Valerie is counsel in the Finance group.
Valerie advises banks and financial institutions in asset, offshore oil & gas, project finance and various general banking & finance transactions. She has acted for syndicates in debt restructuring, work-out and enforcement situations and has also acted for various shipowners as well as container and ship leasing companies, on sale-and-leaseback transactions and other asset financing structures.
Valerie has worked on various financings involving the leading export credit agencies in Asia, with a particular focus on transactions with CEXIM, KEXIM, SINOSURE and K-SURE in the maritime sector.
Valerie has been recognised recently by Legal 500 and Expert Guides as a rising star as well as by Chambers Asia Pacific as an up and coming lawyer in the shipping finance sector. Clients have commented that Valerie is “very much on top of her game” and “a safe pair of hands, who is very good and client friendly”.
- Advising a syndicate of lenders led by Citibank N.A. and Nordea Bank Finland plc, New York Branch on a Sinosure-backed term loan facility of up to US$964m to Gener8 Maritime.
- Advising lenders regarding a US$318m syndicated senior loan facility to finance the acquisition of five newbuildings built by Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines, Inc, by certain subsidiaries of a top tier Chinese leasing house.
- Acting as lead counsel in advising a Chinese leasing company on the sale and lease back financing with certain subsidiaries of a leading energy and commodities company in two transactions.
- Advising National Australia Bank as agent on behalf of the lenders on the US$140.2 million JOLCO in respect of two 325,000 dwt VLOC newbuild. The transaction was named the Leasing Deal of the Year – East in 2021 by Marine Money.
- Advising a Chinese financial institution on potential restructuring of the facilities of the international shipping company and other potential causes of action available to the client.
Education
- 2017 · Solicitor, Hong Kong
- 2010 · Solicitor, England and Wales
- 2008 · Admitted as Advocate & Solicitor, Singapore
- 2007 · Diploma in Singapore Law, National University of Singapore
- 2006 · Called to the English Bar, Middle Temple
- 2005 · LLB (Hons), University of Manchester, United Kingdom
Memberships and Associations
- Law Society of Hong Kong
- Law Society of England and Wales
- Singapore Academy of Law
- Middle Temple, United Kingdom
- PressWFW advises BW on US$152m Japanese Operating Lease Financing for “BW Helios”
- PressWFW advises NAB on US$140.2m JOLCO financing
- PressWFW advises BW on US$210m Japanese Operating Lease Financing for “BW Lesmes”
- PressWFW advised Credit Agricole on US$91m financing for Landbridge leased VLCCs
- PressWFW advises lenders on US$318m loan facility for five newbuildings