ALB Singapore Rising Stars 2025

Larisa Cheng, 33, director, Siraj Omar LLC

Larisa Cheng is a director at Siraj Omar LLC, specialising in complex commercial litigation and private client disputes. With nine years of experience, including six years working alongside senior counsel Siraj Omar before joining his newly established practice in 2025, she is a core member of the firm and has developed a reputation for strategic advocacy in high-stakes matters.

Admitted to the Singapore Bar in 2016 (ranking joint 4th in her cohort), Cheng combines meticulous legal analysis with practical solutions across a broad range of arbitration and litigation disputes, often with a cross-border element.

Cheng has acted in several reported cases, including representing a high-net-worth couple in appellate proceedings against their investment advisor and a former director of a fund management company in a dispute involving a private investment. Her arbitration expertise includes resisting the setting aside of an arbitral award for a building material distributor and defending an e-commerce platform in a multi-million-dollar SIAC arbitration claim.

Recently, Cheng secured the partial setting aside of an arbitral award for a chemical manufacturer in a North American distribution dispute and represented a Swiss bank in an appeal concerning gasoil sales financed by letters of credit. She also worked on an unprecedented COVID-19 business interruption claim by the owner of a hotel against its insurers, which has drawn significant media attention.

Larisa has been commended by clients for being attentive, thorough and effective. A thought leader in dispute resolution, Cheng actively contributes to legal scholarship while maintaining a robust practice. Her language abilities and experience handling matters across multiple jurisdictions make her particularly well-suited for cross-border disputes.

Seraphina Ho, 35, director, corporate & finance, Drew & Napier

With twelve years of dedicated practice at Drew & Napier, Seraphina Ho has emerged as a trusted advisor for complex corporate transactions across Southeast Asia. Her practice focuses on sophisticated mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, and corporate restructuring matters, serving both multinational corporations and regional market leaders.

Ho’s experience spans a wide range of industries, with particular depth in technology, telecommunications, and healthcare sectors. She is recognised for her expertise in guiding clients through multi-jurisdictional transactions while navigating complex regulatory environments. Her approach combines technical legal expertise with practical commercial understanding, enabling her to develop solutions that address both legal requirements and business objectives.

Clients and colleagues consistently note Ho’s strategic thinking and attention to detail in transaction management. She has developed a reputation for thorough preparation and the ability to identify potential issues early in the deal process. This foresight, combined with her responsive approach, has made her a valued advisor for time-sensitive and high-stakes matters.

Ho’s contributions to the legal field have been recognised through various industry acknowledgements highlighting her professional achievements and influence. These honours reflect her standing among peers as a skilled practitioner and emerging leader in Singapore’s corporate legal community.

Beyond her transactional work, Ho is actively involved in mentoring younger lawyers and contributes to the development of legal talent within her firm. Her combination of technical skills, commercial awareness, and commitment to professional growth positions her as a notable practitioner in Singapore’s evolving legal landscape.

Lee Keng Boon, 33, APAC corporate services legal counsel, UBS AG

Lee Keng Boon is a dynamic legal professional currently serving as APAC Corporate Services Legal Counsel at UBS AG, where he provides strategic legal support across 13 jurisdictions in the Asia-Pacific region. With seven years of experience spanning private practice and in-house roles, Keng Boon has developed specialised expertise in corporate transactions, technology contracts, and financial regulation.

During his time in private practice, Lee led complex cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions for multinational corporations, including advising on Raytheon Technologies’ multi-billion-dollar corporate restructuring and guiding Johnson & Johnson through its consumer products spin-off. His work frequently involved coordinating multi-jurisdictional share transfers, amalgamations, and capital reductions while navigating diverse regulatory landscapes.

Since joining UBS in 2024, Lee has played a pivotal role in the ongoing landmark UBS-Credit Suisse integration. His work involves negotiating industry-first tokenisation contracts for Project Guardian – Singapore’s financial markets tokenisation initiative – and ensuring compliance with evolving APAC regulations on outsourcing, real estate, data centres, cybersecurity, and AI. He is also serving as the deputy legal and regulatory officer for Singapore for outsourcing.

