CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (Singapore) LLP > Singapore, Singapore > Firm Profile
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (Singapore) LLP Offices
7 Straits View
Marina One East Tower #19-01
Singapore 018936
Singapore
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (Singapore) LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Singapore > TMT: foreign firms Tier 2
Noted for its continued activity in the media streaming sector, CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (Singapore) LLP handles a broad range of mandates, from data privacy and cybersecurity to cutting-edge regulatory and licensing issues in the telecoms and OTT arenas. Key clients include The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery, and BBC Studios, among others. Sheena Jacob leads the team and advises on mandates concerning data privacy and cybersecurity, media, and fintech.Practice head(s):
Sheena Jacob
Key clients
The Walt Disney Company
Warner Bros. Discovery Inc
Equinix
Integrated Health Information Systems Pte Ltd
Fossil
BBC Studios
HotStar
Dapper Labs
SP Group
Iron Mountain
ShopBack
Willis Towers Watson
Vale S.A.
Tempur Sealy
AMAN Resorts
Chain Labs Private Limited (CoinSwitch Kuber)
Bharti Airtel
TikTok
Savills
Dodid
BTIG
Zegocloud
Sygnum Bank
Work highlights
- Advised ShopBack on a substantial collaboration agreement with Australian bank Westpac, which gave more than 5 million Westpac customers access to exclusive cashback offers.
- Advised Equinix on telco regulatory compliance and data protection issues in Malayisa.
- Advised BBC Studios on media regulatory issue and the restructuring of BBC entities.
Singapore > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms Tier 4
Noted for its expertise across the healthcare and life sciences, TMT, energy and financial services sectors, CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (Singapore) LLP is well-placed to leverage its global footprint to advise on cross-border transactions, from M&A, joint ventures and reorganisations to fundraisings, private equity and venture capital investments. Managing partner Toby Grainger acts for multinational corporations, regional corporates, start-ups and high-growth energy companies on cross-border M&A and investment transactions in the Asia Pacific region. Grainger jointly leads the team alongside London-based Babita Ambekar. Of counsel Sam Ng is another key contact in the group. Gerald Licnachan joined the firm from Reed Smith LLP in November 2023.Practice head(s):
Toby Grainger; Babita Ambekar
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
BioNTech SE
Ecommerce Enablers Pte. Ltd. (ShopBack)
Gupshup Inc.
Ocean 14 Capital Fund
Entoria Energy
Ignite Thailand Holdings Limited (t/a Roojai)
Singtel
Keppel Communications
Brightlight Energy
STT Communications
Accelera
AF Global
BBC
Dentsu
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
GENUI II GmbH & Co. KG
Meltwater Singapore Pte. Limited
Work highlights
- Acted for BioNTech on the acquisition of a site and premises in Singapore for the purposes of manufacturing Covid-19 vaccines.
- Advised Gupshup on its acquisition of Active.Ai.
- Advised Ocean 14 Capital, a PE investor focused on sustainable solutions for oceans, on its acquisition of SyAqua Group, a shrimp aquaculture business with regional reach across Southeast Asia, as part of the client’s wider roll-up strategy across the region.
Singapore > International arbitration Tier 4
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (Singapore) LLP has an extensive geographical reach, acting on complex arbitrations across energy, infrastructure, and construction sectors. Technology, insurance, and life sciences are also key strengths of the practice. Lynette Chew leads the team alongside Kelvin Aw, who has almost three decades of relevant experience. Lakshanthi Fernando has a practice focusing on infrastructure and construction disputes, and Jonathan Warne is a key name in the team, acting as head of international disputes. At associate level, Asya Jamaludin is another notable name.Practice head(s):
Lynette Chew; Kelvin Aw
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘A first class team of talented individuals led by the ever outstanding Jonathan Warne.’
‘Jonathan Warne is rightly regarded as one of the best litigators of his generation. Clever, quick to get to the point and to focus on what really matters, he has an easy manner which inspires confidence. A please to work with.’
