Asia-Pacific Legal 500
The Legal 500 Southeast Asia Awards
Litigation Team of the Year 20/21
Antitrust and Competition Team of the Year 20/21: Highly Commended
2025 edition
Antitrust & Competition
Antitrust & Competition – Tier 1 for 9 consecutive years
Lim Chong Kin - Leading Individual for 9 consecutive years
Corinne Chew - Leading Individual for 9 consecutive years
Cavinder Bull SC - Recommended lawyer for 9 consecutive years
Chia Voon Jiet - Recommended lawyer for 4 consecutive years
Well-regarded for its ‘practical, solution-oriented client focus’, the team at Drew & Napier LLC possesses the skills and knowledge necessary to handle a wide range of prominent competition and regulatory matters across various industries. Renowned for its active involvement in major CCCS investigations, the firm is highly sought after by multinational companies for advice on dawn raids and applications for leniency. The trio of lawyers leading the team include: Lim Chong Kin, who advises on competition compliance, transaction reviews and CCCS matters; Cavinder Bull, who offers litigation acumen and commercial expertise; and Corinne Chew, who earns praise for her ’razor-sharp focus’ and ‘solution-driven approach’.
Banking & Finance
Banking & Finance – Tier 3
Pauline Chong - Recommended lawyer for 7 consecutive years
Renu Menon - Recommended lawyer for 8 consecutive years
Benjamin Gaw - Recommended lawyer
May Ng - Recommended lawyer
Eleanor Pang - Recommended lawyer
Lau Sok Hiang - Previously Recommended lawyer for 3 consecutive years in 2022 to 2024
Drew & Napier LLC is best known for project financing, acquisition financing, and real estate and construction financing. It has continued to advise on a number of headline acquisition and project financings, along with syndicated loans, green financings and sustainability-linked loans, and substantial real estate financings. The firm has a major presence in debt restructurings and represents a range of local and international banks, multilateral development banks, national agencies, and local and multinational corporates. Pauline Chong is a leader in the practice with an established record in syndicated and bilateral loans, and project financings. Renu Menon is also noted for bilateral and syndicated loans, acquisition financings and debt restructurings. May Ng and Eleanor Pang are also senior members of the department.
Capital Markets
Capital Market – Tier 3
Steven Lo - Recommended lawyer for 4 consecutive years
Gary Wan - Recommended lawyer for 4 consecutive years
Renu Menon - Recommended lawyer for 4 consecutive years
Drew & Napier LLC is another of Singapore’s largest firms to have a broad capital markets focus covering equity, debt and REITs transactions. It has solid regulatory credentials and established international connections. It has impressed on significant Singapore IPOs, rights issues, private placements, takeovers, Singapore listings by foreign issuers and a range of debt offerings, including MTN programmes and covered bond issuances. Steven Lo and Gary Wan co-head the capital markets group, the latter having international firm and in-house counsel experience, which included leading transactions across a number of Asia Pacific jurisdictions. Renu Menon provides additional debt capital markets experience.
Construction
Construction - Tier 2
Jimmy Yim, SC - Recommended lawyer for 4 consecutive years
Christopher Chong - Recommended lawyer for 5 consecutive years
Mahesh Rai - Recommended lawyer for 5 consecutive years
Kelvin Teo - Next Generation Partners for 5 consecutive years
Chen Zhihui - Recommended lawyer
Cavinder Bull SC - Previously Recommended lawyer for 3 consecutive years 2022 to 2024
Drew & Napier LLC has a fine and longstanding reputation in the construction sector, particularly in the contentious field. It has demonstrated a deep commitment to construction and engineering work, especially in Singapore and region-wide energy and infrastructure projects. Along with its disputes expertise, the firm has further experience in front-end and procurement matters, due diligence and project advisory issues. It has close connections to developers, contractors and other clients from around the region. Christopher Chong is head of the construction and engineering group, specialising in disputes. Mahesh Rai is deputy head of the team and is also highly-related for contentious matters. Chairman Jimmy Yim SC is further noted for cross-border construction disputes and Kelvin Teo is another prominent member of the department.
