Corporate/M&A
One of Singapore’s leading Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) practices with a proven track record, we are often involved in large and high profile M&A transactions in Singapore and the region.
Our M&A Practice advises on public and private mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and disposals as well as complex restructurings and reorganisations, with a particular focus on public M&A transactions. With its cross-border experience in the region and beyond, our team is well-equipped to handle multi-jurisdictional transactions, particularly in Southeast Asia, and to service the needs of our clients’ increasingly global business interests.
Our team advises sellers and buyers as well as investors, management and financial advisers on all aspects of the transaction, from planning and structuring to negotiating, documenting and implementing the transaction. Interfacing with Drew & Napier’s other practices such as Tax, Competition, Real Estate and Intellectual Property, we are able to give clients the benefit of specialist expertise to address their needs depending on what the transaction demands.
Clients can be assured that our team consistently strives to provide high quality client-oriented advice, working closely with clients to achieve their commercial objectives.
Practice Focus Areas
- Public takeovers and general offers
- Schemes of Arrangement
- Mergers
- Acquisitions
- Joint ventures and strategic alliances
- Disposals
- Restructurings and Reorganisations
- Reverse Take-overs
- Amalgamations
- Privatisations
Accolades
IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms
Corporate/M&A 2022/2023 - Tier 2 firm for 18 consecutive years
Corporate/M&A 2022/2023
Gary Pryke - Expert Consultant
Steven Lo - Highly Regarded for 4 consecutive years
Tan Teng Sen - Highly Regarded for 2 consecutive years
Chua Tju Liang - Highly Regarded
"Align with the interest of the client, responsive and responsible, professional. Thorough and detailed outcome-driven advice with pros and cons analysis."
"Proactive and detail-oriented. Balances legal and commercial points. Good handling of counterparty legal adviser."
"Steven Lo and Tan Teng Sen are professional, experienced and importantly very helpful. They go the extra mile to put the client in a better position."
"The partners are responsive, facilitative, highly commercial and very user-friendly. They cut straight to the chase with strategic and well-considered advice."
"The team is always available and delivers extremely prompt responses. The legal advice given is clear and simple to read. They are able to spot wider issues that we would not have considered during discussions and that perspective has proven exceedingly valuable."
"Commercial and solution-driven - able to see the deal from the principal's perspective and identify 'real' issues rather than dogma. Highly responsive and sensitive to deal timeline - follow-up on the right things extremely quickly."
"Intensity and responsiveness - always being available to assist with questions and clarifications on legal issues. Deep understanding of the regulatory framework across the Singapore Code of Takeovers and Mergers and the Singapore Exchange Listing Rules. Creativity - in developing solutions that would be acceptable to all stakeholders in a transaction (ie the company, the independent financial adviser and the regulators). Knowledge of precedents/superior research - which enabled us to examine less known precedents and leverage the approaches taken in those situations to be applied to our particular circumstances.”
"For dispute we were helped by D&N litigation team and for settlement share buyback we were helped by D&N M&A team. The document structure proposed was very thorough and tight. It helped to make the negotiation process short and effective."
"Knowledgeable, fast response and very professional approach towards clients, co-lawyers and counterparties. "
"The firm has a positive and innovative outlook and is strong on deal templates such that a win-win is well achieved and outcomes on capital raising M&A listing activities are carried through to success."
"Timely advice, responsive, commercially minded, hard-working, seeks to achieve client's goals."
"Domain knowledge. Legal and corporate law expertise. Attention to detail. Responsiveness."
"Sound advice on the terms of the agreement. Rendered alternatives if the suggested ones turned out not to be workable after discussion. Easy access to any of the team members working on the project. Turnaround time is commendable."
Chambers Asia Pacific and Global
Corporate/M&A 2024 - Band 3 firm for 4 consecutive years
Leading Individual:
Corporate/M&A 2024
Steven Lo for 5 consecutive years
Tan Teng Sen
Senior Statespeople:
Corporate/M&A 2024
Gary Pryke for 6 consecutive years
"They have intelligence, up-to-date business commercial savvy, sensitivity and responsiveness in addressing needs and requirements."
"Steven Lo has extremely strong commercial awareness through his knowledge of past and ongoing transactions and applies that knowledge to the transaction at hand."
"Gary Pryke is an impressive lawyer with good expertise."
"Teng Sen is very sharp. He truly understands the balance between commercial viability and legal risk and can advise accordingly, in a manner that makes you feel that you are in safe hands."
"Drew & Napier are very commercially aware given the wide range of corporate and other work they get, especially multi-jurisdictional work."
"The team have a strong grasp of the M&A processes. They are able to respond quickly to our queries and adhere to deadlines diligently."
A source values Drew & Napier's "flexible and creative advice, and willingness to consider novel approaches."
Another interviewee commends its "deep bench of expertise across senior to junior team members."
A client comments: "They are very commercial and responsive."
Gary Pryke is a seasoned practitioner with a long track record in corporate law. He is deeply experienced in advising clients on M&A and securities law, acting for domestic and foreign clients.
Steven Lo is hailed by clients as "a calming presence on transactions who renders advice that is strategic and practical." He is well versed in assisting both domestic and international clients with cross-border M&A and private equity deals.
