Singapore’s most notable lawyers under 40

One of this year’s awardees represented a former transport minister in criminal proceedings.

In search of the best lawyers in the country, Singapore Business Review reached out to over 90 legal firms in Singapore.

After rigorous review of all nominations submitted by firms, 6 women and 14 men made it to the final cut.

Agents in this year’s list come from Davinder Singh Chambers LLC, Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP, Donaldson & Burkinshaw LLP, Drew & Napier LLC, Harry Elias Partnership LLP, Herbert Smith Freehills Prolegis, Mishcon de Reya LLP, Rajah & Tann Singapore, Setia Law LLC, Tan Kok Quan Partnership, TSMP Law Corporation , and Withers KhattarWong.

Leading the pack are  Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP and Davinder Singh Chambers LLC with three  representatives each. The youngest in this year’s list is also from Davinder Singh Chambers LLC.

This year’s awardees have served and advised big clients such as Temasek, Maybank, Morgan Stanley, Amazon, KPMG, Deloitte, Seraya Energy, BreadTalk, and Wee Hur Holdings.

This year’s awardees include a lawyer who represented a former minister in criminal proceedings and another who advised on Singapore’s first special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) listing.

Here are this year’s awardees arranged from the youngest to the most senior in years.

Sheiffa Safi Shirbeeni, 29
Davinder Singh Chambers LLC

Sheiffa specialises in criminal litigation as well as commercial litigation and international arbitration. Her notable cases include representing a former Minister, defending a former CEO in claims exceeding S$690m, and assisting in a minority oppression claim involving the hundreds of millions of dollars. She has acted in matters involving complex legal issues and appeared before the High Court and Court of Appeal. Sheiffa also engages in community initiatives, such as mentoring programmes and pro bono efforts to support various communities.

Sumedha Madhusudhanan, 29
Davinder Singh Chambers LLC

Sumedha specialises in complex commercial and criminal litigation as well as international arbitration. She has acted in prominent cases, including representing a former Minister in criminal proceedings, a foreign state in disputes over arbitral awards, and defending claims amounting to S$4.7b claims involving allegations of fiduciary breaches and fraudulent trading. Sumedha also represented foreign companies in unjust enrichment claims for S$35m. She has appeared in all levels of Singapore’s courts, including the Court of Appeal and the Singapore International Commercial Court.

Joshua Phang, 30
TSMP Law Corporation

Joshua is known for his expertise in corporate litigation, arbitration, and shareholder disputes. He is defending KPMG against claims brought by Hyflux’s liquidators, and has acted in a S$4b insurance merger conflict, and advised on cross-border regulatory investigations and defamation cases. His portfolio includes advising both investors and states on investor-state disputes and acting for major corporations, such as Deloitte in negligence claims. Joshua has also assisted directors in criminal proceedings and handled high-value cases involving multinational corporations.

Nguyen Vu Lan, 32
TSMP Law Corporation

Vu Lan specialises in litigation and international arbitration, with a wide range of expertise spanning from multi-million-dollar commercial disputes to trust and private wealth matters. His clientele includes high net worth individuals, multinational corporations, and major stakeholders in diverse industries. For example, he acted in one of Singapore’s largest trust disputes involving US$800m in assets. He also represented Seraya Energy Pte Ltd in a landmark liquidated damages case, successfully securing S$30.8m for the client. Fluent in English and Vietnamese, he actively develops Vietnam-related legal networks and contributes to Singapore-Vietnam legal initiatives.

Victoria Ting, 32
Setia Law LLC

Victoria, an Associate Director at Setia Law LLC, specialises in fraud and financial crimes, asset recovery, and regulatory investigations. A former Deputy Public Prosecutor and Senior State Counsel at Singapore’s Attorney-General’s Chambers, she successfully prosecuted many significant fraud, bribery, money-laundering, and sanctions cases and acted for the state in asset forfeiture cases. She has also represented Singapore as a delegate at financial regulation forums such as the G7’s Financial Action Task Force. A Cambridge and Columbia graduate, she also contributes to anti-scam education and teaches trial advocacy at the National University of Singapore.

