supported by consultant and qualified chemical engineer Merrick White, is advising on major power projects in Vietnam. It acted for Lanxess on its S$836m rubber production plant in Singapore. Since receiving its QFLP licence, the group has handled more Singapore deals, advising Mitsui on its joint venture with Hyflux and the associated voluntary delisting of the Hyflux Water Trust, and advising Istithmar on the sale of its stake in the South Beach Project.

Hogan Lovells Lee & Lee provides ‘consistent, efficent service and high-quality legal advice’. Following Ken Hawkes’ departure to White & Case LLP, Philip Robb was seconded to the team and Alex Wong promoted to partner. Practice head James Harris led a team advising the Singapore Sports Council on the S$1.8bn Sports Hub. Brad Roach advised Medco Energi on the landmark $2.8bn Donggi-Senoro LNG project in Indonesia. As the only international firm with an office in Mongolia, this is becoming an increasingly important source of work.

Latham & Watkins LLP’s Stephen McWilliams and Joseph Bevash, now managing partner of the Tokyo office, assisted Jurong Aromatics and its affiliates with the $2.08bn Jurong Aromatics petrochemicals project. McWilliams advised International Power and the project company, as sponsor/borrower, on the $390m Uch II power project in Pakistan. Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi specialises in project finance, notably in Indonesia.

Linklaters Allen & Gledhill’s team, led by Richard Ginks and Nathan Dodds, is recommended for ‘good technical knowledge and ability to relate to commercial and business matters’, advising the international lenders on the $1.3bn financing of CLP’s 1,320MW Jhajjar IPP in India, and advising the Singapore Treasury on the S$1.8bn Sports Hub PPP.

Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy’s James Murray led a team representing the Export-Import Bank of Korea (K-Exim), Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-sure) and a group of 11 international commercial bank lenders in the $2.5bn senior secured financing for Jurong Aromatic’s petrochemical facility . David Zemans wins plaudits from peers and clients.

Clients praise Shearman & Sterling LLP’s Bill McCormack’s ‘deep project finance knowledge, superior negotiation skills and full dedication’, and Sanja Udovicic’s ‘technical competence and experience’. The practice represented representing the lenders in the ongoing financing of the Uch II power project in Pakistan, sponsored by International Power. It also advised AES as sponsor in the shareholder arrangements and the proposed financing of the Mong Duong II IPP in northern Vietnam.

White & Case LLP ‘adds value to complicated transactions and is readily available at short notice’. The team was strengthened by the arrival of Ken Hawkes from Hogan Lovells Lee & Lee. Together with Sebastian Buss, Hawkes represented Island Power on the S$1.2bn proposed financing for the construction of a power project in Singapore. Buss represented Standard Chartered Bank in a $120m financing to PT Multi Harapan Utama’s coal operations in Indonesia.

Allens Arthur Robinson TSMP’s clients include BHP Billiton, ConocoPhillips, Chevron and Shell. Marae Ciantar is acting for project sponsors for the PNG Floating LNG project. Darren Murphy, who is ‘keen to understand the client’s commercial objectives and help to achieve them’, advised ConocoPhillips on its A$9bn acquisition of a stake in the Australian Pacific LNG Joint Venture. Special cCounsel Stephen Potter recently relocated from the Melbourne office.

Philip Thomson leads the team at Ashurst LLP, which is recommended for lawyers’ ‘exemplary response times and willingness’. ‘Fantastic team manager’ Matthew Bubb advises on social infrastructure projects.

Norton Rose (Asia) LLP’s highlights included advising the lenders on the financing of the Singapore Sports Hub PPP, and acting for INPEX and Total on offtake arrangements from the Ichthys LNG project in northern Australia. Daniel Reinbott and Ashley Wright are singled out for praise.

Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow’s ‘well-respected’ practice head Chew Chin and projects and finance team leader James Huang represent Asian and international banks and corporates in landmark transactions across the region. A prestigious client list includes Dow Chemicals, PT PLN (Persero), and SembCorp Industries. Henry Cort, who ‘has a brilliant mind and protects his clients’ interests’, and Emmanuel Hadjidakis are recommended.

At DLA Piper Singapore Pte. Ltd., Martin David, who is ‘gifted at resolving complex legal issues’, handles renewable power and infrastructure projects, advising longstanding client Asian Development Bank on a combined heat and power project in Mongolia. John MacKay left to join Latham & Watkins LLP

Richard Nelson and Adrian Cheng lead Herbert Smith LLP’s four-partner practice. Lewis McDonald led a team advising BG Group on the $500m divestment of its Southeast Asia power assets. The firm’s association with Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung in Jakarta supports its Indonesian practice.

Clients commend Jeff Smith’s team at Norton Rose (Asia) LLP for ‘excellent service, response times and commercial acumen’, advising SportsHub Pte PPP. Nick Merritt led a team advising OCBC, WestLB, Standard Chartered Bank and Société Générale on Singapore’s S$1.2bn Island Power Project. Clients recommend Stephen Begley. Energy specialist Ashley Wright joined from Ashurst LLP.

