About Our Singapore Office
Overview
Sidley has had a presence in Asia Pacific for over 40 years and is one of the few U.S. law firms to have maintained on-the-ground capabilities to serve clients in the region for more than four decades.
Established in 1982, our Singapore office was Sidley’s first office in the Asia Pacific region. In 2013, Sidley was one of only four firms to be awarded a license to practice Singapore law under Singapore’s Qualifying Foreign Law Practice (QFLP) scheme. Sidley’s QFLP license was renewed in 2020, and the firm continues to advise on the laws of Singapore, Hong Kong, England, and the U.S. from our Singapore office.
“What sets Sidley’s Singapore team apart is their adaptability and breadth of expertise across a wide range of transactional and advisory matters.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2026
Sidley’s lawyers in the Singapore office have been practicing in Southeast Asia, India, and the Greater China region for many years. The Singapore office serves as Sidley’s Southeast Asia regional hub, with a longstanding focus on jurisdictions such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
News & Insights
Recent recognition for our practices includes the following:
Capital Markets
“Sidley Austin has an established team in Singapore that advises issuers and underwriters across the full spectrum of securities work including IPOs, rights issues, high-yield bonds and debt restructuring. The firm maintains a strong focus and expertise in advising on Indonesia and India deals. The team regularly advises on listings and issuances in the TMT, real estate, banking and manufacturing sectors. Sidley Austin's clientele includes leading Indonesian and Indian corporates as well as financial institutions.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2026, Singapore Capital Markets: International
“With a practice spanning Asia, the U.K., and the U.S., Sidley Austin LLP’s capital markets team is recognised for advising issuers and underwriters across the full spectrum of securities, including IPOs, convertible bonds, investment-grade debt, and high-yield offerings. The team acts for clients in sectors such as natural resources, life sciences, healthcare, real estate, and technology.”
– Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026, Singapore Capital Markets: Equity and Debt: Foreign Firms
“The team are very experienced in debt markets and commercially minded, and so can advise clients and not just take instructions.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2025, Singapore Capital Markets: International
“Sidley comes up with really innovative solutions which speak to their expertise and solutions. They are able to break down very complex issues into succinct messages that clients can actually understand.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2024, Singapore Capital Markets: International
“The team has always maintained a professional, efficient and reliable working attitude. The debt team has experienced staff and extensive project experience, and can advise us on all aspects and make constructive suggestions with reference to past experience.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2024, Capital Markets: Debt, Equity and High-Yield Products
Corporate/M&A
“They were dedicated, committed, responsive, and always open to debating different ideas. They are an excellent thought partner on a deal and a team you can trust to execute a transaction flawlessly.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2026, Singapore Corporate/M&A: International: The Elite
“The team distinguishes itself through its global platform and ability to coordinate complex multi-jurisdictional transactions. The team delivered practical, actionable advice.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2026, Singapore Corporate/M&A: International: The Elite
“Sidley Austin has a can-do attitude. The team members are very responsive and willing to go the extra mile.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2025, Singapore Corporate/M&A: International: The Elite
“It is always comforting and satisfying working with the Sidley M&A team, knowing that your company’s interests are in very good hands.”
– Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025, Singapore Corporate and M&A: Foreign Firms
“The M&A team has significant cross-border transactional expertise and is highly competent at coordinating with their colleagues in other offices and local counsels to provide clients with a seamless, one-stop shop service. They are pleasant to work with and highly responsive.”
– Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025, Singapore Corporate and M&A: Foreign Firms
“They are thorough in the due diligence process and responsive to the client’s requirements and feedback. The team are commercial in terms of terms negotiations and able to reference historic deals.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2024, Singapore Corporate/M&A: International: The Elite
International Arbitration
“Good leadership and very driven team.”
– Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026, Singapore International Arbitration
“The Sidley team was responsive and gave great advice. The strategy behind every step was thought through thoroughly.”
– Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025, Singapore International Arbitration
“They are not only experts in law but also have a deep understanding of the Asian market. They also respond quickly and act professionally.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2025, Arbitration (International)
“Sidley Austin is a blue chip dispute resolution and international arbitration practice and is led by the extremely talented, charismatic, and brilliant Tai-Heng Cheng.”
– Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024, Singapore International Arbitration
“They are able to pull together different team members with different expertise to handle complicated matters.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2024, Arbitration (International)
“The firm obviously has a very experienced arbitration team that knows the landscape very well and is very diligent.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2023, Arbitration (International)
Investment Funds
“Sidley Austin has a notable team of lawyers in Singapore, with deep experience in regulatory matters, especially in fund registration mandates. It has notable expertise in VCC structures as well as restructuring mandates across various fund types. The firm's clients benefit from its ability to draw on expertise in Hong Kong, US and English law.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2026, Singapore Investment Funds: International
“The team is very experienced and has a good sense of regulator thinking and expectations in Singapore. Work is detailed and very high quality.”
– Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026, Singapore Investment Funds: Foreign Firms
“Sidley Austin is very quick to spot issues and respond with practical solutions to complex matters.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2025, Singapore Investment Funds: International
“Sidley provides full coverage and has extensive experience in funds globally. Apart from fund-raising related work, they have also helped us with regulatory advice, and M&A in the asset manager. We have found the team very capable and knowledgeable.”
– Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024, Singapore Investment Funds: Foreign Firms
“The Sidley team held my hand every step of the way and that's something I really appreciate. They are definitely plugged into the market and are aware of trends too. Their network is also good.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2024, Singapore Investment Funds: International
“It is a very experienced team that is able to provide thoughtful advice on complex regulatory issues. They are well connected with the Monetary Authority of Singapore and key stakeholders in Singapore.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2024, Singapore Investment Funds: International
Start-ups, Emerging Companies, Venture and Growth Capital
“What sets Sidley apart is their global reach and seamless integration across offices in Asia, Europe, and the United States. Sidley’s ability to coordinate advice across multiple jurisdictions ensures that we receive consistent, high-quality guidance wherever our business takes us.”
– Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026, Singapore Start-Up and Venture Capital: Foreign Firms
“Sidley's startup practice stands out for its practical, business-focused approach and deep understanding of the Southeast Asian startup ecosystem.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2026, Singapore Startups & Emerging Companies
“The team advises us on market practice and takes calls on what is absolutely necessary as opposed to what is merely good to have. I value their commercial acumen as it smoothens deal execution.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2025, Singapore Startups & Emerging Companies
“Sidley’s practice in Singapore is unique because it is one of the few international firms that offers a venture capital practice that truly spans incorporation to exit, with capabilities to advise equally on Asia-based and US-based transactions.”
– Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025, Singapore Start-Up and Venture Capital: Foreign Firms
“The Sidley team is able to staff matters efficiently and is willing to be flexible with billing arrangements. They are gradually building a reputation of being trusted advisers on both the company-side and the investor-side, and are highly proficient at shepherding deals to completion.”
– Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025, Singapore Start-Up and Venture Capital: Foreign Firms
“Sidley Austin are able to demonstrate a broad and in-depth knowledge of private equity and venture capital transactions that helps us fully consider the pros and cons of all the commercial terms that we negotiate.”
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2024, Singapore Startups & Emerging Companies
White Collar Defense & Investigations
“The team, led by Yuet Ming Tham and Shu Min Ho, brings a wealth of knowledge along with practical, business-forward advice. This is the most responsive team I've ever worked with, and the work product is exceptional.”
– Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026, Singapore White-Collar Crime: Foreign Firms
“Very collaborative team, Yuet, Shu Min, and their team are highly knowledgeable about Asian jurisdictional implications and can also approach issues from an international regulatory perspective in a very thoughtful and strategic manner.”
– Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026, Singapore White-Collar Crime: Foreign Firms
“Yuet Ming Tham’s incisive market insights and her pragmatic yet creative problem-solving approach, definitely make her a rare lawyer. Together with her team’s deep experiences of handling the most complex regulatory issues, all these make Sidley’s white collar team stand out as one of the best teams in APAC.”
– The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025, Singapore White-Collar Crime: Foreign Firms
“Pragmatic, relevant and concise advice is the hallmark of the white-collar crime team at Sidley. The partnership approach with client service and taking deep interest in the business and processes sets this firm apart.”
– The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024, Singapore White-Collar Crime: Foreign Firms
“Everything is excellent! It’s why they have almost all of my business in the region, and have for so long. The team… is best in class.”
– Benchmark Litigation 2023, Singapore White-Collar Crime