26 January 2022
We are delighted to share that Bird & Bird ATMD continues to be ranked as a leading law firm in Singapore across multiple areas in the recently published Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022 edition. We also maintain a large pool of lawyers recognised in the publication.
Nine practice areas are ranked in the publication and are provided the following review:
1. Intellectual Property: Local Firms (Tier 1)
Bird & Bird ATMD LLP is a global leader in IP and has dedicated extensive resources and senior expertise to its team in Singapore. Three experienced partners are at the forefront of the practice, supported by a managing counsel, counsel and a broader team of associates and paralegals, including a number that have a scientific or engineering background. Working alongside colleagues from multiple offices around the world, the group is frequently engaged in global IP management work. It is also highly experienced in IP cases before the Singapore courts and is a growing force in Geographical Indications. Lorraine Tay leads the group and is highly rated for brand management and IP advisory work. Alban Kang is a market leader in patent litigation across multiple industries and is an established name in the copyright area. Anan Sivananthan is a key figure in IP litigation in the pharmaceutical, life sciences and healthcare sectors. Managing counsel Gene Kwek is hugely experienced in trade mark prosecution and brand management. Audrey Lim is a key name at senior associate level.
2. TMT: Local Firms (Tier 1)
Comprising both transactional and litigation lawyers with experience in technology and telecoms, Bird & Bird ATMD LLP is equipped to offer the full breadth of services surrounding the TMT sector, from regulatory and commercial to disputes. In addition to the usual mandates relating to software development, IT services and outsourcing agreements, the team also regularly advises on complex transactions and projects involving subsea cables, satellite launches, artificial intelligence systems and wearables. Jeremy Tan leads the practice, with support from senior consultant Gigi Cheah. At senior associate level, Loren Leung and Elaina Foo are particularly recommended; the former’s diverse client base ranges from notable multinational corporations and fast-growth technology companies through to start-ups expanding in the Asia Pacific region, while the latter frequently advises global technology corporations and social media giants on their public policy strategy.
3. Financial Services Regulatory: Local Firms (Tier 2)
Financial regulatory lawyers at Bird & Bird ATMD LLP sit in the banking and finance group, where they advise the firm’s banking clients on issues arising from the intersection between technology and regulation. The group is particularly well versed in payment services rules, as well as matters related to blockchain, open data, APIs and robo-advice. Heading the group is Kim Kit Ow, who spent time working in Singapore’s financial regulator office and in-house for banks. Senior associate Teck Chai Yap is another fintech expert with regulatory knowledge.
4. Labour and Employment: Local Firms (Tier 2)
Bird & Bird ATMD LLP has been an eminent player in the market for many years thanks in part to the presence of leading name Seow Hui Goh. The team of employment specialists has a strong record in domestic and regional engagements, notably building a fine standing in unfair termination and discrimination claims. It is also noted for its presence in gig economy matters, particularly in the tech sector. Retail, hospitality and financial services are also key sectors for the team.
5. Asset Finance: Foreign Firms (Tier 3)
Bird & Bird ATMD LLP is principally focused on aircraft financings and leasing transactions, acting for an impressive number of regional airlines, aircraft lessors and financial institutions. It routinely advises on a significant volume of aircraft financings and operating lease transactions in the Asia Pacific. Singapore partner Leo Fattorini is the joint head of the firm’s international aviation and aerospace group, and he leads the Asia Pacific aviation team. Jack Weise impresses at senior associate level. The Singapore team frequently works alongside colleagues in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
6. Capital Markets: Equity and Debt: Local Firms (Tier 3)
At Bird & Bird ATMD LLP, corporate lawyers have particular expertise in the technology sector, backed up with significant regulatory expertise. The group is well versed in Singapore IPOs and secondary offerings, as well as bond issuances of all types. Another area of expertise is the privatisation of listed companies. The department is led by Marcus Chow, a transactional lawyer with vast experience in equity capital markets. Managing counsel Lawrence Wong joined in July 2020, having built up significant capital markets experience at his own firm, Equity Law. Counsel Jolie Giouw is often seen in cross-border deals.
