At Dentons Rodyk, we are committed to embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. As a polycentric law firm with no dominant culture, we reflect the diversity of our clients and of the communities in which we work and live. Recognising the uniquely global and deeply local perspectives that our people from diverse backgrounds offer is the key to our unrivalled innovation, collaboration, and service delivery.

Key Initiatives

Dentons Women Singapore

The Dentons Women chapter in Singapore, spearheaded by our Senior Partners Catherine Lee, Pat Lynn Leong and Vanessa Lim, shares the network’s mission to foster an environment that attracts, develops and inspires women business leaders and to build networks with our clients and the communities in which we work. We take pride in the many women leaders in our firm, past and present, and have drawn on their experiences to inspire and support the female talent within our firm.

Mentorship program

Dentons Women has been actively organising tea sessions and webinars to provide a platform for our ladies to connect and learn from one another. The mentorship program at Dentons Rodyk aims to support and empower our young female lawyers, helping them excel as they embark on their legal careers.

Client events

Dentons Women Singapore is driven by a shared vision – to empower and uplift women in their professional journey. The Dentons Women committee collaborates with individuals of diverse backgrounds to promote an inclusive and supportive workplace environment. Through various initiatives, we strive to create opportunities for professional growth and advocate for gender equality.

In September 2023, Dentons Women organised an in-person event titled ‘Building a Public Profile - Insightful Stories from Women in Industry’. The event featured industry speakers sharing insights on how a carefully crafted public profile enhances visibility, aids in business development, and supports causes. The discussion centred around the challenges of maintaining authenticity in one's public profile and whether it should be a conscious effort.

Other Initiatives

To commemorate our firm’s 160th anniversary in 2021, Dentons Women partnered with non-profit organisation, Singapore Association of Women Lawyers (SAWL) to raise funds in support of the SAWL Scholarship Fund. The SAWL Scholarship Fund seeks to reduce social disparities brought on by educational imbalance and the lack of access to education for students with physical or mental disabilities who have displayed scholastic aptitude.

Pro Bono Initiatives

Charitable contributions, corporate social responsibility and pro bono work have always been at the heart of Dentons Rodyk. Our firm’s pro-bono committee, headed by Senior Partner Christopher Chong and Partner Wen Jin Lau, takes on many pro-bono initiatives. These initiatives have positive social objectives such as furthering a particular public good, correcting a perceived injustice or otherwise addressing issues which are of a broad community concern. The intended beneficiaries of our pro-bono work are often people who deserve public support such as the marginalised or disadvantaged.

Legal Clinics by Law Society

Dentons Rodyk is an anchor firm for the legal clinics organised by Law Society, and we are recognised every year during law awareness week. The Community Legal Clinics aim to enhance access to justice by allowing applicants to receive free legal advice on legal issues that they are facing and our lawyers contribute by offering free legal advice to needy members of the public. In 2021, we were awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the Law Society of Singapore for our support of LawSoc’s Community Legal Clinics.

Pro Bono

Dentons Rodyk has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Law Society Pro Bono Services (now known as Pro Bono SG), committing to take on at least 15 Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (“CLAS”) per year. Our lawyers handle cases both where the litigants have indicated an intention to plead guilty to the charge(s) and where litigants have indicated an intention to claim trial. Dentons Rodyk has also sponsored a number of CLAS Fellows, providing a “one year full-time” position with CLAS for a junior lawyer to work exclusively on CLAS cases.

Our commitment extends to active involvement of practice trainees in pro bono cases, instilling a culture of giving back to the public from the start of their legal careers.

University Engagement

Dentons Rodyk Dialogue

Dentons Rodyk has collaborated with Singapore Management University (SMU) in hosting the Dentons Rodyk Dialogue series since April 2017. This series is a major forum for thought leaders to share ideas and views. In 2023, the dialogue bought together thought leaders for a robust discussion on how a small island nation like Singapore has managed to evolve over the decades into a thriving global commercial hub The dialogue featured Guest-of-Honour Mr Edwin Tong SC, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law.

