Wincen Santoso
Wincen Santoso is a New York- and Indonesia-qualified attorney with more than 17 years of experience. He has represented the Government of Indonesia, major multinational corporations across various sectors, and leading Indonesian banks, among other sizeable companies.
Before establishing SMM Advocates, Wincen practiced with the renowned international law firms O’Melveny & Myers and DLA Piper, where he handled a broad range of legal matters. His expertise spans restructuring, competition, commercial disputes, cross-border acquisitions, employment, general corporate matters, international arbitration, and investigations. Notably, he was seconded to Pfizer Indonesia, where he managed all of the company’s legal affairs.
As a Partner at SMM Advocates, Wincen has advised major multinational clients on doing business in Indonesia and led significant acquisition transactions. He also heads the firm’s dispute resolution practice. His clients include distinguished FTSE 100 and S&P 500 companies.
Wincen served as Vice-Chairman of the Continuing Education Division of the Indonesian Advocates Association from 2020 to 2025 and currently serves as a delegate to the International Chamber of Commerce Commission on Arbitration.
He has been invited as a speaker and expert by numerous key stakeholders, including the Indonesian Competition Commission, the Indonesian Ministry of Defence, and various state-owned enterprises. He has also facilitated and spoken at prominent forums such as the International Chamber of Commerce, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, the Indonesian Advocates Association, and the Law Society of Singapore. His writings have appeared in leading publications, including the International Financial Law Review and Lexis Nexis Advanced, on Bankruptcy Law, Competition Law, and Arbitration. In his spare time, he practices Aikido.
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2026 notes, “His experience is not just deep, but also broad, which allows him to provide sophisticated risk assessments and strategic advice that is both practical and insightful.”
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025 observes, “Wincen Santoso has a very strong commercial vision. He is a seasoned, versatile, and insightful lawyer.”
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025 describes, “Wincen Santoso is compared to by clients as a chess grandmaster.”
Education
- University of Indonesia, Bachelor of Laws (top 3 most outstanding students/Mahasiswa Berprestasi Utama)
- University of Southern California, Master of Laws (graduated with honors, Dean’s Merits Scholar)
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and New York University, Master of Science in Finance
Professional Qualifications
- Indonesian advocate (PERADI)
- Receiver and administrator for bankruptcy
- Attorney-at-law admitted with the Supreme Court of New York
- Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Awards
- Asia Super 50 Disputes Lawyers by the Asian Legal Business (2024-2025)
- Asia Super 50 TMT Lawyers by the Asian Legal Business (2024)
- Corporate and M&A Recommended Lawyer (2023-2026) by the Legal 500 Asia Pacific (Legalease)
- Dispute Resolution Up and Coming Ranked Lawyer (2024-2026) by Chambers and Partners
- Future Star by the Benchmark Litigation – Asia Pacific (2023-2025)
- Rising Star (2023) by the Asian Legal Business
- Singapore’s Top 20 Most Influential Lawyers Aged 40 and Under (2019) by the Singapore Business Review
