Team

Team

Baldev Bhinder

Baldev is the Managing Director of the Firm. He is dual qualified in Singapore and England with more than 18 years of international experience across the world’s leading global law firms. He was previously at UK Energy specialist law firm, Ashurst LLP and US arbitration heavyweight, White & Case, before he set up the Energy & Commodities practice at a Singapore law firm.

Baldev is a leading expert in O&G and Commodities and advises on all aspects of the supply chain from trading and trade finance arrangements to international recoveries and arbitration. He is a leading name in trade fraud cases and his views have been featured in the Singapore Business Times, Bloomberg, CNBC, CNA and the Financial Times.

He is a regular speaker at the Financial Times Asian Commodities Conference alongside industry titans and ministers as well as a contributing writer to the Singapore Business Times. He is particularly active in the Indonesian and South Asian markets where he acts for foreign investors, financiers, international companies, and conglomerates.

Baldev is recognised as a trailblazer in the legal sector: he was nominated as Asia’s top “40 under 40” lawyers by Asian Legal Business, as one of 20 rising Singapore legal luminaries in the Singapore Business Review and in Prestige Magazine’s top 40 list of leaders. He is also ranked for his work in international arbitration and trade by the legal directories of Legal 500, Benchmark Litigation and Who’s Who Legal. In 2023, Baldev was ranked by Asian Legal Business as one of the top 50 litigators in Asia.

Baldev Bhinder

Baldev is dual qualified in Singapore and England with nearly 20 years of international experience across the world’s leading global law firms. He was previously at UK Energy specialist law firm, Ashurst LLP and US arbitration heavyweight, White & Case, before he set-up Blackstone & Gold in 2019 as Singapore’s first energy and commodities law firm.

Baldev is a leading expert in O&G and Commodities and advises on all aspects of the supply chain from trading and trade finance arrangements to international recoveries and arbitration. He is a leading name in trade fraud cases and his views have been featured in the Singapore Business Times, Bloomberg, CNBC, CNA and the Financial Times. His practice covers international arbitration alongside complex Singapore and global litigation cases often marshalling teams of experts in crisis management situations. He has a wealth of experience in international cases and asset recovery and is presently involved in global litigation cases in at least 10 different countries.  

Baldev is recognised as a trailblazer in the legal sector: he is recognised as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation and one of Asia’s Top 50 Disputes Lawyers by ALB. He is ranked by Legal 500, Chambers & Partners and Who’s Who Legal for his work.

Baldev is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK. He speaks English, Punjabi, Bahasa, Hindi & Spanish.

“Baldev is the go-to on anything related to trade finance commodities. He knows it inside out, knows who is who, and can speak to traders and do research which is unparalleled in the market.”

Chambers & Partners 2025

“Baldev Bhinder and his team are the holy grail for dispute resolution and arbitration in Singapore. They are lean, hard-working, and highly skilled.”

“Baldev Bhinder is exceptional, understands the practicalities of international trade, is well connected in the commodities market, instinctively knows where the pressure points are, and can map out an effective strategy from the get-go.”

Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024

“Baldev Bhinder is a true expert in commodities trading legal issues. He has a wealth of experience and is a hardworking and creative lawyer.”

Benchmark Litigation 2024

“Baldev Bhinder is well known in the market for his commodities work and network. His understanding of international trade is second to none and he brings that expertise to any claim or arbitration.”

Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023

“Baldev Bhinder is the first person I contact if I have a question about the commodity market. He has immense knowledge regarding that topic and he is unquestionably an expert in that field. Whilst I appreciate his technical ability, the thing I admire the most is his integrity and his willingness to help.”

Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022

Recent Engagements

Publications

Something’s rotten with the state of invoice financing
The SIAC Rules 2025: What’s New?
BLs, pledges and the trust receipt: Possession as the touchstone for conversion claims

Samuel Tan

Samuel is a Consultant with the Firm. He qualified as a Solicitor of England and Wales and has worked in London and Singapore with a leading international law firm from 2009 to 2017. Sam & Baldev were previously colleagues at the market-leading Energy practice of Ashurst. He subsequently took on a business role with a family office.

