The law firm is beefing up its its trade finance and structured finance practices with the arrival of Angelia Chia and Ben Sandstad in its Singapore office as partners in the banking and finance practice. The duo will co-lead a pan-Asia team focusing on trade finance, structured finance and governance and advisory services.  Returning to private practice after leading global legal teams at Standard Chartered, Ms Chia and Mr Sandstad bring substantial experience, practical knowledge and senior in-house background to provide comprehensive advisory services spanning origination, governance and distribution of credit and associated risks in the Asia trade and debt finance market.

Intra-regional trade

Their arrival comes at a time when intra-regional trade in Asia is growing in importance, new entrants and technologies are revolutionising products and services, and increased oversight and regulatory capital requirements continue to pressure capital consumption and prioritise management of risk. ‎Mr Sandstad was global head of legal - credit, lending and governance, Client Legal Businesses - at Standard Chartered Bank whilst Ms Chia was chief legal counsel.

Sophisticated trade transactions

'With more than 40 years of combined experience, Angelia and Ben have exceptional track records in handling sophisticated trade finance and structured finance transactions,' said Richard Stock, co-leader of Mayer Brown’s global Banking & Finance practice. 'Their ability to advise on the full spectrum of issues pertaining to trade and debt finance products, coupled with their unique combination of senior in-house and private practice experience, will significantly enhance the firm’s capabilities in Asia and around the world.'

Rejoining

Mr Sandstad, who previously served as the head of structured finance in Asia for Mayer Brown  from 2010 to 2013, rejoins Mayer Brown JSM after leading the global credit, lending and governance legal team.  Mr Sandstad specialises in the origination, governance and distribution of debt, particularly lending, open account trade finance (including supply chain finance) and structured finance. Mr Sandstad has extensive experience advising on credit risk mitigation, securitisations and the governance and management of risk, such as credit, legal and operational risks. He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Sydney and is qualified in Hong Kong and New South Wales.

Global trade and finance

Ms Chia joins Mayer Brown JSM.  Previously, she was in-house counsel for Cargill and JPMorgan Chase. Ms Chia’s experience spans trade and trade finance across the globe, including the sale and purchase of goods and services across industries, provision of financing using a variety of financing products from traditional to open account, including supply chain finance techniques, and the distribution of risks arising from such sales. She is a member of the International Chamber of Commerce Legal Committee and Bankers Association for Finance and Trade Asia Trade Committee. Ms. Chia earned her undergraduate degree in law from the University of London, and she is qualified in Singapore.  

Ideal platform

Mr Sandstad said of the move: 'The firm, with its strength in Asia, Europe, North America and South America, offers an ideal platform to serve a traditionally underserviced market and provide end-to-end holistic advice to clients in the Asia-Pacific on trade finance, structured finance and the governance of risk.'