The Legal 500

A prominent player in the construction sector, Azman, Davidson & Co has advised on contentious and non-contentious aspects of a broad range of developments. Bill Davidson is a senior and well-regarded figure.

Azmi & Associates has a strong GLC client base for real estate and construction project work, and recently advised Mara Inc on various property ventures. Sime Darby remains a key client. Practice head Zuhaidi Mohd Shahari is an experienced hand on local and cross-border transactions.

Naqiz & Partners routinely acts on high-end property, mixed-use and commercial property developments. It represents financiers and developers, and has a significant 
focus on government-related projects. Syed 
Naqiz Shahabuddin and Tan Hon Yik lead the team.

Raja, Darryl & Loh’s construction disputes team is well regarded for its specialist knowledge. Practice head Chang Wei Mun provides contentious representation and advisory supported, and is closely assisted by Choon Hon Leng.

Shearn Delamore & Co’s team includes ‘very smart individuals who understand realities in the commercial world and provide accurate advice’ regarding real estate and construction-related matters. Real estate head Sar Sau Yee and Ding Mee Kiong are recommended, as is Rodney Gomez who leads on construction work. The firm’s highly regarded dispute resolution team continues to handle significant construction, land and planning cases.

Skrine fields a deep team of real estate and construction partners, which handles a wide range of transactional and contentious matters. Vinayak Pradhan is ‘outstanding in construction disputes’, and Ivan Loo is also recommended.

Wong & Partners has experience in real estate financing and acquisitions. Munir Abdul Aziz advised Goldman Sachs on a merger 
between leading domestic property developers and also acted for the Federal Land Development Authority on acquisitions for energy developments. Elaine Yap handles construction disputes.

Zaid Ibrahim & Co’s real estate practice represents banks, REITs and developers. Recent highlights include acting on major commercial developments in the Medini district – Malaysia’s largest urban project to date. Karin Lim heads the team.

Zul Rafique & Partners is best known for its construction law capabilities, but is also active in real estate developments and ‘definitely a major player for acquisition work’. Tang Ai Leen and Au Wei Lien (‘a practical commercial lawyer with a personal touch’) are both recommended.

Albar & Partners advises banks on high-value real estate transactions and has strong experience representing REITs. It was recently instructed on a part financing for a RM1bn-plus property portfolio acquisition; and to act for an offshore bank on a S$100m loan issue to Starhill Global REIT.

Chooi & Company advises on conveyancing matters for residential and commercial developments. Yap Hui Lu is experienced in cross-border property transactions.

Jeff Leong, Poon & Wong acts on mid-sized real estate deals for public listed and foreign developers. Lead lawyer James Wong is ‘an experienced corporate lawyer that couples attention to detail with an ability to dispense pragmatic advice’.

Kadir, Andri & Partners’ real estate and construction law abilities include acting on property transactions, particularly for REITs. Sanjay Mohanasundram leads the construction team, which is heavily geared towards contentious matters, handling High Court litigation as well as international arbitration.

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill’s broad dispute resolution team includes specialists in property, land and construction cases, while the firm also advises on real estate transactions. Rosli Dahlan represented YTL Land & Development in reaching a settlement with the state government of Perak. Nitin Nadkarni focuses on contentious construction matters.

Raslan Loong has a notable track record in real estate transactions, but Caesar Loong is the sole partner in the team following a number of departures.

Shook Lin & Bok advises on multimillion-ringgit property and land acquisitions. The team includes Kelvin Loh Hsien Han, Patricia David Saini and Hoh Kiat Ching.

Tay & Partners’ Chang Hong Yun and David Lee advise on property transactions, with Lee recently acting for public investment trust AmFirst REIT on certain commercial property acquisitions.

Zain Azlan Zain Azahari heads Zain & Co’s real estate group, which mainly acts for GLCs on real estate acquisitions and construction contracts. It has been advising on high-profile development proposals such as the Penang Second Bridge and Warisan Merdeka Tower.