12 Best Lawyers In Singapore
Are You Looking For The Top Lawyers In Singapore?
These 13 Best Lawyers In Singapore Will Exceed Your Expectations In Protecting Your Rights
In Singapore, finding the right lawyer isn’t always easy, especially if you are going through a difficult period dealing with legal matters. With so many different kinds of lawyers to choose from, how do you find the best one for your case?
We have carefully collated a list of the 13 best lawyers in Singapore – so you can rest assured that you’re in good hands.
From property law to criminal law, these influential lawyers have a proven track record and will go the extra mile, and are able to help you with any legal issues and expert advice.
*Note: This list is created in our own humble opinion and is not ranked in any order.
1. Jonathan Wong
Company: Tembusu Law LLC
Contact number: +65 8886 0278
Jonathan Wong, the founder and Managing Director of Tembusu Law, is widely recognised as one of the best lawyers in Singapore. He is also the founder of LawGuide Singapore, a prominent legal-tech startup known for launching Singapore’s first legal chatbot in 2017.
Jonathan graduated from the University of Bristol in 2002 was called to the Bar of England and Wales (Gray’s Inn) in 2003. He is admitted as an Advocate & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore.
Prior to founding Tembusu Law, Jonathan was a Partner at a leading homegrown Singapore law firm where he drove innovation and strategy and oversaw internal functions, including organisational development, talent management, regional and international business growth, and strategic partnerships.
Jonathan has a broad and varied general legal practice, dealing with contentious and non-contentious law areas. His expertise spans civil and criminal litigation, dispute resolution, corporate law, and commercial litigation.
He was previously a prosecutor at the Attorney General’s Chambers in Singapore and can therefore assist you with any legal issues that you may have or provide legal advice.
Some of the civil and regulatory litigation matters Jonathan handles on an ongoing basis include advising and acting for an established Grade A1 Building and Civil Engineering builder in Singapore regarding contractual, work injury, and employment issues and disputes.
He also advises and acts for a statutory board in prosecuting regulatory offences related to the energy sector in Singapore.
As a qualified lawyer, he can provide clients with expert advice on various legal matters and even represent your case in Court if that is necessary for you.
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2. Ivan Lee
Company: PD Legal
Ivan Lee is a litigation lawyer at PDLegal LLC, specialising in civil and commercial disputes. He graduated with an LL.B. (Hons) from the University of Leeds in 2017 and was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in 2019. Ivan began his legal career training at a Big 4 law firm before moving to a boutique litigation firm, where he quickly rose to become a Partner within just three years. He later led the civil litigation practice at a firm helmed by a senior lawyer and former District Judge.
Ivan has extensive experience acting as Lead Counsel in complex, high-value matters before both the High Court and State Courts. Remarkably, he led a 10-day High Court trial in his first year of practice and successfully argued an appeal before the Appellate Division of the High Court in his second year, overturning a prior High Court decision. His litigation experience spans a broad range of issues, including mental capacity, illegality, defamation, commercial fraud, and statutory interpretation.
In addition to courtroom advocacy, Ivan also represents clients in domestic and international arbitration under major institutions such as the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA), and the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC). His notable cases include defending a multinational engineering firm in a S$2 million claim, representing 11 investors in a S$6 million Ponzi scheme dispute, and handling a S$20 million personal injury claim against the Public Utilities Board. Ivan is known for his tenacity, strategic thinking, and commitment to achieving favourable outcomes for his clients.
3. Jonathan Lee Kui Bao
Company: My SG Lawyer
Jonathan Lee Kui Bao is a dedicated legal professional with expertise spanning corporate law, employment matters, estate planning, and dispute resolution. He advises clients on a wide range of legal issues, from drafting bespoke contracts and ensuring regulatory compliance to resolving employment disputes and navigating complex civil or criminal proceedings. With a strong foundation in employment law—particularly in workplace safety and health—as well as criminal law, Jonathan has consistently secured favourable outcomes for his clients across various legal domains.
His deep commitment to estate planning is reflected in his hands-on approach to helping individuals draft wills, set up trusts, and establish Lasting Powers of Attorney. Jonathan often goes the extra mile, offering personalised service that includes travelling to clients for important document executions, ensuring comfort and convenience throughout the process.
