Elizabeth Fong

Director, Head of Corporate

elizabethfong@focuslawasia.com

+65 6950 0854

Elizabeth Fong

Areas of Practice

  • Structuring, licensing, and scaling regulated entities in Singapore

  • Corporate governance, board advisory and company secretarial across regulated sectors

  • Corporate and commercial transactions, including M&A, joint ventures, fundraisings (equity & debt), and restructurings

  • ESG and charity law, including the governance of IPCs and non-profit entities

  • Regenerative legal advisory (carbon credits, sustainable finance, and community-led initiatives)

  • Data protection, privacy law, and digital regulatory strategy

  • Legal advisory for F&B, hospitality, and lifestyle businesses

  • Startup advisory, including founder support, cap table structuring, and venture financing

  • Employment law, including employment contracts, equity plans, internal investigations, and disciplinary processes.

Admissions

  • Advocate & Solicitor, Supreme Court of Singapore

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Commerce (Hons), University of Sydney

Elizabeth has extensive experience helping businesses structure, license, and operate complex regulated entities. At GXS Bank and Asia Pacific Exchange, she played a central role in achieving significant licensing milestones in Singapore’s regulatory landscape. Her work spans end-to-end legal support, from early-stage setup to regulatory applications, governance frameworks, fund raising and strategic partnerships.

Elizabeth has acted for corporates across Southeast Asia. She is particularly experienced in structuring and negotiating deals that are both efficient and aligned with long-term business goals.

A early entrant into ESG and impact law, Elizabeth supports charities, foundations, and mission-aligned organisations with regulatory, governance, and operational frameworks. She serves on the boards of IPC-status organisations, and advises on regenerative initiatives such as carbon credits, sustainability-linked financing, and community restoration.

Key Experiences & Achievements

  • Founding General Counsel & Company Secretary, GXS Bank (Grab-Singtel digital bank): Led the legal and governance workstreams to secure one of Singapore’s first digital full bank licences. Played key role in building the bank’s entities, products, partnerships, and financing, 

  • Founding General Counsel & Company Secretary, Asia Pacific Exchange: Helped secure Singapore’s 3rd derivatives exchange and clearing house licences, supporting legal, compliance, and operational readiness.

  • Private Practice, Top-Tiered Law Firm in Singapore: Advised on a broad range of corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters for leading corporates and investors in Southeast Asia.

  • Senior Privacy Roles: Held APAC privacy roles at JP Morgan and Meta. Experienced in cross-border data governance,  regulatory engagement and breach management. Held DPO roles.

  • Investment Banking, Macquarie Bank: Advised on M&A and fundraising transactions across the region.

  • Board Member & Legal Architect for Purpose-Driven Organisations: Founding team,  Board member and Company Secretary of IPC-status charities such as Tasek Academy (supporting children, youth and families from socially disadvantaged backgrounds) and Green SG Collab (advancing regenerative solutions in Singapore).

  • Certified - CIPP/A (Privacy) and International Compliance Association: Well-versed in implementing privacy, compliance, and risk frameworks across sectors.

  • Adviser to F&B, Hospitality and Lifestyle Businesses: Trusted legal and strategic advisor in F&B, hospitality and lifestyle businesses on structuring, joint ventures, franchising, technology, regulatory compliance, and brand expansion in Singapore.

  • Advisor to Startups: Trusted legal and strategic advisor to early-stage and high-growth companies, supporting founder teams on fundraising, structuring, commercial contracts, and market entry across Southeast Asia.

  • Employment and Investigations: Extensive experience in employment matters, including drafting employment contracts and equity plans, conducting internal investigations, and serving on disciplinary committees.