TSMP Law Corporation

Joint Managing Partners: Thio Shen Yi, Senior Counsel (Disputes), Stefanie Yuen Thio (Transactions)

Number of partners: 11

Number of lawyers: 60+

Firm Overview:

Established in 1998, TSMP is recognised as Singapore’s top corporate boutique law firm. It specialises in complex dispute resolution and cutting-edge transactions for local and global clientele spanning from Fortune 500 companies to private wealth individuals. As an independent law firm, it is experienced in working with top-tier global firms on cross-border deals. Its work in M&A, dispute resolution, international arbitration, real estate, construction and employment is regularly recognised by leading legal journals. The firm also prides itself on its community engagement.

Main Areas of Practice:

Banking & Finance:

The team engages in complex financial structuring with a focus on corporate real estate and hospitality. Clients include international and local banks, with borrowers who are sophisticated users of legal services. Recently, TSMP acted as counsel to Oxley Holdings for acquisition financing facilities in the S$483m purchase of Chevron House and in the construction financing of various Maldivian luxury resorts.

Practice Leader: Jennifer Chia

Capital Markets:

With more than 20 IPOs of mainboard companies and REITs under its portfolio, the team is also active in secondary fundraising and debt capital markets. Recently, the team advised MeGroup Ltd in its Catalist debut. TSMP also acted for Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board in its landmark INR50b MTN guaranteed program and advised mm2 Asia Ltd in the setup of its US$300m guaranteed multicurrency MTN program.

Practice Leader: Stefanie Yuen Thio

Construction & Engineering:

This heavy hitter is renowned for its capabilities in local and regional contentious and non-contentious work. Its extensive experience in dispute resolution encompasses adjudication, arbitration, litigation and mediation in a myriad of projects ranging from petrochemical plants to public infrastructure projects, such as the billion-dollar Marina One mixed development, and the Ng Teng Fong General and Jurong Community hospitals. Its expertise in non-contentious work runs the gamut of drafting, reviewing and advising on contracts and project documentation.

Practice Leaders: Derek Loh, Melvin Chan

Corporate/Commercial Transactions:

A ‘go to’ among local and global clients, the practice is known for its highly commercial approach, ability to structure complex transactions and effective negotiation skills. It represents international conglomerates, listed companies and private equity houses in corporate transactions, across industries ranging from cyber payment platforms to brick-and-mortar industries. It recently acted for OUE Limited in the S$675.3m sale of shares related to the holding companies of five-star hotel Marina Mandarin Singapore, and for a fund managed by a JV between Mitsubishi Estate and CLSA in their S$520m purchase of a consortium’s entire stake in Chinatown Point.

Practice Leader: Stefanie Yuen Thio

Corporate Real Estate:

The team handles acquisitions, financing and leasing of real estate projects, and assists in deal structuring, negotiations and documentation for listed developer groups, HNWIs, REITs and financial institutions. The real estate ranges from luxury residential developments to commercial and industrial properties, such as the S$483m purchase of Chevron House and the sale-and-leaseback of a S$227m dangerous goods warehouse.

Practice Leader: Jennifer Chia

Commercial & Corporate Litigation:

The dispute practice is led by senior counsel and covers a wide spectrum of commercial and corporate disputes, including corporate and minority oppression litigation, and joint venture disputes. The team is currently defending a top financial services manager against a S$2.5b claim by Prudential.

Practice Leaders: Thio Shen Yi, SC, Melvin Chan, Ian Lim

Employment & Labour:

One of Singapore’s earliest specialised employment practices, the desk assists corporates and C-suite executives in navigating the radically changing employment landscape. Recent matters include advising Apex Group on Singapore employment issues arising from its US$170b acquisition of Deutsche Bank’s Alternative Fund Services and both obtaining and setting-aside Court and arbitral non-compete injunctions for clients.

Practice Leader: Ian Lim

International Arbitration:

The practice counts among its clients MNCs from the US, Europe, Japan, India, China and Asean. Its extensive domain capability includes infrastructure, construction, private equity, investment and information technology. The team is currently acting for an MNC involved in an investment treaty dispute concerning a jurisdictional challenge by the respondent state.

Practice Leaders: Thio Shen Yi, SC, Derek Loh, Melvin Chan

Investments & Funds:

TSMP is active in structuring, drafting and negotiating investment agreements for private equity and angel investors, from early-stage funding for emerging tech to innovative solutions for brick-and-mortar projects. Recent transactions include acting for Tower Capital in the privatisation of Poh Tiong Choon Logistics and advising various technology companies on their ICOs in Singapore.

Practice Leaders: Stefanie Yuen Thio, June Ho

Mergers & Acquisitions:

The well-recognised practice is one of Singapore’s few that specialise in takeovers of public companies. It represented HNA Group in its S$1.4b takeover of CWT Limited, and was involved in the general offers and privatisations of M1 Limited, SMRT Corporation Ltd and Neptune Orient Lines as well as the merger of Viva Industrial REIT with ESR-REIT.

Practice Leader: Stefanie Yuen Thio

Private Wealth & Trust Advisory:

Banking expert Jennifer Chia and trust law specialist Prof Tang Hang Wu lead the team in structuring and managing assets of private wealth individuals and family offices, as well as undertaking effective inheritance and legacy planning. The practice works closely with banks, trust companies and tax advisers to provide seamless advice in what is usually an area of some sensitivity for clients.

Practice Leaders: Jennifer Chia, Prof Tang Hang Wu, Kelvin Koh

Restructuring & Insolvency:

The multi-disciplinary team has acted on all sides of the restructuring and insolvency process, and has represented insolvency professionals, secured and unsecured creditors, distressed clients and white knight investors. It is currently advising Mizuho Bank, a major unsecured creditor in respect of the Hyflux restructuring.

Practice Leader: Thio Shen Yi, SC

Securities, Financial & Corporate Regulatory:

The team helps businesses setting up in Singapore navigate the multitude of different rules and regulations, advising on matters such as data privacy policy structures, licencing regimes for products and services, and laws on cutting-edge securities such as ICOs and tokens.

Practice Leaders: Stefanie Yuen Thio, Ian Lim, Mark Jacobsen