Morrison Foerster (Singapore) > Singapore, Singapore > Firm Profile

Morrison Foerster (Singapore)
50 COLLYER QUAY
#12-01 OUE BAYFRONT
SINGAPORE 049321
Singapore

Singapore > White-collar crime - Foreign firms Tier 1

Praised as ‘responsive and committed, with fantastic regional knowledge’, Morrison Foerster (Singapore) handles a wide spread of government investigations, regulatory proceedings, and internal investigations, in addition to transactional, compliance and risk assessment matters. The practice is noted for its combination of expertise and breadth of work, with a number of recent mandates covering expanding markets, such as regional enforcement, cyber, data security, economic sanctions, money laundering and fraud cases. Daniel Levison, ‘a standout lawyer’, leads the team and has extensive compliance and investigation experience across the board. Associate Sheryl Janet George is another key contact in the group and has been central to a number of internal investigations, compliance and due diligence matters.

Practice head(s):

Daniel Levison

Other key lawyers:

Sheryl Janet George; Rishikeesh Wijaya; Lingeng Zhuang

Testimonials

‘Holistic view and depth of experience.’

‘Daniel Levison has the pulse of the market in our industry. Very knowledgeable and combining pragmatic advice with deep technical insights.’

‘This is an exceptional team led by Daniel Levison. They are responsive and committed, with fantastic regional knowledge. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.’

‘The team is commercially minded and easy to work with.’

‘Daniel Levison is a standout lawyer in this area. He is very experienced in assisting in conducting sensitive investigations.’

Singapore > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms Tier 2

Housing an ‘impressively deep bench of leading lawyers’, Morrison Foerster (Singapore) advises on large-scale M&A, private equity transactions and joint ventures, with demonstrable experience in the real estate, technology and financial services sectors. Practice leader Shirin Tang, who is qualified in New York and Singapore, has considerable experience in private equity and venture capital transactions, M&A and joint ventures, while Lip Kian Ang is active across the fintech, technology, life sciences and consumer goods industries. Tabitha Saw focuses on private equity real estate and data centre transactions, and Steven Tran is praised as ‘immensely knowledgeable’ in cross-border private equity and M&A deals.

Practice head(s):

Shirin Tang

Other key lawyers:

Lip Kian Ang; Tabitha Saw; Steven Tran; Eric Piesner; Yong Wei Tan; Lisa Yeo

Testimonials

‘Tabitha Saw is responsive and has a strong understanding of data centre leases. Extremely smart and able to effectively manage complex transactions.’

‘The team is very responsive to client requests and needs.’

‘Shirin Tang delivers commercial and creative solutions and has an excellent understanding of our business. She is very user-friendly.’

‘Morrison Foerster has always had a solid name regionally and internationally as a top-tier M&A practice, however the relatively recent expansion of the Singapore team has clearly underscored their commitment to the region with an impressively deep bench of leading lawyers.’

‘Steven Tran is a stellar hire for Morrison Foerster. Not only is he immensely knowledgeable on the law, but he is a born pragmatist – able to sift the really important issues from the pack and focus on delivering true value to clients.’

‘MoFo has been an outstanding firm that has become our principal deal counsel on almost every investment we make in Asia.’

‘Lip Kian Ang and Yong Wei Tan are an outstanding team. Deeply experienced, highly responsive, and gives user-friendly advice.’

‘Lip Kian Ang is user-friendly and responsive. ’

Key clients

GLP Pte. Ltd.

Princeton Digital Group

IndoSpace

FLOW Digital Infrastructure

GDS

Work highlights

  • Acted as international counsel to GLP’s China Logistics Fund I and its affiliates in the US$5 billion sale of the portfolio developed within GLP CLF I.
  • Represented IndoSpace in the formation of IndoSpace Logistics Parks IV (ILP IV), the company’s fourth development vehicle, targeting US$600 million of total equity commitments.

Singapore > Insurance: foreign firms Tier 2

Singapore > Investment funds: foreign firms Tier 2

Morrison Foerster (Singapore)‘s investment funds practice has experienced steady growth over the last few years, building on its strong base of real estate funds work; it has an excellent reputation for open-end real estate fund formation. The team is now increasingly active in private equity and venture capital, and represents a large swathe of fund managers and institutional clients. US-qualified Jason Nelms departed in January 2024.

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Very experienced and capable team that brings together expertise and resources from other offices/professionals. The team is able to advise clients and suggest commercial solutions to bridging differences efficiently.’