Previously at GXS Bank, Lee demonstrated his legal technology acumen by spearheading the implementation of a contract management system that reduced contract negotiation and execution times by over 50 percent. His ability to bridge legal and technical domains has earned him recognition as a “technologically-savvy lawyer with deep understanding of legal and technology” from former colleagues.

Colleagues describe Keng Boon as a “mature lawyer who manages stakeholders effectively” with a talent for “practical drafting.” His combination of corporate transaction experience, regulatory knowledge, and legal tech expertise positions him as a rising star in Singapore’s financial legal sector.

Sumedha Madhusudhanan, 29, director, Davinder Singh Chambers

Sumedha Madhusudhanan is a director at Davinder Singh Chambers, where she specialises in complex commercial litigation and international arbitration. At 29, she has developed a practice representing clients in high-value disputes.

Sumedha has handled several notable matters that have contributed to Singapore jurisprudence. She was involved in a significant case concerning the recovery of payments, which addressed novel legal questions about unjust enrichment and limitation periods.

Executive Chairman Davinder Singh, SC, describes Sumedha as having “a sharp intellect and a very good mind for strategy.” He also says this of her: “She dives into the details and is always on top of the documents. Nothing escapes her attention. Her arguments and submissions are shaped by her strong command of the law and excellent drafting skills.”

CEO Jaikanth Shankar commends Sumedha for always being “well prepared,” “calm under pressure,” and “focused and determined.” He also adds that she “truly believes in her work and in helping her clients get a result they are happy with” and that she will “be a leader of the profession in time to come” and “an amazing role model for many young female lawyers.”

Sumedha has received many accolades from clients, who have described her as “attentive, responsive and especially sharp” and commended her for “her familiarity with the factual record and [their] business, as well as her nuanced understanding of the legal issues, [which] contributed greatly to a successful outcome.”

Cheryl Seah, 36, director, corporate & finance, Drew & Napier

Cheryl Seah has rapidly established herself as a leading voice in Singapore’s technology law landscape, specialising in artificial intelligence legal and governance matters. With a unique background spanning legislative drafting (where she translated national policies into enforceable laws) and private practice, she brings very practical perspective to complex regulatory challenges at the intersection of law and emerging technologies.

Her practice focuses on advising multinational corporations and startups on AI deployment strategies, data governance frameworks, and compliance with evolving digital regulations. Seah has advised entities across the entire AI value chain, from foundation model developers to application developers (building on these foundation models) to deployers and users, on issues spanning intellectual property to cross-border data flows. She also advises on the infrastructure layer (such as the procurement of high-performance computing resources and cloud services).

Beyond client advisory work, Seah is recognised for her thought leadership in technology law. Her published articles on AI legal issues have been cited by academic institutions and regulatory bodies, contributing to Singapore’s position as a hub for responsible AI innovation. She actively shares her expertise through university lectures and industry seminars across multiple jurisdictions (e.g. EU, China, Singapore).

Clients and industry partners commend Seah’s “strong ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes with clarity” and that she is “well attuned to commercial, business and market considerations.” Clients value her ability to anticipate legal challenges in fast-moving technology sectors, as well as her understanding of complex technical concepts, to develop forward-looking compliance strategies.

V Kumar Sharma, partner, Eldan Law

V. Kumar Sharma is a distinguished partner at Eldan Law, bringing 11 years of legal expertise in fintech, dispute resolution, international arbitration, and restructuring and insolvency. He has established himself as a formidable advocate in Singapore’s legal landscape through his work on high-profile, complex matters.

His career highlights include second-chairing Davinder Singh, SC in landmark Singapore cases, notably the complex Millenia and Sakae matters that spanned several months of High Court trials. Kumar was also previously a partner at Blackstone & Gold, which won Dispute Resolution Boutique Law Firm of the Year (ALB Law Awards 2024), and has worked alongside prominent Senior and King’s Counsel in multi-jurisdictional proceedings across Asia and beyond.

