Dorothy Tan
Deputy Head, Family & Divorce Practice Group
Dorothy Tan is a Senior Associate Director in PKWA Law, and Deputy Head of the Family Law Department.
Dorothy is ranked as a Leading Family and Divorce Lawyer in the Doyle's Guide for Leading Family & Divorce lawyers in Singapore in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. She is also listed as one of the “Top 100 Women in Litigation” in 2021 and 2022. She is named a “Litigation Star” in Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific in 2021, 2022 and 2024. She is also named by the Singapore Business Review as one of Singapore's "Most Influential Lawyers aged 40 and under" in 2016.
Dorothy is the co-author of the divorce book "Divorce Done Right: A Guide to Family Law in Singapore" published in 2021.
Dorothy Tan is Deputy Head of the Family Law Practice Group at PKWA Law, where she also serves as a Senior Associate Director. Her legal career is marked by numerous accomplishments and accolades.
Court of Appeal Wins
At the age of 25, Dorothy argued and won a case at the Court of Appeal. This groundbreaking case revolved around the newly established Singaporean law on the division of matrimonial assets.
In another case, the husband was awarded only 25% of S$13.6 million in matrimonial assets in the High Court. Dissatisfied with this outcome, he engaged our family law team for his appeal. Dorothy led the team and her efforts resulted in him securing 75% of the assets – a dramatic increase from 25% – making this one of the largest increases in divorce history. The Court of Appeal described the case as “complicated,” “challenging,” and “highly unusual.”
Other Significant Cases
In another significant case, Dorothy went up against a Senior Counsel and won over $6 million for her homemaker client after a six-year legal battle.
Accolades
Dorothy has consistently been featured in Doyle’s Guide for Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers in Singapore from 2016 to 2024.
Additionally, she earned the distinction of being listed among the “Top 100 Women in Litigation” by Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific in 2021 and 2022.
Dorothy was recognised as a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific in 2021, 2022 and 2024.
She was shortlisted as “Woman Lawyer of the Year” by Asian Legal Business in 2018 and 2024.
She was also honoured by the Singapore Business Review as one of Singapore’s “Most Influential Lawyers aged 40 and under” in 2016.
Co-Author of Divorce Book
In 2021, Dorothy co-authored the book “Divorce Done Right: A Guide to Family Law in Singapore”. She is also a contributor and author for Lexis Practical Guidance – Family Law Module.
Dorothy’s achievements extend beyond her legal practice and into various awards and recognitions:
- She is recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Litigation in Asia-Pacific by Benchmark Litigation in 2021 and 2022, a prestigious list highlighting outstanding female litigators who have made substantial contributions to their field.
- Dorothy has secured victories in two significant Court of Appeal cases, including her landmark achievement at the age of 25, where she successfully argued for the husband and clarified the new Singaporean law on matrimonial asset division.
- In her second Court of Appeal triumph, Dorothy represented the husband in a complex and unconventional case, resulting in a substantial shift from 25% to 75% in favor of her client, one of the most substantial awards in Singaporean divorce cases.
- She is recognized as a Litigation Star in family and matrimonial law in Asia-Pacific by Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific in 2021, 2022 and 2024.
- Dorothy is named as a finalist for “Woman Lawyer of the Year” by Asian Legal Business at its 20th Annual ALB SE Asia Law Awards in 2018 and 2024.
- Dorothy is ranked as a Leading Family and Divorce Lawyer in the Doyle’s Guide for Leading Family & Divorce lawyers in Singapore in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
- She was named among Asia’s top young lawyers in the Asian Legal Business 2016 listing of “40 under 40 – Asia’s Brightest Young Legal Minds.”
- Dorothy was named in the Singapore Business Review’s “Singapore’s most influential lawyers aged 40 and Under” list for 2016.
In addition to her legal accomplishments, Dorothy is actively involved in various appointments and memberships:
- She is an accredited mediator at the Singapore Mediation Centre and holds the title of Accredited Collaborative Family Practitioner (CFP).
- Dorothy serves on the Singapore Mediation Centre’s Panel of Collaborative Family Practitioners (CFP).
- She also holds the position of Associate Mediator on the Law Society Mediation Scheme Panel of Mediators.
- Dorothy was appointed by the Chief Justice to the Inquiry Panel of the Law Society of Singapore.
Dorothy Tan’s illustrious legal career, numerous achievements, and dedication to her craft have established her as a highly respected family lawyer.