Joyce A. Tan has been consistently recognized as a leading lawyer over the long years of her practice by numerous legal publications including Legal 500, Chambers, Practical Law Company, AsiaLaw, Who’s Who Legal, World Trademark Review, International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, International Who’s Who of Regulatory Communications Lawyers, International Who’s Who of Internet, E-Commerce & Data Protection Lawyers, Global Communications, Guide to the World’s Leading Technology, Media & Telecommunications Lawyers, Global Counsel 3000, Guide to the World’s Leading Women in Business Law, Global Law Experts and The Best Lawyers. Joyce continues to garner independently assessed accolades and recently made it to Asia Business Law Journal’s 2019 A-List of Singapore’s Top 100 Lawyers and Finance Monthly’s Singapore 2019 Corporate Lawyer of the Year.

To quote from the reports on some of these publications based on independent research, “Joyce Tan has an excellent reputation”, “is a very well reputed lawyer”, “very focused”, “really knows her stuff”, “is admired for the quality and longevity of her practice”, “is recognized as one of the finest commercial IP lawyers in Singapore” and “a seasoned stalwart in the industry”.

Joyce is a transactional lawyer in corporate and commercial matters, including cross-border M&A deals, private equity investments, collaborative ventures and financing transactions. She is particularly renowned for her work in TMT and intellectual property, having pioneered many cutting-edge deals of its time, including complex technical procurement and supply transactions, the use of cashless payment systems, fintech innovations and other innovative technology and telecommunications networks. She handled the first interconnect transaction in Singapore when the telecommunications industry was first lilberalised, as well as the nation-wide “CashCard” project in Singapore, and continues to assist clients with high-tech payment systems at the frontiers of regulatory frameworks.

She is also routinely involved in the acquisition, disposition, relocation, protection and exploitation of intellectual property and intangible assets and in advising on business-related and planning issues involving employment, immigration and tax.

Joyce has delivered numerous lectures, both in the local and international circuits and has developed and conducted multiple training curricula for organizations in Singapore and abroad, including government agencies, on the subject matter covered by her extensive practice.

Qualifications and Appointments

• LLB (Honours), National University of Singapore
• Advocate & Solicitor, Supreme Court of the Republic of Singapore
• Roll of Solicitors, England & Wales (non-practising)
• Registered Patent Agent, Singapore
• Notary Public, Singapore
• Commissioner for Oaths, Singapore
• Panel Member of Dispute Resolution Service under the Singapore Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy
• Principal Mediator, Singapore Mediation Centre
• List of Neutrals of the World Intellectual Property Organization
• Member of Advisory Committee, World Intellectual Property Organization Centre, 2021-2024
• Panel Member of Trademark Mediators Network of the International Trademark Association
• Associate Mediator, The Law Society of Singapore
• Arbitrator of Langfang Arbitration Commission, China
• Member of Law Reform Committee, Singapore Academy of Law, 2006 - to-date
• Member of Sub-Committee on Smart Contracts of Law Reform Committee of Singapore Academy of Law, 2019 - to-date
• Member of Advisory Panel to the Commercial Law Framework in Singapore, Singapore Academy of Law, 2013
• Member of Core Committee, Technology Law Conference Series, Singapore Academy of Law, 2014-to-date
• Director, The World Justice Project Ltd, 2017 - todate
• Member of Executive Committee, Meritas Law Firms Worldwide, 2015-2018
• Chair of Member Engagement Committee, Meritas Law Firms Worldwide, 2015-2018
• Member of the Board of Directors, Meritas Law Firms Worldwide, 2010-2013,
• Member of Chair-Elect Nominating Committee, Meritas Law Firms Worldwide, 2012
• Brand Development Committee, Meritas Law Firms Worldwide, 2010-2011
• Member of Member Relations and Marketing Committee, Meritas Law Firms Worldwide, 2011-2013
• Co-chair, Asian Region, Meritas Law Firms Worldwide, 2010 - 2014
• Member of think tank on Technology Law Development Group, Singapore
• Member of Legal Panel on Convergence Issues, Info-Communications Development Authority of Singapore
• Member of Working Group on Electronic Commerce, Singapore
• Member of Examinations Committee for Singapore Patent Agents Qualifying Examination, Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, 2006
• Singapore Country Representative, Emerging IP Rights Committee, Asian Patent Attorneys Association, 2004 - 2006
• Executive Committee Member and Publications Chair, Inter-Pacific Bar Association, 1996 – 1998
• Vice Chair of Telecommunications Committee, Inter-Pacific Bar Association, 1999-2002
• Webmaster and At-Large Council Member, Inter-Pacific Bar Association, 2006-2009
• Chair of Technology and Communications Committee, Inter-Pacific Bar Association, 2002-2004
• Member of Free Trade Areas Subcommittee, International Trademark Association, 2006-2007
• Member of Intellectual Property Committee, Law Society of Singapore, 1995, 1997, 1999-2014
• Chair of Copyright and Designs Sub-Committee, Law Society of Singapore, 2002
• Chair of Info-Media Sub-Committee, Law Society of Singapore, 2005, 2006 & 2007
• Member of Committee on Multidisciplinary Practices, Law Society of Singapore, 1999
• Member of Committee on Practice Structures, Law Society of Singapore, 2000
• Professional Affiliations with / Memberships in :
  -- International Trade Mark Association
  -- Asian Patent Attorneys Association
  -- ASEAN Intellectual Property Association
  -- Inter-Pacific Bar Association
  -- International Association for the Protection of Industrial Property
  -- Licensing Executives Society International
  -- International Bar Association
  -- Association of Singapore Patent Attorneys
  -- Singapore International Chamber of Commerce

IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE

Malathi Das passed away peacefully on 12 April 2022, aged 53.

Undoubtedly a leading light of family law in Singapore, Malathi was more than a colleague to us. Ever the team stalwart, Mal assured with her unstinting loyalty, friendship and care. She rallied us with her spirited sense of fun and good humour, injecting play into our work-day office parties like there is no tomorrow. Never imagined that her inimitable laughter that joyfully peppered our gatherings would be gone too soon.

In her work, whether for clients or pro bono, Mal epitomised professional decorum and grace, values and integrity, that shone with heart and warmth. Her chosen field found her, many a time, with those in their darkest hour - for them, she was the angel that lit the way to hope and a fresh start. Mal’s mastery of this legal terrain provided them the sure-footed path forward, knowing that she had their back at each twist and turn.

Mal was the wind beneath the wings of many a women’s cause, giving her time, energy, talent and support, to countless initiatives and projects on this front. All with cheer, without fanfare and sustained over a generous length of time.

Irrepressibly convivial, time in Mal’s company was always easy and comfortable. Friends and colleagues of Mal, old and new, young and aged, from near and far, across geographical and cultural boundaries, in all walks of life, can easily attest to this.

Mal, you have shown us, that it is not the length of life, but the depth of life that counts. And we thank you for that.

Daniel Lim has been listed as a leading lawyer consistently through the years in a diverse range of publications such as Chambers Asia-Pacific, Asia-Pacific Legal 500, Benchmark Litigation, IAM Patent 1000 and AsiaLaw Leading Lawyers.

In particular, Chambers Asia-Pacific has noted that "Daniel Lim … has a well established reputation in technology-related IP. Clients describe him as an extremely professional lawyer who "speaks well, knows the pros and cons, and always has the best solution at hand"; and is "an excellent patent litigation lawyer" according to interviewees".

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 has listed Daniel as a Leading Individual for IT and Telecoms and has described him as "the 'smart and hardworking' Daniel Lim".

Daniel Lim's practice focuses on dispute resolution and advisory work, over a wide range of commercial and business subject matter, including in relation to contracts, M&A transactions, shareholders, directors, competition, employment, defamation, trade libel, trust, etc. and with particular strengths in intellectual property, information technology and telecommunications matters.

Daniel is a renowned patent litigation lawyer in Singapore, and remains actively engaged in this area, having represented Singapore Airlines in the patent infringement allegation by British Airways over the first-class sleeper seats.

In his handling of contentious proceedings, whether before the Appellate Court, High Court or State Courts in Singapore or in arbitration proceedings, Daniel deploys his procedural mastery and breadth of experience in the best interests of his clients, and has yielded many successful outcomes. As illustration, these have involved highly technical matters from clean water technology in wafer fabrication, process for splicing reinforced concrete steel bars, automatic molding to encapsulate electronic parts, surface coating on airplane engines, to the geophysical and geotechnical aspects of an anchor design in the context of an offshore oil field.

In less technical fields, Daniel has demonstrated his deftness in navigating commercial and business disputes including those involving the use of brands, fraud, banking services, standby offtake contracts, transshipment services, and investment transactions.

Daniel is a contributing author to the books "Law Relating to Specific Contracts In Singapore" (Thomson Sweet & Maxwell); "Intellectual Property" (Lexis-Nexis Butterworth's); "International Franchising" (Kluwer Law International); and "Employment Law Review" (Law Business Research Ltd).

