Herbert Smith Freehills' Singapore alliance firm Prolegis adds Adrian Wong as head of projects

Singapore law firm Prolegis has hired Adrian Wong as a director and head of projects, adding specialist projects expertise to its practice and to its formal law alliance (FLA) with leading international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills.

Adrian advises on all aspects of energy, infrastructure and data centre project development, including acquisitions and disposals. He works with equity sponsors, government authorities, lenders, EPC contractors, feedstock and utilities suppliers and potential offtakers and O&M service providers.

"We're delighted to welcome Adrian; his hire marks an important milestone for our longstanding FLA with Herbert Smith Freehills.  Through him, we are delighted to finally expand our FLA's Singapore and international law capability into projects and infrastructure," said Prolegis managing director Ban Leong Oo.

"Building out our capability at all stages of the projects pipeline is crucial as our clients pursue new infrastructure opportunities in Asia," said Graeme Preston, Herbert Smith Freehills' Asia head of corporate.  

"Adding Adrian's experience as head of projects at the FLA perfectly complements Herbert Smith Freehills' existing Asia strengths in energy, TMT, infrastructure, M&A, private capital and disputes."

Adrian's appointment follows Herbert Smith Freehills' recent Singapore hires of project finance partner Rupert Baker and capital markets partner Xavier Amadei, and the establishment of a construction disputes centre of excellence in Kuala Lumpur headed by disputes partner Craig Shepherd.

In May, the firm also promoted three new partners in Southeast Asia – Cellia Cognard in Jakarta and Harry Evans and Daniel Waldek in Singapore – and three new counsel – Victor Chiew and Salonika Kataria in Singapore and Michelle Virgiany in Jakarta.

"Adrian's arrival adds essential projects expertise to our FLA.  With Adrian, the Herbert Smith Freehills Prolegis FLA can now offer international and local Singapore law expertise in this area to clients," said Herbert Smith Freehills' Asia managing partner May Tai. "This reflects our ambition to be a leading projects and infrastructure firm in Asia and is another stage in our integrated expansion in the region."

"As one of very few international law firms offering local law capability through associate relationships in all three of Singapore, Indonesia and mainland China, we look forward to working with Ban, Adrian and their teams to expand our FLA relationship and services further."

Speaking on his appointment, Adrian said: "I am really excited to be starting and am keen to explore various synergies, which already exist across the various practice areas, as well as new opportunities that may now be available with our enhanced offering."  

"I’m hopeful that this is merely the start of a long-term growth strategy as we seek to further establish and strengthen both our Singapore law offering and the projects and construction practice for Asia.”

ABOUT ADRIAN

A Singapore citizen, dual qualified in England & Wales and Singapore, Adrian graduated with a bachelor's degree in law from the National University of Singapore. He began his career at Singapore law firms Wong Partnership and Allen & Gledhill, before moving to Clifford Chance.

In 2010, he moved in house to International Power plc/GDF Suez Energy (now part of the ENGIE Group), before returning to private practice at Hogan Lovells. In 2014, he moved to CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP as a partner.

ABOUT THE FORMAL LAW ALLIANCE

Prolegis LLC is a premier boutique corporate and commercial law firm in Singapore, advising local and multinational corporations, financial institutions and government entities. A Formal Law Alliance (FLA) allows clients to access Prolegis' Singapore law capability alongside Herbert Smith Freehills' international skills.