‘Jonathan Warne is excellent’
‘This firm appear as counsel in large construction arbitrations. They are excellent, well-organised and worked very well together as a team. The entire team in at least one case was female attorneys, which is unusual in construction arbitrations. Anyone who has any doubt about the quality of female advocates in this traditionally male-dominated sector should meet this team. Superb. ’
‘Partners Lynette Chew and Asya Jamaludin. They are a superb team, assisted ably by Grace Lu. They know when to be aggressive, when to hold back, how to manage the case and the witnesses and experts, etc. All around expertise in the field is also evident. ’
‘This practice is well grounded in the law and has the advantage of being competent in bread and butter work as well as more complicated matters (which realistically is not always the case). As clients, we appreciate always being kept fully and promptly briefed.’
‘Other than the ease of working with Lynette Chew and Grace Lu, as already stated, we appreciate the appropriate and prompt updates as well as Lynette’s ability to come up with out of the box, elegant alternative ways of approaching situations and possible solutions.’
Key clients
SMM Pte Ltd (a subsidiary of Surbana Jurong Group)
Samsung C&T Corporation
Cluny Development Pte Ltd
WSP Consulting Pte Ltd
SP PowerGrid Limited
Work highlights
- Representing Samsung C&T Corporation in an SIAC arbitration against a specialist mechanical and electrical sub-contractor in relation to a major mixed-use development being one of the largest shopping malls in Singapore.
- Successfully represented and secured a comprehensive win for a top Korean construction and engineering conglomerate in Singapore seated ICC arbitration proceedings against its subcontractor for disputes in relation to and arising out of a mechanical and piping works subcontract at a combined-cycle power plant project in Jurong Island, Singapore.
- Advising the successful claimant in a $5billion UNCITRAL arbitration award in enforcement proceedings in Singapore against a state entity, including the engagement of asset tracers to determine scope of enforcement.
Singapore > Projects: foreign firms Tier 4
Singapore > Start-up and venture capital – Foreign firms Tier 4
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (Singapore) LLP is continually active in the Singapore market, advising emerging companies and VCs on fundraising and other corporate matters across a number of key growth sectors, specifically TMT, energy and resources, healthcare, life sciences, digital assets and sustainability. Practice leader Toby Grainger is a trusted adviser to numerous regional start-ups and high-growth emerging companies, while co-head Babita Ambekar brings specialist expertise in the technology, consumer and renewable energy sectors.Practice head(s):
Toby Grainger; Babita Ambekar
Testimonials
‘CMS is the best-in-class in terms of quality of service, breadth of experience and knowledge, geographical coverage, responsiveness and transparency.’
‘The team is very thorough but yet do not waste time on matters that are of little consequence. Their response times are phenomenal and can be reached at all hours if the need rises.’
‘What sets Toby Grainger apart is his ability to manoeuvre outcomes subtly and creatively. Moreover, he is always able to give commercially sensible advice and know which issues move the needle and which don’t.’
‘Partner’s knowledge and experience and the supporting team is excellent. Highly motivated and competent professionals committed to delivering results.’
‘They are very knowledgeable and easy to work with, the partners are thoughtful and listen to the client’s needs. Always willing to support and accommodate the client’s needs.’
Key clients
Ecommerce Enablers Pte Ltd (ShopBack)
Ocean 14 Capital Fund
Gupshup Inc.
AgFunder
Alesca Life
Ampotech
Better Urban Farms
Brightlight Energy
Carecam
Coinswitch Kuber
EnginZyme
Entellus Holdings Limited
Genashtim Innovative Learning Pte Ltd (pro bono client)
Good Startup
Ignite Thailand Holdings (t/a Roojai)
Living Remote (t/a Outpost)
Singtel
OMERS Ventures
SBI Ventures
Sygnum
T&B Media
Work highlights
- Advised ShopBack in relation to its (i) US$80 million Series F financing led by growth investor Asia Partners, with participation from existing investor January Capital; (ii) US$80 million Series F “tranche 2” round from 65EP; (iii) a US$30 million Series F investment coupled with an Australian collaboration agreement with Westpac Banking Corporation; and (iv) a follow-on US$5.5 million Series F Investment from Asia Partners and SV Invest.
- Advised Ocean 14 Capital, a PE investor focused on sustainable solutions for our oceans, on its acquisition of SyAqua Group, a shrimp aquaculture business with regional reach across Southeast Asia, as part of the client’s wider roll up strategy across the region.
