HFW taps arbitration specialist on blockchain in Singapore

Shaun Leong

Global law firm HFW has recruited Shaun Leong, an international arbitration specialist with a strong focus on blockchain, cryptocurrency and energy, as a partner in Singapore, joining from Withers.

“In addition to bolstering our international arbitration practice generally, Shaun brings particular experience in technology disputes, including disputes relating to blockchain and cryptocurrency. Shaun also has experience in disputes in relation to energy, sustainability and climate change,” Adam Richardson, the Singapore office head at HFW, told Asia Business Law Journal.

With more than 15 years of experience, Leong has successfully secured a worldwide proprietary injunction that froze a non-fungible token (NFT) during a commercial dispute from the exclusive Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT series. He also represented investors in connection with the collapse of Terraform Lab’s Luna token, which involved one of the world’s largest algorithmic stablecoins.

In the energy sector, Leong has advised clients on matters relating to carbon credits, clean power purchase agreements, renewable energy certificates and on disputes relating to green activism. He is a panel arbitrator with the Singapore International Arbitration Centre and with other premier centres, including the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board International, the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association, the Thailand Arbitration Centre, and the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre.

“A number of our partners in Singapore regularly act on high-value, complex, multi-party commercial international arbitration proceedings. Shaun’s hire bolsters our already strong international arbitration offering across the Asia-Pacific,” said Richardson.

Theodore Ang, senior associate at Withers, also joined HFW alongside Leong. With the addition of Leong, the Asia-Pacific team of HFW has 64 partners and 280 lawyers in total. Globally, the firm has 185 partners and more than 700 lawyers in total.

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