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Asia Business Law Journal names the country’s top law firms. Miran Lim and Emeli Zuño report

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alaysia is experiencing a dynamic economic expansion, with a growth rate of 4.2% in the first quarter of 2024, rising from 2.9% in the preceding quarter. This shift is fuelled by increased private sector spending and improved exports.

The labour market is strong, with more than 50,000 new jobs created, while the unemployment rate remains low at 3.3%. These numbers, along with rising wages, have led to increased household spending. Investments have grown thanks to contributions from both private and public sectors. The manufacturing and services sectors have shown improvement with more retail activity and ongoing demand in transportation and logistics. Trade is also robust, with a 7.1% increase to MYR690.6 billion (USD146.8 billion), keeping Malaysia in a trade surplus.

Industrial production also received a boost, with the Industrial Production Index advancing by 3.3%. This increase was supported by progress across all subsectors, particularly in electricity, mining and manufacturing.

In a press statement from Malaysia’s Office of the Prime Minister on 17 May 2024, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim attributed the country’s progress to the government’s efficient policies. Despite global economic challenges, Malaysia’s commitment to a comprehensive reform agenda under the Madani government has been instrumental in stimulating economic and public service transformation.

Malaysia’s outlook for 2024 is optimistic. Initiatives under the National Energy Transition Roadmap and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 are expected to attract quality investments, create high-income jobs and improve the standard of living. Efforts to enhance public service delivery and productivity are also anticipated to propel the nation towards achieving its economic aspirations.

As Malaysia emerges as a prominent legal market, Asia Business Law Journal presents the Malaysia Law Firm Awards 2024 to recognise the nation’s exceptional law firms. We have given awards in categories including Law Firm of the Year, Best Overall Law Firms and Best Boutique Law Firm, in addition to recognising winners in 28 practice area categories.

MalaysiaLaw firm awards 2023

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG

Christopher & Lee Ong (CLO), established in 2013 through the merger of three Malaysian firms, has evolved into a full-service law firm within Rajah & Tann Asia, a comprehensive legal network that spans 10 countries in the Asean region and beyond.

The firm recently fortified its corporate arm by integrating a group of seasoned partners, expanding its prowess in M&A, capital markets and banking & finance.

Adapting to the growing significance of the digital and AI realm, CLO has broadened its IP services to cover intangible assets. It has introduced a focused disputes practice headed by Celia Cheah, concentrating on IP, data privacy, financial regulatory and technology, media and telecoms issues.

CLO also demonstrated its capital markets expertise by serving as legal advisers to CIMB Investment Bank, the private and investment banking arm of Kuala Lumpur-based CIMB Group. The firm supported CIMB as the sole bookrunner and underwriter for the IPO of Malaysia-based mini-market chain 99 Speedmart, overseeing legal and regulatory compliance, due diligence and the creation of transaction agreements.

In litigation, CLO represented Siemens, an international technology company with its Malaysia office in Selangor, before the Kuala Lumpur High Court against Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia, an extensive Islamic co-operative bank with 148 branches across the country.

The case concerned a consortium’s Mass Rapid Transit project in Kuala Lumpur and revolved around a dispute amounting to MYR27.2 million (USD5.8 million). Siemens partnered with Hisniaga, a Malaysian company specialising in IT development and general trading, for this project, which the bank financed.

Muhammad Iqram Zulkupri, legal and general counsel at Prasarana Malaysia, a Malaysian government-owned company operating urban rail services, praises CLO’s performance: “Working with CLO has been a fantastic experience. Their team’s knowledge immediately put us at ease, and their genuine hospitality made the entire process feel supported and welcoming.”

Muhammad Iqram Zulkupri

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill has been known for managing major corporate and commercial transactions, and navigating complex legal challenges since its establishment in 1902.

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill showed its legal prowess by supporting KPMG in litigation after Serba Dinamik sued KPMG for negligence along with breach of contract and statutory duty. The firm secured a notable victory, obtaining an order for Serba Dinamik to pay MYR250,000 (USD53,000) in security costs.

