Bird & Bird ATMD LLP > Singapore, Singapore > Firm Profile

Bird & Bird ATMD LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Singapore > Data protection and cyber security Tier 1

The ‘robust and comprehensive’ practice at Bird & Bird ATMD LLP covers the full spectrum of data protection and cyber security mandates, from public policy mandates, assisting policymakers and regulators, to data breaches, cyber security incidents and high-profile disputes, among others. Key clients include leading technology corporations, Singapore blue-chip companies and financial institutions. Practice leader Jeremy Tan has ‘in-depth knowledge’, advising on regulatory and commercial issues arising in the data, cyber security, payments, metaverse, and IoT arenas, while Loren Leung handles multi-jurisdictional regulatory compliance mandates. Counsel Shawn Ting, who assists global operators with regulatory issues relating to the establishment of local presence and infrastructure rollout, including the deployment of data centres, is another key contact in the group.

Singapore > Intellectual property: Local firms Tier 1

Bird & Bird ATMD LLP covers the full spectrum of IP services, advising on copyright and trade mark disputes, patent protection mandates, anti-counterfeiting cases, and brand management issues. The team represents an impressive range of clients across the hotel and tourism, technology, food and beverage, and media sectors, and remains at the forefront of IP developments in the region. The practice is led by Lorraine Tay, who demonstrable experience advising on non-contentious IP and advisory mandates, often involving brand management issues, while Anan Sivananthan is noted for his expertise in patent litigation and anti-counterfeiting cases. Oh Pin-Ping, who handles infringement litigation, patent revocation and trade mark oppositions, is another key contact in the group, as is of counsel Alban Kang.

Singapore > TMT: local firms Tier 1

Bird & Bird ATMD LLP provides ‘commercially sound and expeditious advice’ to its stellar roster of clients, ranging from multinational corporations and fast-growth technology companies to start-ups in the APAC region on the full spectrum of TMT mandates, including commercial, regulatory, and transactional work, as well as technology and communications-related disputes. Managing partner Jeremy Tan leads the team and stands out for his expertise in the digital arena, advising on cross-border matters concerning artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cyber security, among other mandates. Loren Leung advises on sourcing and outsourcing, software development, and licensing mandates, while Lijun Chui focuses on TMT-related disputes. Other key contacts in the group include senior consultant Gigi Cheah and senior associate Elaina Foo.

Singapore > Labour and employment: local firms Tier 2

Bird & Bird ATMD LLP has a strong emphasis on employment law, much like the firm’s other global offices, including in China, Hong Kong and Sydney. The Singapore office is noted for domestic and regional engagements, frequently working alongside other offices to handle multi-jurisdictional employment matters. The wide-ranging practice includes labour law specialisation, especially trade union negotiations. The firm continues to impress in technology sector engagements, including restructurings and retrenchment exercises. Seow Hui Goh heads the employment team, focusing on domestic and ASEAN employment issues, including contentious and non-contentious mandates. Promoted to counsel in May 2023, Natasha Cheng brings further senior employment expertise to the team and is building the firm’s standing in immigration law.

Singapore > Start-up and venture capital – Foreign firms Tier 2

Focusing on industries with both a technology and regulation nexus, Bird & Bird ATMD LLP represents a swathe of major corporate venture capital companies, private equity firms, start-ups and emerging companies. Some of these high-growth sectors include aviation, life sciences and healthcare, media and telecoms, with practice head Marcus Chow being a trusted adviser to major clients within these areas both throughout Singapore and the wider Southeast Asia market. Sandra Seah is also active within the market and brings particular expertise in the energy sector, while counsel Jolie Giouw also comes highly recommended.

Singapore > Start-up and venture capital – Local firms Tier 2

Supporting start-ups and emerging companies from inception to expansion, Bird & Bird ATMD LLP is noted for its expertise in advising clients heavily reliant on intangible assets across a broad range of industries, encompassing fintech, reg-tech, robotics, healthcare, cybersecurity and life sciences. Corporate specialist Marcus Chow heads up the offering which intently focuses on industries where technology and regulation intersect, and is well-supported by counsel Jolie Giouw.

