Ben Chester Cheong: A Prominent Lawyer, Corporate Strategist, and Legal Scholar
Ben Chester Cheong is a highly respected corporate strategist, lawyer, and academic, known for his exceptional contributions to law and legal education. With a career spanning over a decade, he has become a key figure in the fields of corporate law, environmental law, and technology law. As a law lecturer at Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and an Of Counsel at RHTLaw Asia LLP, his expertise and influence extend across legal academia, practice, and policy-making. This article delves into the remarkable career, education, certifications, and key accomplishments of Ben Chester Cheong.
Early Education and Legal Training
Ben Chester Cheong’s journey in law began with his academic excellence in law schools. He graduated with First Class Honours from the University of Exeter, where he was ranked second in his cohort. He was awarded the prestigious Stones Prize for his outstanding dissertation and achieved top honors in Commercial Law. These achievements set the foundation for his future success in the legal profession.
Further solidifying his legal credentials, Ben completed his Master of Laws at the University of Cambridge, where he excelled academically. He not only gained a rich understanding of law but also earned the distinction of being the top-performing graduate in his cohort from Cambridge, placing third out of 664 candidates in the Singapore Bar Examinations (Part B) with three distinctions. This remarkable achievement was a testament to his deep legal knowledge and rigorous academic training, placing him among the top legal minds in the region.
Career Highlights: Legal Practice and Academia
Ben Chester Cheong’s career trajectory is characterized by a blend of legal practice and academia. As a seasoned lawyer, he gained significant experience working as an international finance lawyer at Baker McKenzie, where he contributed to high-profile transactions exceeding US$500 million. His deep understanding of financial law, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance allowed him to work with major corporations and provide legal expertise on complex cross-border matters.
Currently, Ben serves as Of Counsel at RHTLaw Asia LLP, advising clients on financial services, regulatory compliance, and technology law. His role in RHTLaw Asia LLP involves offering legal counsel on various regulatory matters, particularly in the evolving fields of technology law and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns. This combination of legal and strategic advisory roles allows Ben to stay at the forefront of developments in business law.
In addition to his legal practice, Ben is a Law Lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). He has held this position since December 2018, where he has taught a variety of law courses, including Contract Law, Legal Methods, and the Law of Business Organisations. As a respected academic, Ben has received multiple accolades for his teaching excellence, including the prestigious Outstanding Teaching Award in 2022. His passion for law and teaching is evident in his active involvement in the development of law curricula and his role as a mentor to his students.
Research and Scholarly Contributions
Ben Chester Cheong is not only known for his legal practice but also for his academic research and contributions to legal thought. His research interests span a broad range of topics, including private and public law, technology law, regulatory policy, environmental law, and corporate governance. He has authored numerous articles published in leading international law journals such as the Law Quarterly Review, Journal of Business Law, Transnational Environmental Law, and International Cybersecurity Law Review. These publications have been widely cited in the academic community and by professionals in the field of law, establishing Ben as a leading voice in various areas of legal scholarship.
Ben’s research focuses on pressing legal issues in modern society, including the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI), corporate sustainability, and the legal implications of emerging technologies such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). His work on AI law, in particular, addresses the evolving question of the legal personhood of artificial intelligence systems and the implications of this for regulatory frameworks.
As a testament to his scholarly influence, Ben’s work has been cited by various legal scholars and included in academic books such as Political, Economic and Legal Effects of Artificial Intelligence by Georgios I. Zekos. His research has not only shaped academic discussions but has also influenced real-world policy development.
Key Roles and Achievements
Throughout his career, Ben Chester Cheong has held several key roles that further reflect his influence in the legal community. His advisory and thought leadership roles extend beyond his academic and legal practice. As a visiting fellow at the University of Reading’s School of Law, Ben has contributed to research in legal and environmental policy. He is also an associate academic fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law (APCEL), where he works to shape the future of sustainability law and governance.
In addition to his work in academia and legal practice, Ben serves as a member of several prestigious organizations. He is currently a committee member of the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID), where he participates in policy-making and professional development activities. Ben’s involvement in the Securities Investors Association (Singapore) (SIAS) as a member of the Investor Rights Sub-Committee showcases his commitment to advocating for investor rights and promoting corporate governance.
Ben’s involvement in various legal and professional communities extends to his role as an accredited mediator with the Singapore International Mediation Institute. His mediation expertise further exemplifies his commitment to resolving legal disputes in a fair and equitable manner.
Awards and Recognition
Ben Chester Cheong’s excellence in teaching and legal practice has been widely recognized. He has received multiple awards for his contributions to legal education, including the Teaching Excellence Award (2022) and Honourable Mentions for the same award in 2021. These accolades underscore his ability to inspire and educate future legal professionals. His active participation in various legal organizations and his continuous efforts to enhance legal education demonstrate his dedication to shaping the future of law.
Licenses and Certifications
In addition to his academic qualifications, Ben holds various licenses and certifications that underscore his legal expertise and professional credibility. He is an accredited director with the Singapore Institute of Directors and is a practicing solicitor in both Singapore and England & Wales. Furthermore, Ben holds certifications in financial services regulation and mediation, demonstrating his diverse skill set in corporate strategy, legal consulting, and dispute resolution.
Conclusion
Ben Chester Cheong is an exceptional figure in the world of law, academia, and corporate strategy. His impressive legal qualifications, academic accomplishments, and thought leadership roles have established him as a leading expert in corporate law, technology law, and environmental law. His contributions to legal practice and education continue to shape the future of legal scholarship, making him a key player in advancing the fields of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and sustainable law.
With his dedication to legal excellence, Ben Chester Cheong has undoubtedly made a lasting impact on both legal practice and academia. As he continues to shape the future of law through his research, teaching, and advisory work, he remains a significant figure whose influence will be felt for years to come.
