Mergers
& Acquisitions

Singapore | Drew & Napier

IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms
Corporate/M&A 2022/2023 – Tier 2 firm for 18 consecutive years

Gary Pryke - Expert Consultant
Steven Lo - Highly Regarded for 4 consecutive years
Tan Teng Sen - Highly Regarded for 2 consecutive years
Chua Tju Liang - Highly Regarded

• "Align with the interest of the client, responsive and responsible, professional. Thorough and detailed outcome-driven advice with pros and cons analysis."
• "Proactive and detail-oriented. Balances legal and commercial points. Good handling of counterparty legal adviser."
• "Steven Lo and Tan Teng Sen are professional, experienced and importantly very helpful. They go the extra mile to put the client in a better position."
• "The partners are responsive, facilitative, highly commercial and very user-friendly. They cut straight to the chase with strategic and well-considered advice."
• "The team is always available and delivers extremely prompt responses. The legal advice given is clear and simple to read. They are able to spot wider issues that we would not have considered during discussions and that perspective has proven exceedingly valuable."
• "Commercial and solution-driven - able to see the deal from the principal's perspective and identify 'real' issues rather than dogma. Highly responsive and sensitive to deal timeline - follow-up on the right things extremely quickly."
• "Intensity and responsiveness - always being available to assist with questions and clarifications on legal issues. Deep understanding of the regulatory framework across the Singapore Code of Takeovers and Mergers and the Singapore Exchange Listing Rules. Creativity - in developing solutions that would be acceptable to all stakeholders in a transaction (ie the company, the independent financial adviser and the regulators). Knowledge of precedents/superior research - which enabled us to examine less known precedents and leverage the approaches taken in those situations to be applied to our particular circumstances.”
• "For dispute we were helped by D&N litigation team and for settlement share buyback we were helped by D&N M&A team. The document structure proposed was very thorough and tight. It helped to make the negotiation process short and effective."
• "Knowledgeable, fast response and very professional approach towards clients, co-lawyers and counterparties. "
• "The firm has a positive and innovative outlook and is strong on deal templates such that a win-win is well achieved and outcomes on capital raising M&A listing activities are carried through to success."
• "Timely advice, responsive, commercially minded, hard-working, seeks to achieve client's goals."
• "Domain knowledge. Legal and corporate law expertise. Attention to detail. Responsiveness."
• "Sound advice on the terms of the agreement. Rendered alternatives if the suggested ones turned out not to be workable after discussion. Easy access to any of the team members working on the project. Turnaround time is commendable."

Chambers Asia Pacific and Global
Corporate/M&A 2024 – Band 3 firm for 4 consecutive years 

Steven Lo - Band 4 for 5 consecutive years
Gary Pryke - Senior Statespeople for 6 consecutive years
Tan Teng Sen - Band 5 

