Duane Morris & Selvam LLP

What Duane Morris & Selvam LLP does

Duane Morris & Selvam LLP is a full-service international law firm structured as a joint law venture between US-based Duane Morris LLP and Singapore-based Selvam LLC, established in 2010–2011 and operating under Licence 2/2010 granted by the Attorney General of Singapore. The firm and its affiliated network comprise more than 800 legal professionals across 29 offices in Asia (Singapore, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Yangon, Shanghai, Sydney), the United States, the United Kingdom and Latin America, plus a qualified foreign advisor network spanning 100+ countries. Its practice is organized into roughly 26 service lines — including Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Corporate Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Project Finance, Dispute Resolution, Energy, Tax, IP, Shipping, TMT, Fintech & Blockchain, Sports/Media/Entertainment and Anticorruption — and 10 dedicated country/regional practices (China, India, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Latin America and others), with lawyers qualified in multiple jurisdictions and fluent in Asian languages. The firm serves multinational corporations, financial institutions, government agencies and parastatals, with marquee mandates including the US$3 billion Maxis Communications IPO, the S$5.2 billion Keppel Bank takeover, US$27 billion+ raised across 120+ capital markets transactions, and the first Singapore company (Creative Technology) to list on NASDAQ.

The firm's revenue model is professional services billing for legal advice, with quote-based fees determined by matter complexity, jurisdictional requirements and time invested. Salaries are reviewed annually in May. Distribution is direct enterprise engagement through the global office network, supported by thought leadership (periodic Singapore newsletters, whitepapers on topics such as EV regulatory compliance across Latin America and Singapore–Latin America business), LinkedIn presence and the wholly owned subsidiary DMS Corporate Services Pte. Ltd., which delivers corporate secretarial, compliance, governance and employment agency services to clients in Singapore. The firm has been consistently ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific, Chambers Global, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific and India Business Law Journal, and has earned Deal of the Year recognition from India Business Law Journal in 2016 and 2017 and Asia-Pacific Industrial Deal of the Year from Project Finance Magazine in 2003.

Name

Duane Morris & Selvam LLP

Legal name

Duane Morris & Selvam LLP

Website

https://duanemorrisselvam.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Duane Morris & Selvam LLP is a full-service international law firm and joint venture between US-based Duane Morris LLP and Singapore-based Selvam LLC, employing 800+ legal professionals across 29 offices in Asia, the US, Europe and Latin America, serving multinational corporations, financial institutions and government clients with cross-border corporate, finance and disputes work.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110), Legal Services (5411)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) & Securities Law (BPAHAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cross-Border M&A Advisory (FSAEAGAH)

Keywords

• International legal services
• Cross-border legal advisory
• Mergers and acquisitions law
• Capital markets legal counsel
• Corporate legal services

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices27 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Legal Advisory Services: The firm generates revenue through providing comprehensive legal advisory services across multiple jurisdictions including corporate transactions, dispute resolution, capital markets, M&A, project finance, energy law, and regulatory compliance. Revenue is derived from professional fees for legal services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Duane Morris & Selvam LLP is a joint law venture providing full-service international legal advisory across Asia, the United States, Europe and Latin America. It delivers multi-jurisdictional corporate, dispute resolution, capital markets, banking & finance, M&A, project finance, energy, IP, tax and regulatory legal services to multinational corporations, financial institutions and government entities through more than 800 legal professionals in 29 offices.

