MARK GOH Founder, VanillaLaw® LLC (Singapore)
MY PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE ABOUT MARK GOH
My purpose is to remove the suffering of small Mark started his law prac ce very shortly a er he was admi ed to the Singapore Bar in 1994. The law companies by providing an evidence based approach prac ce, VanillaLaw® LLC, now spans more than 2 decades. Through the decades, Mark has single- to the legal process. This doesn't take money, it takes handedly and successfully steered the firm though 5 global recessions. insight, hard work and a will for jus ce to prevail. Mark began his professional prac ce as a li gator in commercial, civil and criminal law. At the age of 29 years old, he was one of the youngest lawyers to be appointed as lead lawyer in capital cases, having led no less than 30 capital cases. Within 3 years into his prac ce, Mark instructed Charles Falconer, Q.C. of Fountain Court to render his CONTACT professional opinion in a mul -million dollar civil claim by the law firm's client, a Malaysian businessman.
VanillaLaw® LLC Later in 2003, Mark represented his client, Wee Soon Kim Anthony, in a mul million dollar civil claim 20 Collyer Quay against UBS AG. In this instance, Mark instructed 2 QCs for their legal opinions, Richard DeLacey, Q.C. #23-01 (Fountain Court) and (the late) Michael Sha n, Q.C. (from Melbourne). Singapore 049319 In and around 2011, Mark represented Zim Integrated Shipping Services whose owner is Idan Ofer Mark@lawfirm.com.sg (h ps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idan_Ofer), an Israeli billionaire businessman in the company's suit and applica on for a world wide Mareva injunc on against its ex-employee. +65 8308 7997 Between 2012 to 2018, Mark was the Chairman of the Singapore Law Society's Small Law Firms Commi ee. From 2010 to 2015, Mark founded and was the CEO of the largest group law prac ce in Singapore, Mozaic Group Law Prac ce, comprising a total of more than 50 lawyers and staff. As a corporate lawyer for the global business community, Mark has helped his clients close mul - million dollar mergers and acquisi ons, the latest was the successful merger of a local Singapore EDUCATION company with Clarion Events Ltd (a company listed in the London Stock Exchange). At the forefront of legal technology, Mark is the architect of the world's first client facing document Bachelor of Laws LLB (Hons), assembly so ware, VanillaLaw® Docs. The so ware has a subscriber base of more than 1500 global University Of Buckingham (UK) business owners. Barrister-At-Law Of The Middle Temple In May 2017, VanillaLaw® Docs was men oned in the press release by Senior Minister of State for Law, Indranee Rajah, S.C. to launch “Tech Start For Lawyers”. In 2019, Mark was invited to par cipate Advocate & Solicitor (Singapore) in a 70 strong par cipant zoom event with Indranee Rajah and Minister for Culture, Community and Accredited Mediator, Youth and Second Minister for Law, Edwin Tong, S.C. in a dialogue “Emerging Stronger Together as One Singapore Interna onal Media on Ins tute Legal Industry”. VanillaLaw® LLC was one of 4 law firms invited to share how he transformed and digi sed his law firm to enable it to go global. Member, Accredita on Core Commi ee Singapore Ins tute of Legal Educa on Mark currently sits on the Accredita on Commi ee of the Singapore Ins tute of Legal Educa on (SILE) for the profession's con nuing legal educa on. (Prior to the forma on of SILE), on appointment Trained Nego ator (University of Oxford) by the Law Society, he was an advocacy trainer for the Part B students (ie students undergoing the Year Of Call – 1993 prac ce course before Call). In 2019, VanillaLaw® was one of a handful of bou que law firms selected by The Economic Development Board of Singapore (“EDB”) to par cipate in its pilot programme “The