Singaporean firm Incisive Law has strengthened its shipping and international trade practice with new director, Davis Tan, in anticipation of increasing business shifts from Greater China to Singapore.
Wai Yue Loh, a co-managing director at Incisive, told Asia Business Law Journal that Tan was a rare breed among Singaporean lawyers practising in the shipping and trade space, as he had experience living and working in mainland China.
“Language and culture are particularly important for our Chinese clients, many of whom the firm has been servicing for a long time,” said Loh. “Davis’ expertise is crucial for the firm’s future development, benefitting clients in Singapore who are originally from Greater China and beyond, as well as their network of companies worldwide.”
Prior to joining Incisive, Tan spent nearly nine years at Rajah & Tann from 2016 to 2025 and was promoted to partner in 2022. During his tenure at Rajah & Tann, he focused on shipping and trade disputes before the Singapore courts and in international arbitrations. Tan also worked briefly at Grandall Law Firm in mainland China as an exchange lawyer, accumulating his expertise in Chinese matters.
Having been appointed as a new director, Tan will also serve as a deputy head of litigation at Incisive. He is a dual-qualified lawyer in Singapore, and as a solicitor of England and Wales.
“While Incisive remains firmly committed to servicing its clients in the core sectors of shipping, international trade and commodities, covering all aspects of transactional as well as dispute resolution work, it is also seeking to grow as a full-service Singapore law firm,” said Loh. The firm also formed a collaborative association with international outfit DAC Beachcroft in 2023, increasing its global reach.
