Milbank > Singapore, Singapore > Firm Profile

Milbank > The Legal 500 Rankings

Singapore > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms Tier 1

The ‘responsive and creative’ team at Milbank is noted for its expertise in cross-border transactions across the oil and gas, energy and infrastructure, telecoms, healthcare, e-commerce and retail sectors. Key clients range from multinational investment banks, multilaterals and funds to regional and national companies. Managing partner David Zemans maintains a track record in corporate financing mandates, while handling multi-jurisdictional transactions involving Indonesia, India, China and Europe. Zemans jointly leads the practice alongside Jacqueline Chan, who acts for financial institutions, corporates, investment funds and private equity funds in high-value M&A and corporate finance matters. Min Kim, who assists on deals in the technology, telecoms, financial services, healthcare, food and beverages, and power industries, is another key contact in the group.

Singapore > Projects: foreign firms Tier 1

Milbank’s projects and infrastructure practice acts for both lenders and project sponsors; and stands out for its work in the oil and gas, mineral resources, and power generation sectors. It has also increasingly seen work in the growing renewable energy sector, having recently taken part in solar, wind, and geothermal projects in the region. The team is led by key contact James Murray, who focuses his practice on representing parties in the development and financing of power, oil and gas, mining, telecoms and other infrastructure projects; and has particular expertise in multi-sourced financing. James Orme specialises on the renewable energy, metals and mining, digital infrastructure, power and oil and gas sectors. Andrew Gibb’s practice spans advising clients on power generation, oil and gas, and mining and infrastructure projects. Rosaline Yusman often advises multilateral financial institutions on large-scale projects with a focus on the renewable energy and power sectors.

Singapore > Restructuring and insolvency: foreign firms Tier 1

Well regarded for its ability to offer clients ‘practical solutions’ and ‘technical expertise’, the ‘commercially minded’ team at Milbank is well-versed in the full spectrum of debt and corporate restructurings. Counting domestic and international finance clients among its key roster of clients, the practice continues handle high-value and complex matters, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Practice head David Zemans maintains a busy and broad practice, covering commercial bank lending, private debt and other types of leverage finance as well as restructuring and banking sector issues. Jacqueline Chan is a key port of call for financial institutions, corporates, investment funds and private equity funds seeking assistance on cross-border transactions throughout Asia. Nicholas Dunstone has been praised as an ‘exceptional practitioner who has excellent technical skills’.

Singapore > Banking and finance: foreign firms Tier 2

Milbank has an outstanding record in bulge-bracket acquisition and leveraged financings. The Singapore office is also noted for private credit, structured finance, bank-bond financings and holdco financings, along with distressed financings. It has an impressive client base of commercial lenders, export credit agencies (ECAs), private equity investors and funds, among others. The Singapore team is also recognised for its work in the energy and infrastructure sectors, especially the financing of energy and infrastructure projects across the region. Indonesia is a key jurisdiction for the Singapore team, along with Malaysia and the Philippines. Singapore managing partner David Zemans is a big name in large-scale financings, especially in Indonesia. Jacqueline Chan has been instrumental in building the firm’s presence in financings for private equity investors and funds, and in the private credit arena. James Orme continues to impress in energy and infrastructure financings, as does James Murray in power and natural resources project financings.

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

Milbank has an outstanding reputation for headline capital markets offerings, especially high-yield debt and investment grade issuances, along with project bonds. The Singapore office also has an impressive record in high-value IPOs. It remains closely associated with the Indonesian market, along with Vietnam, Malaysia, India and Singapore itself; it advised PT Amman Mineral Internasional on its $713m IPO on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, the largest IPO in Southeast Asia in 2023. The Singapore team has extensive experience in energy and natural resources, TMT and real estate. Licensed to practice in the US, UK and New Zealand, Giles Kennedy (‘experienced, highly commercial and always delivers exceptional results’) is one of the leading names in the market, while Terrence O’Donnell has made a further impression since ascending to the partnership ranks in 2023.