Further showcasing its expertise, Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill guided Aerospace Composites Malaysia, a supplier of composite products and subassemblies in Kedah state, through the compliance intricacies of its acquisition by Boeing Singapore. The firm ensured adherence to proper procedures and upheld high standards of corporate governance throughout the process, achieving a seamless transfer of ownership.

Established in 1905, Shearn Delamore & Co is a prominent full-service law firm serving a diverse client base, including multinational conglomerates, governments and various local and international institutions.

In IP litigation, Shearn Delamore & Co helped launch a new cigarette brand for Commercial Marketers and Distributors, a Kuala Lumpur subsidiary of British American Tobacco. The firm executed a non-use cancellation against blocking trademarks, conducted a thorough market survey across nine states and gathered strong evidence. The co-ordinated efforts led to a high court decision to invalidate obstructive trademarks, enabling a successful product launch for the client.

In another significant case, the firm represented Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Singapore regarding the mis-delivery of low-sulphur fuel oil cargo by the vessel Sea Coral from the Cook Islands, which involved potential losses of USD34.8 million. The firm’s proactive strategy included the arrest and judicial sale of the vessel, securing MYR95.4 million in proceeds that were deposited with the court. The firm efficiently managed all legal formalities, including taxing the sheriff’s expenses, and facilitated a court order to prioritise and address all claims against the vessel’s sale proceeds.

Skrine, established as Skrine & Co in 1963, is a full-service legal firm renowned for its global reputation and regional presence in China, Turkey and Europe.

To’ Puan Janet Looi, senior partner, head of corporate and co-head of the environmental, social and governance (ESG) group at the firm, has made impactful contributions, particularly with Kualiti Alam, a waste management centre in Negeri Sembilan state. Her efforts led to a 15-year exclusivity deal with the Malaysian government for the centre.

On the TMT side, Skrine partner Khoo Guan Huat effectively represented a major telecoms company resulting in a favourable judgment that secured substantial damages against a corporate entity for copyright infringement. The judgment also held the entity’s directors liable for joint infringement.

Wong Jin Nee & Teo is a specialist firm in IP and technology that offers organisations comprehensive services related to the creation, portfolio management, enforcement and exploitation of IP and technology.

The firm is led by Wong Jin Nee, who heads commercial and transactional affairs, and Teo Bong Kwang, who oversees litigation and patents. Teo also represents multinationals in information, communications and technology (ICT) as well as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and handles cases involving novel issues on IP rights.

The firm has recently played a key role in expanding clients’ franchise operations, guiding them through the legal intricacies of domestic and international growth under the Franchise Act, 1998. The firm also effectively defended a well-known local franchisor in preschool education against a lawsuit from a former franchisee, leading to an amicable settlement last November.

Adding to the accomplishments, Shal Tharumalingam, senior manager of corporate affairs at Nippon Paint (Malaysia), an Asian paint brand based locally in Selangor state, lauds the firm: “Nippon Paint engaged Wong Jin Nee & Teo in relation to a trademark infringement suit. Mr Teo Bong Kwang, Mr Loo Wai Hoong and Ms Kathreena Korotana were a formidable team. The approach in the case, evidence collated and proposed arguments displayed an in-depth knowledge of IP law in Malaysia and the litigation experience.”

Shal Tharumalingam

  • ROBIN LYNN & LEE

Robin Lynn & Lee launched in 2023 in partnership with DFDL, a legal and tax firm with offices in Southeast and South Asia. Robin Lynn & Lee offers legal advisory services to various industry sectors and specialises in complex cross-border transactions backed by DFDL’s robust network in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Robin Lynn & Lee recently helped orchestrate a strategic joint venture between Loob Holding, a multi-brand food and beverage group in Selangor, and Happy Potato, a fast-food chain. The firm’s legal services extended from drafting and negotiating the joint venture and shareholder agreements to handling all ancillary documentation.

Further highlighting its versatility and commitment to sustainable development, Robin Lynn & Lee served as local counsel for the investment of British International Investment, a development finance institution in London, into Skye Renewables, an energy-as-a-service solar company in Kuala Lumpur. This investment is expected to impact the region’s green initiatives, with the potential to reduce annual emissions of CO2 by 270,000 tonnes.

