Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

Allen & Gledhill LLP is widely regarded as a powerhouse in the market for its consistently active roles on high profile transactions.

With a string of well regarded talent on board, the firm focuses primarily on lender-based transactions, and advises on an extensive array of financing transactions ranging from pure banking to cross border, structured and Islamic financing.

In a recent high value deal, partner and renowned capital markets lawyer Tan Tze Gay headed a team for Global Logistic Properties’ IPO on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading, and a simultaneous public offering without listing in Japan.

Meanwhile, partners Kok Chee Wai, Kelvin Wong and Ho Chien Mien are representing the lender, RBS, as Singapore legal counsel regarding US$1.3 billion in recourse project financing of a large scale petrochemical plant for Jurong Aromatics. The firm has worked in tandem with Linklaters to advise on most aspects of the transaction, including procurement of raw materials, supplies and utilities, and consultancy agreements.

In the Islamic Finance space, Jerry Koh, Foong Yuen Ping, Penny Goh, Chew Mei Choo, Tan Boon Wah and Serena Choo advised on Singapore’s first, and largest, listed Shari’ah compliant REIT by assets globally.

Partners Margaret Chin and Mark Hudspeth come highly recommended for banking work, and the firm’s co-head of banking, Eugene Ooi, is held in high regard for his depth of understanding regarding client needs. Big things are expected from new partner Lim Wei Ting. “He’s very promising,” says one client.

Led by Andrew Lim and Lim Mei, Allen & Gledhill LLP’s 25-partner corporate M&A department is a dominant player in the market. This year, the team continued to set the benchmark for M&A work in the region through its involvement on some of the most challenging and high profile M&A transactions in Singapore.

Several noteworthy mandates saw the team feature in Mitsui & Co’s RM3.3 billion investment in Malaysian health care firm Integrated Healthcare Holdings and RBS’ divestment of its Asian retail and commercial businesses to ANZ Bank. The firm also advised Noble Group on Singapore law and SGX requirements in relation to a sale and purchase agreement with Gloucester Coal.

Clients laud the breadth and depth of the practice’s experience. Corporate and commercial co-head Lee Kim Shin is described by one as “very experienced” and “a skillful negotiator who strikes exactly the right balance for a senior M&A partner”. Another client spoke highly of corporate M&A partner Lim Chong Ying saying “she is exceptionally hard working and a very thoughtful and professional individual.”

Other notable names include “seasoned partner” Richard Young and Steven Seow. While “up and coming” partner Chiam Tao Koon is widely respected for his understanding of clients’ business needs.

Headed up by respected real estate lawyer Penny Goh, Allen & Gledhill LLP’s corporate real estate practice continues to impress with its involvement on high profile real estate transactions including private equity property funds, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and commercial leasing.

Noted among clients for providing services that go “above and beyond the traditional scope of real estate law”, the 12 partner team played to its strengths this year.

In one highlight transaction, partners Margaret Soh, Ho Kin San, Hoo Sheau Farn and Ernest Teo led a team advising Mapletree Industrial Trust on its IPO. Meanwhile, Goh led a team advising on the launch of the Sabana Shari’ah Compliant REIT.

Corporate adviser Lee Kim Shin, REIT specialist Eudora tan, and real estate lawyer Tan Boon Wah, are other names to note in this sector.

In the construction and infrastructure space, the firm has been described by peers as the “go to firm for high value building and infrastructure work”. With litigation and dispute resolution specialist Ho Chien Mien at the helm, the team focuses on both contentious and non contentious construction and engineering work.

Heralded by clients as “hugely proficient” and “knowledgeable from a legal and commercial standpoint”, Ho has commandeered many of the firm’s most significant deals this year.

On the non contentious side, Ho and partner Kelvin Wong are assisting electricity supplier Tuas Power on a proposed project to design, procure, commission, start up, test and deliver a BioMass Clean Coal Power and Multi-Utilities Plant.

The firm’s head of litigation and dispute resolution, Andrew Yeo, is another key contact in the space.

Allen & Gledhill LLP’s litigation and dispute resolution team offers “great client service”, comments one client.

Covering a broad range of matters, from banking and corporate to medical and construction, the team has also been busy building up a strong track record on domestic and international disputes across the region in recent years.

Partner Edwin Tong is “experienced with a deep understanding of Singaporean law”, according to one peer, while partner Ang Cheng Hock is described as “intelligent and quick thinking”, by another.

In one notable case this year, partners William Ong and Kristy Tan are leading a team advising Balinese cub operator Ku de Ta Partnership in two related High Court suits. These are in relation to disputes arising out of the opening of a restaurant, bar and club named ‘Ku de Ta’ in the Marina Bay Sands Skypark in Singapore.

This complex case involves novel legal issues relating to the rights of the owners of a trade mark that is well known in the region, as well as factual disputes relating to the ownership of, and rights to licence the use of, a partnership asset.

Dinesh Dhilton and Andrew Yeo are key contacts.

