Drew & Napier LLC > Singapore, Singapore > Firm Profile

Drew & Napier LLC > The Legal 500 Rankings

Singapore > Antitrust and competition: local firms Tier 1

A leading firm in the Singaporean antitrust and competition market, Drew & Napier LLC is consistently involved in significant CCCS investigations including acting for multinational companies facing allegations of cartel behaviour, as well as assisting clients during dawn raids and applying for leniency. The practice is also noted for its considerable regulatory expertise and is long-term counsel to key sectoral competition regulators, from telecoms and media to post and energy. The practice is headed up by the vastly experienced regulatory practitioners Lim Chong Kin and Corinne Chew, with the pair having advised a plethora of regulators on liberalisation, market access, competition regulation, merger reviews, and enforcement issues; while senior counsel Cavinder Bull SC leads the dispute resolution and litigation sub-group and represents various clients during investigations in Singapore and overseas.

Singapore > Dispute resolution: local firms Tier 1

Drew & Napier LLC, as a Big Four Singapore law firm, is widely recognised as a dispute resolution powerhouse, having an unrivalled depth of bench and more leading practitioners than any other firm in the jurisdiction. It devotes considerable resources to dispute resolution pursuits and is frequently selected to represent parties in the biggest and most complex cases. Over the 12-month research period, the firm handled litigation matters with a total value exceeding $16bn. It has seen its director (partner equivalent) ranks grow by 10%, continues to expand both its presence in regional disputes and its international client base, and continues to grow its arbitration-related practice. Among a multitude of headline and seminal cases, the firm acted for Hin Leong’s judicial managers in the largest reported fraudulent trading case in Singapore, seeking recovery of over $3.5bn from the directors of the company. CEO Cavinder Bull SC, who is ‘simply superb as a legal adviser, advocate and person’, is at the pinnacle of the profession, having been one of few senior counsels to be appointed before the age of 40, back in 2008. Siraj Omar SC and Randolph Khoo are also outstanding practitioners, along with seasoned practitioner and firm chairman Jimmy Yim SC, also elevated to senior counsel before turning 40 in 1998. Mahesh Rai, Kelvin Tan, Blossom Hing, Wendell Wong and Gary Low act for private clients as well as companies in the advertising, tech, transport and financial industries. Kevin Lee has joined Twenty Essex in Singapore.

Singapore > Intellectual property: Local firms Tier 1

Praised as ‘one of the biggest and best IP practices in Singapore’, Drew & Napier LLC is a regional leader in trade marks, patents and design filings, advising on the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious IP matters, with demonstrable experience in IP litigation, copyright issues, licensing, franchising, related transactions, and IP monetisation. ‘A seasoned IP litigator’, Tony Yeo leads the department alongside directors Yvonne Tang, a trade marks and copyright infringement specialist, Siau Wen Lim, who advises on IP-related transactions and regulatory mandates, and IP litigator Meryl Koh. Other key contacts in the group include Javier Yeo and Teo Xuan Lang.

Singapore > Labour and employment: local firms Tier 1

Drew & Napier LLC has assembled a large team of employment law specialists. It routinely handles significant domestic and regional employment engagements across the advisory, transactional, and litigation spheres. The firm’s reputation as a major force in litigation, brings it a substantial pipeline of employment cases, though it has a highly developed presence in non-contentious matters too. Kelvin Tan co-heads the employment department and has an established record in major employment disputes. Benjamin Gaw also co-heads the team, bringing extensive non-contentious expertise in reviewing employment contracts, handbooks, and policies, along with employee stock option plans, retrenchment exercises, and termination of employment, among other areas of specialism. Lim Chong Kin is noted for personal data protection and anti-harassment work, while Rakesh Kirpalani is rated for technology sector employment disputes

Singapore > Private wealth and family law – local firms Tier 1

Drew & Napier LLC has developed a sub-specialty within its tax department, which focuses on wealth planning, preservation, and succession through family trusts, family offices, and other structures. It is also noted for advising high-net-worth families and institutions on the creation of philanthropic foundations and trusts. The firm draws on its position as a leader in dispute resolution to frequently act for clients in private wealth disputes. It also has strong connections across Asia Pacific, particularly China and Indonesia. Tax specialist Ong Sim Ho is a senior name in private wealth planning and Randolph Khoo heads the private client disputes group and is noted for his experience in cases involving Chinese entities. Seah Ching Ling is also noted for tax, trusts, and estate planning, while Hoon Shu Mei is rated for private client disputes.

Singapore > Projects and energy: local firms Tier 1

At Drew & Napier LLC, the team leverages its multidisciplinary resources to advise on a broad spectrum of matters, including M&A deals, project financings, and complex high-value disputes. The group has considerable experience in handling high-profile projects in the power, energy, telecommunications, transportation, water, and construction sectors. The client base takes in a wide range of private, public, and governmental entities. Led by Jimmy Yim, SC, the practice is noted for its expertise in assisting with multijurisdictional litigation. Mahesh Rai handles complex projects and has represented clients from the hydropower, energy, and telecoms sectors. Christopher Chong is noted for his expertise in renewables, construction and engineering dispute resolution work.

