WHO WE ARE
Joyce A. Tan & Partners was founded in 1998 with a strong international outlook and has been active in cross-border transactions since inception, covering the range of legal services typically required by businesses from the establishment to the operation and conduct of business in Singapore. Our track record speaks for itself.
We are a business-centric commercial law practice that provides the full range of corporate commercial legal services with particular strengths in intellectual property, technology, telecommunications, media and privacy. We serve a broad range of industries on the international stage and have pioneered many forms of legal transactions on the cutting edge of significant trends and developments in business in Singapore.
Our industry-focused approach enables us to combine in-depth industry experience with sophisticated legal skills to provide our clients with a unique and informed perspective. The practice has earned a solid reputation for thorough and insightful legal representation.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Our mission is to offer business-driven premium legal services to our clients with a personal touch. We strive to deliver real excellence. We believe in providing advice that achieves business goals. We are committed to mutual trust and personal responsibility, in all our professional relationships. We believe in the spirit of collaboration with our clients so that we work closely with them as a team to further their interests.
Our service philosophy is to bring clarity and leadership to the matters we undertake, making each client experience as seamless and uncomplicated as possible. We do this by the pre-emptive, holistic, thoughtful and commercial approach to the work we do and the strategies we adopt, applying ourselves laterally and vertically to ensure alignment with our clients.
We are lawyers who lead – in the business needs of our clients and in our field, as symbolized by the juxtaposition of three straight lines at differing heights in our logo. This logo also depicts the energy with which we serve our clients, and the greater heights of achievement to which we continue to aspire. The visual simplicity of our logo speaks to the efficiency and precise standards that we adopt in doing our work. Our corporate colours, brown and orange, point to the value we place on being steadfast, dependable, friendly, vibrant, warm and accessible.
We have been consistently voted among the top in Singapore and are named and recognized as leading lawyers by many forums including:
• World IP Review - outstanding IP Practitioner in the elite WIPR Leaders Guide 2021
Newton Media Ltd
• The Patent Lawyer Magazine – Top 10 Patent Firms, 2020/2021
CTC Legal Media
• Women in Business Law Expert Guide - Telecommunications, Media & Technology 2020
Euromoney Legal Media
• Doyle’s Guide – Leading Intellectual Property Lawyer – Singapore, 2020
Doyle's Guide
• World Trade Mark Review 1000 – Leading Trademark Attorneys – Transactions & Prosecution and Strategy, 2021 and 2020
• Asia Business Law Journal - The A List: Singapore's Top 100 Lawyers, 2018
Vantage Asia
• Chambers Asia – Asia's Leading Lawyers for Business, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010
Chambers & Partners
• The Asia Pacific Legal 500 – The Guide to Asia's Commercial Law Firms, 2020/2021, 2019/2020, 2018/2019, 2017/2018, 2016/2017, 2015/2016, 2014/2015, 2013/2014, 2012/2013, 2011/2012, 2010/2011, 2009/2010, 2008/2009, 2007/2008, 2006/2007, 2006/2005, 2004/2005, 2003/2004 and 2001/2002 Editions
• Best Lawyers - Lawyers of the Year in Singapore for Telecommunications Law, 2021 and 2019
Best Lawyers
• International Law Office Client Choice Awards - Excellence in Client Services, 2019
Lexology
• Acritas Stars Survey - independently nominated in global research of senior in-house counsel/clients as "one of the most outstanding lawyers they have worked with", 2019
• Advisory Excellence - Leading Expert for Commercial Law Advice in Singapore, 2019
Advisory Excellence
• AsiaLaw Profiles, A Guide to the World's Law Firms and Legal Markets, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007
Asia Law and Practice, a Euromoney company
• AsiaLaw Leading Lawyers, Intellectual Property Section, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001 and 2000
Asia Law and Practice, a Euromoney company.
• AsiaLaw Leading Lawyers, IT, Media & Telecommunications Section, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006
Asia Law and Practice, a Euromoney company.
• AsiaLaw Leading Lawyers, IT & Telecommunications Section, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002
Asia Law and Practice, a Euromoney company.
