Felicia Tan
陈美莲
LL.B. (Hons) (LSE)
Partner
“柔字头上一把刀。"
As a former competitive 围棋 (wei qi) player, Felicia applies the same strategies in the game of chess and dispute resolution. She approaches every problem with the outcome in mind, never shies away from a fight but picks the right battles for her clients (正所谓胆大心细). Every move made is with at least the next three moves in mind (走一步，看三步).
This strategic approach has won over many clients, who put Felicia on their speed dial for their legal needs. In her 17 years of practice, Felicia has handled a full range of disputes in the commercial, international arbitration, employment, regulatory, real estate, infrastructure and construction dispute spaces. More specifically, she has carved out a niche in restructuring and insolvency, representing the gamut of stakeholders including creditors, debtors and auditors in high-profile, billion-dollar matters. She has been an elected board member of the group International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation Singapore since 2023.
Prior to joining TSMP, Felicia gained multicultural exposure in one of Singapore’s largest law firms, a Singapore statutory board, and an international legal practice where she headed up the China desk in Singapore. Her diverse portfolio spans from advising on project risks and insolvency, to multi-billion divestment projects, defamation and employment disputes, and regulatory compliance work.
It is a privilege to be a member of an honorable profession; this comes with duties to justice and to society. A firm believer in speaking for the neglected, Felicia has been volunteering at free legal clinics and as a volunteer Defence Counsel under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme since 2010. she was elected to the Council of the Law Society from 2016 to 2021 and served in the Executive Committee of the Council from 2019 to 2021.
In 2020 Felicia became the first female chairperson of the Civil Practice Committee which represents all the legal practitioners of the civil and commercial bar. She concurrently pioneered the Women in Practice Committee representing all female lawyers in 2019 and served as chairperson till 2022. Since 2022, she has been a member of the Partnership and Fundraising Committee of a new charity, SG Her Empowerment.
Testimonials
Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific
“Attentive and on-point advice.”
Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific
“Very committed to the client and responsive. Has a good team with other senior lawyers.”
Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific
“Good communication and commercially astute.”
Mr Tan Siang Hee, Executive Director, CropLife Asia
“Exceptional service rendered with dedication. Able to navigate complex compliance issues to maintain our operating licence.”
Mr Koh Ching Hong, then-Regional Managing Director, Intertek Group PLC
“We have worked with Felicia on the protection of a competitor’s data, employment laws, an M&A job and other matters. Her advice was clear and her responses, fast. She has been always energetic and candid. We enjoy working with her, and have also introduced her to some of our associates.”
Ms Ondi Nababan, Country Legal & Integrity Officer – Singapore, ABB Group
“It has been a great experience working with Felicia. Her confidence, her ability to break down complex legal issues to simple, clear and straightforward explanation, as well as her responsiveness, tenacity and dedication give you assurance that you are in good hands.”
Notable Briefs
Successfully represented primary shareholder in dispute with founding shareholders of famous Indian matchmaking portal shaadi.com, and obtained permanent anti-suit injunction in favour of primary shareholder. Westbridge Ventures II Investment Holdings v Anupam Mittal [2021] SGHC 244 is a landmark case in the Commonwealth as the first reported judgment confirming what law is applicable to govern subject matter arbitrability at the pre-award stage. This case was an Impact Case Winner in the Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2023 Awards.
Lead Counsel in a landmark case before the Court of Appeal in which the CA was invited to consider how the fundamental rules of insolvency interact (and should continue to interact) with the century old practices of the shipping industry. This case was raised in Parliament and specific amendments to the Companies Act were attributed to this.
Successfully represented local businessman in shareholder dispute involving claims of breach of shareholders’ agreement over a company whose main asset is its F&B business at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
Successfully represented global brands in intellectual property infringement matters against local entities.
Successfully defended local university against claim for defamation and other employment claims.
Successfully defended statutory board against judicial review applications at both the Singapore High Court and Court of Appeal levels.
Successfully defended statutory board against injunction, breach of lease agreement and misrepresentation claims where the claimed damage was approximately SGD one billion.
Successfully defended a statutory board against a reputable international contractor’s complex multi-million dollar arbitration claims for liquidated damages, unforeseen physical conditions and other variation costs in relation to several infrastructure contracts.
Successfully defended one of Singapore’s leading power generation companies and key provider of energy solutions in a complex arbitration against another major oil and gas company over a multi-tiered gas supply agreement.
Felicia Tan in the News
23 June 2023
Felicia Tan was quoted in The Business Times: From pros to amateurs, scalpers leave concertgoers out in the cold
8 May 2023
Felicia Tan quoted in The Straits Times: Rise in number of S’pore companies being wound up
28 February 2023
Felicia Tan quoted in Singapore Business Review: Private trustees take over bankruptcy cases in Singapore
4 February 2023
Felicia Tan quoted in The Business Times on trends in corporate and individual bankruptcy
1 December 2022
Thio Shen Yi and Felicia Tan mentioned in The Business Times as lawyers representing KPMG in their suit against Hyflux
29 September 2022
Felicia Tan quoted in The Business Times about prepayments for services, in the light of sudden closures of gyms and fitness centres
19 September 2021
Felicia Tan was quoted in ST: “Reebonz: When the gloss came off a luxury retailer”
11 September 2021
Felicia Tan was quoted in ST: “Luxury marketplace Reebonz appoints provisional liquidator to wind up company”
3 July 2021
Felicia Tan was quoted in BT: “Everything must go: Behind the scenes at the Robinsons liquidation”
17 August 2020
Felicia Tan quoted in BT: “Saved by the bell?: How Singapore’s new insolvency laws could extend lifelines for distressed companies”
Penned by Felicia Tan
7 February 2024
My Wishlist For 2024
By Thio Shen Yi, SC, Stefanie Yuen Thio, Ong Pei Ching, June Ho, Ian Lim, Jennifer Chia, Felicia Tan, Mark A. Jacobsen, Derek Loh, Melvin Chan
