Expert Panel

Jessie Tan currently serves as Director (Legal Industry Division) with the Ministry of Law, where she oversees the development of Singapore’s legal sector.

Jessie graduated with an LLB degree from the National University of Singapore and holds an LLM (1st Class Honours) from the University of Cambridge.

She was called to the Singapore Bar in 1998. Jessie started her professional life as a litigation practitioner with Allen & Gledhill, and subsequently, as a corporate lawyer specializing in mergers and acquisitions. She then spent several years as legal counsel with Deutsche Bank AG where she was Co-Head of Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement for Asia Pacific.

Bazul Ashhab is the Managing Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution leading its Litigation and International Arbitration Practice Groups of Oon & Bazul.

Bazul specialises in commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation with a broad based practice including international trade, banking, shareholders disputes, shipping, insurance, company law, insolvency and breach of fiduciary duties of agents and directors. He regularly advises banks and traders on trade finance issues. He has been involved in several trials in the High Court of Singapore involving LC fraud, duties of negotiating banks and documentary discrepancies.

Bazul is highly regarded by the shipping industry and has significant expertise covering all facets of shipping including collision, salvage, cargo, and also advises on general average, wreck removal as well as disputes arising from charterparties, bills of lading and ship building contracts. He has been involved in several landmark shipping matters around the world. Bazul has established a reputation as the counsel of choice for his expertise in advising on both contentious and non-contentious aspects of the shipping industry. He regularly assists insurers (hull & machinery, P&I) and on issues involving facultative and treaty reinsurance.

His practice very often includes cross-border issues. He is familiar with the legal and commercial structures in place in challenging jurisdictions in Asia and Africa. Bazul has acted for clients from various jurisdictions in their disputes in Asia, Asia Pacific and Africa including, China, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Ghana.

Philip is the Managing Partner of Harry Elias Partnership and heads the Litigation Practice Group in Singapore.

Philip’s extensive experience in civil litigation includes disputes in or over contracts, shares, companies, property, professional negligence, trusts and wills. He is consistently identified as a leading business crime lawyer in directories such as Who’s Who Legal, having represented many clients in securities and corruption cases.

Philip’s career started with the Commercial Affairs Department, the specialist enforcement agency which prosecutes white collar crimes. Philip was the first head of the agency’s Anti-Money Laundering unit.

Philip’s advice is constantly sought on insider trading and market manipulation, regulatory compliance (directors’ duties and governance) and medical malpractice. Philip has acted as prosecuting counsel for professional bodies (such as the Singapore Medical Council) against doctors and accountants. His high-profile cases in the Supreme Court include judicial reviews and challenges to collective sale agreements of condominiums. Apart from court work, Philip handles arbitrations seated in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Philip has been highly recommended as a star name and leading lawyer by independent publications such as The Asia Pacific Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal, Asian Business Legal, The Straits Times, The Guide to Asia-Pacific’s Leading Law Firms, TODAY Paper, The Business Times and Channel News Asia.

Yuet Min is a Director in the Dispute Resolution department of Drew & Napier LLC. She advises clients mainly on civil disputes relating to a wide range of commercial contracts. Besides maintaining an active litigation practice, many of Yuet Min's matters involve SIAC and ICC arbitrations as well as arbitration-related Court proceedings. She has particular experience and interest in dealing with multilingual proceedings and has conducted a bilingual international arbitration under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. Yuet Min has also been appointed arbitrator in a number of SIAC, ICC and ad hoc international arbitrations, and is an arbitrator on the SIAC Reserve Panel. She has conducted SIAC arbitrations under the expedited procedure. Yuet Min is consistently recognised for her expertise in arbitration by legal directories such as Legal 500 and Who's Who Legal.

She is a member of Home Detention Advisory Committee 4 and of the Goods and Services Tax Board of Review. At the Singapore Institute of Legal Education, she sits on the Accreditation Panel of the Accreditation Committee (Continuing Professional Education). She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the International Council for Commercial Arbitration.

Yuet Min graduated with an LLB degree (1st Class Honours) from the National University of Singapore in 2006. Prior to joining Drew & Napier in 2008, Yuet Min was a Justices' Law Clerk at the Supreme Court of Singapore. She was previously appointed to the Supreme Court's Young Amicus Curiae Scheme in 2010 and 2011.

Alastair Henderson is the managing partner for Southeast Asia at Herbert Smith Freehills. He is recognised as being among the region's leading experts in the field of arbitration and international dispute resolution.

Alastair qualified as a lawyer in England in 1990 but has worked in Asia for more than 20 years. He handles trade, investment, finance and other disputes across many sectors and industries, with particular experience in energy, construction, infrastructure and projects. His clients include government agencies and public bodies, international banks, multinationals and leading regional companies. Alastair also serves as sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator and presiding arbitrator. He is a fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators, a national committee member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a regular speaker and writer on topics relating to international dispute resolution.

