The Legal 500

Kadir, Andri & Partners has strong connections to several leading domestic corporates and routinely acts on top-end matters. Practice head E Sreesanthan advised Khazanah Nasional’s subsidiary on its takeover of leading Asian hospitals operator Parkway Holdings. Samuel Hong Soo Choon acted for the special purpose vehicles of a high-profile Malaysian businessman on various privatisations, including that of pay-TV network Astro All Asia Networks, and on the $1.5bn takeover of utilities and gaming company Tanjong. Adrian Chair Yong Huang focuses on projects-related deals. The firm recently recruited Lynette Yeow from Zaid Ibrahim & Co.

Shearn Delamore & Co’s reputation lies in its experience of cross-border mandates and a varied client base of international and domestic entities such as Texas Instruments, Khazanah Nasional, Malaysian Resources Corporation, and GS Paper and Packaging. Its M&A activities include recently acting for Japanese companies Oji Asia and Taisho Pharmaceuticals on inbound investments. Practice head Grace Yeoh handled Bonia Corporation’s acquisition of shares in Singaporean retailer Jeco. Ng Swee Kee acted as local counsel to multinationals on acquisitions and disposals.

Zaid Ibrahim & Co utilises its strength in the financial sector to advise a number of investment banks as well as foreign companies and government-linked companies (GLCs). Corporate finance specialists Gilbert Gan and Sharon Wong advised CIMB Group on increasing its shareholding in a major Indonesian banking group, CIMB Niaga. The practice hired Tan Wooi Hong, from Jeff Leong, Poon and & Wong, which somewhat balanced the losses of Wan Kai Chee to Rahmat Lim and Partners and Lynette Yeow to Kadir, Andri & Partners.

Shook Lin & Bok has a strong reputation for domestic and cross-border M&A, and is adept at corporate work more broadly. Recent highlights include advising Hong Leong Bank on its non-life insurance group merger with Japan-based Mitsui Sumitomo – worth around $480m, this deal was one of the largest M&A transactions in Malaysia during 2010. It also advised Genting Malaysia on a £340m acquisition of UK-based casino businesses. Clients include international groups such as private equity firm Southern Capital Group and the chemicals company Brenntag. Patricia David Saini and Kelvin Loh Hsien Han are recommended.

Skrine’s knowledgeable team acts for a range of international and local clients in the financial and industrial sectors. Recently it has been busy on mandates in the insurance sector, establishing joint ventures in the Islamic takaful market, including that of American International Assurance with Alliance Bank Malaysia. It also advised Fairfax Asia on its acquisition of Pacific Insurance. Practice head Theresa Chong has experience in establishing companies and joint ventures with cross-border elements. Cheng Kee Check and Janet Looi are also recommended.

Wong & Partners handles plenty of inbound and outbound cross-border work through its association with Baker & McKenzie, acting for international clients such as Goldman Sachs as well as a growing local client base, which includes Jerneh Insurance. Corporate and commercial head Brian Chia recently represented several Japanese companies, including advising Mitsui Sumitomo on its insurance business merger with Hong Leong Assurance, while Andre Gan acted on acquisitions and disposals for clients such as SK Telecom and Sompo Japan. Munir Aziz handles private equity deals and recently represented government agency FELDA on land acquisitions.

Zul Rafique & Partners’ Jerry Ong is recommended for his experience and practical approach to M&A, and Au Wei Lien is well regarded for her general corporate expertise. Zulkifly Rafique remains an influential figure. Recent highlights have centred on the telecoms sector, and include acting for Astro Holdings on the privatisation of Astro All Asia Networks, one of the biggest such transactions of 2010; and advising Axiata Group on restructuring its Celcom telecoms business.

Abdullah Chan’s clients include public listed companies, GLCs and investment banks. Vincent Chan Siew Onn has been advising Singapore Aerospace Manufacturing on inbound investments and Mann Seng Metal International on corporate matters. Hamdi Abdullah advises the Malaysian government’s venture capital and private equity group. Other clients include Westports, Petra Energy, CIMB Trustee, Genting and Kuwait Finance House.

Adnan Sundra & Low leverages its client base of leading banking groups to advise on M&A. The practice acted for EON Capital on the sale of its assets and liabilities to Hong Leong Bank, which acquired the holding company for RM5bn. Wong Chin Chin leads on corporate matters.

Albar & Partners’ strong capital markets and finance credentials have brought it some significant corporate mandates: for example, the Petronas IPO on which it acted also involved a restructuring of its businesses, with the merger of 23 petrochemicals companies and the $400m acquisition of BP Chemicals’ stakes in two domestic companies. It also advised on several disposals, including that of Sapura Auto car dealership business to Sime Darby for RM49m. Lily Tan Chea Li heads the practice.

Cheang & Ariff acted on a number of cross-border acquisitions, particularly in the manufacturing and media industries. The team recently advised Tan Chong Motor Holding on buying a majority stake in Nissan Vietnam, and Yoon Ming Sun advised the buyer on local law regarding its takeover of Asian Geos. The ‘excellent’ Tan Ming-Li led on Star Publication’s acquisition of a 51% stake in regional television channel LI TV.

