Global law firm Ashurst has welcomed energy M&A expert Kok Jin Ong to its corporate transactions practice in Singapore from A&O Shearman, where he held the position of counsel. Ong is set to become an Ashurst partner once regulatory approval is granted.
Ong joined the legacy Shearman & Sterling as a counsel in 2022, following previous roles at Jones Day and Herbert Smith Freehills. With over ten years of experience, he specializes in M&A and joint venture transactions within the energy and infrastructure sectors across the Asia-Pacific region.
Specializing in both traditional oil and gas transactions and energy transition matters, Ong's expertise spans areas such as green fuels, offshore and onshore wind, solar PV, battery storage, and geothermal energy.
In a statement, Jean Woo, Ashurst's Singapore office managing partner, praised Ong as “is a highly regarded and talented lawyer who brings a wealth of expertise and client relationships in the energy transition M&A space”.
Added Frank Bi, Asia head of corporate transactions: “He has a rare and valuable combination of M&A and energy sector skills and experience, which will enable us to provide our clients with comprehensive and innovative solutions for their energy transition projects and investments”.
Once Ong is made a partner, Ashurst will have 16 partners in its Singapore office. This comes after the recent departure of former managing partner Rob Palmer, who joined Hogan Lovells.