YUET MING THAM is the global co-leader of the White Collar: Government Litigation & Investigations practice and leader of the Asia Pacific Compliance and Investigations practice. She speaks fluent English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Malay and is admitted in New York, England & Wales, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Yuet focuses on FCPA, compliance, investigations, sanctions and money-laundering regulations, data-privacy, and employment. She has led investigations and compliance projects across Europe, the Middle East, and all of Asia Pacific and has counselled clients on matters involving the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. SEC, FINRA, the HK SFC as well as investigations by enforcement agencies in Asia. Most recently, Yuet led investigations in Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel, South Africa, Algeria, India, China, Indonesia, Australia, Japan, and Vietnam.
Yuet’s multiple accolades include being named by Global Investigations Review 2021 to its “Top 100 Women in Investigations” in the world, and listed as a leading lawyer in the Women in Business Law Expert Guide 2021. Yuet has also been awarded the “Top 100 Women in Law” recognition for the Asia Pacific region and as the “Dispute Resolution Star: White-collar” by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific, 2019-2023. She is recognized in Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders – Global Investigations Review 2019-2021 and Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders – Hong Kong 2021. Yuet has also been awarded the Emerging Markets “Compliance & Investigations Lawyer of the Year” by The Asian Lawyer, with the team also recognized as the “Compliance/Investigations Firm of the Year.”
Yuet has been recognized in the 2012-2023 editions of Chambers Global and Chambers Asia-Pacific for Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption: International. In 2023, Chambers noted that Yuet is described as being “in a class of very elite lawyers who handle the most complex international issues and make it look easy. She is my go-to in the APAC and around the world”. Chambers goes on to add that Yuet has been recognized as "a highly reputable professional who delivers long-term value for her clients” and is “widely recognized a trusted counsel to a number of Sidley Austin’s prominent life sciences and pharmaceutical clients in relation to global investigations and compliance advice.” She has additionally been described as being “very responsive and understands the unique needs of her clients. Her blend of firm and in-house counsel experience is very helpful for providing practical advice that in-house lawyers can use.” Clients appreciates that her advice is “punctual, balanced, and comprehensive.” Chambers Asia-Pacific has also ranked Yuet in the Life Sciences: International category for many years and she has been described as “very experienced and confident” and is “the subject matter expert in the life science industry.”
In the 2018 edition of Chambers Asia-Pacific, under the Corporate Investigations chapter, Yuet is described as “exceptionally bright” and “very responsive and knowledgeable and can immediately dive into the issues.” In the Life Sciences chapter, clients shared: “We have always been impressed by her leadership, professionalism, tenacity and savvy technical skills…. You will love to work with Yuet.”
According to the 2015 edition of Chambers Global, “Ms. Tham is described by clients as “a marvelous and gifted attorney” while peers acknowledge her prowess in working with clients in the life science sector. She is active advising on anti-corruption issues across Asia, with a focus on assisting businesses on FCPA investigations in China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Vietnam.” Meanwhile, Chambers Asia-Pacific noted that Yuet “is frequently sought after by international corporations, who respect her experience and expertise in risk management.” In addition, she is described as being “highly thought of in the life sciences industry” and that industry players appreciate her “wealth of knowledge of the latest trends across the region” as well as having a “tough, no-nonsense approach in tackling tricky compliance questions.”
Additionally, Yuet is ranked a “Leading Individual” for Regulatory: Anti-Corruption and Compliance in Legal 500 APAC Hong Kong (2023), a recommended “White Collar Crime” lawyer in Legal 500 APAC Singapore (2023), and is recognized in the “Financial Services Regulatory” in IFLR1000 as a “Leading Lawyer” and has also been listed by Who’s Who Legal as a “Leading Business Lawyer” in three separate categories namely “Life Sciences,” “Business Crime Defense” and “Investigations.” She is regarded as “one of the best-informed regulatory lawyers in the region”.
Prior to joining Sidley, Yuet has held roles as a Deputy Public Prosecutor in Singapore and was the Asia Pacific Regional Director for Pfizer.
Yuet is frequently invited to speak at major conferences around the world.