Ariff Rozhan & Co, in its eighth year, is a dispute resolution-focused law firm led by partners Ariff Rozhan, William Lim and Christopher Arun. It has recently demonstrated its commitment to growth and safety among employees and clients by expanding its office space.

Ariff Rozhan & Co showed its arbitration and alternative dispute resolution expertise by representing Zelan Holdings (M), a subsidiary listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia, in a high-stakes legal battle to resist the enforcement and recognition of a MYR40 million (USD8.5 million) foreign arbitral award. The award, issued by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Commercial Conciliation and Arbitration Centre, was contested on the grounds that the initiation of the arbitration proceedings breached the agreed-on contractual dispute resolution mechanisms.

This case has the potential to influence future legal standards about recognising and enforcing foreign arbitral awards under the Malaysian Arbitration Act, specifically in the contractual framework governing the dispute resolution process.

Cecil Abraham & Partners is another prominent law firm with a focus on dispute resolution. The firm’s clientele includes multinational companies, local businesses, financial institutions, non-profits and government agencies. It is equipped to handle cases across legal areas such as antitrust and competition, various arbitration forms and capital markets. This broad expertise enables the firm to tailor services to client needs in construction, energy, telecoms, insurance, banking and more, ensuring thorough legal support.

  • AZMI & ASSOCIATES
  • RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS
  • RAJA DARRYL & LOH
  • SKRINE

Azmi & Associates, with a team of 99 lawyers proficient in diverse practice areas, is known for its experience and skilful handling of capital market services, supporting clients with IPOs and Bursa Malaysia listings, due diligence and compliance advisory.

The firm has solidified its reputation as a top aviation law firm by managing the complex share acquisition of a 21% stake in Weststar Aviation Services held by KKR, a global investment group with offices in the US, the Middle East, Europe and Asia-Pacific. The Weststar Group, a diversified regional corporate group in Kuala Lumpur, bought the stake, positioning Tan Sri Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim as the sole shareholder.

Rahmat Lim & Partners began in 2010 and has grown to include more than 90 lawyers in Kuala Lumpur. The firm is part of the Allen & Gledhill network and focuses on both domestic and international transactions.

The firm stands out for its aviation practice, dealing with aircraft sales, liaisons with Malaysian aviation agencies, financing, mortgages, leasing through the Labuan International Business & Financial Centre, and legal compliance. The aviation team also provides guidance on the Cape Town Convention within the Malaysian legal framework.

Raja Darryl & Loh, established in 1964 as a sole proprietorship, has evolved into a dynamic and expanding partnership renowned for its expertise across a broad spectrum of sectors, including corporate, foreign investment, real estate, construction, healthcare, banking & finance, receivership, insurance, IP, information & communication technology, and taxation.

During the covid-19 pandemic, the firm played a critical role in representing creditors of AirAsia X, a mid-range airline operating primarily in the Asia-Pacific region, in its proposed scheme of arrangement for debt restructuring under the Malaysian Companies Act, 2016. It also provided expert advice on Malaysian law for the debt restructuring scheme of arrangement of Malaysia Airlines and its affiliates, covering operating and finance leases, and maintenance contracts, serving the interests of the foreign creditors involved.

  • ADNAN SUNDRA & LOW
  • LEE HISHAMMUDDIN ALLEN & GLEDHILL
  • RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS
  • WONG & PARTNERS

Adnan Sundra & Low, founded in 1975 and known by its current name since 1982, is a resource for advice on regulatory frameworks, documentation and operational strategies in financing transactions. The firm also provides expert guidance on debt restructuring and settlement for distressed companies and their creditors.

Adnan Sundra & Low has extensive experience in banking and finance, having served as transaction counsel on significant deals such as advising DanaInfra Nasional, an infrastructure financing entity in Kuala Lumpur, on a syndicated revolving credit-i facility of up to MYR8 billion (USD1.7 billion), guiding Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor, a water services provider in Selangor state, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, in securing MYR2.5 billion for a privatisation project, and assisting MIDF Amanah Investment Bank, a financial services provider in Kuala Lumpur, in providing up to MYR170 million in loan facilities for the acquisition of large-scale solar projects across Malaysia.

