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Asia Business Law Journal names Malaysia’s top law firms. Byung Jin Park reports

Malaysian law firms are experiencing a significant uptick in demand, driven by the country’s expanding international partnerships. One key example is recent revitalisation of the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project, which initially launched in June 2022.

Malaysia’s state-run utility firm, Tenaga Nasional, signed a two-year energy agreement to transmit electricity from Laos to Singapore in January 2026, contributing to strengthening regional energy connectivity and reducing fossil fuel dependency.

As the Asean energy market expands and Malaysia anticipates increased revenue and improved grid efficiency in its role as a power transit hub, law firms are expected to identify significant new growth opportunities within the sector.

Government data underscores the tangible impact of the country’s expanding international presence, revealing that Malaysia’s global trade reached a milestone in 2025, surpassing the MYR3 trillion (USD760 billion) mark for the first time.

This represents a 6.3% year-on-year increase from 2024. An official statement notes: “This shows that the country remains strong and resilient, as well as globally competitive, despite a complex landscape of geopolitical tensions and supply chain realignments.”

In 2026, with geopolitical volatility disrupting maritime supply chains, demand for rail freight is also expanding as the logistics industry prioritises more stable transportation corridors. As Malaysia seeks to establish itself as a strategic rail hub connecting Asia, law firms are increasingly engaged in providing specialised counsel on large-scale infrastructure projects, navigating regulatory permit processes and conducting detailed risk assessments.

While Malaysia’s expanding international profile presents significant growth opportunities for the legal sector, it is also intensifying market competition. Law firms are increasingly vying to secure mandates as lead advisers for major corporations, a competitive trend that is expected to persist as the regional economy integrates.

Against this backdrop, Asia Business Law Journal proudly presents the Malaysia Law Firm Awards 2026, recognising 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 30 practice area categories, each of equal standing.

Law firm awards

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG

Christopher & Lee Ong (CLO), a member firm of Rajah & Tann Asia, has been named Law Firm of the Year for five consecutive years, maintaining its streak since the award’s inception in 2022. Effective from 1 January 2026, the firm expanded its bench strength in litigation and arbitration via a merger with Sanjay Mohan Advocates & Solicitors, adding 28 dispute-focused lawyers including seven partners.

CLO identifies capital markets as one of its key practice areas in the past 12 months. Notably, the firm acted as legal counsel to the underwriters for leading private healthcare provider Sunway Healthcare Holdings’ IPO on the Bursa Malaysia. The offering, which raised about MYR2.86 billion, saw the company commence trading on 18 March 2026.

CLO also represented Dr Kee Kirk Chin and Apex Holdings in the MYR1.9 billion conditional voluntary general offer by Pharmora Investment Holdings for leading domestic pharmaceutical manufacturer Apex Healthcare Berhad (AHB). The transaction, which closed on 9 January 2026, involved a consortium of joint ultimate offerors supported by strategic financial structuring to achieve full acquisition.

The transaction included the disposal of shareholdings in AHB by substantial shareholder WHSP Holdings, which CLO also advised, through the voluntary general offer process. The dual roles undertaken in this transaction positions it as a landmark public market takeover with strategic and financial implications for Malaysia’s M&A landscape.

Law firm awards

BEST OVERALL LAW FIRMS

Rahmat Lim & Partners secured the Insolvency & restructuring award following its advisory role in a precedent setting cross-border case between Malaysia and Singapore.

In representation of Sapura Energy and its 22 subsidiaries, the firm acted as lead solicitors for schemes of arrangement in Malaysia, handling both court-facing and transactional aspects of the restructuring as Vantris Energy. The schemes were approved by a majority of more than 95% in all 52 classes of creditors across 23 companies, and the high court granted sanction of the schemes on 6 March 2025.

Rahmat Lim says this case is the first time where the Singapore and Malaysia courts have used the protocol on court-to-court communication and co-operation between the two countries. Advising the clients were managing partner Azman bin Othman Luk, partners Jack Yow, Kwong Chiew Ee, Neoh Jin Keat and Tan Yan Yan, and principal Melvin Ng.

The firm also acted as Malaysian counsel for Bridge Data Centres Malaysia in respect of loan financing of up to USD2.8 billion, granted by a consortium of international lenders. The client was a wholly owned special purpose vehicle of Holdco, a Bain Capital-owned company. Holdco is the holding company of several Malaysian-incorporated data centre operating companies. Partner Kelvin Loh and principal Kimberley Yee led this transaction.

