Malaysia Law Firm Awards

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

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alaysia’s significant growth of the past couple of years has seen businesses increasingly requiring the guidance of knowledgeable and skilled legal professionals.

The country’s economy is thriving. It expanded by 5.6% in the first quarter of 2023, according to the Ministry of Finance. This growth compares favourably with other countries in the region such as Indonesia (5%), China (4.5%) and Vietnam (3.3%).

Malaysia’s strong economic performance is partly due to spending cuts and a taxation system that targets the wealthy, with a budget that brought income tax cuts for middle earners and an expanded tax base for higher-income earners.

The country’s political landscape was eventful last year. A general election in November brought a newly formed, generally conservative coalition government to power. Many in Malaysia will be hoping for increased stability after the turbulence of three governments in the past three years.

In April, Malaysia and China concluded historic talks on the future of the two nations’ trade and signed a MYR170 billion (USD38.5 billion) commitment to the Malaysian economy. Projections by the World Bank indicate that Malaysia will move from being an upper middle-income country to a high-income country in 2024.

In this environment, it is critical for businesses to have reliable legal guidance. Asia Business Law Journal is proud to present the Malaysia Law Firm Awards 2023, recognising the country’s best legal professionals in the past 12 months.

We are pleased to identify four top-performing law firms, including the Law Firm of the Year. We also recognise a New Firm to Watch and four winners in 25 other categories, each of equal standing.

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG

Christopher & Lee Ong was founded in 2013 with the merger of three law firms: Kamilah & Chong, Lee Ong & Kandiah, and Christopher Lee & Co. The firm is a member of the Rajah & Tann Asia network that spans 10 Southeast Asian countries and beyond.

The firm has a strong focus on banking and finance, capital markets and commercial litigation. In April, it refreshed its leadership by appointing corporate lawyer Kuok Yew Chen as managing partner to succeed Yon See Ting, who had served in the role since 2019. Earlier, in January, the firm welcomed banking and finance lawyer Teo Siang Ly from Halim Hong & Quek (part of Andersen Global), to add her vast experience in advising financial institutions.

Several notable practitioners at Christopher & Lee Ong include the co-head of restructuring and insolvency, Chua See Hua, co-head of white-collar crime and investigations Shanti Geoffrey, and capital markets co-heads Annette Soh and Daphne Lam.

Recently, the firm advised Malaysia’s telecoms provider Digi on a proposed merger with its rival, Celcom Axiata (by acquiring 100% of Celcom from Axiata Group and issuing shares in Digi to Axiata), to create the largest mobile operator in Malaysia. The firm also assisted Thai energy powerhouse B.Grimm on its investment in reNIKOLA, Malaysia’s large-scale solar power plant operator.

“Christopher & Lee Ong presented reputable and experienced associates and partners during our engagement with them, whom we found to be very professional and with a solid legal background,” says Somasundram Ramasamy, the CEO at Gurun Power Generation in Kuala Lumpur.

“The firm provides us with legal advisory services on the legal and contractual implications, contract management and risk management faced by the company, including but not limited to dispute resolution and mitigation action assessment.”

Lim Han, director at marine transportation service provider Adamas Marine in Kuala Lumpur, has been relying on Christopher & Lee Ong’s partner Por Chuei Ying and her legal team for shipping finance and commercial law services for more than a decade.

“We thank them for their expertise, work ethic, professionalism and capacity to resolve issues directly and effectively,” says Lim. “Our relationship is founded on mutual respect, trust and confidence, and we hold it in high regard.”

BEST OVERALL

• CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
• RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS
• SHEARN DELAMORE & CO
• SKRINE

Leading Malaysian law firm Shearn Delamore & Co has served clients since 1905. It has an impressive reputation for handling significant projects including a restructure of the national airline and providing corporate and financial services to innovative industries like renewable energy.

The firm’s team of 100 lawyers and 300 support staff is led by managing partner Dhinesh Bhaskaran and is a member of regional legal network Drew Network Asia, which boasts the likes of Drew & Napier in Singapore, Makarim & Taira S in Indonesia and Martinez Vergara Gonzalez & Serrano in the Philippines.

