Jamie A. Benson

Director

  • Jamie A. Benson
  • Phone: +65 6311 3660

    Jamie A. Benson - LinkedIn Import to Address Book

  • Duane Morris & Selvam LLP
    16 Collyer Quay #17-00
    Singapore 049318

Jamie A. Benson is the head of Duane Morris & Selvam's U.S. Capital Markets, U.S. Venture Capital and India Practices. He has more than 25 years of experience and has advised on more than 100 securities offerings throughout the world with total proceeds of approximately US$25 billion. Jamie is one of the leading international legal counsel advising on securities offerings by Indian issuers, having worked on more than 80 offerings by Indian issuers in the last 18 years, including Life Insurance Corporation of India’s IPO, which is the largest ever Indian IPO. He is currently based in Singapore and has previously worked in New York, Sydney and London.

Jamie's experience includes advising on: equity offerings (public offerings and private placements); high-yield, convertible and investment-grade bond offerings; debt private placements; SEC-registered equity and debt offerings; mergers and acquisitions of both U.S. and non-U.S. public companies; going private transactions; SEC reporting obligations; compliance with U.S. broker-dealer laws; general corporate and commercial law matters; and FCPA matters. Jamie has a wide range of industry experience, including working on deals involving companies in the following industries: aviation; banking; beer and wine; business process outsourcing; cable television; construction; electricity transmission and distribution; film production; gambling; healthcare, infrastructure; jewelry; insurance; mining; non-banking financial companies (NBFCs); oil and gas; print media; property; telecommunications; television broadcasting; and toll roads.

Jamie has represented almost every major international and Indian investment bank. 

Jamie is ranked in Chambers Asia-Pacific for Capital Markets (International Firms) – India 2020-2024, Capital Markets International - Singapore, 2021-2024 and in Chambers Global for Capital Markets (Foreign Expertise in India) – Singapore 2022-2023 . The 2024 edition clients’ testimonials state “Jamie is one of the most experienced international counsels in the Indian capital markets space. He knows the law inside out and is also pragmatic”. The 2022 edition clients’ testimonials state "he is very practical and solution-oriented," whilst another regards "his understanding of financials as par excellence." One client praises his "attention to detail and knowledge of nuances".

He is listed as a Leading Lawyer/Highly Regarded for Capital Markets by IFLR1000, 2016-2023 and praised for being "deeply committed and involved" and "extremely thorough in his diligence, review and drafting. Rarely does he miss a deal issue, or fail to highlight potential red flags and with optimum lead time."

He is listed as a Recommended Lawyer for Capital Markets, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2016-2021. He is listed as Recommended for Capital Markets, Who’s Who Legal (Global Leader 2021 and 2022 and National Leader, Southeast Asia 2021-2023). He is also listed in Top 10 influential international capital markets lawyers in Singapore – Lawyers Awards 2023, Business Today, the A-list – Singapore’s top 100 lawyers 2023 by Asian Business Law Journal, in the International A List - the top 100 India-focused legal experts outside the country for 2019-2023 by India Business Law Journal and in The Best Lawyers in Singapore™ for Capital Markets, 2020-2024. Jamie was also recognized as “Cross Border Lawyer of Year – Capital Markets” at the Legal Era Global Achievers Awards 2022 and the Legal Era Global Achievers Awards 2023.

Jamie studied law at the University of Cambridge (Trinity College), where he was awarded a B.A. and an M.A. He received his Master of Laws from the University of Virginia. He is admitted to practice law in New York, USA and Tasmania, Australia.

Representative Matters

    Indian Public Offerings

  • Advised ICICI Securities, DAM Capital Advisors and Nuvama Wealth Management (formerly known as Edelweiss) Securities) in their capacity as the book running lead managers on the offer and sale of Rs. 4.63 billion (US$56 million) of equity shares in ESAF Small Finance Bank Limited in an IPO in India and concurrent private placements outside India, including a concurrent U.S. private placement (Rule 144A).
  • Advised the President of India and Life Insurance Corporation of India on the sale of Rs 206 billion (approximately US$2.7 billion) of equity shares in Life Insurance Corporation of India in an IPO in India and concurrent private placements outside India, including a concurrent U.S. private placement (Rule 144A). This is the biggest IPO in Indian history. This deal was recognized as one of the “Deals of the Year 2022” by India Business Law Journal and as an “Impact Deal and Case of the Year” at the Asialaw Awards 2023.