In recognition of his professional excellence and service to the community, Jonathan was honoured as an Outstanding Alumnus by Nanyang Technological University in 2022. This accolade reflects his ability to balance a demanding legal career with meaningful contributions outside the courtroom, including his involvement in his family’s funeral business. Jonathan is known not only for his legal acumen, but also for his compassion and unwavering dedication to the people he serves.
4. Adrian Wee
Company: Lighthouse Law LLC
Adrain Wee is the Director for Characterist LLC and the head of the firm’s criminal litigation and advocacy practice group. He is also an advocate for the legal assistance scheme of Capital Offences (LASCO). His primary key practice area is commercial disputes, commercial matters and criminal litigation.
Adrian graduated from the NUS Law School in 2003. In 2004, he became an advocate and solicitor in the Supreme Court of Singapore.
He was involved in multiple administrative law & legal matters. He has also acted on behalf of Faith Community Baptist Church to challenge a decision by the acting Minister for Manpower.
Adrian also advises corporations on international sanctions and the movement of funds suspected of being proceeds of fraud and other serious crimes.
His extensive commercial litigation portfolio includes employment disputes, corporate disputes, breaches of directors’ duties, tenancy issues, restraint of trade, defamation, debt recovery, and medical negligence.
Adrian is also a frequent speaker at legal seminars and conventions for legal practitioners and non-legal professionals. At Singapore Management University, he teaches fraud prevention classes and is a trainer for the Singapore Institute of Legal Education, helping prepare students for the Singapore bar examination.
5. Amos Cai
Company: Yuen Law LLC
Amos Cai is the director at Yuen Law LLC and an expert in intellectual property law. He also heads the dispute practice group at the firm. With over a decade of experience, Amos is recognised as one of Singapore’s top lawyers in civil, commercial, and construction litigation.
He leads a team of dedicated practitioners, consistently receiving recognition from Benchmark Litigation, the sole publication in the market exclusively dedicated to dispute resolution.
Before joining Yuen law LLC in 2018, Amos completed his Bachelor of Laws degree (Hons) at the National University of Singapore in 2011. He was admitted as an advocate (a lawyer who represents clients) and solicitor (a legal representative) for the Supreme Court of Singapore in 2012.
Amos’s respective practices are civil and criminal litigation. He advises clients on other areas of law, including construction arbitration/adjudication applications and probate and bankruptcy. A few of the cases handled are noteworthy, including one worth over $12 million.
In addition to litigation, Amos advises clients on a broad range of legal matters, such as debt recovery, insolvency, medical negligence death claims, defamation, arbitration, claims under the Security of Payment Act, and hearings at the Strata Title Board.
Amos is also a Singapore Law Society’s Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS) member, a non-profit initiative by the Law Society of Singapore that aids underprivileged individuals in criminal cases. He also volunteers with a Singapore NGO that works with migrant workers.
Amos is involved in sports outside of legal practice. He plays football and tennis regularly and represents the Law Society football team.
6. Hariz Lee
Company: Joseph Tan Jude Benny LLP
Hariz Lee, a distinguished counsel at Joseph Tan Jude Benny LLP, joined the law firm in June 2021. He graduated from the National University of Singapore with an LLB degree and was called to the bar in 2014.
He has practised extensively in commercial litigation and insolvency matters ranging from corporate litigation to corporate insolvency, fraudulent and asset recovery.
Specialising in corporate-commercial disputes, Hariz is adept at handling asset tracing and recovery, breach of trust, and oppression issues. He has represented various clients, from small businesses to multinational corporations, SMEs to financial institutions, and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs).
Notable cases handled include representing three Thai nationals accused of cheating a local casino by allegedly embezzling more than $1.3 million. In addition, Hariz has also successfully represented a well known Singaporean food court operator against a former tenant in 2019 for misrepresentation.
Hariz also volunteers with various community organisations, as a mentor for undergraduate students of the National University of Singapore law school and as School Advisor for Bedok View Secondary school.
7. Wayne Ong
Company: Wayne Ong Law Practice
Wayne Ong, a respected figure in the legal community, began practising in 2017 with a mission to provide affordable and quality legal advice in family law, probate, and criminal law.
Wayne graduated from the National University of Singapore in 2008, and in 2019 he was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor for the Supreme Court of Singapore.
Throughout his career, Wayne has developed a broad practice across multiple disciplines, including building and construction, intellectual property, family law, and probate.
