Law firm poised to steer client businesses through uncertain times

As the pandemic continues to wreak disruptions to supply chains, markets and business operations worldwide, companies are confronted with a wide range of regulatory, transactional and litigation issues in responding to Covid-19. The postponement of the Tokyo Olympics is a case in point.

All that has led to an extremely busy 18 months for Clyde & Co Clasis Singapore, a respected law firm helping clients navigate through complex, pandemic-induced uncertainties.

Its roots date back to 1933 when Clyde & Co was founded in London. The UK firm expanded into Singapore in September 1991, with fewer than 10 staff and just half a dozen cases. It marks its 30th anniversary on Sept 16.

In August 2013, it entered into a joint law venture with Clasis LLC to form Clyde & Co Clasis Singapore to provide seamless, integrated offshore and onshore service for local and international clients.

Drawing on the global expertise of Clyde & Co's more than 50 offices and associated offices, and the local knowledge and litigation services of Clasis LLC, Clyde & Co Clasis Singapore has grown to a team of almost 100, including 12 partners and 43 lawyers.

"Insurance, aviation, marine, construction and litigation are the core sectors we are pre-eminent in," says Mr Ian Roberts, managing partner, Clyde & Co Singapore. "In addition, we have a strong offering in other practice areas that complement the services we provide our core sector clients."

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These include corporate and commercial, as well as cyber and technology law, on top of a pandemic-induced increase in disputes-related opportunities, such as in employment, and a rise in restructuring and insolvency cases, and fraud- and investigations-related work.

Well-connected law firm with experts from across the region Mr Roberts, who moved to Singapore from London in 2013, says the firm's vision from day one has been to provide high-quality, commercial and practical advice relevant to clients both within and outside Singapore.

"We're an international law firm able to serve both international and domestic clients equally, because a key differentiator is our regional and global footprint across our core sector expertise."

Indeed, the very effective mobilisation of these resources is why the Singapore office has grown to the extent that it has, notes Mr Prakash Pillai, managing director, Clasis LLC.

"You've got to have connections around the world, and the ability to leverage on that is probably our greatest strength," he adds.

Clyde & Co Clasis Singapore does not want to just be a great law firm for its clients, but it also seeks to be a great employer for its people. Hence, talent building is a top priority, with diversity and inclusion being critical to its success.

"We've created a working environment where people from different backgrounds can thrive," says Mr Roberts. "The Singapore office is extremely diverse, we're fully committed to ensuring there are no barriers to progression and everyone is treated equally and with respect. It's a kind of microcosm of our own diversity across the globe."

In fact, Clyde & Co recently announced Canada-based Carolena Gordon as its new senior partner - the first partner from outside the United Kingdom and the first woman to hold the position.

Taking a leaf from the best practices in hiring and talent management, Clyde & Co Clasis Singapore has a diversity and inclusion committee, a mentoring initiative, targeted talent programmes and unrivalled opportunities that come from being part of an international law firm. Its collegial spirit and excellent teamwork also give it an edge over competitors.

"Frankly, our ability to put a team of experts in front of our clients from our offices across the region and deal with their queries from a local and international perspective is what sets us apart," says Mr Roberts.

Recently, for instance, Clyde & Co Clasis Singapore helped a Singapore-based client in an international arbitration matter involving New York law.

"They came to us because we are in Singapore, known for our Asia-Pacific presence, have expertise in cases like theirs, and have an office in New York to provide the law input," explains Mr Pillai. "So it's the combination of factors that make us attractive. How many of our competitors have got this? I would say very few."

Singapore's rise as arbitration hub Over the next five to 10 years, the firm's partners see a big growth area in corporate and commercial disputes.

"As a leading international firm in the litigation and arbitration space, we cannot rest on our laurels and must continue to invest in order to take advantage of these opportunities and support our clients," says Mr Roberts.

Singapore's move into international financial services has led to the rise of international arbitration here in the past 10 to 20 years, with the city state "probably rivalling London as the biggest place for companies around the world to arbitrate and litigate", says Mr Pillai.

"Last year, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) set a record of more than 1,000 cases - ahead of the International Commercial Court (ICC)," he notes. "It's just incredible." Not only that, the SIAC is a huge draw for many overseas users, with an increasing number of American companies joining Indian and Chinese counterparts.

"American companies in the past were reluctant to leave their shores," says Mr Pillai. "But now, after India, they are the second largest contributor to the number of cases that SIAC sees."

One reason is the rise of Asia, and the increased bargaining power of Asian counterparties who are less willing to give American companies home-ground advantage.

"So they look for a neutral venue, and a very sensible, neutral venue is Singapore. That's because we're in this part of the world, but, also, it's due to Singapore's elevation to the status of a truly global financial city."

Opportunities in the region are enormous and, going forward, Clyde & Co Clasis is looking to support its clients through the post-pandemic recovery phase.

Even as he anticipates an exciting future, Mr Pillai observes that the firm's local history reflects its navigation through different phases of Singapore's own development.

"It shows the firm's belief in Singapore being the centre of the great Asian story, and an identification of the country's importance as the fulcrum of this growth story," he says. "It also reflects a belief in Singapore for itself, that it is a great place to do business and for law firms to anchor. A truly international, diverse and cultural city."

Mr Roberts concurs: "We made a commitment to Singapore 30 years ago, and our commitment remains as strong as ever."

• Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) arbitration advising on a trade credit insurance dispute for around S$30 million which went to hearing
• Advising on insurance policy coverage in respect of large claims from postponement of 2020 Olympic Games
• Advising various clients on disputes arising from judicial management of oil trading firm Hin Leong Trading
• Advising top-tier Japanese trading house on its LNG (liquefied natural gas) vessel pooling joint venture with one of the world's largest multinational integrated energy companies
• Advising world-leading multinational integrated energy company on its 50 per cent stake acquisition in top downstream lubricants distributor in major Asia-Pacific jurisdictions
• Advising leading United Kingdom independent school negotiating various franchising and partner agreements for its Vietnam launch
• Advising world-leading insurer and reinsurer in global internal restructuring, and on Singapore employment and immigration issues
• Advising Indonesia-focused venture capital firm on downstream activities for its US$80 million (S$107 million) technology investment fund
• Acting for airlines and their insurers in relation to aviation major loss handling, including a national airline whose aircraft disappeared
• Represented well-known Singapore food and beverage company and founder in shareholders' dispute involving allegations of minority oppression
• Represented multinational commodities firm in liquidating OW Bunkers, a trader of bunker oil
• Represented founding shareholders in an SIAC arbitration involving dispute over joint venture to construct several large infrastructure projects in India's power sector
• Successfully represented applicant in setting aside SIAC arbitration award on basis of breach of natural justice - rare case where a setting-aside application was allowed in Singapore
• Assisted several international hospitality companies with their market expansion in Asia-Pacific (especially South-east Asia) by advising on market entry, introduction of new business models and legal support for local hotel projects
• Advising and representing a state-owned company in a complex multi-party, multi-arbitration infrastructure dispute in SIAC
• Advising and representing parties in various large infrastructure disputes in Indonesia, Mongolia and Vietnam in ICC, SIAC, Badan Arbitrase Nasional Indonesia (BANI Arbitration Center) and Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) arbitrations