Telecommunications, Media
& Technology (TMT)

Drew Network Asia consolidates the unparalleled expertise of exceptional specialist practitioners who are consistently ranked in the top tier of the TMT practice area in their respective jurisdictions of Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. 

We offer a proven track record of advising on some of the most complex matters spanning the full spectrum of transactional, licensing, disputes and regulatory work for a broad range of clients across diverse industries, including major multinational corporations, Fortune 500 companies, and local companies, as well as international law firms and sectoral regulators (both local and foreign).

Our unique strength lies in our comprehensive knowledge of licensing and regulatory frameworks, our in-depth understanding of the policies and guidelines issued by the respective TMT regulators across ASEAN, and our comprehensive understanding of technological trends, issues and risks.

With this deep understanding, we are well-placed to assist clients on successful market entry into highly regulated TMT markets, including setting up data centres, obtaining complex licences to lay submarine cables, and launch broadcast satellites covering ASEAN, as well as managing risk and disputes arising out of such transactions.

We are equally at the forefront of technology law in ASEAN, advising clients on the legal aspects of deploying solutions covering:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Cloud-based Agreements
  • E-Commerce and Online Gaming
  • FinTech and TechFin (in particular Block-Chain, Crypto-Currencies and Electronic Payment Systems)
  • Software Development and Licensing

Drew Network Asia is committed to providing excellent and high-quality advice to our clients in a seamless and efficient manner across multiple jurisdictions. We pride ourselves on the ability to deliver advice that is tailored to meet our clients’ specific strategic and commercial objectives.

As part of this strong commitment to excellence, our clients will receive the support of a carefully-selected mix of practitioners with extensive experience across complimentary practice areas, including in technology, info-communications, cybersecurity, data protection, and sector-specific and general competition law.

Key Partners

Lim Chong Kin

Managing Director, Corporate & Finance / Head, Telecommunications, Media and Technology (TMT) / Co-Head, Data Protection, Privacy & Cybersecurity / Co-Head, Competition Law & Regulatory /
Read more

David N. Alfred

Director, Corporate & Finance / Co-Head, Data Protection, Privacy & Cybersecurity / Co-Head and Programme Director, Drew Data Protection & Cybersecurity Academy
Read more

Maria Sagrado

Managing Partner / Banking & Finance / Capital Markets / Foreign Investment and General Corporate Practice / Hotel, Resort and Tourism / Media, IT and Telecommunications / Mergers and Acquisitions / Mining and Energy /
Read more

Reagan Roy Teguh

Partner / Franchising & Licensing / Media, IT and Telecommunications / Intellectual Property / Foreign Direct Investment / Mergers & Acquisitions / Hotel, Resort & Tourism / Employment
Read more

Timothy Siaw

Partner / Head, Technology, Media & Telco / Intellectual Property / Healthcare and Life Sciences
Read more

Christina S. C. Kow

Partner / Head, Financial Services / Head, Islamic Finance / Personal Data Protection & Privacy Law / Technology, Media & Telco
Read more

Manuel Z. Gonzalez

Senior Partner / Head, Capital Markets / Head, Projects & Energy / Head, Anti-Trust and Competition
Read more

Athistha (Nop) Chitranukroh

Partner and Director, Corporate & Commercial
Read more

Charuwan Charoonchitsathian

Partner, Corporate & Commercial
Read more

Accolades

Singapore | Drew & Napier

Chambers Asia-Pacific
TMT 2024 - Band 1 for 17 consecutive years

Lim Chong Kin - Leading Individual for 17 consecutive years

  • "Drew & Napier houses a first-class team assisting blue-chip international companies, service providers and regulatory authorities from across the region with the full range of TMT matters."
  • “Drew & Napier are able to handle complex mandates relating to data protection and cybersecurity, fintech, and technology procurement and regulations; they’re equipped to offer the full breadth of services surrounding the TMT sector.”
  • "The firm is a relationship builder that focuses on their clients' needs. They have impeccable interpersonal skills and are always willing to go the extra mile."

asialaw Profiles
Regional Legal Expertise Award – Technology and Telecommunications Lawyer of the Year 2024 - Lim Chong Kin

Technology & Telecommunications 2024 - Outstanding practice for 9 consecutive years

  • “Drew & Napier's team, and Chong Kin Lim in particular, are deep experts in the tech and telecom space. They provide crisp guidance that we can share rapidly with our internal business clients. They also proactively monitor the horizon, and they let us know in advance about legal/regulatory developments that may impact us. Finally, they are fantastically responsive and literally never late in getting us the information we request.”

Asia Pacific Legal 500
TMT 2024 - Tier 1 (2024, 2009-2019); Tier 2 for 4 consecutive years 

Lim Chong Kin - Hall of Fame for 5 consecutive years; Leading Individual for 9 consecutive years

David Alfred - Recommended Lawyer for 4 consecutive years

Rakesh Kirpalani - Recommended Lawyer 

  • “Their exceptional combination of legal prowess and technical acumen has earned them a well-deserved reputation as pioneers in the industry.”
  • “Deep subject matter expertise and an ability to quickly obtain informal guidance from regulators on murky issues. Superbly responsive and comprehensive.”
  • “The team is solid in the Singapore market. Reliable and commercial.”

Indonesia | Makarim & Taira S.

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
IT, Telecoms & Fintech 2024 - Highly recommended from 2018-2024

asialaw Profiles
Technology and Telecommunications 2023 - Highly recommended from 2019-2023

Malaysia | Shearn Delamore & Co.

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
TMT 2022 – Tier 3 for 7 consecutive years

Rabindra Nathan - Recommended Lawyer (2020)
Christina Kow - Recommended Lawyer (2020 and 2022)
Karen Abraham - Recommended Lawyer (2022)
Timothy Siaw - Recommended Lawyer for 7 consecutive years
Janet Toh - Recommended Lawyer for 4 consecutive years
Ng Swee Kee - Recommended Lawyer (2020)

  • The 'commercial and proactive' telecoms, media and technology sector practice group at Shearn Delamore & Co encompasses lawyers across multiple practice areas, including IP, financial services, corporate and M&A, tax and competition, to assist clients particularly with emerging issues across technology, media and communications. Intellectual property partner Timothy Siaw heads up the group which includes Janet Toh, who frequently advises on IT contracts; corporate and M&A partner Ng Swee Kee; litigator Rabindra S Nathan and Christina Kow, who focuses on financial services regulatory and data privacy issues”.
  • “It’s strength is its breadth & depth of expertise given the diversified practice areas and the experience and credentials of its legal practitioners.”

Asialaw Profiles
Technology and Telecommunications 2021 – Highly Recommended for 5 consecutive years
Technology and Telecommunications 2022 – Recommended

Chambers Asia-Pacific
TMT 2022 – Band 3

Janet Toh – Band 3 Lawyer (2022)

  • A source commends Shearn Delamore & Co, reporting: "The breadth and depth of expertise and diversity within the firm is its biggest strength, giving us comfort that all our legal needs with be attended to by this one-stop law firm."
  • A commentator says: "The team is excellent at managing cross-border work and understands how to navigate the differences in laws well."

Thailand | Tilleke & Gibbins

Chambers Asia-Pacific
TMT 2023 - Band 2 for 5 consecutive years

Athistha (Nop) Chitranukroh - Band 2 for 2 consecutive years
Charuwan Charoonchitsathian - Band 2

  • “Many of the issues we face are complex. Those issues can also vary greatly from one jurisdiction to another. Tilleke & Gibbins have helped us understand the particular nuances of the Thai market and how we should structure our presence there.”
  • “They are very responsive, and always provide clear and actionable advice. The lawyers are very knowledgeable and able to advise across all required areas of law.”

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
TMT 2023 - Tier 2 for 10 consecutive years

Nopparat Lalitkomon – Rising Star

  • “They are competent and strong. Clients can approach them when needed and get the right answers.”

Asialaw Profiles
Technology and Telecoms 2024 - Outstanding for 7 consecutive years

Vietnam | Tilleke & Gibbins

Chambers Asia-Pacific
TMT 2023 - Band 1 for 4 consecutive years

  • Tilleke & Gibbins has a very good understanding of the regulatory regime in Vietnam. The firm gives very pragmatic and thorough advice and is easy to work with.”

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
TMT 2023 - Tier 1 for 5 consecutive years

Waewpen Piemwichai - Rising Star

  • "The practice is unique in the sense that it is able to connect between overseas clients’ needs and local legal requirements, offering clients a practical solution and navigating the client in the constant changing regulatory environment.’”
  • “The team is responsive and up to speed on developments in TMT and applicable laws.’”
  • “A collaborative team that global clients can always count on.”

Cambodia | Tilleke & Gibbins

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

Jay Cohen - Band 2 for 5 consecutive years
David Mol - Associate to Watch

  • "The quality of the advice produced by the Tilleke & Gibbins lawyers demonstrates an in-depth understanding of Cambodian law and practices as well as contract drafting and interpretation.”
  • “They are very professional and very easy to work with.”
  • “The value for money is excellent. They are very flexible and don't mind the small things when we need help quickly.”

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

  • “They have a deep understanding of the legal and policy environment in Cambodia. Very responsive to questions and inquiries.”

IFLR 1000
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 5 consecutive years

  • “Tilleke & Gibbins' follow-up is very professional, and they are available and timely to respond.”
  • “Their quality of service is high. Their main strengths are legal knowledge and professional service in providing legal opinions.”
  • “Tilleke & Gibbins provide excellent standards of service and responsiveness. They never fail to deliver a consistently good standard of input.”

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

Dino Santaniello - Leading Individual for 5 consecutive years

  • “I have worked with Tilleke & Gibbins on various client matters over the course of 10 years. I have always found the group to be responsive and willing to take on unique challenges. They take steps to learn about the client’s needs and provide a flexible response to suit such needs.”
  • “Highly responsive, with good coverage of technology in the Southeast Asia region.”
  • “Good on the ground, local law knowledge of regulation and enforcement matters.”

IFLR 1000
Financial and Corporate 2024 - Tier 2 for 3 consecutive years

Santhapat Periera - Highly Regarded for 8 consecutive years
Dino Santaniello - Highly Regarded
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
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 years