Dentons Rodyk > Singapore, Singapore > Firm Profile

Dentons Rodyk > The Legal 500 Rankings

Singapore > Projects and energy: local firms Tier 1

Dentons Rodyk’s energy team stands out for its sector expertise in the solar, coal, LNG, and wind sectors. It regularly advises major energy companies on power purchase agreements, M&As, and project financing. Notably, key individual Joo Thye Tan focuses on the energy, mining, and infrastructure areas with capabilities to advise on project finance, restructuring, M&A, and direct investment. Jonathan Guwe, who works closely with Thye, is experienced in the financial aspects of energy-related projects. Ipshita Chaturvedi has expertise in the renewable energy sector, from coal, oil, and LNG to hydrogen, ammonia, lithium, solar, wind and other sustainable energy sources. Ron Oong has experience in the areas of banking and finance, energy, mining, infrastructure, project finance, and restructuring.

Singapore > Real estate: local firms Tier 1

The team at Dentons Rodyk is praised for its ability to deliver advice with ‘effective use of technology, commercial insight, and practical solutions’. The team excels in commercial, retail, residential, shipping, industrial, and logistics sectors, adeptly managing both contentious and non-contentious issues, with a focus on large-scale acquisitions, cross-border transactions, financings, and development projects. At the helm sits Pat Lynn Leong, who handles acquisition and disposal of investment portfolios, sale and purchase of development sites. Melanie Lim is praised for her ‘deep understanding of the industry and can be trusted to provide timely and relevant advice at any time’. Liat Yeang Lee is a key port of call for various real estate developer, investors and private clients.

Singapore > Start-up and venture capital – Foreign firms Tier 1

Dentons Rodyk has demonstrated a strong commitment to the start-up and growth company sector, often representing the companies themselves in seed funding, growth stage financings, pre-IPO financings, trade sales and IPOs. It also advises a range of venture investors. It has continued to advise on a number of seed financings and early-stage funding rounds for key clients. Sunil Rai leads the venture tech and emerging growth companies practice group and has an outstanding record in early to late stage funding rounds. Li Chuan Hsu (‘very responsive and goes out of his way to provide timely and quality advice’) has a background in emerging growth company work, including blockchain, notably also for Chinese clients. Ray Chiang (‘a standout in the field’) is another key partner in this area, along with S Sivanesan.

Singapore > Start-up and venture capital – Local firms Tier 1

Dentons Rodyk has demonstrated a strong commitment to the start-up and growth company sector, often representing the companies themselves in seed funding, growth stage financings, pre-IPO financings, trade sales and IPOs. It also advises a range of venture investors. It has continued to advise on a number of seed financings and early-stage funding rounds for key clients. Sunil Rai leads the venture tech and emerging growth companies practice group and has an outstanding record in early to late stage funding rounds. Li Chuan Hsu (‘very responsive and goes out of his way to provide timely and quality advice’) has a background in emerging growth company work, including blockchain, notably also for Chinese clients. Ray Chiang (‘a standout in the field’) is another key partner in this area, along with S Sivanesan.

Singapore > Antitrust and competition: local firms Tier 2

Operating across a myriad of sectors, including financial services, air transport, healthcare, agriculture and electronics, the team at Dentons Rodyk is engaged by a diverse roster of corporate clients on the full scope of competition matters, including M&A, joint ventures and anti-competitive agreements before the CCCS. The practice regularly works in collaboration with the firm’s global network on a steady stream of high-profile transactions. The team is jointly led by Ajinderpal Singh, who specialises in cartel, price-fixing investigations, and Mohamad Rizuan Bin Pathie, who covers a broad range of industries including energy, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, technology and transportation. Gerald Singham is noted for his diverse practice focus and regularly handles investigations by the CCCS.

Singapore > Banking and finance: local firms Tier 2

Dentons Rodyk remains best known for real estate finance, continuing to represent local and regional banks along with real estate developers and companies in substantial financings. The firm has made a further impression in green and sustainability-linked financings in the real estate sector. It is also noted for syndicated lending, asset finance, Islamic financings, leveraged finance, and trade and commodity finance. Key industry sectors include real estate, private equity, energy and natural resources. Doreen Sim is head of the banking and finance group with a background in bilateral and syndicated loans, real estate finance and acquisition finance; she continues to lead many of the firm’s major real estate finance engagements. Joo Thye Tan leads the infrastructure practice and is noted for project financings in the energy sector. Janice Ngeow is head of the asset-based finance group and is co-head of Islamic finance alongside Zhulkarnain Rahim. Jonathan Guwe is also rated.