EDB Concierge”, to reach out to the global business community to set up businesses in Singapore. The programme is a success and the firm's par cipa on has been extended beyond 2020. As at 2019, VanillaLaw® is on a growth path to reach out to the global business community. The firm now has a Japanese foreign lawyer, Tomoka Sakamaki. Mark is a door tenant with Harwood Law Chambers (based in Manchester) and Capstone Legal (based in Jaipur, India). REPORTED CASES IN LAW REPORTS Wee Soon Kim Anthony v Law Society of Singapore (Davinder Singh and Anor, proposed interveners) [2003] 4 SLR(R) 18
Of the many cases that Mark has represented in his professional prac ce, Teo Tiang Hoe v Public Prosecutor [1995] SGHC 152 many have found their way into the Singapore law reports as a ma er of Yap Ah Chuan v Public Prosecutor [2001] SGHC 217 public interest and to make law amongst the Commonwealth countries : Alvin Nicholas Nathan v Raffles Assets (Singapore) Pte Ltd [2015] SGHC 14
Teo Lam Choon v Public Prosecutor [1997] SGHC 318 The Court of Appeal, Singapore Cases: (Reported) Re Wee Soon Kim Anthony [2007] SGHC 66 Toh Wee Ping Benjamin v Grande Corp Pte Ltd [2020] 2 SLR 308 Han's (F & B) Pte Ltd v Gus mo World Pte Ltd [2015] 2 SLR 825 Muhammad Jefrry v Public Prosecutor [1996] SGCA 44 Public Prosecutor v Bryan Yeo Sin Rong [1998] SGHC 266 Mansoor s/o Abdullah v Public Prosecutor [1998] SGCA 57 Public Prosecutor v Ong Chee Hoe [1999] SGHC 162 Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd v Dafni Igal [2011] 1 SLR 862 Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd v Dafni Igal [2010] 2 SLR 426 Mazlan bin Sulaiman v Public Prosecutor [1996] SGCA 20 Public Prosecutor v Thongthot Yordsa-Art [2002] SGHC 34 Thongtot Yordsa-Art v Public Prosecutor [2002] 2 SLR(R) 412 Public Prosecutor v Foo Then Peng [1997] SGHC 240 Ong Chee Hoe v Public Prosecutor [1999] SGCA 66 Godfrey Gerald QC v UBS AG [2004] 4 SLR(R) 411 Lau Song Seng v Public Prosecutor [1997] SLR(R) 772 Public Prosecutor v Heah Song Mong [1996] SGHC 263 Louis Pius Gilbert v Public Prosecutor [2003] 3 SLR(R) 418 Public Prosecutor v Mansoor s/o Abdullah [1998] SGHC 210 Chia Song Heng v Public Prosecutor [1999] 3 SLR(R) 166 Teo Tiang Hoe v the Public Prosecutor [1995] SGHC 189 Wee Soon Kim Anthony v UBS AG [2003] 2 SLR(R) 91 Mazlan bin Sulaiman v Public Prosecutor [1996] SGHC 72 The Supreme Court of Singapore Cases: (Reported) Public Prosecutor v Chia Song Heng [1999] SGHC 154 Re De Lacy Richard QC [2003] 4 SLR(R) 23 Chor Pee & Partners v Wee Soon Kim Anthony [2005] 3 SLR(R) 433 Re Godfrey Gerald QC [2003] 1 SLR(R) 461
IN THE MEDIA & PUBLICATIONS
Many of the cases Mark took on have also been reported frequently in the VanillaLaw® Docs press. Being at the forefront of legal technology, he was frequently interviewed 1. 21 July 2017, Ministry Of Law – Keynote Address By Senior Minister Of State and consulted for his views. Indranee Rajah, Ministry Of Law And Ministry Of Finance, At The Future Of 15 October 2020, SG Together – Keeping It Plain And Simple - Doing It The Lawyering Conference 2017 Vanilla Way 2. 17 May 2017, Ministry Of Law – Tech Start For Lawyers | A Note From 16 July 2020, How A Singapore Lawyer Uses Vanilla To Stop The SME Goose Indranee Rajah S.C., Chase. Senior Minister Of State For Law 1 September 2019, LawTech.Asia – Legal Technology In Singapore 3. 7 July 2016, The Straits Times – Lawyer's So ware Comes In Handy For SMEs 21 January 2019, Channel News Asia – The Big Read: Rise Of The Machine – How 4. 27 June 2016, Today – Online Legal-Dra ing Services On The Rise In S'pore Technology Is Disrup ng Singapore's Law Firms 5. 18 June 2016, Asia Finance – Local Law Firm Launches So ware To Help SMEs 1 February 2018, Tech In Asia – 3 Business Lesson I Learned From Running My With Contracts Own Firm For 24 Years 6. 