Department:
Corporate
Contact:
phoneIcon+65 6557 4863
emailIconjamesyap@leenlee.com.sg

YAP Zhen Ren, James

James is a Partner in the Corporate Department of Lee & Lee.

He graduated from the National University of Singapore in 2015 and joined Lee & Lee as a Trainee in 2016. He was called to the Singapore bar in 2016 and was made a Partner in 2025.

He is active in the private equity and venture capital sector and advises on a wide range of transactions, such as (i) private equity and venture capital investments; (ii) corporate restructuring and divestment of companies; (iii) standard debt transactions, including debt restructuring, loan agreements, guarantees and standard security documents; (iv) general regulatory issues under the Securities and Futures Act; (v) employment matters, including stock options and other incentive schemes; and (vi) other general corporate and commercial matters.

Some of the transactions he has been involved in includes:

  • Acting for RWDC Industries Limited, a Singapore-based biotech start-up, in its US$133 million two-stage Series B funding round co-led by Vickers Venture Partners, Flint Hills Resources, CPV/CAP Pensionskasse Coop, and International SA.
  • Advising the National Research Foundation (Prime Minister’s Office) on its various investments, together with other incubators and accelerators, in start-up companies in the technology sector in Singapore.
  • Advising Singapore private equity and venture capital firms in relation to fund incorporation, regulatory compliance, and mergers and acquisitions.
  • Acting for multiple start-ups in their respective series funding rounds (including Axinan, Azendian, Mighty Jaxx, Propzy, Rate, Sealed Network, Scantist, Symbo Platform, WaveScan Technologies, Windy Hill, and Wholeselect Technology).
  • Acting in the issue of perpetual securities by a regional property development, lifestyle retail and hospitality management company listed on the SGX-ST.
  • Advising companies on the creation of employee share incentive schemes, and reviewing, drafting and commenting on employment agreements, employment handbooks, and policies.
  • Advising and acting for clients in respect of general corporate and commercial matters including the sale and purchase of assets or shares, joint ventures, and shareholders’ agreements.