Harry Elias Partnership kicks off the New Year with the appointment of 3 new partners

Harry Elias Partnership has today formally announced the appointment of three new partners, Pearl Lim and Chan Wai Chong to its Banking and Finance practice group and Thian Wen Yi to its Family and Divorce practice group.

Pearl joins the firm as a partner and head of our Banking and Finance practice group. She started practice in May 1992 and is an established banking and finance legal practitioner in Singapore, with strong levels of activity in real estate finance, project finance, receivables finance and distressed debt transactions. She has acted for many leading Singapore, Asian and international banks and financial institutions, listed and private companies, Singapore statutory boards and government agencies, property owners and developers, investors, financial advisors, family offices, private clients and UHNWIs in a wide range of banking and finance transactions.

A banking and finance specialist, Wai Chong acts for banks and borrowers in a wide range of international and domestic loan transactions, including drafting loan facility documentation and collateralizing assets real and personal as security for lenders. He advises banks, financial institutions and insolvency practitioners on restructuring and insolvency with a particular focus on recovery of distressed real estate assets to unlock tangible value towards satisfaction of debt. Wai Chong has acted for major foreign and domestic banks, listed entities, developers, hoteliers, statutory boards, family offices and high net-worth individuals in the course of his practice. 

Prior to joining Harry Elias Partnership, Pearl and Wai Chong were Partners at an international law firm where they were involved in many notable transactions.

Commenting on the appointments, Philip Fong, Managing Partner at Harry Elias Partnership said: “I am delighted to welcome Pearl and Wai Chong to the firm. They are renowned practitioners who will help us cement our place as one of the leading Banking and Finance practice in Singapore. Singapore is a global financial hub and I am confident that Harry Elias Partnership will continue to play a prominent role in the city’s success.”

Harry Elias Partnership has also promoted Wen Yi to Partner in our Family and Divorce practice group. Formerly an Of Counsel, Wen Yi has acted as lead counsel in many contentious disputes over custody, care and control, access, maintenance, and division of matrimonial assets. She has acted for both local and expatriate clients and has advised on cross-border issues such as relocation, international child abduction, stay of proceedings, and conflict of laws. Wen Yi has also helped clients negotiate out-of-court settlements and advised clients on non-contentious matters such as drafting postnuptial agreements, trust deeds, and wills. Wen Yi is a member of the Singapore Association of Women Lawyers and volunteers at the legal clinics where she gives free legal advice to women who are unable to afford a lawyer. She also provides pro bono legal services for needy persons under the auspices of Law Society's Ad Hoc Pro Bono Referral Scheme and Legal Aid Bureau's panel of assigned solicitors. 

Foo Siew Fong, Partner and Head of Family and Divorce, commented: “Wen Yi’s promotion reinforces our reputation as the market leading Family and Divorce practice in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Wen Yi has demonstrated that she is ready for the next stage of her career. She will play a vital part in the long-term future of the firm. I would like to wish her all the very best for her new role.”