Singapore's most influential lawyers under 40

One of this year’s awardees assisted in Singapore’s largest money laundering investigation.

In search of the best lawyers in the country, Singapore Business Review reached out to over 20 legal firms in Singapore.

After rigorous review of all nominations submitted by firms, 11 women and 6 men made it to the final cut.

Agents in this year’s list come from Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, Drew & Napier LLC, Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP, Withers KhattarWong, Bird & Bird ATMD LLP, Harry Elias Partnership, TSMP Law Corporation, HFW, Morgan Lewis Stamford LLC, and Tan Kok Quan Partnership.

Leading the pack is Drew & Napier with four representatives. The youngest in this year’s list is from Tan Kok Quan Partnership.

This year’s awardees have served and advised big clients such as Keppel Corporation, Temasek Holdings, StarHub, Morgan Stanlet, Citigroup, OCBC Bank, and DBS Bank, to name a few.  One of this year’s awardees is assisting investigations on Singapore's largest money laundering case.
 
Here are this year’s awardees arranged from the youngest to the most senior in years.
 
Leong Qianyu, Tan Kok Quan Partnership, 30

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Leong Qianyu is a seasoned attorney specialising in high-value corporate and commercial disputes, with extensive experience in insolvency and restructuring. Her notable work includes representing liquidators in complex litigation against Hyflux Ltd.’s former auditor and director, handling United Overseas Bank Limited’s case involving $181m (US$135.86m) in mortgage loans, advising Wirecard AG in a €1.9-b fraud investigation ($2.76b or US$2.07b), and assisting bank lenders in the Hyflux groups restructuring and liquidation. Beyond her legal practice, she actively mentors junior lawyers and participates in pro bono legal clinics.

Stephanie Chew, TSMP Law Corporation, 30

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Stephanie Chew, a former deputy public prosecutor/state counsel at the Attorney-General’s Chambers, brings her extensive experience in complex investigations and high-profile financial crime and corruption cases to TSMP’s litigation team. Her role now focuses on corporate and commercial disputes, representing clients in contentious matters such as oppression claims and investor disputes. Her cases include one involving Luckin Coffee Inc. Alongside her legal work, Chew engages in pro bono service as a volunteer lawyer with the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.

Samantha Ng, Withers KhattarWong, 31

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Samantha Ng, a senior legal associate at Withers KhattarWong, specialises in private client and tax advisory. She is a trusted advisor for many ultra-high net worth families on their multi-generational and international estate and succession planning needs. She helps set up family offices, trusts, charitable foundations, and to put in place family governance arrangements to tie together each of these family entities. Samantha is recognised as one of the “Rising Leaders” by the Private Client Global Elite and a finalist for the Young Practitioner of the Year Award at the Society of Estate and Trust Practitioners Annual Awards.

Leong Lijie, Tan Kok Quan Partnership, 32

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Leong Lijie, a graduate of the National University of Singapore, focuses on infrastructure, construction, engineering, and real estate disputes. He is recognised for his commercial acumen and practical approach in resolving disputes. His notable work includes securing over $11m (US$8.25m) in compensation for a construction delay case, advising a major contractor in a mixed-use development dispute exceeding $11m (US$8.25m), and obtaining over $3m (US$2.25m) in compensation for a building defects case. Leong’s versatility extends to advisory and transactional matters, ensuring he provides a comprehensive service to clients.

Loren Leung, Bird & Bird ATMD LLP, 33

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As a partner at Bird & Bird’s award-winning Technology, Media, and Telecommunications team, Loren Leung has achieved meaningful recognition in the field, having grown her practice across all aspects of technology, digital, and data law across the Asia-Pacific region. Her clients include multinational corporations, fast-growth technology companies, and startups. Loren specialises in privacy and data protection, often advising on complex, multijurisdictional mandates, and has been engaged by one of the world’s largest multinational technological companies as their privacy specialist for APAC. She also specializes in digitalisation, guiding businesses through online transitions, and tech giants embarking on ground-breaking technology deals.

Audrey Lim, Bird & Bird ATMD LLP, 33

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Audrey Lim is an expert in IP law, specialising in strategic brand advisory, brand protection and management across various global industries. She excels in handling global trademark matters, licensing agreements, franchise agreements, and liquidation matters involving IP assets. She also bears solid competence in contentious IP and domain name dispute matters. She demonstrates a deep understanding of local laws in the region and beyond and contributes thought leadership articles. Her key cases include assisting the Government of Greece in opposing the cancellation of the “Feta” geographical indication registration for cheese and managing global portfolios of marks for clients in the hospitality, real estate, food & beverage, education, and tech sectors.

