Telecommunications, Media & Technology

Drew & Napier is the leading Telecommunications, Media & Technology (TMT) practice in Singapore with unparalleled transactional, licensing and regulatory experience in the TMT and postal sectors.

Drew & Napier is consistently ranked as a top tier TMT practice in Singapore by international publications.

The strength of our team, headed by Director Lim Chong Kin, lies in a carefully selected mix of more than 10 practitioners with extensive experience in infocomms, data protection, and sector-specific and general competition law.

A trailblazer in the telecommunications and media competition law scene, the TMT Practice has constantly worked on every significant development in the Singapore TMT market.

Today, the TMT Practice acts for a broad range of clients – which spans multinational corporations and local companies across industries, telecommunication carriers, service providers, network operators, hardware manufacturers, equipment suppliers, consultants, specialist contractors, software houses, leading global broadcasters, content providers, international law firms and sectoral regulators (both local and foreign).

For more details on the Telecommunications, Media and Technology Practice, please click here.

Practice Areas

  • Data Protection and Compliance Audits
  • Telecoms & Technology
  • Media and Entertainment
  • Merger Clearance
  • Regulatory Advice and Enforcement
  • Legislative Drafting, Enforcement, and Policy Advice

Accolades

Chambers Asia Pacific
TMT 2024 - Band 1 for 17 consecutive years

Leading Individual:
Lim Chong Kin

"Drew & Napier houses a first-class team assisting blue-chip international companies, service providers and regulatory authorities from across the region with the full range of TMT matters."

“Drew & Napier are able to handle complex mandates relating to data protection and cybersecurity, fintech, and technology procurement and regulations; they’re equipped to offer the full breadth of services surrounding the TMT sector.”

"The firm is a relationship builder that focuses on their clients' needs. They have impeccable interpersonal skills and are always willing to go the extra mile."

One client appreciates the fact that the team's advice is "not just based on the law but is also practical."

"The firm is extremely knowledgeable in the areas we have discussed. Everyone we interacted with understands the issues from a commercial point of view."

"It was awesome - they are so fast and very hands-on."

"It's not only the quality of the work, for they're really more than just a transactional firm: when we ask for something, they not only do it well, but give other advice, pointing to new directions for the company."

The team's "strong telecoms practice" also attracts especially favourable comment. One client, who notes its "stronger understanding" of and "excellent performance" in the sphere, adds: "They rarely required input or advice about changes in the telecoms industry."

Clients consider that the firm offers a "strong and excellent team," explaining further that the lawyers "do a good job of ensuring that we are aware of what we need to do."

One impressed source describes the team as "the best of the best," explaining: "Their lawyers have top academic credentials, work incredibly hard and are unfailingly pleasant to work with."

"Every MNC worth its salt will know that this TMT team from Drew & Napier is pretty much number one up there."

"I have no hesitation in saying Drew is the best of the best. In my personal experience, I've never had a better relationship." 

"The competence level and the handling shown by them was much more than I could have expected."

"They have expertise and one of the largest TMT bases in Singapore, so they are very prominent in this space."

"We've been working with them for a long time and they've given us excellent service the whole way through."

"Clear strength in telecoms regulation. The group is stable, long-standing and has been there since day one."

Chambers FinTech
FinTech Legal 2024 - Band 4 for 5 consecutive years

Benjamin Gaw - Band 3 

“If you are looking for a disputes powerhouse, they are a top choice.”

Drew & Napier is one of Singapore's leading law firms. Its FinTech practice is praised for its strong payments practice, where it has advised a number of global digital payments providers. The firm also has a focus on cybersecurity and data protection matters along with great experience working on blockchain mandates. Drew & Napier leverages its historic strength in litigation to act as a leading firm in handling cryptocurrency disputes.

"They have a fantastic team. Able to pivot at speed when needed and to think outside the box to fully achieve our objectives."

"Drew & Napier get hard-hitting litigation in the cryptocurrency space." 

"They are extremely strong in FinTech litigation. You get both the disputes side and the technology side. Well looked after. I think the firm is very well balanced."

Asia Pacific Legal 500
TMT 2024 - Tier 1 (2024, 2009 - 2019); Tier 2 for 4 consecutive years

Hall of Fame:
TMT 2024
Lim Chong Kin (5 consecutive years)

Leading Individual:
TMT 2020
Lim Chong Kin (9 consecutive years)

Recommended Lawyer:
TMT 2024
David Alfred (4 consecutive years)
Rakesh Kirpalani

‘Their exceptional combination of legal prowess and technical acumen has earned them a well-deserved reputation as pioneers in the industry.’