  • Advised ICICI Securities, Nomura Financial Advisory & Securities (India) and IIFL Securities on the sale of Rs. 12,830 million (US$173 million) of shares in Sansera Engineering Limited in an IPO in India and concurrent private placements outside India, including a concurrent U.S. private placement (Rule 144A).

  • Advised ICICI Securities, Axis Capital and SBI Capital Markets on the proposed IPO in India and concurrent private placements outside India, including in the U.S., of shares in Jana Small Finance Bank Limited.

  • Advised JM Financial and Edelweiss Financial Services the sale of Rs. 5,000 million (US$71 million) of shares in Prince Pipes and Fittings Limited in an IPO in India and concurrent private placements outside India.

  • Advised ICICI Securities and Nomura Financial Advisory & Securities (India) Private Limited on the sale of approximately Rs. 6,000 million (US$65 million) of shares in Affle (India) Limited in an IPO in India and concurrent private placements outside India.

  • Advised SBI Capital Markets and Axis Capital on the proposed IPO in India and concurrent private placements outside India of shares in an Indian ceramic tile company.

  • Advised JM Financial and Edelweiss Financial Services on the sale of approximately Rs. 6,000 million (US$92 million) of shares in Fine Organic Industries Limited in an IPO in India and concurrent private placements outside India.

  • Advised the President of India and Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO) on the sale of 10.19 percent of the shares in HUDCO by the President of India for Rs. 12,096 million (US$188 million) in an IPO in India and concurrent private placements outside the country (including a Rule 144A offering in the United States).

  • Advised IDFC Capital and Avendus Capital and the other underwriters on the sale of Rs. 2,000 million (US$38 million) of shares in Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri Limited in an IPO in India and concurrent private placements outside India.

  • Advised Enam Securities, IDFC Capital, Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors, Sharehkan and Motilal Oswal Securities on the sale of Rs. 2,250 million (US$51 million) of shares in Ashoka Buildcon Limited in an IPO in India, including concurrent private placements outside India.

  • Advised Deutsche Equities (India), Antique Capital Markets and Antique Stock Broking on the sale of Rs. 3,645 million (US$76 million) of shares in DEN Networks Limited in an IPO in India and in concurrent private placements outside India.

  • Advised Citigroup Global Markets India, IDBI Capital Market Services, Enam Financial Consultants, ICICI Securities and Kotak Mahindra Capital Company and the other underwriters on the sale of Rs. 8,160 million (US$200 million) of shares in Central Bank of India in an IPO in India and in concurrent private placements outside India (including a Rule 144A offering in the U.S.).

  • Advised DSP Merrill Lynch, ICICI Securities and the other underwriters in the Rs. 3,694 million (US$86 million) sale of shares in Jagran Publications Limited in an IPO in India and in concurrent private placements outside India (including a Rule 144A offering in the U.S.).

  • Advised DSP Merrill Lynch, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, JM Morgan Stanley, HSBC Securities and Capital Markets (India), SBI Capital Markets, Karvy Investor Services, Enam Financial Consultants and the other underwriters on the sale of Rs. 16,330 million (US$380 million) of shares in Bank of Baroda in a follow-on public offering in India and in concurrent private placements outside India (including a Rule 144A offering in the U.S.).

  • Advised ICICI Securities, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company and the other underwriters in the Rs. 1,733 million (US$40 million) sale of shares in PVR Limited in an IPO in India and in concurrent private placements outside India (including a Rule 144A offering in the U.S.).

  • Advised Kotak Mahindra Capital Company and the other underwriters in the Rs. 4,076 million (US$95 million) sale of shares in HT Media Limited in an IPO in India and in concurrent private placements outside India (including a Rule 144A offering in the U.S.).