Shearn Delamore & Co has seen an uptick in competition mandates against the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) in the past year. The firm is currently representing multiple insurers in ongoing Court of Appeal proceedings regarding the dispute between Persatuan Insurans Am Malaysia (PIAM) and the regulator. The dispute stems from the MyCC’s MYR173.65 million fine imposed on PIAM and its members for alleged price fixing. Additionally, the firm is representing clients in the poultry feed industry after the MyCC made a MYR415.5 million decision against an alleged chicken feed cartel. The Competition Appeal Tribunal unanimously affirmed the MyCC’s decision on 11 February 2026.

Following the 1 January 2026 commencement of the Arbitration (Amendment) Act 2024 in Malaysia, Shearn Delamore has reinforced its focus on high-stakes alternative dispute resolution. Managing partner Rodney Gomez, a seasoned arbitrator in construction and engineering matters, continues to lead the firm’s mandates in this evolving regulatory landscape.

“Rodney Gomez has been reliable, particularly for matters in which court representation is required,” says Shannon Tan, general counsel at engineering and construction company Exyte in Singapore. “His reputation precedes him, great to have as counsel representing you in the courts.”

Lim Chong Kin, managing director at Drew & Napier in Singapore, says his firm often works with Shearn Delamore on matters involving data protection, and technology, media and telecoms (TMT). He recommends Janet Toh, Irene Yong and Timothy Siaw: “They are knowledgeable in their respective practice areas and provide practical and commercially sound advice.”

Skrine acted as Malaysian counsel for Italian oil and gas giant Eni in its investment agreement with Petronas to establish a joint venture in Malaysia and Indonesia. Officially announced on 3 November 2025, this partnership is to form a financially independent entity called NewCo, which will manage 19 regional upstream assets. Partners Fariz Abdul Aziz and Wei Xian Tan handled this matter.

The firm also counselled US management consulting firm Accenture with the acquisition of Malaysian consulting and digital transformation firm Aristal Solutions, which was announced on 21 July 2025. Skrine conducted Malaysian legal due diligence on Aristal Solutions and reviewed the transaction documents to ensure compliance with local law.

In a strategic move to secure new growth engines, the firm also launched a dedicated India desk in January 2026, following a surge in cross-border corporate activity between Malaysia and India. Skrine has also established collaborative frameworks with Indian law firms to provide commercially integrated legal advice on mandates requiring local Indian expertise.

Law firm awards

BEST BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM

Wong Jin Nee & Teo (WJNT) is an established boutique law firm in the field of IP with one of the founding partners, Wong Jin Nee, having more than 30 years’ experience practising exclusively in IP law.

The firm acted for oil and gas company Single Buoy Mooring in a high-stakes patent infringement action before the Kuala Lumpur IP High Court concerning the client’s patent. The defendants included South Korean global conglomerate Samsung Heavy Industries in a case involving complex issues of claim construction, novelty and inventive step in specialised offshore engineering.

The firm represented Single Buoy Mooring in seeking injunctive relief and damages while defending against a validity counterclaim. The matter was finally amicably resolved without costs on 30 May 2025.

Angie Ng Quote

Angie Ng, senior counsel at Pixlr in Kuala Lumpur, consults with WJNT on trademark-related matters including the filing of new trademark registrations, renewals, oppositions and ongoing maintenance of the trademark portfolio.

“Overall, WJNT has been a trusted and dependable firm to work with and their level of service has met our expectations consistently over the years,” says Ng. “Their responsiveness and clear communication are key strengths that we greatly appreciate.”

Tracie Ng, manager of group legal and compliance at property developer SP Setia, says her company typically engages Wong Jin Nee & Teo for trademark matters. “Their advice is clear, quick and reliable,” she says.

Other award highlights

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill (LHAG) is widely regarded as a premier practice in Malaysia across various areas of dispute resolution, including corporate and commercial litigation, international arbitration, and white-collar defense.

The firm recently expanded its litigation bench through a merger with boutique litigation practice Shan Chambers, bringing former partner SM Shanmugam back to the firm. In addition to handling both contentious and non-contentious matters domestically, LHAG operates a dedicated China desk to reflect the growing importance of bilateral ties and to better serve its Chinese clients.

Leveraging its Baker McKenzie international network, Wong & Partners continues to remain an M&A powerhouse, securing mandates from both domestic and international clients.

The firm currently advises DKSH Performance Materials (DKSH) in acquiring functional food manufacturer AIC Ingredients. Led by partner Addy Herg, the team supports DKSH in the full cycle of the transaction from deal structuring and diligence to negotiation and finalisation of definitive agreements. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026.