• World Trade Mark Review 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals, 2017, 2016 and 2015
Globe Business Publishing Ltd
• World Trade Mark Review 1000 –The World’s Leading IP Professionals, 2016
Globe Business Publishing Ltd
• Who's Who Legal: Telecommunications, Media & Technology 2017, 2016 and 2015
Law Business Research Ltd
• Who's Who Legal: Data, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Law Business Research Ltd
• Who's Who Legal: Patents, 2016
Law Business Research Ltd
• ALB IP Rankings, Asia’s Best Law Firms for Intellectual Property – Singapore, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Asian Legal Business
• ALB Firms To Watch, 2016
Asian Legal Business
• IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professional – Singapore - Litigation and Transactions, 2016
Intellectual Asset Management
• Asia IP Experts – Experts in Singapore: Litigation, 2018 and 2015
Apex Asia
• Asia IP Experts – Experts in Singapore: IT & Telecoms, Copyright and Trademark, 2018 and 2015
Apex Asia
• Asia IP Experts – Experts in Singapore: Enforcement, Trademarks, Patents, Licensing and Franchising, 2015
Apex Asia
• Finance Monthly Law Awards – Corporate Lawyer – Singapore, 2019
Finance Monthly
• Finance Monthly Law Awards – Information Technology Lawyer – Singapore, 2016
Finance Monthly
• The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2002
Law Business Research Ltd based on assessment of the foremost legal practitioners in 27 distinct areas of the international legal marketplace.
• World Intellectual Property Review – WIPR Leaders in Patent & Trademark, 2016
Newton Media Ltd
• Corporate Intl Global Award - Boutique Multi Disciplinary Law Firm in Singapore, 2019, 2018 and 2016
Corporate International
• Corporate Intl Global Award - Patent Law Firm of the Year in Singapore, 2019, 2018 and 2016
Corporate International
• M&A Today Global Award – Law Firm – IT – Singapore, 2018 and 2016
M&A Today
• Acquisition Intellectual Property Awards – Best IP Disputes Firm Singapore, 2016
Acquisition International
• IP Stars – Patent Prosecution, 2016
By Managing Intellectual Property
• Expert Guides – Trade Mark, 2016
Euromoney Legal Media Group
• Corporate LiveWire Legal Awards – Cyber Security Law Firm of the Year – Singapore, 2019
Corporate LiveWire
• Corporate LiveWire Legal Awards – TMT Law Firm of the Year – Singapore, 2016
Corporate LiveWire
• Corporate LiveWire Legal Awards – Excellence in Patent Law – Singapore, 2016
Corporate LiveWire
• Asia IP Profiles, Your Guide to Asia’s Leading IP Firms, 2014
Apex Asia Media Limited
• Women in Business Law 2018, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Euromoney Legal Media Group
• APAC Insider’s Legal Awards Nomination, 2015
AI Global Media Ltd
• The International Who's Who of Telecoms & Media Lawyers 2014
Law Business Research Ltd based upon comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and internet & e-commerce lawyers in private practice worldwide and in which only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.
• The International Who's Who of Information Technology Lawyers 2013
Law Business Research Ltd based on independent research and analysis of the opinions of law firm clients and regulatory communications lawyers from around the world.
• The International Who's Who Regulatory Communications Lawyers 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005 and 2003
Law Business Research Ltd based on independent research and analysis of the opinions of law firm clients and regulatory communications lawyers from around the world.
• PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005
Practical Law Company on leading lawyers and law firms in each country by practice area based on independent research conducted throughout the year and confidential feedback from clients and in-house counsel and interviews conducted face to face, by telephone and in writing with private practice lawyers active in those markets.
• Global Law Experts – Commercial Law Firm of the Year 2011
Global Law Experts
• Global Law Experts – M&A Law Firm of the Year 2011
Global Law Experts
• PLC Cross-border Handbooks – Communications and IT, 2006/2007
Practical Law Company and wherein the Which Lawyer? Section identifies the leading private practice lawyers and law firms in this area across 39 jurisdictions.
• Asialaw IP Awards Nomination for top 10 IP firms in Singapore, 2006 and 2005
• The International Who's Who Internet, E-Commerce & Data Protection Lawyers 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009
Law Business Research Ltd based upon comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and internet & e-commerce lawyers in private practice worldwide and in which only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.
