Jonathan Lai

Jonathan Lai

Senior Associate

Senior Associate
Jonathan Lai

Jonathan Lai is a Senior Associate in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice of Cavenagh Law LLP.

Jonathan has extensive experience in high-value disputes across various industries including natural resources and commodities, banking and financial services, as well as technology and gaming disputes. He represents high-profile clients such as state governments, Big Tech and international banks in a range of cross-border disputes entailing novel and complex issues.

He also has extensive experience advising and helping clients to navigate regulatory investigations and help clients conduct internal investigations.

  • Acting for a Swiss trust in a billion-dollar dispute with ultra-high net worth individuals involving a fraudulent relationship manager and alleged breaches of trust.*
  • Acting for a Swiss bank in a US$ 150 million dispute with a Malaysian tycoon involving claims of fraud, negligence and misrepresentation regarding structured investments in a Chinese coffee company.*
  • Acting for the Government of Maldives in a dispute relating to water supply and distribution networks across 2 Maldivian Islands. Maldivian Law and UNCITRAL rules apply.*
  • Acting for a Southeast Asian state-linked entity against another Southeast Asian state-linked entity in disputes arising from a SG$ 400 million housing project. Brunei law under SIAC rules apply.*
  • Acting for a Singapore-Cambodian JV in a dispute involving a US$ 300 million project on Cambodia’s tallest building complex. Cambodian Law, Singapore Law and SIAC rules apply.*
  • Acting for BVI entity linked to an Indonesian tycoon in an international arbitration involving a suite of forestry concessions & log supply agreements, with claims in excess of SG$ 100 million. SIAC rules apply.*

*Prior to joining Cavenagh Law LLP

News and client work

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Contact details

Career and qualifications

  • University of Cambridge (Bachelor of Arts in Law) 2013
  • Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP 2013
  • Admitted as an advocate and solicitor in Singapore 2015
  • Meta Platforms Inc 2021 (secondment)
  • Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP 2022
  • Joined Cavenagh Law 2025

Professional bodies

  • Member, Law Society of Singapore

Awards and citations

  • Recognised as a rising star of "exceptional potential" ALB Rising Star 2024
  • Recognised as having "constant determination and drive" that "gave the client confidence the case was in good hands" GAR 100 (13th Edition)