In Loving Memory of Our Cherished Managing Director, Rina Kalpanath Singh



It is with great sadness that we come together as a firm to mourn for our cherished Managing Partner Rina.

Rina took over Kalco Law LLC (then Kalpanath & Co) in 1999 as a young lawyer with 4 years of experience. Since then, together with a few other close colleagues along the way, she painstakingly built Kalco Law LLC up to where it is today.

Rina was a reputable member of the Family Bar. She always displayed grace and kindness as a lawyer. She represented her clients’ interests to the best of her ability without compromise regardless of which walk of life they came from. She litigated against her opponents firmly but fairly. She was often a voice of reason in highly acrimonious situations and always sought to be a peacemaker. Over the years, many clients came to her because they knew that not only was she an experienced family lawyer, but more importantly, she would show empathy and compassion towards her clients who were often facing one of the most difficult periods of their lives.

However, what made Rina truly special and beloved to us as a firm was her generosity and love for the people who had the privilege of working for her. After heading Kalco for approximately twelve years, God spoke to her to expand the firm, giving her a heart for young lawyers with a view to mentor them in an industry which is well-known for its punishing hours and unforgiving nature. In characteristic obedience to God, she obeyed and started taking in trainees and young lawyers which was naturally a challenge as it would disrupt status quo.

Anyone who has worked in Kalco, whether past or present, can attest to the fact that Rina loved deeply and did her best in every situation she was in. She had a big heart and displayed much kindness and warmth to people around her despite her busy schedule and numerous commitments. Rina often went out of her way to organise events and meals where people can come together to wind down and share in their victories and defeats. Good food and wine were never far away, and she always ensured that everyone was well fed, satisfied and having a good time.

Rina built a precious culture in Kalco. Contrary to the industry’s norm, she never placed billing targets on her associates; instead, Rina always reminded them that the Lord would provide whatever was needed. She trusted God deeply and lived it out for her young team to see. Her favourite phrase was “To God be the Glory”. Rina herself was an extremely hard worker but she did not impose long hours on her employees and encouraged everyone to have a good work-life balance despite the nature of the legal profession. She was always mindful of her people’s workload and did her best to made sure that no one was bearing too heavy a load. She would try her best to gather the team of lawyers on a weekly basis and encourage people to share about their personal lives. She would pray for them both in public and in private, and she cared deeply for them both in and out of the office.

Even when her subordinates made mistakes, Rina would not berate them. Instead, she would gently encourage them to do better next time while firmly giving instructions on how to fix the problem. When associates were discouraged, she would pat them on the back and tell them that they can live to fight another day because lawyers were “gladiators for our clients”. When clients showed unreasonable behaviour towards the associates, Rina would protect the associates, while also using it as a teaching point to impart wisdom on client management. When there were difficult situations and /or decisions to be made, she did not react in anger but displayed grace and kindness, giving everyone their due respect.

Rina’s legacy for our firm is the ethos and values in the manner we treat our co-workers, our clients and the various officers of the Court. Rina was always mindful that we are fair to our clients, to our learned friends and to always honour God with the work of our hands. At the same time, we are to be wise in all that we do. These are the values on which we will continue to uphold in honour of her legacy.

Rina’s love for others has touched many lives. This was made crystal clear from the sheer number of people from all walks of life who attended her funeral to pay their respects.

We will miss her very much. Her absence and her empty room will leave an irreplaceable void in our hearts. However, we take heart that she has fought the good fight despite the many difficulties life threw at her. She is now in a place where all her tears are wiped away, where there is no more pain and where she has entered into the Presence of her God whom she has trusted fully for 40 years. While there is still much pain and grief, we draw strength from the truth that we will see her again eventually. In the meantime, we will strive to ensure that this firm would continue to live up to Rina’s high standards.

Rina, till we see you again. To God be the Glory.