Singapore > Restructuring and insolvency: local firms Tier 1

Drew & Napier LLC is a prominent market player, acting in high-profile restructuring and insolvency matters throughout the region. The practice boasts a strong set of clients including major financial institutions, holding and investment groups, public boards, and sovereign wealth funds, with work including contentious and non-contentious mandates, alongside assisting clients in pursuit and recovery of assets and court protection cases. The ‘extremely impressive’ group is also noted for its experience working across from regulators. Sushil Nair jointly leads the team and has considerable expertise operating throughout Singapore, Indonesia, and China, while co-head Julian Kwek focuses on debt workouts and and corporate restructurings, including in defaults involving Singapore-listed PRC companies. Blossom Hing ‘is tenacious in her pursuit of client goals and is highly creative and solutions-oriented in the restructuring arena’. Mohan Gopalan is another key contact in the group.

Singapore > Tax: local firms Tier 1

Litigation powerhouse Drew & Napier LLC represents clients before tax tribunals and the Supreme Court in relation to goods and services tax, property tax and stamp duties, with additional experience advising on corporate tax advisory, enterprise tax risk management and private wealth planning mandates. Praised as ‘technically strong with great knowledge of clients’ businesses’, the team is led by Ong Ken Loon, who is well-versed in cross- border matters and handles tax disputes with the IRAS, representing clients in appeals before the Singapore courts. Ong Sim Ho maintains a robust tax disputes practice, while Yang Shi Yong is a key contact for task risk management, tax audits and tax investigation cases.

Singapore > TMT: local firms Tier 1

Drew & Napier LLC’s ‘exceptional combination of legal prowess and technical acumen has earned them a well-deserved reputation as pioneers in the industry’. The team advises on a broad range of transactional, licensing, and regulatory mandates, from the roll-out of data centres and deployments of telecommunication infrastructure and services, to regulatory requirements pertaining to software, web-based platforms, video conferencing, gaming, and other technologies. Lim Chong Kin leads the team and has considerable experience advising on matters concerning telecoms and media. Other key contacts in the group include data protection and cybersecurity expert David Alfred and Rakesh Kirpalani, who handles disputes involving technology-related regulatory and cybersecurity issues.

Singapore > White-collar crime - Local firms Tier 1

Drew & Napier LLC’s workload includes cross-border investigatory matters, covering bribery, fraud, anti-money laundering, whistle-blower complaints and financial services offences and regulations. The ‘highly skilled and collaborative’ practice represents a number of leading financial institutions, listed companies, multinational corporations, boards of directors, and high-profile individuals, frequently advising on defence and prosecution cases. The team is also noted for its work in cross-border FCPA investigations involving US authorities, alongside cases involving dawn raids undertaken by public authorities. Wendell Wong, a highly reputable civil and criminal lawyer with former public prosecution experience, co-heads the team alongside Chia Voon Jiet, a specialist in competition and regulatory investigations. Cavinder Bull is noted for his expertise in sensitive corporate investigations, while Jimmy Yim and Mahesh Rai bring standout experience in disputes. Gary Low advises on criminal defence and investigatory matters, and Adam Maniam is another key contact in the group.

Singapore > Construction: Local firms Tier 2

Drew & Napier LLC has drawn on its extensive resources and reputation in the contentious sphere to develop an impressive body of construction and engineering expertise. It is noted for infrastructure and real estate development-related disputes. The firm has also built knowledge and experience in front-end and procurement work, including engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) and operation and maintenance (O&M) contracts, and additional front-end matters relating to public-private partnership (PPP) projects. Its client base includes a range of domestic and international employers, along with an impressive mix of contractors. Christopher Chong is head of the construction and engineering team with experience at all levels of the Singapore courts, in major arbitrations, and in adjudications. Deputy head Mahesh Rai has earned many accolades in recent years. Chairman Jimmy Yim SC provides additional senior level gravitas to high-value and large-scale disputes. Kevin Teo is another key member of the team.

Singapore > Data protection and cyber security Tier 2

‘Blending legal acumen with deep industry knowledge and technical expertise’, Drew & Napier LLC handles a range of data and cyber governance matters, from data transfer agreements, policies and governance frameworks to data breaches and regulatory enforcement mandates. Lim Chong Kin counts data protection regulators, multinational corporations driving the data arena and technology companies among his key roster of clients. Chong Kin jointly leads the team alongside David Alfred, who ‘possesses a deep understanding of the nuances and intricacies of data protection and can be relied on to provide sound advice and practical guidance at each stage of the matter’.