- Advised Roojai, a managing general agent developing its own retail insurance products and distributing them digitally on a B2C model in Thailand and Indonesia, on (i) its US$42 million Series B financing led by HDI International AG, the International Retail Insurance division of the German Talanx Group, with participation from existing investor International Finance Corporation, (ii) the conversion of over US$34 million of shareholder loans into ordinary, Series A and Series B shares, (iii) the repayment of a US$4.5 million shareholder loan, (iv) the repurchase of shares from an existing shareholder for US$10 million, and (v) the replacement of Roojai’s employee equity incentive scheme with a phantom option scheme with assets held in trust for satisfying awards under the scheme.
Singapore > Construction: Local firms
CMS Holborn Asia has a major focus on the Singapore construction market and has a growing share of the wider Southeast Asia sphere, including Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia. Much of the practice centres on disputes relating to power projects and civil infrastructure. Tunnelling and data centres are growth areas for the Singapore team, which has a large client base of EPC contractors, especially those headquartered in South Korea and Japan. The group is also working more closely with European clients that are moving into the Asia market. Kelvin Aw and Lynette Chew co-head the construction and infrastructure disputes team, though both have experience in front-end matters, including recently advising Equinix on the development and construction of a retail data centre in Jakarta, Indonesia.Practice head(s):
Kelvin Aw; Lynette Chew
Other key lawyers:
Asya Jamaludin; Grace Lu; Leonard Chew
Testimonials
‘Lynette Chew and Kelvin Aw are strong on construction matters.’
‘Asya Jamaludin is a rising star.’
‘This firm appear as counsel in large construction arbitrations. They are excellent, well-organised and worked very well together as a team. The entire team in at least one case was female attorneys, which is unusual in construction arbitrations. Anyone who has any doubt about the quality of female advocates in this traditionally male-dominated sector should meet this team. Superb.’
‘Partners Lynette Chew and Asya Jamaludin. They are a superb team, assisted ably by Grace Lu. They know when to be aggressive, when to hold back, how to manage the case and the witnesses and experts, etc. All around expertise in the field is also evident.’
‘This practice is well grounded in the law and has the advantage of being competent in bread and butter work as well as more complicated matters (which realistically is not always the case). As clients, we appreciate always being kept fully and promptly briefed.’
‘Other than the ease of working with Lynette Chew and Grace Lu, as already stated, we appreciate the appropriate and prompt updates as well as Lynette’s ability to come up with out of the box, elegant alternative ways of approaching situations and possible solutions.’
Key clients
Samsung C&T Corporation
WSP Consulting Pte Ltd
Equinix Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
Cluny Development Pte Ltd
HPC Builders Pte Ltd
AECOM Singapore Pte Ltd
SMM Pte Ltd (a subsidiary of Surbana Jurong Group)
Shenzhen CIMC-Tianda Airport Support Ltd
SP PowerGrid Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Equinix on the development and construction of a retail data centre in Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Engaged to carry out contract review for AECOM Singapore on a retainer basis for projects in Asia, including Southeast Asia and China.
- Secured a win for a top Korean construction and engineering conglomerate in Singapore seated ICC arbitration proceedings against its subcontractor for disputes in relation to and arising out of a mechanical and piping works subcontract at a combined-cycle power plant project in Jurong Island, Singapore.
Singapore > Energy: foreign firms
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (Singapore) LLP‘s Singapore energy, projects and construction practice draws on the varied expertise of a core group of partners and associates. The global firm has one of the largest energy and climate change teams in the world, with the Singapore team representing a series of energy majors, national oil companies and government-linked companies from the region. Noted for its expertise in the upstream oil and gas industry in Indonesia, it is making a further impression in green hydrogen projects, solar projects and the decarbonisation of LNG value chains. Marc Rathbone heads the energy and climate change group in Asia Pacific, remains active in the oil and gas sector, and has driven forward the Singapore team’s efforts in clean energy and energy transition engagements, including rooftop solar and offshore projects. Lynette Chew and Kelvin Aw co-head the infrastructure and construction disputes group, while Singapore managing partner Toby Grainger has extensive experience in natural resources transactions.Practice head(s):
Marc Rathbone; Lynette Chew; Kelvin Aw; Toby Grainger
Testimonials
‘The team, although based in Singapore, has exceptional understanding of the upstream oil and gas industry in Indonesia, its regulations, its market conditions and the application of legal and commercially viable legal documents’
‘Very client-oriented lawyers, easily reachable for quick advice.’
