Following the merger of Allen & Overy with Shearman & Sterling in May 2024, A&O Shearman has solidified its position as a market-leading corporate practice in Singapore, showcasing strong capabilities in cross-border M&A across the ASEAN and wider Asia Pacific region. Alun Evans’ current workload includes renewable energy and infrastructure deals, while James Mythen focuses on M&A, joint ventures and private equity transactions involving Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar. Evans and Mythen jointly lead the practice alongside Richard Porter, whose client roster includes corporations, banks and private capital institutions, encompassing private equity and sovereign wealth funds. Tom Jokelson is noted for his expertise in the technology, financial services, infrastructure and consumer sectors, while Ayesha Thapar was promoted to partner in May 2024 and Kok Jin Ong has ‘great legal acumen, is very responsive and delivers an excellent service’.

Noted for its expertise in the energy and infrastructure, financial services, consumer goods, life sciences, telecoms and technology sectors, Clifford Chance is well-placed to advise on Singapore, English and New York law, and maintains a track record in big-ticket M&A and private equity transactions. Managing partner Valerie Kong advises on cross-border deals in the consumer goods and retail industries, while Melissa Ng acts for multinational companies, regional conglomerates and financial sponsors in M&A, joint ventures and divestments. Kong and Ng jointly lead the team alongside Tom Lin, who stands out for his experience in handling private equity secondaries transactions. Other key contacts in the group include Jamie McLaren, who joined from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in February 2024, and Ivan Chan.

Counting private equity houses, pension and infrastructure funds and sovereign linked investors among its key roster of clients, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer showcases stellar expertise in high-profile M&A and private equity transactions across South and Southeast Asia. Nigel Gleeson acts for financial sponsors on M&A and private capital investments, and jointly leads the practice alongside Simon Weller, who focuses on domestic and cross-border M&A across Southeast Asia. Jon Bowden is a key contact for private capital deals, with additional experience in M&A, joint ventures and corporate finance mandates, while Philip Morgan focuses on high-value transactions in the energy and natural resources sector.

Counting private equity houses, corporates, funds and financial institutions among its key roster of clients, Latham & Watkins LLP showcases demonstrable experience in public M&A, private takeovers, joint ventures, corporate restructurings and disposals, and is well-placed to advise on US, English and Singapore law. Practice leader Amy Beckingham advises on the entire lifecycle of clients’ investments and Sidharth Bhasin’s workload encompasses private equity investments and exits, public and private M&A and joint ventures. James Clayton-Payne maintains a track record in cross-border M&A and joint venture transactions in Asia and the Middle East, while Sharon Lau counts private equity sponsors, corporates and financial investors among her key roster of clients. Other names to note include Marcus Lee and Farhana Sharmeen.

Well-placed to leverage the firm’s global footprint across Asia, Europe and the US, the ‘stellar’ team at Linklaters advises on big-ticket transactions, from M&A and private equity deals to takeovers and joint ventures. Key clients include financial institutions, multinational corporates and sovereign wealth funds, among others. Noted for her impressive expertise in the financial services and infrastructure sectors, Sophie Mathur leads the team and maintains a track record in high-profile M&A, private equity transactions and joint ventures. Niranjan Arasaratnam is the key contact for TMT transactions and Robert Elliot acts for private equity and other financial investors in corporate deals, while Gary Beh advises on corporate regulatory and compliance matters.

The ‘responsive and creative’ team at Milbank is noted for its expertise in cross-border transactions across the oil and gas, energy and infrastructure, telecoms, healthcare, e-commerce and retail sectors. Key clients range from multinational investment banks, multilaterals and funds to regional and national companies. Managing partner David Zemans maintains a track record in corporate financing mandates, while handling multi-jurisdictional transactions involving Indonesia, India, China and Europe. Zemans jointly leads the practice alongside Jacqueline Chan, who acts for financial institutions, corporates, investment funds and private equity funds in high-value M&A and corporate finance matters. Min Kim, who assists on deals in the technology, telecoms, financial services, healthcare, food and beverages, and power industries, is another key contact in the group.

Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow showcases demonstrable experience in handling big-ticket domestic and cross-border M&A, private equity and venture capital transactions, in addition corporate reorganisations and restructurings. Shirin Tang, who joined from Morrison Foerster (Singapore) in September 2024, jointly leads the team alongside Boo Bee Chun, who acts for both buyers and sellers across the healthcare, energy, mining, industrial and technology sectors. Min-Tze Lean advises on M&A and joint ventures, in addition to corporate advisory and compliance mandates, and Andrew Martin stands out for his expertise in multi-jurisdictional M&A and joint ventures, including acquisition integration and restructuring. Other key contacts in the group include Xiao Hui Ting, who acts for corporates and private equity houses across the healthcare, real estate, consumer and technology industries, Sharon Foo and Theodore Heng.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP’s diverse workload encompasses first-of-its-kind M&A, tower sales and leaseback transactions in the Philippines, infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia, energy transition mandates and private equity investments. Focusing on M&A and equity investments into infrastructure assets, Glynn Cooper jointly leads the practice alongside Malika Chandrasegaran, who advises on M&A, joint ventures and other commercial transactions in the technology, media and consumer sectors. Peiwen Chen, who acts for financial sponsors, corporates and sovereign wealth funds on cross-border transactions, is another key contact in the group. Jamie McLaren left in February 2024.