Sushma Jobanputra is a banking and finance lawyer with broad experience acting for lenders, borrowers, and financial advisers on a variety of financing transactions, including acquisition finance, secured and unsecured syndicated lending, and structured finance. She also has acted for lenders and other creditors in cross-border restructurings. Prior to joining Jones Day, Sushma was a partner at a Magic Circle firm in London where her practice focused on structured and acquisition finance. Most recently, she was a managing director at Barclays Capital, heading a team in the structured transactions department, with responsibility on behalf of the bank for the execution of all large complex structured transactions with other financial institutions and multinationals. Sushma is consistently recognised as a leading lawyer by Chambers and Legal 500. She was born in Rwanda and lived in India, Canada, France and England prior to moving to Singapore. She is fluent in English, French, Hindi and Gujarati.

Melissa is currently the South East Asia Senior Legal Director and Contracting lead in Accenture, a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations.

Having worked in Accenture's offices in Hong Kong, China and currently based out of Singapore, Melissa leads a team of lawyers in South East Asia negotiating and providing legal support, including risk management and mitigation strategies for complex consulting, information technology, outsourcing and digital contracts with Accenture's clients.

Prior to Accenture, Melissa was an IP lawyer with Lee & Lee and graduated with her LLB degree from the National University of Singapore. She has a keen interest in artificial intelligence, cloud, blockchain, cybersecurity and other new and emerging technologies relating to the services which Accenture provides.

Chia-Ling is a digital business lawyer trained in artificial intelligence (MTech KE, NUS) and Information Security (CISSP). He is the Managing Director of OC Queen Street LLC, a Singapore law practice and a member of Osborne Clarke’s international legal practice.

As Managing Director, Chia-Ling leads a team of Digital Business lawyers, supporting businesses dealing in AI, FinTech, Blockchain, ICO, Cryptocurrency, ePayment, Cybersecurity, CleanTech, MedTech, PropTech, EdTech, ePlatforms, eCommerce, Social Media and OTT. His core practice is IP, IT, Data, regulatory, financial services and disputes.

Chia-Ling’s Fintech work was recognised in the inaugural FinTech chapter of Who's Who Legal: Banking 2018. He has also acted in a number of high profile IT/IP disputes, for example, PropertyGuru Pte Ltd v 99 Pte Ltd [2018] SGHC 52, a copyright infringement case, and Main-line Corporation v United Overseas Bank Ltd [2016] SGHC 285, a patent infringement case. His publications include the chapters on Data Protection, Digital Evidence and Computer Crimes in the E-Commerce volumes of Halsbury’s Laws of Singapore, and Intellectual Property Arbitration, Arbitration in Singapore – A Practical Guide, Sweet & Maxwell, 2014. Chia-Ling is regularly cited in the Legal 500 and Chambers for IP and TMT.

Matt Takeshi Komatsu is a co-representative partner at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto (Singapore) LLP. He is widely recognized for his expertise in cross-border M&A, joint venture formations, and corporate law throughout Asia.

Matt was admitted to the bar in Japan in 2000 and later in New York in 2006, and has held a Foreign Practitioner Certificate in Singapore since 2016. After earning his LL.B. from Kyoto University in 1999, he pursued an LL.M. from the University of Chicago Law School in 2005. His professional experience includes a secondment to the Civil Affairs Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Justice, where he contributed to amendments to the Companies Act of Japan and researched corporate law practices in various jurisdictions. 

Drawing on his deep expertise in corporate law, Matt advises on a wide range of corporate governance matters for Asian companies and handles M&A transactions across multiple jurisdictions.

Gloria Lim is the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). As the Chief Executive Officer, she works closely with the Chairman and the Board in formulating and fulfilling the vision and strategies for SIAC, and is responsible for the overall management and operations of the institution.

Gloria was previously the Director of the Legal Industry Division in Singapore's Ministry of Law (MinLaw) and concurrently held the statutory appointment of Director of Legal Services, heading its Legal Services Regulatory Authority which oversees the regulation of all law practice entities providing legal services in Singapore and the registration of lawyers working in international law practice entities. As Director of the Legal Industry Division, she oversaw the development of Singapore's legal sector, as well as the development and promotion of the international dispute resolution regime in Singapore.

Gloria headed the Singapore delegation involved in the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Working Group II (Dispute Settlement) discussions from 2019 to 2021 and continues to participate as a member of the delegation as an industry expert. Gloria brings with her cross-sector experience in legal policy, alternative dispute resolution and community mediation in MinLaw.

Gloria graduated from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and is called to the Singapore Bar. In 2008, Gloria was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Bronze) for her contributions as General Manager of the Community Mediation Unit. In 2016, she was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Silver) for her contributions as Director of the Legal Industry Division. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in International Arbitration from NUS and an LL.M from Harvard University.

Yin Mei is Managing Director of Venture Law LLC. Her practice includes advising on capital raising, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), investment funds as well as regulatory issues for private and public companies, financial institutions and other intermediaries. She has acted on some of the largest and most complex public equity, debt and hybrid fund raising, takeovers, M&A and privatisation transactions. She regularly advises sponsors and fund managers in the establishment and syndication of private funds. Yin Mei is consistently recognised as a leader in her area of practice by clients and key industry publications, including Chambers, IFLR1000 and Legal 500.

