Dorothy Tan

Dorothy Tan holds the esteemed position of Deputy Head within the Family Law Practice Group at PKWA Law, where she also serves as a Senior Associate Director. Her remarkable legal career is marked by numerous accomplishments and accolades.

At the remarkably young age of 25, Dorothy showcased her legal prowess by leading a successful team in arguing and winning a case at the Court of Appeal. This groundbreaking case revolved around the newly established Singaporean law pertaining to the division of matrimonial assets. In a subsequent Court of Appeal case, she secured a remarkable victory, ensuring her client received 75% of matrimonial assets valued at $13.6 million, a substantial increase from the initial 25%. This dramatic shift in favor of her client is arguably one of the most significant outcomes in the history of appeals court decisions.

Dorothy’s exceptional expertise in family and divorce law is well-recognized. She has consistently been featured in the Doyle’s Guide for Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers in Singapore from 2016 to 2023. Additionally, she earned the distinction of being listed among the “Top 100 Women in Litigation” and designated as a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific in 2021 and 2022. Notably, she was also honored by the Singapore Business Review as one of Singapore’s “Most Influential Lawyers aged 40 and under” in 2016.

In 2021, Dorothy co-authored the book “Divorce Done Right: A Guide to Family Law in Singapore,” further showcasing her dedication to sharing her legal expertise.

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 and 2022, underscoring her consistent reputation for excellence.
• Dorothy’s standing as a Leading Lawyer has been reaffirmed in Doyle’s Guide to the Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers in Singapore from 2016 to 2023.
• She earned a spot 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, a testament to her impact on the legal landscape.

Moreover, Dorothy’s contributions extend to publications, where she co-authored the comprehensive divorce guide “Divorce Done Right: A Guide to Family Law in Singapore” in 2021. She is also a contributor and author for Lexis Practical Guidance – Family Law Module.

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 outstanding legal career, wealth of achievements, and dedication to her field make her a highly respected figure in Singapore’s legal community.