DREW & NAPIER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Deputy Head, Criminal Law Practice Director, Dispute Resolution / Director, Competition Law Practice ( Disputes )
Job Titles:
- Director With the Corporate & Finance Department
- Director, Corporate & Finance
Anastasia is a Director with the Corporate & Finance Department in Drew & Napier.
Job Titles:
- Director, Dispute Resolution / Head, Banking & Financial Disputes
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director, Corporate and Merger & Acquisitions / Head, Healthcare & Life Sciences ( Corporate & Regulatory )
Benjamin is a Director in the Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Groups, as well as Head, Healthcare & Life Sciences - Corporate & Regulatory. He is also a member of the Telecommunications Media and Technology and Information Technology Practice Group and also co-heads the Employment Practice Group.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Director, Dispute Resolution and Corporate Restructuring & Workouts
- Expert
- Key Partner
Blossom Hing is a go-to name in the region. She earns effusive praise for her handling of debt restructurings and contentious matters both in court and in arbitration.
Blossom Hing was noted for being "an expert in her field" and a "leading light" when it comes to complex restructuring and insolvency litigation, and that peers herald her as a "strong restructuring specialist".
Job Titles:
- Director, Corporate Restructuring & Workouts
Job Titles:
- Managing Director of Our Corporate & Finance
Chong Kin is the Managing Director of our Corporate & Finance department and co-heads the Competition Law & Regulatory Practice and Data Protection, Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice. He also heads the Telecommunications, Media and Technology (TMT) Practice.
Chong Kin has played a key role in the development of sectoral competition regulation in Singapore, in particular, in the telecommunications, media and postal industries. Since 1999, he routinely advises the sectoral competition regulators on liberalisation, market access, licensing, competition regulation, merger reviews and enforcement issues, including successfully defending the regulators in various Ministerial appeals.
Chong Kin has consistently been recommended as a leading lawyer by major international legal publications such as The Asia Pacific Legal 500, Global Competition Review, Chambers Asia-Pacific, The Guide to the World's Leading Competition & Antitrust Lawyers/Economists, Who's Who Legal, Practical Law Company Which Lawyer?, Asialaw Leading Lawyers and Best Lawyers. He is also highly regarded by his peers, clients and rivals alike for his expertise. The practices that Chong Kin heads have also been widely recognised as leading practices in Singapore.
He has also been recognised as a Senior Accredited Specialist in Data and Digital Economy Law by the Singapore Academy of Law.
Chong Kin Lim is a ‘true leader at the Singaporean competition bar', say sources, who note his ‘fine sense for how to navigate the enforcement regime'.
Chong Kin Lim is highly sought-after by clients across the IT sector who commend his great ability to ‘brilliantly resolve complex matters'.
"Chong Kin Lim is held in high esteem by sources thanks to his adept handling of competition-related matters across the telecoms and media sector."
Job Titles:
- Co - Head
- Director
- Director, Corporate & Finance / Co - Head, Data Protection, Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice / Co - Head and Programme Director, Drew Data Protection & Cybersecurity Academy
David is Director and Co-Head of the firm's Data Protection, Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice and Co-Head of the Drew Data Protection and Cybersecurity Academy. He is also a member of the firm's Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Trust practice group.
Job Titles:
- Director, Dispute Resolution / Co - Head, Criminal Law Practice
Job Titles:
- Certified Digital Assets Advisor
- Director, Dispute Resolution
Shu Mei is a sought-after advocate, international speaker, and a trusted advisor to the modern family.
Shu Mei has been appointed to the Board of Governors of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) as an Asia Pacific Chapter Delegate in 2023. She was appointed a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) in 2021. IAFL is a worldwide association of practicing lawyers who are recognized by their peers as the most experienced family law specialists in their respective countries.
She has provided legal expert opinions to assist the High Court of England and Wales, the High Court of Bombay, the Federal Court of Australia and the Family Courts of New Zealand.
Shu Mei is also a Certified Digital Assets Advisor (CDAA) and has used her knowledge and expertise to resolve complex family disputes involving uncovering cryptocurrency and other forms of digital assets.