Jin Wei Tan, Drew & Napier LLC, 33

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Jin Wei is a director at Drew & Napier LLC’s Corporate/M&A team. His expertise encompasses mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital investments, joint ventures, capital markets, corporate governance, and restructuring matters. With experience in both private and public M&A transactions, Tan has advised various parties in cross-border deals across diverse sectors. His notable accomplishments include advising on award-winning multi-billion-dollar acquisitions, privatisations, competitive takeover deals and restructurings, having acted for Temasek Holdings, Pfizer, OCBC Bank, StarHub, BPEA, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup.

Eugene Neo, TSMP Law Corporation, 33

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Eugene Neo is a strong advocate of pro bono work, notably succeeding in a groundbreaking Employment Claims Tribunal  appeal ([2023] SGHC 166), clarifying overtime pay limits. The Singapore Law Society cited him as a “Champion of Pro Bono.” Neo’s daily legal work spans diverse industries. He represents billionaire Carlos Manuel de São Vicente in a Singapore High Court case ([2023] SGHC 143), clarifying criminal motions. He is well-versed in the digital token space, advising Binance on cryptocurrency disputes. Neo also helped a pan-regional healthcare company recover over $90m (US$67.47m) in debt and avoid winding-up. He boasts mooting achievements and has authored articles on legal topics, showcasing his legal expertise.

Priscilla Wang, Drew & Napier LLC, 34

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Priscilla Wang’s legal expertise spans mergers and acquisitions, public take-overs, privatisations, joint ventures, corporate restructurings, and employment matters. Her notable deals involve substantial equity investments, major acquisitions, and high-value corporate restructuring projects, which include companies like Tuan Sing and SK Ecoplant. She offers counsel to both publicly listed and privately held companies, engaging in diverse corporate transactions, including cross-border transfers. Her contributions as a member of the firm’s ESG practice group have earned her a reputable position in the legal field.

Mitchell Yeo, Drew & Napier LLC, 34

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Mitchell is a Director at Drew & Napier LLC in the firm’s Corporate Restructuring & Workouts practice, specialising in restructuring & insolvency matters. He has been closely involved in some of the largest restructuring cases in Asia in recent years, such as those of Pacific International Lines, Pacific Radiance and Hyflux (Tuaspring). He is an active contributor to legal publications, and has also been volunteering in various capacities, including as a volunteer for migrant worker support during the COVID-19 pandemic, coach at National University of Singapore (NUS) Law Faculty, and Commanding Officer in his National Service battalion.

Jeremy Pereira, Withers KhattarWong, 35

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Jeremy Pereira is a senior associate at Withers KhattarWong whose focus is in criminal law, particularly on white-collar and financial crimes. He handles high profile matters and is most recently involved in corruption probes against several well known individuals, as well as investigations concerning Singapore's largest money laundering case. Pereira has extensive experience with various criminal cases, including cheating, corruption, money laundering, and securities violations. He also defends against blue-collar offenses and is on the Supreme Court’s list of assigned lawyers for capital cases. Pereira’s passion for legal education is reflected in his teaching roles at Singapore University of Social Sciences and SAFTI.

Lau Wen Jin, Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP, 36

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Lau Wen Jin is an outstanding advocate. His accolades include commendations from the Singapore Court of Appeal for his “valiant” legal representation, and “diligent and painstaking effort” in seeking to persuade the court. He also recently succeeded in an appeal as lead counsel in a trust case before the Court of Appeal. In addition to an LLB degree with highest distinction from the Singapore Management University, he also holds a specialist Master of Laws degree in International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution from the National University of Singapore, and a Master of Advanced Studies (LL.M.) in International Dispute Settlement from the Geneva Center for International Dispute Settlement.

Huang Yanting (Rex), Drew & Napier LLC, 36

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Huang Yanting (Rex), holds dual qualifications to practice law in Singapore and in China. Specialising in corporate finance, commercial transactions, and regulatory compliance, he focuses on the Greater China, Singapore, and regional markets. He is recognised for his extensive expertise in the legal and regulatory aspects of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, advising world-leading firms such as Coinbase Inc. He has aided Huohua Siwei, a prominent K-12 online education firm, in its expansion to Singapore. His notable achievements include guiding Haidilao International Holding Ltd’s US$964m (SG$1.28b) IPO and handling various high-profile deals.