Qualifications and Appointments

• LLB (Honours), National University of Singapore
• Advocate & Solicitor, Supreme Court of the Republic of Singapore
• Registered Patent Agent, Singapore
• Member of Examinations Committee for Singapore Patent Agents Qualifying Examination, Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, 2007-to-date
• Member of Intellectual Property Committee, Law Society of Singapore, 2015-to-date
• Co-Chair, Intellectual Property Committee, Inter-Pacific Bar Association, 2013-2015

Jeffrey Lim is a TMT and IP lawyer with edge in regulatory matters including data governance, cybersecurity, privacy and data protection, he has worked with clients who operate in multiple industries and across multiple jurisdictions. Whether it is national infrastructural projects and initiatives, or building, enhancing or maintaining multinational compliance and enforcement programs, or managing global intellectual property asset portfolios, Jeffrey has cultivated a track record of matters which include investments into, and the design and structuring of complex and current tip-of-the-spear innovation.

Jeffrey is a decorated and leading lawyer, having been the exclusive winner of the Lexology International Law Office Client Choice Awards for IT & Internet 2018 and Intellectual Property: Designs & Trade Secrets 2019 for Singapore (an award that recognises lawyers around the world who stand apart for the excellent client care they provide and the quality of their service), and he has been recognized by Best Lawyers as the Singapore Lawyer of the Year for Information Technology Law 2017 and 2021 and for Intellectual Property Law 2021. He has been recognized and recommended by publications such as Legal 500, World Trademark Review, Managing IP and others.

Praised for his "practical experience" and "in-depth knowledge of the law" by The Legal 500: Asia Pacific – The Client's Guide to the Asia Pacific Legal Profession, he has been described as a "remarkable practitioner" noted for as "an expert at delivering holistic solutions to technology clients", and as one of the "legal practitioners who really have their clients' interest at heart" in the Managing IP Handbook.

Jeffrey’s core expertise is in designing and executing legal solutions, advice and strategies in all matters relating to technology whether this in respect of commercial or litigious matters, and whether this is in the fields of digital technology (such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, fintech, industry 4.0. mobile solutions, e-commerce), in telecommunications, media, healthcare, life sciences, human biomedical research governance, or in research & development.

Jeffrey spent some years as in-house counsel at a Fortune 500 multinational technology company, an experience he credits as giving him front-line business experience and a greater appreciation and practice of commercial acumen, and the vital importance of priorities and business realities.

Jeffrey is an active leader in communities of practice, and has written extensively including in the areas of data protection:

• “Implementing Data Breach Programmes: Understanding Nuances in Practice and the Personal Data Protection Act”, Personal Data Protection Digest 2020;
• “Artificial Intelligence & the Personal Data Protection Act” Personal Data Protection Digest 2019;
• “Data Sharing: When Consent is Not Enough”, Personal Data Protection Digest 2018; and
• “Data Analytics: Considerations when Repurposing Transactional Personal Data” Personal Data Protection Digest 2017

Each published by the Singapore Personal Data Protection Commission.

He has also co-authored chapters on IT contracts (contributing to IT contracts chapter on Law Relating to Specific Contracts in Singapore, 1st and 2nd editions, Sweet & Maxwell). He has also authored and led feedback given to both public and private consultations by regulatory authorities on legal reform and development.

Qualifications and Appointments

• LLB (Honours), University of Bristol
• Barrister-at-law, England & Wales (Gray’s Inn) (non-practising)
• Advocate & Solicitor, Supreme Court of the Republic of Singapore
• Member of Singapore Academy of Law IT Roadmap Working Group
• Chair, Law Society Cybersecurity & Data Protection Committee, from 2021, (Vice-Chair, 2016-2019, Co-chair 2020)
• Member, Law Society Intellectual Property Committee, 2011-present
• Member of Law Legal Technology Cluster Committee and the Innovation Advisory Board, Singapore Academy of Law, 2016-present
• Vice-Chair of IPBA Intellectual Property Committee, 2006-2008
• Honorary Legal Advisor for Singapore Computer Society
• Member of the accreditation panel of the Accreditation Committee, Singapore Institute of Legal Education.

Melvyn Loey's practice is dominated by a strong intellectual property focus, with responsibility for a substantial volume of trade mark prosecution work, on which he provides advice in relation to and implements effective end-to-end filing and prosecution strategies in trade mark portfolios straddling countries across the globe.