Shearn Delamore & Co acted as Malaysian counsel to the International Finance Corporation on a loan of about USD150 million to leading Sri Lanka mobile phone operator Dialog Axiata, a subsidiary of Malaysian multinational Axiata Group.

Last year, Shearn Delamore & Co represented 170 offshore Labuan companies in more than 100 judicial review applications before the High Court of Labuan that challenged decisions by the Malaysia’s Director General of Inland Revenue and Minister of Finance.

“I have been particularly impressed by the legal assistants they have employed, who have given me sound advice, and I have faith not only in them but the senior ones, including partners, thereby giving me no reason to seek legal advice elsewhere,” says Chuan Hua Eng, director at property developer Loke Wan Yat Realty in Kuala Lumpur.

Since its inception in Kuala Lumpur in 2010 with 10 lawyers, Rahmat Lim & Partners has grown to more than 90 lawyers. As part of Singapore law firm Allen & Gledhill’s network, the firm is well-equipped to handle domestic and cross-border matters, and has worked on some of the most significant and complicated transactions.

Chairman and senior partner Lim Teong Sit and managing partner Azman bin Othman Luk are among the firm’s best-known lawyers.

Partner and acquisition finance specialist Syed Rashid bin Rahim Alsree led a team in advising a syndicate of financiers on a sharia-compliant term financing i-facility of MYR2 billion (USD433 million) for acquiring Malaysia’s largest cement manufacturer, Malayan Cement.

In the corporate and M&A fields, the firm acted for Philippine food and beverage company Universal Robina on its acquisition of Malaysia’s Munchy Food Industries from private equity firm CVC Capital Partners for MYR1.92 billion.

“Rahmat Lim & Partners gives us very professional advice and service,” says Ngui Chee Boon, a director at mould manufacturer Lam Wah Industry in Kuala Lumpur.

“The solicitors are very patient with us and explain the details in layman’s terms instead of legal jargon. Despite their busy work schedule, they still reply to our emails and WhatsApp messages 24/7.”

Skrine was established in 1963 by founding partner John Skrine with partners Stanley Peddie, Peter Mooney, William Donald Bewsher and Chin Yoong Chong. The firm is now co-headed by managing partners Khoo Guan Huat, Phua Pao Yii, Lim Koon Huan, and Ashok Kumar Mahadev Ranai.

The firm is aligned with Lex Mundi, a network of independent law firms spanning 160 jurisdictions. It is also one of the 30 independent law firms that make up the Pacific Rim Advisory Council.

The firm represented construction company Dhaya Maju LTAT in its judicial review and civil suit against the Malaysian government over the design, construction and upgrading of the Klang Valley Double Tracking Phase 2 rail rehabilitation project.

Skrine also served as the primary legal adviser for Malaysia’s Reach Energy during its debt capitalisation exercise with Hong Kong-based private company Super Racer. This involved issuing new ordinary shares that represented 48.5% of Reach Energy’s enlarged share capital in exchange for partially offsetting existing debt, making Super Racer a significant shareholder in Reach Energy.

NEW FIRM TO WATCH

• HSIAN & CO

Hsian & Co is a boutique corporate real estate and law firm established in 2021 by Hsian Siong Yong, a practitioner with expertise in transactions across Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific. Hsian is a specialist in corporate M&A and corporate real estate, catering to multinationals, funds, property owners, developers, hotels and asset users.

Before establishing his own firm, Hsian worked at Wong & Partners for more than 16 years on both domestic and cross-border transactions.

In the past 12 months, Hsian has focused on the corporate and M&A space, as there have been few recent major real estate transactions in the country. The firm has been active on private equity fund acquisitions, as well as on their sell-side transactions.

“Hsian is my go-to lawyer for Malaysian real estate matters and complex regional real estate projects,” says Eugene Lim, co-founder and principal at Singapore-based boutique tax firm Taxise Asia. “His advice is pragmatic, thorough, and to the point.”

Marco Low, group general counsel at storage facility provider StorHub Group in Singapore, agrees. “The sound advice and strong support from Hsian & Co were undoubtedly instrumental in the successful formation of our joint venture in Malaysia,” says Low.

ARBITRATION & ADR

• CECIL ABRAHAM & PARTNERS
• MING & PARTNERS
• SHEARN DELAMORE & CO
• SKRINE

Cecil Abraham & Partners was established in 2015 and specialises in domestic and international dispute resolution. Its senior partner, Cecil Abraham, is one of the most renowned arbitrators and litigators in the country with a track record in handling complex disputes.

