Chambers Asia Pacific (2023)

Banking & Finance - Band 2
Competition/Antitrust – Leading Firms
Corporate/M&A - Band 2
Dispute Resolution -  Band 5
Intellectual Property - Band 3
Projects, Infrastructure & Energy - Band 1
Real Estate - Band 1
Shipping - Band 2
Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) - Band 1

 

Ranked Lawyers:

Christopher Lee – Projects, Infrastructure & Energy (Band 1)
Clive Navin Selvapandian – Shipping (Band 2)
Deepak Pillai – TMT (Band 1)
Fiona Sequerah - Banking & Finance (Band 4)
Intan Haryati Mohd Zulkifli – TMT (Band 2)
Jack Chor – Banking & Finance (Band 4), Projects, Infrastructure & Energy (Band 3)
Kuok Yew Chen – TMT (Band 2), Corporate/ M&A  (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)
Mathew John – Dispute Resolution (Band 5)
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. The team often advises energy companies on project financing, while also handling syndicated loans, real estate finance and refinancing. The firm handles deals in the energy, hospitality and construction sectors and is conversant in both conventional and Islamic finance.

Notable practitioners

Jack Chor is a partner who especially advises clients on project financing deals in Malaysia, acting for both lenders and borrowers. He is active in cross-border financing involving power projects and industrial facilities.

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.

 

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. It also has experience advising on merger control in the aviation and telecoms sectors. The firm represents Malaysian and international conglomerates across sectors that include insurance, food and beverages, financial services and manufacturing. Prudential Assurance is a notable client.

Strengths

“The team is able to provide commercially sound advice and adhere to the timeline provided. It has sufficient ability to deal with matters which are urgent.”

“The firm has good insights and commercial sense.”

Work highlights

Christopher & Lee Ong assisted SIAEC with a merger notification in relation to its proposed acquisition of 49% of the issued and paid-up share capital of Pos Aviation Engineering Services.

Notable practitioners

Yon See Ting is a highly regarded competition lawyer who frequently advises on Malaysia Competition Commission investigations, as well as resale price maintenance, merger control and competition compliance.

 

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. The firm acts for domestic and international clients on public and private M&A, private equity deals and corporate restructuring, including cross-border transactions, for which it leverages its regional network. The team is especially active in the healthcare, manufacturing, technology and retail sectors. Starlight Asset, Esteel Enterprise and Edenor Technology are examples of the team’s clientele.

Strengths

“Christopher & Lee Ong have set a high standard in terms of quality of work and commitment to deliver within deadlines. They are always ready to assist in carrying out further due diligence investigation whenever necessary.”

“The team is strong and knowledgeable.”

Work highlights

Christopher & Lee Ong acted forDigi.com on its merger with Celcom Axiata.

Notable practitioners

Kuok Yew Chen is a well-regarded partner at Christopher & Lee Ong in Malaysia who receives impressive market recognition. He is experienced in handling large cross-border mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, particularly in the telecoms sector.

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.

 

Dispute Resolution

What the team is known for Christopher & Lee Ong houses a well-known disputes outfit, who are skilled at taking on commercial litigations and arbitrations. The team holds expertise on construction mandates, and also takes on contentious labour and employment mandates. Its affiliation with the regional firm Rajah & Tann enables the firm to engage in complex cross-border international disputes as well. The law firm’s clients include Malaysian Institute of Accountants, Malayan Banking and CIMB Bank.

Strengths

“The lawyers are well versed in customary practices regarding guarantee agreements and actively engage in other related matters to assist the client in a holistic manner.”

“The team is efficient with a short turnaround time. It provides practical advice taking into account the current challenges and commercial considerations. The lawyers understand the business requirements and encourage cost saving.”

Work highlights

Christopher & Lee Ong defended FGV Prodata Systems against a claim of approximately MYR171 million made by VDSL Technology alleging breach of contract.

Notable practitioners

John Mat hew is a well-known commercial litigator who frequently acts on projects and banking disputes. He defends clients in disciplinary proceedings and breach of contract mandates.

