FRIVEN YEOH is a co-leader of the firm’s Global Arbitration, Trade and Advocacy practice and a member of the Litigation and Regulatory group.
Friven has extensive experience in the resolution of complex business disputes across industries and has represented clients in international arbitrations conducted under various institutional and ad hoc arbitration rules including those of the ICC, HKIAC, CIETAC, SIAC, JCAA, LCIA, SCC, UNCITRAL and CAS. He has also represented clients in a variety of commercial litigation and regulatory investigations involving product risk and liability, energy, corporate affairs, competition, and financial services matters. Friven has also served as tribunal chair or co-arbitrator in many international arbitrations before major arbitral institutions.
Friven has been recognized as a leading lawyer for arbitration by several publications, including Chambers Global, Chambers Asia-Pacific and Euromoney’s Expert Guides. The 2020 edition of Chambers Asia-Pacific described Friven as a “sharp and analytical practitioner who is very good at coming up with strategies” and “he’s able to figure out the key questions fast and…he can communicate with us well and is able to persuade arbitrators.” The 2019 edition praised Friven as someone who is “good at establishing smooth relations with clients” and “understand the commercial needs and looks for pragmatic solutions to problems.” The 2018 edition of Chambers Global noted that Friven is “very approachable, practical and responsive” and has “a very great IQ to understand the client.” Legal 500 Asia Pacific recently described Friven as one of the “very strong arbitration lawyers” who is “a pleasure to work with.” Friven was most recently awarded “Litigation Star” in the Commercial and Transactions, Dispute Resolution and International Arbitration categories by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2020. He has also been recognized as a global leader by Who’s Who Legal: Litigation, and a thought leader by Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration.
Prior to joining Sidley, Friven was the managing partner at the Hong Kong office of another leading U.S. law firm. He is fluent in English, Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese.