Top lawyer and former Rajah & Tann managing partner Patrick Ang dies at 61

Patrick Ang, the former managing partner of “Big Four” law firm Rajah & Tann (R&T), has died at age 61.

The law firm confirmed his death in a statement on Saturday (Jun 14).

Ng Kim Beng, R&T managing partner, said: “R&T has lost a celebrated lawyer, a selfless leader, and most of all, a cherished and deeply loved friend and colleague.”

“His sudden and unexpected passing leaves an immense void,” he added.

Ang was a top insolvency lawyer with three decades of experience. He was best known for his handling of high-profile collapses including the likes of China Aviation Oil, Hin Leong, Lehman Brothers and Swiber.

The top lawyer was also the first Singaporean and the fourth lawyer from Asia to be inducted into the American College of Bankruptcy, a global organisation for leading bankruptcy and insolvency practitioners.

Ang became managing partner of R&T in 2019, taking over from Senior Counsel Lee Eng Beng.

During his tenure, he led the law firm’s decade-long regionalisation drive under Rajah & Tann Asia, a regional network of law firms spanning South-east Asia and beyond.

His leadership was recognised with the Managing Partner of the Year award at the Asia Legal Business South-east Asia Law Awards in 2024 and 2025.

Just earlier this year, Ang handed the reins over to Ng, an arbitration lawyer, while remaining vice-chairman of Rajah & Tann Asia.

Ang is survived by his wife, Marina Chin, senior counsel and joint managing partner at Tan Kok Quan Partnership, as well as their three daughters. It is believed that he suffered from prostate cancer.

Formidable legal mind

In a tribute on Saturday morning, Minister for Law Edwin Tong called Ang a “formidable legal mind” with an “unwavering stout heart for Singapore”.

“In my earlier years of practice, we often found ourselves on opposite sides of the table in complex restructuring matters,” said Tong. “Even then, I found it impossible not to respect him.”

He added: “Patrick had a remarkable way of thinking several steps ahead – calm, strategic, incisive. He approached even the most difficult negotiations with integrity and grace, and never stole a march with an unfair point.”

Tong said Ang also helped with drafting Singapore’s emergency Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Bill and was recognised for his help with the Public Service Star (Covid-19) National Day Award.

“His passing is not only a profound loss to his firm, but also to the legal profession and to Singapore, which he served with quiet resolve, unwavering strength and deep purpose,” the minister said.

In a LinkedIn post, the Law Society said: “Patrick was not only an outstanding lawyer and respected leader, but also someone known for his grace, integrity and kindness.

“He earned the deep respect of all who had the privilege of working with him, and his passing is a profound loss to the legal profession.”

Source: The Business Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

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