Wong & Partners, a member firm of Baker McKenzie, appointed a new managing partner, Mark Lim, on 1 January 2024. The firm has experienced growth since its inception in 1998, and currently has a team of 20-plus partners, and more than 50 associates and legal assistants.

The firm represented Osram Opto Semiconductors (Malaysia), a subsidiary of a global sensor and emitter company based in Austria, in a MYR2 billion sale and leaseback transaction of its manufacturing facility with top Malaysian funds Permodalan Nasional, Employees Provident Fund and Kumpulan Wang Persaraan.

The team, led by partners May Chua and Faez Abdul Razak, provided legal counsel on the real estate and construction aspects of the deal, successfully navigating the strategic transaction to help the client optimise borrowing costs.

Albar & Partners, established in 1981 by founding partner Syed Zaid Albar, specialises in banking and finance, capital markets, debt capital markets, and corporate and commercial law. The firm has provided advisory services to premier financial institutions and corporations. Notably, it advised Danajamin Nasional, Malaysia’s pioneering financial guarantee insurer, to establish its first sukuk programme valued at MYR2 billion (USD425 million), including senior and subordinated sukuk murabahah (where a special purpose vehicle buys from a supplier an asset the borrower has identified).

Zaid Ibrahim & Co is a full-service law firm with more than 120 lawyers. It works in association with KPMG Law, the legal branch of KPMG, a network of professional services firms worldwide. The firm serves local and multinational corporations in commercial transactions, M&A, fundraising for major infrastructure projects in emerging Asian markets, and strategic law reform projects.

Zaid Ibrahim & Co also has a record in capital markets, as evidenced by its involvement in advising on the merger between Malaysia’s mobile communication services companies Digi and Celcom. This transaction was the first and largest in the mobile telecoms sector to be approved by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. The firm also successfully guided Top Glove, an international rubber glove manufacturer in Selangor, through its dual primary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, which raised USD1 billion and represented Malaysia’s first foray into the Hong Kong exchange with a dual primary listing.

  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • LEE HISHAMMUDDIN ALLEN & GLEDHILL
  • RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS
  • ZAID IBRAHIM & CO

 

  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS
  • SKRINE
  • ZAID IBRAHIM & CO
  • D&P LAW GROUP
  • LEE HISHAMMUDDIN ALLEN & GLEDHILL
  • RICHARD WEE CHAMBERS
  • SHIN ASSOCIATES

D&P Law Group (David & Paulian) is a full-service corporate and commercial law firm specialising in legal solutions for corporate, commercial, construction and property transactions. The firm has frequently contributed to practical guidance notes for LexisNexis, an American data analytics company, on various corporate and commercial issues, including authoring insights on joint and several liability clauses and the implications of exclusivity clauses.

D&P Law Group significantly advanced the entertainment landscape by preparing critical agreements for Breaking Music, an independent label in Malaysia. Its comprehensive legal support included revising and drafting tailor-made distribution, artist management, licensing and recording agreements. This endeavour not only assured legal compliance and protected IP rights for Breaking Music, but also set the stage for thriving collaborations, fundamentally strengthening Breaking Music’s position within the competitive industry.

Founded in 2019 by Richard Wee, Richard Wee Chambers is a boutique law firm renowned for its personalised legal services. In June 2024, this commitment to excellence paved the way for an integration with Grandall Law Firm, a full-service corporate and commercial firm in China, expanding its reach to 680-plus partners and a workforce of more than 5,000 professionals.

Richard Wee Chambers stands out as a premier sports law firm due to its expertise and achievements in advancing the e-sports and sports sectors. With a portfolio that includes drafting contracts and providing advisory services for professional e-sports teams, tournaments and associations, including the pivotal formation of the Malaysia E-sports Players Association, a Selangor-based organisation for e-sports athletes, and assisting numerous other societies and clubs, the firm has proven its capabilities.