• 2010 Guide to the World's Leading Women in Business Law
Euromoney Legal Media Group
• Guide to the World's Leading Technology, Media & Telecommunications Lawyers 2010, 2008, 2005 and 2002
Euromoney Legal Media Group
• IP Profiles, A Guide to the World's Intellectual Property Advisers, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003
• The Definitive Resource for Intellectual Property Owners in Asia, 2002, The Definitive Guide to Asia's Leading IP Firms, 2001, 2000 and 1999
• The Definitive Guide to Asia's Leading IP Firms, 2001, 2000 and 1999
Our clientele includes local and international conglomerates, government-linked companies and agencies, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as start-ups with proprietary innovations and technology that have gone on to become successful market players. Many businesses that are industry leaders themselves turn to us for assistance in a rapidly changing business environment.
We are actively engaged with clients across a wide spectrum of industries, where we are able to combine our in-depth industry experience with sophisticated legal skills to deliver an informed perspective to our clients. These include:
• Technology
• Communications
• Financial Services
• Healthcare, Biotech & Life Sciences
• Medical and Pharmaceutical
• Fashion and Luxury Goods and Services
• Energy, Oil & Gas
• Entertainment, Publishing & Media
• Real Estate
• Transportation, Shipping and Logistics
• Tourism
• Motoring
• Sports
• Hospitality
• Education
• Food & Beverage
• Retail and Consumer Goods
• Beauty
• Gaming & Toys
• Petrochemical
• Engineering, Design & Construction
• Electrical
• Security
• Human Resources
We handle all forms and manner of business and commercial transactions and investment projects, as well as the resolution and litigation of commercial and other disputes. We are particularly strong where these involve intellectual property or technology considerations or straddle more than one jurisdiction and require attention to the interplay of the laws of multiple countries.
Our corporate and commercial practice is characterized by a wide spread of cross-border and single country transactions and projects that form the building blocks for some of the more cutting-edge and pioneering transactions we undertake.
Our forte lies in private equity investment and M&A projects driven by technology or intellectual property considerations, which we approach holistically, integrating the equity or finance components with the technology or intellectual property components.
Commercial transactions such as agency, distributorship, licence and franchise agreements as well as manufacturing and supply and various business collaboration deals typically benefit from our strong intellectual property knowledge base.
We routinely handle transactions involving the sale and purchase of assets or companies, joint ventures, strategic alliances, partnerships and various forms of business collaboration. In conjunction, we also advise on the competition law issues in Singapore including anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position and merger control. We have experience in advising on investigations, enforcement and "dawn raids".
We have advised on and undertaken numerous commercial, residential and industrial park leases for all sizes and types of premises, including registrable and non-registrable lease interests. Our work has spanned the negotiation of standard form leases to the development of bespoke documents, including investment-related considerations in the grant of long-term commercial and industrial park leases. We also typically advise on the tactical management of landlord-tenant relationships.
Needless to say, we undertake the registration of companies, branches, businesses and representative offices and provide corporate secretarial services.
We frequently handle fund-raising, financing and loan transactions, acting for lenders and borrowers alike, in the structuring, negotiation and documentation of such transactions for all kinds of projects, ventures and businesses. These typically involve the securitization of assets including intellectual property, in cross-border settings where lenders and securitized assets are in different jurisdictions.
Other ancillary transactions supporting loan transactions that we cover include assignment of receivables, debt factoring, corporate and personal guarantees, registration of charges or mortgages with regulatory bodies, and notifications for the perfection of security.
We also advise on and issue clearance legal opinions on the validity and enforceability of loan and related transactions under Singapore law, including such clearance opinions required for the disbursement of loan proceeds.
Our strength in IP work covering trade marks, domain names, patents, copyright, designs and trade secrets, is renowned. The range we cover in this field is deep and wide, from the voluminous registration and prosecution work, to the protection, enforcement, exploitation, licensing, assignment and strategic deployment of IP as a business tool.