  • Advised DSP Merrill Lynch, Enam Financial Consultants, Karvy Stock Broking and the other underwriters in the Rs. 3,150 million (US$73 million) sale of shares in Yes Bank Limited in an IPO in India and concurrent private placements outside India (including a Rule 144A offering in the U.S.).

  • Advised ICICI Securities, DSP Merrill Lynch, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, Citigroup Global Markets India and Bajaj Capital and the other underwriters in the Rs. 13,630 million (US$317 million) sale of shares in Oriental Bank of Commerce in a follow-on public offering in India and in concurrent private placements (including a Rule 144A offering in the U.S.).

  • Indian Qualified Institutions Placements

  • Advised ICICI Securities, Jefferies, J.P. Morgan and Nuvama Wealth Management (formerly known as Edelweiss Securities) in their role as the book running lead managers for the qualified institutions placement of equity shares by IDFC FIRST Bank Limited for an aggregate amount of Rs. 30 billion (US$361 million).
  • Advised Elara Capital (India) Private Limited, IIFL Securities Limited, Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors Limited, and YES Securities (India) Limited on the sale of Rs. 14,470 million (US$199 million) of equity shares in Union Bank of India in a QIP, including a concurrent U.S. private placement (Rule 144A).

  • Advised ICICI Securities, Citigroup Global Markets, Credit Suisse Securities, JM Financial and UBS Securities on the sale of Rs. 30,000 million (US$400 million) of equity shares in IDFC First Bank Limited in a QIP, including a concurrent U.S. private placement (Rule 144A).

  • Advised JM Financial Limited, Axis Capital Limited, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited, Morgan Stanley India Company Private Limited, Nomura Financial Advisory and Securities (India) Private Limited and Bajaj Finance Limited on the sale of Rs. 85 billion (US$1.2 billion) of equity shares in Bajaj Finance Limited in a QIP, including a concurrent U.S. private placement (Rule 144A).

  • Advised Edelweiss Financial Services Limited and SBI Capital Markets Limited on the proposed offer of shares in an Indian bank in a QIP, including a concurrent U.S. private placement (Rule 144A).

  • Advised Citigroup Global Markets India Private Limited, Emkay Global Financial Services Limited, ICICI Securities Limited, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited and SBI Capital Markets Limited on the sale of approximately Rs. 15,280 million (US$235 million) of shares of Edelweiss Financial Services Limited in a QIP, including a concurrent U.S. private placement (Rule 144A).

  • Advised JM Financial Institutional Securities, Goldman Sachs, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company and Bajaj Finance Limited on the sale of Rs. 45,000 million (US$703 million) of shares in Bajaj Finance Limited in a QIP, including a concurrent U.S. private placement (Rule 144A).

  • Acted as sole international legal counsel to JM Financial Securities Limited and Bajaj Finance Limited on Bajaj Finance Limited's Rs. 14.0 billion (US$222 million) sale of its shares in a QIP, including a concurrent private placement to QIBs in the United States.

  • Advised IDFC Securities, Axis Capital, ICICI Securities and Macquarie Capital Securities (India) on the sale of Rs. 5 billion (US$79 million) of shares by Ashoka Buildcon Limited in a QIP (including concurrent private placements outside India and the U.S.).

  • Advised Axis Capital and JM Financial Institutional Securities on the sale of Rs. 3,000 million (US$48 million) of shares in Capital First Limited in a QIP, including a concurrent U.S. private placement (Rule 144A).

  • Advised Edelweiss Financial Services, SBI Capital Markets and Axis Capital Limited on a proposed approximately Rs. 7,000 million (US$110 million) QIP, including a concurrent U.S. private placement (Rule 144A), by an Indian private sector bank (deal cancelled due to market conditions).

  • Advised Enam Securities, IDFC Capital and JM Financial Consultants on the sale of Rs. 9,700 million (US$175 million) of shares in ING Vysya Bank Limited in a QIP in India, including concurrent private placements outside India and the U.S.

