Since 1981, Baker & McKenzie has had a presence in Singapore, which it further strengthened when it formally established a joint law venture with the local firm of Wong & Leow in January 2001. Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow now comprises lawyers experienced in local law and also in laws of jurisdictions around the world. Our team provides a full range of legal services to local and international clients, and is particularly noted for its work in the corporate commercial, mergers & acquisitions, information technology and communications, venture capital, intellectual property, construction, dispute resolution, banking and finance, project finance, securities and capital markets, international trade, employment and tax arenas.
The office has a large group of lawyers with substantial experience in co-coordinating, structuring, documenting and implementing all types of multinational and local transactions. This includes acquisitions, divestitures, financing, joint ventures, mergers, reorganisations, spin-offs, strategic alliances and other business combinations. Our historically strong presence in M&A has enabled us to establish strong working relationships with many clients. The lawyers are proactive and solution oriented. Some recent transactions include private equity/venture capital work involving a leveraged buyout and a major public company takeover with ancillary privatization issues.
Our information technology, communications and e-commerce group is at the forefront of this rapidly evolving area of law and technology. The growth of the internet, broadband services and wireless telecommunication technologies has raised novel and complex legal issues, including tax and corporate law. The practice focuses on emerging information technology and electronic commerce legal issues such as doing business on the internet, electronic contracting, encryption, digital signatures, export issues, software, electronic publishing, software piracy, multimedia, data security, electronic fund transfers, electronic record keeping, electronic licensing and distribution and interactive on-line services.
The intellectual property team acts for both users of information technology and communications products as well as many of the world's most significant providers of these products and services. We represent owners of many of the world's most well-known trademarks and brand names, and through our network of Baker & McKenzie offices and correspondent firms, we assist clients in dealing with cross border issues on a regional and global basis. We work closely together with Wong & Leow LLC on the registration, administration and enforcement of trademarks, industrial designs, patents and other intellectual property rights.
Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow is a market leader in Singapore in banking, finance and major projects. The group combines an understanding of the local jurisdiction, laws and culture with an international industry perspective and technical knowledge. Our banking and finance lawyers act for many commercial and investment banks, export credit agencies, major sponsors and other financial institutions as well as corporate users of credit, in all types of banking, finance and capital markets transactions. In view of our strategic position in one of the world's most competitive markets coupled with access to our worldwide database of precedent documentation, legislation, regulations, codes and other materials, we are uniquely positioned to advise on a full range of transactions and infrastructure projects in the energy, electricity, transportation, water and telecommunication sectors.
The construction and engineering group provides a comprehensive legal service to firms and professionals in the project development, construction and insurance industries. It is able to do so with extensive experience from drafting and negotiating a broad variety of project documentation throughout South East Asia and Australasia, and the provision of advice on contract administration throughout the project. It also has experience with in-depth analysis and conduct of construction claims and disputes.
Our office further offers clients a comprehensive range of international dispute resolution services. We are experienced in arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution and dispute avoidance practices, including conciliation and mediation. Singapore has many advantages as an international arbitration locale, having adopted the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration by the International Arbitration Act of 1994. In addition, the litigation team of Wong & Leow LLC, our associated office, is gaining presence and recognition in the local jurisdiction, working on mainly commercial litigation matters for multinational companies with operations in Singapore.
The employment practice of the Singapore office specialises in all areas of employment law and works closely with the Firm's other global employment practice groups in order to provide its clients with cross border advice. In particular, the practice group is able to advise multinational corporations on cross border employment issues arising out of mergers and acquisitions and other issues ranging from restructuring exercises, retrenchment exercises, the implementation of employee share option schemes, secondment arrangements and dual employment contracts.
Our tax practice has a strong focus on tax planning and advice for multinational corporations and financial institutions. Other areas of strength include applications for tax incentives, tax advice on corporate mergers and acquisitions, advice on issues relating to employee stock options schemes as well as personal tax advice and estate planning.
Our international trade/WTO practice has advised public and private sector clients on a broad range of issues such as the consistency of laws and measures with WTO rules, domestic labeling requirements, rules of origin, import/export controls, subsidies and competition laws. We also advise clients on the most cost-effective customs and investment structures under the WTO and free trade agreement rules. We are involved in technical assistance programmes providing trade law training to senior government officials in developing and less developed countries. The practice works closely with the Firm-wide WTO Practice Group to provide clients with trade expertise in every continent of the world. |