Chambers Asia Pacific (2022)

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 (Band 3)
Deepak Pillai - Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) (Band 1)
Fiona Sequerah - Banking & Finance (Band 3)
Intan Haryati Mohd Zulkifli - Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) (Band 2)
Jack Chor - Banking & Finance (Up and Coming), Projects, Infrastructure & Energy (Up and Coming)
Kuok Yew Chen - Corporate/M&A (Band 4), Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) (Band 3)
Lee Hock Chye - Real Estate (Band 2)
Lim Hui Ming - Real Estate (Band 2)
Lim Siaw Wan - Projects, Infrastructure & Energy (Up and Coming)
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
Christopher & Lee Ong has an established and experienced legal team in Kuala Lumpur 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, real estate finance and refinancing. Often handles deals in the telecoms, construction and real estate sectors. Conversant in both conventional and Islamic finance.

Notable practitioners
Fiona Sequerah is a partner at Christopher & Lee Ong in Kuala Lumpur. She is experienced in advising financial institutions on conventional and Islamic DCM, debt restructuring, term loans and asset finance.

Jack Chor is a partner who especially advises clients on project financing deals in Malaysia, acting for both lenders and borrowers. A client comments that "he is very good and will help deal with minor things and big issues. His opinion and views are always good."

Competition & Antitrust

What the team is known for
Christopher & Lee Ong ably assists clients with competition regulatory investigations, as well as often advising on company collaborations in the Malaysian legal market. Also has experience advising on merger control in the aviation and telecoms sectors. Represents Malaysian and international conglomerates across sectors that include insurance, food and beverages, financial services and manufacturing.

Strengths
A client of Christopher & Lee Ong says: "I know the work they do will be top-quality and efficient."
"They take the time to understand the intricacies of the industry," appreciates another source.

Work highlights
Christopher & Lee Ong represented two insurance companies in relation to a Malaysia Competition Commission investigation into trade discounts on automotive parts and labour rates.

Notable practitioners
Yon See Ting is a highly regarded competition lawyer who frequently advises on MyCC investigations, as well as resale price maintenance, merger control and competition compliance. A client comments: "Her ability to build an understanding and grasp of client needs is a key strength."

Corporate/M&A

What the team is known for
Christopher & Lee Ong has a well-regarded team of corporate lawyers in Kuala Lumpur, advising clients on a broad range of transactional and regulatory issues in Malaysia. 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 and retail sectors. Maxis Broadband, Kenanga Investment Bank and Johnson Controls are examples of the team's clientele.

Work highlights
Christopher & Lee Ong advised Sun Energy Ventures on the disposal of its entire equity interest in project companies operating solar power plants with a 19 MW capacity.

Notable practitioners
Christopher Lee is a partner at Christopher & Lee Ong in Kuala Lumpur. He has particular expertise acting on acquisitions in the projects and infrastructure and healthcare spaces.

Yon See Ting is the managing partner at Christopher & Lee Ong in Kuala Lumpur. She has a robust practice advising conglomerates on joint ventures and M&A. An interviewee comments that "she is very sensible and a smooth operator. She is a pleasure to work with."

Kuok Yew Chen is a well-regarded partner at Christopher & Lee Ong in Malaysia, entering this year's rankings due to impressive recognition. A client finds him to be "so impressive" and someone who "really knows his stuff and explains things clearly. He comes across extremely well as a corporate lawyer."

Intellectual Property

What the team is known for
Christopher & Lee Ong advises on the full gamut of IP legal matters in Malaysia, from prosecution and litigation to advisory and enforcement. Its lawyers are often engaged on trade mark, patent and copyright infringement mandates. Assists multinational companies as well as domestic clients across sectors, including the aviation, technology, pharmaceutical, energy and retail industries. Able to leverage its affiliation with the Rajah & Tann regional network. Clients include AirAsia, Jyothy Laboratories and Powerscan.

Strengths
A client describes Christopher & Lee Ong as "versed in laws involving multiple jurisdictions, with the ability to engage well with foreign associates."

Work highlights
Christopher & Lee Ong acted for Powerscan on a patent infringement case made against it by Nuctech.