Key clients
Ampotech Pte. Ltd.
AFG Holdings, Inc.
Entoria Energy
Entoria Sustainable Power Asia Pte. Ltd.
Matahio Energy Group
NPG Pty Ltd
Samsung C&T Corporation
Repsol Indonesia
Repsol Corridor
ENGIE South East Asia
Siemen Gamesa
SP PowerGrid Limited
IB Vogt
Work highlights
- Advised and assisted Matahio Energy Group in establishing and expanding its presence as an oil and gas owner and operator in Southeast Asia and Australia.
- Advised Siemens Gamesa, a major renewable power developer, in relation to an offshore wind farm in Taiwan.
- Advised Ampotech, an energy technology company based in Singapore, on its multi-tranche pre-Series A fundraising round.
Singapore > Intellectual property: Local firms
CMS Holborn Asia’s ‘professional and well-coordinated’ IP practice handles a broad range of transactions, registrations, and disputes surrounding trade marks and patents, with demonstrable experience in the technology, life sciences, media, consumer products, and energy sectors. Tri-qualified in New York, England and Wales, and Singapore, Sheena Jacob leads the team and is noted for her capability in handling trade mark and patent prosecution cases. Babita Ambekar is another key contact in the group.Practice head(s):
Sheena Jacob
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They are professional and well-coordinated in their advice.’
‘Sheena Jacob is commercial and sensible in her advice.’
‘The team are always looking for a business-friendly solution, whether that’s settlement or litigation. Their communications are excellent, and more importantly, prompt and responsive. I really enjoy working with them.’
‘Sheena Jacob is an excellent counselor, always providing well-thought advice. She keeps the business concerns of her client at the forefront.’
Key clients
Hegen
Teradyne Inc
GETS Global Pte Ltd
FinLync
Aim Biotech
V3 Energy Pte Ltd
HardHat
ITV Studios
Teva Pharmaceuticals
EFG Bank
TikTok
Discovery Inc
CoinSwitch
JKE (UK) Limited
Singapore International Foundation
Crimsonlogic Pte. Ltd.
Boston Dynamics, Inc
UrbanClap Technologies
Global Engineers/Titan Cranes
Ocean 14 Capital (O14C)
Rothy’s Inc.
Dentsu Aegis Network
Motion Picture Licensing Company
Bank of England
Work highlights
- Advising Hegen as its global IP counsel and strategic manager of their international patent, trade mark, copyright and design portfolios.
- Advising Teva Pharmaceuticals on various trade mark matters, including managing their trade mark portfolio in Singapore and in other countries in Southeast Asia.
- Advising FinLync in its deals with their customers (financial institutions), including advising on its customer agreements and intellectual property-related matters.
Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Leading firms
CMS is lauded for its geographical reach, regularly advising on complex arbitrations in the energy, infrastructure, technology, insurance, and life science sectors. The firm acts on high-value disputes, and are recognised for their local law capabilities across the region, with the firm’s South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, and Sri Lanka desks led out of the Singapore office. Lakshanthi Fernando leads the practice that includes construction specialists Kelvin Aw and Lynette Chew, who are also key to the team. Based in Hong Kong, Nicolas Wiegand has extensive experience handling matters under major arbitration rules, including the ICC and HKIAC.Other key lawyers:
Work highlights
Press Releases
CMS EXPANDS SINGAPORE CORPORATE PRACTICE WITH PARTNER APPOINTMENT
7th December 2023 International law firm CMS has expanded its Corporate practice in Singapore with the appointment of Gerald Licnachan as Partner. Gerald joins from Reed Smith.CMS ADVISES ROOJAI ON ITS US$42 MILLION SERIES B FUNDRAISING
22nd August 2023 CMS has advised Ignite Thailand Holdings Limited (trading as “Roojai”), a managing general agent developing its own retail insurance products and distributing them digitally on a B2C model in Thailand and Indonesia,CMS ADVISES BITDEFENDER ON ITS ACQUISITION OF HORANGI CYBER SECURITY
22nd August 2023 CMS has advised Bitdefender, a global cybersecurity leader, on its cross-border acquisition of Singapore-based Horangi Cyber Security to address the growing demand for advanced, streamlined management of cybersecurity, compliance, and governance of multi-cloud environments.Legal Briefings
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