Mr Gilbert Leong > Dentons Rodyk > Singapore, Singapore > Lawyer Profile

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

Work Department

Intellectual Property and Technology Practice Group, Commercial, Compliance, Information Technology, Intellectual Property, Telecommunications, Intellectual Property and Technology Litigation

Position

Gilbert Leong is a senior partner and Head of Dentons Rodyk’s Intellectual Property & Technology practice group. He is also Co-Head of the Patents, Tech, Media & Telecomms, Licensing, Data Privacy & Protection and Cybersecurity practices.

As commercial and IP counsel, Gilbert has extensive experience in negotiating and drafting commercial agreements in relation to distribution of goods/services, procurement and tenders, manufacturing arrangements, licensing, maintenance, acquisition of intellectual property such as trademark and patents, consultancy services and IP structuring. Gilbert’s IP litigation experience includes copyright (software) suits, patent infringements as well as obtaining and executing search & seizure warrants. Additionally, he has prosecuted parties under a fiat from the Attorney General for offences under both the Trade Marks Act and Copyright Act. Gilbert also attends to hearings before the Trade Mark registry.

Leading the Technology practice, Gilbert provides counsel and advice to clients when they acquire IT hardware / systems, develop and market software or when they put out tenders for large scale IT / outsourcing projects. He has assisted clients in formulating and executing E and M commerce strategies and other kinds of Internet related transactions. In recent years, Gilbert has also been involved in fintech, insuretech and medtech matters, drafting terms of use as well as collaboration agreements to enable clients to achieve their objectives whilst protecting their interests. He has also been counsel to parties involved in the telecommunication industry. In particular, he has advised on disputes arising between telecommunication licensees, application for licences, market access and infrastructural issues.

Gilbert has also been very active in the field of data privacy/protection matters and is a pioneer in this field. As a member of the Legal Sub-Committee of the National Internet Advisory Committee, Gilbert participated in the drafting of the “Model Data Protection Code for the Private Sector” years before the legislation was enacted in Singapore to protect personal data. Gilbert has helped large financial institutions / investment funds, healthcare providers, industrial companies, institutions of higher learning and infrastructure providers to navigate data protection laws both at home and abroad. He has also written and spoken widely on the area and is regularly sought for his comments and insights.

Gilbert has experience advising on high impact cyber breach incidents including those affecting major organisations in the insurance, higher education, social media, e-commerce, hotels, financial services, transportation/logistics, IT and telecommunications sectors. He was co-lead counsel to one of the parties involved in proceedings of the Committee of Inquiry which was set up by the Singapore Government to investigate the nation’s highest profile cyber breach.

In addition to his legal qualifications, Gilbert also holds a Certificate in Computer Programming and Information Processing from the City & Guilds of London Institute.

Gilbert is recognised as a leading lawyer for his expertise in many notable publications, including Best LawyersChambers Asia-Pacific, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific and Who’s Who Legal. He has been called upon to participate in committees and think tanks which focus on technology related matters and emerging legal issues.

Career

Senior Partner – Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP (formerly Rodyk & Davidson LLP) (2002 – present)
GE Medical Systems (1999 – 2002)
Baan Company (1997 – 1999)
Rodyk & Davidson (1990 – 1997)

Languages

English

Education

LLM (Merit) University College London, 1991
LLB (Hons) National University of Singapore, 1989

Lawyer Rankings

Singapore > Intellectual property: Local firms

Dentons Rodyk‘s well-established team is noted for its expertise in IP disputes and patent litigation, acting for clients across the technology, AI, robotics, utilities, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical sectors. Boasting a robust contentious practice, the firm also assists on acquisitions, commercialisation and the exploitation of IP assets. The ‘super responsive’ team is jointly led by experienced IP litigator Gilbert Leong and Catherine Lee, who is noted for her advisory work on trade marks and portfolio management and exploitation. Other key contacts in the group include senior consultant Ai Ming Lee, has experience in handling patent infringement cases, Maw Jiun Foo and Desmond Chew.

Singapore > TMT: local firms

Counting healthcare institutions, financial services, and retail organisations, as well as multinational IT service providers, among its key roster of clients, Dentons Rodyk advises on procurement and services contracts, in addition to M&A, data privacy matters, and investigations into cyber breaches. Gilbert Leong has demonstrable experience advising on IT-related matters, data protection, and computer misuse, and jointly leads the team alongside Elaine Lew, who focuses on IP protection, prosecution, and enforcement. Maw Jiun Foo assists clients on data breaches, data protection impact assessments, and developing data protection and compliance programmes, while Desmond Chew advises companies on IT-related transactions.

Singapore > Data protection and cyber security

(Leading Individuals)

Gilbert Leong – Dentons Rodyk

Commended for its ‘in-depth knowledge and expertise’, Dentons Rodyk advises on regulatory investigations and data protection compliance matters, in addition to cross-border data transfers, enforcement actions, data breaches and cyber security incidents. Gilbert Leong has demonstrable experience advising on matters concerning IT law, data protection and computer misuse, and jointly leads the team alongside Maw Jiun Foo, who handles data breaches, data protection impact assessments, and developing data protection and compliance programmes. Catherine Lee handles personal data compliance mandates, and Desmond Chew, who is praised as ‘experienced and knowledgeable beyond his years’, is another key contact in the group.