Notable practitioners
Ng Kim Poh has a broad practice for IP legal matters. He frequently represents clients in trade mark, copyright and patent litigation in Malaysia, as well as advising on IP registration.

Sri Sarguna Raj in Kuala Lumpur has a robust practice representing clients in trade mark and patent disputes and advising on prosecution. A client says: "He goes above and beyond by predicting our needs and offering value-added services for our consideration."

Projects, Infrastructure & Energy

What the team is known for
Christopher & Lee Ong has a leading projects legal team in Malaysia, 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. Counts Solarpack Spain and Hanwha Energy among its clientele.

Work highlights
Christopher & Lee Ong advised Canadian Solar Energy Malaysia on the PPA, EPC and O&M contracts for its proposed sale of a solar power plant.

Notable practitioners
Christopher Lee is a partner at Christopher & Lee Ong and is based in Kuala Lumpur. 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. A source attests that "Christopher Lee is certainly a leading lawyer."

Jack Chor is a partner based in Kuala Lumpur. He has an emerging reputation in Malaysia's projects market, with notable expertise in renewable energy regulatory issues and project development. A clients appreciates that "his practical approach and ability to understand the viewpoints of multiple stakeholders also ensures that we are not caught in deadlock situations for lengthy periods of time, and allows us to make decisions efficiently."

Lim Siaw Wan is a partner based in Kuala Lumpur. She has a growing legal practice and is noted by market commentators for her expertise in this space. She has particular strength in project development, including for transportation infrastructure and power mandates.

Real Estate

What the team is known for
Christopher & Lee Ong in Kuala Lumpur is a member law firm of Rajah & Tann Asia Network. It houses an impressive team of dedicated real estate practitioners, regularly handling high-value transactions. Advises on the acquisition and development of residential, hotel, office and industrial properties. Frequently acts for leading property developers, as well as corporate investors from the finance industry.

Strengths
A client remarks that "Christopher & Lee Ong always understands the urgency and short deadlines we face, and provides their advice promptly to efficiently meet these timelines."

Notable practitioners
Lee Hock Chye is a partner at Christopher & Lee Ong in Kuala Lumpur. He has a robust practice advising on the sale and purchase of land, leases and development, in relation to hotel and residential projects.

Lim Hui Ming is a partner based in Kuala Lumpur. Her work encompasses advising on tenancy negotiations and property transactions, involving a range of office and industrial properties. A client comments that "she is an exceptional and attentive lawyer who is very pragmatic and knows what she is doing."

Shipping

What the team is known for
Christopher & Lee Ong 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. Clients include Marine & General and WK Webster.

Strengths
A clients notes that Christopher & Lee Ong is "very responsive."

Work highlights
Christopher & Lee Ong acted for WK Webster, Global Marine Surveying and EG i-solution in litigation concerning a three-vessel collision.

Notable practitioners
Clive Navin Selvapandian is a partner at Christopher & Lee Ong in Malaysia. He has an active practice advising clients on a broad range of contentious shipping matters.

Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT)

What the team is known for
Christopher & Lee Ong houses a pre-eminent team of lawyers in Kuala Lumpur for TMT work. 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
A market source notes: "Christopher & Lee Ong has the largest TMT department in the country, and they have the expertise."

An interviewee comments: "They understand our needs and try their level best to safeguard their clients."

Work highlights
Christopher & Lee Ong advised a Malaysian universal bank on the adoption of electronic and digital signatures.

Notable practitioners
Deepak Pillai is a pre-eminent lawyer for technology matters in Malaysia, with strong expertise in data protection and cybersecurity matters. A client praises him for "always being precise, meticulous and conscientious."

Intan Haryati Mohd Zulkifli has a robust practice in the TMT space in Malaysia, with particular strength in data regulatory and cloud matters. She frequently advises clients on IT outsourcing contracts. A client attests: "We are truly happy working with her. She is very knowledgeable and well experienced."

Kuok Yew Chen has a strong TMT practice and is particularly active on regulatory matters for telecommunications clients in the Malaysian market. He is also noted for his expertise in the technology space.