Shin Associates, which began as a sole proprietorship on 1 September 2008, has evolved to offer a wide range of legal advisory services, highlighted by its exclusive membership in two esteemed legal networks: ALFA International, a pioneer since 1980; and the Cicero League of International Lawyers, an alliance of top niche law firms.

Shin Associates has emerged as a formidable entity in the entertainment legal sector. The firm has provided invaluable counsel to notable companies like Act 2 Pictures, an all-round movie production company in Selangor, on the films Pasal Kau and The Assistant. The firm has also assisted Lemon Sky Studios, a Selangor-based CGI company, with global distribution strategies for its series AstroLOLogy. Shin Associates’ involvement extends to assisting a local animation company in mastering the intricacies of global subscription video-on-demand distribution, including navigating the Film in Malaysia Incentive and rigorously reviewing production documentation.

  • HALIM HONG & QUEK
  • RAJA DARRYL & LOH
  • SHIN ASSOCIATES
  • WONG & PARTNERS

Halim Hong & Quek, founded in 2000, serves private and publicly listed companies, governmental entities and organisations across Asia. The firm takes pride in its role as a trusted adviser to leading property developers and major regional financial institutions.

The firm helped Geno Group, a UK-based blockchain solutions company, in navigating the implementation of blockchain solutions within Malaysia’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. This initiative aims to transform the global automotive sector with blockchain-as-a-service, delivering innovative industrial and Web3 solutions. Under the leadership of Ong Johnson and Lo Khai Yi, Halim Hong & Quek’s technology practice group offers strategic guidance on token production and distribution, including optimising token structure, planning initial offerings and airdrops, and ensuring compliance with securities and anti-money laundering regulations. The firm has also advised on creating democratic governance models for the blockchain environment, emphasising transparent governance through utility cases and community voting.

  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • LEE HISHAMMUDDIN ALLEN & GLEDHILL
  • MAHWENGKWAI & ASSOCIATES
  • WONG & PARTNERS

MahWengKwai & Associates, established in 1985 by Mah Weng Kwai, is a law firm that provides legal services including dispute resolution, corporate, commercial and conveyancing. Its expertise extends to multinational and local clients from sectors such as construction, IT, healthcare and finance, and it excels in employment and industrial relations matters for corporations worldwide.

The firm actively represents Zhejiang Jinchenlong Import & Export Trade, a Chinese company specialising in international consumer goods trade, in a series of legal challenges in Malaysia. These challenges include multiple actions against individuals accused of trespassing, unlawful possession and coercion involving Zhejiang Jinchenlong’s operations. In January 2024, decisive measures were taken, resulting in a committal order and arrest warrant. This ongoing legal support helps Zhejiang Jinchenlong safeguard its investments and operations in Malaysia, and reinforces foreign investor confidence in the Malaysian market.

  • AZMI & ASSOCIATES
  • KADIR ANDRI & PARTNERS
  • MAHWENGKWAI & ASSOCIATES
  • RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS

Kadir Andri & Partners, established in 1976 by Kadir Kassim, has built an exceptional record for facilitating high-profile and multifaceted transactions within Malaysia and beyond. The firm, known for its prowess in corporate law, banking and finance, and dispute resolution, has become a go-to for significant Malaysian and international entities seeking legal guidance. The firm’s work involves complex dealings with government-linked entities, sovereign wealth funds, multinational corporations, financial institutions and investment funds across various sectors. Kadir Andri & Partners’ ability to deliver tangible results in challenging situations underscores its commitment to excellence and client satisfaction, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner in important legal agreements and endeavours.

  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • SKRINE
  • WONG & PARTNERS
  • ZAID IBRAHIM & CO

 

  • AZIM TUNKU FARIK & WONG
  • RAJA DARRYL & LOH
  • SHOOK LIN & BOK
  • SKRINE

Azim Tunku Farik & Wong was established on 1 January 1985 with a strong foundation laid by Encik Zainal Azim, Ong Boo Kok and Vijayaram Krishnan. From the outset, the firm distinguished itself by providing legal services rooted in its founding members’ expertise and diverse backgrounds. This approach has helped to shape the firm’s reputable standing in the legal community.