The firm offers strategic and preventive advice or representation in court or commercial and investment treaty arbitration. The firm represented e-commerce platform Shopee Mobile in copyright infringement claims brought by two film production companies over films distributed on the platform.

Ming & Partners has been in operation since 2020, with a team of four experienced partners practising in dispute resolution, corporate, real estate and IP. Within this short time, the firm has quickly become a go-to for clients seeking expert legal advice.

Managing partner Keong Ming Wai specialises in corporate litigation, construction, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR), with support from partners Loo Hao Han, Pang Saw Pin and Lim Kuan.

Ming & Partners’ dispute resolution department is particularly notable, handling a wide range of commercial and corporate litigation and arbitration work. The firm is known for its ability to develop effective strategies for representing clients in courts and arbitral tribunals.

AVIATION

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

Azmi & Associates is a corporate law firm providing legal services since 2000, led by senior partner Dato’ Azmi Mohd Ali. The firm is renowned for handling diverse legal matters including M&A, aviation, transportation and logistics, and employment and labour.

With its extensive network of international alliances such as the TerraLex network and First Law International, Azmi & Associates has a global reach across 186 jurisdictions and more than 21,000 legal professionals.

In aviation matters, its corporate and M&A partner, Norhisham Abd Bahrin, has been advising airlines in joint ventures, restructurings, disputes and litigations, as well as assisting in ownership and financing arrangements of buying, leasing and selling cargo aircraft, and aviation regulatory compliance.

Established in 1964, Raja Darryl & Loh is a full-service law firm headed by managing partner Chew Phye Keat. The firm initially focused on conveyancing, banking and finance law, and has evolved to cover corporate, foreign investment, land, construction, medico-legal, banking, finance, receivership, insurance, IP, information and communications technology, and tax.

The aviation practice at Raja Darryl & Loh is led by corporate partner Chong Kok Seng and recently represented the creditors of AirAsia X in its proposed scheme of arrangement where a restructuring was completed last year.

BANKING & FINANCE

• ADNAN SUNDRA & LOW
• ALBAR & PARTNERS
• WONG & PARTNERS
• ZUL RAFIQUE & PARTNERS

Adnan Sundra & Low in Kuala Lumpur has more than four decades of history. Established as Mutalib Sundra & Low in 1975, the firm has operated under its current name since 1982.

Managing partner Deepak Sadasivan heads the firm with the support of more than 30 partners. Adnan Sundra & Low is known for its practical legal advice and customised solutions, which has earned the trust of local and international clients in all aspects of commercial law.

Having been on the panel of Malaysian banks and financial institutions, the firm has experience in advising financiers and borrowers on their operations. Recent deals include acting for CIMB Investment Bank on the MYR1 billion sukuk wakala Islamic bond issued by dairy company Farm Fresh.

Albar & Partners was started in 1981, when Syed Zaid Albar founded Albar & Co. Over the years, the firm has grown and attracted more partners, evolving into the leading law firm it is today.

Under managing partners Lily Tan Chea Li and Chung Swee Loong, Albar & Partners provides a comprehensive range of legal services including banking and finance, which encompasses corporate and syndicated lending, Islamic finance and sukuk issuances, asset finance and project finance.

The firm recently acted for Malaysia’s RHB Bank on a MYR450 million term loan facility granted to LG Petronas Chemicals Malaysia to finance the construction of a synthetic rubber plant.

Wong & Partners, a member firm of Baker & McKenzie International, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The firm now has more than 20 partners under managing partner Munir Abdul Aziz. Being a member of Baker McKenzie network brings a combination of local knowledge and global experience that sets the firm apart from others.

The firm assisted Bursa Malaysia in launching its Bursa Carbon Exchange, Malaysia’s first voluntary carbon exchange and the world’s first sharia-compliant voluntary carbon exchange. Last year, the firm worked together with Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow in Singapore in advising Sime Darby Property on its first close of a USD250 million inaugural sharia-compliant industrial development fund.

“I have had a very good experience with Wong & Partners on our Malaysian work, and their name consistently comes up as one of the top firms for work in the country,” says Catherine Liu, group general counsel at internet infrastructure developer Princeton Digital in Singapore.