• "They have intelligence, up-to-date business commercial savvy, sensitivity and responsiveness in addressing needs and requirements."
• "Steven Lo has extremely strong commercial awareness through his knowledge of past and ongoing transactions and applies that knowledge to the transaction at hand."
• "Gary Pryke is an impressive lawyer with good expertise."
• "Teng Sen is very sharp. He truly understands the balance between commercial viability and legal risk and can advise accordingly, in a manner that makes you feel that you are in safe hands."
• "Drew & Napier are very commercially aware given the wide range of corporate and other work they get, especially multi-jurisdictional work."
• "The team have a strong grasp of the M&A processes. They are able to respond quickly to our queries and adhere to deadlines diligently."
• A source values Drew & Napier's "flexible and creative advice, and willingness to consider novel approaches."
• Another interviewee commends its "deep bench of expertise across senior to junior team members."
• A client comments: "They are very commercial and responsive."
• Gary Pryke is a seasoned practitioner with a long track record in corporate law. He is deeply experienced in advising clients on M&A and securities law, acting for domestic and foreign clients.
• Steven Lo is hailed by clients as  "a calming presence on transactions who renders advice that is strategic and practical." He is well versed in assisting both domestic and international clients with cross-border M&A and private equity deals.
• Tan Teng Sen is a director at Drew & Napier in Singapore. He is well versed in advising public and private corporations on complex M&A transactions, including mergers and spin-offs.
• Clients describe the firm as "responsive, reliable and able to offer a extensive range of expertise."
• Sources describe individuals in the team as "quick to understand issues, commercially minded and pragmatic."
• Clients appreciate that "the partners are directly involved in developing strategies and negotiations with counterparties," adding that the "associates are amongst the best that we have worked with."
• “The team's client service is commonly picked out as a key strength: ‘They are very professional, easy to get along with and efficient in meeting deadlines.’"
• "They are timely and relentless in their pursuit of providing holistic advice and guidance to their clients."
• "Whenever something came out of left field we hadn't prepared for and we needed advice, there was always someone in the team with the right experience - really a full service shop."
• "Exceptional ability to both anticipate issues and recommend solutions before they present."
• “Offers all-round expertise in both the transactional and financing aspects of acquisitions. Enjoys a strong standing amongst private and public companies, multinational corporates and financial institutions, which it advises on a wide range of M&A deals.”
• "They are very proficient in what they do and have a good understanding of the market."
• Sources say: "The lawyers have a good understanding of our commercial requirements and are able to advise us on the legal aspects without losing sight of the commercial objectives."
• "[Steven’s] knowledge and experience with public M&A is second to none," he "walks you through issues succinctly whilst finding the pragmatic and commercially sensible solution."  
• Regarded as a “brilliant lawyer” and "a very safe pair of hands", Gary is “pivotal to the firm's success and lauded by many clients for his ‘quick thinking and direct approach.’"

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
Corporate/M&A 2023 – Tier 3 for 6 consecutive years

Steven Lo - Recommended Lawyer
Jon Nair - Recommended Lawyer
Priscilla Wang - Recommended Lawyer
Tan Teng Sen - Leading Individual 
Seraphina Ho - Next Generation Partner 

• “Commercially-minded, responsive and sensitive to client’s needs both in terms of meeting timelines, deliverables and final billing amount.
• “We worked with Teng Sen Tan who delivered well despite the tight timeline and at a reasonable price. We had previously approached other firms on this same piece of work but they felt the timeline was too tight or quoted very high fees for the urgent work.”
• “The team is collaborative and makes legal issues easy to understand. They distill key matters well for the client. Always responsive to our calls.”
• “Partners Mr Steven Lo and Mr Tan Teng Sen. Both of them are attentive and have the ability to understand client concerns. They are also able to clearly articulate legal issues and suggest workable solutions.”
• “The team is extremely cohesive and works seamlessly to provide the most strategic and tactical legal advice from senior members of the team which then translates into effective execution of the relevant legal documents and processes on the part of the junior team members. Besides their strong capabilities, they are extremely client focused and are constantly thinking out of the box in the advancement of client’s interests.”
• “Steven Lo is a veteran practitioner who has a broad spectrum of knowledge, insights and experiences which can then be applied to complex situations. He is of irreproachable moral character even has he pushes hard for his client’s interests.”
• “Tan Teng Sen is a brilliant legal practitioner who cares deeply for his clients, exhibits the highest level of ethics and never fails to go the extra mile in advancement of client’s interests.”
• “Smart individuals, proactive in identifying problems and solutions before they arise and commercially focused.”
• “Steven Lo and Tan Teng Sen are not just superb legal practitioners but ones who apply themselves across the most complex corporate situations and develop meaningful solutions that have a consequential impact on transaction outcomes.”
• “Everyone in the team responds quickly and is always available. They have a wide network of partners within Asia and are able to recommend other jurisdictional lawyers to assist.”
• “Tan Teng Sen has an unrivalled manner with clients. It is always comfortable talking to him as he takes genuine interest and personal pride in the client’s legal matters. I find that he embodies the meaning of a trusted advisor.”
• “Tan Teng Sen provides excellent deal leadership, highly competent and navigates well on a transaction, knows the real risk points and not pedantic.”
• “Seraphina Ho covers our blind spot, is super reliable and will not let the ball drop.”
• “People, especially reliable corporate/M&A team is important for us. Billing was also flexible and reasonable in light of the quality of work.”
• “Tan Teng Sen surely works and leads the M&A projects by closely communicating both in emails and through calls. Steven Lo is also great. They are highly capable in deal management.”
• “I have been working closely with these individuals since my company was founded in June 2018, and they are the most professional, experienced, hardworking, collaborative, problem solving, and helpful team members I’ve ever met.”
• “The corporate and M&A team is very structured, quick and responsive. They are strong in managing multi-jurisdictional transactions and matters, always anticipating issues and offering sound practical advice, cutting through the haze and getting to the core issues.”
• “The team is knowledgeable and responsive and works well under extreme time constraints.”
• “Responsive, hard-working, and dedicated team that seeks to achieve the client’s commercial objectives when advising on legal transactions.”
• “Tan Teng Sen is very on the ball and provides sound advice with an eye on commercial issues.”
• “Tan Teng Sen is very knowledgeable and is able to offer sound and practical advice.”
• “Seraphina Ho particularly shines in her responsiveness to client’s requests and ability to work well under pressure.”
• "The ‘highly competent’ team at Drew & Napier LLC has ‘the right balance of commercial sense and up-to-date legal knowledge"
• “Steven Lo has 'a razor-sharp ability to comprehend not just the technical structure but also the commercial dynamics of a takeover' and 'can steer clients in the right strategic direction.’”
• He is also noted as a "highly experienced corporate/M&A lawyer" for "providing solid advice" and for "understanding commercial issues and realities."
• Julian is “absolutely first-class” and“commercial” and commended for his Indonesia and Malaysia expertise.
• Teng Sen is “an-up-and-coming partner” who provides “amazing response times, a meticulous approach and an ability to work well under pressure. He is recommended as a counsel of choice to investment banks and financial advisers.”

