With a most unique year winding to a close, law firm leaders in Singapore look back on some of the lessons they learnt, and also the ways they put both clients and employees in focus during a difficult time.

Allen & Gledhill, TMI Associates, Haiwen & Partners and YKVN have advised Nanofilm Technologies International on its S$510.1 million ($383.53 million) initial public offering on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading (SGX-ST), with Allen & Overy and JunHe counselling the issue managers and bookrunners.

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has advised U.S. consumer products company Kimberly-Clark Corporation on its $1.2 billion acquisition of personal care maker Softex Indonesia, which was represented by Singapore’s Allen & Gledhill and Soemadipradja & Taher.

Singapore’s largest law firm Allen & Gledhill has opened an office in Vietnam, making it the second Big Four firm to have a physical presence in the latter country.

Slaughter and May has advised British insurer Aviva on the S$2.7 billion ($1.98 billion) sale of majority shares in its Singapore business to a consortium led by Singapore Life (Singlife). Allen & Gledhill advised on the Singapore law aspects of the transaction.

London-headquartered Ashurst has added financial regulations lawyer Evan Lam as a partner in Singapore from Big Four firm Allen & Gledhill, the former’s second lateral partner hire from the latter in as many months.

Allen & Gledhill has advised on the United Hampshire U.S. REIT’s $394.6 million initial public offering (IPO), with Clifford Chance representing the sponsors and investors.

Ashurst has appointed Danny Tan to lead its investments funds practice in the Asia-Pacific. Tan joins from Singapore Big Four firm Allen & Gledhill, where led the private funds practice.

Allen & Gledhill has advised Singaporean online classifieds business Carousell on its agreement to merge with 701Search, a subsidiary of Norwegian telecoms firm Telenor Group, which was represented by Bird & Bird.

Rajah & Tann and Allen & Gledhill have advised a joint venture between Allianz Real Estate and Gaw Capital on its agreement to acquire the Duo Tower and Duo Galleria in Singapore for S$1.6 billion ($1.15 billion).