The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Herbert Smith LLP is a second tier firm,

Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung’s team ‘is very responsive, even out of office hours, and always willing to engage’, and has developed a reputation for ‘a lot of partner involvement on deals’. The practice recently advised the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China on a RMB 2bn offshore loan to the Indonesian Bakrie Telecom, the first commercial Renminbi loan provided to a company outside of China. The team also advises Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank on local financing matters. David Dawborn ‘has an excellent mix of local law knowledge and international experience, which means he can deliver practical advice’. Tjahjadi Bunjamin is ‘hands on, very responsive and commercially minded’.

Within Capital markets, Herbert Smith LLP is a second tier firm,

Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung has particular strength on cross-border deals and taps in to the Herbert Smith (Thailand) Limited network for much of its deal flow. Tjahjadi Bunjamin and David Dawborn lead a practice that recently advised Thailand’s biggest coal company Banpu on a $400m block trade of Indonesian stock for its listed subsidiary Indo Tambangraya Megah. Other highlight transactions included advising Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley as joint book runners on a $130m issuance of senior notes guaranteed by PT Bakrie Telecom. Newly made-up partner Kristo Molina is also rated.

Within Corporate and M&A, Herbert Smith LLP is a first tier firm,

At Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung ‘advice 
is thorough yet practical with a deep 
understanding of the banking industry’. The firm continues to develop relationships with a 
number of private equity houses, and benefits from a close relationship with Herbert Smith (Thailand) Limited. The corporate team advised Cargill on its acquisition of a majority stake in listed local sweetener and starch producer Sorini Agro Asia Corporindo. Other major clients 
include Rio Tinto, BP and Mitsubishi Corporation. David Dawborn, Brian Scott 
and Iril Hiswara are recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, Herbert Smith LLP is a first tier firm,

Charles Ball and Chalid Heyder’s practice at Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung has ‘solid business acumen’. The team recently advised a major international investment bank in a multimillion-dollar tort action brought by a former client in the Indonesian courts. The practice also has good arbitration experience and recently represented a major Singaporean investment bank in the first BAPMI arbitration in Jakarta and concurrent civil and criminal cases.

Within Employment, Herbert Smith LLP is a second tier firm,

Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung provides 
the full range of employment advice to its existing corporate clients and is noted for its experience 
on collective labour agreements. Practice head Santi Darmawan has previously advised clients Diageo and BHP Billiton on employment contracts.

Within Foreign firms, Herbert Smith LLP is a first tier firm,

Herbert Smith LLP benefits from a local presence that is ‘probably the best outfit in town’. The lions share of matters are handled out of Jakarta, with the firm regularly sending secondees to Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung to work on the biggest deals.

Within Projects and energy, Herbert Smith LLP is a first tier firm,

Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung ‘understands the Indonesian legal system and is able to provide very practical innovative solutions’. The practice recently advised Thai coal mining company Banpu on the sale of a $400m stake in its listed local subsidiary to PT Indo Tambangraya Megah. The ‘phenomenal’ David Dawborn leads the team and is known for his oil and gas expertise, and the ‘excellent’ Mira Fadhya is recommended for her knowledge of the local regulatory environment. Brian Scott is also rated.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Herbert Smith LLP is a second tier firm,

Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung is noted for its debt restructuring advice to lenders and creditors. Tjahjadi Bunjamin and David Dawborn are recommended.