Singapore > Construction: Local firms Tier 2

Dentons Rodyk has an established record in Singapore and ASEAN construction and engineering projects and disputes. It has extensive experience in conventional construction contracts used in Singapore, along with the FIDIC forms deployed in the wider region. The construction team continues to act for a variety of clients, including developers and contractors, in substantial construction cases, such as those before the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) and the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC). Kia Jeng Koh and Kirindeep Singh co-head the construction team and are both known for their contentious expertise. Paul Wong and Reuben Peter are disputes specialists that both have a significant focus on construction cases.

Singapore > Data protection and cyber security: Local firms Tier 2

Well-placed to leverage the firm’s international footprint, the ‘outstanding team’ at Dentons Rodyk advises on domestic and cross-border matters concerning data protection compliance, regulatory proceedings, data transfers and data breaches. Gilbert Leong assists financial institutions, investment funds, healthcare providers, industrial companies and infrastructure providers in navigating data protection laws, while Maw Jiun Foo advises on data breaches and data protection impact assessments, in addition to developing data protection and compliance programmes. Leong and Foo jointly lead team, with other key contacts in the group including, Catherine Lee, who handles data protection compliance and regulatory matters.

Singapore > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Housing a ‘top-notch team’ that is ‘famous for big wins’, Dentons Rodyk’s dispute resolution practice offers expertise on a wide range of matters, including clinical negligence defence, construction disputes, shipping, trade and commodities cases, as well as commercial litigation and arbitration. The team regularly acts on critical and high-profile disputes a plethora of local, regional and multinational clients. Practice co-head Siang Pheng Lek is a leading medical defence advocate, regularly advising doctors and hospitals. Fellow co-head Melvin See is a key port of call for state-owned entities, multinational companies and private individuals seeking advice on insurance, shareholder and construction disputes. Paul Wong takes on construction disputes, both in arbitration and litigation, with a specific emphasis on engineering related issues.

Singapore > Fintech and financial services regulatory: local firms Tier 2

The fintech and FSR team at Dentons Rodyk offers deep expertise in capital raisings, privacy and data protection, regulatory compliance, and tax. With a diverse roster of clients on its books, the team is renowned for its extensive expertise advising on cross-border matters. Kenneth Oh has extensive experience advising on blockchain and DLT initiatives, including token offerings, DeFi, cryptocurrency, and the establishment and licensing of digital asset exchanges and service providers. Hsu Li Chuan's practice covers blockchain and DLT, while Jacqueline Loke is well-versed in compliance issues.

Singapore > Insurance: local firms Tier 2

Dentons Rodyk excels in corporate and transactional matters, including mergers, IPOs, and regulatory cases, with a particular strength in high-stakes disputes. The team frequently represents top insurers and their intermediaries in complex coverage disputes, policy interpretations, and professional negligence claims. Edric Pan, a seasoned litigator, handles multi-million dollar insurance claims, professional negligence, aviation claims and construction related disputes. Christopher Chong stands out for his particular interest in medical indemnity insurance, acting on behalf of individual medical practitioners and health institutions. A litany of clients in the financial sector turn to Jacqueline Loke for assistance on insurance laws and regulations. All named practitioners lead the team.

Singapore > Intellectual property: Local firms Tier 2

Noted for its handling of IP litigation, Dentons Rodyk handles both contentious and non-contentious matters, notably, acting in patent cases and opposition and revocation actions, as well as assisting a diverse range of clients, namely large multinationals, in acquiring, protecting, and exploiting their IPs. Additionally, the team offers advice on branding and rebranding as well as franchising and licensing to allow clients to commercialse their rights. Co-leading the team is Gilbert Leong, with extensive experience in litigation across copyright and patents, while Catherine Lee advises on the management and commercialisation of trademark portfolios. Ai Ming Lee is singled out for her capabilities in IP disputes.