Nicole Lee, 32
TSMP Law Corporation

Nicole specialises in mergers and acquisitions, corporate transactions, and capital markets, leveraging her litigation training for a versatile approach. She has advised major Singaporean and global brands on investments, joint ventures, and acquisitions. Notable work includes representing Indonesia’s largest property developer in coal mine investments, and BreadTalk in its Food Junction acquisition. Nicole also advised Apollo on its investment in PanAsia Health Limited and KKR & Co. in its acquisition of a 20% stake in Singtel’s regional data centre business. She joined her current practice in 2022.

Rachel Chin, 33
Tan Kok Quan Partnership

Rachel, a Partner since 2024, combines private practice and public sector expertise in dispute resolution and restructuring. Her notable cases include discharging a worldwide freezing injunction for Tania Rappo, securing a moratorium for Warehouse Logistics Net Asia, and advising on Wirecard AG’s S$2.7b fraud investigations. She has represented a Singapore commodities trader in SIAC arbitration and acted as State Counsel in significant government cases, including one on legal costs. A mentor and volunteer, Rachel is committed to fostering legal talent and contributing to the community through legal clinics and educational initiatives.  

Jaspreet Singh Sachdev, 33
Davinder Singh Chambers LLC

Jaspreet, with 7 years of experience, specialises in dispute resolution, disciplinary matters, and international arbitration. He has acted as 2nd chair to Davinder Singh SC in high-profile cases involving high profile clients. Notable work includes litigation on behalf of a mining family from India who sought to recover trust assets amounting to over S$300m, and defending professionals in disciplinary tribunals, including a deputy public prosecutor in connection with her conduct in a prosecution. Jaspreet has also advised foreign parties in arbitration related matters.

Desmond Chng, 34
Drew & Napier LLC

Desmond is a commercial disputes and employment law specialist. He represented Singapore Airlines in securing the first reported extended civil restraint order in Singapore, defended AIA Singapore against a fraudulent life insurance claim, and acted in a S$165m SIAC arbitration for an electronics manufacturer. Currently, he represents a statutory board landlord in a major industrial lease termination case. His clients include global MNCs and high-profile entities like ByteDance, CapitaLand, Marina Bay Sands, and Ubisoft. Desmond also serves on dispute resolution panels and volunteers with legal aid organisations.

Lam Zhen Yu, 34
Withers KhattarWong

Zhen Yu, a Special Counsel, specialises in restructuring, insolvency, and commercial disputes. He advises insolvency practitioners, creditors, debtors, investors, and investment funds. Notable cases include representing a customer-creditor and the Liquidator of Zipmex Singapore to end a restructuring moratorium and to wind up the company, opposing judicial management for the Yang Kee Group companies on behalf of Maybank, and cases concerning advantages to creditors funding liquidators' recovery actions. Zhen Yu is fluent in Mandarin and has expertise in representing clients from Mainland China and Hong Kong.

Tan Tien Wei, 34
Harry Elias Partnership LLP

Tien Wei is a Counsel in the Corporate and Financial Services Practice, specialising in mergers and acquisitions, funds, capital markets, and financial services regulation. He advises fund managers on structuring investment funds exceeding S$50m. Notable transactions include advising Wee Hur Holdings on the divestment of its Australian student accommodation fund to GIC, Sun Venture’s acquisition of 71 Robinson Road property, and FLEETCOR’s acquisition of Associated Foreign Exchange. He also assists on initial public offerings and mandatory general offers for Singapore Exchange companies.

Kwah Chee Hian, 35
Herbert Smith Freehills Prolegis

Chee Hian, Head of Financial Services Regulatory Practice for the Herbert Smith Freehills Prolegis law alliance, specialises in financial regulations. He advises on financial licensing, product and business conduct requirements, change of control requirements, AML/CFT laws, and sanctions. He has guided institutions like Morgan Stanley, Baillie Gifford, Amazon, and Binance on various regulatory requirements and MAS licence applications. He has also handled investigations relating to financial institutions, such as employee misconduct and AML/CFT breaches, and has co-authored the AML/CFT best practices guide for ASIFMA. 

Hong Chengyi, 35
Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP

Chengyi, a partner in the Banking and Finance practice group, specialises in corporate banking, acquisition financing, and real estate financing, often involving cross-border transactions. He has advised lenders and borrowers on high-profile deals. Chengyi has recently acted on various development financings for Singapore government land sales at Clementi Avenue 1 and Pine Grove (Parcel B), financing for the en bloc acquisition of Shenton House and a sponsor’s loan for the recapitalisation of a Singapore-listed REIT. He represents local and international banks, financial institutions, corporates, and REITs in complex financing transactions.