Corporate/M&A
Corporate/M&A – Tier 3 for 8 consecutive years
Steven Lo - Recommended lawyer for 8 consecutive years
Jon Nair - Recommended lawyer for 6 consecutive years
Tan Teng Sen - Leading Individual for 4 consecutive years
Seraphina Ho - Next Generation Partners for 4 consecutive years
Benjamin Gaw - Previously a Recommended lawyer in 2024
Priscilla Wang - Previously a Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years in 2023 to 2024
Commended for its ‘strong technical knowledge, practical advice and responsiveness’, Drew & Napier LLC counts large corporates, venture capital and private equity funds, financial institutions, family offices and government-linked funds and conglomerates among its key roster of clients, and has been kept busy with cross-border M&A in the energy and real estate sectors. Steven Lo leads the team and stands out for his experience in public and private M&A, while Tan Teng Sen is an ’experienced practitioner’ who is ‘brimming with energy’. Jon Nair is an ’outstanding M&A lawyer’, who also advises on private equity deals, joint ventures and corporate restructurings, and Seraphina Ho is another key contact in the group.
Data Protection and Cyber Security
Data Protection and Cyber Security – Tier 1
David Alfred - Leading Individual for 2 consecutive years
Lim Chong Kin - Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years
Anastasia Su-Anne Chen - Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years
Drew & Napier LLC’s dedicated practice showcases demonstrable experience in the development and implementation of data protection policies, frameworks and compliance programmes, in addition to cross-border data transfers, and data breaches and cyber security incidents. Standout work highlights include the team’s engagement by the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam to assist with the development and implementation of Brunei’s personal data protection law and regulatory framework for the private sector. Noted for his extensive public sector expertise, Lim Chong Kin ‘provides valuable insights based on his experience working with policy makers and regulators’, and ’runs a very efficient and tight ship’ alongside David Alfred, who maintains a track record in handling mandates concerning data and cyber governance.
Dispute Resolution
Dispute Resolution – Tier 1 for 26 consecutive years
Cavinder Bull, SC - Hall of Fame for 5 consecutive year, previously Leading Individual for 12 consecutive years
Jimmy Yim, SC - Leading Individual for 24 consecutive years
Randolph Khoo - Recommended lawyer for 8 consecutive years
Tony Yeo - Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years
Blossom Hing, SC - Recommended lawyer for 8 consecutive years
Meryl Koh - Recommended lawyer for 4 years
Woo Shu Yan - Recommended lawyer for 4 consecutive years
Mahesh Rai - Recommended lawyer for 5 years
Wendell Wong - Recommended lawyer for 7 years
Gary Low - Recommended lawyer for for 3 consecutive years
Chia Voon Jiet - Recommended lawyer for 3 consecutive years
Kelvin Tan - Recommended lawyer for 3 consecutive years
Foo Yuet Min - Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years
Benedict Teo - Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years
Daniel Cai - Recommended lawyer
Emmanuel Aw - Recommended lawyer
Praised as ‘extremely capable’ and ’highly skilled’, the team at Drew & Napier LLC stands out as a dispute resolution powerhouse, renowned for its unparalleled depth of talent and consistently selected to handle the most complex and high-stakes cases in Singapore. Counting government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and high-net-worth individuals among its key roster of clients, the team is active across banking, construction, and intellectual property sectors. The practice is led by Randolph Khoo, who is deeply engaged in arbitration and international disputes. Cavinder Bull SC is known for his active role in complex, high-profile litigation across various sectors, regularly engaging in trial and appellate advocacy at all levels of the Singapore Courts, while Jimmy Yim SC specialises in civil and commercial law, criminal law and international commercial arbitration. Other notable individuals include: Daniel Cai, who is lauded for his ‘straight-up advice’; Joelle Tan, praised as ’meticulous, caring and prompt’; and Emmanuel Aw, who stands out for his ’empathy and approachable nature’. Siraj Omar SC left the firm in January 2025.
Fintech And Financial Services Regulatory
Fintech And Financial Services Regulatory – Tier 3
Grace Chong - Next Generation Partners
Benjamin Gaw - Recommended lawyer
Chua Tju Liang - Recommended lawyer
Lauded for its ‘deep industry expertise’, the ’very reliable and solution oriented’ team at Drew & Napier LLC excels in structuring payment solutions and managing regulatory issues for digital platforms, while also seeing a rise in instructions related to ICOs and cryptocurrency. Benjamin Gaw, a ‘ technically very sound lawyer’, is highly experienced in advising both emerging and established payment solutions providers, with a proven track record in fintech licensing and regulatory matters. Chua Tju Liang is frequently instructed by PE houses and funds on a range of complex cross-border transactions, Grace Chong has been described as a ’legal powerhouse’ with a ‘very strong reputation’.