Wendy Teo, deputy general counsel at Great Eastern Life Assurance in Singapore, agrees. “Wong & Partners has a very strong corporate M&A practice, with a high quality of work and service rendered to clients across a range of partners,” says Teo.

Zul Rafique & Partners was founded in Kuala Lumpur in 1999 by managing partner Zulkifly Rafique. The firm specialises in corporate law and focuses on bank lending and debt capital markets. It has experience in transactions like asset-backed securitisation, Islamic finance, debt restructuring, project finance, and domestic and offshore loan syndication.

Partner Loh Mei Mei is a highly respected practitioner in banking and finance. The firm represented Bursa Malaysia-listed Hong Leong Investment Bank in entering an asset-backed securitisation transaction through medium-term note issuance by Salvare Assets.

CAPITAL MARKETS

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

Zaid Ibrahim & Co has more than 130 lawyers. It was founded by prominent Malaysian lawyer Zaid Ibrahim in 1987. The firm is particularly well known for developing the ZICO Law network, a group of leading independent law firms across Southeast Asia after expanding its first overseas office in Singapore in 2003. Late last year, ZICO Law joined KPMG Law network, bringing Zaid Ibrahim & Co into the KPMG family.

Managing partner Gilbert Gan has helped carve the firm’s reputation as one of the go-to legal service providers for work in the capital market. The firm offers expert counsel on complex structures, securities, company law, licensing regimes and regulatory requirements on various equity capital market transactions and cross-border securities offerings.

COMPETITION & ANTITRUST

• CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
• RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS
• SKRINE
• SHEARN DELAMORE & CO

 

CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL

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

 

DATA COMPLIANCE & CYBER SECURITY

• ADNAN SUNDRA & LOW
• CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
• SKRINE
• TAY & PARTNERS

Tay & Partners is a full-service commercial law firm founded in 1989 by Tay Beng Chai. Since its inception, the firm has gained a solid reputation for its legal expertise and business-oriented approach.

The firm’s IP and technology practice group advises on personal data protection for multinational clients across a broad spectrum of industries, and was doing so even prior to Malaysia’s personal data protection law. The group also handles contentious matters involving patents, trademarks, copyright and industrial design infringement.

ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES

• CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
• RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS
• SHEARN DELAMORE & CO
• SKRINE

ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

• CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
• D&P LAW GROUP
• RICHARD WEE CHAMBERS
• SHIN ASSOCIATES

D&P Law Group (David & Paulian) was established in Kuala Lumpur in early 2020 and has worked with local and global talent and music enterprises, as well as other business clients.

Led by managing partner Shaun Paulian, D&P Law Group helped a Malaysian creative agency to partner with an international record label by preparing a collaboration, distribution, publishing and artist agreement. The firm also assisted a pop music production and song writing group in Malaysia with its venture into leading social media platforms.

Richard Wee Chambers is a boutique law firm founded by Richard Wee in 2019. It is a pioneer of legal services for electronic sports in Malaysia, having provided guidance to stakeholders at every level including players, teams, tournament organisers, government, and esports governing bodies and associations.

As the managing partner, Wee holds a certificate of legal practice and a certificate of sports arbitration, and has handled important esports-related initiatives in Malaysia, including the National Esports Blueprint by the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports in 2019. He has also advised several esports startups on governance, agreements and sports integrity, as well as helping esports players resolve contract disputes.

Shin Associates specialises in media and entertainment law, and has provided comprehensive legal and advisory services since its establishment in 2008. Managing partner Jessie Tan is experienced in IP, general commercial and corporate law, with a special focus on entertainment, arts and media industries.

The firm’s entertainment and media law practice provides a full range of core services to filmmakers, television and film production companies, electronic and gaming studios, theatre groups and performers. One of the firm’s clients, 153 Creators Club, has been advised on music publishing, production, and artist representation.

FINTECH

• CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
• LAW PARTNERSHIP
• LEE HISHAMMUDDIN ALLEN & GLEDHILL
• WONG & PARTNERS

In 2019, LAW Partnership was founded as a specialist boutique focusing on IP and technology. The firm has evolved and added more advisory services in corporate, commercial and M&A, dispute resolution and arbitration, employment and industrial relations.