25 May 2016, Singapore Law Watch – So ware Designed To Help SMEs With 24 January 2018, Economic Development Board – Launch of Professional Legal Documents Services Industry Transforma on Map 7. 25 May 2016, The Straits Times – So ware Designed To Help SMEs With Legal 6 September 2017, Business Times – Let's Save The Legal Bills; What Could Go Documents Wrong? Everything 8. 24 May 2016, SME Magazine – Law Firm Launches So ware To Help SMEs 29 August 2017, Business Times – No Arm Of The Law: How A Lack Of Legal Prevent Li ga on's Double-Edged Sword Protec on Hampers Start-Up and SMEs' Expansion 28 February 2017, CNA Singapore Tonight - Interview With Mr Mark Goh 16 January 2017, Interview With Mark Goh On 93.8FM Live 16 May 2017, Asian Legal Business – The New Reality Of Virtual Law Laxey Partners v United Interna onal Securi es Board Firms 1. 17 October 2011, TheEDGE – Laxey Fails Again To Oust UIS Board, But Pledges To Keep Up Pressure 4 May 2017, Lianhe Zaobao – Protect Your Rights 2. 18 August 2011, The Straits Times – Laxey Again Fails To Oust UIS Directors 3. 18 August 2011, The Straits Times – Laxey Fails to Remove 4 UIS 30 March 2017, Lianhe Zaobao – 在关系与规 之间寻 衡 Directors 4. 17 August 2011, The Straits Times – Laxey Makes 4th Bid to Oust UIS 23 March 2017, The Straits Times – Mindset Change Needed For Legal Directors Tech Scene To Take Off 5. 17 August 2011, The Straits Times – Ba le Looms As Laxey Seeks UIS Board Seat 14 March 2017, Asian Legal Business – ALB Innova on List 2017 6. 24 June 2011, The Straits Times – Laxey In Fresh Bid To Oust UIS Directors 2 February 2017, The Straits Times – Honing Compe ve Edge Of Legal Profession 12 April 2011, Today – Second Man in SLA Scam Jailed
4 November 2016, LinkedIn Pulse – The Future Of Legal Services 27 October 2010, The Straits Times – Number Of Small Law Firms Shrinking 9 April 2014, The Straits Times – Han's Cafe Sues Japanese Restaurant Over Name Foreign Brides 1. 27 October 2010, The Straits Times – Judge Throws Out 'Secret Wife' 22 April 2013, Yahoo! News – Trade Unions Can Do More To Educate Case Migrant Workers In S'pore About Their Rights: Public Forum 2. 1 August 2010, Her World – Disposable Brides 3. 14 March 2010, CatholicNews – With These Shackles, I Thee Wed 22 March 2013, The Strait Times – The Long Interview | The Underdog Advocate 9 July 2010, The Straits Times – Law Society President Steps Down
The AWARE Saga (Associa on of Women for Ac on and Research) Azmi Jaafar v Bader I F Al Balawi 1. 11 September 2012, Today – Aware Hero & Heroines 2012 1. 9 July 2010, The Straits Times – No Further Ac on By Police 2. 4 May 2009, The Straits Times – Learn From This Episode: DPM 2. 5 March 2010, The Straits Times – Saudi Embassy To Cooperate 3. 4 May 2009, The Straits Times – Ill-Fated Coup 3. 3 March 2010, The Straits Times – Man Alleges Condo A ack By 4. 4 May 2009, The Straits Times – Aware Leadership Grab Diplomat 5. 4 May 2009, The New Paper – Aware Showdown: Volunteer Power 6. 3 May 2009, The Straits Times – Aware Showdown | New Guard Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd v Dafni Igal Ousted 1. 16 January 2010, Today – Shipping Firm's Suit Dismissed 7. 26 April 2009, Today – A Defence Tinged With Regret 2. 31 July 2009, Today – What Did He Want Singapore Passport For? 8. 25 April 2009, The New Paper – Mr Contrary | He's Our 'Legal 3. 31 July 2009, Today – He Said One Thing On Ci zenship Forms... Adviser' 4. 23 July 2009, Today – 'Judas' Trial | A Corporate Witch Hunt 9. 25 April 2009, The New Paper – Tussle For Aware: Contrasts & Characters 5. 22 July 2009, Today – 'Judas' Trial | He's Accused Of Selling Out Firm 6. 22 July 2009, Business Times – Ex-Boss Took Fees From Rival: Zim 1 April 2012, Law Gaze e – Commodi sing Professionalism 7. 30 July 2009, Fairplay – Former Zim Asia Chief On Trial