Labour and Employment
Labour and Employment – Tier 1 for 10 consecutive years
Kelvin Tan - Recommended lawyer for 10 consecutive years
Benjamin Gaw - Recommended lawyer for 10 consecutive years
Lim Chong Kin - Recommended lawyer for 5 consecutive years, previously Leading Individual for 4 consecutive years
Rakesh Kirpalani - Recommended lawyer for 4 consecutive years
Desmond Chng - Recommended lawyer
Benjamin Goh - Recommended lawyer
Ang Wei Shuen - Previously a Recommended lawyer in 2024
Drew & Napier LLC has an established team that is equally adept in disputes, alongside transactional, non-contentious and advisory matters. The firm represents a variety of local and international clients on all employment issues, including investigations, restructurings, trade union negotiations, and employment litigation. Head of the employment department Kelvin Tan remains at the forefront of contentious and advisory matters, including termination of employment, restructurings, and enforcement of post-termination restrictive covenants. Fellow department head Benjamin Gaw (‘knowledgeable and sound’) is a leader in transactional and non-contentious issues, such as employment contracts, handbooks and policies, along with employee stock option plans, and trade union and collective agreements. Lim Chong Kin and Rakesh Kirpalani (’exemplifies leadership and expertise in the field’) are also senior members of the department.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property – Tier 1 for 26 consecutive years
Tony Yeo - Hall of Fame for 6 consecutive years, previously a Leading individual for 10 consecutive years
Yvonne Tang - Leading Individual, previously a Recommended lawyer for 7 years
Siau Wen Lim - Leading Individual, previously a Recommended lawyer for 5 years
Meryl Koh - Next Generation Partners for 9 consecutive years
Javier Yeo - Recommended lawyer, previously a Rising star for 3 consecutive years
Drew & Napier LLC showcases a range of expertise across contentious and non-contentious IP matters, demonstrating proficiency in handling a project across the full life cycle, including conducting searches to advising on the eligibility of a mark to be registered to advising on the optimal monetisation strategy, drafting and filing a mark to be registered to the final point of potential litigation proceedings. Showcasing multi-jurisdictional capabilities, the team’s contentious work portfolio spans, passing off actions, opposition proceedings, and actions for breach of distribution, licensing, and franchise agreements. Given the sizeable offering of the firm, the team is led by four partners – Tony Yeo with extensive experience in IP litigation and enforcement, Yvonne Tang who has a varied practice encompassing both contentious and non-contentious matters, notably, copyright infringement and passing off. Also sporting a varied practice, Lim Siau Wen handles contentious and non-contentious IP matters with a particular focus on portfolio management and regulatory advice, while Meryl Koh specialises in IP litigation.
International Arbitration
International Arbitration – Tier 2 for 10 consecutive years
Cavinder Bull, SC - Hall of Fame for 5 consecutive years, previously a Leading individual for 8 consecutive years
Jimmy Yim, SC - Leading Individual for 5 consecutive years, previously a Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years
Randolph Khoo - Recommended lawyer for 10 years
Christopher Chong - Recommended lawyer for 5 consecutive years
Blossom Hing, SC - Leading Individual for 3 consecutive years
Mahesh Rai - Recommended lawyer, previously a Next Generation Partners for 5 consecutive years
Kelvin Teo - Next Generation Partners for 5 consecutive years
Lin Shumin - Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years
Kelvin Tan - Recommended lawyer
Foo Yuet Min - Previously a Recommended lawyer in 2024
Tan Yuan Kheng - Previously a Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years in 2023 to 2024
Drew & Napier LLC’s ‘excellent international arbitration team’ counts financial institutions, foreign governments, multinational corporations and state-owned entities among its key roster of clients, showcasing stellar experience in high-value international commercial arbitrations and investment-treaty arbitrations. The practice stands out for its expertise across the construction and infrastructure, energy and utilities, insurance, finance, commodities, technology, property and shipping, and healthcare sectors. Esteemed arbitration practitioner Cavinder Bull SC leads the team alongside Randolph Khoo, whose caseload features disputes involving the China market. Other key contacts in the group include Lin Shumin, who is ’exceptional in her ability to understand key issues very quickly’, and Mahesh Rai, who is praised as ‘a fierce advocate’ in construction and infrastructure arbitration cases. Siraj Omar SC has since left the firm.