‘Extremely responsive, time efficient, commercial/practical, without any compromise on attention to detail.’

‘The ability to provide a full range of services.’

‘Shirin Tang has been a big supporter to our business, and she’s responsive and always been able to connect us with the right resources.’

Key clients

GLP Pte. Ltd.

IndoSpace

Savills Investment Management

Growtheum Capital Partners

SH Fund Management

Berkeley Frontier Fund

East Ventures

E15 VC

Intudo Ventures

Swire Properties

Touchstone Ventures

Octave Ventures

Gennex Capital Advisers Ltd

Work highlights

  • Advised a Singapore based private equity firm, Growtheum Capital Partners, on the formation of a fund that is focused on active minority growth investments in Southeast Asia.
  • Represented IndoSpace in the formation of IndoSpace Logistics Parks IV, the company’s fourth development vehicle, targeting $600m of total equity commitments.
  • Advised Savills Investment Management in the formation of Savills IM Japan Residential Evergreen Fund, the client’s first open-end real estate fund in Asia.

Singapore > Banking and finance: foreign firms Tier 3

Morrison Foerster (Singapore) is a burgeoning force in real estate finance, acquisition and leveraged finance and private equity financings. The firm is also making a further impression in subscription line financings and margin loans, along with sustainability-linked loans and ESG performance-linked financings. The Singapore team represents a mix of borrowers and lenders (including alternative lenders and credit funds). It frequently works alongside colleagues in Tokyo to advise Japanese senior and mezzanine lenders on auction bids by private equity sponsors. It also advises private equity sponsors across the region on fund and portfolio level financings. Yemi Tépé continues to earn accolades from the market, particularly in relation to acquisition and leveraged financings across the APAC region. Of counsel Hong Cheong Wong provides further senior level expertise and operates in both English and Mandarin languages. Charlyn Lim impresses at associate level.

Practice head(s):

Yemi Tépé

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Due to size of our group and the large number of financings that we undertake, it is crucial that our legal advisers maintain consistency of our key financing terms to enable smooth negotiations with counterparties, and efficient monitoring by us of compliance with those terms. Mofo has provided invaluable assistance to us in achieving these critical commercial and legal objectives, not least helping us to pinpoint and successfully negotiate the key financing terms that are most important to our business with most if not all major international banks in the market.’

‘We work consistently with Yemi Tepe, Hong Cheong Wong and Charlyn Lim. The team’s understanding of our business, combined with its substantive expertise and commercial approach, ensure that the advice and product that we receive is thoughtful, creative and tailored. Mofo fights for us to ensure that we get the maximum flexibility to operate our existing lines of business and achieve our strategic vision and plans for expansion.’

‘The Mofo Singapore team has been most helpful demonstrating their knowledge, experience and expertise across the Asia Region (Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia). The team is able to proactively provide strategies and tactics on each transaction, with unique structure across multiple jurisdictions as mentioned. The team almost demonstrate resourcefulness, having relationships with local firms and ensure things are checked out in all angles.’

‘Partner: Yemi Tepe – I have been working with Yemi for almost five years and she continues to impress. She’s very solution oriented and leads a fantastic team. Associate: Charlyn Lim – Charlyn is very proactive and detail oriented. She thinks a few steps ahead to make sure we are legally well protected even in dire situations.’

‘The Mofo B&F team is a lean mean machine – they always get the job done, deliver on time with top quality – no matter how challenging the clients or the counterparties. ’

‘Yemi Tepe needs no introduction. She stays ahead of the curve in this constantly evolving industry and it is always a first choice for clients. She is great to work with and knows exactly what makes the deal tick.’

‘The team has impressive depth and breadth of expertise bringing with it an ability to handle complex transactions to challenging timetables. The team combines technical expertise with commercial savvy and excellent transaction management.’

‘Yemi Tepe is a very experienced lawyer with an excellent reputation in the market, particularly in leveraged finance. She is technically highly proficient and also very commercially-focussed and is consistently able to deliver solutions to meet client need. ’

Work highlights

Singapore > TMT: foreign firms Tier 3

Morrison Foerster (Singapore) continues to showcase its expertise in data centre transactions, including acquisitions, divestments, co-investments, joint ventures, and restructurings, with additional capability advising on matters concerning fintech, e-commerce, blockchain, and cryptocurrency. Private equity and venture capital expert Shirin Tang leads the team and Jason Nelms advises on funds focused on early to late-stage start-ups in the technology sector. Lip Kian Ang is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Shirin Tang

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘MoFo has been an outstanding firm that has become our principal deal counsel on almost every investment we make in Asia.’