Shu Mei's formative experience is rooted in commercial litigation and international arbitrations, and she has acted for corporations under SIAC, ICC, CIETAC, UNCITRAL and DIAC rules and is a member of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators.
Shu Mei also speaks regularly about family law, private wealth, valuation of businesses, dispute resolution and mediation at local and international conferences.
She is also the co-author of various academic articles and practitioner guides both locally and internationally.
Job Titles:
- Co - Head, Corporate Restructuring & Workouts / Co - Head, Indonesia Group
Julian Kwek is "outstanding in developing and implementing effective and creative strategies that have produced successful debt restructurings in circumstances that seemed hopeless at the start".
He is "extremely hard-working, intelligent and creative" and an "excellent" leader of a strong restructuring team.
Julian Kwek is described as "hard-working" and "extremely intelligent"; he is lauded by peers for his "inventiveness when dealing with extraordinarily complex multinational debt restructurings".
Job Titles:
- Antitrust Specialist
- Managing Director, Corporate & Finance / Head, Telecommunications, Media & Technology / Co - Head, Data Protection, Privacy & Cybersecurity
- Practice Head
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Director, Intellectual Property & Dispute Resolution
- Litigation Counsel
- Strategist
"Meryl Koh is very easy to work with and brings a level head to disputes."
"Meryl Koh is sharp and appropriately aggressive lawyer whom you will want on your side. Possessing good commercial sense and great depth of knowledge as subject matter experts, she will be able to value-add by strategising approaches for the best outcomes. First-class lawyer."
Sources say that Meryl is noted for "her great eye for detail, as well as an ability to see the big picture""
Meryl Koh is praised by peers as "the lawyer you need in highly complex litigation as she focuses in to find the needle in the haystack that often wins the case".
Meryl Koh is "at the top of the list for patent litigators".
"Meryl Koh is a top-tier advocate in contentious corporate, domain name and patent disputes. Her impressive roster of clients spans the media, pharmaceutical and agriculture sectors."
Meryl Koh is a "brilliant lawyer who tailors her service to the requirements of the task at hand."
Mr Jimmy Yim - Chairman, Chief Legal Officer
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Chairman
- Senior Counsel
Jimmy Yim is the Chairman of Drew & Napier LLC and was the Managing Director of Singapore's most celebrated Dispute Resolution practice group for 15 years.
Mr Yim graduated with top honours from the National University of Singapore, clerked at Baker & McKenzie in London and Hong Kong and made associate at another leading practice. From 1985 to 1988, he was appointed Regional Director, The International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers. Mr Yim returned to private practice at Drew & Napier in 1989, made partner in 1991 and was conferred Senior Counsel in 1998, with the honour of being one of the youngest Senior Counsel below 40 years of age at that time.
Mr Yim has over three decades of experience in civil and commercial litigation and international arbitration involving high stakes, multiple jurisdictions, and renowned parties. His experience in trials and international arbitration ranges from energy projects, building and construction, joint-venture, infrastructure, telecommunications to technology.
He has appeared as lead counsel before the Supreme Court, SICC and international arbitration tribunals on numerous occasions. He is familiar with arbitrations under the rules of SIAC, ICC, LCIA and UNCITRAL.
Mr Yim is recognised as a leading practitioner by all independent ranking publications such as The Legal 500, Chambers and Partners and asialaw Profiles.
Jimmy Yim SC is experienced before the High Court and International Commercial Court in Singapore. He is particularly active in shareholder and construction matters and one market source comments he is "a strong litigator - one of those lawyers who has been in the business for many years but is still doing trials regularly."
Jimmy Yim SC is an "old hand and everyone knows he is very strong in advocacy," according to one market source. He is an experienced lawyer who focuses on real estate and construction-related issues.
He is well regarded for his client service, in particular his attention to detail and "valuable tactical advice".
An experienced lawyer who focuses on real estate and construction-related issues, Jimmy Yim SC has a reputation for providing advice that is "well thought through and well documented." It is also said that he is "thorough and has a great understanding of the matter".
