Francis graduated from the Singapore Management University in 2012 and began his legal career at United Legal Alliance LLC, a boutique insurance law firm. At United Legal Alliance, Francis represented and advised several large insurance companies in a variety of matters with a focus on insurance law.
Francis left United Legal Alliance in 2015 and practiced with Rajah & Tann Singapore, a big four law firm in Singapore, up till early 2021 before the founding of TLC. At Rajah & Tann, Francis practiced commercial litigation and developed a niche in employment law. During this time, Francis had the opportunity to represent a diverse group of clients in a wide variety of matters of varying complexity involving different areas of law and regularly acted for large institutional clients such as banks, insurance companies and MNCs. Francis also led a team of 3 associates as the deputy head of the Legal Basix (disputes) practice group in the firm.
An active litigator and employment counsel, Francis is frequently appointed as lead counsel on matters and focuses his practice on complex employment and commercial disputes.
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
Advised on the termination of the head of the Singapore branch of a listed international banking group and the negotiation of terms of separation
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
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 corporate investigation for a healthcare equipment MNC involving allegations of corruption and cross border elements
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
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
Representing a group of majority shareholders in resisting allegations of minority oppression by the minority shareholders
Representing an individual in a personal injury claim arising out of a road traffic accident, where the claim was quantified in excess of $4 million
Representing a government owned corporation against a claim for personal injury brought by a former employee in excess of $1.5 million
Francis speaks regularly at external seminars (locally and abroad) on topics relating to employment law, commercial law, and strata property law amongst others. In his free time, Francis volunteers at legal clinics. 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 professor 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
