Damien specialises in civil and commercial disputes. He developed his expertise under the mentorship of Senior Counsels at leading boutique dispute resolution firms, where he acted in high-stakes, high-value, and complex dispute matters.
Apart from contentious work, Damien is well-placed to advise on non-contentious matters, including internal investigations, contract review, and legal risk management.
His experience spans a broad range of practice areas, including public law, corporate and shareholder disputes, banking and finance, construction, credit and security, crime, digital and technology services, employment, international arbitration, insolvency, investigations, and trusts.
Damien works closely with clients to develop clear, coherent strategies grounded in sound legal fundamentals and balanced advice. He prioritises clarity and simplicity, ensuring that available legal tools are deployed effectively to maximise outcomes and minimise risk.
Notable past matters include advising an international bank on a claim before the Singapore International Commercial Court brought by a former Prime Minister of Georgia, involving a claim of nearly US$1 billion against the bank’s associated entity. Damien also acted for a major Southeast Asian conglomerate in proceedings against a Malaysian government entity before the Singapore International Commercial Court to set aside an arbitral award exceeding US$700 million.
Before entering private practice, Damien served as a Justices’ Law Clerk at the Supreme Court of Singapore, where he worked closely with Judges of the High Court and Court of Appeal on a wide spectrum of significant cases.
Damien graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Singapore Management University’s School of Law and is admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore. Outside of work, Damien loves the outdoors and enjoys hiking, diving, and sailing
Acted for a large Southeast Asian conglomerate against a Malaysian government entity to set aside an international arbitral award involving sums exceeding USD 700m in proceedings before the Singapore International Commercial Court (FIC Properties Sdn Bhd v PT Rajawali Capital International [2024] SGHC(I) 33).
Acted for a Luxembourg company in proceedings before the Singapore High Court to resist enforcement of a foreign arbitral award relating to shares in a listed French luxury wear company worth tens of millions of Euros and succeeded in striking out of the enforcement order for failure to comply with a disclosure order (Wuhu Ruyi Xinbo Investment Partnership (Ltd Partnership) v Shandong Ruyi Technology Group Co Ltd [2024] SGHCR 7).
Acted for a death-row inmate in judicial review proceedings for a stay of execution pending related civil proceedings.
Advised a public accountant on a potential judicial review action against a regulatory body relating to a review under the Accountants Act 2004.
Advised a foreigner on charges relating to the illegal purchase of restricted residential property in Singapore.
Acting for an individual charged with unlawfully providing his bank account and SingPass login credentials to third parties who then used the accounts to transact scam funds.
Acted for the founders and shareholders of a local technology company in a High Court suit involving minority oppression and conspiracy claims against entities owned and controlled by the Singapore Press Holdings.
Acted for the Chief Operating Officer of an international industrial investment corporation in a High Court suit commenced by a competitor involving claims of more than US$10m for conspiracy and inducing breach of contract.
Acted for and advised the purchaser in the sale and purchase of a majority stake in a leading high-end musical instruments retailer.
Advised a multinational bank regarding a suit in the Singapore International Commercial Court by a former client against a group company for breach of trustees’ duties involving a claim for close to US$1bn.
Acted for a leading international energy company in High Court suits brought by various international banks for alleged misrepresentation in deals involving the Hin Leong group, a former industry-leading gasoil supplier and trader.
Advised an international bank on claims exceeding US$10m for misrepresentation and breach of contract by a beneficiary of a letter of credit issued by that bank.
Acted for a multinational bank in a High Court suit by a former client against the bank for alleged misrepresentation in transactions involving “accumulators” and “deccumulators” for foreign currencies.
Acted for one of the world’s largest crafters of natural diamonds in a High Court suit involving over US$60 million over the sale of diamonds to a former business partner (Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd v JG Jewelry Pte Ltd [2024] SGHC 10).
Acted for an international technology company in a dispute with a Singapore-based international bank over a high value contract for the provision of digital infrastructure and services.
Acted for and advised a global leader in high performance insulation and building solutions in a claim for about US$30m in unpaid invoices, and a dispute involving the supply of insulation to a leading local supermarket chain for a cutting-edge food distribution centre.
Acted for a high net worth individual in a High Court suit brought by the beneficiary of a personal guarantee (Horizon Capital Fund v Ollech David [2023] SGHC 164).
Acted for a former diplomat in a High Court suit by an international corporation involving sums of more than US$20m for alleged misrepresentation that induced the corporation to invest in a resort project.
Acting for an individual in a High Court defamation suit brought by a local bank.
Advised a Singapore-based international school on legal issues relating to employment and student affairs.
Acted for a former partner of a Big Four accounting firm in an employment claim against that firm in arbitral proceedings.
Advised a UK-based media company on legal issues relating to the engagement of freelancers and employment of staff in Singapore.
Acted for a leading local health and wellness company in an appeal to the Court of Appeal on a construction dispute involving issues of corporate insolvency law.
Acted alongside the judicial managers of a leading Singapore-based seafood group in investigations regarding the conduct of its former CEO and director over the use of company assets.
Acted for a defendant in a High Court action commenced by liquidators of a company that was involved in a fraudulent nickel trading scheme to claw back sums paid out at an undervalue by the company.