Rajah & Tann Singapore has elected deputy managing partner Kim Beng Ng as the next firm’s head to take over from Patrick Ang, who has been at the helm since 2019 and will remain vice-chairman of Rajah & Tann Asia after stepping down.
Ng, who will assume his new role from 1 April this year, told Asia Business Law Journal that he would be actively pursuing regional expansion to better serve clients and strengthen the firm’s presence in key markets.
He emphasised this primary focus, citing the example of the Shenzhen office launch last year as a significant step in enhancing the firm’s localised expertise and support in the Greater Bay region.
“By building on our strong platform and solid presence in Southeast Asia and China, we will continue to broaden our horizons and expand further outward,” Ng said.
Having practised at Rajah & Tann for 24 years, Ng is known for its expertise in construction and international arbitration, and has been advising on cross-border investments and projects in industries ranging from construction, renewables and power to oil and gas and petrochemicals.
As the firm’s new head, Ng will be working closely with senior counsel Kelvin Poon, who will continue as deputy managing partner while heading the firm’s international arbitration practice.
Ng is also setting out to further leverage advanced technologies including generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to further drive growth, focusing on incorporating them into workflows with the objective of enhancing the firm’s value proposition to clients and staying ahead in a competitive market.
“We are one of the earliest adopters of GenAI among local law firms because we believe that it allows us to streamline our workstreams and deliver more efficient solutions to our clients.”
Ng added that one of his core areas of focus would be developing the firm’s lawyers with deeper legal expertise and broader skills, including a regional and holistic perspective attuned to the evolving landscape and the impact of AI.
“This approach ensures that we continue to meet our clients’ needs in a dynamic world, positioning us as leaders in both transactional and advisory mandates.”