 

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. The lawyers are often engaged on trade mark, patent and copyright infringement mandates. The team assists multinational companies as well as domestic clients across sectors, including the aviation, TMT, pharmaceutical, energy and retail industries. The firm is able to leverage its affiliation with the Rajah & Tann regional network.

Strengths

“Christopher & Lee Ong always walk extra miles to give us the best services, and they will contact us immediately if they encounter any issues. They are one of the best firms we have ever worked closely with.”

“The team pays attention to details and advises us with multiple options and approaches on handling the cases.”

Work highlights

Christopher & Lee Ong acted for Kao on a brand licensing and ambassadorship deal involving artist Farhanna Qismina Supandi.

Notable practitioners

Sri Sarguna Raj in Kuala Lumpur has a robust practice representing clients in trade mark, copyright and patent disputes and advising on prosecution and franchising matters.

 

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. The team is able to advise on both project finance and development, frequently acting on renewable energy projects, including hydro and solar energy, as well as infrastructure projects. Additionally, the group is well placed to assist clients with construction and O&M agreements. The firm represents both Malaysian and international clients in the energy and infrastructure sectors, and counts Arcadia Energy and Tadau Energy among its clientele.

Strengths

“Christopher & Lee Ong are among the leaders in the market, building up their strength in oil and gas. They provide us with strong support and are able to producethe deliverables within the timeline.”

Work highlights

Christopher & Lee Ong advised Tadau Energy on a bid to develop a floating solar plant farm with a generating capacity of 50 MW in Batang Ai Reservoir, Sarawak.

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.

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.

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 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. The team advises on the acquisition and development of residential, hotel, retail, office and industrial properties. It frequently acts for leading property developers, as well as corporate investors from the finance industry. Tadau Energy, Hamilton Sundstrand Customer Support Centre and Damansara are some its notable clients.

Strengths

“The team is resourceful in handling complex matters.It is highly professional and always responds in a swift manner.”

“The firm is responsive, very detail-oriented and thorough. The lawyers are polite and always so pleasant to deal with.”

Work highlights

Christopher & Lee Ong assistedArcadia Energy with its purchase of three plots ofland with a biomass facility.

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.

 

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. The team frequently represents clients in litigation and arbitration proceedings, as well as handling ship arrests. The team handles a range of collision, charter party and cargo cases. The firm is also active on ship finance matters, including advising clients on restructuring and refinancing. The practice often acts for clients in the offshore energy and insurances paces, as well as ship owners and banks.

Strengths

“Christopher & Lee Ong are very accommodative and responsive towards any enquiries. Their industry knowledge is commendable, and due to that they are able to provide a practical approach to issues.”

“The correct balance between partner and associate input is applied, and the requisite knowledge and competency is clearly evident on the file.”

Work highlights

Christopher & Lee Ong advised Bintang Samudera and Miclyn Express on various proceedings against Sapura entities in an effort to recover sums of money owed.

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. It is regularly instructed by leading international corporates, as well as domestic industry associations and mobile operators. The firm advises on a diverse range of matters, including data protection, cybersecurity, blockchain, fintech and IT contracts. It additionally has expertise in regulatory issues in the media space. The team advises a range of clients from such sectors as banking, telecommunications and insurance and leverages the Rajah& Tann regional network to advise on cross-border issues.

Strengths

“Christopher & Lee Ong has been able to advise on both novel and complex matters and is able to clearly explain the issues.”

“The team is very familiar with our requirements and has a strong network in the field.”

Work highlights

Christopher & Lee Ong advised a big data and AI software development company on potential restrictions that could impact its use of web-crawler tools from the perspective of personal data protection law and other regulations.

Notable practitioners

Deepak Pillai is a pre-eminent lawyer for technology matters in Malaysia, with strong expertise in data protection and cybersecurity matters. He is also skilled at navigating clients around IT contracts and fintech regulations.

Intan HaryatiMohd 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.

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.