Professional notice
| Partners | 13 |
|---|---|
| Other senior lawyers | 0 |
| Associates and senior associates | 23 |
| Who’s Who Legal: Data nominees | 2 |
| Percentage of lawyers in Who’s Who Legal: Data | 6% |
| Key clients | SingHealth, Grab, DBS Bank, Singapore Exchange Limited and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Singapore Branch) |
Allen & Gledhill’s data practice was formed in 2021 and is growing at pace, with two partners being promoted into the team since last year. The firm offers comprehensive expertise in Singapore’s data protection regime; its lawyers have experience dating back to the debut of the country’s privacy legislation in 2012, and it advises major international clients and public sector bodies on compliance and investigation issues.
The team’s value is boosted by its extensive cross-sector proficiency, with partners and associates boasting concurrent capability in financial services, and health and energy sectors among others. This broad knowledge base is reflected in a diverse and largely confidential client list, ranging from major tech companies to global banking entities.
Apart from ongoing advisory and compliance work, the firm is involved in contentious investigations and litigations – some of which have set notable precedent in Singaporean law.
Team
Stanley Lai SC and Eugene Ho co-head the cybersecurity and data protection practice, with the former also heading the firm’s intellectual property division. Aaron Lee has one foot in the data team while also co-heading the white-collar and investigations practice. William Ong helps lead the litigation and dispute resolution department. Tan Wee Meng sits atop the telecommunications team. Alexander Yap helps lead the fintech practice and Tham Kok Leong is head of technology and corporate IP.
Work highlights
On the advisory side, Ho and Liew Wan Lin supported DBS Bank on the data aspects of its S$956 million (€684 million) acquisition of Citigroup’s consumer banking business in Taiwan, which required the integration of the two companies’ technology and operating platforms. The firm also assisted the Singapore branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China with its data protection obligations under the Singapore Personal Data Protection Act.
In terms of litigation, Yong Seng Tay and Yap handled one of the most significant data protection cases in Singapore in recent times: IP Investment Group’s action against a former employee of the company who used the personal email addresses of the company’s clients and discussed private details of the investments they had made through IP Investment Group in the course of setting up his own rival fund. The case, which most recently led to a judgment by the Court of Appeal in 2022, raises new questions on the definition of personal data and whether loss had actually been suffered.
Client references
“Excellent, well-considered, practical advice.”
Jointly headed by Dr Stanley Lai, SC and Eugene Ho, our market-leading Cybersecurity & Data Protection Practice possesses a vast array of experience in all legal issues relating to cybersecurity and data protection. Over the years, we have acted in many of Singapore’s most high-profile incidents in this arena and have developed a deep understanding of the key regulators’ priorities from a data protection, privacy and cybersecurity perspective. Our unrivalled breadth and depth of expertise allows us to navigate the increasingly complex and rapidly evolving laws, regulations and industry best practices relating to cybersecurity and data privacy, and present our clients with holistic, informed and tailored legal advice.
Our team regularly advises clients on issues across the entire cybersecurity lifecycle, including general advisory and consulting services, pre-attack risk management, post-attack crisis management, incident response, remedial actions, litigation and investigations. Our team is also assisted by an in-house, PMP-certified technology consultant with over 15 years of diverse experience from the IT industry. This enables us to view the situation from a more holistic angle and provide clients with comprehensive legal solutions that take into consideration the technical complexities of a constantly changing technology landscape.
Sound knowledge of local laws, practices, industry understanding, and substantial experience, also allows us to offer our clients bespoke legal solutions to a wide array of complex matters and emerging technologies such as blockchain, AI and 5G. Our clients include prominent local and foreign businesses, government bodies, financial institutions, multinational corporations, listed companies and local small-medium enterprises operating across a broad range of industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, financial services, healthcare, life sciences, telecommunications, technology, manufacturing and electronics, insurance and hospitality.
Cybersecurity and data protection have become an integral part of any business. An increasingly connected global economy coupled with the rapid advancement of digital technology has also amplified concerns around the world about the proliferation of cybersecurity threats. With the heightened surge in high-profile cyberattacks and data breaches, data privacy risk management is essential to protect organisations from potential cybersecurity threats which could result in severe reputational and financial losses. As such, our integrated team of lawyers recognise the importance of offering clients comprehensive solutions to help them comply with applicable laws and prepare, manage, respond, defend and mitigate against any cyber incidents.
Contact Partners
Dr Stanley Lai, SC
Co-Head of Cybersecurity & Data Protection Practice
Tel: +65 68907883
Email: [email protected]
Eugene Ho
Co-Head of Cybersecurity & Data Protection Practice
Tel: +65 68907620
E: [email protected]
Awards and Industry Recognition:
Firm-wide
- Chambers Asia-Pacific Awards 2022: Singapore Corporate & Finance Domestic Law Advisers
- Chambers Asia-Pacific 2022: Highest number of Band 1 rankings (17 practices); largest number of Leading Lawyers among Singapore law firms (59 lawyers)
- FinanceAsia Country Awards 2022: Best Law Firm in Singapore
- IFLR Asia Awards 2022: Regional Law Firm of the Year, Most Innovative National Firm of the Year (Singapore)
- IFLR1000 2022: Highest number of Tier 1 rankings (7 practices)
- The Legal 500 Asia Pacific Southeast Asia Awards 20/21: Regional Law Firm of the Year
- The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022: Highest number of Tier 1 rankings (18 practices); largest number of recognised lawyers among Singapore law firms (40 lawyers)
Website: www.allenandgledhill.com