The Legal 500

Drew & Napier LLC was reappointed for the 13th consecutive year as the Infocomms Develoment Authority (IDA)’s external legal advisor, handling licensing and regulatory issues regarding Singapore’s Next Generation National Broadband Network (NGNBN) project, including the Next Generation Interactive Multimedia, Applications and Services (NIMS) Platform). Corporate clients include Microsoft, AT&T and Sprint. The team, led by Lim Chong Kin, is recommended for ‘good knowledge of the telecommunications industry and consistently excellent service’, advising IDA on its second triennial review of the TCC. Ng Ee Kia provides regulatory expertise. Loh Wei Hao was promoted to partner.

Rajah & Tann LLP’s Rajesh Sreenivasan and his team advised CIMB Bank Berhad on an agreement for the $364m development and implementation of a unified regional core banking platform, acted for Encompass Digital Media on its $113m acquisition of Ascent Media Corporation’s global content distribution business, and advised on the world’s first national electric vehicle charging infrastructure. High-profile clients include Amazon Web Services and Salon Films. Steve Tan focuses on IT-related matters.

Tham Kok Leong leads Allen & Gledhill LLP’s practice where Daren Shiau advised Singapore’s Media Development Authority on a joint production fund with Sony Pictures Entertainment. Tan Wee Meng advised SingTel Digital Media’s insing.com on its Super Deals business. Stanley Lai is acting for URA in an information technology dispute against Steria Asia

Bryan Tan heads Keystone Law Corporation’s IP and TMT practice, which advises established clients and technology startups on venture capital funding and M&A. The practice is supported by a strategic alliance with UK firm Taylor Vinters.

Rodyk & Davidson LLP’s Gilbert Leong and his team advised MOH Holdings on the National Electronic Health Record system. Clients include Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC), the authority for the registration of .sg domain names.

Entertainment specialist Samuel Seow Law Corporation’s lawyers are ‘good listeners and wise advisors’. The ‘knowledgeable, experienced’ Trina Ha represented Korean media conglomerate CJ E&M Corporation on a $50m film slate with the Media Development Authority of Singapore. Clients and peers recognise Samuel Seow’s expertise.

Wong & Leow LLC provides ‘timely advice that reflects an understanding of the industry’, combining procurement and regulatory advice with big-ticket multijurisdictional transactions. Ken Chia, recommended as ‘a treasure trove of knowledge’, and See Khiang Koh assisted the IDA with an industry dialogue on the IPTV services ecosystem, and advised on the rollout of a new IPTV service in Malaysia and consortium agreements for a new submarine cable.

At WongPartnership LLP, clients describe Lam Chung Nian as ‘best in class’ with ‘an impressive knowledge of Singapore’s media sector’. The team advised Expedia on its joint venture with Air Asia, and acted for Western Digital Corporation on the intellectual property aspects of its acqusitions of Hoya Magnetics Singapore and Hitachi Global Storage Technologies. Jeffrey Lim joined the team from Motorola.

ATMD Bird & Bird’s IP prowess underpins its TMT practice. Koh Chia Ling, managing partner Alban Kang and Cyril Chua are ‘prompt and professional’. New clients in 2010 included Singapore Airlines’ IT procurement department. The team advised StarHub on operational and product line matters. Yahoo! Southeast Asia is a key client.

Stephen Soh heads Colin Ng & Partners LLP’s TMT practice, which focuses on technology transactions, data protection, e-commerce, regulatory and new media and entertainment.

Max Ng heads Gateway Law Corporation’s technology and telecommunications practice. The firm is on the IDA panel, and clients include Challenger Technologies, Astro All Asia Networks, and recently, Zynga. Former film producer Michael Leow heads the media practice representing production media players Peach Blossom Media and The Motion Picture Licensing Company.

Michael Palmer and his sports and media team at Harry Elias Partnership LLP acted for First Serve Toonz Pte, a joint venture between First Serve International and Toonz Animation India Pvt, in the financing of its $10m production of the television animation series Wolverine for Marvel Characters Inc.

Joyce A. Tan & Partners advises overseas telco service providers operating in Singapore on wholesale bandwidth supply, social media platforms and online gaming technology, and assists multinational corporates with strategic IT procurement involving multiple suppliers.

Kelvin Chia Partnership assisted a Vietnamese state-owned bank with a public tender to procure a treasury IT system and a Singpore bank with an IT system for its Vietnamese operations. Managing partner Kelvin Chia is the key contact.

KhattarWong’s dedicated media and entertainment practice advises animation brands including Toon Express, and film financing and production companies and advertising agencies, TBWA Singapore and DDB Worldwide. Jonathan Kok joined breakaway firm RHT Law LLP. Dennis Lui specialises in sports law.

Lee & Lee’s Tee Jim Tan and his team advise telecoms clients and financiers on software and other licensing agreements.

Pinsent Masons MPillay LLP’s recently established TMT practice, led by Christopher Chong, advises a prestigious client list, including NetApp, Anytime, Pace, and Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance.

At Shook Lin & Bok LLP, media and entertainment lawyer Connie Loo, David Chong and Michelle Phang provide corporate and contentious advice to pharmaceutical, telecoms and publishing sector clients, recently acting for SGX-listed mobile internet company Spice i2i in its $175m acquisition of Affinity Group.

Stamford Law Corporation’s IP specialist Daniel Lim advises multinational and local technology and telecoms companies on transactional and contentious matters.

TSMP Law Corporation handles transactional and contentious work covering software development and licensing agreements, content and alliance agreements, emerging technologies and clean tech. Former practice head Bryan Ghows joined UniLegal LLC.