Under the leadership of its co-founders, managing partner Brian Law and partner Suaran Singh Sidhu, the firm has grown considerably in the past two years.

With expertise in technology, media, and telecommunications, the firm is also active in advising fintech clients. Partner Raphael Tay is particularly experienced in advising fintech companies on structuring and legal documentation for compliance, as well as due diligence in proposed investments.

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill has provided bespoke legal representation since 2005. With more than 100 lawyers and the support of senior partners Thomas ML Lee, Lim Heng Seng, Datuk Aznam Mansor, Lambert Rasa-Ratnam, and Kumar Kanagasingam, the firm has become one of the largest law firms in Malaysia.

As a full-service law firm, Lee Hishamuddin Allen & Gledhill focuses on practice areas including dispute resolution, arbitration, financial services, Islamic finance, corporate and commercial disputes, employment and industrial relations, insolvency, insurance, IP, and technology, media and telecommunications.

One of its specialities is fintech, led by partner G Vijay Kumar, to advise clients on initial coin offerings, incorporation barriers, know-your-customer regulations, anti-money laundering liabilities, biometric security and marketing permission for fintech products. The firm is notable for advising the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation on its first fintech booster programme.

INFRASTRUCTURE & PROJECT FINANCE

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

 

INSOLVENCY & RESTRUCTURING

• LEE HISHAMMUDDIN ALLEN & GLEDHILL
• LIM CHEE WEE PARTNERSHIP
• RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS
• SHEARN DELAMORE & CO

Lim Chee Wee Partnership is a boutique firm focusing on commercial litigation and international arbitration. The firm started in 2020 with former Skrine partners Lim Chee Wee, Lee Shih and Kwan Will Sen.

Lim Chee Wee Partnership is well known for its work in commercial law disputes including contractual disputes, fraud investigation and recovery, restructuring and insolvency claims.

The managing partner, Lee Shih, is an expert in restructuring and insolvency. He has advised and acted in liquidations, schemes of arrangement, receiverships and corporate rescue matters, and has served as counsel for several cross-border restructurings involving more than MYR1 billion in debt. He is also active in corporate rescue mechanisms such as judicial management, and a council member of the Insolvency Practitioners Association of Malaysia.

INSURANCE & REINSURANCE

• ARIFF ROZHAN & CO
• AZIM TUNKU FARIK & WONG
• RAJA DARRYL & LOH
• SHEARN DELAMORE & CO

Ariff Rozhan & Co was initially focused on dispute resolution when it was established in 2015. The firm’s leadership – principal partners Ariff Rozhan, William Lim and Christopher Arun – boasts experience across a variety of sectors.

Although the partners’ forte is dispute resolution, Ariff Rozhan & Co also provides counsel on insurance and reinsurance, construction and forensic investigations. Recently, the firm represented Hong Kong-based Asia Insurance Company in defending a court action by Tune Insurance Malaysia over the role and impact of its claims administrator in a reinsurance contract.

Azim Tunku Farik & Wong was founded in 1985 as Azim Ong & Krishnan, and changed to its present name in 1999. The firm is well-known for its expertise in insurance, commercial and corporate advisory matters, and is regarded as one of the top law firms in the industry.

The insurance team at the firm is headed by Tunku Farik Bin Tunku Ismail, who has more than 30 years of experience in insurance and reinsurance, takaful and re-takaful (Islamic insurance and reinsurance), and dispute resolution. He has also handled international arbitration cases between insurers and reinsurers, and has appeared as lead counsel at Malaysia’s Court of Appeal and Federal Court levels.

IP ENFORCEMENT

• CHOOI & COMPANY
• LINDAWANG SU & BOO
• SHEARN DELAMORE & CO
• WONG JIN NEE & TEO

Chooi & Company has been around since 1962, and merged with Cheang & Ariff to form Chooi & Company + Cheang & Ariff in 2018. However, this collaboration ended in March this year and the firm disbanded into its two pre-merger firms.

The firm’s IP practice is well-known for its extensive expertise in litigation, encompassing patent infringement, patent invalidation and trademark infringement suits, alongside trademark prosecution work and IP advisory services. The firm’s IP practice group serves local and international clients and provides comprehensive advisory services on IP rights.