Jimmy Yim SC comes highly recommended for his focus on commercial litigation work. One market source notes: "He is very well known in the industry as a litigator and he is always smooth and a gentleman in court."
Jimmy Yim SC 's practice spans energy and resources projects and construction-related arbitration. Clients say he "quickly understands different aspects of a case and proposes a viable strategy."
Jimmy Yim SC is applauded by market sources as "an exceptional trial lawyer" who is "brilliant in cross-examination and successful in exposing untruths on the stand".
"Jimmy Yim SC possesses a strong litigation practice and draws accolades from peers for his work in the construction industry."
Jimmy Yim SC is "well regarded" by respondents for his standout work, energy, construction and joint venture-related disputes.
Job Titles:
- Co - Head of Investment Funds
- Head of the Investment Funds
- Head, Investment Funds / Director, Corporate & Finance
Ron is the Head of the Investment Funds practice. He has handled a wide range of corporate matters since 2003. He has acted as lead counsel in the establishment of alternative investment funds across various legal structures (such as Singapore variable capital companies (VCCs), limited partnerships, unit trusts, companies, business trusts, and Cayman segregated portfolio companies). He has advised on the establishment of licensed, registered or exempt fund managers, financial advisers and trust companies in Singapore.
Ron Cheng stands out for his "experience and knowledge". He is strong in all aspects of funds management and private equity transactions together with regulatory regimes and related tax issues.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director of Our Corporate & Finance
- Managing Director, Corporate & Finance Director, Tax & Private Client Services
Sim Ho is the Managing Director of our Corporate & Finance department and a Director in the Tax & Private Client Services practice. Sim Ho began his tax law career with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore where he advised the Authority principally on Corporate Income Tax, Goods and Services Tax, and tax treaty negotiations.
Sim Ho is dual-qualified as a lawyer and Chartered Accountant. He is a barrister of England and Wales, called by Lincoln's Inn, and an Advocate & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore. He is a Fellow Chartered Accountant in Singapore, member of the Singapore Institute of Directors, an Accredited Tax Advisor for Income Tax and GST of the Singapore Institute of Accredited Tax Professionals, an Alumni Advisory Board member at the Nanyang Business School, NTU, and a member of the Valuation Review Board. Sim Ho also sits on the boards of AIA Singapore Pte Ltd.
Sim Ho's forte lies in the truly multi-disciplinary approach that he brings to his cases. His approach incorporates legal, finance, risk governance, and accounting perspectives. Sim Ho is also well recognised by clients and peers for his critical and rigorous legal analysis and conceptual thinking towards problem solving. During the past 20 years, he has built a substantive practice-focus in tax litigation and dispute resolution. He also has expertise in oil and gas matters. Clients appreciate his willingness to make judgment calls when it comes to grey areas, as well as his extensive industry experience and commercial perspective.
Sim Ho is regularly approached for his counsel opinion and representation in the more complex and unique capital allowances disputes with the IRAS. He has led the following cases:
Ong Sim Ho wins a lot of praise for his flexible approach and depth of knowledge in the tax area, with one client emphasising: "The most important thing is his technical understanding and how creative he is. No one in Singapore can cut through the issues like him. He is very, very strong."
He is regarded as the leading expert for tax dispute cases and is frequently instructed on high stake litigations.
He has a reputation for being a smart and effective litigator. As one source noted, "he was technically sound, and offered strategic advice on a complex tax matter."
He is praised for coming up with "very constructive ideas." Sources also note that "his wealth of knowledge on precedents allows him to give an immediate response to any kind of question."
Ong Sim Ho is recommended for his "critical thinking" and "analytic skills".
He is also commended for his "truly superior knowledge".
He is "able to bring in his legal, finance, risk governance, and accounting perspectives to assist on various private client matter."
Siraj Omar SC is a well-regarded commercial litigator who attracts plenty of praise from market source, with one describing him as "very practical and a great lawyer," and another noting he is "very talented and a very good litigator."