Sam has specific expertise in negotiating and managing complex multi-party commercial transactions that form part of the broader energy value chain; including international commodities sale and purchases, M&A for oil and gas assets/infrastructure, as well as other related business activities such as storage, maintenance, and shared usage of common facilities.  Notably, he has advised key LNG market players and terminal users /developers in Southeast Asia including Pavilion Gas, PETRONAS, and Pertamina.

Having valuable first-hand commercial experience in petrochemical trading operations and industry benchmark pricing – clients seek out Sam’s unique ability to appreciate the transaction from both legal and commercial perspectives.  Sam’s previous legal experience helps him to customize solutions that address, and dovetail with, the specific pressures facing his clients. He is now a non-practising Consultant on oil, gas, and LNG related matters.

Samuel Tan

Samuel is a Consultant with the Firm. He qualified as a Solicitor of England and Wales and has worked in London and Singapore with a leading international law firm from 2009 to 2017. Sam & Baldev were previously colleagues at the market-leading Energy practice of Ashurst. He subsequently took on a business role with a family office.

Sam has specific expertise in negotiating and managing complex multi-party commercial transactions that form part of the broader energy value chain; including international commodities sale and purchases, M&A for oil and gas assets/infrastructure, as well as other related business activities such as storage, maintenance, and shared usage of common facilities.  Notably, he has advised key LNG market players and terminal users /developers in Southeast Asia including Pavilion Gas, PETRONAS, and Pertamina.

Having valuable first-hand commercial experience in petrochemical trading operations and industry benchmark pricing – clients seek out Sam’s unique ability to appreciate the transaction from both legal and commercial perspectives.

Samuel graduated with a degree in law from the University of Cambridge, UK.

Recent Engagements

Publications

Something’s rotten with the state of invoice financing
The SIAC Rules 2025: What’s New?
BLs, pledges and the trust receipt: Possession as the touchstone for conversion claims

Ramandeep Kaur

Raman is a Director with the Firm. She trained and qualified with a leading international law firm in Singapore specializing in construction. Raman worked with Baldev in her previous role and moved with the team when BlackStone & Gold was set up. Her expertise covers a broad range of international trade and construction related issues in the energy and commodities sector.

Raman’s core focus is on international arbitration, but she has also appeared before the Singapore High Court for restructuring and contractual disputes. She has been recognized as a key lawyer in Legal 500 2022, 2023 and 2024 for International Arbitration and commended as “standing out” for her “knowledge, professionalism, service level and attention”, and for having proven to be a “worthy ally” for her clients.

Ramandeep Kaur

Raman is a Director with the Firm. She trained and qualified with a leading international law firm in Singapore specializing in construction. Raman worked with Baldev in her previous role and moved with the team when BlackStone & Gold was set up. Her expertise covers a broad range of international trade and construction related issues in the energy and commodities sector.

Raman’s practice covers both international arbitration and Singapore High Court matters. She has argued on matters before the Singapore High Court and the Singapore International Commercial Court. She has considerable experience assisting clients in international contractual disputes involving jurisdictions such as Vietnam, China, UK, Bangladesh and India. Raman has also acted for lenders and creditors in numerous restructuring mandates and regularly advises lenders and traders on trade finance matters.

Raman has been recognized as a key lawyer in Legal 500 2022, 2023 and 2024 for International Arbitration and commended as “standing out” for her “knowledge, professionalism, service level and attention”, and for having proven to be a “worthy ally” for her clients.

Recent Engagements

Publications

Something’s rotten with the state of invoice financing
The SIAC Rules 2025: What’s New?
BLs, pledges and the trust receipt: Possession as the touchstone for conversion claims

Poonaam Bai

Poonaam Bai id dual qualified in Singapore and England, with more than 15 years international experience including working from a UK law firm.

Poonaam started off her career as a shipping & international trade disputes lawyer. She has represented and advised ship owners, cargo interests, insurers and crew in a wide range of shipping and commodity disputes. Her practice has now extended into commercial disputes with an emphasis on insurance, construction and shareholder disputes .

