Chambers Asia Pacific (2021)
Banking & Finance - Band 3
Competition/Antitrust - Spotlight
Corporate/M&A - Band 2
Intellectual Property - Band 4
Projects, Infrastructure & Energy - Band 1
Real Estate - Band 1
Shipping - Band 2
Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) - Band 1
Ranked Lawyers:
Christopher Lee - Corporate/M&A (Band 2), Projects, Infrastructure & Energy (Band 1)
Clive Navin Selvapandian - Shipping (Up and Coming)
Deepak Pillai - Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) (Band 1)
Fiona Sequerah - Banking & Finance (Band 3)
Intan Haryati Mohd Zulkifli - Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) (Band 3)
Jack Chor - Projects, Infrastructure & Energy (Up and Coming)
Lee Hock Chye - Real Estate (Band 2)
Lim Hui Ming - Real Estate (Band 2)
Ng Kim Poh - Intellectual Property (Band 3)
Sri Sarguna Raj - Intellectual Property (Band 3)
Yon See Ting - Competition/Antitrust (Band 2), Corporate/M&A (Band 4)
Banking & Finance
What the team is known for
Established and experienced team handling a comprehensive range of finance matters, on behalf of both Malaysian and international banks. Often advises energy companies on project financing, while also handling syndicated loans, acquisition and asset finance, and restructuring. Often handles deals in the healthcare, aviation and real estate sectors. Conversant in both conventional and Islamic finance, with additional expertise regarding DCM.
Work highlights
Acted for BNP Paribas and a syndicate of other financial institutions on a USD10.4 billion loan to Pengerang Refining and Pengerang Petrochemical, towards the development of a petrochemical and refinery complex in Johor.
Notable practitioners
Fiona Sequerah is experienced in advising financial institutions on conventional and Islamic DCM, debt restructuring and asset finance. She is particularly well placed to handle matters in the aviation sector.
Competition & Antitrust
What the team is known for
Regional firm, assisting clients with competition regulatory investigations, including dawn raids, as well as often advising on company collaborations. Also has experience advising on merger control in the aviation sector. Represents Malaysian and international conglomerates across sectors that include food and beverages, financial services and energy.
Strengths
A client notes that the firm "provides relevant advice and resolves issues."
Work highlights
Advised SIA Engineering Company on the merger control aspects of its proposed acquisition of 49% of the issued and paid-up share capital of POS Aviation Engineering from POS Aviation.
Notable practitioners
Yon See Ting is a highly regarded competition lawyer who frequently advises on MyCC investigations, as well as resale price maintenance and competition compliance. She has experience of advising on merger control in the aviation space.
Corporate/M&A
What the team is known for
Well-regarded corporate team, advising on a broad range of transactional and regulatory issues. Acts for domestic and international clients on M&A, private equity deals and corporate restructuring, including cross-border transactions, for which it leverages its regional network. Especially active in the healthcare, manufacturing, technology, consumer goods and retail sectors.
Strengths
One client notes that the team has "strong experience and the ability to bridge legal and commercial requirements."
Another interviewee reports that "they are very responsive, practical and user-friendly in their advice. They are able to meet the expectations of international clients."
Work highlights
Acted for Guoline Investments, a subsidiary of Hong Leong Group, on a USD1.2 billion joint bid to purchase Columbia Asia Hospitals, comprising 17 hospitals and one clinic across Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Notable practitioners
Christopher Lee is described by a client as "very knowledgeable in his areas of expertise." A highly regarded corporate lawyer, he has particular expertise acting on acquisitions in the projects and infrastructure and healthcare spaces.
Yon See Ting has a robust practice advising conglomerates on joint ventures and M&A. A client notes: "She is excellent, offering sound legal advice along with valuable commercial insights. Her in-depth experience in M&A transactions and all-round knowledge of business and Malaysian economic and political factors helps us to navigate complex matters."
Intellectual Property
What the team is known for
Advises on the full gamut of IP work, from prosecution and litigation to advisory and enforcement. Often engaged on trade mark, patent, design and copyright infringement mandates. Assists multinational companies as well as domestic clients across sectors, including the aviation, technology and retail industries. Able to leverage its affiliation with the Rajah & Tann regional network.
Strengths
One interviewee notes that the team "offers a wealth of experience in Malaysia's IP and business laws. They can accommodate clients with legal solutions that work, to get real business results."
A source praises them for "offering excellent service with capabilities across the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious IP matters."
Work highlights
Represented four individual patentees in a patent infringement case relating to the design of a ready-to-wear headscarf.
