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, “bet-the-company” business disputes across industries. He is a Solicitor-Advocate and has represented clients as lead counsel 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 also frequently serves as tribunal chair or co-arbitrator in international arbitrations before major arbitral institutions.
Friven has been recognized as a leading lawyer for arbitration by several publications, including Chambers Global and Chambers Greater China, where he is ranked Band 1, as well as Euromoney’s Expert Guides. In the 2023 edition of Chambers Greater China a client noted that “Friven is one of the principal reasons for the firm's prominent position in the field. He has experience with a broad range of commercial disputes, particularly those involving China, and he is very sophisticated in the practice of arbitration in Asia.” ; “a great talent and sublime tactician”; “He's got a certain charisma which is very attractive to clients and gives a sense of confidence. He has a mellow and gentlemanly demeanour and explains things in a clear and easy to understand manner.” Previous editions of Chambers and Partners praised Friven as “a strong team leader who is very sensitive to the nuances of the case and understands deal dynamics very well” (2022); “hands-on litigator who really digs in and knows the facts, diving deep into the facts and documents with a strong support team” (2021); a “sharp and analytical practitioner who is very good at coming up with strategies” and “ able to figure out the key questions fast and…he can communicate with us well and is able to persuade arbitrators” (2020). Legal 500 Asia Pacific recommended Friven for being “eloquent, patient and reliable” (2023), and described Friven as one of the “very strong arbitration lawyers” who is “a pleasure to work with.” (2019). Friven was most recently awarded “Litigation Star” in the Commercial and Transactions, Dispute Resolution and International Arbitration categories by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2023. He has also been recognized as a global leader by Who’s Who Legal: Commercial Litigation 2022, and Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2023.
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.