CMS Holborn Asia houses a number of renowned specialist lawyers, such as construction experts Kelvin Aw and Lynette Chew, employment director Lakshanthi Fernando, as well as IP and TMT-focused Sheena Jacob. The firm is particularly known for its sector focus across technology, healthcare, life science, media, consumer goods and services and infrastructure. The firm climbs up a notch in the banking and finance table this year, reaping the benefits from having seasoned partner Daniel Tan join from Clifford Chance two years earlier. The disputes team welcomed partner Jonathan Warne from CMS London last summer.
Client feedback
“Excellent transaction management with a strong understanding of projects and finance.” – Banking and finance
“Extremely effective advocates, very well prepared and commercially sensible.” – Dispute resolution
“CMS partners in the construction and engineering dispute resolution practice are leading domain experts and highly skilled in all aspects of preparation for arbitrations, especially in the engagement with and instruction of independent experts.” – Dispute resolution
“Responsive and thorough in their advice.” – Energy
Kelvin Aw
“He is thoughtful about a client's case and anticipates upcoming risks in each case. Provides a clear case strategy from start to finish. Always gets it right on the key issues.”
Asya Jamaludin
“Very well prepared, excellent advocate.”
Marc Rathborne
“Very communicative, good depth of knowledge in the subject area, able to provide insight on regulatory issues as well as nuanced opinions on how these contracts and regulations will affect our business. Provided thoughtful advice. Very responsive.”
Daniel Tan
“Very knowledgeable and client-focused.”
Work highlights
Advised a Singapore-headquartered global pharmaceutical company on the strategic development and implementation of a restructuring of its domestic operations, including a retrenchment exercise affecting over 80% of its workforce.
Assisted a global steel and technology group on employment law requirements across all its key markets across the Asia-Pacific region.
Represented an oil and gas conglomerate in claims against several former employees for breach of restrictive covenants, including joining a competitor, the disclosure of confidential information and attempting to solicit clients and customers in breach of their employment terms.
Work highlights
Representing an alternate solutions energy company in a long-running shareholders’ dispute over a failed joint venture relating to the supply of solar modules in Europe.
Advised Shenzhen CIMC-Tianda Airport Support Ltd in relation to Singapore High Court proceedings arising out of a $1 million contract for the design and manufacture of bridges for the Goiania airport site in Brazil.
Assisted a global retail company in relation to a complex senior executive exit following allegations of harassment and bullying made by a number of employees and external third parties.
Work highlights
Advised a syndicate of lenders in connection with a $100 million working capital facility for Loc Troi Group JSC.
Acted for Dat Bike Group in Vietnam on its latest debt financing.
Advised Alliance to End Plastic Waste on a secured loan facility to Mr Green Kenya Africa.
Key clients
Bank Mendes Gans, Barclays Bank
Work highlights
Advised Samsung C&T Corporation in a Singapore-seated ICC arbitration proceedings against its subcontractor for disputes in relation to and arising out of a mechanical and piping works subcontract at a combined-cycle power plant project in Jurong Island.
Acting for WSP Consulting in relation to disputes with the management corporation of a mixed retail and residential development located in the Orchard district, and its employers in relation to the architectural and engineering consulting services for multiple rail line, depot and station projects in Singapore.
Assisting Equinix Asia Pacific on the construction and development of a retail data centre in Jakarta.
Key clients
AECOM Singapore, Cluny Development, HPC Builders, SMM.
