Patrick Ang Peng Koon
Patrick was once asked how he would like to be remembered as a lawyer and a person. His answer: “I would just like to be known and remembered for being a lawyer who did his best always for clients. And as a person, I think I am most happy if I am just being regarded as a good son, a good father and a good husband. And of course, it will be a bonus if I am a good friend too.”
My dear old friend – it is heartwarming, and amusing, to think that you had such a modest assessment of yourself and how you lived your life. “Good” does not even start to cut it.
Patrick was a very accomplished lawyer and built a sterling reputation as one of Singapore’s best restructuring and insolvency lawyers. He was decorated with numerous awards and accolades, as his pre-eminence was universally acknowledged by the market, legal journals, and the restructuring and insolvency practitioners’ circles in Singapore, the region and internationally. Among his list of achievements was being conferred the Emeritus Fellowship by India’s Insolvency Law Academy for his distinguished leadership, public service, and contributions in the field of insolvency. He was also, at the time of his induction, the only Singapore lawyer who was a Fellow of the prestigious American College of Bankruptcy. And perhaps the award that he was secretly most proud of – the Public Service Star (COVID 19) for his contributions towards strengthening Singapore’s restructuring and insolvency regime in its fight against the pandemic. His list of professional laurels was long and difficult to keep track of.
I worked closely with him on many matters, and my admiration and respect for him as a lawyer and person grew over the years. Working with him was always a pleasure – differences in professional views were always resolved smoothly, and I never once encountered any sort of bumpiness or unpleasantry from him. The way that he conducted his practice also held valuable lessons and pointers for me, particularly on client management and the critical skill of bringing people together. I also learnt that the secret sauce to his success in practice was his perfect blend of legal expertise, deep experience, commercial awareness, practical sense, and steady and reassuring bedside manners. Clients could depend on and draw comfort and confidence from his advice and guidance in the most urgent and trying of circumstances. He was also a master at forging consensus and compromise, though he would readily and vigorously advance or defend his client’s interests in court if need be.
Patrick found a professional home at Rajah & Tann, and became very attached to the firm and its people. For decades, he was in the core of the firm and its partnership, and found purpose and fulfilment in being one of its key stewards. He became part of the leadership team within a fairly short time after joining the firm in 1995, and then served in various capacities such as head of the restructuring and insolvency practice, staff partner, EXCO partner, deputy Managing Partner and finally, Managing Partner. He was also instrumental in Rajah & Tann’s efforts to bring together a network of firms regionally, and was Vice-Chair of Rajah & Tann Asia for many years.
I had the privilege of working side-by-side with him in the management and leadership of the firm and the network. This cemented my friendship with him, and gave rise to some of my best memories which I can keep playing over. Patrick was very collaborative, and was equally adept at floating ideas, or listening and debating. His objectivity, circumspection, and wisdom in making decisions and exercising judgment served our mission extremely well. Somewhat ironically, by this stage, we had gotten to know each other well enough to quickly reach the same conclusion, make a compromise, or agree to disagree, and then adjourn for lunch or coffee and leave plenty of time for banter or exchange on the less serious things in life.
Patrick completed his term as Managing Partner only at the end of March 2025, just a few months before his passing. He would have relished being able to sit back and simply be in the firm and the midst of his long-time partners and colleagues, without the burden of management responsibilities. He would have loved, for a change, to return to a simpler and more personal relationship with them. It is saddening to me that he did not get to enjoy this. But Patrick has left a very visible and enduring imprint on the firm and the network, and many good memories with the people that he worked with. Patrick will be deeply missed – his name, and reminiscence of moments spent with him, are still invariably raised in our everyday interactions.
In his life, Patrick shone at his brightest when it came to building meaningful personal connections with people. He had a wonderful way of making people feel comfortable and engaged. He was sincere and earnest, and showed genuine care for and willingness to take effort and time to understand others. He was not particularly extroverted, but had his little quirks and unique personality. His interests in shopping were very wide – items which have caught his attention included a chess set which had an AI opponent with robotic arms to move the pieces, kaleidoscopes of many shapes and designs, superhero action figures, and a simultaneous translation device that he could wear around his neck. He told me once that he had enjoyed reading a little book he had purchased which was only about how to wash one’s hands properly (this was pre-COVID). He was also quite easily persuaded or influenced to pick up various pastimes or amass certain collectibles – some were short-lived while others stood the test of time. Unsurprisingly, Patrick collected a big group of clients, partners, colleagues and professional acquaintances he had gotten to know in the course of work who then ended up as his friends.
Patrick’s priority above all was his family. His wife Marina and their three daughters were an unfailing source of happiness and contentment in his life, as well as an anchor and motivation for him to excel and serve. The closeness and pride that he felt towards his family was always apparent. At the many meals I shared with him, Patrick would always keep his promise to Marina to eat some greens, even though he was definitely not a big fan of vegetables and he knew that I would not tell on him. As Patrick’s health deteriorated, it was heartbreaking to see how his thoughts were constantly on his family, and his yearning to be able to spend more time with them became more and more pressing. It was clear that he treasured and was happy for every bit of time that he had with them and the journey they had taken together as a family.
Rest in peace, Patrick. You have far surpassed your own humble expectations, and will be remembered by your family, friends, partners, colleagues, and clients as being so much more.
Lee Eng Beng, SC
Senior Partner
Chair, Rajah & Tann Asia
