Shook Lin & Bok LLP > Singapore, Singapore > Firm Profile

Shook Lin & Bok LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Singapore > Banking and finance: local firms Tier 1

Shook Lin & Bok LLP ‘has a strong team of knowledgeable, professional, reliable and friendly lawyers’ dedicated to banking and finance matters in Singapore and throughout region. With strong credentials in landmark banking deals, including acquisition finance, green loans, private equity finance, structured lending, REIT-related transactions and trade and commodity financings, the group acts for an impressive roster of lenders, including banks and other major financial institutions. Department head Liew Kai Zee has a wealth of experience in cross-border acquisition and structured finance, and is the counsel of choice for several corporate borrowers and financiers. Bilateral and syndicated loans as well as project and asset finance are core areas of activity for Stanley Lim. Zhi Ming Tan is singled out for his knowledge of property development and project finance, while Aditi Mathur stands out in the field of sustainability-linked credit facilities. Bryan Chang, Clement Khoo and Paul Goh, all of whom are engaged in domestic and cross-border banking and finance mandates, are other noteworthy individuals.

Singapore > Capital markets: equity and debt: local firms Tier 2

Providing legal support in the full range of capital markets matters in Singapore and across the region, Shook Lin & Bok LLP houses two distinct subgroups focused on debt and equity transactions respectively. Bringing together practitioners with extensive experience in cross-border deals, the firm is retained by a range of companies, financial advisors and boards of directors on the equity side, and is also well placed to assist in REITs matters, having been involved in the majority of related IPOs in Singapore and follow-up transactions. On the DCM front, the team stands out for its track record in retail structured note programmes, securitisations and structured finance. With over two decades of experience in DCM work, Marilyn See advises on debt issuance programmes and securitisation involving a range of asset classes. Gwendolyn Gn is a key contact for equity transactions; her areas of expertise cover domestic IPOs and dual listings on the Singapore and Hong Kong stock exchange.

Singapore > Dispute resolution: local firms Tier 2

Practice heads David Chan and Sarjit Singh Gill SC lead ‘a team of tough litigators’ at Shook Lin & Bok LLP, able to handle a range of complex and high-profile matters with a cross-border element. The firm’s litigation and dispute resolution practice is particularly strong in financial and banking disputes, often covering cases of fraud, restructuring and insolvency, corporate and credit recovery, and shareholder disputes. Joseph Tay and Daniel Tan are among a number of other highly regarded team members providing ‘practical and concise advice’ to clients.

Singapore > Investment funds: local firms Tier 2

Shook Lin & Bok LLP has a wide-ranging and extensive investment funds practice that provides dedicated resources and expertise to mutual funds, REITs, private funds and private trusts. The large team has gained further ground in private funds and the private wealth space. The department features a number of fluent Mandarin speakers and several senior practitioners that have extensive experience in engaging with regulators. Its client base includes a number of major international and boutique fund managers, big institutional investors, and family offices and high-net-worth individuals. Tan Woon Hum has a notable track record in investment funds, REITs and trusts, while Andrea Ng is noted for her expertise in REITs, private funds and the growing influence of digital assets and tokens.

Singapore > Private wealth and family law – local firms Tier 2

Shook Lin & Bok LLP has an extensive background in representing UHNW individuals and family offices in the establishment of funds, private trusts and single family offices in Singapore. The firm has demonstrated expertise in single investor funds structured as a Singapore umbrella variable capital company (VCC). It also frequently advises UHNW individuals from around the Asia Pacific region on the establishment of private trusts. Department head Tan Woon Hum specialises in investment funds, REITS and trusts.

Singapore > Real estate: local firms Tier 2

Shook Lin & Bok LLP has a sizeable team of real estate specialists, covering commercial, industrial and residential property, which includes hotels and hospitality-related deals. The firm is also widely recognised for its REITs and property funds expertise. Chew Mei Choo has more than 30 years experience as a real estate specialist and Lee Chau Hwei is also a seasoned practitioner having previously been general counsel at a prominent hospitality REIT. Andrea Ng and Tan Woon Hum provide additional expertise in REITs and funds-related work.

Singapore > Restructuring and insolvency: local firms Tier 2

Shook Lin & Bok LLP has an outstanding restructuring and insolvency practice led by two highly celebrated practitioners in top litigator and insolvency specialist Sarjit Singh Gill SC and R&I specialist David Chan. The two have excellent connections to creditors and liquidators/judicial managers. The firm has gained prime roles in a series of recent restructurings and insolvencies, including the Hin Leong bankruptcy. It continues to land a number of fraud-related matters. Daniel Tan is another emerging talent. NG Yeow Khoon is also rated by clients.

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

At Shook Lin & Bok LLP, the team hosts considerable knowledge of takeover and hostile bids, partial offers, mergers, tender offers and buyouts, among other deal types. David Chong , a lawyer with specialist knowledge of the communications, media, technology, energy and natural resources sectors, fronts the practice; his team is geared to act for multinational corporates and private equity players alike and is also distinctly experienced in representing bulge bracket investment banks.

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

Steered by Eric Chan, who has considerable experience in the MAS, Shook Lin & Bok LLP‘s financial services regulatory team handles the entire spectrum of regulatory and transactional matters in the financial services space, and often contributes to the development of related regulations in Singapore. Working in close collaboration with the banking and finance group, practitioners are proficient in compliance, business conduct requirements and licensing issues, and boast expertise in mandates involving anti-money laundering, data privacy and payments services. Financial institutions, venture capitalists, tech companies and asset managers often instruct the team in matters pertaining to capital raisings, M&A and cryptocurrencies. Andrea Ng leads on fintech-related matters, with a particular focus on the regulatory regime surrounding token offerings.

Singapore > Labour and employment: local firms Tier 3

Shook Lin & Bok LLP continues to land significant engagements in the contentious employment sphere, including cases concerning wrongful dismissal claims, misconduct investigations, and employee terminations. The firm is also noted for its capabilities in advisory and transactional matters. Probin Dass has a fine record in contentious employment matters, while Teo Mae Shaan and Joseph Tay are also experienced in advisory and transactional issues.

Singapore > TMT: local firms Tier 3

Shook Lin & Bok LLP advises TMT clients at every stage of the business lifecycle from early start-ups and local blue-chip companies to various corporates and research institutes. The team has the expertise to advise clients in relation to personal data protection laws and financial regulatory issues. David Chong is a corporate finance specialist while Ho Ying Ming advises global private equity and venture capital firms. Dayne Ho and Chua Shi Ying are experienced practitioners.

Singapore > Start-up and venture capital – Local firms Tier 3

Shook Lin & Bok LLP provides ‘very strong local Singapore law expertise paired with solid understanding of law on a global basis’. The firm covers the spectrum of start-up work, with notable expertise in structuring acquisitions and financings of private and public companies, as well as advising on pre-IPO and secondary investments/divestments. David Chong spearheads the practice and has particular experience in the communications, media, technology, energy and natural resources sectors.

Singapore > International arbitration Tier 4

Active in domestic and international arbitrations dealing across industries, Shook Lin & Bok LLP advises and acts for banks, financial institutions and high profile entities, local and foreign, on a range of contentious matters. The firm is experienced in arbitral institutions based in Singapore, Sydney, London, Indian, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Mauritius and Vietnam. Sarjit Singh Gill SC has particular strength in international arbitration matters involving Indian parties. He co-leads the team with David Chan, who focuses on domestic and cross-border finance-related litigation, notably fraud and insolvency matters.