Dechert is a global leader in investment funds and has a substantial team in Singapore led by the immensely experienced and highly-rated Dean Collins. The senior bench was further deepened by the promotion of Thomas Kim to the partnership in January 2023; Kim is now leading a high proportion of the office’s top engagements. The team is at the forefront of private funds, including private equity and private credit funds. The office also has a major presence in fund secondaries and continuation funds, and has a burgeoning record in ESG-related funds and sustainable strategies. The Singapore team is able to work alongside colleagues in virtually all international fund centres, particularly in relation to large global fund raisings and on global regulatory issues.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘A great team to work with. A very good balance between availability, response time, and technical knowledge. With extensive experience in the sector in which advice was provided (a start-up fund) the team was able to advise quickly and with authority on what was common practice and customary in the marketplace.’

  • ‘We worked with Dean Collins and Thomas Kim. Thomas was stood out in terms of responsiveness and quality of advice - as senior associate and as partner.’

  • ‘Experienced individuals who work well together as a team. Very responsive to client needs and flexible when working on first time or more innovative funds.’

  • ‘We worked closely with both Dean Collins and Thomas Kim who were both excellent in understanding our needs and sharing their in depth experience and current market practice. They tailored their advice to the current market conditions for fund-raising and phased their work as we engaged more closely with prospective investors.’

  • ‘Dean Collins and Thomas Kim are our trusted counsels on all things fund related, and they are responsive and attentive to details. We especially appreciate them checking in on us post-closing even though some time had passed, and so it definitely feels like a very collaborative working relationship with a team that has a deep understanding of our needs and concerns.’

  • ‘Thomas Kim has been a great lawyer to have on your side. He pays attention to details and is able to provide useful insights to issues. He maintains his cool even under stressful situations, and is able to work well with his associates and clients alike. We never had any problems with deadlines when working with Thomas.’

  • ‘Dean Collins is a pillar of knowledge in this industry. He can be relied on for quality advice and comes from having the best interests of his clients at heart.’

  • ‘Thomas Kim is calm and composed, very well-versed with the intricacies of fund documentation, able to deliver within a compressed timeline, and an absolute pleasure to work with.’

Key clients

  • Capital Square Partners Management
  • Dymon Asia Private Equity (Singapore)
  • Bank of Singapore
  • Akaria Natural Capital
  • Clime Capital
  • Primavera Capital
  • Silkroad Property Partners
  • Openspace Ventures
  • Genesis Alternative Ventures
  • KV Asia Capital
  • The Sylvan Group
  • Panthera Growth Partners

Work highlights

  • Assisted Capital Square Partners Management on the formation of a circa $700m fund involving the acquisition of certain portfolio assets from certain earlier vintage funds managed by Capital Square Partners and Basil Technology Partners.
  • Advised Dymon Asia Private Equity (Singapore) on the final close of Dymon Asia Private Equity (SE Asia) Fund III.
  • Assisted Akaria Natural Capital, an impact-first fund management company, on the formation of a $250m carbon offset unit fund investing into natural climate solutions in Southeast Asia.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Dean Collins, Thomas Kim