About
DNA
DREW NETWORK ASIA (DNA) - The Cross-border Firm
Combined brilliance
Some of the most dominant law firms in Southeast Asia have joined hands as Drew Network Asia (DNA) — a formidable, premium legal network comprising of legal powerhouses Drew and Napier LLC from Singapore, Makarim & Taira S. from Indonesia, Shearn Delamore and Co. from Malaysia, Martinez Vergara & Gonzalez Sociedad (MVGS) from the Philippines, and Tilleke & Gibbins, established in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
The network boasts over 800 fee-earners, including over 230 partners, and a total headcount of more than 1,700 in nine ASEAN countries. We are a ‘firm of firms’ that operates as a united collective, bringing both international perspectives and local expertise to the table. DNA operates as a one-stop shop in handling complex and time sensitive multi-jurisdictional transactions and disputes. We are seamless, client responsive and effective.
Peer reviewed and revered
The reputation of each DNA firm transcends borders and is built on consistently delivering sound legal advice alongside world-class service. This unwavering commitment is recognised by our clients and peers and has earned us top rankings in the world’s most prestigious legal publications.
DNA Partner Firms
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Drew & Napier has provided exceptional legal advice and representation to discerning clients since 1889. It is one of the largest law firms in Singapore. The calibre of the firm's work is acknowledged internationally at the highest levels of government and industry, and marks them as Singapore's world class law firm. |
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Makarim & Taira S. stands as a distinguished law firm in Indonesia, tracing its roots back to its establishment in 1980 by Harvard graduates. The firm has evolved into a premier legal institution with a reputation for delivering effective and value-driven solutions across a wide spectrum of legal services, including corporate, banking, litigations, and specialised areas of corporations worldwide. |
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Shearn Delamore & Co. is one of the oldest and largest full-service law firms in Malaysia, providing comprehensive services to domestic and international clients since 1905. |
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MARTINEZ VERGARA & GONZALEZ SOCIEDAD Martinez Vergara & Gonzalez Sociedad (MVGS) is a leading full-service law firm in the Philippines established in 2007 by recognised elite lawyers Eduardo A. Martinez, Mark O. Vergara and Manuel Z. Gonzalez. |
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Tilleke & Gibbins is a leading Southeast Asian regional law firm with over 200 lawyers and consultants providing full-service legal solutions to the top investors and high-growth companies that drive economic expansion in Asia. Tilleke serves as the Drew Network Asia partner firm for Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. |
Notable Experience
Our DNA expertise spans diverse practice areas and industries, reflecting our capacity to deliver sophisticated legal solutions across various sectors and jurisdictions. Below are some notable samples of our matters involving DNA firms working together:
- Advised Bulten Holding AB on its full acquisition of a Singapore-incorporated company from an individual seller. Complications arose when prior to completion, the target underwent an internal restructuring, resulting in it owning subsidiaries in Indonesia and Malaysia at closing. Legal due diligence on these foreign subsidiaries was therefore required, along with expertise in Indonesian and Malaysian laws in relation to the overall acquisition. DNA was able to provide specialised legal advice (in areas of law such as real estate, competition, and intellectual property, in relation to Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia) in order to complete this complex cross-border acquisition involving multiple jurisdictions.
- Advised Grab Holdings Inc., whose parent company is listed on the Nasdaq, on the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of The Chope Group Pte. Ltd. - a leading restaurant reservations platform in Asia. The acquisition involved multiple jurisdictions, with Chope’s operations spanning Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, HK and China. DNA was able to help with the multi-jurisdictional aspect of this acquisition with Grab retaining Chope’s businesses in Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, in turn allowing Grab to capture the dining out opportunity and strengthen its relevance as consumers' "preferred everyday superapp”.
- Advised Tricor Axcel Limited (a HK subsidiary of the Tricor Group) on its acquisition of Axcelasia Taxand Sdn Bhd (a Malaysian company which provides governance, risk and compliance solutions to Malaysian publicly listed companies, government-linked entities and MNCs) from a Labuan-incorporated and SGX Catalist Board-listed vendor. DNA was able to provide both Singapore and Malaysia law advice for this transaction, which made Tricor one of Malaysia’s largest providers of corporate services to international and Malaysian corporations.
- Advised a multi-national leasing company based in Japan on the structuring of its cross-border sale and purchase transactions in ASEAN. The client was seeking to enable its Singapore subsidiary to purchase equipment from exporters and immediately on-sell such equipment to buyers in Indonesia and Malaysia, without obtaining physical possession. DNA provided the applicable tax, company and financing laws and regulations in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore that was necessary for the successful structuring.
- Advised the shareholders of SRXGlobal Pty Limited (“SRX”), an Australian electronics manufacturing company, in the sale of all their shares in SRX to Scanfil Oyj - a publicly-listed Finnish company. The transaction involved factories in Australia and Malaysia, and was governed by Singapore law. DNA provided Singapore and Malaysian law advice for this transaction, which marked Scanfil’s first acquisition and expansion in the Asia Pacific Region.
- Advised a global leader in lime and limestone solutions in a cross-border dispute arising from a share purchase agreement with an SGX-listed company. The transaction involved the acquisition of a Malaysian entity operating a lime processing facility. The SGX-listed party failed to complete the deal, citing reliance on SGX listing rules. DNA was able to handle the resulting arbitration which involved complex multijurisdictional issues spanning Singapore and Malaysia.
- Advised a client on the applicable thresholds & regulatory requirements for gifts and entertainment under anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. This exercise was part of the client’s review and update of its anti-corruption policy. DNA, with its partner firms across the six mentioned jurisdictions, was able to ensure that the updated policy reflected local legal requirements, cultural practices, and enforcement risks in each jurisdiction.