His extensive experience in criminal matters has also earned him recognition as one of the top lawyers in Singapore. Wayne has represented clients in the State Courts, the High Court, and the Court of Appeal, showcasing his versatility and expertise in various legal areas.
In 2013, Wayne left private practice to enhance his corporate skills at a Singapore-listed property developer and later at a multinational technology corporation.
Wayne also provides conservative and sensible advice to corporations with his mix of litigation experience and in-house knowledge. Wayne was also a past volunteer with the Singapore Law Society’s Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS).
8. Ramesh Varathappan
Company: Straits Law Practice LLC
Ramesh Varathappan is the Associate Director of Straits Law Practice LLC. He graduated from the University of Wolverhampton with a first-class honours degree in law. He was admitted to Singapore’s Supreme Court as an advocate and solicitor in February 2011.
Ramesh’s extensive legal experience is complemented by his thirteen years as a paralegal, which has provided him with vast working knowledge that enhances his legal practice.
During his initial years of practice with Messrs Surian & Partners and a stint at Messrs Gabriel Law Corporation, Ramesh represented clients in the Appellate Court, High Court, and State Court.
His main area of practice is civil litigation, but he has also been involved in notable cases involving construction disputes and criminal matters. One such high-profile pro bono case was the Little India Riot, where he successfully represented his client against the prosecution’s motion to increase bail.
9. Manfred Lum
Company: Dentons Rodyk
Manfred is a Senior Associate in Dentons Rodyk’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution and Arbitration Practice team. He focuses mainly on corporate and commercial disputes, but he has experience in other areas.
He graduated from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2018 and was awarded the NUS Undergraduate Merit Scholarship for his outstanding academic performance.
Manfred was called to the Singapore Bar in 2019 and received a Distinction in Ethics & Professional Responsibility during the Singapore Bar Examination in 2018.
During his time at NUS, Manfred actively participated in various mooting competitions. Most notably, he was part of the team that competed in the 14th Willem C. Vis (East) International Commercial Arbitration Moot, where he received an Honourable Mention for the Neil Kaplan Award for Best Oral Advocate.
At Dentons Rodyk, Manfred’s main areas of practice focus on corporate and commercial disputes. He has advised and acted for both commercial and individual clients on matters related to equity and trusts, shareholder disputes, commercial and civil fraud, and insolvency and restructuring issues.
His role in the arbitration practice team involves handling complex dispute resolution cases and ensuring that his clients receive top-notch legal representation.
10. Clement Yap
Company: Harry Elias Partnership LLP
Clement Yap, a Partner in the Family and Divorce Practice Group at Harry Elias Partnership LLP, stands out as one of the best lawyers in Singapore.
With an exceptional background in contested matrimonial litigation, Clement specialises in complex cases involving custody, care and control, relocation, division of matrimonial assets, maintenance, and conflicts of law. His expertise and dedication have earned him a stellar reputation in the legal community.
Clement’s impressive credentials include acting as lead counsel in the Family Justice Court, Supreme Court, and Syariah Court. He is also responsible for handling adoption matters within the Family and Divorce Practice Group.
In addition to his legal practice, Clement holds the concurrent appointment of Assistant Professor (Adjunct) at the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Faculty of Law.
He designs and teaches the Specialised Topics in Family Law module, which addresses cutting-edge family law issues such as international child abduction, adoption in non-traditional family units, conflicts of law, and financial relief following foreign divorces.
Clement is recognised by Singapore Business Review as one of Singapore’s 30 Most Influential Lawyers Under 40 in 2023.
He was also the youngest Recommended Lawyer listed in the 2023 edition of Doyle’s Guide: Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers – Singapore and continued to be ranked as a Recommended Lawyer in Doyle’s Guide 2024.
11. Chia Huai Yuan
Company: Dentons Rodyk
Chia Huai Yuan, a partner at Dentons Rodyk, is widely recognised as one of the best lawyers in Singapore. His extensive background and exceptional legal expertise make him a standout in litigation, dispute resolution, and arbitration.
As a key figure in the firm’s ASEAN portfolio, specifically covering Vietnam and Thailand, Huai Yuan has represented clients at all levels of Court and arbitration proceedings.
Huai Yuan graduated with First Class Honours in Law from the National University of Singapore (NUS), where he was awarded several accolades, including the Law Society of Singapore Book Prize for being the top student in his third year of studies.
He was then selected to serve as a Justices’ Law Clerk (JLC) for the Chief Justice and judges of the Singapore Supreme Court.