LindaWang Su & Boo is a law firm member of ZICO IP, the IP service of regional law firm ZICO. The law firm is led by partners Linda Wang, Su Siew Ling, and Ong Boo Seng.

Wang specialises in IP and technology law, and leads the regional IP practice, having extensive experience representing clients at all levels of the courts in Malaysia, including the apex Federal Court. Ong is an expert in IP disputes and has represented several IP owners in enforcing and protecting their rights.

Boutique IP law firm Wong Jin Nee & Teo was launched in 2005 by founding partners Wong Jin Nee and Teo Bong Kwang. The firm is known for its extensive experience and strength in contentious IP cases.

Wong focuses on non-contentious, commercial and transactional matters, advising clients on IP portfolio development and protection. Teo is an experienced counsel and litigator with a key focus on contentious IP matters.

Wong Jin Nee & Teo acted as counsel for Nippon Paint (Malaysia) in a trademark and copyright infringement passing-off suit before the high court. The firm has also handled clients such as PowerScan Company, Single Buoy Moorings, Universiti Malaya and Virbac.

IP PROTECTION

• CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
• SHOOK LIN & BOK
• WONG & PARTNERS
• WONG JIN NEE & TEO

Shook Lin & Bok is one of the oldest law firms in Malaysia, founded by Yong Shook Lin and Tan Teow Bok in 1918. It is a trusted adviser to banks, financial institutions, exchanges and other regulatory bodies, as well as listed and unlisted Asian corporations and multinationals.

Managing partner Michael Soo heads the IP and information technology departments. He is a past president of the Malaysia IP Association and is currently a vice president (international) and councillor of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association.

ISLAMIC FINANCE

• ADNAN SUNDRA & LOW
• AZMI & ASSOCIATES
• CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
• ZUL RAFIQUE & PARTNERS

 

LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT

• DONOVAN & HO
• LEE HISHAMMUDDIN ALLEN & GLEDHILL
• MAHWENGKWAI & ASSOCIATES
• SHEARN DELAMORE & CO

Donovan & Ho frequently advises on employment issues from company restructurings, apart from other labour and employment cases. The founders, partners Donovan Cheah and Shawn Ho, established the firm in 2014.

With a reputation in providing strategic employment advice to local and global organisations, Donovan & Ho has extensive experience in high-value matters such as covid-19 vaccination requirements for employees, termination and migration following business sales, harassment and unfair dismissal claims.

MahWengKwai & Associates was established in 1985 by Dato’ Mah Weng Kwai, who is now a consultant at the firm after his retirement as a court of appeal judge in 2015. As a founding member of the League of Lawyers, a growing international network of law firms in 20 Asian and European countries, MahWengKwai & Associates has built a strong reputation in the legal industry.

The firm is led by managing partner Raymond Mah, known for his expertise in civil and corporate litigation, and real estate and construction disputes. He is supported by six other partners.

In employment matters, MahWengKwai & Associates advises on complex multi-practice area cases, especially in contracts and policies, share option schemes, disciplinary procedures, performance improvement plans, medical boarding out and retirement, retrenchments, industrial court disputes, voluntary and mutual separation schemes, and whistleblowing.

LITIGATION

• LEE HISHAMMUDDIN ALLEN & GLEDHILL
• LIM CHEE WEE PARTNERSHIP
• ROSLI DAHLAN SARAVANA PARTNERSHIP
• SHEARN DELAMORE & CO

Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership was established by five founding partners in 2020 and specialises in tax and commercial disputes. With the addition of IP expert Bahari Yeow as a partner in late 2022, the firm now has robust IP and technology, media and telecoms practice.

The firm advised Tenaga Nasional Berhad, a Malaysian multinational electricity company, in a tax dispute against the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia amounting to MYR9 billion. It also advised Shell Malaysia Trading on tax-related disputes relating to transfer pricing.

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

• CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
• RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS
• SHEARN DELAMORE & CO
• WONG & PARTNERS

 

PRIVATE EQUITY & VENTURE CAPITAL

• CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
• HSIAN & CO
• JEFF LEONG POON & WONG
• RAHMAT LIM & PARTNERS

Jeff Leong Poon & Wong was founded in 1999 by senior partners Jeff Leong, Kenny Poon and James Wong Chee Chin, and is supported by six other partners.