Investment Funds
Investment Funds – Tier 2 for 5 consecutive years
Ron Cheng - Leading individual for 5 consecutive years
Drew & Napier LLC showcases ‘vast knowledge and experience’ on the establishment of licensed, registered and exempt fund managers, as well as financial advisers and trust companies, in Singapore, with additional experience in handling regulatory mandates and tax incentive approvals for investment funds. Key clients include private and public funds, multinationals, and financial institutions, among others. ’Always available for urgent matters’, practice leader Ron Cheng acts on the establishment of alternative investment funds, and is ably supported by Charmaine Jin and Gladys Lim.
Private Wealth and Family Law
Private Wealth – Tier 1 for 9 consecutive years
Ong Sim Ho - Recommended lawyer for 5 consecutive years
Randolph Khoo - Recommended lawyer for 4 consecutive years
Ong Ken Loon - Recommended lawyer for 7 years
Seah Ching Ling - Next Generation Partners for 5 consecutive years
Hoon Shu Mei - Recommended lawyer for 3 consecutive years
Emma Gan - Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years
Drew & Napier LLC has developed a major focus on private wealth over the last few years, building on its extensive tax and disputes expertise to advise a range of clients on wealth planning, preservation, and succession through family trusts, family offices, and other structures. It represents clients from around Asia Pacific and beyond. Ong Sim Ho is an experienced tax specialist with a long track record in the private wealth area, including the launch of family offices and the acquisition of substantial assets. Randolph Khoo heads the private client disputes group, often representing ultra high net-worth individuals in high-value family law and trusts disputes. Seah Ching Ling is further noted for trusts, estate planning, family offices and immigration. Hoon Shu Mei is also a key figure in private client disputes.
Projects & Energy
Projects & Energy – Tier 1
Jimmy Yim, SC - Recommended lawyer for 9 consecutive years
Mahesh Rai - Next Generation Partners, previously a Recommended lawyer for 6 consecutive years
Renu Menon - Recommended lawyer for 4 consecutive years
Christopher Chong - Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years
Chua Tju Liang - Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years
Pauline Chong - Recommended lawyer
Lau Sok Hiang - Recommended lawyer
Drew & Napier LLC projects, energy and infrastructure practice group often works with its construction and engineering dispute resolution team, and stands out for its work with disputes in relation to the financing and implementation of projects. Its contentious and non-contentious work covers the power and energy, telecommunications, transportation, and construction sectors. The team is headed by Jimmy Yim SC, who has over three decades of experience in complex, cross-border disputes concerning the legal, contractual, technical and operational elements of energy and construction projects. Mahesh Rai regularly represents clients in numerous complex projects, energy and infrastructure matters in sectors such as hydropower, energy, telecommunications, and construction. Christopher Chong, who is head of construction and engineering, often works on major private and public sector projects in Singapore, specialising in the construction sector.
Real Estate
Real Estate – Tier 2 for 9 consecutive years
Ho Soo Lih - Recommended lawyer for 6 consecutive years
Lau Sok Hiang - Leading Individual for 2 consecutive years; previously a Recommended lawyer for 4 consecutive years
April Mak - Recommended lawyer for 4 consecutive years
Lauded as ‘very competent and meticulous’, the team at Drew & Napier LLC is well regarded for its ability to navigate complex real estate transactions. The team frequently handles high-value M&A, sales, and divestments for prominent domestic and international developers, REITs, and investment companies. The team is co-led by Ho Soo Lih, an expert in corporate real estate work, and Lau Sok Hiang, who is renowned for going the ’extra mile’ for clients. April Mak assists clients on the sale and purchase of residential, commercial and industrial properties, buildings and developments, as well as advising on refinancing and mortgage of secured loans.
