Helmsman has announced the appointment of Yan Yan Lin as its new CEO, who brings a wealth of experience and has expansion ambitions for the law firm.
Lin joins from ONE Championship, a multinational combat sports promotion, where she served as vice president with cross-functional responsibility across corporate development, commercial and corporate affairs. She previously practised as a litigation lawyer at Singapore firm Drew & Napier.
Tasked with leading Helmsman’s next phase of growth, Lin said geographical expansion would be on the cards, but remained tight-lipped on which jurisdictions would be under consideration. Currently, the firm has offices in Singapore and Hong Kong, with the latter operated in association with Tang & Co.
“Looking ahead, we will expand to additional jurisdictions where our clients are already present, where the commercial rationale is compelling, and where a genuine Helmsman presence would materially enhance the service we provide,” she told Asia Business Law Journal.
Lin said the firm would also continue to develop its practice areas in response to evolving client needs. Other areas of focus include strengthening its people and culture, as well as its systems, governance and operational discipline.
These are all key priorities in her first 12 months as CEO, as she seeks to begin laying the groundwork for Helmsman’s growth over the next decade.
“Our focus now is to ensure that the institution we are building is every bit as strong as the pace at which it is growing,” she said.
Another key priority will be integrating AI in the firm.
“We are also accelerating the deployment of AI across the firm, embedding new capabilities into the way we practise so our lawyers can focus their time on the complex, strategic issues that matter most to clients,” she said.
Providing a more long-term outlook, Lin said she wanted to see Helmsman branch out to new markets in a measured way that did not adversely affect the firm’s reputation.
“I would like to see a firm with a carefully considered footprint across the region’s principal commercial centres, with each office a genuine extension of Helmsman rather than a satellite bearing our name,” she said.
Lin said Helmsman being recognised for its cross-border capabilities on a global scale was another long-term focus.
“By the end of my term, I would like Helmsman to [be] recognised as the firm clients turn to for their most consequential cross-border matters in Asia, Europe and beyond – not because we have become the largest firm in the region, but because we are trusted to deliver consistently high-quality, commercially pragmatic advice in every market in which we operate,” she said.
Ultimately, Lin said she wanted to be judged on the culture she helped build within the firm.
“That means a firm where exceptional people choose to build long-term careers, where our culture remains a competitive strength, and where clients know they can expect the same quality, judgement and practical advice from every Helmsman office,” she said.