Indonesia | Makarim & Taira S

Chambers Asia-Pacific
Highly Ranked in Corporate/M&A from 2009-2024

Hilton King - Band 2
Vincent Ariesta Lie - Band 4

• "The Makarim & Taira team have a good sense of the complexities of the Indonesian regulatory and business landscape and are able to provide practical guidance during a deal."
• "The lawyers in the firm have in-depth legal knowledge on corporate and M&A in Indonesia.
• Hilton King: "It is always a pleasure to work with Hilton. He offers practical advice balanced with the nuances of the Indonesian landscape."
• Vincent Ariesta Lie: "Vincent is creative and energetic and has great market knowledge and intelligence."

Chambers Global
Highly Ranked in Corporate/M&A from 2020-2024

Hilton King - Band 2
Vincent Ariesta Lie - Band 4

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
Tier 1 law firm for Corporate/M&A in 2023
Tier 2 law firm for Corporate/M&A from 2015-2022

Rahayu Ningsih Hoed - Leading Individual 
Lia Alizia - Leading Individual 
Hilton King - Leading Individual
Norma Mutalib - Recommended Individual
Stephanie Kandou - Recommended Individual

• "Ability to comprehend the issues that require resolution. Efficient response and able to appreciate the needs of the client."
  
• "Hilton King is a seasoned international lawyer and therefore has a strong appreciation of the needs of multinational clients trying to navigate the complexities of the Indonesian legal landscape. He is well supported by Stephanie Kandou and a number of associates who together provide a wholesome service."

IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms
Tier 2 law firm for M&A from 2014-2023

Rahayu Ningsih Hoed - Highly Regarded Lawyer
Vincent Ariesta Lie - Highly Regarded Lawyer
Lia Alizia - Highly Regarded Lawyer

• “They are quite practical and really understand our wishes.”
• Vincent Ariesta Lie: “He is very responsive and practical when handling the deal. He deep dives on each case.”

Malaysia | Shearn Delamore & Co.

