Investigations

Businesses globally are increasingly exposed to governmental and regulatory investigations and enforcement action, resulting in civil, criminal and regulatory risk. In a global business environment underpinned by heightened regulatory oversight and complex, evolving legislation, it is vital to pre-empt and manage such risks.

Our dynamic Investigations team is well-placed to help clients navigate potential pitfalls and handle the full range of proceedings that may arise from such investigations.

We are experienced in handling cross-border investigations concerning bribery, fraud, anti-money laundering, whistle-blower complaints, tax, and financial services offences. These include conducting internal investigations as well as representing clients in investigations or enforcement proceedings brought by external bodies, including public and law enforcement authorities.

Our Investigations team is regularly instructed by multinationals and listed companies to advise and represent them in high-value and high-profile complex global investigations. We have acted in cross-border FCPA investigations involving the US Department of Justice, and related US reporting obligations. We have also been called upon at short notice to assist with dawn raids conducted by various enforcement agencies.

We represent international clients from a broad range of industries including leading financial institutions, technology, energy, MNCs, listed companies, boards of directors, management and other individuals in connection with government investigations, enforcement actions, internal investigations, and white collar criminal prosecutions involving Singapore and overseas operations.

The Investigations team covers the full range of investigations work, including:

• Anti-bribery, corruption and fraud
• Anti-money laundering
• Antitrust and competition
• Asset recovery
• Criminal investigations and prosecution
• Dawn raids
• Financial Services regulation
• Internal investigations
• Regulatory investigations and enforcement
• Whistle-blowing
   

We are able to quickly assemble a multi-disciplinary team that leverages on our broad expertise and experience. Several members of the team are recognised as leading investigations practitioners, some of whom play active roles in the shaping of investigations-related legislation. The team includes former prosecutors and regulators and draws on the experience of several members who hold key appointments at organisations such as the World Bank's Sanctions Board, the ICCA's Governing Board, the IBA’s Anti-Corruption Structured Criminal Settlements Sub-Committee, and the Singapore Exchange disciplinary committee.

We also tap on other specialists from the firm such as the Dispute Resolution, Banking, Tax and Competition Law & Regulatory practices.

Our track record speaks for itself. Some examples of landmark, high profile investigations cases we have handled are:

• Appointed to act as joint independent special auditor for the investigations into SingPost's corporate governance.
• Representing a major multi-national pharmaceuticals company in cross-border FCPA investigations.
• Represented Asia Pulp & Paper in criminal investigations commenced by the Commercial Affairs Department regarding allegations of cross-border commercial fraud in hundreds of millions of dollars in jurisdictions including Singapore, Bermuda, Europe, USA, Hong Kong.
• Defended a leading multi-national technology conglomerate in a dawn raid that was carried out in coordination with overseas authorities as part of a global investigation on unfair trade practices. 
• Representing a Japanese multi-national in anti-corruption investigations.

Accolades

Chambers Asia Pacific

Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption 2024: Domestic  
Band 2 practice for 4 consecutive years
Wendell Wong – Band 2 for 3 consecutive years

"The team produce excellent research. They are meticulous and attentive to details."
"Drew & Napier have numerous capable lawyers who have various specialties to cover a wide spectrum of legal issues. They present commercially conscious solutions."
"The firm's ability to combine academic excellence with hard work, creativity and pragmatic solutions in order to deal with complexity is much appreciated."
"The firm is able to understand the nature of our businesses. It is also well organised and able to go through the supporting evidence and respond in a short time."
“Wendell Wong is recognised for his experience in commercial litigation and corporate investigations. He is well placed to advise on potential litigation arising out of investigations and anti-corruption matters.”