Tan Teng Sen is a director at Drew & Napier in Singapore. He is well versed in advising public and private corporations on complex M&A transactions, including mergers and spin-offs.
Clients describe the firm as "responsive, reliable and able to offer a extensive range of expertise."
Sources describe individuals in the team as "quick to understand issues, commercially minded and pragmatic."
Clients appreciate that "the partners are directly involved in developing strategies and negotiations with counterparties," adding that the "associates are amongst the best that we have worked with."
“The team's client service is commonly picked out as a key strength: ‘They are very professional, easy to get along with and efficient in meeting deadlines.’"
"They are timely and relentless in their pursuit of providing holistic advice and guidance to their clients."
"Whenever something came out of left field we hadn't prepared for and we needed advice, there was always someone in the team with the right experience - really a full service shop."
"Exceptional ability to both anticipate issues and recommend solutions before they present."
“Offers all-round expertise in both the transactional and financing aspects of acquisitions. Enjoys a strong standing amongst private and public companies, multinational corporates and financial institutions, which it advises on a wide range of M&A deals.”
"They are very proficient in what they do and have a good understanding of the market."
Sources say: "The lawyers have a good understanding of our commercial requirements and are able to advise us on the legal aspects without losing sight of the commercial objectives."
"[Steven’s] knowledge and experience with public M&A is second to none," he "walks you through issues succinctly whilst finding the pragmatic and commercially sensible solution."
Regarded as a “brilliant lawyer” and "a very safe pair of hands", Gary is “pivotal to the firm's success and lauded by many clients for his ‘quick thinking and direct approach.’"
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
Corporate/M&A 2023 - Tier 3 firm for 6 consecutive years
Leading Individual:
Tan Teng Sen for 2 consecutive years
Next Generation Partners:
Seraphina Ho for 2 consecutive years
Recommended Lawyer:
Corporate/M&A 2023
Steven Lo
Jon Nair
Priscilla Wang
“Commercially-minded, responsive and sensitive to client’s needs both in terms of meeting timelines, deliverables and final billing amount.”
“We worked with Teng Sen Tan who delivered well despite the tight timeline and at a reasonable price. We had previously approached other firms on this same piece of work but they felt the timeline was too tight or quoted very high fees for the urgent work.”
“The team is collaborative and makes legal issues easy to understand. They distill key matters well for the client. Always responsive to our calls.”
“Partners Mr Steven Lo and Mr Tan Teng Sen. Both of them are attentive and have the ability to understand client concerns. They are also able to clearly articulate legal issues and suggest workable solutions.”
“The team is extremely cohesive and works seamlessly to provide the most strategic and tactical legal advice from senior members of the team which then translates into effective execution of the relevant legal documents and processes on the part of the junior team members. Besides their strong capabilities, they are extremely client focused and are constantly thinking out of the box in the advancement of client’s interests.”
“Steven Lo is a veteran practitioner who has a broad spectrum of knowledge, insights and experiences which can then be applied to complex situations. He is of irreproachable moral character even has he pushes hard for his client’s interests.”
“Tan Teng Sen is a brilliant legal practitioner who cares deeply for his clients, exhibits the highest level of ethics and never fails to go the extra mile in advancement of client’s interests.”
“Smart individuals, proactive in identifying problems and solutions before they arise and commercially focused.”
“Steven Lo and Tan Teng Sen are not just superb legal practitioners but ones who apply themselves across the most complex corporate situations and develop meaningful solutions that have a consequential impact on transaction outcomes.”
“Everyone in the team responds quickly and is always available. They have a wide network of partners within Asia and are able to recommend other jurisdictional lawyers to assist.”
“Tan Teng Sen has an unrivalled manner with clients. It is always comfortable talking to him as he takes genuine interest and personal pride in the client’s legal matters. I find that he embodies the meaning of a trusted advisor.”
“Tan Teng Sen provides excellent deal leadership, highly competent and navigates well on a transaction, knows the real risk points and not pedantic.”
“Seraphina Ho covers our blind spot, is super reliable and will not let the ball drop.”
“People, especially reliable corporate/M&A team is important for us. Billing was also flexible and reasonable in light of the quality of work.”
“Tan Teng Sen surely works and leads the M&A projects by closely communicating both in emails and through calls. Steven Lo is also great. They are highly capable in deal management.”
“I have been working closely with these individuals since my company was founded in June 2018, and they are the most professional, experienced, hardworking, collaborative, problem solving, and helpful team members I’ve ever met.”
“The corporate and M&A team is very structured, quick and responsive. They are strong in managing multi-jurisdictional transactions and matters, always anticipating issues and offering sound practical advice, cutting through the haze and getting to the core issues.”
“The team is knowledgeable and responsive and works well under extreme time constraints.”
“Responsive, hard-working, and dedicated team that seeks to achieve the client’s commercial objectives when advising on legal transactions.”
“Tan Teng Sen is very on the ball and provides sound advice with an eye on commercial issues.”
“Tan Teng Sen is very knowledgeable and is able to offer sound and practical advice.”
