Francis is the co-founder of TLC, and the Head of Commercial and Employment practices. An active commercial litigator and employment counsel, Francis is frequently appointed as lead counsel on matters and focuses his practice on complex employment and commercial disputes. He brings his litigation acumen to the boardroom in commercial negotiations and in all matters that he is engaged for. He has and continues to be entrusted with complex and high value cases from high-net worth individuals, MNCs, public listed companies, public institutions, and charitable organizations.
Francis has earned a place in the LexisNexis® 40 under 40 lawyers 2023, an exclusive industry recognition that selects 40 professionals who are 40 years old or younger and show tremendous potential to grow and motivation to lead the development of the legal sector in Asia Pacific.
Some of Francis’ notable cases include but are not limited to:
- Advised a large construction company in Singapore in relation to a dispute with the CPF Board involving a sum in excess of $3 million
- Advised a government-linked company in relation to a dispute with the CPF Board involving a sum in excess of $1 million;
- Advising the head of the Singapore branch of a listed international banking group in relation to dismissal;
- Acting for a high net worth individual in a lawsuit against his former employer in a wrongful dismissal claim in excess of $1 million;
- Acting for a foreign billionaire in a minority oppression lawsuit;
- Acting for a foreign billionaire in a commercial dispute lawsuit in excess of $1 million;
- Advising companies such as a multi-national professional services and consultancy company, a Singapore subsidiary of a listed international banking group and the Singapore subsidiary of a global healthcare group in appealing to the Ministry of Manpower against debarment from hiring foreigners
- Conducting a corporate investigation for a Singapore subsidiary of a listed international banking group involving allegations of breaches of Singapore employment law;
- Acting for a MCST in a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the developer, main-contractor, architect of the property and other parties;
- Acting for a Singapore incorporated company in resisting a claim in excess of $2 million;
- Representing a European MNC in resolving an employment dispute with a claim in excess of 1 million EUR;
- Conducting a corporate investigation for a Reinsurance Group (World Top 50 Reinsurer) involving allegations of breaches of Singapore employment law;
- Conducting a cross-border corporate investigation for a healthcare equipment MNC involving allegations of corruption and fraud;
- Advised a listed company in relation to a dispute with the CPF Board involving a sum in excess of $1.5 million;
- Representing a co-founder of a listed company in a shareholder dispute litigated up to the Court of Appeal; and
- Representing a co-founder of a well known nightlife and entertainment company to obtain an order under s216A of the Companies Act to take action against the other co-founders / directors for breach of fiduciary duties.
Francis speaks regularly at external seminars (locally and abroad) on topics relating to employment law, commercial law, and strata property law amongst others. Francis also has the following professional and academic appointments:
- Appointed board member of the Independent Review Board of the Public Free Clinic Society (大众医院) (current)
- Singapore International Mediation Institute Mediator Level 1
- Certified Professional by the Institute of Human Resource Professionals
- Adjunct Faculty at the Singapore Management University teaching the Employment Law and Regulations in Singapore course
- Associate faculty at the Singapore University of Social Sciences teaching the Employment Law and Industrial Relations course