  • Advised IDFC Capital and JM Financial Consultants on the sale of Rs. 3,807 million (US$85 million) of shares in The Dhanalakshmi Bank Limited in a QIP in India and in concurrent private placements outside India and the U.S.

  • Advised JM Financial Consultants, HSBC Securities and Capital Markets (India) and Antique Capital Markets on the sale of Rs. 1,140 million (US$25 million) of shares in ibn18 Broadcast Limited in a QIP in India, including concurrent private placements outside India and the U.S.

  • Indian Institutional Placement Programmes

  • Acted as international legal counsel to Alstom T&D India Limited on its Rs. 2,940 million (US$48 million) offering of its equity shares in an institutional placement programme (IPP) to qualified institutional buyers in India, including concurrent private placements outside India and the U.S.

  • Indian Offers For Sale

  • Advised Arvind Fashions Limited on its US$27 million offer of equity shares in a rights issue, including an offer in the United States.

  • Acted as international legal counsel to the President of India on the sale of approximately Rs. 27 billion (US$406 million) of shares in NHPC Limited in an offer for sale ("OFS") on the stock exchanges in India (including a Rule 144A offering in the U.S.).

  • Acted as international legal counsel to the President of India on the sale of Rs. 11,650 million (US$171 million) of shares in Container Corporation of India Limited in an OFS on the stock exchanges in India (including a Rule 144A offering in the U.S.).

  • Acted as international legal counsel to the President of India on the sale of approximately Rs. 4 billion (US$60.8 million) of shares in Hindustan Copper Limited in an OFS (including a Rule 144A offering in the U.S.).

  • Acted as international legal counsel to the President of India on the sale of Rs. 530 million (US$8 million) of shares in Dredging Corporation of India Limited in an OFS on the stock exchanges in India (including a Rule 144A offering in the U.S.).

  • Global Depository Receipts

  • Advised the underwriters on a proposed US$100 million GDR offering by an Indian company and the listing of the GDRs on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.

  • American Depository Receipt Programs

  • Advised Virotec International on the establishment of its Level 2 American Depositary Receipt program.

  • AIM Listings

  • Advised Biofutures International plc (now called Graphene NanoChem plc), an AIM listed company, on its £32.5 million placing of shares. Part of the proceeds of the placing were used to fund the reverse takeover of Platinum NanoChem Sdn. Bhd, a Malaysian company. The underwriter for the placing was Panmure Gordon.

  • Advised Haywood Securities (UK) in its role as broker on the sale of £8.6 million of shares in Bioenergy Africa Limited, including a Rule 144A offering in the U.S., the sale of which was in connection with Bioenergy Africa's admission to trading on AIM.

  • Advised SKIL Ports & Logistics Limited on the sale of £76 million of its shares, including a Rule 144A offering in the U.S., and its admission to trading on AIM.

  • Singapore Stock Exchange Listings

  • Represented Spackman Entertainment Group Limited on the S$18.05 million (US$14 million) IPO of its shares and listing on the Catalist board of the SGX.

  • Yangon Stock Exchange Listings

  • Advised First Myanmar Investment Co., Ltd. (FMI) on its listing on the Yangon Stock Exchange, which was the first listing on that stock exchange.

  • Other Equity Offerings

  • Acted as special international counsel to PT Logindo Samudra Makmur on the sale of Rp 735 billion (US$30 million) of it shares in an IPO in Indonesia and in concurrent private placements outside Indonesia and the U.S.

  • Advised Panmure Gordon, as underwriter, on the sale of £29.6 million of shares in Lonrho plc, a London Stock Exchange listed company, in a firm placing and placing and open offer, including a concurrent private placement in the U.S.

  • Advised Bradken Limited on its A$245 million IPO on the Australian Stock Exchange ("ASX") and U.S. private placement.

  • Advised Goldman Sachs JBWere and Macquarie Bank as underwriters of an A$190 million rights offering by Oxiana Limited.

  • Advised Promina Group and Royal & SunAlliance on Promina Group's A$1.9 billion IPO on the ASX and U.S. private placement.