Melvyn’s involvement in intellectual property preceded his association with the firm, having previously been a senior executive dealing with Legal Policy and International Affairs in the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, where he was involved in administering the Copyright Act of Singapore with the mission of calibrating it within the realities and challenges of the digital age. He was also involved in work leading to changes in the jurisdiction of the Copyright Tribunal in Singapore.

Melvyn has also acted as Singapore-based in-house counsel to a multi-national corporation that leverages intellectual property and technology as part of its business strategy, as well as a global bank with operations at the frontiers of the technogical revolution in the financial services industry. In his role as in-house counsel to the multi-national corporation, Melvyn also assumed responsibility for the management of its sizeable international trade mark portfolio, including the running of invalidation proceedings in collaboration with foreign counsel.

In his former private practice, Melvyn worked on a wide range of corporate transactions, including framework agreements for the development and distribution of components, joint development agreements and loan documentation. These have added to the strong commercial and business realism with which Melvyn leads the charge in his handling of intellectual property and trade mark matters for clients.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor, Singapore Management University
• BBA, Singapore Management University
• Advocate & Solicitor, Supreme Court of the Republic of Singapore

Lakshmanan’s practice involves a broad range of contentious and non-contentious work in the corporate and commercial sphere with a particular focus on IP and TMT. His background in engineering gives him an edge when navigating technical matters and allows him to deliver bespoke and precise advice according to his clients’ needs.

Lakshmanan has litigation experience in commercial fraud, contracts, shareholder disputes, employment and defamation. He has also assisted in advising clients on regulatory matters, drafting service agreements and conducting internal investigations.

Outside of the law, Lakshmanan enjoys travelling and calisthenics.

Qualifications

• LLB (Honours), University of Bristol
• Advocate & Solicitor, Supreme Court of the Republic of Singapore

André qualified with a degree in Chemistry (with Honours) from the University of Southampton in the UK, before going on to obtain a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry and electrochemistry at the University of Durham. From there he worked for several years as a research chemist for Courtaulds in the UK, before going on to complete the Masters and the Certificate post-graduate qualifications in IP law from London (Queen Mary and Westfield College) University. He has since worked for a number of IP Law firms in the UK, qualifying as a European Design Attorney, before moving to New Zealand. Here, he continued working in the field of IP, before moving to Australia, eventually qualifying as both an Australian and New Zealand Patent and Trade Mark Attorney. He has subsequently worked as an in-house Patent Attorney for a company in Texas, before moving to Singapore, where he has spent the last decade working in-house as a Patent Attorney for another long-standing IP law firm. His responsibilities at Joyce A Tan & Partners include patent drafting and prosecution in Singapore and overseas and expanding the patent practice. Over the years, he has written and had published a number of articles related to IP law.

Outside of IP, he has an interest in military history, and has written several books, one of which has been published, which tells the story of a convoy that his father was involved in during the Second World War. In keeping with this interest, he also holds, a modest military medal collection and when time permits, researches the medal recipient and the conflict that they were involved in.

Qualifications

• B.Sc (Hons) Chemistry, University of Southampton UK
• Ph.D Chemistry, University of Durham UK
• M.Sc Intellectual Property Law, University of London (QMW) UK
• Certificate in Intellectual Property Law, University of London (QMW) UK
• Qualified European Design Attorney
• Qualified Australian and New Zealand Patent and Trade Mark Attorney

Sandra Ng oversees the overall production line of the sizeable patent prosecution portfolio undertaken by the practice. Sandra has been instrumental in enhancing and optimizing the support infrastructure deployed in this practice area, leveraging intelligent automation along with a robust capability to streamline processes in the handling of voluminous matters, while maintaining flexibility to cater to the unique requirements of individual clients.

Sandra comes with extensive experience in intellectual property that dates back to 1995, particularly in patent prosecution and operation, having worked through the ranks to the management group of one of Singapore's largest patent prosecution firms. There, she had managed a team of 40 dedicated patent personnel and 12,000 patent applications, involving diverse fields of technology including biopharmaceutical, biochemistry, chemistry, semiconductors, etc. in multiple jurisdictions.

As an active proponent of knowledge and data management, Sandra has dedicated herself to the development of internal systems to manage a large client base, with needs across multiple jurisdictions, multiple inventions and recurrent transactions. Her palpable team spirit sees her deftly collaborating with and playing to the strengths of her colleagues involved in patent work, whether in relation to back-office efficiencies, deadline policing, client practices and requirements or substantive advice or actions on the patent matters.