‘They have an excellent network of local counsel that they work seamlessly with on every deal.’

Key clients

Beam Mobility Holdings Pte. Ltd.

Intudo Ventures

Princeton Digital Group

Touchstone Capital Partners

Vectr Fintech Partners

Work highlights

  • Advised Intudo Ventures on the formation of a fund focused on potential early-stage start-ups in Indonesia.

Singapore > Energy: foreign firms Tier 4

Morrison Foerster (Singapore) remains noted for LNG and renewable projects, despite the April 2023 departure of Tessa Davis to an in-house position. The Singapore group continues to be active in energy acquisitions and disposals, leveraging the firm’s global expertise in clean energy and renewables. ‘Exceptional lawyer‘ Per Lindberg was promoted to the partnership in January 2023 and continues to be recognised for major LNG and clean energy projects.

Practice head(s):

Per Lindberg

Testimonials

‘Morrison Foerster’s energy team understands their clients’ unique needs better than most other firms, and promptly and effectively tailors solutions to meet these needs in a way that adds significant value.’

‘Per Lindberg is an exceptional lawyer that provides high value judgment to novel and complex projects. He also communicates very well with clients to ensure that he delivers quality work products that meet their exact needs.’

‘Diverse background covering all topics.’

‘Understanding capabilities and linking abilities to connect the dots. Strategy and foreseeing.’

‘Quite reliable with many talents. ’

‘Per Lindberg is proactive and client centric. He is competent and dedicated. He is quite familiar with the regulatory framework and energy market situation in Asia Pacific region.’

 

Key clients

Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.

Sumitomo Corporation

First Solar, Inc.

EverStream Energy Capital Management

Chugoku Electric Power Co. Inc.

SoftBank Group Corp

Work highlights

  • Represented First Solar in the sale of its 293 MW DC utility-scale solar project development platform in Japan, and its solar operations and maintenance platform in Japan with approximately 665 MW DC under management, to PAG.

Singapore > International arbitration Tier 4

Singapore > Projects: foreign firms Tier 4

Morrison Foerster (Singapore) has experience advising on a plethora of projects across the renewable energy, conventional power, mining, infrastructure, transportation and telecoms sectors. Per Lindberg specialises in energy and infrastructure transactions and carbon offset projects, and co-heads the practice with finance expert Yemi Tépé.

Practice head(s):

Per Lindberg; Yemi Tépé

Testimonials

‘Morrison Foerster’s projects team understand their clients’ unique needs, and promptly and effectively tailors solutions to meet these needs in a way that adds significant value.’

‘Per Lindberg is an exceptional lawyer. He also communicates very well with clients to ensure that he delivers quality work that meets their exact needs.’

‘Very in tune with client needs and is able to advise regional clients on what an international deal requires very well, while also respecting and defending the regional client’s wishes.’

‘Very commercial approach to getting a deal done.’

‘Very fluent bilingual capability, deep insight into the industry.’

‘Deep knowledge of the industry and quick to respond.’

‘They have been supporting us for quite a long time both in Japan and Singapore. Quite reliable with many talents.’

‘Per Lindberg is proactive and client-centric. He is competent, dedicated, and always accessible. He has a comprehensive and exceptional knowledge of infrastructure projects.’

Work highlights

  • Represented First Solar in the sale of its 293 MW DC utility-scale solar project development platform to PAG, marking the sale of the majority of the client’s business in Japan.

The firm: With approximately 1,000 lawyers in 17 offices, Morrison & Foerster (MoFo) is a preeminent global law firm dedicated to delivering business-oriented results to clients across the United States, Asia and Europe. Dynamic technology and life science companies, large financial institutions, private funds, private equity and venture capital firms, leading consumer product companies and other market leaders come to MoFo for knowledge, innovation and business aptitude. MoFo handles some of the world’s largest cross-border transactions and resolves major disputes across multiple jurisdictions. The firm has a long-standing commitment to diversity, pro bono work and social justice.

MoFo provides integrated international and local law advice throughout Asia. The Singapore office features lawyers who are US, England & Wales and Hong Kong qualified. They have many years of experience in managing complex cross border transactions across diverse jurisdictions, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Areas of practice: MoFo’s Singapore clients – and the firm’s global clients doing business in the South and Southeast Asia regions – benefit from the firm’s interdisciplinary and cross-border approach. The firm has an unmatched depth of experience in facilitating regional inbound and outbound transactions, including corporate M&A, banking and finance, fund formation, insurance, and private equity, particularly in the real estate, financial institutions, life sciences and technology sectors. In addition to transactional capabilities, the firm has expertise in all forms of dispute resolution, investigations and regulatory compliance matters.

