Watershed Law is a newcomer on the disputes law firm scene that heralds its modern and solution-oriented approach to legal challenges. It specialises in commercial litigation and international arbitration. The firm was founded at the end of 2024 by two former Oon & Bazul lawyers, and it has carved out a strength in the shipping and international trade sectors. Beyond these core areas, the firm is adept handling of a wide array of disputes, including shareholders' and contractual disputes, joint ventures, investment issues, and insolvency claims. They also address matters of fraud and debt recovery, employment disputes, and tenancy issues.
In the shipping and international trade arena, the firm stands out with its extensive experience and successful track record. Clients benefit from the firm’s expertise in contentious matters relating to charterparties, commodities contracts, bills of lading, and marine insurance. The team is highly proficient at navigating sanctions and complexities related to ship sales and purchases. The firm’s corporate advisory services are sought after as well. After resolving disputes, many clients continue to seek the lawyers’ guidance on everyday business operations, including employment, compliance, contracts, and investigations.
The key individuals at Watershed are director Christian Teo and counsel Esther Yong, who are both recognized for their expertise in shipping and trade-related commercial litigation and arbitration. Teo’s practice focuses on commercial and international disputes, and he has significant experience with state-owned companies and high-net-worth individuals. He has practised at several of the market’s leading shipping-focused firms including Helmsman and Focus Law Asia. Yong specialises in a broad range of commercial disputes and has represented clients in high-stakes cases at all levels of the Singapore Courts. She is known for her meticulous and pragmatic approach, particularly in complex cross-border disputes involving international trade and arbitration under various institutional rules.