Restructuring & Insolvency
Restructuring & Insolvency – Tier 1 for 14 consecutive years
Julian Kwek - Recommended lawyer for 12 consecutive years
Mohan Golapan - Next Generation Partners for 9 consecutive years
Blossom Hing, SC - Hall of Fame for 2 consecutive years; Leading Individual in 2023, Previously a Recommended lawyer for 6 consecutive years
Chan Wei Meng - Previously a Recommended lawyer for 7 years
Fielding a ‘very experienced and well-balanced team’ that is ’commercial and technically sound’, Drew & Napier LLC stands out as a leading force in the region’s restructuring and insolvency landscape. Counting financial institutions, holding and investment groups, public boards, and sovereign wealth funds among its key roster of the clients, the team excels in both contentious and non-contentious matters, offering expertise in asset recovery, pursuit, and court protection cases. The practice is jointly steered by Sushil Nair and Julian Kwek. Nair is regularly involved in some of the largest restructuring exercises in Asia, with notable ties to Indonesia and China, while Kwek is noted for his focus on cross-border M&A, joint venture, private equity, debt workouts, and corporate restructuring. ‘First-rate litigator’ Blossom Hing SC is described as ’smart, hard-working, thoughtful and incredibly perceptive’, while Mohan Gopalan is recommended for his focus on insolvency and debt restructuring.
Tax
Tax – Tier 1, Leading firm for 19 consecutive years
Ong Ken Loon - Hall of Fame for 5 consecutive years, previously Leading individual for 9 consecutive years
Ong Sim Ho - Leading individual for 16 years
Yang Shi Yong - Recommended lawyer for 10 consecutive years
Drew & Napier LLC provides a full service tax offering, covering goods and services tax, property tax and stamp duties, with additional experience advising on corporate tax advisory mandates. Tax litigation is a particular area of strength, and the group frequently represents clients before tax tribunals and the Supreme Court. Steering the practice is Ong Ken Loon, who advises on tax aspects of corporate transactions, such as income tax, GST, stamp duty, and property tax. Elsewhere in the team, Ong Sim Ho remains active on high-profile contentious tax cases, and Yang Shi Yong specialises in Singapore enterprise tax risk management and tax audit, in addition to Singapore tax investigation matters.
Telecommunications, Media & Technology
Telecommunications, Media & Technology – Tier 1
Lim Chong Kin - Hall of Fame for 5 consecutive years, previously a Leading individual for 9 consecutive years
David Alfred - Recommended lawyer for 5 consecutive years
Rakesh Kirpalani - Previously a Recommended lawyer in 2024
Drew & Napier LLC has a broad-based TMT practice, covering contentious, transactional, commercial, licensing and regulatory issues; it is at the forefront of telecoms and media competition matters, including market liberalisation and competition codes. The firm has also developed a significant presence in data protection, privacy and cybersecurity, including national regulatory frameworks. It advises an impressive number of local, regional and international clients. Lim Chong Kin leads the TMT team and co-heads the data protection, privacy and cybersecurity practice, alongside David Alfred.
White-Collar Crime
White-Collar Crime – Tier 1
Cavinder Bull, SC - Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years
Wendell Wong - Leading individual, Previously a Recommended lawyer for 3 consecutive years
Gary Low - Recommended lawyer for 4 consecutive years
Mahesh Rai - Recommended lawyer for 5 consecutive years
Chia Voon Jiet - Recommended lawyer for 3 consecutive years
Adam Maniam - Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years
Benedict Low - Recommended lawyer
Andrew Chua - Recommended lawyer
Jimmy Yim, SC - Previously a Recommended lawyer in 2024
The offering at Drew & Napier LLC regularly acts for major clients in enforcement proceedings and dawn raids. Practice co-head Wendell Wong draws on his prior expertise as a Deputy Public Prosecutor to assist with mandates involving corruption and corporate governance-related offences, while co-head Gary Low is recommended for his knowledge of insider trading and fraud investigations. Benedict Teo is a key name for anti-money laundering work, and Adam Maniam often assists both listed and private companies with internal investigations. Mahesh Rai is also noted for his expertise in investigations, in addition to his broad experience in disputes across the telecoms and construction sectors.
Foreign Firms
Indonesia: Foreign Firms – Tier 4
Julian Kwek - Recommended lawyer
Cavinder Bull, SC - Recommended lawyer
Jimmy Yim, SC - Recommended lawyer
Drew & Napier LLC has a particular strength in navigating complex debt restructurings. The team also regularly advises on multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions involving Indonesian companies across a range of sectors, including logistics, retail, manufacturing, and financial services. Further to this, the team has extensive experience in joint ventures and corporate restructurings. The Indonesian desk is co-headed by Sushil Nair and Julian Kwek.