Clifford Chance
Noted for its capability to advise on Singapore, English and New York law, the ‘all-star team’ at Clifford Chance covers the full spectrum of mandates, from M&A, joint ventures and divestments to general corporate advisory work across the energy and infrastructure, financial services, consumer goods and retail, healthcare and life sciences, TMT and private equity sectors. Praised as ’one of the best M&A lawyers in Singapore’, managing partner Valerie Kong has built a strong portfolio of clients, including sovereign wealth funds, Singapore and Malaysia government-linked entities, multinational banks and corporates, with demonstrable experience in cross-border M&A, particularly in the Southeast Asia region. Kong jointly leads the team alongside Melissa Ng, who is commended for her ‘keen intellect, commerciality and extensive experience’ in M&A, divestments and joint ventures, and Tom Lin, who focuses on private equity transactions. Senior associate Ivan Chan is another key contact in the group.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Good, pragmatic advice striking the right balance between taking a view that will get the deal done while also protecting their clients.’
‘Extremely hard-working and great availability.’
‘Clifford Chance is consistently excellent. Led by Valerie Kong, they have an all-star team that provide solutions-focused, cross-border advice and a round the clock service.’
‘Valerie Kong is one of the best M&A lawyers in Singapore. She is razor sharp, responsive and leads by example.’
- ‘Melissa Ng is an excellent M&A lawyer, who is recognised by clients and peers for her keen intellect, commerciality and extensive experience in handling complex transactions. She is very calm, knowledgeable and a natural problem-solver. Melissa also has in-depth experience on Indonesian M&A.’
‘Speed of execution, strong ability to deliver exceptional work even under time pressure.’
‘Valerie Kong is an excellent M&A lawyer who has strong commercial understanding and is able to provide very helpful and practical legal advice.’
Key clients
- Indonesia Investment Authority
- Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC
- Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
- GIC
- US International Development Finance Corporation
- PTT International Holding Limited
- Keppel Infrastructure Trust
- Ayala Land
- ACEN Corporation
- JSW Group
- Star Energy
- PT Medco Energi Internasional Tbk
- PSA
- Kellogg
- Mitsubishi Corporation
- Philip Morris
- GEODIS
- Actis
- Partners Group
- Intermediate Capital Group
- CVC Capital Partners
- Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation
- Partior
- Home Credit Group
- Navis Capital Partners
- Platinum Equity
- SeaTown Private Capital
- Mintz Group
- Northstar
- Alpha JWC Ventures
- Saratoga
- CLSA Real Estate
Work highlights
- Advised Home Credit Group B.V. on its agreement to sell 100% of its Philippines and Indonesian consumer finance businesses to a consortium of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) affiliates, led by Krungsri Bank, in deals worth approximately €615 million.
- Advised leading global private markets firm Partners Group, acting on behalf of its clients, on the international aspects of its acquisition of a majority stake in Sunsure Energy.
- Advised the Ayala Group's listed energy platform ACEN Corporation, through ACEN Renewables International Pte. Ltd. and ACEN International, Inc., on the international aspects of its partnership with and investment into renewable energy producer BrightNight’s India platform.
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Leading individuals
Clifford Chance LLP
Valerie Kong is Clifford Chance's Office Managing Partner in Singapore and also sits on the firm’s Asia Pacific Leadership Group. She specialises in cross-border M&A and is qualified in both Singapore and England & Wales. Well regarded among market sources for complex acquisitions, divestments and joint ventures, she has over 20 years of experience advising financial investors and multinational corporates on transactions in the consumer goods & retail, energy and transport & logistics sectors across South East Asia and other emerging markets. Part of her practice includes advising underwriters on W&I insurance policies for M&A transactions.
Next Generation Partners
Clifford Chance LLP
Tom Lin specialises in M&A and corporate finance with a particular focus on private equity transactions. Tom advises private equity houses, other financial investors and corporates on a wide range of matters, including buyouts, secondaries, joint ventures, MBOs, minority and co-investments, public M&A, management incentives and restructurings. His experience covers healthcare, financial services, infrastructure, renewables, consumer, education, industrials, logistics and real estate. He has been based in Singapore since 2011 and previously served as in-house counsel at the private equity arm of an international financial institution.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Valerie Kong, Tom Lin, Melissa Ng