Joseph Lee

Practice Areas

Aviation

Building, Construction & Infrastructure

China & Asia Practice

International Arbitration

International Trade, Shipping & Sanctions

Insolvency & Restructuring

Insurance & Reinsurance

Litigation & Appeals

Private Clients, Wealth & Trusts

Career

Joseph is the Joint Managing Director of the Firm. Prior to co-founding the Firm, Joseph worked in an international law firm and a leading Singapore disputes resolution firm.

Joseph is one of the leading dispute resolution lawyers of his generation. He was ranked as 40 most influential lawyers in Singapore Aged 40 and Under by the Singapore Business Review in 2015. More recently, he has been recognised by the Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner for dispute resolution for 2021 and 2022 and Benchmark Litigation as a Litigation Star for construction matters. Clients describe him as a “very astute and sharp litigator who looks at issues thoroughly and is quick at strategizing and finding solutions to protect his clients’ interests”, a “deep thinker” who “gets results”, and an “outstanding litigator” who “brings a wealth of experience to bear on [his] advice and conduct of cases”. Most recently, Joseph was described as “sharp as nails and comes up with creative arguments. He is also a consummate strategist. He fully owns his client’s problems and works very hard.” (Legal 500 2022)

Joseph has a broad range of advocacy experience and has appeared as lead counsel in the highest levels of the Singapore courts in cases which have shaped Singapore law in commercially significant ways. These cases include LH Aluminium Industries Pte Ltd v Newcon Builders Pte Ltd [2015] 1 SLR 648, a leading case in the interpretation of the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act, Clearlab SG Pte Ltd v Ma Zhi and another [2014] SGHC 221, a key case on equitable compensation and trade secrets, and Crest Capital Asia Pte Ltd and others v OUE Lippo Healthcare Ltd (formerly known as International Healthway Corp Ltd) and another and other appeals [2021] 1 SLR 1337, a decision notable for the principles surrounding unlawful means conspiracy, and joint and several liability.

Joseph also heads the Firm’s arbitration practice. He has represented clients in arbitrations seated in several jurisdictions employing the rules of various arbitral institutions including the ICC, SIAC, AAA, HKIAC and JCAA. He has also represented clients in post-award enforcement proceedings in Singapore.

Besides the courts and arbitral tribunals, Joseph also regularly appears before quasi-judicial tribunals such as the Strata Titles Board, the Appeals Board for Land Acquisitions and the Income Tax Board of Review.

While Joseph’s practice covers a multitude of sectors, he has developed particular expertise in the fields of construction, oil and gas, commodities, international trade, banking, and governmental institutions. In particular, Joseph has a “strong following among clients in China and Hong Kong” (Legal 500 2021) given his excellent grasp of Mandarin and a keen understanding of Chinese business culture. He regularly acts for numerous state-owned enterprises and blue-chip companies listed in China and Hong Kong.

Outside of the law, Joseph has served as an independent director with a publicly listed company and on the Disciplinary Panel of the Council for Estate Agencies, the Law Society of Singapore, as well as the Singapore Dental Association.

Professional Memberships

Member, Law Society of Singapore

Member, Singapore Academy of Law

Disciplinary Panel, Council for Estate Agents

Disciplinary Panel, Singapore Dental Council

Disciplinary Panel, Law Society of Singapore