Mayer Brown Appoints Janelene Chen as a Partner to Boost Global Trade and Finance Capabilities in Singapore

Mayer Brown Appoints Janelene Chen as a Partner to Boost Global Trade and Finance Capabilities in Singapore

She was previously serving at Norton Rose Fulbright

Global law firm Mayer Brown has announced the joining of Janelene Chen as a partner in its Banking And Finance Practice in Singapore.

She will focus on trade and other structured finance transactions. Chen has vast experience in advising financial institutions and corporate borrowers on a wide range of cross-border financings. Notable among these are trade finance (including receivables, payables, and commodities), event-driven financing, structured lending (asset-based), and general banking.

Most of her cross-border transactions have involved Singapore, Indonesia, Indochina, Hong Kong, and Mainland China.

Dual-qualified in English and Singapore laws, she provides the firm the flexibility to assist clients in the Southeast Asia region, where transactions are governed by either English or Singapore laws.

Chen was previously serving at Norton Rose Fulbright as a partner.

Alex Dell, the co-head of Mayer Brown's global banking and finance practice and co-chair of the global trade finance group remarked, "Chen is a seasoned banking and finance lawyer, having advised the world's largest banks and corporate borrowers on the full spectrum of issues affecting trade and structured finance products. She is a valuable addition to our growing practice globally.

Dell further stated, "The multi-trillion-dollar global trade finance market is complex and risky to navigate for lenders and borrowers alike. Having Chen on the ground in Singapore, an increasingly important financial and trading hub, advising on structured finance and risk management solutions to multi-jurisdictional clients significantly deepens our leading global finance platform.”

Yu-Jin Tay, the managing partner of Mayer Brown's Singapore office remarked, "We are delighted to build on the success and growth of our Singapore office by bringing on board more talented and dynamic partners like Chen. I look forward to working closely with her.”

On her appointment, Chen said, "I am excited to join Mayer Brown for the opportunity to plug into a highly successful global team, working closely with global practice leaders, Alex Dell, Massimo Capretta, and others to expand the global trade finance business in Asia. I am inspired by the energy of Mayer Brown's Singapore office and look forward to contributing to its evolution and success."

Commenting on recent market trends in Asia, she added, "Singapore is the main financial center for Southeast Asian lending activity and the originator of the vast majority of Southeast Asia-focused cross-border financings. Indonesia and Vietnam are key markets that offer long-term growth opportunities. Singapore is also becoming increasingly important to Hong Kong and China, with many large Chinese companies setting up regional headquarters in Singapore as the base for their non-PRC operations. As most regional cross-border transactions are governed by Singapore or English laws, we can expect dual-qualified Singapore-based banking and finance lawyers to have constant deal flow in the coming years."