‘Always willing to go the extra mile’, Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow represents funds managers and institutional investors on the gamut of fund formation, structuring and regulatory mandates, showcasing demonstrable expertise in the formation of real estate funds, in addition to private equity and venture capital funds. Counting venture capital funds and corporate venture capital investors in Southeast Asia among his key roster of clients, Kelvin Poa jointly leads the team alongside ’critical thinker’ Derek Kwan, who stands out for his experience in private real estate funds formation matters. Assisting clients with the establishment of closed-end funds and private investment vehicles, Jens Carle is another key contact in the group.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team is very strong technically, and are able to come up with creative solutions quickly and deliver on their work and services efficiently. They are always ready to discuss potential issues and complexities and go the extra mile to understand the needs of the business in order to deliver better services.'
- 'Jens Carle and Derek Kwan are the brains and driving force behind the practice. They are able to quickly come up with neat and simple solutions to complex problems and explain it in simple and plain terms. This makes working with the team very seamless and they make complex issues seem like routine business.'
- 'The Bakers team bridges the gap between law and commercial considerations, and is always willing to go the extra mile in order to find a way to make things work. It is all down, as always with the profession, to the people that we work with and they remain excellent and commercial.'
- 'Jens Carle is very analytical.'
- 'Wei Sheng Lau is responsive, smart and always keen to find a way to bring to life the commercial agreement that has been outlined. I like his willingness to take the time to understand the commercial intent, to generate options and to maintain responsiveness despite what seems to be a gruelling schedule.'
- 'Excellent structuring capabilities, highly analytical lawyers and adaptable to different types of clients.'
- 'Derek Kwan is a critical thinker.'
Key clients
- ESR Group
- Vertex Ventures
- Sime Darby Property
- Gaw Capital Partners
- Keppel Fund Management
- Godrej Fund Management
- Eastbridge Partners
- Gateway Partners
- 500 Global
- Adams Street Partners
Work highlights
Acting as international and Singapore counsel to ESR Group in the formation of ESR Data Centre Fund I, ESR's first data centre-focused private fund.
Acting as international, Hong Kong and Singapore counsel to Gaw Capital on the structuring and formation of Gateway Real Estate Fund VII (GREF VII), a closed-ended private equity real estate fund. GREF VII (together with its related investment vehicles) raised a total of USD3 billion.
Acting as international, Singapore and tax counsel to Vertex Ventures in the formation of Vertex Master Fund III, a venture capital fund-of-funds targeting to raise a total of USD1.156 billion, which will make anchor investments into the latest series of venture capital funds advised by Vertex's global network of fund managers.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Kelvin Poa; Derek Kwan
Other key lawyers
Jens Carle; Wei Sheng Lau