Mr Joo Thye Tan > Dentons Rodyk > Singapore, Singapore > Lawyer Profile

Dentons Rodyk
80 RAFFLES PLACE
#33-00 UOB PLAZA 1
SINGAPORE 048624
Singapore

Work Department

Finance, Energy, Project Finance, Trade Finance

Position

Joo Thye is a senior partner in Dentons Rodyk’s Finance practice group and Co-Head of the Infrastructure practice. He is experienced in the areas of banking and finance, energy, mining, infrastructure, project finance, restructuring, M&A and direct investment transactions.

He has undertaken complex cross-border projects in emerging markets where project development, execution and borrowing are difficult through the use of structuring, risks transfers and risks mitigation from familiarity with these markets. He has advised on, among others, the development of both traditional and renewable energy power plants and other infrastructure assets, routinely seeing the transaction through from inception to commercial operation. Energy projects undertaken include hydroelectric power, solar power, wind power, gas and coal fired power plants in Asia such as Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Mongolia and China. Through multiple documentations in consortium arrangements—such as sale and purchase agreements (SPAs), shareholders’ agreements (SHAs), engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts, fuel supply, operations and maintenance (O&M) arrangements, power purchase agreement, build-operate-transfer (BOT) contracts, implementation agreements and their related financing documents—he has successfully led these projects to financial close.

He has also advised borrowers, banks and financial institutions on a wide range of transactions which include advising on bilateral, club and syndicated loans, refinancing, infrastructure financing (including utilities and both greenfield and brownfield assets), export credit agency (ECA) supported financing and acquisition financing, both within and outside of Singapore, and financing in the energy, trade and commodity sectors.

He is familiar with working with export credit agencies or multilateral agencies through the use of their insurances and guarantees to enhance the bankability of power projects. In particular, he has extensive dealings and a strong relationship with the Chinese Export Credit Agency (Sinosure), a necessary and key player in financing power plants or other infrastructure projects in Asia where a Chinese contractor is involved.

His in-depth understanding of bank credit and risks management issues makes identifying and assessing structural credit risks from both the operation and legal perspective more effective especially relating to borrowers or counterparties from the emerging markets in Asia, and helps to ensure that legal documentation will be executed in a timely manner.

Career

Senior Partner – Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP (formerly Rodyk & Davidson LLP) (2002 – present)
Singapore Telecoms (2001 – 2002)
Asia Pulp & Paper Co Ltd (1997 – 2001)
Rodyk & Davidson (1992 – 1997)
Loo & Partners (1989 – 1992)

Languages

English, Mandarin

Education

LLB (Hons) National University of Singapore, 1989

Lawyer Rankings

Singapore > Banking and finance: local firms

Dentons Rodyk has a long history in real estate finance, in particular, and has a broader emphasis on leveraged finance, general lending, syndicated lending, asset finance and structured finance. Key sectors include real estate, energy, private equity and natural resources. The team represents an impressive range of local, regional and international banks, along with real estate developers, investors and other corporate borrowers. It has continued to advise on significant real estate financings and acquisition financings over the research period, and is also making a further impression in Islamic finance. Finance practice head Doreen Sim has a prolific record in big-ticket real estate financings, along with acquisition finance, and is an established name in cross-border transactions. Joo Thye Tan is another experienced figure, especially in energy sector project financings, as is Jonathan GuweJanice Ngeow leads the asset finance team and is the co-head of the Islamic finance group, which is also led by Islamic finance specialist Zhulkarnain Rahim.

Singapore > Projects and energy: local firms

(Leading individuals)

Joo Thye TanDentons Rodyk

Dentons Rodyk handles the full range of energy and projects matters. The team is often engaged in complex cross-border work, with a particular focus on the energy sector, and demonstrates strong capabilities in advising on conventional and renewable energy work. The practice is led by Jonathan Guwe, a key name for cross-border energy mandates. Joo Thye Tan regularly handles energy, mining, and infrastructure matters, and Ron Oong is noted for his expertise in energy transactions.

Singapore > Projects: foreign firms

The projects team at Dentons Rodyk advises on a broad range of project development matters, including M&A deals, commercial contracts and project acquisitions. Key sector strengths for the group include energy, infrastructure, power, oil and gas, and LNG, and the department regularly acts for lenders, investors and commodities clients in this space. Contentious matters are also prominent in the group’s caseload. The firm reports an uptick in instructions concerning sustainability-linked financings and ESG-related matters. Joo Thye Tan, who leads the team, advises on projects within the energy, mining, and infrastructure sectors. Jonathan Guwe is noted for his experience in cross-border energy transactions, while Ipshita Chaturvedi has notable strength in ESG work. Kunal Kapoor left the firm in January 2023.