Yin Mei sits on the boards of the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore (ACRA) and of the National Healthcare Group. She was a board member of the Singapore Land Authority from 2016 to 2020. She presently chairs the Corporate Law Advisory Panel at ACRA and is also a member of the Compliance Committee (Continuing Professional Development) of the Singapore Institute of Legal Education. Previously, Yin Mei was appointed by ACRA to the Companies Act Working Group which completed its review of the Singapore Companies Act in 2019.

Yin Mei graduated with an LLB (Honours) degree from the National University of Singapore and also holds an LLM degree from the University of Cambridge.

Vinod Mahboobani is the Global Chief Legal Officer and an executive leadership team member of both KFC and Pizza Hut @ Yum Brands, Inc. with over 57,000 restaurants in more than 155 countries/territories under the company’s concepts – KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and the Habit Burger Grill. 

With over 27 years of international experience and a deep understanding of the complexities of businesses operating in multiple geographies, Vinod has deep expertise in international expansion, franchising, M&A, Private Equity, IPOs and corporate governance. He also has extensive experience in information security – payment and customer data, operations (supply chain risks and digital tech. capability) and brand reputation. As part of Yum Brands Good Growth Strategy, Vinod’s role includes partnering with key stakeholders on sustainability including restaurants efficiency, offering packaging that is more recyclable and reusable, and supply chain management.

Vinod is widely recognized for his authenticity, commercial acumen, high level of integrity and people development. He speaks 5 languages/dialects (English, Cantonese, French, Hindi and Sindhi) and has lived and worked in Hong Kong, Singapore, New Delhi and Dallas.

Vinod was previously with PepsiCo. Restaurants Inc. and in private practice for 5 years in Hong Kong.

Vinod has a Bachelor of Laws and a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws from the University of Hong Kong and a Masters in Applied Finance from Macquarie university in Australia. In addition, he has attended various leadership and development programs at various institutions including INSEAD and Indian School of Business. He is registered with both the UK and Hong Kong Law Societies. Vinod is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a member of the Singapore Institute of Directors, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Singapore Academy of Law.

Paul Sandosham heads the Energy, Infrastructure and Resources (Disputes) practice for South East Asia. Recognised by independent legal directories as a leading dispute resolution practitioner, Paul specialises in international arbitration, litigation and mediation focussing on disputes in the energy, power, oil & gas, infrastructure, construction, engineering, rail, transport, utilities, natural resources and international trade and commodities sectors. He acts as counsel in court and in international arbitration proceedings under various arbitral rules. Paul has advised on a multitude of projects and disputes that have arisen across numerous jurisdictions, including in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, India, Lao PDR, the Philippines, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, KSA, Mauritius, Maldives, Tanzania, Nigeria, Pakistan, China, Mongolia, Turkey and Papua New Guinea.

Paul is a qualified Chartered Arbitrator. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (SIArb), and is on the panel of arbitrators of SIAC, KLRCA, DIAC, PIAC, BCDR and CIArb. He sits as sole arbitrator and tribunal chairman in international arbitrations relating to various types of disputes. Paul is currently chairman of the CIArb, Singapore branch. He is on the teaching faculty of CIArb where he teaches courses on international arbitration. He is also a member of the SIAC User's Council. In the construction space, Paul has served as a council member, secretary, treasurer and vice-chairman of the Society of Construction Law (Singapore). He was recently appointed as a Senior Accredited Specialist (Building & Construction) by the Singapore Academy of Law.

Gerald Singham is Global Vice-Chair and ASEAN CEO and a senior partner in Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP's Corporate Practice Group. Gerald's principal areas of practice are commercial and corporate law. His practice focuses on a broad range of corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity and foreign direct investment. He has considerable experience in corporate and cross-border transactions. Gerald's practice also covers competition law and he has experience advising a broad range of industries on competition law matters. He deals with all aspects of competition law including merger notification, notifying anti-competitive agreements for guidance and decision, handling investigations by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore and the drafting and reviewing of agreements and practices for compliance with competition law. He is actively involved in community work including serving as Chairman of the National Crime Prevention Council and a board member of the Casino Regulatory Authority, both appointments made by the Minister for Home Affairs.

He was awarded the Public Service Medal (Pingat Bakti Masyarakat) in 2006, the Public Service Star (Bintang Bakti Masyarakat) in 2009 and the Public Service Star (Bar) in 2019 by the President of Singapore in acknowledgement of his community work. He is Vice Chairman of OnePeople.sg which is a committee tasked to promote racial harmony in Singapore. In 2008, Gerald was presented with the "Minister for Law Appreciation Award" in acknowledgment of his more than 10 years of service to the Ministry in service to the public. Gerald is a past president of the World Law Group, an international alliance comprising 11,000 lawyers from 50 law firms in over 40 commercial cities globally. He also serves as a director on the boards of several companies. Gerald has been listed in the International Who's Who of Competition Lawyers & Economists. He has also been consistently recognised by Asialaw as a Leading Lawyer for General Corporate Practice since 2006. In addition, for his Corporate and M&A work, he has been recognised by Chambers Global and Chambers Asia as a Leading Individual, and by IFLR1000 as a Leading Lawyer.