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP’s Chris Lowe covers financing and Ken Cheung handles corporate matters. Josh Clarke, Mehraab Nazir and Siva Subramaniam, who joined the London office from Reed Smith, specialise in project finance. Highlights included advising Conergy on solar energy projects in Thailand, and acting for Vestas Wind Systems on the supply of wind turbines for the Tuppadahalli wind power project in India.

John Dick and his team at Freehills handle oil and gas and power projects in Singapore and Malaysia. Highlights included advising United Premas on the Singapore Sports Hub, and acting for Sherritt International Corporation on its acquisition of an interest in the Sulawesi Nickel Project in Indonesia.

Gibson Dunn’s lawyers ‘respond faster, give more practical advice and don’t run up the bill’. Practice head Emad Khalil advised Singapore Refining Company on its Mogas/Cogen Project involving the expansion of its existing refinery facilities on Jurong Island. Saptak Santra represented Vitol in its joint venture with MISC Berhad. John Viverito, commended for his ‘great business acumen’, advised on the review of Mongolia’s draft Petroleum Law.

Holman Fenwick Willan LLP’s Tan Lian Yok’s team advised PT Antam Tbk on its joint venture with Hangzhou Jinjiang Group of China to build a smelter grade alumina plant in West Kalimantan Province. Kim Farrar from Bevan Brittan LLP in London, Mark Tan from Stamford Law Corporation, Milan Radman from Blake Dawson in Australia, and Frans Sihasale from Blake Dawson in Jakarta joined the team. Alistair Duffield and his team left to join Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP.

Managing partner Edward Koehler and James Bradley at Hunton & Williams LLP advised Natural Energy Development on a $250m AC solar photovoltaic power facility in Thailand. Koehler acted as equity counsel for the $700m financing of a coal-fired merchant electricity generating facility.

At Jones Day, Hong Kong-based practice head Michael Arruda and corporate partner Dennis Barsky, who provides ‘consistently excellent service and advice’, advised Maju Investments (Mauritius), a subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, and a consortium of international investors, on the £1.7bn acqusistion of Frac Tech Holdings.

Bryan Cave LLP’s ‘small but committed team punches far above its weight’. Recent mandates include advising First Solar on the construction a solar power plant in Inner Mongolia and assisting a regional oil and gas contractor with SATORP’s petrochemical complex project in Saudi Arabia. Practice head Ignatius Hwang’s ‘approachable, can-do attitude makes him a pleasure to work with’.

Project finance specialist Eduardo Ramos-Gómez at Duane Morris & Selvam LLP and his team advise on industrial and infrastructure projects, notably involving surface transportation facilities.

Ince & Co’s ‘standout lawyer’ Denys Hickey leads an expanding energy and offshore practice that ‘meets deadlines, follows instruction well and adds business practicality’. Highlights included advising Golar LNG Energy on the provision of a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit and associated mooring to PT Nusantara Regas.

King & Spalding LLP are recommended as ‘commercial with a deep understanding of the energy space’. The ‘highly experienced and productive’ Daniel Rogers and Philip Weems represented Singapore LNG Corporation on the first multi-user LNG import terminal to be built in Singapore. ConocoPhillip is a high-profile client.

Oliver Wright, Andi Zulfikar and Rina Lee at Mataram Partners’ niche Indonesian practice advised an Asian independent oil and gas company on the development of a gas pipeline in Sumatra, and on gas supply agreements with Chevron and PLN.

O’Melveny & Myers LLP’s Joel Hogarth advised Russell Mining & Minerals in its acquisition of a 60% interest in the King-King Copper Gold project situated in the Philippines. Bertie Mehigan is ‘tremendously talented and hardworking’.

Pinsent Masons MPillay LLP’s team, led by Jonathan Howes and Mohan Pillay, recruited David Platt from Shearman & Sterling LLP Hong Kong, who is recommended for his ‘commercial awareness and complete technical mastery of the law’, and Helen Waddell from Pinsent Masons LLP in London. Pillay is representing Subsea 7 in a Singapore High Court suit concerning an offshore oil well project in Vietnam.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is representing Temasek Holdings in its $400m investment in Brazil’s Odebrecht Oil and Gas. Alan Schiffman is advising PT Paiton on financing the expansion of a coal-fired power plant in Indonesia.

Gregg Johnston at Stephenson Harwood advised ICON Capital Corp on the upgrade and conversion of a Singapore flagged Accommodation Barge. A prestigious client list includes GPS Chemoil, ICICI Bank and Stolthaven.

At Wikborg Rein, the ‘small, professional team’ comprising Mona Katigbak, Kevin Futch and Oslo-based Kelly Malone, advise on cross-border power purchase agreements in Malaysia and Vietnam.