Wong & Partners also acted as lead counsel for a consortium of seven local and international financial institutions in a MYR15 billion multi-currency syndicated financing deal supporting development of data centres within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone by Singapore-based DayOne Data Centres. In this matter, the firm advised a banking group comprising CIMB, Credit Agricole, DBS, Maybank, OCBC, Standard Chartered and UOB.

As jumbo financing for digital infrastructure projects continues to rise in the region, this deal highlights the critical role of legal advisory in large-scale investments between Malaysia and Singapore.

Securing a mandate to advise state-owned oil giant Petronas, one of Malaysia’s most important clients, is regarded as a market benchmark. Adnan Sundra & Low (ASL) was Malaysian counsel to the arrangers and dealers on its USD30 billion global medium-term note programme, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed on a senior basis by Petronas, and the issuance of USD5 billion in notes on 3 April 2025.

The transaction was governed by New York law and represented Petronas’ return to the international USD bond market, the largest oil and gas issuance out of Asia since 2020, and the largest Asian international bond transaction since 2021.

An of counsel at a prominent Singapore law firm says she typically engages ASL on behalf of clients for complex M&A transactions involving Malaysian law aspects. “From years of working together, we can confidently continue to recommend Adnan Sundra & Low to clients for complex M&A transactions involving Malaysia.”

Operating within Malaysia’s dual financial landscape – where shariah compliance remains a pivotal pillar alongside conventional systems – ASL also secured the ESG award in recognition of its extensive sustainability mandates.

The firm helped establish sustainability-linked sukuk, embedding enforceable, programme-level decarbonisation and certification commitments into the issuer’s funding architecture.

ASL also advised on upsizing a sukuk programme to finance hydropower-led grid expansion and last-mile rural electrification, enabling Islamic infrastructure finance as an enabler of inclusive energy transition.

Azmi & Associates continues growing as a leading full-service firm, now numbering 115 Malaysian bar lawyers. Its planned Putrajaya office expansion marks a strategic move to deepen its engagement within the administrative capital’s legal and advisory landscape.

Azmi is currently advising Advanced Drainage Systems in its USD1 billion global carve-out acquisition of Norma Group’s water management business. This involves cross-border co-ordination aligned with the global transaction framework of a New York stock exchange-listed entity, including the restructuring and transfer of a key Malaysian subsidiary and manufacturing operations.

The firm is advising on the Malaysian regulatory aspects of the transaction.

Ahmad Azhar Shah Ibrahim, head of legal, procurement and compliance at Sime Darby Property, says Azmi & Associates delivered his team “exemplary” services.

A senior in-house counsel for a major Malaysian property developer also praises the firm. “They are very good, competitive and easy to work with,” says the counsel. “They understand business needs and are creative in structuring deals. They are also fast and responsive, not sticky about the scope of works and billings.”

Zaid Ibrahim & Co’s banking & finance practice had a busy year, advising domestic and international financial institutions, insurers, hedge funds and corporates on syndicated financing, cross-border lending, restructuring, export credit financing and structured trade finance. Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission Malaysia maintain longstanding relationships with the firm for comprehensive regulatory support.

The firm’s infrastructure, energy & utilities team also advised regulators on Malaysia’s first utility-scale battery energy storage system agreements, and assisted developers on run-of-river and gas engine generator power plants.

Zaid Ibrahim additionally advised the Ministry of Economy on drafting of the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage Act establishing Malaysia’s first comprehensive legal framework for regulating related infrastructure and operations, a key pillar of the nation’s energy transition. The bill came into force in October 2025.

Zul Rafique & Partners has expanded to more than 100 lawyers in the past year while enhancing market engagement with the launch of The Brief podcast sharing legal insights and industry trends.

Notably, the labour & employment practice successfully defended Petronas in a fixed-term contract case clarifying that non-renewal of such contracts does not constitute dismissal – and employers retain discretion when operational needs no longer justify a role.

Tenaga Nasional was also successfully defended in a workplace violence case, affirming zero-tolerance to workplace safety threats and upholding dismissal of a senior human resources executive in a drug-related misconduct case, confirming that employers need not await final criminal outcomes before taking disciplinary action.

The firm is additionally active in Islamic finance, advising ALSREIT Capital on establishing a MYR3 billion sukuk wakalah programme, providing a flexible and sustainable funding platform to support investment and refinancing.

Zul Rafique also advised CIMB Investment Bank and Maybank Investment Bank on PNB Merdeka Ventures’ MYR6 billion Merdeka sukuk wakalah programme.

In response to Japanese corporations “pouring capital” into Malaysia’s semiconductor and data centre sectors, Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership (RDS Partnership) established a dedicated Japan desk in 2025, in collaboration with leading Japanese firm Anderson Mori & Tomotsune.