With demonstrable ‘end-to-end expertise’ across the e-commerce, healthcare, technology, energy, consumer and financial services sectors, Hogan Lovells Lee & Lee continues to showcase its capability in handling cross-border transactions on behalf of multinational corporates, private equity houses and investment funds. newly promoted partner Sylvia Taslim continues to focus on first-of-its-kind transactions in the emerging markets. Mark Vincent, who assists on domestic and multi-jurisdictional M&A, venture investments, minority and joint venture investments and corporate reorganisations, is another key contact in the team. The team added Timothy Goh who joined from Dechert in January 2025. Stephanie Keen left the firm in January 2025 to join O’Melveny & Myers LLP.

The ‘commercial, practical and efficient’ practice at Morrison Foerster (Singapore) handles M&A, private equity transactions and joint ventures across the logistics and real estate sectors, with its workload gradually including deals involving data centres. Managing partner of the Singapore office, Shirin Tang leads the ‘technically excellent team’ and is dual-qualified in New York and Singapore. Lip Kian Ang counts international funds, financial institutions and multinational corporations among his key roster of clients, while Tabitha Saw advises on private equity transactions in the data centre and real estate arenas. Steven Tran, who handles private equity real estate deals and M&A, is another key contact in the group.

The ‘responsive, available and commercial’ team at Norton Rose Fulbright maintains a strong track record in big-ticket, cross-border transactions across the technology, energy, financial services, insurance and real estate sectors, and is well-placed to collaborate with its Formal Law Alliance partner Ascendant Legal LLC. Praised for his ‘unparalleled deal-making knowledge’, Craig Loveless advises on M&A, disposals, restructurings and divestments, and jointly leads the team alongside Anna Tipping, who focuses on M&A in the financial services sector. Other key contacts in the practice include Shahin Foroughian, Dexter Tan and Chris Bell.

Praised as ‘responsive and commercial’, the team at White & Case Pte. Ltd. has bolstered its prowess in high-profile energy M&A, with additional expertise in private equity transactions and date centre investments. ‘Exceptional’ practice leader Jonathan Olier maintains a strong track record in M&A and private equity deals, cross-border joint ventures and private capital mandates, and counts private equity houses, corporates, investment funds and family offices among his key roster of clients. Tzi-Yang Seow, who advises on buyouts, growth equity investments and disposals, going private transactions and joint ventures, is another key contact in the group. Jessica Leung was promoted to partner in January 2025.

Praised for its ‘remarkable ability to strategically navigate the intricacies of cross-border M&A with impressive efficiency’, Ashurst ADTLaw regularly acts for sovereign wealth funds, state-owned entities, strategic investors and mid-market private equity funds. Michelle Phang is ‘highly skilled’ in multi-jurisdictional M&A, with demonstrable expertise in the energy and infrastructure, technology and healthcare sectors. Phang jointly leads the practice alongside ‘master negotiator’ Tao Koon Chiam, who spearheads the corporate team at Ashurst ADTLaw. Other key contacts include Xiaozheng Ko, Yi Ming Choo and George Kho.

The ‘proactive, commercial and efficient’ team at Dechert stands out for its capability in handling cross-border transactions, with demonstrable experience across the energy and natural resources, technology, financial services and infrastructure sectors. Maria Tan Pedersen advises on M&A, joint ventures and financing transactions, and jointly leads the team alongside Siew Kam Boon, who also spearheads the firm’s private equity group.

Praised for its ‘tremendous collaboration’, Gibson Dunn is well-placed to advise on a range of cross-border transactions, from M&A and private equity investments to share and asset purchases, tender and exchange offers, restructurings and joint ventures. Jai Pathak leads the team and handles takeovers, dispositions, privitisations, infrastructure developments and joint ventures. Saptak Santra is noted for his expertise in renewable energy infrastructure M&A, while Elaine Chao advises on cross-border M&A. Marcus Tan, who is commended as ‘collaborative and reliable’, is another key contact in the group.

Jones Day acts for multinational corporates on acquisitions, with additional experience in handling private equity-sponsored leveraged buyouts, real estate private equity transactions, and venture capital investments. Splitting his time between the firm’s offices in Singapore and London, Ben Witherall acts for international clients on regional acquisitions and disposals, as well as advising Asia Pacific clients on cross-border investments. Witherall jointly leads the practice alongside Dennis Barsky, who focuses on private equity-sponsored leveraged buyouts and acquisitions.

