Derek Kwan

Practice Areas

Derek is the co-head of Baker McKenzie's Singapore Funds Practice. He specialises in private investment funds and advises on the structuring, formation and operation of a broad range of closed-end funds and private investment vehicles, covering private equity, venture capital, real estate and other asset classes.

Derek's practice focuses on fund formation. With over 18 years of private funds experience acquired in the Singapore and Hong Kong markets, Derek has advised on the structuring and formation of all types of private funds vehicles including conventional blind pools, clubs, co-investment funds, parallel sidecars, high net worth feeders, investment platforms, consortiums, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, separate accounts, captive funds, CVC programs and other bespoke investment structures.

As part of his formation-focused practice, Derek also regularly advises on sponsor-related issues including the set-up of new fund management businesses, establishment of joint venture fund management platforms, co-sponsor arrangements and carried interest plans, and works with our regulatory and tax specialists to provide holistic solutions to GP clients.

His practice also covers acting for pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions and other institutional investors on their fund investments and co-investments, and on the establishment of strategic investment partnerships with operators.

Derek is recognised in leading legal directories Chambers Asia-Pacific, Legal 500 and IFLR1000 for this work in the investment funds space, and for his particular strength in private real estate funds.