With 28 partners and 67 lawyers, the firm handles some of Malaysia’s most notable litigation cases, including representing leading palm oil producer SD Gutherie in a compulsory acquisition of 76.5 hectares of Carey Island by Tenaga Nasional, the region’s largest publicly listed power company. RDS secured additional compensation of MYR20.4 million representing 20% above the original award.

RDS also currently represents Menara KL and Hydroshoppe in a dispute over a 30-year concession agreement valued at MYR1 billion for the management of the KL Tower.

Nazli Saad Quote

Menara Kuala Lumpur CEO Nazli Saad, who is currently being advised by RDS on operation and managing contracts, says: “The work quality is superb, and Menara Kuala Lumpur is contiguously notified on the development on a regular basis. The explanation was straightforward and easy to understand for those of us with a non-legal background.”

Cheang & Ariff is recognised for its expertise in IP litigation, securing mandates from several leading global corporations including Japanese petrol dispense pump manufacturer Tatsuno in a trademark infringement and passing-off dispute against a Malaysian distributor.

Tatsuno proved its products had acquired goodwill and reputation, while the local distributor used signs that were identical or similar, misleading the public to believe their pumps were Tatsuno’s. The case is currently at the assessment of damages stage.

Cheang & Ariff is also acting for global logistics automation company Swisslog in a potential copyright infringement case involving its proprietary robotics and software technologies. This dispute underscores the increasing importance of IP protection in the high-tech sector, particularly in the automation and warehousing industry.

The firm advises domestic clients as well. In representation of Southern Cable, a leading cable and wire manufacturer, the firm is handling a trademark infringement and passing-off dispute against several local manufacturers. The trial concluded in January 2026, with a decision anticipated within the year.

WM Leong & Co secured this year’s Japan practice award through their strategic alliance with leading Japanese law firm Nishimura & Asahi, and navigating last year’s strategic entry into Malaysia by consumer credit services provider JACCS, a member of Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.

JACCS made its debut acquiring a 49% joint venture stake in CARSOME Capital, the financing arm of Malaysian online used car trading platform CARSOME Group. WM Leong assisted on all stages of the complex transaction from structuring and due diligence to negotiations as well as drafting the definitive agreements.

Another important mandate was Toyota Industries’ acquisition of an additional 23% of UMW Toyota Material Handling, the industrial equipment arm of conglomerate UMW Holdings.

As well as the initial acquisition in 2023, WM Leong had played a key role in this latest transaction, performing comprehensive due diligence on target companies, drafting and negotiating transaction documents, as well as advising on relevant Malaysian law matters.

Law firm awards

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG

  • ADNAN SUNDRA & LOW
  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • RAJA DARRYL & LOH
  • SKRINE

  • ADNAN SUNDRA & LOW
  • ALBAR & PARTNERS
  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • ZAID IBRAHIM & CO

  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • LEE HISHAMMUDDIN ALLEN & GLEDHILL
  • RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS
  • SKRINE

  • ADNAN SUNDRA & LOW
  • AZMI & ASSOCIATES
  • RICHARD WEE CHAMBERS
  • TENG SHENG & FATIMA

Law firm awards

ESG

  • ADNAN SUNDRA & LOW
  • AZMI & ASSOCIATES
  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • LEE HISHAMMUDDIN ALLEN & GLEDHILL

  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • HALIM HONG & QUEK
  • RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS
  • WONG & PARTNERS

  • ALBAR & PARTNERS
  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS
  • WONG & PARTNERS

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

  • AZIM TUNKU FARIK & WONG
  • RAJA DARRYL & LOH
  • SHOOK LIN & BOK
  • TS OON & PARTNERS

  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS
  • SKRINE
  • WONG & PARTNERS

  • AZMI & ASSOCIATES
  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS
  • WONG & PARTNERS

  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • LEE HISHAMMUDDIN ALLEN & GLEDHILL
  • RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS
  • WONG & PARTNERS

  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • JOSEPH & PARTNERS
  • SATIVALE MATHEW ARUN
  • TS OON & PARTNERS

  • ALBAR & PARTNERS
  • RAJA DARRYL & LOH
  • SHOOK LIN & BOK
  • ZAID IBRAHIM & CO

  • CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
  • LAW PARTNERSHIP
  • RAJA DARRYL & LOH
  • SKRINE


THE JUDGING PROCESS

THE JUDGING PROCESS

Winners of Asia Business Law Journal’s Malaysia Law Firm Awards 2026 were selected based 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 thousands of in-house counsel, lawyers at international law firms and other Malaysia-focused professionals to vote. At the same time, 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, played a supporting role in 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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