Setia Law LLC was established in 2023 with a primary focus on commercial and financial disputes, along with restructuring and insolvency. The firm is particularly noted for financial institution restructurings and insolvencies, digital asset and cryptocurrency restructurings and insolvencies, and large-scale insolvencies linked to fraud and financial crime. The group has a strong track record in cross-border insolvency litigation and claw-back claims and recovery actions. The firm represents a range of financial institutions, private equity and venture capital firms, and multinational corporations; it is particularly known for representing liquidators. ‘Outstanding’ founder and managing director Danny Ong is a leader in the field, known for his expertise in representing liquidators in contentious insolvency, fraud and claw-back actions. Yam Wern-Jhien is noted for his expertise in contentious insolvency and digital assets. Bethel Chan is another key team member.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The key to Setia is that they don't have any weak lawyers. One team member can slot seamlessly in if another is unavailable.’
‘Danny Ong has put together a team of highly talented individuals who, collectively, have become a formidable boutique firm.'
‘Setia Law is a true specialist firm. One of the most capable and clear-thinking teams I’ve worked with in the restructuring and insolvency space. They are not generalists. Their focus on contentious insolvency, fraud, and asset recovery gives them a unique edge, especially in complex cross-border cases and situations involving misconduct.'
- 'They are genuinely collaborative. They work well with foreign counsel, insolvency professionals, and financial advisers. There are other firms who talk about being specialists, but Setia has proven time and again that they actually are. The quality of their thinking, and the results they deliver, speak for themselves.'
‘Danny Ong brings unmatched experience in high-stakes restructuring and cross-border insolvency cases. He is often the first to spot where a case is heading and how best to steer it. His ability to lead difficult matters with clarity and composure is rare.'
- 'Yam Wern-Jhien is sharp, strategic, and incredibly steady under pressure. He gives practical, well-reasoned advice and knows how to combine insolvency processes with stakeholder management. He moves seamlessly across legal, commercial, and cross-border divides, and leads complex litigation or creditor negotiations with unassuming confidence.'
Key clients
- JP Morgan
- DBS Group
- Nomura
- Ares Management Corporation
- MBK Partners
- Tor Investment Management
- Grant Thornton
- Alvarez & Marsal
- KPMG
- Kroll
- Teneo
- Defiance Capital Group
Work highlights
Acted for the liquidators of Multichain Group, a digital assets firm that collapsed after a cyber hack involving $125m.
Advised Defiance Capital Group and its investors in relation to insolvency proceedings against the liquidators of Three Arrows Capital.
Advised Nomura Holdings on the cross-border restructuring and liquidation of Gulf Petrochem Group’s $1.2bn distressed debt.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Danny Ong
Other key lawyers
Yam Wern-Jhien; Bethel Chan; Jason Teo