Beyond traditional shareholder and joint venture disputes, Kumar has emerged as a leading expert in the digital assets industry. His specialisation encompasses regulatory advisory, structuring and fundraising, commercial fraud, and recovery of misappropriated digital assets. His expertise in cybersecurity and emerging technologies has proven invaluable in high-stakes matters, including successfully recovering assets from a $160 million blockchain hack and defending clients against the fallout of sophisticated phishing attacks.

Recent notable work includes representing parties in cross-border asset recovery actions, advising on cryptocurrency exchange disputes, and handling complex insolvency matters involving $48 million in assets, demonstrating his versatility across traditional and emerging legal frontiers.

Sapna Jhangiani, KC, describes Kumar as “a first-rate lawyer with great advocacy skills and strong commercial acumen, which enables him to be a trusted adviser and partner to his clients in resolving their business disputes. His experience and interest in emerging technologies is a real niche in this market, making him a go-to name for disputes in this area.”

Sim Bing Wen, 35, director, dispute resolution, Drew & Napier

Sim Bing Wen is a director in the dispute resolution practice at Drew & Napier, specialising in complex commercial litigation, arbitration, and regulatory investigations. With nine years of experience, he has represented clients in high-stakes disputes before all levels of the Singapore Courts, including the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC).

His notable work includes acting for the judicial managers and liquidators of Hin Leong Trading in a landmark $3.5 billion claim against its former directors, securing a worldwide Mareva injunction and consent judgments for the full claim amount. He also currently defends a law firm in a professional negligence suit concerning stamp duty mitigation strategies and represented a high-net-worth Dubai family in an SICC dispute over mis-sold financial products.

Sim regularly acts as lead prosecuting counsel for Singapore’s healthcare regulatory bodies, including the Singapore Medical Council and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners’ Board, in disciplinary inquiries, some of which require cross-examination in Mandarin. He was also appointed as young amicus curiae by the Singapore High Court in PP v Rizuwan bin Rohmat [2024] to assist in developing a sentencing framework for unlicensed driving offences.

Beyond litigation, Sim is deeply committed to pro bono work, having handled more than 30 cases under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme and the Legal Aid Bureau Assigned Solicitor Scheme and serving as Pro Bono Coordinator at Drew & Napier. His clients include PwC Singapore, DBS Bank, and UBS AG, and he is recognised as an Accredited Mediator (Singapore Mediation Centre) and member of the Singapore Academy of Law.

Jerrie Tan Qiu Lin, 35, partner, Eugene Thuraisingam LLP

Jerrie Tan Qiu Lin is a partner at Eugene Thuraisingam LLP, where she specialises in commercial disputes and criminal defence litigation. With 12 years of experience, including eight years in an award-winning international law firm, she has developed a multifaceted practice handling complex civil and criminal matters before Singapore’s courts and arbitral tribunals.

Tan has established herself through several landmark cases that have contributed to Singapore’s legal landscape. Her successful representation of creditors in Singapore International Commercial Court proceedings concerning cross-border insolvency recognition under the UNCITRAL Model Law marked the SICC’s first decision on this significant issue. In the criminal sphere, she has handled high-profile matters, including acting for one of the accused persons in Singapore’s largest anti-money laundering probe involving S$3 billion in seized assets. She has secured notable acquittals in capital drug cases after extended proceedings, including one matter that spanned nine years through multiple appeals, demonstrating her ability to manage cases with substantial public interest and complex evidentiary challenges.

Her arbitration experience includes acting as lead counsel in a SIAC arbitration that addressed complex technical issues related to international data transmission for medical devices, resulting in a complete dismissal of claims against her client. Tan has also successfully represented investor groups in cross-border litigation involving UK property investments, coordinating with international counsel to secure favourable outcomes for her clients.

Her practice demonstrates particular strengths in handling technically complex disputes requiring cross-border coordination, combining rigorous legal analysis with strategic case management. Tan’s extensive experience encompasses the full spectrum of dispute resolution, from trial advocacy to appellate work and international arbitration, making her a versatile practitioner in Singapore’s legal market.

