Indonesia’s Future Legal Leaders 2022

Asia Business Law Journal identifies 50 up-and-coming lawyers in Indonesia who are poised for further success. Lim Miran and Linda Silaen report

ACCESS THE LIST

As the country weathers the pandemic, Indonesia’s legal industry faces formidable challenges with an ever-changing landscape, providing opportunities for young lawyers to demonstrate their stewardship in uncertain times. Asia Business Law Journal seeks to recognise the accomplishments and achievements of Indonesia’s future legal leaders.

Indonesia has managed to recuperate from an economic downturn caused by the pandemic by tapping into its biggest resource of 60 million young and productive people. According to a 2021 report by the UN Development Programme titled “Impact of Covid-19 on Youth Entrepreneurs”, 84% of young entrepreneurs in Indonesia chose to stay connected with their network to support each other during the pandemic.

Such strength is also reflected in the legal industry, with young and aspiring lawyers taking pride in being at the forefront of changes and striving for progress. Comments submitted to Asia Business Law Journal by their clients suggest that Indonesia’s young lawyers continue to maintain and improve their work quality – and are increasingly responsive in providing the best services.

Our future legal leaders are made up of 50 young and dynamic lawyers who have attracted the attention of clients, employers and partners for their dedication to the profession. Their composure and adaptability in tackling obstacles have further proved their talent, making them potential leaders of the Indonesian legal profession in years to come.

All of the selected lawyers are located in the country’s capital, Jakarta, where government, businesses and thinktanks intermingle, giving them first-hand experience facing key difficulties and offering answers that made them their clients’ first option.

This article highlights some of the achievements of these future legal leaders with testimonies from clients and peers who nominated them for the honour.

---

Indonesia’s top 100 lawyers 2022 Asia Business Law Journal unveils its top performers of the country’s legal profession

---

Running their own race

Many Indonesian young lawyers are eager to make a difference and achieve early career success by running their own firms, or joining a new firm as a leader.

Martin Patrick Nagel, founding partner and managing partner of FKNK Law Firm, has impressed Bambang Wijayanto, head of the legal division at Bank Digital BCA in Jakarta.

“Martin is highly recommended to be nominated as Indonesia’s future legal leader,” says Wijayanto. “He is still young but has a lot of experience with many large bankruptcy cases and debt restructuring of large debtors.”

Nagel was also recommended by Nobel November Hasibuan, head of legal and compliance at fintech company Berdayakan Usaha Indonesia in Jakarta. “He provides significant support to the development of Indonesian corporate law matters by covering the broad range of corporate and projects,” says Hasibuan.

Evelyn Herawaty Sitorus, litigation manager at hospitality company Patra Jasa in Jakarta, describes Nagel as a “highly dedicated lawyer who has extraordinary ideas. He has a good way of communication, always optimistic, and is very good at making legal documents.”

Syafrullah Hamdi, the managing partner at Batavia Advocatorum, is recommended by Dio Rinaldi, legal counsel at food production company EnerGaia in Jakarta, for being excellent and diligent during their past two years of working together.

“Hamdi is a brilliant and go-getter lawyer,” says Rinaldi. “He has been endlessly assisting us in challenging corporate actions and always providing solutions and alternatives.”

Another satisfied client, Handri Amauri, director of operations at shipping company Swapraja Sakti Mandiri in Jakarta, compliments Hamdi for his agility. “My experiences with Hamdi were stupendous,” says Amauri. “He understands his client, is very insightful, and is an expert in his field – truly a professional and a marvellous individual.”

Pow Tuck Weng, head of corporate finance at Kuala Lumpur-based investment holding company Maxim Global, describes Hamdi’s colleague, Batavia partner Towy Aryanosa, as “responsive, and with good legal knowledge and skills”.

Gita Annisa, legal head at light fixture manufacturer Signify Commercial Indonesia in Jakarta, agrees. “Aryanosa has extensive legal experience and knowledge,” says Annisa. “He gives the best performance and all his time when assisting us.”