Dentons Rodyk Moots 

Dentons Rodyk Moots, an annual competition to showcase the best LARC mooters, has been held in conjunction with the National University of Singapore (NUS) Legal Analysis Research & Communications (LARC) program since 2010. Finalists compete for cash prizes of up to S$2,000 and also received internship opportunities. Furthermore, for the past three decades, Rodyk & Davidson Scholarships have been awarded to outstanding second-year NUS law undergraduates based on academic performance, leadership qualities and strong extra-curricular activities, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to individuals from various backgrounds.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Engagement Series

As part of our commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), Dentons Rodyk launched a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Engagement Series. This series brought together members of the firm from diverse backgrounds and highlighted the importance of integration and eliminating discrimination through fun and exciting games. The session tested the participants’ understanding of inclusion and unconscious bias, along with meaningful discussions that aim to foster more openness in our workplace and strengthen interpersonal relationships.

Awards Recognition

The Singapore’s Best Law Firms survey by The Straits Times and Statista

Dentons Rodyk was recognised in the Charities & Pro Bono category in the 2023 and 2024 editions of the Singapore’s Best Law Firms survey by The Straits Times and Statista. The firm was also featured in The Straits Times for its exceptional contributions to pro-bono work.

The annual survey, conducted jointly by Singaporean daily The Straits Times and international market researcher Statista, identifies Singapore’s best law firms in 18 areas of legal practice.

Outstanding Contribution Large Firm (Bronze) award in 2023 from the Legal Aid Bureau Singapore

The firm received an Outstanding Contribution Large Firm (Bronze) award in 2023 from the Legal Aid Bureau Singapore. This award recognises law firms that actively encourage their lawyers to volunteer with the Legal Aid Bureau, and who exhibit exceptional dedication by helping LAB on non case related matters. The award was received by Senior Associate, Alwyn Tan, on behalf of the firm.

The Legal Aid Bureau ensures equal access for justice to persons of limited means, by providing them legal aid, advice and assistance in civil matters. This includes representing applicants in many kinds of court proceedings, as set out in the Legal Aid and Advice Act. LAB cases are handled by LAB’s in-house lawyers and assigned solicitors.

Women In Business Law

Four phenomenal women lawyers clinched the coveted “Lawyer of the Year” award at the Women in Business Law Awards APAC 2023 ceremony.

• Senior Partner Pat Lynn Leong – Real Estate Lawyer of the Year
• Senior Partner Jen Wei Loh – Shipping & Maritime Lawyer of the Year
• Partner Ipshita Chaturvedi – Environment Lawyer of the Year
• Partner Chun Ying Ng – Tax Lawyer of the Year

The annual Women in Business Law awards celebrate excellence and innovation across the legal sector from today's leading women lawyers.  

IFLR1000 Women Leaders

Dentons Rodyk’s Senior Partners Doreen Sim, Emily Low and Valerie Ong have been named as Women Leaders in their respective practice areas by IFLR1000. The IFLR1000 Women Leader list features the most prominent women lawyers across the world with outstanding reputations within their markets.

Company of Good

Dentons Rodyk was one of only four law firms in Singapore to receive the Champions of Good award in 2022. Senior Partner and Co-head of the firm’s pro-bono practice, Christopher Chong, attended the ceremony on 1 September 2022 and received the award on behalf of the firm from then-Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Lawrence Wong. This accolade underscores the firm’s steadfast commitment in Singapore to integrate social responsibility into its business practices.

Co-head of Pro-bono practice and Senior Partner Christopher Chong receiving the conferment award from Ms Chong Ee Rong, Vice Chairman of National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC)

In 2024, Dentons Rodyk was once again recognised as a Company of Good. Partner Terence Wah represented the firm and received the award from Minister for Social and Family Development, Sun Xueling at the award ceremony held on 18 July 2024. This recognition reaffirms the firm’s ongoing dedication and commitment to social responsibility initiatives.

Partner Terence Wong receiving the conferment award from Sun Xueling, Minister for Social and Family Development of Singapore

The Company of Good recognition is organised by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), which engages organisations to adopt corporate purpose and demonstrate impact across people, society, governance, environment, and economic dimensions. NVPC serves as the steward of the City of Good vision for Singapore, where individuals, organisations, and communities contribute their best for the greater good.

Certificate of Distinction by The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore CARES Award, 2023 - 2024

Dentons Rodyk was presented with a Certificate of Distinction by The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AmCham Singapore) CARES Awards in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

This award recognises firms that have demonstrated a strong understanding of the link between responsible business operations and positive societal impact, and that conduct business in a way that creates both long-term economic and social value for Singapore.

The award was presented by then-President of Singapore Halima Yacob in 2023 and by Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore Seah Kian Peng in 2024, and by Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law K. Shanmugam in 2025.