  • Advised Qantas Airways on A$720 million private placement and entitlement offer of its ordinary shares.

  • Advised Macquarie Bank and UBS on A$1.7 billion private placement and entitlement offer of stapled securities of Macquarie Infrastructure Group (MIG).

  • Advised Qantas Airways on A$456 million private placement of its ordinary shares.

  • Advised Macquarie Equities and JPMorgan on A$500 million private placement of ordinary shares by Macquarie Bank Limited.

  • Advised Merrill Lynch on A$320 million private placement of ordinary shares by CSL Limited.

  • Advised Citigroup, Merrill Lynch and JBWere on A$550 million private placement of ordinary shares by Suncorp-Metway.

  • Advised Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse First Boston and Macquarie Bank on A$334 million IPO on the ASX and U.S. private placement by Austereo Limited.

  • Advised ABN AMRO Rothschild and Citigroup on A$59 million IPO on the ASX and U.S. private placement by Commander Communications Limited.

  • Advised Frucor on its NZ$94 million IPO on the ASX and U.S. private placement.

  • Advised Merrill Lynch and UBS on A$360 million private placement of ordinary shares by CSL Limited.

  • Advised Citigroup and JPMorgan on A$60 million IPO on the ASX and U.S. private placement by IBA Technologies Limited.

  • Advised Citigroup on A$129 million IPO on the ASX and U.S. private placement by Programmed Maintenance Services.

  • Debt Offerings

  • Advised Tien Phong Commercial Joint Stock Bank (TPBank) on it proposed issuance of Tier II subordinated debt securities, which were to be listed on the SGX.

  • Advised Citigroup and JPMorgan on the sale of US$850 million of BHP Billiton's 4.80% Senior Notes due 2013 in an SEC-registered offering.

  • Advised Jupiters Limited on its US$135 million 8.5% Senior Notes due 2006 in a follow-on SEC-registered exchange offer.

  • Advised ABN AMRO on the US$44 million private placement of Fixed Interest Rate Interest Only Converting to Escalating Annuity Bonds by JEM US Bonds (No. 1) Pty Limited.

  • Advised Merrill Lynch and Chase Securities Inc. on US$500 million private placement of 8% Notes due 2010 by Cable & Wireless Optus.

  • Advised Crane Group on its US$70 million private placement of notes.

  • Advised Citigroup on the A$250 million private placement by ERG Limited of convertible notes.

  • SEC-Registered Deals

  • Represented National Securities Corporation, as underwriter and sole book running manager, in connection with the initial public offering by CBD Energy Limited, an Australian diversified clean energy company and leading provider of solar installations worldwide, and its listing on Nasdaq.

  • Advised an Australian company on the proposed listing of its shares on Nasdaq.

  • Advised Citigroup and JPMorgan on the sale of US$850 million of BHP Billiton's 4.80% Senior Notes due 2013 in an SEC-registered offering.

  • Advised Ilion Technology on its proposed IPO in the United States and listing on Nasdaq.

  • Advised Lehman Brothers in connection with the proposed IPO in the United States and dual listing on Nasdaq of Libertyone Limited, a then ASX listed company.

  • Advised Jupiters Limited on its US$135 million 8.5% Senior Notes due 2006 in a follow-on SEC-registered exchange offer.

  • Advised Apex Silver Mines Limited on its US$55 million SEC-registered IPO and listing on the American Stock Exchange.

  • M&A Deals

  • Advised Lend Lease Corporation on its proposed A$7.5 billion merger (via stapled securities) with General Property Trust.

  • Advised Foster's on its US$1.5 billion acquisition of California-based Beringer Wine Estates as well as the related A$700 million equity funding and US$400 million debt funding.

  • Advised Pacific Lithium on its proposed acquisition of a U.S. public company.

  • Advised KPMG Peat Marwick on an asset purchase.

  • Going-Private Transactions

  • Represented Duff and Phelps as its U.S. counsel in its role as financial advisor to the special committee of Bitauto Holdings Limited, a Nasdaq-listed company, on a going-private transaction.