Banking and finance: MoFo’s Singapore-based finance practice advises clients throughout the region on a comprehensive range of multi-jurisdictional financing transactions. These include domestic and cross-border acquisition and leveraged finance, real estate finance, public to private takeovers, debt structuring and restructuring, margin loans, project finance, syndicated lending and subscription line financing.

Corporate M&A: MoFo’s Singapore corporate group has been entrenched in Asia for decades. The partners are veteran deal advisers with substantial experience handling inbound, outbound and intra-regional private equity, cross-border investment, joint ventures, strategic alliances and asset-based transactions across South and Southeast Asia.

Dispute resolution: MoFo’s Singapore litigation and arbitration team handles all types of disputes including those heard before courts and administrative agencies, arbitration panels, and other tribunals. The team has arbitrated cases before leading regional arbitration centres such as the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), as well as the major equivalent arbitration centres outside Asia. The firm specialises in IP litigation, including US International Trade Commission disputes, defence against patent infringement claims, adversarial patent licence negotiations, patent prosecution and counseling.

Energy, projects and infrastructure: The Singapore energy and infrastructure group provides full service legal representation across every facet of the energy and infrastructure landscape. The team represents key stakeholders, including sponsors, state owned entities, contractors and lenders, and advises on the entire lifecycle of energy and infrastructure assets – from structuring, planning and licensing through to construction, financing and operation.

Insurance: MoFo advises insurers in relation to cross-border M&A, disposals and joint venture arrangements, Fintech and Insurtech transactions, as well as handling commercial disputes. The practice also advises insurers on the most complex and innovative applications of warranty and indemnity insurance policies.

Investigations and regulatory compliance: MoFo has one of the world’s leading FCPA, compliance and investigations practices. The Singapore team features attorneys with significant experience in all types of investigations and regulatory compliance issues faced by global companies in the region including allegations of anti-competitive conduct, bribery and fraud. The team also works closely with the firm’s transactions teams on pre-investment and post-closing due diligence matters.

Investment funds: MoFo’s Singapore investment funds practice represents fund sponsors and investors in the formation and operation of investment funds of all strategies, including; buyout; venture capital, growth capital and private equity; distressed, turnaround and special situations; real estate and real asset infrastructure; credit and private debt; hedge and fund-of-funds.

Real estate: The Singapore real estate team represents investors in the formation of funds and joint ventures and financing in relation to real estate investments in Asia and internationally. The group has a robust practice representing real estate private equity firms, investment managers, sovereign wealth funds, development companies and REITs that invest in real estate assets and companies in the sector.

Technology: MoFo Singapore assists leading telecommunications and IT companies, global banks and financial institutions, biotech companies and private equity funds in navigating legal, structuring and commercial challenges arising from handling technology projects in Asia’s rapidly evolving business and regulatory environment.

Department Name Email Telephone
Anti-bribery/anti-corruption/Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Daniel P. Levison DLevison@mofo.com +65 6922 2041
Banking and finance Yemi Tépé YTepe@mofo.com +65 6922 2057
Data privacy Paul McKenzie PMcKenzie@mofo.com +65 6922 2066
Fund formation and co-investments Jason Nelms JNelms@mofo.com +65 6922 2025
International arbitration Craig I. Celniker CCelniker@mofo.com +65 6922 2059
Investigations and regulatory compliance Daniel P. Levison DLevison@mofo.com +65 6922 2041
Litigation Daniel P. Levison DLevison@mofo.com +65 6922 2041
Mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments and joint ventures Shirin Tang STang@mofo.com +656922 2028
Private equity and venture capital Shirin Tang STang@mofo.com +656922 2028
Project Finance (Energy & Infrastructure) Tessa Davis TDavis@mofo.com +656922 2016
Real estate financing, acquisitions, joint ventures and investments Shirin Tang STang@mofo.com +656922 2028
TMT-related investment and transactions including FinTech Shirin Tang STang@mofo.com +656922 2028
Number of lawyers : approximately 1,000
At this office : 23
English
French
Japanese
Mandarin
Thai
Singapore office managing partner: : Shirin Tang
Chair of the Firm: : Eric T. McCrath