Chambers Asia-Pacific
Corporate/M&A 2022 – Band 1 for 13 consecutive years

Chambers Global
Corporate/M&A 2022 – Band 1 for 13 consecutive years

Chambers Asia-Pacific
Leading Individuals
Grace C.G. Yeoh – Band 2 for 13 consecutive years
Ng Swee Kee – Band 1 for 10 consecutive years (2008 - 2017); Band 2 for 3 consecutive years (2018 - 2020), Eminent Practitioner for 2 consecutive years (2021 and 2022)
Nicholas Tan Choi Chuan – Up and Coming (2020); Band 4 for 2 consecutive years (2021 and 2022)

Chambers Global
Leading Individuals
Grace C.G. Yeoh – Band 2 for 13 consecutive years
Ng Swee Kee – Band 1 for 11 consecutive years (2007 – 2009, 2011 - 2018); Band 2 for 2 consecutive years (2019 - 2020); Eminent Practitioner (2021 and 2022)
Nicholas Tan Choi Chuan – Up and Coming (2020); Band 4 (2021 and 2022)

• A client describes the team at Shearn Delamore & Co as "dedicated, quick in its turnaround time and understanding of the issues at hand, offering practical solutions."
• Clients say: "Shearn Delamore & Co is our go-to firm when we need sound and practical legal advice that provides value-added, commercially sound and new perspectives to our deals."
• The team's client dedication is also commended by clients, who report that there is "a sense of dealing with real people who care, have a genuine interest in the subject, and put our interests first."
• An interviewee notes: "It is the number-one most prestigious firm in Malaysia," and adds that the lawyers are "very responsive."
• The team's all-round capability is applauded by many, with clients noting: "They are responsive, substantively good lawyers and don't cut corners."
• "They're my first choice of counsel in Malaysia."
• "Responsive and proactive in advising their clients."
• "They have a good understanding of business, are pragmatic, offer a volume of services and are tuned in to what we need."
• Sources say: "I must say they are very good; the corporate team is strong."
• One client praises the team for being "technically sound with a good understanding of statutory guidelines relevant to corporate exercises. They are responsive and are willing to do the extra work to complete assignments smoothly."
• Another interviewee notes that "they always respond quickly and have shown their expertise to solve our queries."

IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms
M&A 2023 – Tier 1 practice for 14 consecutive years

Grace C.G. Yeoh – Market Leader for 6 consecutive years (2018 – 2023)
Ng Swee Kee – Highly Regarded Lawyer for 6 consecutive years (2018 – 2023)
Marhaini Nordin – Leading Lawyer for 3 consecutive years (2011 – 2013)
Putri Noor Shariza Noordin – Notable Practitioner for 6 consecutive years (2018 – 2023)
Nicholas Tan Choi Chuan – Rising Star for 4 consecutive years (2018 – 2021); Notable Practitioner (2022); Highly Regarded Lawyer (2023)

• “Shearn Delamore & Co is a highly reputable firm, very competent and known for its ability to perform excellently”
• “Highly responsive and ready for client's instructions.”
• “The firm has deep bench strength and executes transactions well.”
• A client praised the firm’s work as well as its “quick turnaround time and good legal and commercial input to resolving the issue”.
• The M&A practice has been described by clients as “excellent”, “commercially astute” and “technically sound”; an overall “first class” offering.
• "The firm is reputable and very well networked, internationally," says a client.
• One client praises the lawyers at the firm: “They have been comprehensive and conservative in their advice, thus ensuring that we are protected from unnecessary future legal issues.”

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
Corporate/M&A 2022 - Top Tier for 13 consecutive years

Grace C.G. Yeoh – Recommended Lawyer; Hall of Fame (2020 - 2022); Leading Lawyer for 11 consecutive years (2010 - 2020)
Ng Swee Kee – Recommended Lawyer for 4 consecutive years (2017 - 2020); Leading Lawyer for 9 consecutive years (2007 - 2015)
Putri Noor Shariza Noordin – Recommended Lawyer for 3 years (2010, 2014 and 2015)
Nicholas Tan Choi Chuan – Recommended Lawyer for 3 consecutive years (2019 - 2021)
Marhaini Nordin – Recommended Lawyer (2020)
Michelle Wong - Recommended Lawyer (2021)
Lai Zhen Pik - Recommended Lawyer and Next Generation Lawyer (2022)

• “Very responsive. The answers are clear and sufficiently detailed”
• The practice is commended for its ‘response times, industry knowledge, appropriate advice, strength-in-depth, and value for money’.
• Shearn Delamore & Co is described by some clients as ‘first choice’.
• “Extensive experience in required areas, strong team and teamwork, extremely responsive to client’s needs.” 
• “Stand out partner is Nicholas Tan Choi Chuan. Exemplary responsiveness to client’s requests and needs, and provision of timely and useful advice.” 