Leading the firm’s insurance sector, Tunku Farik Bin Tunku Ismail brings to the table knowledge and experience from more than 30 years in insurance litigation and arbitration. His depth of expertise encompasses international arbitrations between insurers and reinsurers, highlighting his proficiency in navigating complex, cross-border disputes. Tunku Farik’s noteworthy role as lead counsel in various high-level Malaysian courts – including appeals in both the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court – has also contributed to shaping the framework of Malaysian insurance law through landmark cases.

Shook Lin & Bok, established in 1918, has become one of the country’s premier and oldest law firms of local origin. Specialising in advisory and litigation services, it covers an extensive array of sectors within the insurance industry including general and life insurance, reinsurance, and specialised areas such as maritime, aviation and product liability. Serving a diverse clientele ranging from local insurance companies to international ones, the firm also handles complex insurance claims through court litigation and arbitration proceedings, demonstrating its committed approach to protecting its clients’ interests.

Cheang & Ariff has become a dominant force in managing IP matters for global clients across the manufacturing, education, tech and healthcare sectors. The firm has garnered accolades for its proficient handling of complex IP litigation, which includes enforcing rights and structurally enhancing the protection of IP assets.

Cheang & Ariff also excels in transactional and advisory capacities, diligently catering to all aspects of IP management, from registration and prosecution to commercialisation and due diligence checks in M&A. In addition, the firm’s IP practice covers the full spectrum of IP matters, including contentious and non-contentious IP work involving trademarks, copyright, patents, designs, breach of confidential information, domain names and more.

LAW Partnership, founded in 2019, excels in areas including corporate, commercial and M&A, dispute resolution, arbitration and IP.

The firm, representing the Alliance Against Counterfeit Spirits, a global organisation protecting spirits companies’ brands worldwide, co-operated with Malaysia’s Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, and the General Operation Force (GOF) of the Royal Malaysia Police, to conduct raids on bottling plants involved in counterfeiting activities. This action resulted in confiscating counterfeit spirits, dry goods, machinery and vehicles. An operation by the GOF led to the seizure of counterfeit goods valued at MYR1.07 million (USD 229,245) including unpaid taxes and the arrests of three men.

 

Zul Rafique & Partners boasts a top-tier banking and finance practice, known for its adept handling of Islamic and conventional financial transactions worldwide. This expertise is demonstrated by the firm’s role as adviser for major sukuk issuances, like its involvement with the Merdeka Asean Green SRI Sukuk.

The firm’s advisory capabilities were pivotal in arranging the MYR2 billion (USD425 million) and MYR3.6 billion sukuk funds for PNB Merdeka Ventures, a fund management company in Kuala Lumpur, marking Malaysia’s first adoption of the Asean Green Bond Standards and aligning with sustainable, responsible investment criteria.

Donovan & Ho is a boutique firm specialising in employment law, corporate advice and dispute resolution. It has been serving clients globally since 2014.

In its labour and employment practice, Donovan & Ho has spearheaded notable cases such as successfully striking out a former employee’s MYR96 million (USD20.4 million) civil claim against an employer, a landmark decision upheld by the Court of Appeal. The firm also adeptly defended an employer in the industrial court, where a constructive dismissal claim was dismissed, further solidifying the firm’s prowess and influence in handling labour disputes.

Lim Chee Wee Partnership is a boutique law firm that concentrates on international arbitration, commercial litigation, and contentious restructuring and insolvency. It caters to a wide range of clients, from sovereign wealth funds to global corporations.

The firm acts on behalf of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a strategic development company in Kuala Lumpur, and SRC International, an offshore entity registered in the British Virgin Islands. It also guides the Malaysian government in international efforts to recover assets from the 1MDB scandal.

The firm’s role also includes leading global civil litigation, advising on legal co-operation between nations, and working with foreign lawyers and insolvency experts. Currently, Lim Chee Wee Partnership is representing SRC in a lawsuit against former prime minister Najib Razak, seeking more than USD1.18 billion for fund misappropriation. Assets linked to this case have been seized and repatriated by the US Department of Justice’s Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative.

