Singapore, 29 August 2024 – From some 500 lawyers in eight offices in 2014, Rajah & Tann Asia (RTA), Southeast Asia’s largest legal network, has doubled its strength to more than 1,000 lawyers in 10 countries, marking a decade of growth and innovation in the legal industry.
To commemorate its 10th anniversary, the network held a celebratory dinner, attended by Guest-of-Honour Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, key decision makers from local and multinational organisations in Singapore and the region, as well as leaders and senior lawyers from across its member firms in Asia.
Lee Eng Beng, RTA’s Chairman, said: “More than a decade ago, we made the decision to bring together the best lawyers in the region and ride the global wave of interest in a rising Asia by forming an integrated legal services provider operating in all of Southeast Asia’s key cities. We are very proud of this successful pioneering move and our growth from strength-to-strength in the last 10 years.
“Today, Rajah & Tann Asia is the largest legal network in Southeast Asia with a large regional and international portfolio. Our lawyers know Asia, are fully qualified in Asian jurisdictions, and understand Asian perspectives and values. Collectively, we have the expertise, local knowledge and cultural advantage to understand the issues, opportunities and challenges facing those doing business in Asia.”
To mark the occasion and to give back to the local communities, the network launched its inaugural RTA Community Day. Under this initiative, member firms came together to do good towards a common cause in their respective countries. As an extension of the celebration, R&T Singapore made a $100,000 donation to Fei Yue Community Services (Fei Yue).
Patrick Ang, Managing Partner of R&T Singapore and Rebecca Chew, Chairperson of Rajah & Tann Foundation, presented the cheque to Fei Yue’s Chief Executive Arthur Ling and co-founder and Senior Consultant Leng Chin Fai at RTA’s celebratory dinner held at The Ritz Carlton, Millenia this evening.
Fei Yue, established in 1996, is a social service organisation which serves and support various segments of the community, including children, families, and individuals in need.
Part of the evening’s highlight included the unveiling of a new logo for its full-service legal network comprising member firms with offices located in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
RTA’s tagline “Lawyers who know Asia” remains unchanged, while a vibrant orange in the logo is intensified – symbolising new beginnings and optimism across Asia and reflecting joy, energy and a connection to heritage. The orange as a hue merges harmony and unity to create balance.
The night’s celebration was rounded up with a music performance by RTA’s band comprising members across its network.
RTA Milestones
RTA was launched officially on 21 August 2014 when it took its first step to form the largest legal alliance in Southeast Asia, with eight firms from nine countries, and a force of more than 500 lawyers. The 10th member firm to join the alliance was from the Philippines, which signed on in 2017.
Besides the increase in bench strength, RTA’s milestones include pioneering legal tech and cybersecurity solutions. In response to the evolving needs of the digital economy, RTA established Rajah & Tann Technologies in 2018, a forward-thinking initiative designed to integrate cutting-edge technology with traditional legal services.
Additionally, Rajah & Tann Cybersecurity was launched to combine legal expertise with cybersecurity proficiency so that as a network, we can offer clients comprehensive protection against cyber threats.
RTA was one of three international law firms to invest more than US$10 million to develop, own and operate Lupl, an open industry technology platform for legal matters, in 2020.
The RTA AI toolkit, a comprehensive AI Readiness Assessment available in five SEA countries, was launched in early August this year to offer a quick, 5-minute questionnaire that provides valuable insights into an organisation’s preparedness for AI adoption.
RTA also launched a Sustainability practice to help its growing number of clients stay ahead of rising ESG compliance in the region. The practice comprises lawyers from across the network with expertise in the areas of environmental, infrastructure, M&A, governance, trade and other critical areas, and is led by Lee Weilin in Singapore.
This year, RTA further strengthened its China practice with the opening of a new office in Shenzhen, marking the firm’s second office in China. This expansion comes at a pivotal time as the rapid integration of cities in China’s Greater Bay Area creates new opportunities for businesses. The Shenzhen office will enhance the network’s ability to support clients navigating the complexities of the Chinese market and bolster its presence in one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions.
RTA members have also been expanding their teams. Malaysian law firm Christopher & Lee Ong added five partners in a planned expansion and saw the appointment of Kuok Yew Chen as managing partner last year, while at Indonesia firm Assegaf Hamzah & Partners, Ibrahim Sjarief Assegaf assumed the role of managing partner this year. In Singapore, Paul Ng was appointed to head the aviation practice for Singapore and RTA last year, while Hew Kian Heong was appointed earlier this year as part of the larger plan to expand its presence in China. While RTA continues to expand its physical footprint, it also maintains a robust presence in other parts of the world through its regional desks, including Japan, South Asia, and Brunei to provide clients with tailored solutions and insights.
The alliance has grown on the strength of rising domestic demand and the trend among global businesses of setting up regional headquarters in this part of the world. As the region’s new “home team” of lawyers who have local knowledge, language skills, cultural familiarities and contacts for businesses, RTA had positioned itself as the premier legal network to help clients navigate in the diverse region.
Rajah & Tann Asia brings together leading law firms in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, with each offering the highest standards of service to locally-based clients while collectively having the capability to handle the most complex regional and cross-border transactions and to provide excellent legal counsel seamlessly across the region. The network’s geographical reach also includes Singapore-based regional desks focusing on Brunei, Japan and South Asia. With over 1,000 fee earners, all working together towards one shared goal, we are lawyers who know Asia and who give our clients home advantage.
Founded in 1976, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP is one of the largest full-service law firms in Singapore. Rajah & Tann has a history in social giving since our founding and we play an entrenched role in contributing to the community at large. The Rajah & Tann Foundation is a cornerstone of the firm’s corporate social responsibility vision and is an endorsement of the values and legacy of our founding partners. We strive to maintain lasting relationships with the charitable organisations we work with by offering impactful support to these organisations and their beneficiaries.
