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. The firm is trusted by clients to solve their most challenging problems, advance their interests, and show them the way forward. Drew & Napier’s lawyers and senior counsel are the preferred choice when the stakes are high and the issues complex. Clients consistently vote their lawyers to the highest ranks of their practice areas. The firm stays at the forefront of the industry by cultivating talent and maintaining a family atmosphere that is distinctly Drew. |
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Makarim & Taira S., founded in 1980 by two Harvard graduates, is one of Indonesia’s leading business law firms, offering a full range of corporate, banking, litigation and specialist legal services to national and international clients. The firm’s longstanding reputation amongst policymakers, regulators, State-owned companies and world-leading industry groups provides it with unique insights into the latest government policies and developments in the industry. Their lawyers guide clients through Indonesia’s complex and dynamic regulatory landscape to achieve their commercial goals. |
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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. Shearn Delamore values quality, integrity, ingenuity, and practicality, which reflect who they are as a firm. Their enduring presence is attributable to the strength of their people as well as their ability to adapt to changing times, expand rapidly into new practice areas and deliver innovative solutions to meet clients' needs. They proudly remain true to their values as they continue to stay at the forefront of the legal profession in Malaysia and strive to provide practical, quality solutions to their clients across a broad spectrum of practice areas. While numerous accolades speak for them, they believe the ultimate measure of recognition lies in their clients' satisfaction and faith in them. |
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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. With the combined experience of the firm’s partners, MVGS has established itself as a highly-respected and leading law firm in the Philippines, providing a full range of excellent legal services in the areas of Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, Projects and Energy, Intellectual Property, Tax, Litigation, Commercial Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Real Estate and Construction, Labour and Employment and Immigration. |
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Tilleke & Gibbins is a leading Southeast Asian regional law firm with over 250 lawyers and consultants and is the Drew Network Asia partner firm for Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. The firm provides full-service legal solutions to top investors and high-growth companies that drive economic expansion in Asia. Established in Bangkok in 1890, Tilleke & Gibbins has since grown into the largest independent law firm in Thailand and a leading international firm across Southeast Asia due to their commercial focus, local knowledge, and extraordinary service. |
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.
