About
Michelle brings over 15 years of legal experience, with a strong focus on civil and criminal litigation. She has acted in a broad spectrum of cases, from high-stakes, multi-million dollar lawsuits, and arbitrations to smaller claims in the State Courts.
Her career spans both public and private sectors. Michelle began her legal journey at Allen & Gledhill, one of Singapore’s largest law firms. She subsequently joined the public service, serving as a District Judge where she presided over criminal trials. Her public sector experience also includes roles as a State Counsel at the Attorney-General’s Chambers—advising government ministries on legal issues—and as Assistant Commissioner at the Personal Data Protection Commission, where she issued enforcement decisions in data breach cases.
In 2021, Michelle founded M Yap Law, where she currently practises. Her clients include government agencies, SMEs, and individuals. Michelle is also trained in mediation and has negotiated successful settlements in matters involving criminal complaints, employment disputes, and contractual claims.
Michelle graduated with First Class Honours in Law in 2008, and received numerous academic accolades, including the prestigious Weightsman Prize for topping her cohort in the Law of Tort. Upon graduation, she served as a Justices’ Law Clerk to the Chief Justice and High Court Judges of the Supreme Court.
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Current Appointments and Pro-Bono Work
Michelle was recommended by the Presiding Judges of the State Courts and the Family Justice Courts to serve on the Selection Panel for Singapore Law Reports.
She also serves as a Neutral Evaluator on the LSNEDS-CASE Panel of Neutrals, where she assesses cases referred by the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) that remain unresolved after mediation.
In addition to her professional commitments, Michelle contributes her time on a pro bono basis with the Law Society Pro Bono Services under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.
She is also a Director of Smiling Gecko Singapore Limited, a non-profit organisation dedicated to humanitarian and community development efforts.
