Daniel Chia has been named the new managing director of Prolegis, a formal law alliance (FLA) partner of Herbert Smith Freehills. He takes over from Ban Leong Oo, the founder and director, who has decided to step down after serving in the position for 12 years. Graeme Preston, the Asia managing partner of Herbert Smith Freehills, expressed that Chia's extensive knowledge of the Singapore market and his esteemed professional standing in the region make him an excellent choice as a successor. The firm eagerly anticipates collaborative growth in the future.
Chia, who joined Prolegis in 2023, has been at the forefront of the firm's litigation team, specializing in dispute resolution, restructuring, insolvency, and government investigations and enforcement. He shared insights into the firm's strategic direction, emphasizing Singapore's role as the legal hub for Southeast Asia. Chia highlighted the goal of aligning the firm's practices with the government's strategic positioning, focusing on creating a comprehensive legal infrastructure for handling foreign investment, legal disputes, and regional issues.
Regarding the firm's focus on regulated industries, Chia emphasized their commitment to delivering high-quality services to clients, whether in need of dispute and litigation support, restructuring assistance, or regulatory outreach. He aspires for Prolegis to be at the forefront, handling the most complex work for sophisticated clients. Chia acknowledged Ban Leong Oo's significant contribution to building Prolegis from the ground up and expressed gratitude for his leadership and camaraderie. Chia added that Oo's efforts, including the establishment of the FLA and recent expansions, have laid a robust foundation for the firm's next generation.