Stephenson Harwood LLP > Singapore, Singapore > Firm Profile

Stephenson Harwood LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Singapore > Asset finance: foreign firms Tier 1

Stephenson Harwood LLP’s structured and aviation finance, shipping and offshore finance team advises a range of major financial institutions, banks, lessors and lessees, on contentious and non-contentious matters. It has seen numerous restructurings and refinancings alongside lease work, sales and purchases, and portfolio management in the aviation space. Saugata Mukherjee is praised for his ‘unparalleled depth of aviation industry knowledge‘, and Clement Leung is recommended for advising on the hedging aspects of aviation finance transactions. Piloted by practice co-head Gregg Johnston, the team handles a broad mix of multi-jurisdictional complex transactions including sustainability-linked loans, restructurings, and disputes. Gregory Xu, with over 15 years of experience in the maritime sector, excels in complex financing and restructuring issues. Huay Yee Kwan is noted for her expertise in PRC leasing, together with Pedram Norton and Jeffrey Tanner, who bring further depth and breadth to all aspects of ship and offshore finance.

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

Stephenson Harwood LLP has entered the Singapore private wealth arena with considerable success thanks to the efforts of Suzanne Johnston, who has previous experience of working for a magic circle law firm and a private bank. Her Singapore team now works closely with colleagues in Hong Kong, mainland China, Dubai, and London, with a focus on trusts, estates, family offices, multi-jurisdictional tax, and compliance issues. It frequently advises high-net-worth clients on their relocation to the UK and relevant structures for holding wealth and assets. The firm is also building its presence in crypto and digital assets, as well as ESG matters. Along with a range of high-net-worth individuals, the team also has numerous institutional clients, including trustees and insurance brokers. Yi Lee provides further senior expertise at the managing associate level.

Singapore > Shipping: foreign firms Tier 1

Stephenson Harwood LLP‘s large and well-rounded practice is well-equipped to advise across the gamut of shipping and offshore matters. The team advises an array of major banks and shipping companies in wet, dry, contentious and non-contentious transactions, major financings, and disputes. It also has experience assisting on cases involving sustainability and ESG-linked loans. Gregg Johnston heads the practice and has particular expertise in distressed debt scenarios. Huay Yee Kwan is prominent for her work in PRC leasing in emerging markets. John Simpson and Michelle Yong bring charterparty law and arbitration-related specialisms to the team, whilst Gregory Xu provides expertise in banking and finance. Pedram Norton and May 2023-promoted partner Jeffrey Tanner are noteworthy for their offshore work. Justin Gan is also a noted member.

Singapore > Restructuring and insolvency: foreign firms Tier 2

The team at Stephenson Harwood LLP ‘has strong expertise in shipping and maritime matters, taking a practical and commercial approach to debt restructuring’, with additional experience in the commodities and aviation sectors. Shipping finance specialist Gregg Johnston leads the team and maintains a strong track record in restructurings. Other key contacts in the group include Huay Yee Kwan and Michelle Yong.

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

The ‘highly responsive’ team at Stephenson Harwood LLP handles private equity and venture capital investments across South and Southeast Asia, with demonstrable experience in the transport and maritime, technology and healthcare sectors. Acting in a formal alliance with Virtus Law LLP, the practice is well-placed to advise on the domestic and international aspects of transactions. Praised as an ‘excellent technical lawyer, whose client service is second to none’, Tom Platts leads the team and handles M&A, strategic joint ventures and corporate restructurings. Other key contacts in the team include US-qualified Jonathan Goacher, who joined the team from Hill Dickinson LLP in May 2023, Jay Tai who joined from Proskauer Rose LLP‘s Hong Kong office in October 2023, and of counsel Helen Rhind-Hufnagel.

Singapore > International arbitration Tier 3

Stephenson Harwood LLP is a notable firm for international arbitration in Singapore, with sector expertise in energy, construction, maritime, and international trade. The practice is especially knowledgeable in investor-state work and crypto-related arbitrations. At leadership level, Chris Bailey is a ‘great guy’, and described as ‘razor-sharp’. He is joined by Daryll Ng, John Simpson, and Michelle Yong, with expertise in the oil and gas sectors, restructuring and insolvency, and international trade disputes. Managing associate Rebecca Crookenden is noted, with experience across the full gamut of commercial disputes.

Singapore > Banking and finance: foreign firms Tier 4

Stephenson Harwood LLP‘s primary strengths lie in the asset finance sphere and it has built further prominence in corporate loans in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and India. The Singapore office’s heritage in asset finance has afforded the wider banking and finance team with a mighty regional and international bank client base. This has led to a range of engagements including sustainability and ESG-linked loans. Key markets include Singapore, India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia. Of particular note, the Singapore team advised the State Bank of India on a $1bn credit facility to the Government of Sri Lanka for the purposes of importing food, medicine, and other essential items. Gregory Xu has a fine reputation for ship finance and the broader banking and finance area.

Singapore > Projects: foreign firms

Philippines > Foreign firms Tier 2

The team at Stephenson Harwood LLP represents a balanced mix of clients including banks, financial institutions, multinational corporations, private equity funds and airlines, frequently advising large listed and unlisted international businesses on optimal structures for their investments into the Philippines. In addition, the firm continues to assist clients with financing structures and large aircraft orders in Asia. The group also has significant private wealth capabilities. Practice head Tom Platts and Saugata Mukherjee form part of the core team. Jonathan Goacher joined in May 2023, while former co-head of the practice George Cyriac left the firm in the same month.

Myanmar > Foreign desks Tier 3

Vietnam > Foreign desks Tier 3

Stephenson Harwood LLP’s Vietnam desk, operating principally from the firm’s Singapore and Hong Kong offices, regularly advises both domestic and multinational clients on their operations in Vietnam, including in the aviation, consumer goods, energy, financial services, healthcare, real estate, and telecommunications sectors. Tom Platts, Saugata Mukherjee, and Gregory Xu in Singapore lead the practice alongside Hong Kong-based Simon Wong. Platts is a cross-border M&A and capital market deals specialist with considerable experience in Southeast Asia.

South Korea > Shipping: foreign firms

Stephenson Harwood  is sought after for its special expertise in shipbuilding, and the team frequently advises clients such as Korean global corporates, international banks, and shipping and shipbuilding trading companies in this sphere. Practice head Michael Kim has extensive experience in ship finance and offshore mandates, as well as in general commercial litigation with a nexus to the industry. The group also includes Stuart Burrell, who acts for clients such as shipowners and shipbuilders in multi-jurisdictional litigation and international arbitration, and Stuart Beadnall, who is a shipping and energy specialist with particular expertise in contract negotiation. Sean Gibbons, who is regularly instructed to defend fraudulent cargo claims made against shipowners, and shipping and offshore financing specialist Gregg Johnston are also key contacts.