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chief Executive Officer
- Co - Head, Corporate Restructuring & Workouts
Sushil Nair is "highly regarded, top of the game." He is praised as being a "practical, outside-the-box lawyer," as well as "sensible, responsive and approachable." He has experience on a plethora of high-stakes insolvencies.
"He has very good negotiation skills and is able to work through issues and provide solutions."
Job Titles:
- Director, Dispute Resolution
Yuan Kheng has an active practice in complex litigation and arbitration. She has handled a diverse range of matters relating to commercial contracts, corporate disputes, director / shareholder fights, tortious claims, competition law issues, probate and administration, infrastructure projects, trusts, investor-state disputes, banking and finance and regulatory actions.
She has acted for high-profile clients at all levels of the Singapore Courts as well as in both international and domestic arbitrations.
Yuan Kheng graduated from the National University of Singapore with an LLB (Hons) degree in 2013, and was placed on the Dean's List during her time in law school. During her time on exchange, she represented Instituto de Empresa, a top graduate school located in Spain, in the prestigious 2011 Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna, Austria.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Intellectual Property
Xuan Lang advises clients on all areas of intellectual property (IP) law, with particular expertise in trade marks, copyright, patents, designs, and domain names.
Xuan Lang has an active practice in brand protection, IP enforcement and anti-counterfeiting matters. He represents clients in proceedings before the Singapore courts and various IP tribunals. He regularly works with enforcement authorities in collaborative enforcement efforts.
Xuan Lang also specialises in IP-related transactional matters and IP portfolio management. He advises clients on the commercialisation and exploitation of IP and assists with drafting, reviewing and negotiating IP-related agreements.
Xuan Lang graduated from the Singapore Management University in 2015 and was called to the Singapore Bar in 2016. While at SMU, he received the Emeritus Professor Gerald Dworkin Prize for the Best Student in Intellectual Property Law.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director of Drew & Napier 's Intellectual Property
- Managing Director of Intellectual Property
- Managing Director, Intellectual Property Director, Dispute Resolution / Head, Healthcare & Life Sciences
Tony is the Managing Director of Drew & Napier's Intellectual Property department, and a Director in our Dispute Resolution department. He also heads our Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice. Tony is currently representing leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies such as Sanofi-Aventis and Novartis; government statutory boards such as Sentosa Development Corporation, and Health Promotion Board; as well as listed companies such as PT Bayan Resources Tbk and Manhattan Resources Ltd.
Tony has been involved in many high profile matters.
Tony Yeo is recommended by his client for his "great depth of knowledge. Very savvy. Fantastic litigator."
Tony Yeo has "impressive width and depth of knowledge" and provides "practical solutions while considering client's interests at the same time".
"Tony Yeo is an authority in the sector known for his extensive experience representing pharmaceutical and biotech companies in complex litigation and enforcements."
Tony Yeo of Drew & Napier is as "seasoned litigator" who "stands out among the pack".
Tony Yeo draws noteworthy plaudits from sources, who highlight his "depth of knowledge about IP subject matters" and his "impressive commercial mind."
"Tony Yeo has amassed substantial experience advising onpatent infringement and litigation across the region."
"Tony Yeo is a standout patent litigator renowned for his precise approach and careful planning in complex IP disputes."
Tony Yeo is "an excellent IP litigator" with a strong reputation for his top-tier work in the life sciences.
Tony Yeo is held to be a "subject matter expert" who is "meticulous and strategic in his approach" to trademark issues.
Clients say Tony is a "formidable litigator" who is "extremely knowledgeable in IP matters". He impresses with his "ability to balance commercial considerations with effective legal strategies".
Wei Meng has been recognised in Chamber Asia Pacific, Asia Pacific Legal 500, IFLR1000, Who's Who Legal, Best Lawyers, and Global Investigations Review 100 for his restructuring/insolvency and investigation work.