Notable practitioners
An interviewee says that Ng Kim Poh is "hands-on and deeply involved, which gives us great comfort; he impresses with his business-savviness and sharp team-building skills." He has a broad practice, frequently representing clients in trade mark and patent litigation, as well as advising on IP registration.
Sri Sarguna Raj has a robust practice representing clients in trade mark and patent disputes and advising on prosecution. A source describes him as "very dedicated with our matters, providing brilliant solutions to the issues at hand."
Projects, Infrastructure & Energy
What the team is known for
Leading projects team, known in the market for its extensive regional expertise in power and infrastructure. Able to advise on both project finance and development, it frequently acts on renewable energy projects, including waste and solar energy, as well as infrastructure projects. Additionally well placed to assist clients with construction and O&M agreements. Represents both Malaysian and international clients in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
Strengths
One client says: "Their experience is their most powerful strength and they give us an answer in a timely manner."
Another interviewee appreciates their "flexibility, speed, knowledge and solution focus."
Work highlights
Advised Ecotech Tra Vinh Renewables, as the sponsor and project company, on the financing and development of a 78 MW wind power project in Tra Vinh Province, Vietnam.
Notable practitioners
Christopher Lee is "one of the foremost lawyers for infrastructure work," according to a source. A pre-eminent lawyer in this space, he advises on the financing, construction and development of projects in a range of sectors, including renewable energy and infrastructure.
Jack Chor has an emerging reputation in Malaysia's projects market, with notable expertise in renewable energy regulatory issues and project development. One client values "his ability to devise creative solutions to legal issues quickly, and his flexibility and responsiveness."
Real Estate
What the team is known for
Houses an impressive team of dedicated real estate practitioners, regularly handling high-value transactions. Advises on the acquisition and development of residential, retail, office and industrial properties. Frequently acts for leading property developers, as well as corporate investors from a range of industries, including oil and gas and finance.
Strengths
An interviewee observes that "they are very experienced in conveyancing matters. They are attentive and provide sound advice to protect our interests."
A source praises the firm's "further resources and extended field of operations made possible by its association with the widely spread Rajah & Tann network."
Notable practitioners
Lee Hock Chye has a robust practice advising on the sale and purchase of land, leases and development, in relation to industrial, hotel and residential projects. A source praises him for being "very careful and concise in his explanations. He is very quick in his summarising."
Lim Hui Ming "provides a service that is truly tailored to meet the client's particular needs, which inspires a great deal of confidence," reports an interviewee. Her work encompasses advising on tenancy negotiations and property transactions, involving a range of office, retail and industrial properties.
Shipping
What the team is known for
Offers significant cross-border capability owing to its membership of the Rajah & Tann Asia network. Frequently represents clients in litigation and arbitration proceedings, as well as handling ship arrests. Handles a range of collision, charter party and cargo cases. Also active on ship finance matters, including advising clients on restructuring and refinancing. Often acts for clients in the offshore energy and insurance spaces, as well as ship owners and banks.
Strengths
One client notes that "the firm has good administrative support and a large global network, so they are able to work collaboratively with their counterparts in other countries."
Another source says that "the team is comprised of a group of hard-working and vibrant talents who are always ready to assist us anytime. Also, the firm is responsive."
Work highlights
Acted for Marine & General and Jasa Merin on a dispute relating to a vessel bought while under arrest.
Notable practitioners
Clive Navin Selvapandian has an active practice advising clients on a broad range of contentious shipping matters. According to a client, he "listens well to what we say and is helpful in diagnosing causes of problems faced, helping to solve them amicably."
Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT)
What the team is known for
Pre-eminent TMT group in Malaysia, regularly instructed by leading international corporates, as well as domestic industry associations and mobile operators. Advises on a diverse range of matters, including data protection, cybersecurity, blockchain, fintech and IT contracts. Additionally has expertise in regulatory issues in the media space. Advises a range of clients from such sectors as banking, telecommunications and insurance. Leverages the Rajah & Tann regional network to advise on cross-border issues.
Strengths
An interviewee reports that the firm is"well established and provides an array of legal services. It offers sound and practical legal advice and the partners are easily accessible."
One source notes that "the firm has an excellent team practising in data privacy matters."
Work highlights
Advised a Malaysian reinsurer on the review and negotiation of an agreement for the provision of cloud services, structured under an Infrastructure as a Service arrangement.
Notable practitioners
Deepak Pillai is pre-eminent figure in the technology space, particularly in data protection and cybersecurity matters. A source says that "he has excellent legal skills and takes client care seriously."
Intan Haryati Mohd Zulkifli has a robust practice in the TMT space, with particular strength in data regulatory and cloud matters. She frequently advises clients on IT outsourcing contracts.