The firm’s practice is particularly strong in equity capital markets. Leong and Poon are experienced in IPOs, rights issuances and listed-company work, while Wong focuses fundraising exercises like private debt securities issues and borrowings, and equity issues including IPOs, rights issues, private placements and venture capital participation.

REAL ESTATE

• HALIM HONG & QUEK
• HSIAN & CO
• MAHWENGKWAI & ASSOCIATES
• SHEARN DELAMORE & CO

Halim Hong & Quek was formed in 2000 by partners Abdul Halim bin Abdul Manaf, Hong Chin Heng and Quek Ngee Meng. The firm now boasts a team of more than 40 lawyers who offer clients a full suite of legal services.

In early 2023, the firm became a member of Andersen Global, an association of independent member-firms across 170 countries, giving access to more than 13,000 professionals.

The firm’s real estate team advises land developers and owners on conversions, amalgamations and subdivisions of land, as well as foreign investors and citizens on obtaining the requisite consent from authorities for acquisitions and perfecting purchase transactions. The firm also represents clients in sub-sale transactions for landed and non-landed properties.

SHIPPING & MARITIME

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

Joseph & Partners is a shipping and maritime law firm that has been serving clients worldwide for more than 25 years. The founder and principal partner, Jeremy Joseph, has led the team to provide expert counsel to shipowners and charterers, protection and indemnity clubs, banks, international agencies, shipyards, marine insurance underwriters, governments and brokers.

The firm’s lawyers understand the market and provide comprehensive legal services on shipping and maritime laws. The firm works closely with clients to assess the risk of vessel arrest and secure vessel release, and offers legal services on commercial matters such as insurance and property, including shipbuilding arbitration disputes under the Asian International Arbitration Centre rules.

Shipping law firm Sativale Mathew Arun was established in 1990, focusing on admiralty and shipping. Its diverse clientele includes protection and indemnity clubs and their members, shipowners, charterers, hull and cargo underwriters, and port operators.

Managing partner Raj Sativale is an expert in marine pollution, offshore oil and gas, marine insurance and commodity dispute arbitration. The other partners, Arun Krishnalingam and Mathew Kurien, are highly regarded shipping litigators in Malaysia, known for their ability to handle disputes.

Goush Marikan, managing partner at Goush Marikan Law Practice in Singapore, recommends the firm for being “very reliable and competent on shipping and admiralty-related matters”.

TS Oon & Partners is renowned for assisting international companies in their foreign direct investment endeavours. With more than 18 years of experience, the firm has established itself as a leading multi-practice legal service provider in Malaysia.

Managing partner Oon Thian Seng is well known for handling shipping disputes, while partner Tan Meiyen is recognised for her expertise in restructuring and insolvencies. The firm works closely with Singaporean law firm Oon & Bazul on inbound and outbound issues across and beyond the region.

TS Oon & Partners is considered to have the capabilities and expertise to handle a full range of shipping issues across the region. In one case, the firm was instructed to act for COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Dalian) and Dalian Developer Drilling in a dispute against Osta Fleet about the de-registration of a vessel.

STRUCTURED FINANCE & SECURITISATION

• ADNAN SUNDRA & LOW
• ALBAR & PARTNERS
• CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
• SHEARN DELAMORE & CO

 

TAXATION

• JASON TEOH & PARTNERS
• LEE HISHAMMUDDIN ALLEN & GLEDHILL
• RAJA DARRYL & LOH
• ROSLI DAHLAN SARAVANA PARTNERSHIP

Jason Teoh & Partners is a boutique law firm in Malaysia established in 2015, with a specialisation in corporate tax, sales and service tax, goods and services tax, real property gains tax, employment tax, stamp duty, customs duties and excise, anti-dumping and safeguards, and rates and assessments.

Founding partner Jason Teoh Choon Hui has represented foreign and local manufacturers, importers and exporters in trade remedy actions and acted as counsel to foreign exporters in investigations initiated in Malaysia.

TECHNOLOGY, MEDIA & TELECOMS

• CHRISTOPHER & LEE ONG
• RAJA DARRYL & LOH
• SKRINE
• WONG & PARTNERS

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