Commended for its ‘profound knowledge and a cooperative approach that prioritises client success’, King & Spalding LLP houses a robust energy M&A practice, with additional experience in disposals and private equity transactions. Parveet Singh Gandoak is ‘exceptionally strong’ in M&A, joint ventures, minority and control investments, exits and restructurings, and jointly leads the team alongside Simon Cowled, who has ‘outstanding’ expertise in cross-border energy M&A. Other key contacts in the practice include Jill Cooper and Michael Ng.

Counting technology companies, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and private equity houses among its key roster of clients, the ‘collaborative’ team at King & Wood Mallesons advises on cross-border M&A, private equity transactions and joint ventures. Nicola Yeomans leads the team and assists with acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and fundraisings, with demonstrable experience in foreign investments into ASEAN. Michael Lawson is noted for his expertise in the energy, infrastructure, life sciences and telecoms sectors, while Esther Yee acts for insurers and underwriters on warranty and indemnity insurance for M&A.

Housing ‘a deep bench of experienced and commercial practitioners’, Sidley Austin LLP is well-placed to handle cross-border M&A and private equity transactions, with demonstrable experience in the technology, consumer, education, digital infrastructure and real estate sectors. ‘Able to cut through the fog and get to the nub of any issue’, Charlie Wilson leads the team and acts for private equity funds and corporates on their investments and disposals across Asia. Other key contacts in the group include Parthiv Rishi, who ‘has all the details of a transaction at his fingertips’, and Eldon Chan.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP acts for multinational corporates and investment companies on high-value M&A, with additional expertise in de-SPAC transactions, and is well-placed to collaborate with the firm’s offices elsewhere, particularly in Hong Kong. Rajeev Duggal leads the practice and showcases demonstrable experience in multi-jurisdictional M&A and SPAC deals, while Andrew Cohn assists on tender offers, spin-offs, venture capital transactions and M&A.

Commended for ‘the quality of service and responsiveness, all delivered with humility and efficiency’, Stephenson Harwood LLP advises on private equity and venture capital investments across South and Southeast Asia. The team is also well-placed to collaborate with its Formal Law Alliance partner Virtus Law LLP, advising on the domestic and international aspects of transactions across the healthcare, technology and telecoms, maritime and energy sectors. Tom Platts leads the team and handles M&A, joint ventures and corporate restructurings, while Jonathan Goacher is noted for his expertise in regulated industries.

Bird & Bird ATMD LLP showcases demonstrable capability in handling domestic and cross-border transactions, encompassing M&A, joint ventures, corporate restructurings, takeovers and leveraged buyouts, in addition to private equity and venture capital investments. Counting multinational corporates, financial institutions, public and private companies, private equity houses and government-linked entities among its key roster of clients, the team’s expertise spans the energy, financial services, TMT, life sciences and healthcare, retail and consumer goods sectors. Practice leader Marcus Chow advises on M&A, private equity transactions, venture capital and equity capital mandates, while Sandra Seah handles M&A and joint ventures, with notable expertise in the energy industry. Jolie Giouw is another key contact in the group.

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (Singapore) LLP acts for a diverse range of clients across the technology, healthcare and life sciences, energy and consumer goods sectors on domestic and cross-border M&A, fundraising mandates and reorganisations. Managing partner Toby Grainger leads the ‘proactive team’ and advises on M&A, venture capital transactions and multi-jurisdictional investments across the Asia Pacific region, while Gerald Licnachan is noted for his expertise in private capital deals in the energy and infrastructure arenas.

Dentons Rodyk showcases demonstrable experience in both domestic and cross-border M&A, corporate restructurings, private equity and venture capital transactions, and acts for vendors, acquirers and financiers across the healthcare, technology, consumer goods, financial services and real estate sectors. Eng Leng Ng maintains a track record in public and private takeovers, M&A and joint ventures, while Marian Ho counts publicly listed and private entities, funds, societies and associations among her key roster of clients. Ng and Ho jointly lead the team alongside Evelyn Ang, who handles M&A, public takeovers and corporate restructurings, while S Sivanesan is noted for his expertise in cross-border M&A, private equity and venture capital investments.

Housing ‘a team of lawyers with the requisite depth and breadth of expertise to execute cross-border M&A’, Pinsent Masons MPillay’s workload also includes disposals and joint ventures, with demonstrable experience across the energy and infrastructure, technology and financial services sectors. Providing ‘nothing short of the Rolls-Royce service’, Nicholas Hanna jointly leads the practice alongside Mark Tan, who advises on inbound and outbound multi-jurisdictional M&A, while William Stroll focuses on energy and infrastructure acquisitions, disposals, and joint ventures. Another key contact for energy, infrastructure and natural resources transactions is David Clinch, who joined the team from Shearman & Sterling LLP in February 2024.

The ‘professional and dedicated’ team at Reed Smith LLP is noted for its expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors, advising institutional energy and natural resources clients, private equity houses and family office investors on domestic and cross-border transactions. Following the departure of Matthew Gorman in July 2024, Johnny Lim leads the team and is ‘commercially savvy, technically proficient and an expert in his field’, advising on M&A, joint ventures, private equity and venture capital transactions. Manoj Purush is recognised for his transactional experience in South and Southeast Asia.