Mid-sized law firm Quahe Woo & Palmer is led by three leading dispute resolution practitioners, Michael Palmer, Christopher Woo and Melvin Lum on the commercial disputes and insolvency side. Veteran family specialist Michelle Woodworth leads the firm’s family and matrimonial practice. Overall, the disputes team comprises about 20 lawyers, including five directors. The firm primarily focuses on complex commercial and corporate disputes, as well as construction and insolvency disputes. It is particularly active in disputes involving banking and securities, shareholder and oppression actions, high-value debt recovery, probate, defamation and employment matters. The firm has offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, and London, and it is part of the Multilaw network as its Singapore member.
In one highlight, the firm defended an investor against BTHMB Holdings, which arose from the client’s attempted acquisition of Bithumb Korea, one of South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges. In another notable matter, the team is acting for CSAPL Holdings as the defendant in ongoing enforcement proceedings against Carlsberg.
Client feedback
“Clear and timely response to queries.” – Bankruptcy
“They have an excellent dispute resolution team.” – Commercial and transactions
“Explained the pros and cons well.” – Commercial and transactions
“Professional, thoughtful, high ethical conduct with client interest in mind.” – Commercial and transactions
“Careful analysis of underlying facts in dispute; significant experience and proficiency with relevant rules/statutory provisions; critical thinking; responsive and prompt communication.” – Commercial and transactions
“They are very thorough and prompt.” – Commercial and transactions
“Commercially minded advice, responsiveness, cost.” – Commercial and transactions
“Gave good, concise advice and practical steps.” – Commercial and transactions
“Understanding of the business essence in deal-making.” – Commercial and transactions
“Practical assessment and pragmatic advice on various options to pursue, and the estimated costs and possible outcomes.” – Commercial arbitration
“Good case management. Reasoned arguments. Sound legal analysis.” – Commercial arbitration
“Good advice, defence and fair settlement of the dispute.” – Commercial arbitration
“In-depth legal knowledge, Precise legal strategy and defence, Succinct legal argument.” – Commercial arbitration
“Great legal advice on our case.” – Construction
“Providing accurate and timely updates on court proceedings and providing sound legal counsel professionally. They are also well informed in family law.” – Family and matrimonial
“Calm in handling the case based on facts and legally binding aspect, unlike the opponent barking irrationally out of context.” – Family and matrimonial
“Attentive, detailed and conscientious work performed.” – Family and matrimonial
“Able to manage clients in a professional and empathetic manner. Put strong focus on important ancillary matters beyond asset/financial division, such as children’s wellbeing and maternal mental health. Responds to clients in empathetic manner, especially in emotionally charged situations.” – Family and matrimonial
“Very knowledgeable and very responsive.” – Intellectual property
“Prompt follow-up and professional advice.” – Labour and employment
“Great service, great advice and directions.” – Labour and employment
“Excellent advice, prompt action. Safeguarded my interests.” – Labour and employment
“Personalised, private services while thinking on their feet.” – Real estate
“Systematic approach and quality advice to the issues we are facing with our neighbours.” – Real estate
“They represented us and won the case.” – Shipping
“Providing professional sound advice on the subject.” – Trusts and estates
“The lawyers at the firm are very experienced and professional.” – White-collar crime
Shiao Hong Ho
“Compassionate in listening and understanding my situation. Discussed with her team and management before coming back with a feasible solution.”
“Friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.”
Wei-Jin Lee
“Very knowledgeable on the areas he handles. Never over-promised. When topics outside his expertise are being discussed, he will provide professional advice after making efforts to check.”
Keith Lim
“Very good advice on our legal cases and very patient problem-solver.”
“Keith Lim balances legal and business perspectives extremely well. Over the years, he has always been able to understand the nature of our business activity, keep up with how our business has evolved and appreciate our key concerns and interests. His legal knowledge is always up to date and his experience across a broad assortment of issues helps him offer very timely advice to us on how we should be approaching the issues at hand. I have personally found him to be very resourceful and effective in driving the outcomes that we want as a business in the most cost-efficient manner. I also place firm trust in his assessment of merits and recoverability in cases such as the above. All in all, we have benefitted from his strong legal mind, paired with his thorough understanding of our business, and he has consistently delivered outcomes that are favorable to our business needs.”
“Patient, attentive and methodical.”
“Professional, friendly, attentive and responsive.”
“Keith is knowledgeable in real estate, construction, litigation, and mediation and is highly efficient.”
“Responsive, knowledgeable, patient. Good client relationship and professional advice given.”
Melvin Lum
“Melvin provides clear and timely legal advice and is an excellent lawyer to depend on.”
“Commercial and practical approach to solving legal issues.”
“Clear and concise. Commercially minded.”
“Very professional, knowledgeable, competent, highly helpful and responsive. The best lawyer I have met to date.”
“Very experienced and is able to identify the critical weaknesses in the other side’s position and succeed on technical knockouts. Very responsive.”
“Excellent communication skills. Clear and precise legal arguments. Able to swiftly identify key issues and address the court.”
“Melvin often goes above and beyond in delivering his work. He takes the initiative in seeking information to aid his knowledge in helping me win the case.”
Michael Palmer
“Michael is an outstanding advocate and a brilliant strategist.”
“Michael is quick to grasp the issues and provide sound practical legal solutions. He is easy to work with, very responsive and able to dissect the legal issues, no matter how complex the case is.”
“Sincere, helpful, decisive, and intelligent. He has technical competence and engaged well with his clients.”
Collin Seah
“He has good knowledge and is very responsive.”
Nathaniel Tan
“Clarity and responsive in feedback. Attentive to enquiries.”
Reuben Tan
“Clarity and transparency.”
“Reuben listens actively, provides great advice and solutions to our problem. He will also remind us of the risks involved.”
Christopher Woo
“Acute ability to plan steps ahead.”
“Very knowledgeable. A good listener and very likeable character.”
“Fast responses, innovative solutions.”
“We are in a business that is not the norm and Chris tries to understand what we do and acts in our best interests. Chris is always quick to respond and goes above and beyond meeting our deadlines.”
Michelle Woodworth
“Empathetic, compassionate, knowledgeable and good negotiator.”
Hitomi Yap
“Excellent ability to listen and understand client’s concerns and address those concerns.”
