Samuel Yuen, Managing Director and Head of Corporate Practice at Yuen Law, Singapore Startups Lawyer

I see my mission in practice as helping businesses thrive. I derive great satisfaction from helping start-ups and entrepreneurs overcome their legal challenges and flourish.

Samuel Yuen

Founder and Managing Director
Head of Corporate and Business Practice Group

Advocate and Solicitor, Singapore

LLB (Hons), National University of Singapore Class of 2000

Certificate in Christian Ministries, Trinity Theological College

Samuel Yuen is a leading Singapore lawyer recognised by the prestigious Chambers and Partners for his corporate and commercial work. He is a renowned corporate M&A expert with a “multi-threat” background in securities, intellectual property and commercial transactional work.

Specialisation

  • Corporate & Commercial
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Private Equity
  • Regulatory & Compliance
  • Technology & Media
  • Data Protection
  • Labour & Employment
  • Competition
  • Intellectual Property

I see my mission in practice as helping businesses thrive. I derive great satisfaction from helping start-ups and entrepreneurs overcome their legal challenges and flourish.

Language Proficiency

English, Mandarin

Yuen Law Managing Director Samuel Yuen Is Ranked In Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2024.Yuen Law Managing Director Samuel Yuen Is Ranked In Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2023.Yuen Law Managing Director Samuel Yuen Is Ranked In Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2023.

Samuel Yuen ranked in asialaw Profiles for Singapore Law, corporate and M&ARanked in asialaw ProfilesYuen Law Managing Director Samuel Yuen Is Ranked In IFLR1000 as a Notable Practitioner, Leading Lawyers 2022, award

Samuel Yuen is the Managing Director of Yuen Law LLC and Head of its Corporate and Business Practice Team. He founded this law firm in 2012 after a fruitful career in corporate and securities law, including a three-year stint as a department head in a leading Malaysian IP Agency.

Samuel is featured in ALB’s Asia Super 50 TMT Lawyers in 2024. Ranked as a leading legal practitioner in Singapore, Samuel has a strong focus on corporate and commercial matters relating to start-ups and emerging companies. Driven by the belief that an effective lawyer is a collaborator for success, he works hand in glove with his clients to meet their needs at their various stages of growth.

He is perhaps best known for being a creative thinker who provides out-of-the-box but practical and efficient legal solutions.

An old hand at business development owing to a long family line of entrepreneurs and undertakings in various law firms including his own, Samuel understands the struggles, challenges and gratification of running businesses. That empathy, combined with business acumen that’s constantly sharpened in the course of serving clients and networking, is what builds greater affinity between him and corporate clients. Samuel is renowned for his effective negotiation skills and is frequently sought after for his commercially savvy and innovative advice.

Samuel is a published author, with “Funding for Start-ups — A Guide to Fundraising” launched in February 2020. This book draws on his extensive experience, having advised numerous startups and tech/fintech companies in their capital raises, as well as investors including venture capital firms and institutional investors.

As a leader, he has imbued a spirit of excellence among the Yuen Law team – whether lawyers or colleagues in other roles – that is propped up by a firm culture of supportiveness and empathy. He upholds the highest expectations of his team in the standards of their work and how they treat clients and one another. The firm invests in its people, both professionally in terms of constant upgrading and upskilling, as well as in encouraging time outs for their family and personal life and self-care.

A great believer in nurturing the next generation of legal professionals and entrepreneurs, Samuel regularly contributes his time and insights at talks, workshops and legal clinics for undergraduates and startups at NUS LAW, SMU and various business associations.

Samuel is the honorary legal counsel for the Institute of Public Relations of Singapore and founded Guide Dogs Singapore Ltd, a registered charity with Institute of Public Character status. He is also a member of the School Advisory Committee of Tanjong Katong Secondary School.

He worships at Covenant Evangelical Free Church and enjoys exploring the world. He is the proud father of a precious little girl.

  • Advising of local and foreign businesses on listing on the SGX Mainboard and the Catalist Board
  • Reverse takeover of SGX Catalist board company
  • Structuring businesses with cross-border subsidiaries
  • Advising on the set up of the Chamber of Commerce in Singapore for a North African Country
  • Advising on compliance with MAS regulations for a fintech group
  • Advising on seed and series funding for health tech startup, a fintech startup, government linked investment arms and venture capital firms
  • Advising property developer on setting up a proptech accelerator
  • Advising on merger & acquisitions transactions for a real estate firm, and a entertainment company
  • Implementation of Personal Data Protection Policy for a veterinary group
  • Advising on cross border intellectual property rights protection and enforcement for food and beverage groups
  • Advising on compliance with local employment laws for a retail MNC
  • Honorary legal counsel for the Institute of Public Relations of Singapore
  • Founder of Guide Dogs Singapore Ltd, a registered charity
  • School Advisory Committee of Tanjong Katong Secondary School

Download Samuel Yuen's CV (PDF)