Singapore > Asset finance: foreign firms Tier 3

Bird & Bird ATMD LLP  excels in aircraft and engine financing, refinancing, and leasing, regularly acting for a range of lenders and lessees. The team is also well known for airline restructurings and portfolio management. The widely respected aviation expert Leo Fattorini leads ‘a fantastic team of hard-working, solution-orientated and well-respected professionals‘. Fattorini counts blue-chip companies, leasing institutions, and aircraft financiers as his key clients, and his recent caseloads include sales and leasebacks, debt financing, and purchase agreements. The recent addition of Niel Liebenberg who joined from an in-house role further strengthens its aviation transaction capability.

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

Praised for its ‘excellent knowledge and quality of services’, Bird & Bird ATMD LLP is well-placed to advise on listings on the SGX and IPOs, in addition to secondary offerings, privitisations and exempted offerings of fixed income products. Noted for its experience in sectors where technology and regulation are driving change, the team is led by Marcus Chow, who assists domestic and international corporates in raising capital by way of IPOs, private placements, and rights and warrants issues, in addition to acting as Singapore counsel in outbound IPOs. Clients praise both Chow and counsel Jolie Giouw for the ‘exceptional services’ they provide.

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

Praised for its ‘excellent knowledge and quality of services’, Bird & Bird ATMD LLP acts for financial institutions, public and private companies, private equity houses and government-linked entities on a range of domestic and cross-border transactions. The team’s workload includes joint ventures, acquisitions and disposals, corporate restructurings, takeovers, leveraged buyouts, privatisations, private equity and venture capital investments. Marcus Chow leads the team and handles public and private M&A, in addition to private equity and venture capital transactions, while counsel Jolie Giouw advises on corporate finance matters. Sandra Seah is another key contact in the group.

Singapore > Dispute resolution: local firms Tier 3

Bird & Bird ATMD LLP has a major emphasis on dispute resolution, from commercial litigation to TMT, construction, employment and intellectual property cases. With the firm’s tech sector focus, the Singapore office has successfully targeted the start-up sector, with numerous engagements relating to disputes over valuations, and is also at the forefront of crypto cases. The Singapore team has seen additional growth in cases connected to capital flows into Singapore from China. It is further noted for interlocutory relief and court applications related to arbitration proceedings. Jonathan Choo is Singapore and English qualified, and leads the Singapore arbitration practice with a particular focus on the TMT sector. Lijun Chui is also dual qualified in Singapore and England, and is especially active in the IT and pharmaceuticals sectors. The highly rated Shaun Lee was promoted to partner in 2022, adding to the firm’s senior bench. Akshay Kishore is a key figure for India-related disputes, while senior associate Mark Ng assists in cross-border matters.

Singapore > International arbitration Tier 3

Bird & Bird ATMD LLP’s international arbitration practice is ‘very on the ball, responsive, and gives practical advice’ for its clients that span a wide range of industry sectors, from financial services and insurance to energy and mining. The firm is particularly well-established in TMT and IP-related disputes, with Jonathan Choo highly active in these fields. Lijun Chui is key to the team, with experience in domestic and international arbitrations across energy, oil and gas, and maritime sectors, in addition to the practice’s mainstays of technology and IP. Akshay Kishore, who is qualified both in India and as an English solicitor, has ‘excellent contacts in India and exceptional experience on India-related disputes’, and is noted alongside ‘exceptional attorney’ Shaun Lee.

Singapore > Projects and energy: local firms Tier 3

Bird & Bird ATMD LLP’s projects and energy practice is noted for its experience in handling all aspects of renewable power projects and energy regulatory matters. The firm has considerable expertise in advising on ESG, construction contracts, competition law, and IP and licensing matters for clients within the energy and construction sectors. Sandra Seah, who has expertise in energy, corporate and commercial law, heads the team. Akshay Kishore focuses on international commercial arbitration work in the energy, mining, construction, and infrastructure sectors.

Singapore > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms Tier 4

Bird & Bird ATMD LLP is well-placed to leverage the firm’s international network to advise on multi-jurisdictional transactions, ranging from M&A, joint ventures, corporate restructurings and takeovers to leveraged buyouts, privatisations and private equity investments. Key clients include multinational companies and financial institutions, as well as private equity firms and government-linked entities. Marcus Chow leads the team and advises on M&A in the private and public markets, in addition to private equity and venture capital investments and exits. Co-head of the firm’s energy sector practice, Sandra Seah is another key contact in the group.

Singapore > Construction: Local firms