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific

White-Collar Crime 2024
Tier 1 practice; Previously Tier 2 for 3 consecutive years
Wendell Wong – Leading Individuals; Previously Recommended lawyer for 3 consecutive years

“The team at Drew & Napier is responsive and always available to respond to clients’ needs and requirements.”
“Wendell Wong and Andrew Chua are able to place the client’s interest foremost in their conduct of a matter.”
Sources say Wendell is “a natural leader, meticulous listener, excellent negotiator, with top-notch client centric work ethics and excellent business sense.”
‘Noted for headline commercial and white-collar crime cases’
A ‘strong and well-respected advocate’, who is praised for his ‘practical approach’ and ‘partnership’ with the client
 

Who’s Who Legal

Wendell Wong
Thought Leaders Global Elite: Investigations 2023 – Global Elite Thought Leader for 2 consecutive years
Thought Leaders: GIR – Business Crime Defence (Corporates 2022) – Thought Leader
Global Leader: Business Crime Defence (Corporates 2021) – Recommended lawyer for 9 consecutive years
Global Leader: Business Crime Defence (Individuals 2021) – Recommended lawyer for 9 consecutive years
Global Leader: Investigations 2021 – Global Elite Thought Leader
Global Leader: Professional Negligence 2021 – Recommended lawyer for 2 consecutive years
National Leader: Southeast Asia, Business Crime Defence 2022 – Recommended for 2 consecutive years
National Leader: Southeast Asia, Investigations 2022 – Recommended for 2 consecutive years

"Wendell renders consistently good, highly useful advice”
"He delivers market-leading work on white-collar investigations”
"Wendell is a well-experienced and knowledgeable lawyer who provides practical advice"
"He's a bonafide criminal investigations specialist"
"Wendell is a leading individual for white-collar defence work and is hands on in complex investigations"
"His experiences from the public and private sectors helps him understand both perspectives, and he's able to solve complex problems as a result"
Wendell Wong is highly esteemed for his profound expertise in regulatory compliance and fraud investigations.
Wendell Wong is revered for his top-tier work on complex fraud, securities and corruption cases.
Wendell Wong draws high praise as “a sound lawyer” who “has been at the top of the game for a while”. 
Wendell Wong is well regarded for his "focus on financial crime" and garners respect for his work in international investigations
“Recognised for his ‘practical and smart’ approach to investigations, and is commended by sources for his ‘ability to anticipate regulators' concerns and find effective solutions’”
Wendell Wong is well known for his work in the criminal investigations space, covering anti-bribery and anti-fraud matters for major corporations

Chia Voon Jiet
Global Leader: Investigations 2022 – Recommended for 2 consecutive years
National Leader: Southeast Asia Investigations 2022 – Recommended for 2 consecutive years
Investigations Future Leaders 2020 – Ranked as an eminent lawyer under 45 in the field of investigations, anti-corruption and white-collar crime for 3 consecutive years from 2018 to 2020 
“Voon Jiet draws praise from market respondents who commend his expert handling of corporate fraud and regulatory investigations.”
"He is a great choice for investigations thanks to his hands-on approach"
“Voon Jiet Chia wins plaudits for his exceptional knowledge of corporate fraud and regulatory investigations.”
Voon Jiet is an "intelligent and shrewd practitioner" according to observers who praise his ability to handle issues ranging from corporate fraud to regulatory investigations.
Voon Jiet is praised “for his work in competition and regulatory investigations where he is known as an authority on the sophisticated legal issues that arise in such matters.”

Mahesh Rai
Global Elite Thought Leader – Under 45: Investigations 2023
Global Guide: Investigations (2018 to 2022 editions)
Mahesh Rai (Future leaders section) - 2 consecutive years
Mahesh Rai is "truly a leader in this area"…He provides specialist insight into disputes in the telecommunications and energy sectors.
"Mahesh provides impressive subject knowledge and experience in investigations."
Mahesh Rai is a “sensational lawyer” who “has built a strong practice” in corporate investigations.
"Mahesh is a bright up-and-comer in the investigations space".

Recommended lawyers
Business Crime Defence 2019 - Gary Low for 3 consecutive years (Corporates chapter)
Business Crime Defence 2018 - Wendell Wong for 6 consecutive years

Global Investigations Review 100 (GIR 100) 5^th edition (2019)
Recognised as a leading individual for investigations. The GIR 100 identifies top 100 firms worldwide that handle complex cross-border government-led and internal investigations.