Valerie Kong > Clifford Chance > Singapore, Singapore > Lawyer Profile

Managing partner Valerie Kong solely leads the team at Clifford Chance’s Singapore office following the relocation of former co-lead Johannes Juette to the firm’s London office; Juette remains an active member of the group. Kong frequently advises on cross-border M&A, with a focus on Southeast Asia, while Thomas England acts for banks and borrowers on new money and restructuring transactions. Nicholas Wong advises sponsors, investors, banks and export credit agencies on the structuring, development and financing of energy, oil and gas, infrastructure and mining development projects, and Gareth Deiner specialises in debt capital markets products. Daryl Liu is a member of the firm’s funds and investment management group. Key clients span the food and beverage, energy and resources, consumer goods, private equity and healthcare sectors, among others.

Clifford Chance draws on the expertise and experience of partners and associates in the corporate and dispute resolution departments. Much of the practice centres on representing financial institutions and asset managers, notably in relation to investigations into wrongful dismissal claims, sexual harassment, misuse of funds, and market manipulation. The Singapore office is also experienced in developing incentive structures for private equity houses and other financial investors. Kabir Singh is a key partner for investigations involving employee claims and allegations, along with Janice Goh, a partner in formal law alliance firm Cavenagh Law LLP. Valerie Kong leads in non-contentious matters, including incentives.

Noted for its capability to advise on Singapore, English and New York law, the ‘all-star team’ at Clifford Chance covers the full spectrum of mandates, from M&A, joint ventures and divestments to general corporate advisory work across the energy and infrastructure, financial services, consumer goods and retail, healthcare and life sciences, TMT and private equity sectors. Praised as ‘one of the best M&A lawyers in Singapore’, managing partner Valerie Kong has built a strong portfolio of clients, including sovereign wealth funds, Singapore and Malaysia government-linked entities, multinational banks and corporates, with demonstrable experience in cross-border M&A, particularly in the Southeast Asia region. Kong jointly leads the team alongside Melissa Ng, who is commended for her ‘keen intellect, commerciality and extensive experience’ in M&A, divestments and joint ventures, and Tom Lin, who focuses on private equity transactions. Senior associate Ivan Chan is another key contact in the group.

Clifford Chance’s Vietnam focus group, operating principally from the firm’s Singapore office, offers considerable combined experience in structuring and implementing transactions in the country. The practice has a well-established relationship with leading local law firm, VILAF, as well as with Vietnamese local authorities, including MOF and MOJ. The group is jointly led by finance partner Fergus Evans, specialising in banking, asset finance, and leasing matters, and projects practice co-head Ross Howard, with expertise advising sponsors and lenders in relation to the financing of large-scale energy and infrastructure projects. Tokyo-based projects lawyer Hans Menski works closely with practitioners at VILAF to advise clients on their Vietnamese investments. Valerie Kong, managing partners of the firm’s Singapore office and member of the Asia Pacific Leadership Group, regularly handles high-profile M&A deals involving companies based in Vietnam.