Singapore > Energy: foreign firms Tier 2

Milbank's Singapore office serves as a hub, advising on energy projects across the APAC region. The team acts for both lenders and project sponsors, and its work is most visible in oil and gas, mineral resources, and power generation. It has also increasingly been working within the renewable energy space, advising on wind, solar, and geothermal projects. Notably, James Murray, who leads the team, often advises clients on groundbreaking project finance mandates, especially in the power sector. Other key individual James Orme has a particular focus on the renewable energy, metals and mining, digital infrastructure, power and oil and gas sectors.

Singapore > TMT: foreign firms Tier 3

Milbank has a primary focus on large-scale transactions with many of its Singapore partners having long-term experience in the TMT sector. Data centres and digital infrastructure have become a major element of the Singapore office’s TMT work, which covers the whole of Southeast Asia, notably Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines and Thailand. The office’s connection to major investors has brought it a swathe of deals, often leading to it representing the portfolio company. Giles Kennedy and Jacqueline Chan are both experienced figures in the TMT sector, bringing extensive expertise in private equity investment through to capital markets offerings. The firm is also recognised for its experience in data centre project financings.

Singapore > Asset finance: foreign firms

Indonesia > Foreign firms Tier 1

Milbank regularly advises large financial institutions and prominent Indonesian companies on a wide range of matters, including capital markets transactions, joint ventures, and project financing. Giles Kennedy is noted for his ability to handle large IPOs, while managing partner David Zemans is an expert in leveraged finance and restructuring issues. James Murray heads the project, energy and infrastructure practice. Working closely alongside Murray, James Orme frequently advises banks, project companies, and sponsors on large projects relating to renewable energy and digital infrastructure. Jacqueline Chan is recommended for corporate and M&A matters in the healthcare, energy, and telecoms sectors. Andrew Gibb is another essential member of the team.

Vietnam > Foreign desks Tier 2

Milbank’s Vietnamese practice features projects and energy mandates, with additional experience in handling corporate and capital markets matters, and demonstrable experience in the telecoms and technology sectors. Jointly leading the practice, Jacqueline Chan operates from Singapore and specialises in M&A, corporate finance and restructurings, while James Grandolfo, who is based in the firm's Hong Kong office, has an active portfolio in regional capital markets and corporate transactions. On the projects front, James Murray contributes to the firm’s regional offering, being a central figure in renewable energy, and with recent work consisting of wind projects.

Malaysia > Foreign firms Tier 3

Milbank’s Malaysia offering ranges from high-end financings and capital markets transactions to acquisitions and restructurings across industries such as energy, financial services, and retail. David Zemans leads the practice, being a key figure in the firm’s financial services offering, advising on commercial bank lending, private debt, and other types of leverage finance. Also heavily involved in high-end transactions is Jacqueline Chan, whose Malaysian practice includes financings and acquisitions, while James Murray is a key figurehead in project financing.

Philippines > Foreign firms

Milbank’s Philippine offering focuses on three main areas: corporate transactions, capital markets, and energy and infrastructure projects. Handling M&As and IPOs on the corporate side, and renewables on the energy side, the firm often acts for key financial institutions, lenders, and sponsors. Leading the practice, James Grandolfo has considerable experience advising on capital markets, M&A, and private equity, across multiple jurisdictions with a particular focus on the Philippines. Another force in capital markets is Paul Pery who handles investment grade and high-yield debt and equity, while James Murray leads the firm's project, energy, and infrastructure finance group, which often acts for regional sponsors and developers, and export credit agencies.

India > Foreign firms

Active across India, the UK and Asia more broadly, Milbank fields a considerable workload that spans projects, M&A and capital markets issues. The team is frequently handling matters arising from the energy, transport and telecoms industries on both a domestic and international scale. James Grandolfo, who helms the group, possesses extensive experience in the domain of debt, high-yield and equity related mandates, while Giles Kennedy is routinely entrusted by clients active in the sectors of tech, telecoms and real estate. Terrence O’Donnell is noted for his strengths in managing IPOs, share placements and high-yield bonds.