Clyde & Co expands Asia Pacific Energy practice with partner appointment of David Phua

Singapore, 7 July 2026: Former Co-head of Energy and Infrastructure (ASEAN) at King & Wood Mallesons, David Phua, adds significant depth to APAC offering

Global law firm Clyde & Co today announces the further expansion of its Asia Pacific energy and construction practice with the partner appointment in Singapore of David Phua, former Co-head of Energy and Infrastructure (ASEAN) at King & Wood Mallesons (now Mallesons). 

David’s practice spans LNG and pipeline gas; renewable power project development and investment; and mining, with an emphasis on critical minerals. He acts for state-owned enterprises, privately-owned energy companies, trading houses, utilities, and investors seeking to expand into fast-growing Asian markets. His work extends across Singapore, China, and other Asian jurisdictions. He graduated from the University of Cambridge and is bilingual in English and Chinese.

His LNG and pipeline gas advice covers the full spectrum of contractual and advisory work, long-term and spot sale contracts, terminal use agreements, storage and reload arrangements, truck loading, and long-term charterparties. He advises on both export and import projects, working with clients on structuring cross-border supply, transportation, and infrastructure development.

David also advises on renewable power project development and investment, including offshore wind, solar, and geothermal, working with developers and investors across the Asia Pacific region. In the mining and metals sector, David advises on offtake, marketing, and M&A matters involving critical minerals such as nickel and lithium.

David will be an integral part of the firm’s regional energy, marine and trade practice which counts 12 partners and 35 lawyers overall across Asia Pacific.

Rapidly evolving Risk Landscape

The hire comes at a time when the energy, marine and trade sectors are seeing rapid change due to geopolitical developments. Asia Pacific is a dynamic and diverse energy market and home to some of the world’s largest energy, commodities, trade and marine businesses globally. The region is generating long-term demand for capital deployment across LNG, energy security infrastructure, renewables, and transition-aligned assets. Singapore is a central trading hub for LNG, and a strategic location for trading, financing, dispute management, and regulatory oversight.

Rebecca Armstrong, Partner, Global Chair of Energy & Construction, London, said: “There are tremendous opportunities for the firm’s global energy practice, arising from rapidly changing markets across the energy, marine and trade sectors. Now more than ever, clients in these areas rely on advisors with strong industry knowledge and broad geographical reach to navigate risks.”  

Thomas Choo, Singapore Managing Partner, said: “This expansion will further strengthen our offering to clients across the energy, marine and trade space. David’s strong experience adds significant value to our global clients, who have operations across multiple countries, and Singapore remains central to clients seeking regulatory and commercial advice.”

David Phua said: “The Asia Pacific region is home to some of the most dynamic and diverse energy markets in the world: LNG and gas continue to underpin regional energy security; renewables are scaling rapidly under decarbonisation and energy-transition policies; and the surging demand for critical minerals is reshaping global supply chains. I am excited to join a leading energy and trade practice operating on such a strong global platform.”

Global Energy, Marine and Trade offering

Clyde & Co’s Energy practice was established over eight decades ago and advises clients on sector regulation and the rapidly evolving risk landscape due to geopolitical and market factors. The firm’s lawyers act for clients across contentious and non-contentious disciplines, and often across multiple jurisdictions including developing countries.