Kevin Tan, 39, director, Legal Solutions LLC

Kevin Tan is a seasoned advocate with 15 years of experience, and is highly regarded for his expertise in commercial litigation and international arbitration. His practice spans a diverse range of matters including joint ventures, energy, shareholder, investor against state, fraud, employment, private equity and technology, with a particular focus on cross-border disputes. He also frequently represents insurers in financial lines defence work and subrogated recovery proceedings.

Tan regularly handles substantial, high-profile cases. Notably, he represented an Asian state in an UNCITRAL Arbitration relating to a water concession agreement concerning claims in excess of $1 billion. He also acted for representatives of a leading private equity investment firm with commitments of over $7 billion in an SIAC Arbitration. More recently, he led a dispute before the Singapore International Commercial Court concerning alleged breaches of directors’ duties relating to international projects, involving claims of around S $180 million.

Widely recognised for his strategic insight and courtroom advocacy, Tan receives strong commendations from both clients and peers. Stephanie Wee, Chief Legal Counsel of the Prysmian Group (Oceania and Southeast Asia), said that “Kevin is a fiercely intelligent and highly effective advocate – superb in court, with a wealth of legal knowledge and practical insights. He approaches every case with unwavering dedication and fights for his clients with steadfast determination.” A client from a recent High Court fraud trial commended Tan’s “exceptional skills in cross-examination,” further noting his “remarkable ability to surgically dissect the defendant’s testimony.” An instructing solicitor adds that Tan is a “very impressive advocate” who has a “unique ability of getting the Court to agree with him.”

Justin Tan Jia Wei, Senior Legal Counsel, Sembcorp Industries

Justin Tan is an accomplished energy and construction lawyer currently serving as senior legal counsel at Sembcorp Industries. With 12 years of experience across private practice and in-house roles, he has developed specialised expertise in renewable energy projects and complex construction matters throughout Southeast Asia.

At Sembcorp, Tan has been instrumental in the company’s renewable energy expansion, advising on strategic market entries into the Philippines and Indonesia. His work included negotiating the acquisition of a 96MW solar farm in the Philippines – Sembcorp’s first renewable energy investment in the country – and structuring the EPC contract for a pioneering 50MW solar and battery storage project in Indonesia’s new capital city.

Tan’s construction law expertise was honed during his time in private practice, where he successfully argued the landmark case Audi Construction v Kian Hiap Construction [2018] SGCA 4 before Singapore’s Court of Appeal. The judgment established important precedent on construction contract interpretation and continues to be cited in subsequent cases.

Recognised as an Accredited Specialist in Building and Construction Law by the Singapore Academy of Law – where he ranked first in the accreditation exams – Tan was also part of the team recently named by In-House Community Counsel of the Year 2024 for Energy & Natural Resources. Colleagues describe his approach as combining “deep technical expertise with sound strategic considerations,” particularly in managing high-stakes projects with multiple stakeholders.

Beyond transactional work, Tan actively contributes to the legal community through thought leadership on renewable energy regulations and construction law developments. His dual expertise in both practice areas positions him uniquely to advise on the full lifecycle of energy infrastructure projects across the region.

Yap En Li, Director, Dispute Resolution, Drew & Napier

Yap En Li has established herself as one of Singapore’s most promising dispute resolution lawyers during her career at Drew & Napier. Since being called to the Singapore Bar in 2016, she has developed a formidable practice handling complex, high-value commercial disputes across litigation and arbitration.

Yap’s recent achievements demonstrate her exceptional legal skills and strategic thinking. She secured a significant victory for Asiana Airlines before the Court of Appeal, successfully challenging anti-suit injunctions in a cross-border jurisdiction dispute. Her deft handling of PayPal’s defence resulted in a rare pre-trial striking out order, upheld through multiple appeals, despite taking over the case just months before trial. These successes showcase her ability to deliver results in time-sensitive, high-pressure situations.