The matters she has handled include front end drafting and advice and construction disputes in litigation, arbitration and statutory adjudication. She has acted for developers, owners, contractors and sub-contracts for major construction works disputes, including calls on performance bonds, delays, defects and liabilities.

She has also handled a range of insurance related matters, including Construction Professional Indemnity,  Contractors’ All Risks, Marine Insurance, Hull & Machinery, Property Insurance, Trade Credit, Material & Business Interruption etc.

Poonaam is also an accredited mediator under various mediation bodies in Singapore.

Poonaam Bai

Poonaam Bai is dual qualified in Singapore and England, with more than 15 years international experience including working for a UK law firm.

Poonaam started off her career as a shipping & international trade disputes lawyer. She has represented and advised ship owners, cargo interests, insurers and crew in a wide range of shipping and commodity disputes. Her practice has now extended into commercial disputes with an emphasis on insurance, construction and shareholder disputes .

The matters she has handled include front end drafting and advice and construction disputes in litigation, arbitration and statutory adjudication. She has acted for developers, owners, contractors and sub-contracts for major construction works disputes, including calls on performance bonds, delays, defects and liabilities.

She has also handled a range of insurance related matters, including Construction Professional Indemnity,  Contractors’ All Risks, Marine Insurance, Hull & Machinery, Property Insurance, Trade Credit, Material & Business Interruption etc.

Poonaam is also an accredited mediator in Singapore.

Recent Engagements

Something’s rotten with the state of invoice financing
The SIAC Rules 2025: What’s New?
BLs, pledges and the trust receipt: Possession as the touchstone for conversion claims

Yan Hu

Yan Hu qualified in the People’s Republic of China and began her career at a Beijing law firm, where she advised Chinese clients on M&A, IPOs, and foreign investment. She has over 15 years of experience in international trade, commodities, and corporate transactions. Based in Singapore and fluent in both Chinese and English, Yan has served in senior legal roles at global trading companies, consistently supporting transactions and disputes across Asia, North America, and the UK.

Yan served as a Legal Consultant at Mitsubishi Corporation RtM in Singapore, where she led contract negotiations and advised on legal matters related to lithium trading, including drafting General Terms and Conditions and handling transactional and dispute-related issues. She was previously Corporate Counsel for Sales & Marketing at Rio Tinto and played a key role in structuring and negotiating sales agreements across various commodities. She built standard templates to streamline deal execution and worked closely with commercial teams to provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice, especially aligned with China-specific business needs. At Bunge, Yan handled a wide range of commodity trading contracts, supported the legal setup of subsidiaries and joint ventures, and provided legal guidance on corporate restructuring and M&A projects. 

Yan holds an LL.M. in Corporate and Financial Services Law from the National University of Singapore, and a Master of Law in International Commercial Law from the University of International Business & Economics in Beijing. As a native of PRC and a resident of Singapore, Yan is an invaluable part of the BG team in its offering to Chinese related companies. 

Yan Hu

Yan Hu qualified in the People’s Republic of China and began her career at a Beijing law firm, where she advised Chinese clients on M&A, IPOs, and foreign investment. She has over 15 years of experience in international trade, commodities, and corporate transactions. Based in Singapore and fluent in both Chinese and English, Yan has served in senior legal roles at global trading companies, consistently supporting transactions and disputes across Asia, North America, and the UK.

Yan served as a Legal Consultant at Mitsubishi Corporation RtM in Singapore, where she led contract negotiations and advised on legal matters related to lithium trading, including drafting General Terms and Conditions and handling transactional and dispute-related issues. She was previously Corporate Counsel for Sales & Marketing at Rio Tinto and played a key role in structuring and negotiating sales agreements across various commodities. She built standard templates to streamline deal execution and worked closely with commercial teams to provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice, especially aligned with China-specific business needs. At Bunge, Yan handled a wide range of commodity trading contracts, supported the legal setup of subsidiaries and joint ventures, and provided legal guidance on corporate restructuring and M&A projects. 

