Published by rhtlaw at January 20, 2015 Singapore, 20 January 2015 – RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP (“the Firm”) announces the appointment of former Attorney-General Professor Walter Woon SC as the Non-Executive Chairman and a Senior Consultant of the Firm.
As the Non-Executive Chairman and a Senior Consultant, Professor Woon will further strengthen the Firm’s capabilities and scholarship in its various areas of legal practice including corporate and securities law, whilst providing strategic counsel and leadership to the Firm and its management board.
Professor Woon is the David Marshall Professor of Law and Deputy Chairman of the Centre for International Law at the National University of Singapore (“NUS”) and the Dean of the Singapore Institute of Legal Education (“SILE”).
Professor Woon brings his wide experience in academia, law, politics and diplomacy to the Firm, having served in all functions throughout his three-decade career. Amongst his previous accomplishments, Professor Woon served as Sub-Dean and Vice Dean of the NUS Law Faculty between 1988 to 1995, was a Nominated Member of Parliament between 1992 to 1996, Legal Adviser to the President of Singapore and Council of Presidential Advisors from 1995 to 1997, Solicitor General from 2006 to 2008 and Attorney-General from 2008 to 2010. He also served in a number of diplomatic functions for the Government of the Republic of Singapore as Singapore’s ambassador to the European Union, Germany, Greece, Belgium and Luxembourg from 1997 to 2006. Professor Woon has also been the Judge Advocate-General and a member of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights and the board of directors of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
He was formerly a director of Intraco Ltd (serving as audit committee chairman) and Natsteel Ltd. His book ‘Company Law’ is used as a standard text for law and business schools in Singapore and Malaysia. ‘Woon’s Corporations Law’ is also a standard reference book for company law. He chaired the Steering Committee for Review of the Companies Act, the recommendations of which form the basis for the current amendments to that Act. Professor Woon is also an honorary Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Directors.
RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP Managing Partner Mr. Tan Chong Huat said, “The appointment of Professor Walter Woon – one of Singapore’s top legal minds – as the Non-Executive Chairman of RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP will be very significant for our Firm. Professor Woon’s high standing in the academic, legal, political and diplomatic communities as well as his professional integrity and reputation will provide transformational leadership to the Firm, guide and help us to fulfill our ambition to be the leading international firm in Asia with Singapore origins.”
“Professor Woon’s extensive knowledge, experience and leadership will also significantly add to our Firm’s capabilities as it continues to provide highly sophisticated and diversified legal and professional services to clients in the Asia-Pacific region. We are grateful, privileged and honoured to have Professor Walter Woon join us as our Non-Executive Chairman and as a Senior Consultant.”
Professor Walter Woon said, “It is with great pleasure that I accept the chairmanship of RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP. I look forward to contributing to the Firm’s endeavours throughout the ASEAN region and internationally, and to helping the Firm achieve its ambitious goals for the coming years.”
“As a leading local international law firm, RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP will also allow me to stay close to the practice of the law as well as provide real life practice issues to benefit my students at NUS and SILE.”
The Supervisory Council of the Firm which comprised the late Subhas Anandan, Rajan Menon and Tan Chong Huat was instrumental in seeking Professor Walter Woon’s chairmanship to lead the Firm.