Her practice spans financial disputes, commodities trading, and cross-border commercial matters. Yap has represented major financial institutions in claims exceeding $300 million related to oil trader defaults, advised a foreign state on investment recovery, and guided renewable energy companies through complex arbitrations. Her work on precedent-setting cases before Singapore’s Court of Appeal has contributed to the development of commercial law jurisprudence.

Yap has earned recognition from multiple authoritative industry publications for her legal expertise and client service. Clients consistently commend her ability to distil complex legal issues into actionable strategies, while peers highlight her rare combination of intellectual rigour and practical judgment. These qualities have made her a trusted advisor on matters where the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Beyond her legal practice, Yap contributes to the profession through pro bono work with the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme and mentorship of junior lawyers. Colleagues describe her as a rising star whose humility and dedication complement her legal acumen.

Javier Yeo, Director, Intellectual Property & Dispute Resolution, Drew & Napier

Javier Yeo has established himself as one of Singapore’s most accomplished young intellectual property litigators, recognised by multiple prestigious legal publications for his exceptional work in complex IP disputes. Since joining Drew & Napier upon his admission to the Bar in 2016, the 34-year-old director has developed a formidable practice spanning patent, trademark, copyright, and commercial litigation matters.

Yeo’s technical expertise and strategic approach have contributed to significant victories in high-stakes IP cases. He has successfully represented clients in matters involving cutting-edge technologies across industries, from pharmaceuticals to advanced materials. His ability to master complex technical subject matter while developing persuasive legal arguments has earned praise from both clients and senior counsel.

Yeo’s practice extends to sophisticated commercial disputes, where he regularly handles cases involving shareholder conflicts, director’s duties, and cross-border contractual enforcement. His recent work includes matters that address novel legal questions at the intersection of intellectual property and emerging technologies.

Clients consistently commend Yeo for his meticulous preparation, commercial awareness, and ability to deliver results under pressure. His talent for distilling complex technical and legal issues into clear strategic pathways has proven particularly valuable in multi-jurisdictional disputes. Senior colleagues highlight his rare combination of intellectual rigour and practical judgment, qualities that have made him a trusted advisor on high-value matters.

Yeo’s achievements have been recognised through multiple industry accolades, including being named in ALB’s prestigious 40 Under 40 list. His rapid professional ascent and consistent delivery of outstanding results position him as one of Singapore’s most promising dispute resolution specialists.

Zhuang WenXiong, Associate Director, LVM Law Chambers

Zhuang WenXiong is a disputes specialist at LVM Law Chambers with around 10 years’ experience handling complex commercial litigation and international arbitration. His practice focuses on novel, complex or cross-border commercial matters with particular expertise in large-scale, bet-the-company corporate disputes. Zhuang combines technical and legal expertise with a strategic and practical outlook on dispute resolution.

Zhuang has acted in several landmark matters, including successfully pursuing Singapore’s first cryptocurrency appeal before the Court of Appeal, pertaining to the groundbreaking issue of algorithmic trading. He regularly represents financial institutions, statutory boards, and multinational corporations in high-value commercial disputes, including a recent S$300M+ IT project dispute. He also has an active arbitration practice and has acted in arbitration-related court proceedings, including jurisdictional challenges and setting-aside applications. He also has a white-collar crime practice that includes defending high-profile individuals in complex financial cases.

Notably, Zhuang was promoted to co-head of LVM’s Emerging Technologies, Media, and Telecommunications Practice just over a year after joining the firm, reflecting his expertise in cutting-edge disputes.

A former Assistant Registrar and Justices’ Law Clerk of the Supreme Court, Zhuang authored groundbreaking judgments, including Singapore’s first decision permitting substituted service via social media. As a testament to Zhuang’s legal prowess in unsettled areas of law, he was appointed an unprecedented two times as Young Amicus Curiae to assist the Court.

Zhuang also contributes to academia, having authored articles that have been cited by the Court of Appeal and High Court, and serving as a Teaching Fellow at NUS.