Allen & Gledhill LLP achieves a well deserved top tier ranking again for its energy and utilities work.

Covering the entire spectrum of an energy project, ranging from project development to market regulatory advice, the group leverages off the firm’s financial expertise. Partners Kelvin Wong, Ho Chien Mien, Kok Chee Wai and Tan Wee Meng have been involved on some of the most significant infrastructure, energy and natural resource developments this year.

In one highlight deal, Wong led a team advising Changi Airport Fuel Hydrant Installation in a renewal of a 30-year operating licence to own, develop and operate the sole tank storage facility to Changi International Airport, together with ancillary arrangements involving, inter alia, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Changi Airport Group.

In June 2010, Meng advised Keppel Integrated Engineering in its SGX listing of an infrastructure business trust involving two Waste-to-Energy plants and a NEWater plant. The deal marked the first infrastructure business trust to be listed on the SGX by way of introduction, and required the approval of several regulatory bodies such as the National Environment Agency and the Public Utilities Board.

Wong is described by one client as “technically sound, responsive, and very reliable”.

Allen & Gledhill LLP’s 59 lawyer IP and technology team is noted for its accessibility and “good knowledge” of the sector.

With a dedicated four partner patent prosecution and protection team, as well as six patent professionals and five patent dedicated secretaries, the team’s strengths lie in drafting patents and prosecuting applications with the IP Office of Singapore and other foreign patent offices.

Among the firm’s extensive list of repeat clients are Singapore and overseas research institutes, universities and a diverse range of companies primarily involved in technology and manufacturing.

Practice group head Dr Stanley Lai has over 10 years of experience in IP and information technology law, with a particular emphasis on e-commerce, telecommunications, technology and biotechnology. He is supported by IP partner Low Pei Lin, who is known for his experience in IP protection, portfolio and rights management. Clients also note US patent attorney William P Wilbar’s extensive experience in the preparation and prosecution of patent applications and patent litigation.

“I would recommend Allen & Gledhill LLP’s technology and corporate IP practice for its industry expertise and technical ability,” comments one client.

The firm has a number of well regarded personalities on board, with practice head Tham Kok Leong recommended for his “good understanding of the law and ability to provide practical advice” by one client. Partner Tan Wee Meng is also lauded for his talent in advising on regulatory matters.

Leveraging off the firm’s full service capabilities, the team advises on a broad range of matters including, but not limited to, licensing and industry regulation, project guidance and management, as well as logistics services, manufacturing, supply and distribution and outsourcing arrangements.

The firm’s dedicated technology, licensing and media group also assists on IT implementation, development, distribution and licensing, web and e-commerce transactions and franchising, and media and entertainment transactions, among others.

The team is also active in the telecommunications, energy, gas and petrochemical industries. Among a number of significant transactions, Kok Leong has represented Epson Singapore in the development of standard agreements for regional channel management, covering distributors, dealers and resellers for its wide range of imaging products. He also assisted Singapore University of Technology & Design in its collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“Allen & Gledhill LLP is a professional firm with committed lawyers and great client service,” remarks one peer. And the firm’s shipping, maritime and aviation practice is no exception. “Let me put it this way, I’ve always worked with the firm,” says one client.

Headed up by litigator Vivian Ang, and shipping finance and aviation specialist Gina Lee-Wan, the group impressed this year on a series of significant mandates. Most notably, partner Kenny Yap advised a Singapore Exchange listed shipyard in relation to the early delivery of a partially completed pipe laying vessel. The US$210 million deal involved complex technical as well as legal issues relating to the transfer not only of the vessel but of equipment, documents, drawings, plans, warranties and other items to be supplied together with the vessels. The handover was further complicated by unfinished work that had to be done prior to delivery, outstanding installments that had to be paid, warranty guarantees that had to be furnished and licences and approvals that had to be obtained to tow the vessel from the yard.

Corina Song is also a key contact in this space.

Allen & Gledhill LLP secures yet another top tier ranking for its work in the tax space this year, further cementing its position as a leading full service firm.

Headed up by corporate tax specialist Nand Singh Gandhi and tax and revenue lawyer Sunit Chhabra, the four partner team advises on all areas of Singapore tax but significantly increased activity in both tax structuring and tax litigation over the past 12 months.

Chhabra led many of the firm’s deals over the year. In February 2011, he advised Temasek Financial on the issuance of its $5 billion Euro-commercial paper programme. The deal marked the first such programme to be established by a corporate in Singapore.

In June 2010, he advised Treasury China Trust on the tax implications of its listing in Singapore and the holding of assets and remittance of income in a tax efficient manner.

He also assisted AMB Property on its joint venture with HIP China Logistics Investments to form AMB China Logistics Venture I, and advised CapitaMall Trust Management on its S$350 million unsecured convertible bonds issuance.

Peers consider Gandhi to be “great in the tax field”. Other names to note in this space are Lim Pek Bur and Tang Siau Yan.