Singapore > Investment funds: local firms Tier 2

Counting local and foreign managers, international trustee corporations, private equity investors, venture capital funds, SMEs and startups among its key roster of clients, Dentons Rodyk handles the full range of investment funds mandates, from the establishment of local and offshore funds to fund management industry arrangements and documentation, in addition to equity, debt and equity linked securities, downstream investments and divestments. I-An Lim, who advises on unit trust funds, offshore and onshore fund structures, jointly leads the team alongside Emily Low, who handles the gamut of private investment funds, including private equity funds, venture capital funds, real estate and infrastructure funds, hybrid funds and hedge funds. S Sivanesan is another key contact in the group.

Singapore > Labour and employment: local firms Tier 2

Dentons Rodyk leverages its extensive expertise from across the firm to deliver a broad spectrum of contentious and non-contentious experience in the labour and employment field. It represents an impressive number of local and regional businesses, along with the local operations of multinationals. It remains prominent in headline employment disputes and large-scale advisory matters, including contracts, employee handbooks and other HR matters. The firm has a large number of senior practitioners that are committed to the employment sector. Deputy managing partner and co-head of the employment group Edric Pan has mix of contentious and non-contentious work, defending clients against large claims and advising on key matters such as enforcing non-compete clauses. I-An Lim and Ray Chiang are partners in the corporate department and also co-head the employment team, with particular expertise in employment contracts, handbooks and trade union negotiations. Mark Seah is also rated for employment disputes.

Singapore > Private wealth and family law – local firms Tier 2

Dentons Rodyk has immense private wealth and family law experience within its ranks, founded on its disputes, tax and trusts expertise. It has an established record in trusts and estates disputes, along with the establishment of family offices and general succession and estate planning matters in Singapore. The firm advises ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families across Southeast Asia and the broader Asia Pacific region. Edmund Leow SC is hugely experienced in tax and wealth management, leading the tax practice and co-heads trust, estates and wealth preservation/family office practice along side Kia Meng Loh.

Singapore > Restructuring and insolvency: local firms Tier 2

Serving a wide range of creditors, debtors, receivers, and liquidators, Dentons Rodyk handles both contentious and non-contentious issues, covering debt restructurings, bankruptcies, insolvencies, and related disputes. Ajinderpal Singh, who regularly prepares schemes of arrangements between companies and their creditors and reconstruction and amalgamation schemes, jointly leads the team alongside Kia Jeng Koh, who stands out for his cross-border expertise, with additional expertise in construction-related mandates. Debby Lim has a broad commercial practice with overlapping strengths in banking and finance disputes, insolvency and restructuring, domestic and international arbitrations.

Singapore > Shipping: local firms Tier 2

Housing a ‘diverse team with expertise in substantive maritime law’, Dentons Rodyk maintains a strong track record in contentious mandates, ranging from ship arrests and enforcement cases to cargo claims and charterparty disputes, with additional capability in handling shipping finance and restructuring matters. Lawrence Teh showcases ‘exceptional experience’ in shipping disputes in Singapore, and jointly leads the team alongside Janice Ngeow, who acts for local and foreign banks and institutional lenders on ship finance mandates, and Jen Wei Loh, who represents ship owners, charterers, banks, shipyards and marine insurers in contentious shipping and admiralty cases. Senthil Dayalan is another key contact in the group.

Singapore > Tax: local firms Tier 2

The ‘excellent’ tax team at Dentons Rodyk advises clients across the technology, manufacturing, real estate, shipping and financial services sectors on tax planning. advisory and controversy matters. The team is led by Edmund Leow SC, whose expertise extends across both corporate and private wealth sectors, handling a range of matters from goods and services tax and stamp duty issues related to IRAS to cross-border tax planning and tax disputes. Chun Ying Ng’s practice covers all aspects of Singapore taxes including income tax, stamp duty, goods and services tax, and transfer pricing.

Singapore > TMT: local firms Tier 2

Dentons Rodyk’s size, resources and specialisms have enabled it to build an impressive TMT practice centred on procurement and services contracts, M&A, data privacy and disputes. Its knowledge of the biotechnology, media and telecoms sectors also stands out. It has worked extensively in the data privacy field, covering privacy policies, cross-border data transfers, data collection and data breaches, among other areas. Gilbert Leong leads the intellectual property and technology group, and is widely recognised for his expertise in data protection, technology transactions and telecoms sector disputes. Catherine Lee provides further senior expertise in commercial and data protection matters.

