The end of 2011 closes Rodyk's 150th Anniversary year, a year which began with the launch of our Anniversary book, RODYK 150 Years, and included not only a cocktail party for clients but a community event that saw our lawyers and staff literally roll up their sleeves and get to work on cleaning homes in Bukit Merah, and the Rodyk Challenge, which pitted the students of SMU and NUS against each other in a showdown on topical energy law and regulatory issues. The competition combined written and oral presentation, with a debating element, in a novel way. Justice of Appeal Chao, the presiding judge, commended the event for the way it had lawyers thinking of the future, rather than the past. Rodyk also hosted the 50th Edition of the Pacific Rim Advisory Council, an organisation of which we are a founding member. Leading lawyers from more than twenty seven jurisdictions attended two days of debate and discussion of hot legal questions, including issues concerning international arbitration, capital market regulation and data privacy protection.

2011 also saw Rodyk welcome three partner hires for its corporate and corporate finance practices. Ng Eng Leng has led domestic, regional and cross-border M&A transaction projects for over twenty years. Nicholas Chong has nearly two decades of local and international experience in corporate and capital markets, with a focus on REITs, debt capital markets and structured products. Chan Wan Hong has had a dozen years of experience, focused on corporate finance and capital markets, mergers and acquisitions and venture capital investments. They have all integrated well, and boosted what is a rapidly growing practice for Rodyk.

As 2011 closes, we look forward to 2012, and the opportunities and challenges that it will bring. At this time of year too, it is right that we thank all those whom we have served over the past year - for reposing your trust and confidence in our effort and ability. It has been a privilege - whether the work entrusted to us is large or small, we understand its importance to our clients and do our very best to honour your faith.

With all best wishes for the season and the New Year!

Philip JEYARETNAM, SC
Managing Partner