Posted: 26/05/2025
Zhi Chao Chor, a dual qualified leading banking and finance lawyer, has joined the Singapore office of Penningtons Manches Cooper, strengthening its offering in commodities and trade finance.
Zhi Chao joins the firm from Wong Partnership and, prior to that, he was a partner at Rajah & Tann. He has built a strong reputation across the region for his work in sustainability-linked finance, leveraged finance, Islamic finance, and real estate finance.
Zhi Chao's significant achievements include advising the bookrunning mandated lead arrangers, and a group of approximately 30 lenders, on US$1.393 billion credit facilities to Mercuria Energy Group, one of the largest integrated energy and commodity trading companies in the world. He also acted for the mandated lead arrangers and lenders on S$540 million facilities to refinance the Mercure Singapore on Stevens and the Novotel Singapore on Stevens. The hotels' parent, Accor, is the largest international hospitality group in the Asia Pacific region and a leader worldwide.
In 2023, Zhi Chao was recognised as one of Singapore's 30 most influential young lawyers under the age 40 by Singapore Business Review.
Commenting on Zhi Chao's arrival, Johan Wong, head of Penningtons Manches Cooper's Singapore office, said:
“I am very pleased to welcome Zhi Chao to the firm so soon after the arrival of Max Lim. Zhi Chao is a first-rate lawyer and his acknowledged expertise will further boost the firm’s banking, trade finance and commodities practices. His experience adds to our existing strengths on the ground, and complements our offering overseas. Max and I are looking forward to teaming up with Zhi Chao to make the most of the multitude of opportunities that exist here in Singapore and more generally across the region. These are exciting times and the future looks bright."
Zhi Chao Chor said:
“I am delighted to be joining Penningtons Manches Cooper. The team do very impressive work for some fantastic clients. I am very much looking forward to working alongside them as well as my new international colleagues to grow our offering. This feels like a great opportunity and I cannot wait to get started.”
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