Singapore, 25 August 2020 – The Singapore Academy of Law (“SAL”) announced today the appointment of Mr Rama Tiwari as the chief executive-designate to succeed Ms Serene Wee as Chief Executive of SAL when she retires on 7 February 2021. Mr Tiwari has been appointed Deputy Chief Executive from 1 August 2020.

Mr Tiwari, 48, read law at Queen Mary University of London and also holds an MSc in Information Technology. He was admitted as an advocate and solicitor of Singapore’s Supreme Court in 1999, after which he joined private practice, specialising in IT and intellectual property issues. Mr Tiwari brings with him more than 20 years of experience in the private sector, where he held senior positions as vice-president in a bank and as a global sales lead for a US technology company. He also served as legal counsel for the latter.

He joined SAL in July 2019 as its Chief Digital Officer and was tasked to lead its digital transformation. He is also the Executive Director of SAL Ventures, a subsidiary responsible for the development of a legal tech ecosystem.

SAL President Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said, “Having spent time in practice and in-house, Rama possesses an invaluable understanding of the profession. This, coupled with his extensive regional and global experience in the technology industry, will put him in good stead to lead SAL and assist the profession at a time when the legal profession is increasingly being internationalised and impacted by technology.”

Mr Tiwari said, “I have a deep respect for the work of SAL, having been closely involved in the development of the Electronic Filing System and LawNet since 1999. SAL continues to play a pivotal role in lifting standards and helping members adapt to change. Ms Wee has made tremendous contributions in helming and building up SAL over the last 27 years and is deeply respected by our members. I have big shoes to fill and am deeply humbled to be given the opportunity. Fortunately, SAL has a great management team and I look forward to working with them to carry members, the Academy, and the legal eco-system, to greater heights.”

The appointment of Mr Tiwari marks the end of a comprehensive search for the successor of Ms Wee, who joined SAL in 1993 and was appointed its Chief Executive in 2007. Paying tribute to her leadership of SAL, CJ Menon said, “Serene was brought in by the late Chief Justice Yong Pung How to help him professionalise the management of SAL. She has stayed the course and fought the good fight well. All of us owe her an immense debt of gratitude.”

ENDS