Wei Meng is now advising TT International on the second round of restructuring of its S$500 million debt obligations, including the debt obligations under the scheme of arrangement that was sanctioned by the Singapore Courts and affirmed by the Singapore Court of Appeal in October 2010. The second round of debt restructuring involves a new scheme of arrangement which is funded by a convertible loan of S$48 million from an investor. This was one of the first debt restructuring carried out by way of a pre-pack scheme of arrangement, a restructuring tool introduced by way of legislative amendments to the Singapore debt restructuring regime in 2017.
Wei Meng Chan was described as a standout lawyer whose impressive practice sees him involved in a range of issues including fraud, securities trading and accounting investigations.
Job Titles:
- Counsel
- Immediate past Chairman
- Board Member of Singapore 's Housing & Development Board
- Director, Dispute Resolution / Co - Head, Investigations / Co - Head, Criminal Law Practice
Wendell is an experienced arbitration counsel who has acted as lead counsel in numerous disputes and international arbitrations under the rules of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre ("SIAC"), International Chamber of Commerce ("ICC") and United Nations Commission on International Trade Law ("UNCITRAL"). Wendell has also acted as lead counsel in the Singapore International Commercial Court ("SICC") in a landmark securities law case related to ISDA Master Agreement Long Form Confirmation under English Law.
Wendell is a member on the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee ("CPRC") and was appointed as a member of the Penal Code Review Committee by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Law.
Wendell is a Board member of Singapore's Housing & Development Board ("HDB") and he is also on the Board of Governors of National Trade Union Congress ("NTUC") Foundation Limited. In 2020, Wendell was appointed as a non- executive independent director on the board for listed property developer, GSH Corporation Limited.
Wendell is the immediate past Chairman, Criminal Practice Committee, Law Society of Singapore and is also a mentor with the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme ("CLAS") Fellowship, Law Society of Singapore. He is an immediate past member on the CLAS Steering Committee and was on the Board of Law Society Pro-Bono Services Limited. Wendell is a strong advocate of pro bono work and access to justice. He was one of the pioneer trainers for International Bridges to Justice, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs' criminal justice training for ASEAN countries in Singapore and Laos in 2011 and involved Myanmar trainees in 2013. He is the Regional Representative Asia Pacific of the International Bar Association, Anti-Corruption Committee.
Wendell joined Drew & Napier in 2000. He was a former Deputy Public Prosecutor / State Counsel with the Attorney General's Chambers.
Wendell Wong is highly esteemed for his profound expertise in regulatory compliance and fraud investigations.
Wendell Wong is revered for his top-tier work on complex fraud, securities and corruption cases.
Wendell Wong draws high praise as "a sound lawyer" who "has been at the top of the game for a while".
Wendell Wong is well regarded for his "focus on financial crime" and garners respect for his work in international investigations
"Recognised for his ‘practical and smart' approach to investigations, and is commended by sources for his ‘ability to anticipate regulators' concerns and find effective solutions'"
Wendell Wong is well known for his work in the criminal investigations space, covering anti-bribery and anti-fraud matters for major corporations
Job Titles:
- Director, Tax & Private Client Services
Shi Yong advises on a wide spectrum of tax law including corporate and personal income tax, goods and services tax, property tax, stamp duties, and customs and excise duties, with specialisation in Singapore enterprise tax risk management, tax audit, and tax investigation matters. He possesses a wealth of experience in advisory on all tax types, including customs and excise duties.
He is regularly engaged on contentious and complex tax audit and investigation matters, and is deeply appreciated by his clients for his well-rounded knowledge of Singapore tax law and strong management skills. He successfully resolved a high number of these matters without prosecution.
He also provides tax advisory on all tax aspects of corporate transactions. He has advised local corporate groups and MNCs on mergers and acquisitions, amalgamations and restructuring.
Shi Yong's other key strength lies in oil and gas matters. He regularly advises national oil and gas companies on downstream oil and gas matters, such as joint venture arrangements, supply and trading transactions, crude and product swap transactions, and strategic reserve procurement arrangements.
He has also advised on refinery infrastructure and assets, storage, various aspects of production sharing agreements and off-take and supply agreements, the corporate governance of oil and gas companies, and day-to-day commercial and operational matters.