‘Deep subject matter expertise and an ability to quickly obtain informal guidance from regulators on murky issues. Superbly responsive and comprehensive.’

’The team is solid in the Singapore market. Reliable and commercial.’

‘responsive, collaborative and progressive as a firm.’

‘team at Drew & Napier LLC is one such remarkable ensemble, carving a niche for themselves in the field of tech law.’

'Lim Chong Kin is approachable and always willing to provide practical and useful advice.’

‘Rakesh Kirpalani’s unique blend of legal acumen and technological expertise has made him a trailblazer in the niche market of tech law. Few can match the depth of his understanding of both the legal intricacies and the technological aspects of the cases he handles.’

asialaw Profiles
Technology and Telecommunications 2023 - Outstanding practice for 8 consecutive years; Highly Recommended for 3 consecutive years

Clients praise Lim Chong Kin for being "[p]rompt, knowledgeable and responsive.", and a client was quoted saying that "[Lim Chong Kin] has incredible relationships in his peer network. Deep expertise and incredibly responsive."

One client appreciates that David N. Alfred is "very knowledgeable, prompt, able to offer solutions, understands business concerns, practical, and has a good network with regulators."

Sources say, "Rakesh is clear in his counsel and incredibly responsive.”, and Rakesh "possesses a strong spirit to win for the client. He has a client-centric approach and is an expert at IT and data security.”

asialaw Leading Lawyers
Technology and Telecommunications 2023
Lim Chong Kin - Elite practitioner for 3 consecutive years

Asian Legal Business
Asia Top 15 TMT Lawyers 2023 – Lim Chong Kin named as one of Asia's top 15 TMT lawyers for 3 consecutive years 
Asia Super 50 TMT Lawyers 2023 – Lim Chong Kin named as one of Asia’s Super 50 TMT lawyers for 3 consecutive years

Media Law International
Media Law 2023 - Tier 1 for 3 consecutive years

"Drew & Napier 'provides a professional service on a consistent basis' say clients. The practice is distinguished for its media law specialisation and case handling that clients describe as 'above expectation.'"

"Department head Chong Kin Lim, who is described by clients as 'pragmatic, thorough and responsive', is recognised for his in-depth knowledge of the pay-television sector."

Who’s Who Legal
Lim Chong Kin
Global Guide: Data – Information Technology 2024 – Recommended Lawyer for 6 consecutive years
Global Guide: Data – Data Privacy & Protection 2023 – Recommended Lawyer for 3 consecutive years
Global Guide: Telecoms & Media 2024 – Recommended Lawyer for 6 consecutive years
National Guide: Southeast Asia – Data 2023 – Recommended Lawyer for 3 consecutive years
Global Guide: Regulatory Communications 2013 – Leading Lawyer for 4 consecutive years

"Chong Kin Lim is a 'true leader at the Singaporean competititon bar', say sources, who note his 'fine sense for how to navigate the enforcement regime'."

"Chong Kin Lim is highly sought-after by clients across the IT sector who commend his great ability to 'brilliantly resolve complex matters'."

Chong Kin Lim is held in high esteem by sources thanks to his adept handling of competition-related matters across the telecoms and media sector."

Best Lawyers International: Singapore
Media Law 2024 – Lim Chong Kin (Endorsed individual for 11 consecutive years)
Information Technology Law 2024 - Lim Chong Kin
Regulatory Practice 2024 – Lim Chong Kin (Endorsed individual for 11 consecutive years)
Telecommunications Law 2024 – Lim Chong Kin (Endorsed individual for 11 consecutive years)
Information Technology Law 2024 - Benjamin Gaw (Endorsed individual for 4 consecutive years)

Telecommunications Lawyer of the Year Singapore 2020 - Lim Chong Kin

The Straits Times - Singapore’s Best Law Firms 2024
Rated a perfect score of 5 stars for Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) in the Singapore’s Best Law Firms survey by Singapore’s largest circulating broadsheet, The Straits Times, and international research company, Statista for three consecutive years

Awards

Joint venture between IronNet Cybersecurity and Ensign InfoSecurity
Asia Legal Awards 2020: TMT Deal of the Year

Walmart’s acquisition of Flipkart
Asian Lawyer: Asia Legal Awards 2019: TMT Deal of the Year

Asian-MENA Counsel In-House Community Firm of the Year
Singapore Telecommunications, Media & Technology Firm of the Year 2016

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