David H. Zemans

Primary Focus & Experience

Based in Singapore since 1997, David has advised clients on many of the largest and most complex corporate, restructuring, banking and project finance and capital market transactions to have been successfully completed across the Asia-Pacific region, including in Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

Recognition & Accomplishments

David is consistently ranked in the top tier by Chambers Asia Pacific for M&A, Banking & Finance and Restructuring/Insolvency, receiving the “Outstanding Contribution to the Legal Profession Award” at the Chambers Asia-Pacific Awards. Clients and peers praise him widely in Chambers Asia-Pacific as “a first-class lawyer” with “extensive market knowledge and a sharp commercial acumen.” Clients note that he is “a respected and valued adviser”, “very much in tune with the customer, very commercial and a skilled negotiator.” 

Among David’s other notable accolades, he is:

• One of Singapore’s Top International Banking & Finance Lawyers by Business Today 2023;
• “Lawyer of the Year” for Project Finance and Development Practice in Singapore by The Best Lawyers 2024 edition, an honor that is only awarded to one lawyer for each practice area. David was also recognized in Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Investment Law, and Mergers and Acquisitions Law by the same publication;
• “Project Finance Lawyer of the Year in Singapore”, “Corporate Restructuring Lawyer of the Year in Singapore” and “Capital Markets Lawyer of the Year in Singapore” at the 2023 Lawyer Network Annual Awards;
• Band 1 by Chambers Asia-Pacific 2023 for Corporate/M&A, Banking & Finance, and Restructuring/Insolvency in Singapore;
• “Hall of Fame” lawyer for his expertise for Banking & Finance in Singapore by Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023;
• “Leading Individual” for Corporate and M&A as well as Restructuring and Insolvency in Singapore by Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023;
• “Marketing Leading” lawyer for his expertise in Banking, Capital Markets, M&A, Project Finance, Energy and Infrastructure, Restructuring and Insolvency in Singapore by IFLR1000 2023-2024;
• Band 1 by Chambers Asia-Pacific 2023 for Corporate/M&A, Banking & Finance, in Indonesia (Expert Abroad);
• “Hall of Fame” lawyer in Indonesia by Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023;
• named among the world’s leading practitioners in Who’s Who legal: Southeast Asia 2023 for his expertise in Project Finance and Energy;
• “Global Leader” by Who’s Who Legal 2023 in the Energy – Power/Electricity, Energy – Renewables, and Project Finance guides;
• Best Lawyers 2023 for his work in various practice areas including Corporate and M&A, Banking and Finance, Project Finance and Development, as well as Investment Law;
• ‘Name to Know in Singapore’ in the restructuring and insolvency market by Global Restructuring Review; and
• Banking & Project Finance Lawyer of the Year – Singapore in Corporate LiveWire’s Innovation and Excellence awards.