Cheryl Seah, 35
Drew & Napier LLC

Cheryl is a Director in the Corporate & Finance Department, advising Fortune 500 companies to startups on legal and governance issues concerning their use of AI. With her past experience as a legislative drafter in the Singapore Attorney-General’s Chambers (drafting legislation across areas such as infrastructure and transport, including autonomous vehicles), she is adept at navigating evolving legal landscapes. Cheryl regularly publishes on AI-related legal issues, with her work cited in a regulator’s report, and delivers talks on AI issues with private sector organisations, local and ASEAN regulators, and universities.

See Kwang Guan (Martin), 35
Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP

Martin, a Dispute Resolution partner, specialises in commercial litigation and arbitration, often involving the law of agency, contract, equity, fraud, fiduciary duties, corporate governance, and joint venture. His successful track record includes representing the PNG Sustainable Development Program in one of Singapore’s highest-value disputes. As an advocate and adviser, Martin has earned praise from the Chief Justice for his thoughtful submissions and from clients for his “ability to see through complex issues”. An active contributor to scholarship and the community, Martin graduated first class and received the Special Volunteer Award (COVID-19).

Derric Yeoh, 35
Donaldson & Burkinshaw LLP

Derric is the Head of International Arbitration and Litigation and has expertise in investor-state, commercial, cryptocurrency, and sports disputes. He has represented Olympic athletes, sovereign states, listed companies, and high net worth individuals in high-value multi-jurisdictional disputes. Some of his notable cases include the seminal decision of BOK v BOL and another [2017] SGHC 316 which led to the development of the law of unconscionability in Singapore. Derric’s publications on arbitration topics are frequently cited and he was a former elected member of the Council of the Law Society of Singapore.

Vincent Sim, 36
Mishcon de Reya LLP

Vincent, a Managing Associate specialising in tax and private wealth law, advises HNW and UHNW individuals and families on tax-efficient asset holding structures, estate and succession planning, and family governance. With experience in multi-jurisdictional tax complexities, immigration planning, and philanthropic structuring, he helps clients achieve their succession objectives while ensuring compliance with regulatory and tax obligations. Previously with Credit Suisse Trust, Vincent crafted bespoke trust arrangements for UHNW clients across Asia Pacific. He shares tax planning insights through articles and speaking engagements.

Ker Yanguang, 36
Herbert Smith Freehills Prolegis

Yanguang, Deputy Head of Litigation, is an accomplished litigator specialising in representing state-owned entities, financial institutions, private equity funds and wealthy individuals in high-value, complex commercial disputes. Notable reported cases include representing clients in worldwide enforcement and setting aside of international arbitration awards, defending professional negligence claims in construction projects, prosecuting asset enforcement claims against high net worth individuals and conducting contractual litigation for private equity funds, MNCs and financial institutions.

Goh Jun Yi, 36
Rajah & Tann Singapore

Jun Yi regularly advises private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, listed companies and multi-national corporations in public takeovers, mergers and acquisitions, and joint ventures across Singapore, China, and the South East Asia region. Recent transactions include advising EQT’s S$1.47b acquisition of PropertyGuru, and Hanwha in its approximately S$800m acquisition of Dyna-Mac. He has also advised on several groundbreaking transactions including the first SPAC acquisition in Singapore and first merger of two listed S-REITs by way of a trust scheme of arrangement. He also contributes to the Chambers and Partners M&A Global Practice Guides.

Senthil Dayalan, 39
Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP

Senthil, a partner at Dentons Rodyk handles commercial disputes in the following sectors: shipping, aviation, international trade, construction, and renewable energy.  He has handled a variety of cases including: claims in the SICC by Sri Lanka arising from the "X-Press Pearl" maritime disaster, a representative action involving 650 claimants who were victims in a S$150m Ponzi scheme, and a S$40m arbitration in the SIAC arising from fraudulent trading in LME metals.  Senthil has been an advocacy trainer since 2015 and as a younger person, represented Singapore in softball and cricket.