Singapore > International arbitration Tier 2

The international arbitration practice at Drew & Napier LLC is ‘highly skilled and collaborative’, with experience in complex international commercial arbitration, as well as high-profile investor-state disputes. The team is often sought out by governments, multinational corporations and high-profile individuals for public international law matters. Expertise of the team ranges from construction and infrastructure to corporate joint ventures to health care. Leading the team is Cavinder Bull SC  who is ‘exceptional for his strategy, analytical skills, and advocacy’, alongside Randolph Khoo and Siraj Omar SC, with particular expertise in insurance related disputes. Jimmy Yim SC is also integral to the team, with over thirty years of experience in international commercial arbitration.

Singapore > Investment funds: local firms Tier 2

Drew & Napier LLC has an established and well-developed investment funds practice, particularly in the open-ended funds space. It has extensive regulatory experience including interactions with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Ron Cheng heads the investment funds team, advising on a range of alternative investment funds establishments, including those under the umbrella VCC structure. He has driven further growth in cryptocurrency and private credit funds, among other burgeoning areas. Former partner Petrus Huang has retired.

Singapore > Real estate: local firms Tier 2

Drew & Napier LLC fields a 'competent, responsive, personable and collaborative' real estate team, which is well-known for handling a range of complex transactional work in the space. The group regularly handles high-value M&As, sales, and divestments for major domestic and international developers, REITs, and investment companies. Lau Sok Hiang has an impressive track record in advising on transactional matters concerning residential, commercial and industrial developments; she co-heads the practice with Ho Soo Lih, who focuses on corporate real estate work. April Mak is experienced in handling sales and purchases, leases, and development work.

Singapore > Banking and finance: local firms Tier 3

Drew & Napier LLC has a primary focus on project financing, acquisition financing, and real estate and construction financing. It is also noted for debt restructurings and green loans, syndicated financings, and bank regulatory matters. The group represents a range of local banks, regional and international banks with presences in Singapore, other financial institutions, and local and international corporate borrowers. Pauline Chong leads the banking and finance practice and has extensive experience in syndicated and bilateral financings, project finance, and debt restructurings. Renu Menon is deputy head of the group and is also noted for bilateral and syndicated loans, acquisition finance, and bank regulatory work. Lau Sok Hiang is a key figure in real estate financings.

Singapore > Capital markets: equity and debt: local firms Tier 3

On account of its longstanding relationships with regulators, Drew & Napier LLC frequently assists foreign clients looking to list in Singapore, with demonstrable experience advising on reverse takeovers, rights issues and other equity-linked transactions, as well as debt capital markets mandates. Steven Lo, who represents issuers, underwriters and selling shareholders in a range of domestic and cross-border capital markets transactions, jointly leads the team alongside Gary Wan, who handles capital markets deals across the region, namely Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam. Renu Menon advises on transactional and regulatory debt capital markets matters, and Pei Tong Ng is another key contact in the group.

Singapore > Corporate and M&A: local firms Tier 3

The team at Drew & Napier LLC, which ‘stands out for its distinctive blend of expertise and innovation’, handles a broad range of transactions in Singapore and Southeast Asia, with an increasing workload involving cross-border deals arising out of the energy and real estate sectors. Key clients include private and publicly listed corporates, venture capital and private equity funds, financial institutions, multinationals, family offices and government-linked funds and conglomerates, among others. An expert in public and private M&A, Steven Lo leads the team and Jon Nair is praised for his ‘unparalleled legal acumen and strategic thinking’, while Tan Teng Sen advises on privatisations, private equity transactions and joint ventures. Seraphina Ho is another key contact in the group.

Singapore > Fintech and financial services regulatory: local firms Tier 3

Helmed by technology expert Chong Kin Lim, Drew & Napier LLC‘s fintech and payments regulatory practice has a good spread of experience relating to the structuring and implementation of payments solutions and a wide array of regulatory issues associated with the establishment and running of digital platforms. The firm has additionally seen an increase in instructions pertaining to ICOs and cryptocurrency in general. Payments specialist Benjamin Gaw has a strong track record in advisory work for emerging and established payments solutions providers, alongside fintech-related licensing and regulatory issues.

Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Leading firms Tier 3

Drew & Napier LLC  has experience in international commercial arbitrations and investment treaty arbitrations, acting frequently for both states and investors. The team benefits from lawyers specialising in specific industry sectors, including construction and infrastructure, energy, insurance, financ , and corporate joint ventures. Based in Singapore, Cavinder Bull SC , Randolph Khoo, and Siraj Omar SC lead the practice that frequently represents a range of regional and global businesses. Noted practitioners include Jimmy Yim SC, Kelvin Tan, and Blossom Hing.

Indonesia > Foreign firms Tier 4

Leveraging its global network, Drew & Napier LLC offers Indonesian entities from multifarious industries advice on intellectual property matters including trademark, patent, and design filings. In addition to this, it acts for clients in a wide range of practice areas such as M&A, restructurings, dispute resolution, and employment. Julian Kwek has a focus on cross-border M&A and joint ventures, and co-heads the Indonesia desk with Sushil Nair, who specialises in restructurings.