Knowledgeable advisers

The need to keep business in line with Indonesia’s evolving laws and regulations has clients commending young lawyers for providing outstanding services in this area.

Intan Paramita, a partner at Assegaf Hamzah & Partners, is commended for her knowledge and work ethic by Ignatius Tirto Judokusumo, vice president of corporate finance at courier service company SiCepat Ekspres in Jakarta.

“Paramita has a can-do attitude, is well connected, and has a vast experience with the capital market rules in Indonesia,” says Judokusumo. “We were greatly helped by her contribution to our corporate action. These skills have enabled her to make an immediate positive impact as our counsel.”

Anggraini Dewi, head of legal at Grab Indonesia in Jakarta, nominates Dion Alfadya, a partner at Oentoeng Suria & Partners. “He has the ability to solve complex legal issues and draft complex legal documents, and is very practical in finding solutions,” says Dewi.

Abimata Putra, a partner at Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung, is applauded by Chew Lee Sian, legal counsel at insurance and reinsurance provider Swiss Re Asia in Singapore, for being “extremely responsive, reliable and in-tune with client queries”.

“He is especially knowledgeable in licensing and regulatory issues relating to financial institutions,” says Chew. “Where there may be uncertainty with the issue or the interpretation of the law or regulation, he will go the extra mile to identify a possible risk-based solution, or an alternative perspective for reassessing the issue.”

Ima Elina Siahaan, head of corporate legal counsel at Adaro Energy in Jakarta, praises Raisa Rinaldi, a partner at Hendra Soenardi, for delivering “quick responses in providing solutions as a lawyer”.

Miarni Ang, legal director at real estate developer Agung Podomoro Land in Jakarta, agrees. “Rinaldi always tries his best effort to protect the client’s interest,” says Ang. “As a new partner, he is very humble.”

Ang also recommends Angela Epiphani, a senior associate at Makes & Partners. “Angela is very good in following up on all matters and always tries to seek a solution.”

Daniel Pandapotan, assistant vice president of advisory and portfolio management at management investment company Danareksa in Jakarta, compliments Teguh Arwiko, a partner at Widyawan & Partners. “Arwiko is an open-handed lawyer and creates acceptable legal services,” he says.

Dedicated and extraordinary ideas

Exceptional performances have led clients to commend several young lawyers who provided excellent dedicated services along with new and innovative ideas.

Andhitta Audria Putri, a senior associate at Nusantara Legal Partnership, is commended as an excellent young legal practitioner by Ravi Singhania, managing partner at Indian law firm Singhania & Partners in New Dehli.

“Her experience and knowledge of Indonesia’s legal environment exceed those in her cohort,” says Singhania. “She offers practical solutions and generally gets things done, despite the many complications in Indonesia’s legal environment.”

Another client, Lam Zhen Guang, an associate at Clyde & Co in Singapore, also praises Putri for being “responsive and meticulous in her advice. She also possesses strong commercial acumen in her interactions with us, which is hugely appreciated,” says Lam.

Maurian Dermawan, head of legal at courier service company SiCepat Ekspres, nominates Nike Astria Malik, a senior associate at Dentons HPRP. “For us, Astria is a future legal leader,” says Dermawan. “She has been helping us in many various transactions since 2018 and represents many companies and startup companies.”

Aldilla Stephanie Suwana, an associate at SSEK Legal Consultants, is commended for being knowledgeable and dependable by Anton Suwandi, director at Jakarta-based real estate developer Citanusa Group.

“Suwana is a great help to our company with the combination of her legal expertise and strategic thinking,” says Suwandi. “She is not only knowledgeable but also dependable.”

Head of legal Asia Pacific at Fortune 500 real estate company in Singapore, who prefers to remain anonymous, recommends Mahareksha Singh Dillon, an associate at SSEK Legal Consultants, for his knowledge and approach.

“Dillon is an incredibly calm and self-assured lawyer who excels at communicating with lawyers and providing advice that is relatable and actionable,” he says.

METHODOLOGY