Stephenson Harwood has expanded its Singapore finance team by appointing Zhi Chao Chor as a partner, pending regulatory clearance. He previously spent slightly more than a year at Penningtons Manches Cooper.
Chor contributes over 15 years of experience advising on intricate cross‑border financings across Asia, Europe and Africa. His expertise includes structured commodity and trade finance, sustainability‑linked and transition financing, carbon‑inventory structures, Islamic finance, leveraged and syndicated deals, and real‑estate financing, serving both lenders and sponsors.
He joined Penningtons in May of last year after a brief stint at WongPartnership, following more than seven years at Rajah & Tann. Prior to that, his career spanned positions at Stamford Law Corporation, Clifford Chance, and Allen & Gledhill.
Chor’s transition to Stephenson Harwood mirrors the recent move of a three‑person team — led by partners Nick Dingemans and John Zadkovich — from Penningtons’ Singapore office in October 2024.
Daryll Ng, Singapore Managing Partner at Stephenson Harwood, observed that Singapore’s position as a hub for international trade and capital flows requires advisers to offer sophisticated, forward‑looking financing solutions, especially as the energy transition accelerates.
Ng highlighted rising demand for expertise in structured finance, commodities, sustainability and cross‑border investment as firms seek growth and navigate evolving Asian market dynamics.
James Linforth, Head of the firm’s finance practice, added that Chor “combines technical skill, commercial insight, and a deep grasp of Asia’s commodity, energy and sustainable‑finance markets.”
Linforth noted that Chor’s background in transition finance and carbon‑credit backed structures aligns with the firm’s goals in energy transition, projects & infrastructure, and private capital, reinforcing its role as a leading adviser on complex cross‑border finance across Asia.
Chor’s appointment raises the Singapore office’s partner count to 21. The firm previously lost banking and finance specialist Gregory Xu to Reed Smith in January, following the earlier departure of arbitration partner Christopher Bailey — who spent over four years at the firm before joining UK disputes specialist Candey, where he now leads its newly opened Singapore office.
Chor’s exit leaves Penningtons’ Singapore office with six lawyers, including partners Max Lim and Johan Wong.
