Singapore | Drew & Napier
Chambers High Net Worth
Private Wealth Law 2020 – Leading firm for 5 consecutive years
- Clients described the team as “very, very professional in their approach” with “very good, solid reputation" in the local market.
- “Very versatile” and “very in-tune with the industry, and with what the clients, banks and trust companies are thinking; you have a melting pot of experience there.”
- “They are a good firm, they have a good name, and they can be relied on. They're very dependable.”
- “I think the quality is very high; it's excellent. They are very liked by their clients, they're trustworthy and very up-to-date on what's happening. They understand from the trustees' point of view what they need and what's going on. I also think their regulatory framework is a lot stronger than that of other firms. When there are any changes in rules and regulations, they're first on it too.
Private Wealth Law 2020 Indonesia (Expertise based abroad)
Julian Kwek – Leading Individual for 4 consecutive years
- Chambers says, “Julian Kwek's practice is broad-ranging, and includes private equity, cross-border M&A and joint venture matters. He works with both Indonesian clients and wealthy inward investors”.
- “Julian Kwek helps high net worth families to reorganise offshore holding structures and businesses, as well as assisting with immigration and citizenship applications. He also advises on tax efficiency and complying with the Common Reporting Standard.”
Chambers Asia-Pacific
Tax 2021 – Leading firm for 12 consecutive years
Ong Sim Ho – Band 1 Leading Individual for 11 years
- “Very experienced team. The lawyers are also accountants, so they are familiar with the financial workings. They are knowledgeable and you don't have to explain much.”
- “They are professional and highly responsive, even on small matters.”
- One market commentator notes: “They are a very strong dispute resolution firm, not just in tax disputes. They continue to do well in this space.”
- “When auditors are questioning and matters are urgent, we can always call them for detailed legal advice.”
- “They are spot-on in providing us with relevant tax advice.”
- “They are well connected and successful in the marketplace. I appreciate their legal updates and occasional seminars, which are very useful.”
- “The work was exceptional - timely, thorough and fairly priced.”
- “They can articulate clearly complex tax concepts.”
- Ong Sim Ho wins a lot of praise for his flexible approach and depth of knowledge in the tax area, with one client emphasising: “The most important thing is his technical understanding and how creative he is. No one in Singapore can cut through the issues like him. He is very, very strong.”
Restructuring/Insolvency 2021 – Band 1 for 14 consecutive years
Julian Kwek – Leading Individual for 11 consecutive years
- Julian Kwek has “impressed us with his work ethic and his extensive knowledge of Indonesia.”
- Julian Kwek is “a deal maker, with a China and Indonesia focus.”
- A client notes Julian Kwek’s “uncanny ability to look beyond just the legal side of things and can point out the commercial implications of a particular course of action.”
Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
Tax 2021 – Leading firm for 15 consecutive years
Ong Sim Ho – Leading Individual for 12 years
- The team is “very responsive, quick on the uptake and provides in-depth and relevant legal advice that works in real life”.
- “Its lawyers have sharp business acumen and provide commercially practical advice.”
- Ong Sim Ho is described as a “tax lynchpin” at the Singapore tax bar, and he is recommended for his “critical thinking”, “analytic skills” and "truly superior knowledge".
Private Wealth 2021 – Tier 1 for 5 consecutive years
Ong Sim Ho – Recommended Lawyer
Seah Ching Ling – Next Generation Partner
- The team garnered praise for its “excellent response times and great service informed by deep industry knowledge.”
- Sim Ho is “able to bring in his legal, finance, risk governance, and accounting perspectives to assist on various private client matter."
- Ching Ling is “very experienced and knowledgeable in the area of trusts, taxation, and charities.”
- “She provides very pragmatic advice and does not over-complicate matters.”
Restructuring & Insolvency 2021 – Tier 1 for 10 consecutive years
Julian Kwek – Recommended Lawyer for 6 consecutive years
Projects and Energy 2021 – Tier 2 for 10 consecutive years
Ong Sim Ho – Recommended Lawyer for 2 consecutive years
Julian Kwek – Recommended Lawyer for 2 consecutive years (2019 to 2020)
Corporate/M&A 2019
Julian Kwek – Recommended Lawyer for 2 consecutive years
- Clients described Julian Kwek as “absolutely first-class”, “committed and professional” with the “uncanny ability to look beyond the legal aspects and provide invaluable advice on commercial implications.”
- Julian Kwek is “outstanding in developing and implementing effective and creative strategies” that have produced successful results in situations that seemed hopeless at the start.
