Funds

The Drew Network Asia Funds Law Practice draws together the highly qualified and experienced funds law teams from four of the most recognised and reputable firms in the ASEAN region: Drew & Napier LLC (Singapore), Makarim & Taira S. (Indonesia), Shearn Delamore & Co (Malaysia), Martinez Vergara & Gonzalez Sociedad (Philippines), and Tilleke & Gibbins (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam). 

We pride ourselves on our responsiveness, practical and client-focused solutions, and providing clients with pragmatic solutions within the respective ASEAN jurisdictions.

We act for funds-related clients from across all industry sectors. We are well-versed with regulatory requirements and are experienced in all aspects of funds, funds management and private equity and venture capital-related transactions, from structuring to negotiating, documenting and implementing. We have extensive experience in the funds industry and deep expertise on the regulatory treatment of funds and their managers, and are constantly alert to potential issues and trends in structuring funds transactions to ensure that our clients obtain the most cost-efficient, effective and innovative legal solutions.

We advise clients on the establishment of both onshore and offshore alternative investment funds including hedge funds, private equity funds, venture capital funds and real estate funds, as well as regulatory matters on establishing fund management presence in the various jurisdictions.

As part of our practice, we advise clients on the provision of other types of securities-related regulated activities such as financial advisory services, trust businesses, securities offerings, dealings in securities, cryptocurrencies, and other related areas which often dovetail with fund management activities.

Key Partners

Ron Cheng

Head, Investment Funds / Director, Corporate & Finance
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Frederick Bonar Simanjuntak

Partner / Banking & Finance / Mergers & Acquisitions / Foreign Investment / Corporate and Commercial /
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Stephanie Kandou

Partner / Mergers & Acquisitions / Banking & Finance / Project Finance / Foreign Investment / Corporate & Commercials / /
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Christina S. C. Kow

Partner / Head, Financial Services / Head, Islamic Finance / Personal Data Protection & Privacy Law / Technology, Media & Telco
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Rosalia S. Bartolome-Alejo

Partner / Head, Business Formation & Foreign Investment Practice Group / Head, Real Estate and Construction / Co-Head, Banking & Finance / Co-Head, Tax
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Kobkit Thienpreecha

Partner and Director, Corporate & Commercial
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Accolades

Singapore | Drew & Napier 

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
Investment Funds 2024 – Leading firm for 8 consecutive years

Ron Cheng - Leading Individual for 4 consecutive years, previously Recommended lawyer for 4 consecutive years

  • "The team at Drew & Napier LLC are very experienced and knowledgeable. They are also responsive and able to articulate the legal concepts clearly to clients."
  • "Ron Cheng is experienced and knowledgeable, especially on matters pertaining to investment funds. He is able to explain the legal concepts clearly and concisely to clients and to assist with their requirements."
  • "The full-suite team at Drew & Napier is able to breakdown complex problems and provide comprehensive and innovative solutions."
  • Ron Cheng has proved to be top-tier with his professionalism, in-depth knowledge, capability to breakdown complex problems and create innovative solutions."
  • "Drew & Napier is a top full suite law firm that provides unparalleled levels of professionalism and competency to their clients."
  • "The team at Drew & Napier has empowered fund managements to think out of the box and create investment products and structures that has never been done before with the team's innovative solutions."
  • "Our fund documents drafted by Drew & Napier demonstrates a high level of dedication to tailored services that demands perfection."

Chambers Asia-Pacific
Investment Funds 2024 – Leading firm for 17 consecutive years

Ron Cheng – Leading individual for 2 consecutive years

  • "Drew & Napier is beyond capable of navigating through unique, first of their kind investment projects that entail great complexity and sophistication across multiple disciplines."
  • "Drew & Napier provides excellent service and is highly experienced and knowledgeable. The team is very responsive and efficient. The firm is very aware of the balance of commercial interests and credit risk and is able to advise and act accordingly."
  • "Mr Ron Cheng is a talented and highly skilled lawyer who comprehends complex investment strategies and is highly sensitive to commercial viabilities. He works round the clock to deliver Tier 1 deliverables."
  • "Ron is very experienced, knowledgeable and responsive. He is sensitive to clients' interests and is great to work with."
  • "Ron Cheng has displayed a top-notch level of professionalism and competencies. His commitment to perfection and service is unmatched. He is undoubtedly one of the best legal counsels we have met."
  • "Drew & Napier is able to comprehend our fund strategies and provide necessary assistance and advice. Its responsiveness is always top notch."
  • "The team is able to provide holistic connections between projects."
  • The team "is extremely proficient and professional in the investment management industry with thorough knowledge of the Securities and Futures Act as well as the most up-to-date trends and practices in regulatory compliance."
  • The team "will carefully consider the client's situation and offer custom commercially-viable solutions rather than template churning which might not be suited to the scenario."
  • The firm has an excellent depth of knowledge and strong bench. They are responsive and commercial.”
  • The department is known for its dedication and responsiveness, as well as its commercial outlook and focus on achieving the best solutions for its clients. The team wins praise for the quality of the work, with one client remarking: "They are efficient, dedicated to their clients, enjoyable and easy to do business with."
  • "They give us practical solutions and have a good commercial sense. They are clear with the law and explain to us what is needed."

IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms
Investment Funds 2023 – Leading firm for 4 years

Ron Cheng - Highly Regarded for 2 consecutive years

  • "Drew & Napier have demonstrated their professionalism in the engagement. They are responsive to our clients' needs and are able to explain complex concepts to the clients in a clear and concise manner."
  • "Extremely knowledgeable on this topic (despite it being relatively new)."
  • "The firm possesses a broad understanding of industry-specific regulations and the legal landscape that allows it to navigate through complex and sophisticated matters across multiple disciplines. The team's in-depth knowledge of investment strategies and fund operations has allowed it to craft top-notch legal documents which, in turn, contribute greatly to the success of the fund."
  • "Very responsive and considers the best solution suitable for the fund, not just a cookie-cutter answer."
  • Ron is "attentive, very knowledgeable, detail-oriented to the matter at hand", "friendly and approachable", and has "deep industrial knowledge and fast turnaround." He is also "very responsive and will work quickly to solve problems working late into the night. Looks out for client's interests and points out potential downsides."
  • "Mr. Ron Cheng is a talented and highly skilled lawyer who is capable of comprehending complex investment strategies and structure. He possesses a broad understanding of legal frameworks across multiple disciplines while being highly skilled and updated in investment fund-related regulations."
  • "Ron is experienced, skilled and response."
  • "Ron is very responsive to clients' queries, even outside of the regular working hours. He is also able to explain complex legal concepts to the clients in a clear and concise manner."

Indonesia | Makarim & Taira S.

Leading publications and rating agencies have yet to introduce rankings in respect of Funds legal practice in Indonesia.

Makarim & Taira S. is noted to be a top tier firm across multiple legal practice areas by such leading publications and rating agencies. Frederick Simanjuntak are the leading lawyers in the practice area of financial services.

Malaysia | Shearn Delamore & Co.

Leading publications and rating agencies have yet to introduce rankings in respect of Funds legal practice in Malaysia.

Shearn Delamore & Co is noted to be a top tier firm across multiple legal practice areas by such leading publications and rating agencies. Its Head of Financial Services Practices, Ms Christina Kow, is a leading lawyer in the practice area of Funds.

Thailand | Tilleke & Gibbins

Leading publications and rating agencies have yet to introduce rankings in respect of Funds legal practice in Thailand.

Tilleke & Gibbins is noted to be a leading firm across multiple legal practice areas by such leading publications and rating agencies, including in the area of Banking & Finance and Capital Markets.

Vietnam | Tilleke & Gibbins

Leading publications and rating agencies have yet to introduce rankings in respect of Funds legal practice in Vietnam.

Tilleke & Gibbins is noted to be a leading firm across multiple legal practice areas by such leading publications and rating agencies, including in the area of Banking & Finance.

Cambodia | Tilleke & Gibbins

Leading publications and rating agencies have yet to introduce rankings in respect of Funds legal practice in Cambodia.

Tilleke & Gibbins is noted to be a leading firm across multiple legal practice areas by such leading publications and rating agencies, including in the area of General Business Law.

Laos | Tilleke & Gibbins

Leading publications and rating agencies have yet to introduce rankings in respect of Funds legal practice in Laos.

Tilleke & Gibbins is noted to be a leading firm across multiple legal practice areas by such leading publications and rating agencies, including in the area of General Business Law.

Myanmar | Tilleke & Gibbins

Leading publications and rating agencies have yet to introduce rankings in respect of Funds legal practice in Myanmar.

Tilleke & Gibbins is noted to be a leading firm across multiple legal practice areas by such leading publications and rating agencies, including in the area of General Business Law.