Law firm Trowers strengthens its fledgling Singapore office by recruiting from DFDL
Trowers & Hamlins Strengthens ASEAN Presence with New Partner
Trowers & Hamlins, a renowned international law firm, has bolstered its presence in the ASEAN region by appointing Chuan How Tan as a partner in their Singapore office. This strategic move reflects the firm's ongoing investment in the ASEAN market.
Chuan How Tan brings a wealth of experience to Trowers & Hamlins, having worked in various prestigious law firms across the region. Prior to joining Trowers, he spent a year at Mishcon de Reya's Singapore office and over four years at DFDL's Cambodia office, where he co-headed the banking and finance practice group. Before that, he gained valuable experience at Malaysian firm Zaid Ibrahim & Co.
In his new role, Tan will leverage his deep regional knowledge to spearhead cross-border transactions such as project financing, syndicated and structured financing, and debt capital markets in key markets like Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Abdulhaq Mohammed, head of Asia and managing partner of the Singapore office, emphasized the firm’s expansion strategy, which focuses on local market insight and ASEAN integration. The recruitment of Tan, who led Cambodia banking and finance practices at DFDL, strengthens their capabilities in international banking and finance within ASEAN.
The Singapore office of Trowers & Hamlins, which opened in 2023, now boasts three partners. Cassandra Lim, who returned to Trowers in 2024, is also a partner at the office. With Tan's appointment, the firm is well-positioned to demonstrate its understanding of ASEAN markets and build connections with homegrown client bases in key countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
This strategic move supports Trowers & Hamlins’ position as the first foreign law firm to open a branch in Malaysia under a qualified foreign law firm license and their recent licensing to operate a foreign law practice in Singapore. The firm is clearly committed to its expansion strategy in Singapore, focusing on strengthening its ASEAN regional presence by hiring locally connected, ASEAN-experienced talent.
[1] Trowers & Hamlins Press Release, [Link to Press Release] [3] Law360, [Link to Law360 Article]
- Chuan How Tan, with his extensive background in finance and business law, will utilize his deep regional knowledge to drive cross-border transactions such as project financing and debt capital markets at Trowers & Hamlins, particularly in Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
- By recruiting a seasoned finance professional like Chuan How Tan, who led Cambodia banking and finance practices at DFDL, Trowers & Hamlins aims to bolster its international banking and finance capabilities within the ASEAN region, furthering its expansion strategy and commitment to understanding and integrating with local markets.