  • Represented Duff and Phelps as its U.S. counsel in its role as financial advisor to the special committee of Plastec Technologies, Ltd. on the sale of all of Plastec Technologies, Ltd.’s shares in Plastec International Holdings Limited to Shanghai Yongjing Investment Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shanghai Yongli Belting Co., Ltd, for an aggregate purchase price of RMB 1,250,000,000 (approximately US$187 million).

  • Represented Duff and Phelps as its U.S. counsel in its role as financial advisor to the special committee of AirMedia Group Inc., a then Nasdaq listed company, on a going-private transaction.

  • Represented Duff and Phelps as its U.S. counsel in its role as financial advisor to the special committee of Vimicro International Corp., a then Nasdaq listed company, in connection with a non-binding proposal from the Chairman and CEO to acquire the outstanding shares of the company in a going-private transaction.

  • Other Advice

  • Represented Dentsu Inc. in negotiating the license for the media rights for the XXIV Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, China and the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad in Paris, France for 22 Asian countries and territories with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and representing Dentsu Inc. in drafting and negotiating a number of sub-license agreements for those media rights with broadcast partners.

  • Represented Dentsu Inc. in negotiating the license for the media rights for the XXIII Olympic Winter Games (2018) in PyeongChang, South Korea and the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo, Japan (2020) for 22 Asian countries and territories with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and in drafting and negotiating a number of sub-license agreements for those media rights with broadcast partners.

  • Represented the Philippines Football Federation and LIGA FUTBOL, INC., in the setting up of the Philippines Football League, the first professional football league in the Philippines.

  • Represented Dentsu Inc. in negotiating the license for the media rights for the XXII Olympic Winter Games (2014) in Sochi, Russia and the Games of the XXXI Olympiad (2016) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for 22 Asian countries and territories with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and in drafting and negotiating a number of sub-license agreements for those media rights with broadcast partners.

  • Advised JBWere on the U.S. regulatory requirements (SEC, NASD and NYSE) for its sale of a 45% interest in itself to Goldman Sachs.

  • Advised Ilion Technology on U.S. securities and Delaware corporate law matters in connection with its conversion from a New Zealand company (formerly Pacific Lithium) into a Delaware corporation.

  • Advised UCMS on U.S. securities and Delaware corporate law matters in connection with its conversion into a Delaware corporation and its proposed listing on the ASX.

  • Advised Chip Application Technologies Limited on its restructuring as a Delaware corporation (Catuity Inc.) listed on the ASX.

  • Advised Vapotronics on its restructuring as a Delaware corporation.

  • Advised the Australian Stock Exchange on establishing Australian Stock Exchange World Link, which enables Australian investors to trade shares listed on Nasdaq and NYSE.

Areas of Practice

  • Capital Markets
  • Securities Law
  • Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions Transactions
  • Corporate Law
  • Commercial Law
  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  • Venture Capital/Emerging Companies

Admissions

  • New York
  • Tasmania, Australia

Education

  • University of Virginia School of Law, LL.M., 1996
  • University of Cambridge (Trinity College), B.A. (Law), 1994
  • University of Cambridge (Trinity College), M.A., 1998

Experience

  • Duane Morris & Selvam LLP, Singapore
    - Director, 2012-present
  • Dorsey & Whitney LLP, London and Sydney
    - Special Counsel, 2008-2012
    - Senior Consultant, 2007, 2005-2006
  • Coudert Brothers, Sydney
    - Senior Associate, 2003-2005
  • Jones Day, Sydney
    - U.S. Corporate and Securities Associate, 1999-2003
  • Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP, New York
    - Associate, 1996-1999