7. Dispute Resolution: Local Firms (Tier 3)
Bird & Bird ATMD LLP combines its litigation and investigative skills with a deep-seated knowledge of technology and IP to cater to the range of contentious challenges facing companies today. It seamlessly draws from its multi-jurisdictional expertise to provide clients with all necessary knowledge in the handling of cases. Jonathan Choo is particularly noted for his experience in complex, high-value international arbitrations in several sectors, including technology, construction, aviation, insurance, and intellectual property. Choo and counsel Shaun Lee are praised for their ability to ‘separate legal wheat from the chaff’. The teams’ capabilities have expanded to encompass more contentious regulatory matters, which Lijun Chui who joined from Clifford Chance in October 2020 is recommended for.
8. Projects and Energy: Local Firms (Tier 3)
The team at Bird & Bird ATMD LLP is particularly sought after for its expertise in corporate, public procurement and regulatory matters in the energy sector, particularly renewables and cleantech. Group lead Sandra Seah has extensive experience assisting with all the transactional aspects of large-scale projects and tenders, and also acts as an advisor to a large number of state agencies, including the Energy Market Authority.
9. Corporate and M&A: Local Firms (Tier 4)
Bird & Bird ATMD LLP operates across a broad spectrum of deal types including public and private M&A, joint ventures, amalgamations, share and business transactions, restructurings, take-overs and leverages buyouts. Practice head Marcus Chow is an established name within the venture capital, private equity, regulatory and equity capital markets fields and frequently works in closely with his regional colleagues on multi-jurisdictional matters. In terms of sector expertise, the team is aligned with the firm’s international focus on aviation, automotive, energy, life sciences, healthcare, banking, finance, media, sports, retail and technology.
21 of our lawyers are also featured in the Singapore chapter of the publication:
- Alban Kang – Recognised as a Leading Individual under the Hall of Fame for Intellectual Property
- Anan Sivananthan – Recognised as a Recommended Lawyer for Intellectual Property
- Audrey Lim – Recognised as a Rising Star for Intellectual Property
- Elaina Foo – Recognised as a Rising Star for TMT
- Gene Kwek – Recognised as a Next Generation Partner for Intellectual Property
- Gigi Cheah – Recognised as a Recommended Lawyer for TMT
- Jack Weise – Recognised as a Rising Star for Asset Finance: Foreign firms
- Jeremy Tan – Recognised as a Leading Individual for TMT
- Jolie Giouw – Recognised as a Recommended Lawyer for Capital Markets: Equity & Debt and Corporate and M&A
- Jonathan Choo – Recognised as a Recommended Lawyer for Dispute Resolution
- Kim Kit Ow – Recognised as a Recommended Lawyer for Financial Services Regulatory
- Lawrence Wong – Recognised as a Recommended Lawyer for Capital Markets
- Leo Fattorini – Recognised as a Recommended Lawyer for Asset Finance: Foreign Firms
- Lijun Chui – Recognised as a Recommended Lawyer for Dispute Resolution
- Loren Leung – Recognised as a Recommended Lawyer for TMT
- Lorraine Tay – Recognised as a Leading Individual for Intellectual Property
- Marcus Chow – Recognised as a Recommended Lawyer for Capital Markets: Equity & Debt and Corporate and M&A
- Sandra Seah – Recognised as a Recommended Lawyer for Projects & Energy and Corporate and M&A
- Seow Hui Goh – Recognised as a Leading Individual for Labour & Employment
- Shaun Lee – Recognised as a Recommended Lawyer for Dispute Resolution
- Teck Chai Yap – Recognised as a Recommended Lawyer for Financial Services Regulatory
A big congratulations to all the teams!
For further information, please contact:
Sandra Seah, Partner, Bird & Bird
sandra.seah@twobirds.com