  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS
  • WONG & PARTNERS
  • ZAID IBRAHIM & CO

 

  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • HALIM HONG & QUEK
  • HSIAN & CO
  • RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS

Hsian & Co, founded by Hsian Siong Yong, a legal practitioner with more than two decades of experience, stakes its reputation on expertise in corporate M&A and corporate real estate. Before the firm’s inception, the founder honed his skills at the Malaysian affiliate of a globally recognised law firm for 16 years. He was also legal counsel for a US multinational corporation and has significant experience in the corporate departments of other leading Malaysian law practices.

The services offered by Hsian & Co span the realms of corporate and securities, including corporate M&A, securities law, and corporate reorganisation and restructuring. The firm also delves into takeovers, joint ventures, legal and regulatory advisory, and other corporate legal services. In the corporate real estate sector, Hsian & Co covers sale and purchase agreements, joint ventures, build-to-suit projects, and sale and leaseback deals.

  • ARIFF ROZHAN & CO
  • LEE HISHAMMUDDIN ALLEN & GLEDHILL
  • LIM CHEE WEE PARTNERSHIP
  • SKRINE

TS Oon & Partners is a multidisciplinary law firm focusing on foreign direct investment for international companies. Its clientele includes marine underwriters, shipowners and protection and indemnity clubs.

TS Oon & Partners is representing Black Swan Petroleum DMCC, a petroleum product and lubricant supplier based in Dubai, in a legal dispute involving the wrongful conversion of more than 80,000 metric tons of fuel oil by Euronav Shipping NV, an oil tanker unit based in Antwerp, tied to the vessel Oceania, a crude oil tanker sailing under the flag of Liberia.

The firm facilitated the seizure of Oceania on behalf of Black Swan to secure claims amounting to about USD41.4 million. Despite Euronav’s efforts to release the vessel, claiming a breach of sanctions due to the cargo’s Iranian origin, the firm successfully argued against the application. The case, marked by significant legal precedents concerning international cargo seizures and jurisdictional rights, is under further judicial consideration following Euronav’s appeal.

  • ADNAN SUNDRA & LOW
  • ALBAR & PARTNERS
  • SHOOK LIN & BOK
  • SKRINE

 

  • LEE HISHAMMUDDIN ALLEN & GLEDHIL
  • ROSLI DAHLAN SARAVANA PARTNERSHIP
  • SHEARN DELAMORE & CO
  • WONG & PARTNERS

In a partnership with the SCG Legal network, Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership shares expertise with 12,000 lawyers in more than 60 countries. The firm recently grew stronger, adding four new partners to its roster. It has also inaugurated a China desk to bolster its engagement with Chinese clients and employees.

Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership excels in providing tax advice and litigation support to a diverse client base ranging from government-linked organisations to multinational corporations and high-net-worth individuals. The firm recently achieved a significant victory for one of Southeast Asia’s largest publicly listed power companies, challenging the Inland Revenue Board’s decision that denied the company’s entitlement to a reinvestment allowance for not being a manufacturer, but a service provider. This complex case involved disputing the revenue board’s assessments under the Income Tax Act 1967, highlighting Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership’s expertise in handling high-stakes tax disputes and securing favourable outcomes for its clients.

  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • HALIM HONG & QUEK
  • SHIN ASSOCIATES
  • SKRINE

 

THE JUDGING PROCESS

The winners of Asia Business Law Journal’s Malaysia Law Firm Awards 2024 were selected on the votes, references and qualitative information received from in-house counsel and other legal professionals in Malaysia and around the world.

A voting form was posted on our website, inviting votes from thousands of in-house counsel, lawyers at international law firms and other Malaysia-focused professionals. Malaysian law firms were asked to make submissions in support of their candidacy for the awards. These submissions, combined with research by Asia Business Law Journal’s editorial team, supported the judging process.

All Malaysian law firms were automatically eligible for inclusion in the awards process. As always, there were no fees or any other requirements for entry.

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