Honors and Awards

  • Ranked in Chambers Asia-Pacific for Capital Markets: India and Singapore, 2021-2024
  • Ranked in Chambers Global for Capital Markets: India and Singapore, 2020-2024
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in Singapore™ for Capital Markets, 2020-2024
  • Listed by IFLR 1000 as a Highly Regarded Lawyer for Capital Markets: Debt, Capital Markets: Equity, M&A, 2016-2023
  • Awarded “Cross Border Lawyer of the Year - Capital Markets” at the LegalEra Global Achievers Awards, 2023
  • Listed in LegalEra Global Achievers Awards 2022 as a Leading Cross Border Lawyer (India Desk)
  • Listed in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Recommended Lawyer for Capital Markets - Foreign Firms and India Foreign Firms, 2018-2022
  • Listed in India Business Law Journal as part of the International A-List: Top 100 India-Focused Legal Experts Outside the Country, 2019-2023
  • Listed in Who’s Who Legal and recommended for Capital Markets, Singapore, 2020-2023
  • Listed in Asia Business Law Journal as part of the A-List: Singapore’s Top 100 Lawyers, 2019 and 2023
  • Listed in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a recommended lawyer for Capital Markets - Local Firms, 2016-2017

  • Led the firm's team that acted as international legal counsel to the President of India and Life Insurance Corporation of India on the sale of Rs 206 billion (approximately US$2.7 billion) of equity shares in Life Insurance Corporation of India in an IPO in India and concurrent private placements outside India, including a concurrent U.S. private placement (Rule 144A). This is the biggest IPO in Indian history. This deal was recognised as one of the “Deals of the Year 2022” by India Business Law Journal and as an “Impact Deal and Case of the Year” at the Asialaw Awards 2023
  • Awarded Finance Monthly Deal Maker of the Year Award 2016 for his role as the lead lawyer advising First Myanmar Investment Co., Ltd. on the listing of its shares on the Yangon Stock Exchange, which was the first listing on that stock exchange
  • Led the firm's team that acted as U.S. legal counsel to the President of India on the sale of Rs. 27 billion (US$406 million) of shares in NHPC Limited in an offer for sale (including a Rule 144A offering in the U.S.), which was recognised as one of the "Deals of the Year 2016" by India Business Law Journal.
  • Led the firm's team that advised First Myanmar Investment Co., Ltd. on its historic listing on the Yangon Stock Exchange, which was the first listing on that stock exchange. That deal was listed in "2016 Deals of the Year - Capital Markets" by Asia Business Law Journal, "Deals of the Year 2016" by asian-mena Counsel and was a finalist in Emerging Markets Awards for Capital Markets Deal of the Year: Equity 2016 by The Asian Lawyer.

Selected Publications

Selected Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, “VIMA vs. the World – Shareholders’ Agreement” Webinar, Singapore, 15 February 2022
  • Speaker for "Listing Your Company on the Yangon Stock Exchange," a half-day seminar held at the Yangon Stock Exchange on August 31, 2016.
  • Gave a full-day seminar in Singapore titled "Contentious Clauses in Contracts" on February 27, 2015. The seminar was organised by CrimsonLogic Pte. Ltd.
  • Speaker for the "Listing of Indian Companies in the U.S. - Key Legal Aspects" panel at the "Threading the Needle in U.S. India Deals: Safe Passage Through Formidable Legal Risks" conference, February 13-15, 2014, New Delhi, India. The conference was organized by the ABA Section of International Law and the Society of Indian Law Firms.
  • Gave a full-day seminar in Hong Kong titled "Risk Mitigation & Allocation — Drafting to Maximise Contract Performance" on May 14, 2014. The seminar was organised by CrimsonLogic Pte. Ltd.
  • Gave a half-day seminar in Singapore titled "Heads of Agreement, Memoranda of Understanding & Letters of Intent - Differentiating Between Them and Best Practice in Negotiating and Drafting" on March 27, 2014. The seminar was organized by CrimsonLogic Pte. Ltd.
  • Gave a one-day seminar in Singapore titled "Risk Mitigation & Allocation — Drafting to Maximise Contract Performance" on October 18, 2013. The seminar was organised by CrimsonLogic Pte. Ltd.
  • Gave a one-day seminar in Singapore on contemporary commercial contracts, May 22, 2013. The seminar was organized by CrimsonLogic Pte. Ltd.