“Seraphina Ho particularly shines in her responsiveness to client’s requests and ability to work well under pressure.”
"The ‘highly competent’ team at Drew & Napier LLC has ‘the right balance of commercial sense and up-to-date legal knowledge"
“Steven Lo has 'a razor-sharp ability to comprehend not just the technical structure but also the commercial dynamics of a takeover' and 'can steer clients in the right strategic direction.’”
He is also noted as a "highly experienced corporate/M&A lawyer" for "providing solid advice" and for "understanding commercial issues and realities."
Julian is “absolutely first-class” and “commercial” and commended for his Indonesia and Malaysia expertise.
Teng Sen is “an-up-and-coming partner” who provides “amazing response times, a meticulous approach and an ability to work well under pressure. He is recommended as a counsel of choice to investment banks and financial advisers.”
Asian Legal Business
M&A 2022 - Tier 2 firm for 11 consecutive years
asialaw Profiles
Corporate and M&A 2023 – Highly Recommended practice for the 10th year
“Very knowledgeable on the practical application of the law and very commercial-minded.”
“Drew is a full-service law firm and it excels in every practice area. It is very structured with very good black letter lawyers and very good at finding solutions when the market is difficult to navigate. It's a pleasure to work with the firm.”
“Excellent technically, responsive, focused. Understand the client’s needs.”
“I have worked with Ron Cheng (corporate) and Rakesh Kirpanali (litigation) closely for the last year. They are both very knowledgeable in their fields and able to give me the proper advice on both matters. They are very responsive and understands my needs and instructions.” – Corporate and M&A
“The team was able to address the issues I wanted to be addressed as well as spot issues pertinent to my case that I had not considered. Their advice was succinct and clear. The team was extremely responsive and proactive and provided timely advice.” – Corporate and M&A
“Very prompt reply, client-oriented, responsible and reliable.” – Corporate and M&A
“The firm is indeed altogether outstanding; however, there are also individuals who are also outstanding by their own merit.” – Corporate and M&A
asialaw Leading Lawyers
Corporate and M&A 2022
Gary Pryke – Senior Statesman
Steven Lo – Distinguished Practitioner
Tan Teng Sen - Notable Practitioner
Corporate and M&A 2020
Gary Pryke – Senior Statesman
Steven Lo – Distinguished Practitioner
Corporate/M&A 2018
Julian Kwek - Market Leading Lawyer for 3 consecutive years
Benjamin Gaw - Market Leading Lawyer for 2 consecutive years
Tan Teng Sen is a “soft-spoken excellent black letter lawyer who is very good at finding solutions in a complex regulatory environment. His experience would be invaluable to any client. I note that the deal closed during the movement control order in Malaysia (when we were all working from home) when many deals stalled or were aborted.”
Clients commend Steven Lo as “experienced, knowledgeable, patient, quiet confidence, committed, approachable and consultative.”
He is also noted as “responsive, practical, relevant, broad and strategic.”
Best Lawyers 2022 Edition
Recognised Lawyers:
Steven Lo
Gary Pryke
Who's Who Legal
Leading Lawyers:
Merger & Acquisition 2016
Gary Pryke
Sin Boon Ann
Asian-MENA Counsel ‘In House Community Firm of the Year’
Corporate and M&A Singapore Firm of the Year 2014
Practical Law Company Which Lawyer?
Corporate/M&A 2012 - Highly Recommended practice for 5 consecutive years
Endorsed Individual:
Gary Pryke
The Straits Times - Singapore’s Best Law Firms 2022
Rated 4 stars for Mergers & Acquisitions in the Singapore’s Best Law Firms 2022 survey by Singapore’s largest circulating broadsheet, The Straits Times, and international research company, Statista for 2 consecutive years.
Deal Awards
Walmart’s acquisition of Flipkart
Asian Lawyer: Asia Legal Awards 2019: TMT Deal of the Year
Indian Business Law Journal: Deal of the Year 2018 – Top 50 landmark deals involving Indian parties
Privatisation of Global Logistics Properties
asialaw Regional Awards 2019: Editor's choice impact deals of the year
Asian Legal Business: SE Asia Legal Awards 2018: M&A Deal of the Year (Premium)
Asian Lawyer: Asia Legal Awards 2018: M&A Deal of the Year: Southeast Asia
Acquisition of Innovalues Limited by Northstar Group, implemented by way of a scheme of arrangement
SVCA Annual Awards 2017: Private Equity deal of the year
Takeover of STATS ChipPAC Ltd by Jiangsu Changjiang Electronics Technology
Singapore Business Review Business Ranking Awards 2015: Deal of the Year
ALB Innovative List 2016: Top 10 Firms in Asia
Fraser & Neave Contested Takeover
IFLR Asia Awards 2014: M&A Deal of the Year
Asian Legal Business: SE Asia Legal Awards 2014: Southeast Asia Deal of the Year, Southeast Asia M&A Deal of the Year and Singapore M&A Deal of the Year
Financial Times Asia Pacific Innovative Lawyers 2014: Highly Recommended in the Corporate & Commercial category for Asia Pacific Headquartered firms
Asian-MENA Counsel: Deals of the Year 2013