DLA Piper > Singapore, Singapore > Firm Profile

DLA Piper > The Legal 500 Rankings

Singapore > White-collar crime - Foreign firms Tier 1

Praised for its ‘business acumen’, the white-collar crime team at DLA Piper is well-versed in compliance reviews, regulatory issues and internal and regulatory investigations, alongside fraud, anti-bribery and anti-corruption mandates. Frequently engaged by multinational and regional companies, the team stands out for its cross-border capabilities. At the helm sits Maurice Burke, who covers all aspects of corporate compliance and regulatory issues, with a strong emphasis on fraud and corruption. The ‘super responsive’ Nathan Bush advises clients in internal investigations, government enforcement actions, compliance counselling, and regulatory strategy across Southeast Asia and Greater China.

Singapore > Insurance: foreign firms Tier 2

DLA Piper’s insurance team plays a prominent role across the region, offering extensive support to insurers and reinsurers in corporate, transactional, and dispute-related matters. With deep expertise in warranty and indemnity issues, M&A, and insurance-linked securities, the practice stands out for its cross-border expertise. Steering the practice is John Goulios, who is routinely engaged by regional and global insurance companies on cross-border insurance disputes in respect of property and construction losses and financial lines claims.

Singapore > Labour and employment: foreign firms Tier 2

DLA Piper has steadily elevated its presence in Singapore with head of the employment department David Smail  (‘far exceeds expectations’) being promoted to partner in 2024. Smail has practised in Asia for over a decade and has a deep understanding of the Southeast Asia and South Asia regions; he is noted for both contentious and non-contentious matters. The Singapore team represents an impressive number of local, regional and international businesses, often dealing with key matters such as business expansions, employee investigations and collective redundancy exercises. Katherine Chew is a partner in the corporate team and frequently handles the employment aspects of corporate reorganisations and transactions.

Singapore > Capital markets: equity and debt: foreign firms Tier 3

DLA Piper has a sizeable presence in the market thanks to the seniority of its partners and their longstanding commitment to Singapore and Southeast Asia. Joe Bauerschmidt is one of the most experienced practitioners in the market and a genuine authority in high-yield debt and SPAC transactions. The team is also noted for its work in the oil and gas, technology and manufacturing sectors; amongst a number of headline deals it advised Apeiron Agrocommodities on a high-yield green bond, which is backed by a CGIF Guarantee. The team’s US law expertise and strong connections to colleagues in California have provided a platform for growth in cryptocurrency, venture capital and fintech-related deals. Philip Lee (‘stands out for his expertise, dedication, and unique approach’) is English and New York-qualified and heads the Asia Pacific capital markets practice. David Kuo has left the firm.

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

Singapore > Projects: foreign firms Tier 3

DLA Piper’s finance team often advises on all segments of the energy, natural resources, projects, and infrastructure sectors. Notably, market leader Vincent Seah leads work for sponsors, developers, lenders and government authorities on the development, financing and acquisition of energy and infrastructure projects, with particular expertise on the development of renewable and energy transition power projects across Asia. Matthias Schemuth recently relocated to Singapore stands out for his work in relation to the renewables energy, infrastructure, and mining and metals sectors.

Singapore > Banking and finance: foreign firms Tier 4

DLA Piper bolstered its banking and finance standing in Singapore with the relocation of the experienced Matthias Schemuth from Hong Kong to the state in January 2024. Schemuth brings extensive connections to major banks, funds and multilateral agencies, joining a team that has a fine record in Singapore, Southeast Asia and South Asia. Structured trade and commodity finance is a forte for the Singapore team, which is also noted for clean energy, renewables, ESG and sustainability-linked financings and transition financings. It has additional experience in telecoms and media with a developing reputation in fintech. Country managing partner Vincent Seah provides further expertise in project finance and is ‘a top-notch energy lawyer’. Soumitro Mukerji who joined from Mayer Brown in November 2024, is an emerging name in fund finance and subscription line financings.

Malaysia > Foreign firms Tier 2

With a multidisciplinary team based across Southeast Asia, DLA Piper’s Malaysia offering consists of a broad range of corporate and finance mandates, including M&A, joint ventures, and fund establishments, provided to local, regional, and international clients. Notable industries the firm features within are energy, financial services, and technology. Leading the practice is Heng Loong Cheong, who advises on public and private M&A, complex corporate organisations, and equity and debt capital markets deals. Vincent Seah is an expert adviser on major projects and infrastructure mandates, assisting sponsors, developers, and government authorities, while Philip Lee heads the firm’s Asia Pacific capital markets practice and is the regional head for financial services, with a particular focus on advising issuers, sponsors and investment banks on a variety of debt, equity, and equity-linked capital markets transactions.

Myanmar > Foreign desks Tier 2

DLA Piper is often called upon for work at the intersection of local employment regulations and international human rights law, but the group’s expertise extends to private and public sector investments in a range of industries. Practice head Vincent Seah stands out for his precedent setting work in the renewable energy space, specifically advising on the development and financing of renewable energy projects, a core part of the wider group’s work. Senior associate Wei Hong Wo is key for the group’s restructuring mandates.

Vietnam > Foreign desks Tier 2

DLA Piper showcases demonstrable experience in handling commercial matters, M&A and project finance work, with clients positioned in the public and private sectors. Jointly leading the practice, Trinh Hoang is well versed in financing and restructuring of debt facilities across a multitude of jurisdictions, while Samata Masagee advises on cross-border transactions in the energy sector, instructed by foreign energy companies with a nexus to Vietnam, with the final head of department, Philip Lee, being widely-renowned in capital markets. Noted for her extensive corporate experience, Thananan Sangnuan specialises in domestic, inbound, and outbound M&A, while Lauren Hurcombe specialises in technology and outsourcing transactions, particularly the exploitation of technology-related assets.

Thailand > Corporate and M&A

Thailand > Real estate and construction

Drawing on the firm's full-service structure, DLA Piper’s real estate clients are able to take full advantage of its corporate, finance, regulatory and dispute resolution expertise. The group is proficient in real estate investments and project development, covering commercial, industrial and hospitality facilities. Waranon Vanichprapa and the 'responsive, responsible and communicative' Samata Masagee jointly oversee the group, with Vanichparpa leading on financing deals, and Masagee excelling in the energy sector. Sarita Prukaroon is ‘demonstrably a rising star’ in the real estate space.