Squire Patton Boggs is further strengthening its Global Data Privacy, Cybersecurity and Digital Assets Practice with the addition of partner Charmian Aw who joins the firm in Singapore from Reed Smith. Ms. Aw’s arrival follows multiple hires the firm has made across the US and EMEA in order to assist clients managing evolving data, digital and cyber risks and rewards in an era of changing technologies and regulations.

“Our data-related work has been growing in the Asia Pacific region generally, and in Singapore in particular, and Charmian’s expertise is a good fit with our existing team spanning Australia, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai,” said Alan L. Friel, chair of the firm’s Data Privacy, Cybersecurity and Digital Assets Practice. “Charmian has a proven reputation across APAC and will help us to expand our capabilities and grow the profile of the firm for data and technology services in the region.”

Singapore office managing partner Barry Stimpson added, “Charmian is well-known to several members of our team and the Singapore business and legal communities. She will support and expand our services in the region and globally across various practices, and we are delighted to welcome her onboard.”

Ms. Aw has spearheaded multijurisdictional projects spanning regulatory compliance, data governance, digital transformation, emerging technologies, cybersecurity readiness and incident response, and cross-border transfers and represents leading APAC and global companies. She has successfully advised clients on time-sensitive data investigations and breach reporting across the Asia Pacific region.

Ms. Aw previously practiced also at Drew & Napier in Singapore, and she has spent time as in-house counsel for Singapore Telecommunications Limited, as well as had secondments at ESPN Star Sports and Discovery Asia, Inc. “Her Technology Media and Telecom industry experience fits our Data Practice strategy for APAC,” Friel added.

Ms. Aw commented, “Squire’s commitment to creating a premiere practice that can assist muti-national clients with their full scope of needs on a global scale was very appealing. There has never been a more crucial time for companies to protect their digital assets, streamline their compliance, and address issues at the intersection of law and technology. I look forward to joining the team and helping further develop our Singapore and APAC practice and working with colleagues around the world.”

Ms. Aw will join many of her Squire Patton Boggs Data Practice partners the first week of April at the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) Global Summit in Washington, DC, where she will present on “Heading East: A Global Privacy Leader’s Guide to Success in Asia.” Firm partner Kyle Fath will present on IAPP’s “Action Items Under Other Emerging US Laws and Regulations” and “Building an AI Framework and Governance Program” panels, and partner Julia Jacobson will present on the “The P(rivacy) in ESG” panel.

Ms. Aw earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from National University of Singapore with honors.

Squire Patton Boggs’ Data Privacy, Cybersecurity and Digital Assets Practice is ranked by Global Data Review, the data law and regulation magazine which identifies and profiles the world’s leading 100 law firms, as “Elite,” the highest level awarded by the publication which is reserved for the top 25 firms. The Data Practice is comprised of over 80 lawyers in 15 countries.