Chooi & Company’s primary reputation is for litigation but it does have a notable transactional practice for foreign clients. Recent highlights include advising ACE INA International on local law aspects of its RM654m takeover of domestic player Jerneh Insurance; Hong Leong Bank on its acquisition of EON Capital; and Sumitomo Corporation on taking a 20% stake in a Sarawak-based energy project. Senior partner Chooi Mun Sou heads the corporate team, and Moy Pui Yee leads on M&A.

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill’s team provides ‘professional advice aimed at a commercial and practical solution’. Practice head Ng Leong Huat has experience representing domestic clients in cross-border matters and on government-related project work. Recent mandates include acting on M&A deals for real estate or construction sector clients, such as Consistent Record’s RM505m takeover of General Corporation. Tay Weng Hwee represents clients such as IJM Land and SapuraCrest Petroleum. Iain Sedgley left the firm to set up Sedgley & Co.

‘Competent and commercially savvy’, Murad Yee Partnership advises public listed companies, GLCs and multinationals on M&A, restructuring and private equity, and is regarded as a ‘pioneer firm’ for the listing of special-purpose vehicles. Recent highlights include advising a highway toll operator on a RM1.2bn takeover bid. Yee Fook Weng is well regarded.

A newly established firm in 2010, Rahmat Lim and Partners’ corporate and M&A team includes the ‘very experienced and knowledgeable’ Lim Teong Sit. Its work is heavily weighted towards cross-border and international work. Recent matters include advising on Mitsui’s acquisition of a stake in a subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional and representing Nippon Steel on an inbound investment. Other clients include Sime Darby and Singapore-based Fraser & Neave.

Raja, Darryl & Loh represents clients from a diverse range of sectors such as property, healthcare and IT on domestic and cross-border matters. It advised Biocon Group on setting up a leading biotech centre in Iskandar Development Region and acted for IJM Corporation on purchasing shares in CIDB Inventures. The practice also advises aviation sector clients such as Air Canada and Macquarie Aviation Group on local law issues. Tai Chu Wei and Joyce Teh have been busy representing numerous listed local and international companies on acquisitions and disposals. Jennifer Cheong retired from the partnership in 2011 but remains a consultant to the firm.

Zain & Co acts for notable domestic corporations and GLCs on domestic and cross-border matters. Salwah Abdul Shukor leads on M&A, joint ventures, and investments for clients such as Khazanah Nasional and Employees Provident Fund, and recently advised Litespeed Education Technologies on its proposed share capital acquisition of Eduspec. Rajiv Vijayanathan handles corporate and commercial matters, with a particular focus on project-related work.

Azmi & Associates’ Azmi Mohd Ali leads a corporate and commercial team that represents domestic clients such as Malaysian Technology Development Corporation, MIDF Property, Pesaka Ventures, and Tricubes. Power, energy and infrastructure remain core elements of the practice, and Azlin Azhar has been leading on restructuring a public sector company into a state-owned corporation.

Cheong Kee Fong & Co’s name partner Cheong Kee Fong is well regarded for local and cross-border M&A. The practice recently acted as local counsel to Tanjong plc on its high-profile privatisation.

Deol & Gill represents certain GLCs, and also is noteworthy for its particular expertise in private equity transactions.

Jeff Leong, Poon & Wong has ‘excellent technical expertise and provides practical, sound advice’. The practice has been busy with cross-border matters, particularly inbound M&A from China and Japan. Clients include Swiss Re and Singapore Post, with the team advising the latter on a RM45.5m purchase of shares in GD Express. Kenny Poon is ‘creative, innovative, proactive and a good problem-solver’.

Khaw & Partners’ corporate team is well regarded for its business acumen and professional service for M&A, restructuring, foreign listings, and establishing joint ventures. Clients include domestic plcs and multinationals. Practice head Wang Sui Sang is recommended.

Lee Ong & Kandiah represents Malaysian and foreign clients on domestic mergers and acquisitions, particularly in manufacturing, energy and real estate. John Mathew and Lee Hock Chye are the key contacts.

Naqiz & Partners’ ‘commercially oriented and practical’ group represents numerous leading local manufacturers but is increasingly acting on cross-border mandates, especially in Southeast Asia and Europe. Tan Hon Yik, who provides ‘stellar service’, recently advised a listed company on acquiring power plants in Indonesia.

Raslan Loong advises on domestic and international corporate and commercial matters for listed companies, GLCs, venture capital and private equity funds. Caesar Loong heads the practice.

Shahrizat Rashid & Lee’s ‘dependable and trustworthy’ team, which has strength in depth down to junior levels and is headed by Yohan Ananda Rajan, who has ‘good negotiating skills and is a strong ally to have at the round table’. Clients include Perisai Petroleum Teknologi and Ho Hup Construction, although recent work has heavily focused on property investments, including high-value acquisitions by domestic and foreign clients.

Tay & Partners has an ‘excellent grasp of business practicalities’ for general corporate matters and is well regarded for cross-border deals. ‘Level-headed’ managing partner Tay Beng Chai provides ‘reliable advice across a wide range of issues’.

Wong Beh & Toh advises public listed and foreign companies on privatisation and M&A, and practice head Wong Tat Chung recently led on several such matters. He and Cynthia Toh Mei Lee bring ‘breadth of experience, professionalism and commercialism to a deal’.