Patrick Ang, vice chairman at Rajah & Tann Asia and former managing partner at Rajah & Tann Singapore, has died at the age of 61. Tributes poured in from key legal figures, highlighting Ang’s legacy and character.
“Patrick could make immediate decisions with long-term vision, anchoring solutions in our firm’s core values,” Kim Beng, managing partner of Rajah & Tann Singapore told Asia Business Law Journal.
Beng noted that Ang helped him transition to managing partner. Ang listened deeply, encouraged reflection and always gave him the confidence to lead authentically in his own way.
In a LinkedIn post, Murali Pillai, senior minister at Singapore’s Ministry of Law, reflected on his time working alongside Ang. “As his former colleague, what I found most endearing about him was his dedication to nurturing the younger generation of lawyers,” said Pillai.
He said Ang was not at all interested in building his personal legacy and drew much satisfaction when he handed the managing partner role to Kim Beng on 1 April 2025, whilst ensuring that the firm remained on strong foundations.
Singapore Minister of Law Edwin Tong also shared a post on his LinkedIn page, saying Ang “had a remarkable way of thinking several steps ahead – calm, strategic, incisive. He approached even the most difficult negotiations with integrity and grace, and never stole a march with an unfair point. He raised the bar for everyone around him – not with ego, but with excellence.”
The Law Society of Singapore also expressed their homage on LinkedIn, saying: “Patrick was not only an outstanding lawyer and respected leader, but also someone known for his grace, integrity and kindness. He earned the deep respect of all who had the privilege of working with him, and his passing is a profound loss to the legal profession.”
News of Ang’s death was shared on Rajah & Tann Asia’s website, which described Ang as “not only a towering figure in the legal community”, and “the heart of our firm”. The firm added that “his brilliance in corporate restructuring and insolvency, unwavering integrity, and deep care for people made him a respected leader and a beloved mentor.” The cause of his death was not disclosed.
Ang’s legacy is marked by his transformative leadership as managing partner of Rajah & Tann Singapore from 2019 to March 2025. Under his helm, the firm strengthened its reputation, expanded its regional footprint and embraced innovation, helping businesses adapt to a fast-evolving digital economy.
“Patrick showed that true leadership extended beyond strategy and scale. It involved fostering genuine relationships, nurturing well-being and finding strength in a common vision,” said Beng.
He noted that Ang had a sharp intuition which allowed him to dissect complex challenges and bring clarity to any complicated situation, addressing every concern and ensuring all stakeholders felt heard.
Under Ang’s leadership and guidance, Beng has also learned how to excel with heart. “Excellence at what we do remains the imperative. How it is done – with integrity, passion and values – is just as important,” said Beng.
One of the most remarkable deals Ang handled was serving as counsel for Hin Leong Trading in 2020. Ang assisted Hin Leong with matters related to its filing for a six-month moratorium on debts amounting to USD3.85 billion owed to 23 banks.