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

Dentons Rodyk’s large presence in Singapore brings it domestic and regional credibility in both equity and debt offerings, including transactions connected to China, India, Indonesia and Taiwan. It has an established record in listings on the Catalist and main board of the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX). The firm represents a long list of issuers, underwriters and trustees in large and mid-cap deals. Real estate and REITs continue to be an important sector for the team, along with financial services and engineering and construction. Nicholas Chong and Valerie Ong are co-heads of the capital markets team with the former noted for his REITs expertise and Ong recognised for her cross-border experience. Hsu Li Chuan is focused on equity offerings, is bilingual in English and Chinese, and has particular experience in fintech and blockchain.

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

Dentons Rodyk showcases demonstrable experience in both domestic and cross-border M&A, corporate restructurings, private equity and venture capital transactions, and acts for vendors, acquirers and financiers across the healthcare, technology, consumer goods, financial services and real estate sectors. Eng Leng Ng maintains a track record in public and private takeovers, M&A and joint ventures, while Marian Ho counts publicly listed and private entities, funds, societies and associations among her key roster of clients. Ng and Ho jointly lead the team alongside Evelyn Ang, who handles M&A, public takeovers and corporate restructurings, while S Sivanesan is noted for his expertise in cross-border M&A, private equity and venture capital investments.

Singapore > International arbitration Tier 3

Lawrence Teh and Herman Jeremiah co-lead the ‘excellent’ team at Dentons Rodyk. With an intricate understanding of the shipping sector, Teh is recommended for disputes relating to commodities, international trade, and transport. Jeremiah has significant experience resolving joint venture and shareholder disputes; he also advises on investment treaty issues. Kirindeep Singh is a further standout lawyer, who is skilled with handling complex construction cases. The team has particular experience advising Chinese state-owned corporations and Indonesian companies.

Singapore > Projects: foreign firms Tier 3

Dentons Rodyk’s team works across the full energy sector including with power, oil and gas, LNG and renewable energy projects. Team lead Joo Thye Tan focuses on the energy, mining, and infrastructure matters, and often advises clients on project finance, restructuring, and M&A matters. Jonathan Guwe works closely with Thye and is experienced in the financial aspects of energy related projects. Ipshita Chaturvedi focuses her practice on the energy transition, helping clients shift from coal and oil to hydrogen, ammonia, lithium, solar, and wind energy sources.

Singapore > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms Tier 4

Dentons Rodyk showcases demonstrable experience in both domestic and cross-border M&A, corporate restructurings, private equity and venture capital transactions, and acts for vendors, acquirers and financiers across the healthcare, technology, consumer goods, financial services and real estate sectors. Eng Leng Ng maintains a track record in public and private takeovers, M&A and joint ventures, while Marian Ho counts publicly listed and private entities, funds, societies and associations among her key roster of clients. Ng and Ho jointly lead the team alongside Evelyn Ang, who handles M&A, public takeovers and corporate restructurings, while S Sivanesan is noted for his expertise in cross-border M&A, private equity and venture capital investments.

Myanmar > Foreign desks

A point of distinction for Dentons Rodyk as a foreign desk in Myanmar is its skill in providing regulatory advice, navigating the intersection between local employment regulations and international human rights law. The group’s client roster runs the gamut of sectors, including technology, real estate, and manufacturing, among others. Overseeing the group is Singapore-based Ling Yi Quek, whose corporate government expertise benefits the group’s ability to assist with sanctions and implications on companies and corporations, as well being adept at handling restructuring and liquidation, both of which are areas of increased activity for the group at large. Josephine Koh is well-versed in cross-border transactions and foreign investment into Myanmar.

Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Leading firms

Dentons’ Asia-Pacific arbitration practice demonstrates strength in different centres in the region, with key lawyers based across Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Singapore. In Hong Kong, Keith Brandt leads the firm’s broader disputes arbitration  with support from Robert Rhoda, who heads the firm’s international arbitration team in the city, as well as Alfred Wu, Philip Nunn, Muriel Cheng and Richard Keady. Meanwhile in Singapore, Lawrence Teh and Herman Jeremiah  co-lead, with Kirindeep Singh  also recognized for his construction arbitration expertise. Gading Sanyjaya  in the firm’s Indonesia office is another key contact in the firm’s international arbitration offering, which can also call on outposts in India, South Korea and Vietnam, among other jurisdictions.