IFLR 1000 (2022)
Banking and finance - Tier 2
Capital markets : Debt - Tier 3
Capital markets : Equity - Tier 3
Mergers and acquisitions - Tier 2
Project development : Energy - Tier 1
Project development : Infrastructure - Tier 1
Leading Lawyers:
Christopher Lee (Market Leader) - Banking, Energy and infrastructure, M&A, Project finance
Jack Chor (Highly Regarded) - Banking, Project development
Lee Hock Chye (Notable Practitioner) - Banking, Real estate acquisitions
Lim Siaw Wan (Rising Star) - Project development
Shemane Chan (Highly Regarded) - Energy and infrastructure, Project Development
Founded in 2013, Christopher & Lee Ong is a member of the Rajah & Tann Asia network and is located in Kuala Lumpur. Key figures include partners Christopher Lee, Chor Jack, and Shemane Chan.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is known for its market-leading projects practice and has strong offerings in banking and finance, capital markets and corporate and M&A.
The banking team is experienced in advising on a range of financing transactions such as acquisition financing, project financing, and real estate financing and also takes on financial services regulatory work.
The corporate team advises a diverse array of clients including domestic and multinational companies, government-linked corporations, private equity clients, and SMEs from various sectors such as energy, retail, logistics, construction, manufacturing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology and telecommunications.
The firm has a track record of advising on landmark transactions in the projects space and is experienced in advising on matters including EPC contracts, power purchase agreements, OAM agreements, concession agreements and construction contracts.
Key clients
Key clients include BNP Paribas, HSBC, Hong Leong Healthcare, Maybank Investment, CIMB Investment Bank, Guoline Investments, SH Cogent Logistics, Johnson Control, and Air Liquide Malaysia.
Client feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)
Banking and finance
"The firm understand the requirements of the client well."
"The subject law firm is very responsive, good understanding of the bank's requirements, and precise and thorough in their work."
"Highest level of competence coupled with strategic and commercial-driven outcomes. A very hands-on law firm that ensures goals and objectives are met. Partner was able to drive the outcome based on common goals agreed upfront, hence making it the favoured partner with respect to cross-jurisdictional requirements."
M&A
"Professional, approachable and meticulous."
"Reactivity, professionalism, cost-conscious."
Project development
"1) Good communications skills - ability to properly convey their opinion, advise in writing and orally in a clear and concise manner. 2) Analytical skills - ability to analyse the requirements, arguments put forth by the counterparty and provide a proper response. 3) Responsiveness - able to provide response promptly in relation to the negotiation of the project documents in order to ensure that they can be concluded in time. 4) Knowledge, especially in relation to the requirements of the LSS programme in Malaysia - when dealing with the regulators, off-takers, local authorities, lenders."
"Gives prompt legal advice on regulatory frameworks, complex corporate structuring, highly recommended for his work on M&A, energy project development - PPA, EPC, etc. Fees are also reasonable."
"The team show excellent knowledge with flexible and fast reaction time on all requested levels. Always available, serious and extremely professional in targeting solutions for all involved parties."
"Affordable, fast responses and good local knowledge and application of the law. Commercial and legally sound advice."
"Dynamic, knowledgeable on the power sector, good value, available, and timely."
"Professional, responsive, and knowledgeable. "
"Ability to deliver challenging tasks with short notice yet in high quality and timely manner."
"The firm has showed outstanding understanding on the subject matter as well as its constant effective communication with the clients in providing thorough advisory."
"They worked perfectly assisting in every matter. All the project's needs were covered including the financial closing for the project finance of the solar plant."