Product overview

Duane Morris & Selvam LLP is a joint law venture between US-based Duane Morris LLP and Singapore-based Selvam LLC, operating as a full-service international law firm with over 800 legal professionals. The firm's offering consists of 26 distinct legal practice areas organized into core legal services (Corporate, Dispute Resolution, Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Tax, IP, Regulatory) and 10 regional/country practices (China, India, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Latin America plus Singapore). Supporting services include corporate secretarial delivered through subsidiary DMS Corporate Services Pte. Ltd. The practice is particularly strong in Technology, Media & Telecommunications, Fintech & Blockchain, Energy, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Capital Markets. The firm also publishes periodic newsletters for clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Anticorruption Compliance & Investigations (Asia) Advisory services for companies on developing internal anticorruption programs, conducting internal investigations, and defending companies in government investigations, criminal prosecutions and civil enforcement actions related to anti-corruption laws across Asia.
• Banking & Finance Legal advisory on banking and financial services, capital markets transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and securities regulatory matters.
• Capital Markets Legal counsel on capital markets transactions including initial public offerings, dual listings, debt offerings, and qualified institutional placements, with partners having advised on over 120 debt and equity capital markets transactions raising more than US$27 billion in aggregate.
• China Practice Inbound and outbound China legal services including mergers & acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, investment funds, labour & employment, energy, projects & infrastructure, intellectual property, and technology sectors.
• Corporate Commercial Full-service corporate legal counsel for publicly listed companies, multinationals and small-medium enterprises with custom legal solutions across corporate commercial matters.
• Corporate Finance Cross-border investment transaction advisory including divestments, hive offs, spin offs, corporate reorganisation and court-sanctioned schemes of arrangement.
• DMS Corporate Services Corporate secretarial and advisory services including incorporation, compliance, governance, and employment agency services delivered through wholly owned subsidiary DMS Corporate Services Pte. Ltd.
• Corporate Secretarial Corporate secretarial functions including statutory reporting, disclosure obligations, and regulatory compliance support for private and public companies.
• Dispute Resolution Contentious and non-contentious legal work including admiralty & maritime disputes, banking disputes, contractual disputes, employment matters, intellectual property disputes, and international arbitration through a 100+ country qualified foreign advisor network.
• Energy Legal services for the energy sector including electricity transmission, LNG projects, project financings, upstream/midstream/downstream projects, renewable energy, PPPs, and regulatory matters.
• Fintech & Blockchain Technology Regulatory and corporate advisory on blockchain technology, initial coin offerings (ICOs), smart contracts, and MAS Fintech Regulatory Sandbox matters.
• Funds, Private Equity & Venture Capital Legal services for private equity funds, venture capital funds, hedge funds, investment managers and investors on fund structuring, marketing and regulatory compliance.
• India Practice Legal services for India-related investments including corporate, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, employment, wealth and estate planning, and regulatory compliance; the firm has worked on more than 70 securities offerings by Indian issuers in 15 years.
• Indonesia Practice Legal services for Indonesia-related matters including mergers & acquisitions, capital markets, private equity, banking & finance, and cross-border disputes.
• Intellectual Property Acquisition, protection and management of IP rights including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, software development, content licensing, and e-commerce issues.
• Japan Practice Multi-jurisdictional legal services for Japanese companies expanding regionally or globally, including M&A, joint ventures, finance, banking, securities, and corporate restructuring.
• Korea Practice Integrated legal services for Korean companies expanding regionally or globally, supported by lawyers from Asian offices in Singapore, Yangon, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Shanghai, with fluency in the Korean language and customs.
• Latin America Practice Advisory on opportunities and challenges of doing business in Latin America for Asian companies, Latin American companies, and financial institutions, with connections through alliance firms in Mexico City.
• Mergers & Acquisitions Transactional legal services for mergers, acquisitions, divestments, hostile acquisitions and takeover defenses across multiple jurisdictions.
• Myanmar Practice On-the-ground counsel for foreign and domestic businesses in Myanmar including M&A, corporate finance, licensing, funds, project financing, and dispute resolution.
• Offerings - Local & Foreign Listings Capital markets advisory representing issuers and underwriters in securities offerings, IPOs, and listings on Singapore Exchange, NASDAQ and other exchanges; advised on the first Singapore company listing on NASDAQ (Creative Technology).
• Project Financing Legal representation for project development, financing, construction and operation of capital intensive projects and facilities, including PPPs and infrastructure mandates such as the US$268 million Tala-Delhi transmission PPP.
• Shipping Shipping industry legal services including charterparty disputes, cargo claims, commodity trading, mortgage enforcement, marine insurance, and ship finance.
• Sports, Media & Entertainment Legal advisory for sports stakeholders, individual athletes, sports clubs, broadcasters, production companies, sponsors, and manufacturers on sport and media matters.
• Tax Tax advisory covering Singapore tax matters including income tax, withholding tax, GST, stamp duty, property tax and tax treaty analysis.
• Takeovers & Privatisations Legal counsel on takeover situations governed by the Singapore Takeover Code, including mandatory and voluntary offers, schemes of arrangements, and privatisations (notably the US$5.2 billion Keppel Bank takeover and OCBC-led privatisations).
• Technology, Media & Telecommunications TMT legal services covering WiMAX, 3G, satellite transmission, streaming video, intellectual property protection, and M&A for TMT companies, including the US$3 billion IPO of Maxis Communications.
• Vietnam Practice Legal support for operations or investments in Vietnam, including corporate matters, complex financings, energy and environment transactions, and IT/telecommunications projects from offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over US$27 billion raised in aggregate across 120+ capital markets transactions
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers30 records

