Singapore Women commercial disputes lawyers, success as senior counsel

Singapore Women commercial disputes lawyers, success as senior counsel

The appointments of Marina Chin, Swee Yen Koh and Tan Puay Boon brings the tally of SCs to 94.

Marina Chin, Swee Yen Koh and Tan Puay Boon were appointed as senior counsels at Singapore's 2022 Opening of the Legal Year ceremony.

The Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) gave the trio the title of the senior counsel in recognition of their excellent advocacy and legal knowledge as well as their specialised integrity.

Appointed are two female commercial disputes lawyers. Koh is a disputes and arbitration partner at Wong Partnership. Meanwhile, Chun is a joint managing partner and co-head of the dispute resolution practice at Tan Kok Quan Partnership.

For his work within Singapore's state and supreme courts, Tan Puay Boon received the award honoris causa, having served in various roles for Singapore's Legal Service. Presently he served as the chair of the Competition Appeal Board, only the fifth such honorary appointment till date.

Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon led the selection committee and announced the appointments through the SAL. In his speech, Menon congratulated Singapore on its new legal year as he recognized the new silks.

By awarding senior counsel status, we have brought the number of Singapore senior counsels to 94, including lawyers on the Singapore bench, like former Dentons global vice chair Philip Jeyaretnam, who was appointed as a Supreme Court judge in November 2021.

The appointment of Chin brings the firm's total to three senior counsels, including a commercial litigator with substantial experience. In addition to representing clients before the Singapore courts, she also works with the Singapore International Commercial Court, which has recently announced a series of procedural reforms to improve its business.

Koh, the youngest of the three joined Wong Partnership in 2006 after working as a clerk to Chief Justice Yong Pung How. Commercial litigation, competition law, international arbitration, and other areas of her practice span the breadth of her experience.

The former vice-chair of the International Bar Association's arbitration committee, Koh is also active with the Young SIAC and IBA40 groups of young arbitrators.

In terms of bench strength and advocacy experience, her firm is now comparable to firms like Drew & Napier and Allen & Gledhill.

Beyond their extensive commercial work, Koh has served as Young Amicus Curiae member in the Supreme Court, while Chin has assisted counsel in cases under the Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences.

Ng Wai King, the managing partner of Wong Partnership, said that Koh was a great example of how they cultivate outstanding talent among their younger lawyers.

It is with great pride that we announce Swee Yen's appointment as senior counsel. In a personal sense, the appointment celebrates her dedication to superiority and wonderful legal capabilities," he said.

Swee Yen expressed her gratitude for being given this position, saying she felt "truly honoured." She thanked her family, colleagues, clients, and friends for their continuous support over the years, as well as her team members for their dedication and commitment.

Swee Yen informed practice of law was a calling, adding it was "a privilege to be able to practice as a lawyer and that one has to dedicate to bring best out of one's aptitude."