James Clayton-Payne > Latham & Watkins LLP > Singapore, Singapore > Lawyer Profile

Latham & Watkins LLP’s Singapore office is a market-leading hub for cross-border and domestic M&A, offering integrated US, English, and Singapore law advice and a full-service platform spanning private equity, corporate finance, investment funds, and regulatory matters. Amy Beckingham leads the group and is highly regarded for her expertise in M&A, private equity, joint ventures, and cross-border transactions across Asia, with notable knowledge in advising portfolio companies. Sidharth Bhasin exhibits deep understanding of the Indian market, frequently handling complex cross-border M&A, private equity, joint ventures, fundraising, and energy and infrastructure transactions. James Clayton-Payne has notable proficiency in the energy and infrastructure space, with a strong track record in acting for private equity investors, Indonesian corporates and government bodies. Sharon Lau is well-placed to act on the full spectrum of M&A transactions. Marcus Lee draws on his dual qualification in Singapore and the UK to advise a wide range of clients, and Farhana Sharmeen brings notable skills in regulatory matters.

The team at Latham & Watkins LLP assists start-ups at all stages of their lifecycle, and has a wide range of expertise, covering a range of issues from smaller Series A financings to larger transactions for both lenders and businesses. Amy Beckingham splits her time between Hong Kong and Singapore, advising sponsors and emerging companies on venture capital financings. Beckingham co-leads the team alongside James Clayton-Payne and Farhana Sharmeen. Clayton-Payne advises a range of start-ups, VC investors and corporate venture capital vehicles in all rounds of fundraising, from seed to Series F+ and through to exit while Sharmeen is active for start-ups and more established corporates, on international investments, and international clients on transactions with a Singapore component at every stage of the corporate life-cycle. Marcus Lee has particular experience representing private equity firms in matters involving the infrastructure and energy sectors.

Latham & Watkins LLP exhibits market-leading capabilities in high-profile M&A, project development and finance, corporate finance, secured lending, regulatory and environmental matters, with a robust client roster spanning private equity, sovereign wealth funds, national oil companies, and global energy majors. The group is jointly headed by Sidharth Bhasin, Don Stokes and James Clayton-Payne. Bhasin leads on complex energy and infrastructure transactions across Asia, particularly in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines, with a client base spanning private equity, infrastructure and sovereign wealth funds, state-owned entities, and financial institutions. Clayton-Payne’s workload focuses on energy infrastructure, digital infrastructure, oil & gas, and natural resources, while Stokes is an expert in infrastructure and energy project developments.

Latham & Watkins LLP‘s practice advises a number of global and regional tech giants, digital infrastructure operators, and tech investors. The team handles technology-driven M&A, digital infrastructure transactions, data privacy, cybersecurity, and other data and tech regulatory matters. Corporate partner James Clayton-Payne leads the practice in Singapore and advises on acquisitions, divestments, joint ventures, and venture capital financings involving technology and digital assets. Counsel Esther Franks is noted for data and tech transactional work, along with cross-border data privacy and regulatory issues.

Latham & Watkins LLP is renowned for its frequent activity in the Indonesian energy market and deep experience in the acquisition of infrastructure companies and the termination of joint ventures. Timothy Hia is recognised for his financing expertise and is often tasked with arranging both loan and revolving credit facilities. Stephen McWilliams is noted for his capabilities in geothermal power mandates, while James Clayton-Payne is considered an authority on M&A deals. Marcus Lee broad corporate practice extends to advising on mergers and asset purchase transactions. Sidharth Bhasin and Sharon Lau are also senior practitioners in the firm.