Segments11 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Duane Morris LLPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuane Morris LLP is the US-based international law firm partner in the joint law venture. The partnership provides Duane Morris & Selvam with access to Duane Morris' international platform of more than 700 attorneys in offices throughout the United States, Asia and London.
• Selvam LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelvam LLC is the Singapore-based law firm partner in the joint law venture. The joint venture operates under Licence 2/2010 granted by the Attorney General of Singapore.
• DMS Corporate Services Pte. Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholly owned subsidiary of Selvam LLC providing comprehensive corporate secretarial and advisory support services. Holds an Employment Agency License and works closely with the firm to provide incorporation, compliance, and governance services.
• Law Firms Throughout Japan and AsiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding relationships with law firms throughout Japan and Asia, providing clients with access to local counsel when needed for Japan Practice clients.
• Indian Law FirmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFor certain specific governmental, corporate, commercial and other matters, Duane Morris and Duane Morris & Selvam act in cooperation with law firms headquartered in India.
• Qualified Foreign Advisors NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of qualified foreign advisors in more than 100 countries for dispute resolution and enforcement, enabling the firm to enforce judgments and arbitration awards globally.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Hogan Lovells: Global top-tier firm with strong Singapore and Asia practice advising on M&A, capital markets, energy and infrastructure — overlaps with several of Duane Morris & Selvam's strongest practice areas.
• Herbert Smith Freehills: Global law firm with significant Asia-Pacific presence (Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok) advising on M&A, energy, infrastructure and disputes — competes with Duane Morris & Selvam for high-value Asia-headquartered mandates.
• King & Wood Mallesons: Asia's largest international law firm headquartered in Asia with major Singapore office and full-service corporate, M&A, banking and capital markets practice — competes directly with Duane Morris & Selvam for Asian cross-border mandates.
• Norton Rose Fulbright: Global law firm with significant Asia-Pacific presence and recognised strength in energy, project finance, banking and capital markets — comparable competitor to Duane Morris & Selvam's energy and finance practices.
• Linklaters: Magic Circle firm with deep Singapore, Hong Kong and India presence advising on M&A, capital markets and banking — head-to-head with Duane Morris & Selvam on the most complex cross-border transactions in Asia.
• Latham & Watkins: Premier US law firm with a substantial Asia practice covering Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul, advising on M&A, capital markets and project finance — competes for the largest cross-border mandates that Duane Morris & Selvam also targets.
• Clifford Chance: Magic Circle firm with longstanding Singapore, Hong Kong and India operations offering corporate, M&A, capital markets and project finance — competes with Duane Morris & Selvam for the same large-ticket cross-border mandates.
• Baker McKenzie: One of the largest global law firms with extensive Asia-Pacific coverage including Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar and China — directly comparable for full-service cross-border legal services to corporates and financial institutions.
• Allen & Overy Shearman (A&O Shearman): Global Magic Circle / leading international law firm with major Singapore and India benches advising on cross-border M&A, capital markets, and project finance — directly comparable competitor for cross-border Asia deals that Duane Morris & Selvam targets.

Regional players

• WongPartnership: Singapore-headquartered leading domestic firm with strong cross-border practice, particularly in capital markets and M&A — directly comparable to Duane Morris & Selvam's Singapore corporate and capital-markets work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/duane-morris-&-selvam-llp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Duane Morris & Selvam LLP