Philippines | MVGS

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
Corporate and M&A – Tier 2 firm for 3 consecutive years since 2019; Tier 3 firm for 2 consecutive years since 2017

Rosalia Bartolome-Alejo – Recommended Lawyer (2021)

• “The M&A Team of Martinez Vergara Gonzalez & Serrano was instrumental in bringing to successful fruition the acquisition of the client’s company. They are up to date with relevant laws and regulations; they effectively assisted in negotiating the terms and conditions of the transaction at all stages — before, during and after; they are effective in communication, both oral and written; and have ensured that the client’s interests are well-protected.”
• “At MVGS, ‘very reliable team head Elmer Serrano (who, for one client, is ‘the perfect partner’ regularly advises corporates on large acquisitions.”
• “The Team not only highlights legal points but also commercial concerns that may impact current and future transactions of the subject companies”
• “Manuel Z Gonzalez Gwyneth S Ong Janice L Co: All three of them, working as a team, are dedicated to their client’s goals, work tirelessly to ensure that the client’s objectives are achieved, and they are dutiful and have a keen eye for detail in the documentation of the agreements that are reached between the seller and buyer sides.”

IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms
M&A  - Tier 3 firm for 3 consecutive years since 2020; Notable firm for 2019

• “Very thorough and responsive”
• “Prompt, precise and reliable advice"
• “Client management, legal expertise and timely delivery.”
• Manuel Z. Gonzalez: “Good grasp of subject, skilled communication, good problem-solving skills and sound legal advice”
• Manuel Z. Gonzalez: “Knowledgeable, solution-oriented, and able to close deals”
• “Very attentive, prompt and accurate advice for conflicts"

Thailand | Tilleke & Gibbins

Chambers Asia-Pacific
Corporate/M&A 2023 - Band 3 for 4 consecutive years

Cynthia Pornavalai - Band 3 for 11 consecutive years
Charunun Sathitsuksomboon – Band 4

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
Corporate/M&A 2023 - Tier 2 for 6 consecutive years

Charunun Sathitsuksomboon - Leading Individual

IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms
M&A 2024 - Tier 2 for 5 consecutive years

Charunun Sathitsuksomboon - Highly Regarded for 4 consecutive years

Vietnam | Tilleke & Gibbins

Chambers Asia-Pacific
Corporate/M&A 2023 - Band 4 for 5 consecutive years

Kien Trung Trinh – Band 5 for 3 consecutive years
Chuyen Hong Huu Le – Associates to Watch for 2 consecutive years

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
Corporate/M&A - Tier 2 for 5 consecutive years

IFLR: The Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms
M&A 2024 - Tier 3 for 13 consecutive years

Cambodia | Tilleke & Gibbins

Chambers Asia-Pacific
General Business Law 2023 - Band 2 for 3 consecutive years

Jay Cohen - Band 2 for 2 consecutive years
David Mol - Associate to Watch

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
General Business Law 2023 - Tier 2 for 6 consecutive years

Jay Cohen - Leading Individual for 3 consecutive years
David Mol - Next Generation Partner for 6 consecutive years

IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms
Financial and Corporate 2024 - Tier 2 for 4 consecutive years

David Mol - Rising Star

Laos | Tilleke & Gibbins

Chambers Asia Pacific
General Business Law 2023 – Band 2 for 2 consecutive years

Dino Santaniello – Band 2 for 4 consecutive years

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
General Business Law 2023 – Tier 1 for 6 consecutive years

Dino Santaniello – Leading Individual for 5 consecutive years

IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms
Financial and Corporate 2024 – Tier 2 for 3 consecutive years

Santhapat Periera – Highly Regarded for 8 consecutive years
Niti Muangkote – Rising Star

Myanmar | Tilleke & Gibbins

Chambers Asia-Pacific
General Business Law 2023 – Band 4 for 4 consecutive years

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
Corporate/M&A 2023 – Tier 2 for 8 consecutive years

IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms
Financial and Corporate 2024 – Tier 3 for 6 consecutive years

Yuwadee Thean-ngarm – Highly Regarded for 5 consecutive years
Derrick Khoo – Rising Star Partner for 3 consecutive year