We assist clients with the acquisition and disposal of IP assets under different types of structures according to the applicable commercial requirements, including transactions that involve the raising of capital on the security of IP rights. We advise on the appropriate licensing and commercial structures to achieve the required commercial objectives in the deployment of IP.
Clients regularly outsource the management of their IP portfolios to us. We are consistently asked to analyse the dynamics in our clients’ businesses and devise plans for maximization and monetization of their IP assets.
We routinely undertake audit, due diligence and health-check services to verify the integrity of IP assets, whether in connection with a proposed public listing of securities, an acquisition of such assets, a corporate-restructuring, a scheme for the global licensing of such assets or simple house-keeping to maintain and ensure good order of these assets.
We advise on and undertake the enforcement IP rights, including the commencement and defence of legal proceedings on IP-related matters and claims, before intellectual property offices as well as the courts.
Our highly-ranked IT practice is built on a long-standing engagement with IT industry trends and developments - before, throughout and post the first burgeoning of the Internet and the challenges and opportunities to business that it has posed, to its evolving nature brought about by the effects of Cloud Computing, Big Data and the Internet-of-Things.
Our signature has been our serial involvement with projects that have been the first of its kind in its day such as substantial IT outsourcing by regulated enterprises, digital distribution of sound and multimedia data, electronic tracking of digital data consumption, electronic management of documents and inventory control, supply-and-demand online exchanges, virtual private networks with points-of-presence across jurisdictions and electronic payment systems in the wake of fintech innovations, just to name a few.
This practice area necessarily involves us in advising on the regulatory aspects, such as in relation to Internet content and service providers, computer misuse, data protection, electronic records, electronic wallets and deposits and transacting through electronic means.
We advise clients on data protection laws and regulations and assist them with developing policies and processes to comply with such laws and regulations globally, including in relation to the personal data of employees, customers and third parties.
We assist with the development and drafting of privacy policies and contractual terms on the collection, use, handling, storage, disclosure and access of personal data, for compliance with applicable law. These include internal guidelines for Data Protection Officers and in various contexts such as in employment, customer relationships, regular business activities and special events, and in cross-border scenarios involving off-shoring and outsourcing of data processing.
We undertake audits and compliance reviews of existing practices to identify gaps and develop and implement plans and processes for large and small businesses to ensure compliance with their data protection obligations.
We conduct training for businesses to understand their data protection responsibilities, including the practical handling of requests for access and correction and withdrawals of consent from data subjects.
We also assist clients with rectification measures and crisis management in the event of a data breach, such as may arise from employee error, hacking or criminal activity. We are able to assist with procuring computer forensic analysis and containment of the data breach, assessment of the scope of the data breach, data breach reporting requirements, liaising with data protection regulators and law enforcement, and management of communications with customers, employees and media in light of
the data breach.
Our clients who engage in data analytics, data mining, geotagging and social media know that our domain knowledge and expertise allow for a rapid understanding of their needs and requirements in order for us to provide focused solutions.
We specialise in providing legal solutions and support to clients who need to ensure cybersecurity compliance and establish incident response frameworks. Whether it is legal compliance framework and policies, delivering a legal response strategy or executing sound pro-active legal responses to incidences, we provide insight, guidance and execution.
Our track record includes supporting clients ranging from clients who are owners of nationally designated critical information infrastructure, to foreign and local MNCs or listed companies, to companies looking to provide a sound foundation to address legal issues from cybersecurity risks. Our experience is wide and deep, our solutions forged by road-tested experience, and informed by cutting edge changes both in the legal and technological arenas.
Our clients who engage in data analytics, data mining, geotagging and social media know that our domain knowledge and expertise allow for a rapid understanding of their needs and requirements in order for us to provide focused solutions.
Our experience in telecommunications matters tracks the evolution of the phased liberalization of the telecommunications industry in Singapore, having involved our professional staff with regulatory, commercial as well as competition issues in this area.
We have handled transactions relating to the financing of telecommunication networks, the establishment and operation of telecommunication networks, the interconnection of telecommunication networks and the arms-length sharing of telecommunication infrastructure and facilities as well as the grant of rights for the broadcast of programme material and the establishment of satellite radio broadcasting stations.
