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
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.
Specialisation
- Corporate & Commercial
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Private Equity
- Regulatory & Compliance
- Technology & Media
- Data Protection
- Labour & Employment
- Competition
- Intellectual Property
Language Proficiency
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)
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.
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.
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.”
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.
Customer-centric and offers very reasonable prices. It was also very helpful and understanding of my needs and queries.
Client feedback in the asialaw profiles research survey
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.
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.
Data Terminator
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.
Cashwagon Pte. Ltd
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.
Lendlease
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.