Yan holds an LL.M. in Corporate and Financial Services Law from the National University of Singapore, and a Master of Law in International Commercial Law from the University of International Business & Economics in Beijing. As a native of PRC and a resident of Singapore, Yan is an invaluable part of the BG team in its offering to Chinese related companies.

Something’s rotten with the state of invoice financing
The SIAC Rules 2025: What’s New?
BLs, pledges and the trust receipt: Possession as the touchstone for conversion claims

Nikhil Sundaraj

Nikhil is a Singapore-qualified lawyer and a law graduate of the University of Cambridge. Nikhil has worked for the Singapore office of an international law firm, as well as one of Singapore’s leading law firms where he worked on various commercial disputes.

Nikhil’s practice at present covers commercial disputes with a focus on international trade disputes. He has argued before the Singapore Courts and has been involved in Singapore and UK arbitration matters.

Nikhil has a keen interest on climate and environmental law. He assisted drafting a model bilateral investment treaty for Gambia with a focus on environmental protection. He has also published several research papers in the areas of climate change law and policy, sustainability and the interplay of AI and the law. Nikhil has previously held appointments at the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law in the National University of Singapore. Away from work, Nikhil is also the International Environmental Law Program Coordinator with the Global Pro Bono Bar Association.

Nikhil speaks English, Malay, Bahasa Indonesia and Spanish.

Nikhil Sundaraj

Nikhil is a Singapore-qualified lawyer and a law graduate of the University of Cambridge. Nikhil has worked for the Singapore office of an international law firm, as well as one of Singapore’s leading law firms where he worked on various commercial disputes.

Nikhil’s practice at present covers commercial disputes with a focus on international trade disputes. He has argued before the Singapore Courts and has been involved in Singapore and UK arbitration matters.

Nikhil has a keen interest on climate and environmental law. He assisted drafting a model bilateral investment treaty for Gambia with a focus on environmental protection. He has also published several research papers in the areas of climate change law and policy, sustainability and the interplay of AI and the law. Nikhil has previously held appointments at the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law in the National University of Singapore. Away from work, Nikhil is also the International Environmental Law Program Coordinator with the Global Pro Bono Bar Association.

Nikhil speaks English, Malay, Bahasa Indonesia and Spanish.

Recent Engagements

Publications

Something’s rotten with the state of invoice financing
The SIAC Rules 2025: What’s New?
BLs, pledges and the trust receipt: Possession as the touchstone for conversion claims

Rakesh Vedam

Rakesh is a Singapore qualified lawyer, with interests and experience in international arbitration, trade finance, commodities disputes, and insurance matters. He has acted in arbitration proceedings administered under SIAC, DIAC, and LCIA rules, representing clients including major global traders.

He has also appeared in litigation matters before the Singapore High Court and the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) for disputes in the commodities and insurance sectors. Notably, he was part of the legal team representing a leading insurer in a landmark SICC decision that dismissed claims under a trade credit insurance policy involving alleged fictitious commodity trades.

Rakesh graduated from the National University of Singapore and is called to the Singapore Bar.  He is fluent in English and Tamil.

Rakesh Vedam

Rakesh is a Singapore qualified lawyer, with interests and experience in international arbitration, trade finance, commodities disputes, and insurance matters. He has acted in arbitration proceedings administered under SIAC, DIAC, and LCIA rules, representing clients including major global traders.

He has also appeared in litigation matters before the Singapore High Court and the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) for disputes in the commodities and insurance sectors. Notably, he was part of the legal team representing a leading insurer in a landmark SICC decision that dismissed claims under a trade credit insurance policy involving alleged fictitious commodity trades.

Rakesh graduated from the National University of Singapore and is called to the Singapore Bar.  He is fluent in English and Tamil. 

Recent Engagements

Something’s rotten with the state of invoice financing
The SIAC Rules 2025: What’s New?
BLs, pledges and the trust receipt: Possession as the touchstone for conversion claims