We have represented both facilities-based and services-based operations across the different tiers in the vertical line supply chain in the industry and have been internationally acknowledged for our telecommunications-related work.
We are regularly posed with and undertake the analysis of proposed transnational network architectures for the establishment of corporate communications systems and virtual private telecommunications systems with points-of-presence in Singapore, for our advice on the regulatory touch-points and requirements of such networks.
We have also advised on disputes arising under the above transactions and assisted in formulating proposed resolutions for the same.
We handle transactions in relation to online, print, electronic and digital media, placement and trading of media space; advertising projects, including projects involving innovative business models and often advising on potentially adverse rights and regulatory and industry self-regulatory restrictions.
We undertake transactions on the publishing of licensed materials in print and online (including those undertaken pursuant to co-publication transactions) and other publication projects as well as advise on their implications on copyright.
We advise on media and marketing campaigns, use of original and licensed content, and social media platforms and apps. Besides intellectual property issues arising in this area, we also assist with issues relating to defamation, particularly in the media, and the tactical handling of these.
We are also involved in co-production projects, programme and film distribution rights, personality or character merchandising transactions in relation to animation products, schemes for the funding of entertainment projects, commissioning of stage and film productions and event-staging projects including a soccer match with an English Premiere League team. We assist with the rights clearances aspect of transactions in this area, including negotiation with copyright licensing bodies on behalf of our clients.
We navigate our clients through their employment-related matters from complying with their regulatory obligations as employers to formulating employee policies in line with industry practices and norms, and developing employment documents to reflect these, including letters of appointment, employment contracts and employee manuals or handbooks. We also undertake work in relation to employee stock option plans and compensation structuring in relation to multi-jurisdiction employment.
In more delicate situations, we can assist with handling the termination of high level personnel, redundancy, employee misconduct, workplace harassment, transfer of employees in connection with the disposal, acquisition or reorganization of businesses, including those arising out of outsourcing transactions.
We assist many of our corporate clients seeking to employ non-Singaporean individuals obtain the requisite immigration passes and visas for such individuals to live and work in Singapore based on the various schemes in place and in line with prevailing governmental policies on such work immigration.
Our corporate immigration work includes assisting entrepreneurial ventures from overseas to establish the appropriate business vehicles in Singapore, relocate holdings of business assets such as intellectual property to Singapore, re-frame the affected business transactions and obtain the requisite immigration work visas or permanent residence status in Singapore for the foreign individual/s driving such ventures.
We provide litigation and dispute resolution and management services in relation to the entire spectrum of contractual, quasi-contractual, tortious and restitutionary claims. Examples of the subject matter in our litigation and dispute work include intellectual property, confidential information, franchises, agency/principal, company law, shareholder disputes, minority oppression, misfeasance, corporate receivership, banking and financing transactions, employment, hire-purchase, misrepresentation, unlawful interference with goods and trade, negligence, partnership, sale of goods and supply of services, landlord and tenant, trespass, nuisance, easements, family, matrimonial and debt recovery.
We are experienced in handling appellate litigation both in the High Court and the Court of Appeal in Singapore.
Our dispute work has often involved multiple jurisdictions, which require us to strategise dispute resolution mechanics involving multiple parties within and outside Singapore. We assist clients to pursue claims and remedies in jurisdictions outside Singapore as we do in Singapore, whether arising out of cross-border business transactions or cross-border marriages and familial relationships.
Our dispute management services extend to assisting clients to anticipate potential litigation dangers and engage in preventive measures and constructive negotiation at the early stages of a dispute, taking into account business goals, relationships and interests as well as reputational and privacy considerations.
Our lawyers have broad-ranging experience in international arbitration work, including concurrent arbitration proceedings over related disputes between parties from multiple jurisdictions, and a wide range of subject matter in the disputes involved, a sampling of which include investments in property developments in India, standby offtake contract in the mining industry, high-end fashion, coal mining, M&A transaction in the building material business, offshore oil field, and even employment in the entertainment industry.
Our approach to disputes is to remain receptive to exploring and assisting clients in arriving at a negotiated settlement, including through mediation, where this is in the best interest of the clients.