During his time as a JLC, Huai Yuan contributed to landmark judgments across various fields, such as complex commercial cases, finance, securities, banking, company law, insolvency, trusts, arbitration, and public law.
In 2018, Huai Yuan was appointed to the Singapore Supreme Court’s panel of amicus curiae, where his submissions were commended for significantly assisting the Court in reaching decisions on important questions of law of public interest.
Beyond his practice, Huai Yuan has served as a Deputy Public Prosecutor and State Counsel with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, handling a wide range of white-collar and blue-collar crimes and advising on enforcement and regulatory matters.
He has also taught Company Law at NUS as a Teaching Fellow, contributing to developing future legal professionals.
12. Ting Yong Hong
Company: Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Ting Yong Hong, a distinguished partner at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, is widely recognised as one of the best lawyers in Singapore. He specialises in “dry” shipping, commodities, and trade finance.
His expertise and dedication to his field have earned him a reputation for excellence, making him a trusted advisor for major commodities players and international banks.
Yong Hong graduated from the National University of Singapore, where he developed a strong foundation in maritime and commercial law. His legal practice is primarily focused on high-value claims before the Singapore Courts and in international arbitrations.
He is regularly instructed to handle complex disputes involving bills of lading, charter parties, ship sales and purchases, commodities, and trade finance.
Yong Hong’s proficiency extends beyond his specialisation. He is frequently engaged by banks and trade creditors to manage complex cross-border litigation related to corporate insolvencies of major commodities players, bunkers suppliers, and shipowners.
Many of these cases involve investigating intricate commercial and banking fraud, showcasing his adeptness in handling multifaceted legal challenges.
As an advocate, Yong Hong has argued cases before all levels of the Singapore Courts. He has received praise from the Court of Appeal for his “candour and tenacity” in advancing his clients’ cases.
His experience in international commercial arbitration is extensive, having acted as counsel in SIAC, SCMA, HKIAC, LMAA, and LCIA arbitrations.
Yong Hong’s achievements and recognition are a testament to his expertise. He is an Accredited Specialist in Maritime and Shipping Law by the Singapore Academy of Law’s Specialist Accreditation Scheme and a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators.
CHOOSE THE BEST LAWYER IN SINGAPORE WITH THE RIGHT EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE
Choosing the top lawyer in Singapore is crucial for ensuring your legal matters are handled with the highest expertise and professionalism.
The right lawyer can significantly affect the outcome of your case, whether it’s complex civil litigation, corporate transaction, criminal defence, or family law matters. At Tembusu Law, we are dedicated to exceeding client expectations and providing top-tier legal services.
We aim to be a law firm in Singapore that always prioritises your needs. That’s why we provide a free initial consultation and assessment of every case. Our lawyers combine speed, skill, and sensitivity to evaluate your legal matter early, helping you choose the best solution that fits your goals.
As individuals, we are best-in-class legal domain experts in Singapore law, and together as a unit, we are a high-performance team capable of taking on the most complex cases in Singapore.
Get in touch with our team of experienced lawyers for a free discovery call on your case today. Let us help you navigate your legal challenges with confidence and expertise.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BEST LAWYER IN SINGAPORE
How Can I Verify The Credentials Of A Top Lawyer In Singapore?
You can verify a lawyer’s credentials by checking their registration with the Law Society of Singapore, reviewing their educational background, looking at their professional achievements, and reading client reviews and testimonials.
What Types Of Lawyers Are There In Singapore?
- Bankruptcy Lawyers
- Business or Corporate Lawyers
- Civil Litigation Lawyers
- Criminal Defence Lawyer
- Divorce and Family Lawyers
- Criminal Lawyer
- And more.
Most lawyers usually specialise in one or two aspects of the law such as civil law, intellectual property, family law, commercial law, or securities law.
Is Singapore Under Common Law Or Civil Law?
Singapore’s legal system is based on the common law system. All Singapore citizens are treated equally under the law regardless of their race, religion, or creed.
How Much Does It Take To Hire A Lawyer In Singapore?
The cost of engaging a lawyer usually depends on the lawyer’s experience in legal matters. The hourly rates can range from $100 to $500 or more. For fixed hourly rates, it can be $3,000 or more. For more information on the actual costs and charges, do refer to our page on criminal lawyer fees or lawyer fees for divorce.