Li Jiabao is an Associate with the Firm. She was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of Singapore in 2022 and specialises in cross-border disputes with a focus on China-related matters.

Jiabao grew up in China and came to Singapore to study on a scholarship with the Ministry of Education to study since secondary school. Thereafter, she received her legal education at the Singapore Management University’s Yong Pung How School of Law. She graduated with sterling results, especially in the subjects directly relevant to her practice such as contract law, company law, corporate insolvency and civil procedure.

Prior to being called to the Bar, Jiabao was working part-time and trained in a boutique dispute resolution local law practice. She was a key team member and worked on an SIAC arbitration involving a dispute centred on the cause of a fire and a Singapore High Court lawsuit by a Chinese national against a major bank for losses in foreign exchange transactions totalling USD 14 million.

Subsequently, Jiabao joined a mid-sized law firm with a regional presence. She was involved in high-stakes cross-border commercial disputes and probate matters and successfully argued as lead counsel in appeal hearings. High-stakes matters that she assisted on include a suit in the Singapore High Court involving a real estate investment scheme in Germany with a claim value of more than USD 6 million and obtaining probate for the estate of an Indonesian tycoon involving sizable assets and numerous beneficiaries.

As a Chinese national who was educated in Singapore, clients have complimented Jiabao’s mastery of the English and Chinese language. They have also found Jiabao’s understanding of the Chinese culture helpful in terms of communication and running of cases. Jiabao is the co-author of two chapters in the upcoming 2023 edition of the Atkin’s Court Forms Singapore and co-translator of the book “A Clear View of the Law: Making Sense of Legal Complexity (洞悉法门：理解法律的复杂性)” by Professor Low Kee Yang.

Jiabao is also an accredited mediator with Singapore Mediation Centre and a member of Singapore International Mediation Institute. As a mediator, she has successfully mediated disputes between parties.

Jiabao is passionate about pro bono work and believes in giving back to society. During her school days, she led a team of fellow students as the founding chairman of the SMU Mediation and Negotiation Club in the establishment of the SMU Pro Bono Centre Mediation Clinic. Since being called to the Bar, she devotes her spare time volunteering as a mediator and lawyer in the SMU Pro Bono Centre. In her free time, Jiabao enjoys singing, skating and is a passionate dancer.