Dean Collins

The Managing Partner of Dechert's Singapore office, Dean Collins is recognized as one of the foremost private equity lawyers in Asia and worldwide, being named in the most recent "The Legal Power 30," Private Equity International's list of the thirty most influential private equity lawyers in the world. He is the only lawyer based in Southeast Asia and one of only two fund formation experts in Asia named to the list.

Mr. Collins has been recognized by Chambers Asia Pacific with a Band 1 ranking for fund formation work for each of the past fifteen years, noting that he is "an 'absolutely exceptional' private equity practitioner" who is "highly dedicated to his clients", and is seen as "a real asset". Chambers also notes that clients praise his "very unique commercial perspective on legal fund formation work", his "very measured and thoughtful advice" and his "distinguished reputation" for being "very knowledgeable, especially in the private equity space". The most recent editions of Chambers note that clients value his "in-depth knowledge", "calm and composed demeanour", and "hands-on approach", with one client adding: "He gives us very tailored advice and tells us how we can achieve what we want to. He always gives very creative advice, which is what we value the most" with another client stating that he "provides brilliant solutions and cuts to the chase." He is listed as a leading lawyer in The International Who's Who of Private Fund Lawyers where he was described as "a 'sensational adviser' specializing in private equity fund formation and secondary transactions" and noting that he "has a strong client base and is technically excellent". In addition, the latest edition of the Legal 500 Asia Pacific has recognized Mr. Collins in the Hall of Fame for his work in investment funds, having previously recognized him as a Leading Individual since 2017, and praising him for his ‘knowledge and understanding of complex issues’ and how he is 'a treasure trove of information that is immensely valuable to his clients'.

Mr. Collins counsels clients on the structuring and establishment of private equity investment funds, secondary transactions, carried interest and co-investment plans, team spin-outs, co-investments and other private equity related transactions. Mr. Collins also acts on the establishment of other types of alternative investment funds, such as real estate, venture capital, infrastructure and hedge funds, as well as providing advice to major institutional investors on their investments into funds both in Asia and elsewhere.

Mr. Collins’ clients have included Adams Street, Bank of Singapore, CDIB Capital International Corporation, Clime Capital, Committed Advisors, Dymon Asia Private Equity, Genesis Alternative Ventures, GIC, Ikhlas, KV Asia, The Norinchukin Bank, Openspace Ventures, Primavera Capital, Silkroad Property Partners and The Sylvan Group.

Prior to joining Dechert, Mr. Collins was based in the Singapore office of another international law firm, serving as a partner in the fund formation practice. He previously worked at Actis, the leading pan-emerging markets private equity firm, as an in-house lawyer (where he oversaw the complex spin-out of Actis from CDC Capital Partners as well as established a number of emerging markets funds), and then as a Director in its highly regarded fundraising team (where he played a major role in the successful US$2.9 billion fundraising for Actis Emerging Markets 3).

Mr. Collins’ previous experience also includes working for a leading European law firm where he advised institutions and management teams on fundraising efforts and other corporate finance matters, including the structuring and execution of a number of milestone transactions in what was at the time a nascent fund secondaries market. Mr. Collins has also served as a consultant for UBS Capital, Merrill Lynch International and a number of private equity backed businesses.

Includes matters handled at Dechert or prior to joining the firm.