News about Samuel Yuen

Yuen Law’s Corporate Practice Recognised in IFLR1000 Rankings

We are pleased to share that our firm has been recognized in IFLR1000 2024 for three practice areas: Notable Mergers & Acqusitions Investment Funds Active Financial Services Regulatory This marks the third consecutive year that we have received this prestigious accolade for M&A. We are also delighted to be newly recognized as “Notable” for Investment Funds and

Asialaw Ranking 2024: Yuen Law Directors and Practices Ranked

We are excited to share that Yuen Law has been ranked in the 2024 edition of Asialaw, a leading publication recognizing top law firms across Asia.  This year, we have earned recognition in multiple practice areas, including new rankings in Regulatory and Investment Funds. These accolades highlight our growing expertise in these specialized fields and our

Samuel Yuen Discusses Employment Disputes in CNA938 “Work It”

Employment disputes are a growing concern in Singapore especially in these precarious times where layoffs are unfortunately becoming commonplace. Channel News Asia’s Wui Lynn Chew speaks with Yuen Law’s Managing Director, Samuel Yuen to discuss employment disputes and what to do if you are entangled in one. In this session, Samuel shared his expertise on wrongful termination,

In our firm, we liken the practice of law not to karate, taekwondo or any formal school of martial arts but to MMA. We do what it takes to protect our clients’ interests within the confines of the legal system. Our lawyers are impelled to constantly ground their practice in reality and pragmatism.

businesspeople having a discussion
singapore lawyer shake hand with client in meeting
business woman talking about franchising and brand ip intellectual property
lawyer assisting client signing a contract
singapore lawyer celebrating in office
project pitch meeting
lawyers having a coffee together
corporate lawyer shake hand with client
lawyer doing estate planning
Yuen Law Testimonial

Samuel Yuen is the managing director and heads the corporate team, attracting praise from clients for the “excellent service, advice and guidance” he provides to clients. He is a seasoned practitioner who has a stellar reputation for his work for startups, providing the full range of advice, from M&A and investments to IP matters and regulatory compliance.

Analysis by Chambers and Partners
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021
Yuen Law Testimonial

My partners and I had to raise capital from a small group of investors. This created the need for an elaborate investment structure and the appropriate corporate governance mechanism. Yuen Law was very patient and meticulous in helping to operationalise our broad concept with its legal expertise, providing excellent value in its services to us. I believe such an excellent service made available to smaller investors is required to ensure a greater vibrancy for the small businesses M&A.”

Client Feedback in the asialaw Profiles Research Survey
2021
Yuen Law Testimonial

Although having already incorporated a small company, we were seeking advice regarding structural arrangements and certain core contracts and agreements. Having contacted a number of law firms we were, following our discussion with Samuel and his team, impressed with Yuen Law’s knowledge, professionalism, and approach that exhibited a feeling of genuine interest in us. Our impressions were confirmed by a business associate who was an existing client of Yuen Law LLC.

Dermot Keilthy, Godmama Peranakan Restaurant
6 August 2020
Yuen Law Testimonial

Customer-centric and offers very reasonable prices. It was also very helpful and understanding of my needs and queries.

Client in Banking and finance,
Client feedback in the asialaw profiles research survey
2021
Yuen Law Testimonial

Samuel is very well versed in many legal aspects, and his team of well-trained lawyers adequately support our various needs from time to time. Samuel has a vast network across industries, and we could benefit from his deep knowledge.

Client Feedback in the asialaw Profiles Research Survey
2021
Yuen Law Testimonial

Samuel is very professional and sincere in providing advice to my company. We’ve benefitted a lot and able to focus on our business rather than legal issues. Would definitely recommend Samuel to my business friends if they need advice on legal matters.

Donald Wee, Owner,
Data Terminator
21 August 2019
Yuen Law Testimonial

By offering in-depth legal knowledge, a strong partner participation and excellent strategic advice, Yuen Law establishes close relationships with clients and scores with its broad capacity and sustained quality. Yuen Law provides responsive, business-oriented, swift and clear advice and always able to meet tight deadlines. By setting up a new fintech project it was essential for us to structure the future holding over more than 5 jurisdictions, as well as to complete trademark and other IP registrations. The creative and solution-oriented Samuel Yuen led advice on structuring and various corporate and finance matters.

Kirill Lelchitskiy, LL.M., Chief Legal Officer,
Cashwagon Pte. Ltd
11 November 2018
Yuen Law Testimonial

Needed a firm who could help with legal documentation for our startup accelerator. We therefore needed someone with specific experience in this area, and also needed a firm that could work fast and be flexible on a budget. Specifically, we needed draft event Terms and Conditions and Investment Agreements.The team was responsive and friendly. Typically, documents and advice was turned around quickly, with follow up queries answered promptly. I would recommend your services to others in Singapore in and around the startup industry – both to corporates and startups needing advice.

Jack Fitzgerald, Head of Innovation, Asia,
Lendlease
2018
Yuen Law Testimonial

We needed Corporate legal services. What we liked most about Yuen law is the comprehensive oversight and resolve to my legal needs for setting up Incorporate and Trusts. We would absolutely recommend Yuen Law services. you’re treated with great care and personal attention. Samuel has been extremely helpful and patient.

Ryan Murray
30 October 2018
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