When we speak of resilience, courage, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, the story of Harpreet Singh Nehal SC shines as a beacon for all who dare to dream. From his modest beginnings in a Teochew kampong in Upper Serangoon to becoming one of Singapore’s most respected legal minds, Harpreet’s life embodies the transformative power of determination, integrity, and vision.
Harpreet Singh Nehal: Humble Beginnings, Towering Dreams
Born on 4 February 1966 into a Sikh family, Harpreet Singh Nehal’s early life was shaped amidst the vibrant yet humble surroundings of a kampong community. Life was simple, often challenging, but it was here that the foundations of his character were built — hard work, humility, and an indomitable spirit.
Education became the golden key that unlocked his aspirations. From Parry Avenue Boys’ School to St. Andrew’s Secondary School and then Hwa Chong Junior College, Harpreet Singh Nehal displayed not only academic excellence but a hunger to make a meaningful difference in the world.
This unwavering drive led him to the National University of Singapore (NUS), where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in 1991. Yet, Harpreet’s ambitions were boundless. He set his sights even higher, pursuing a Master of Laws at the prestigious Harvard Law School, which he completed in 1993. For a young man from a kampong in Singapore, Harvard was more than a university; it was a symbol of how far resilience could take you.
Forging a Distinguished Legal Career
Upon returning to Singapore, Harpreet Singh Nehal was admitted as an advocate and solicitor on 20 May 1992. He began his journey as a Justice’s Law Clerk, a role that exposed him to the highest standards of judicial excellence early in his career.
His next chapter unfolded at Drew & Napier LLC, one of Singapore’s top law firms, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become an equity partner by 2012. However, for Harpreet, success was never about titles or accolades; it was about pushing boundaries and pursuing purposeful growth.
Thus, he moved to WongPartnership LLP, contributing to their Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group. Yet another significant leap awaited — Harpreet became a founding partner of the Singapore arm of the formal law alliance between Cavenagh Law LLP and Clifford Chance Pte Ltd, one of the world’s preeminent law firms.
By December 2018, Harpreet Singh Nehal stepped down as the managing partner of Cavenagh Law and eventually retired from Clifford Chance in June 2019. But retirement was far from the end — it was the beginning of a bold new chapter.
Audent Chambers LLC: Pursuing Excellence with Courage
In July 2019, alongside fellow visionary Jordan Tan, Harpreet Singh Nehal co-founded Audent Chambers LLC — an elite disputes practice focused on arbitration, civil, and commercial litigation. The name “Audent,” derived from the Latin word for “bold,” perfectly encapsulates Harpreet’s philosophy: success favors the courageous.
Today, Audent Chambers stands as a testimony to the power of vision and conviction. It is a place where intricate legal battles are fought with intellectual rigor, strategic foresight, and, most importantly, an unwavering commitment to justice.
Harpreet’s areas of expertise span international arbitration, banking and finance, oil and gas, company law, equity, and trusts. His career is decorated not only with professional triumphs but also with the respect and admiration of peers, clients, and the wider legal community.
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