Besides representing disputants in the pursuit, management and resolution of their disputes, our lawyers are also accredited mediators, both locally and internationally, who have helped parties to amicably resolve and settle their disputes involving matters as diverse as, for example, the supply of transportation services, trade marks, franchises and the conduct of an education business.
We undertake the drafting of complex wills to reflect estate planning and inheritance intentions, for testators resident within and outside Singapore.
We frequently act for estates with extensive assets located in Singapore left by deceased persons who were resident and domiciled outside Singapore at the time of death with the consequent cross-border considerations. Such matters sometimes require us to contend with beneficiaries, including illegitimate issues of the deceased, resident in multiple jurisdictions. We have also handled estate matters with potentially conflicting rights of claim to the estate assets in Singapore under the respective laws of the countries in which the deceased died resident or domiciled.
We have successfully helped individuals with large wealth portfolios requiring assistance on immigration issues, including in seeking residential status in Singapore tied to entrepreneurial ventures, or citizenship applications.
Our strong matrimonial and family practice complements this practice area where there is a need for the pre-emptive planning or contentious handling of entitlement to assets arising from familial relationships.
Corporate & Commercial
Business Financing
Intellectual Property
Information Technology
Data Protection & Privacy
Cybersecurity
Telecommunications
Digital Media, Advertising & Entertainment
Employment & Corporate Immigration
Dispute Resolution
Private Client & Wealth Management
Managing Director
E: joyce@joylaw.com
DID: +65 6333 6550
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
Director
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.
Director
E: daniel@joylaw.com
DID: +65 6871 1071
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
Director
E: jeffrey@joylaw.com
DID: +65 6871 1070
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.
Director, Trade Marks
E: melvyn@joylaw.com
DID: +65 6871 1062
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
Legal Associate
E: lakshmanan@joylaw.com
DID: +65 6871 1068
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
Senior Patent Principal
E: andre@joylaw.com
DID: +65 6871 1067
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
Patent Manager
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.
We are always on the look-out for talent. We welcome commercially-minded lawyers and patent attorneys who possess dedication, responsibility and strong organizational skills as innate qualities, but who are also passionate and enjoy working as part of a team.
As a law practice, we value professionalism and integrity. Alongside academic accomplishments, a well-rounded personality is what we seek. We believe in a balanced life-style that encourages one to pursue his/her passions within and outside legal practice.
If you possess these qualities and are interested in joining us, please send us your professional resume to all@joylaw.com and tell us about yourself as a person.
Practice Training Contracts
We strongly believe in cultivating the professional development of our practice trainees and provide a supportive environment for practice trainees to learn and yet contribute meaningfully. The practice training contract is seen with a long term view and training is consequently provided on this basis, with individual attention on holistic lawyer-mentoring. The deserving candidate can look forward to a fulfilling programme with good post-qualification hiring prospects.
Each practice trainee will be given the opportunity for direct involvement in current matters under close supervision of the supervising solicitor and exposure to:-
- Case and Transaction Management
- Client Care and Management
- Preparation of Legal Opinions, Agreements, Court Documents, Correspondence
- Legal Research and Due Diligence
- Contract and Settlement Negotiations
- Business Meetings
- Court Attendances and Dispute Resolution Proceedings
Practice Areas Include
- Corporate & Commercial
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Intellectual Property (IP)
- Technology Media and Telecommunications (TMT)
- Employment & Immigration
- Probate & Estate Administration
Practice Trainee Benefits
- Honorarium of S$1,500.00 per month during subsistence of practice training contract
- Full reimbursement of Part B Bar Course and Examination fees and stamp fees for court papers on trainee’s admission to the Bar, if post-qualification position as associate with the Firm is offered and served for at least 12 months
- Access to the Firm’s practice tools and precedents
- Strong culture of learning and training, premised on value system of excellence
Applications
Interested candidates may send in detailed Curriculum Vitae (together with “O” and “A” level certificates and transcripts of university results) by email to all@joylaw.com.
Don't hesitate to drop us an e-mail or give us a call if you would like to talk about how we can help you.
8 Temasek Boulevard
#15-04 Suntec Tower 3
Singapore 038988
Singapore
T : +65 6333 6383
F : +65 6333 6303
E : all@joylaw.com