Hugo Monro, HFW, 36

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Monro is a senior associate lawyer at HFW’s Singapore office. He is a shipping specialist with a broad practice encompassing dry shipping disputes, oil and gas, insurance, and offshore energy. With extensive experience in both court and international arbitration proceedings, he has represented clients in many high-value disputes and has been commended for his commercial awareness, strong grasp of complex legal issues, and thoughtful approach to case strategy. Alongside his casework, Hugo regularly delivers presentations, workshops, and pro bono training sessions to clients and industry organisations in Singapore.

Ho Mei Shi, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, 36

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Ho Mei Shi, a Partner in the Banking and Finance Practice Group, boasts a remarkable career in serving major banks, financial institutions, government-linked entities, REITs, and global conglomerates that include multi-billion dollar transactions. Her expertise includes green and sustainability-linked financing, acquisition financing, real estate and construction financing, as well as project financing. Clients praise her as “extremely knowledgeable” and value her sound legal advice in banking deals. Her excellence has earned her recognition in esteemed legal directories and publications, including as a Notable Practitioner in Banking & Finance (IFLR1000 2023-2024).

Chrystle Kuek, Morgan Lewis Stamford, 37

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Chrystle Kuek is an Associate Director with expertise in M&A, capital markets, and corporate restructurings. Kuek recently represented Challenger Technologies, Singapore’s homegrown consumer electronics chain, on a $224-m (US$168m) take-private bid by United Overseas Bank for and on behalf of DigiTech Holding. She also represented APAC Realty, a leading real estate services provider with the exclusive ERA regional franchise rights for 17 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, on the mandatory general offer by SAC Capital Private for and on behalf of NHPEA Ace Realty Company to acquire the shares of APAC, based on an approximate $203-m (US$152-m) valuation. 

Tng Sheng Rong, Rajah & Tann Singapore, 37

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Sheng Rong’s cup of tea is commercial litigation and arbitration, particularly in intellectual property law and technology law. He has an impressive record of representing clients in significant cases, such as the landmark breach of confidentiality case for I-Admin (Singapore) and a multi-jurisdictional dispute over copyright in a global eSports video game franchise for NetEase. He also acted in the first-ever case before the Singapore International Commercial Court, involving a dispute over a novel patented coal upgrading technology for White Energy Company. He is one of the youngest to be admitted to the equity partnership at Rajah & Tann Asia.

Widya Rianita, Morgan Lewis Stamford, 38

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Widya Rianita shines in the field of M&A, private equity, joint ventures, and corporate restructurings. She serves prestigious clients, including private equity funds, multinationals, sovereign wealth funds, state-owned enterprises, and banks, with a strong focus on Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore and Indonesia. Widya has overseen complex transactions, such as the sale of Jaya Grocer and advising Keppel Corporation on a significant merger. She is known for her thought leadership contributions and commercial acumen. Her previous experience in finance enhances her business-oriented approach, making her the go-to lawyer for Southeast Asian M&A, private equity, and investments.

Penelope Loh, Rajah & Tann Singapore, 38

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Penelope Loh is a highly experienced professional specialising in corporate transactions for public listed and private companies. Her broad expertise covers mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, fund-raising exercises, and more. She has been involved in significant private equity and venture capital deals, like advising DBS Bank on its $666-m (US$500-m) growth stage debt financing platform, EvolutionX. Her diverse portfolio includes successful cross-border investments, such as advising Keppel Infrastructure Trust as Singapore counsel in its acquisition of a leading integrated waste management services player in South Korea. Penelope also excels in complex M&A transactions.

Joanna Seetoh, Harry Elias Partnership LLP, 39

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Joanna Seetoh is a specialist in construction and infrastructure disputes, having been accredited by the Singapore Academy of Law as an Accredited Specialist in Building and Construction Law and inducted as a Fellow by the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators. She frequently acts as lead counsel in multimillion-dollar disputes, and her expertise has earned her recognitions in publications. Her contributions to the legal field extend to speaking engagements, Law Society and Society of Construction Law committee and council memberships, as well as contributions to key construction textbooks in Singapore, demonstrating her commitment and influence in the industry.