1 February 2012, Law Gaze e – Restraint Of Trade Clauses In 1 January 2010, Law Gaze e – Pro Bono And The Small Law Firm Employment Contracts Prac oner
1 January 2012, Law Gaze e – Vicarious Liability: The Close 26 August 2009, The Straits Times – Avoid Mul ple-Client Cases, Connec on Test And The Skandinaviska Decision Lawyer Told 1 November 2011, Law Gaze e – Developments In Law Of Discovery Of Electronic Documents 9 February 2009, The Straits Times – Small Law Firms Can Be Good As Well
23 December 2008, Today – The Test That Failed One-Man Law Firms 31 May 2005, The Straits Times – Hong Leong Finance Lets Clients Do 1. 5 December 2008, The Straits Times – One-Man Law Firms 'Un-Ltd' The Talking In New Ads 2. 26 November 2008, The Straits Times – Suing Banks Not That Easy O.B. Singapore Opera ons Pte Ltd (Fish & Co) v MFM Restaurants Pte Ltd (Manha an Fish Market) & Low Theng Yong Dickson 18 November 2008, Law Gaze e – Crea ng An Environment For Small Law Prac ces To Flourish 1. 29 September 2004, Today – Fish Versus Fish 2. 20 September 2004, The New Paper – Seafood Chain Sues Former Manager 18 November 2008, Law Gaze e – In The Public Eye | The Public Law Issue 20 July 2004, The Straits Times – Company Calls Off First 'Chris an' IPO
Biking To Work 1. 20 September 2008, Today – Boss Who Cycle To Work 3 July 2004, Today – Geylang Kuay Teow Towkay's Tangled Legacy 2. 30 July 2006, The Straits Times – Want2 Bike2 Work? Emily Chan v Joachim Kang Hock Chai
13 September 2008, Today – Some mes Legal, Some mes Illegal 1. 23 April 2004, The New Paper – Father Kang's Goddaughter Talks To Andre Yeo 2. 20 March 2004, The Straits Times – Priest Loses Bid To Have Frozen Public Prosecutor v Richard Yong & Alwyn Lim (Na onal Kidney Funds Released Founda on Directors) 3. 20 March 2004, The Straits Times – Top Clerics To Tes fy Against 1. 26 July 2008, Today – See Yourself As Stakeholder Priest In $5.1m Trial 2. 2 December 2005, Today – Were NKF Directors' Dealings Above Board? 23 August 2003, The Straits Times – Lawyer-Basher's Sentence Beyond Maximum Ruled Wrong 2 January 2008, The New Paper – Rogue Lawyers Hur ng Small Firms' Business And Reputa on 23 July 2002, The Straits Times – Re red Lawyer Will Handle His Own Case 13 August 2007, Minority Report – The Small Law Firm Li gator
30 January 2002, The Straits Times – Thai Na onals Working In Jungle 7 August 2007, The New Paper – She Wins Court Ba le But Loses Out Hideout On En-Bloc Windfall
24 November 2000, Today – Father Brings Son Here For Treatment, 26 April 2007, The New Paper – Safety Or Fairness Molests Nurse
23 June 2006, The New Paper – Big Drama A er Geylang Romp 23 June 2000, The Straits Times – Lawyers Get Nod For Stakes In Client Firms Public Prosecutor v Sim Ee Tong 1. 18 March 2006, The Straits Times – Prosecu on Pushes For Two 3 January 2000, Xin Min – Thai Worker Killed Bangladesh Worker Separate Trials For Ex-ACCS Chief
2. 5 January 2006, Today – Trial Dates Set For ACCS Accused 31 December 1998, The Straits Times – A Points System To EXDecide PR 3. 12 November 2005, The Straits Times – ACCS Founder Faces 55 Status More Charges
2 August 1998, The Straits Times – In Search Of A Willing Inheritor 16 February 2006, The Law Society Of Singapore – Back To Basics. Forward To The Future: The Future Of The Legal Profession 3 March 1998, The Straits Times – Boom Time For Li ga on Lawyers
Teen 'Hitman' & Chua Beng Hin 170504 - Protect your rights (LHZB) 1. 9 December 2005, The Straits Times – Judge Orders Boy, 15, To Be Caned, Then Spares Him 2. 18 November 2005, The Straits Times – Ex-Lover In Jail, But She's Scared To Go Out 3. 18 November 2005, The New Paper – Parents On Teen Who Agrees To Kill For $50 4. 18 November 2005, The New Paper – Week Of The Murder: He Asked Mum For Sleeping Pills 5. 18 November 2005, The New Paper – Second Teen 'Hitman'