The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Zaid Ibrahim & Co is a first tier firm,

Zaid Ibrahim & Co’s debt finance experts handle domestic and cross-border transactions. The team recently advised several domestic and international banking groups on landmark Islamic finance deals, including the largest sukuk issuance in Singapore as well as the biggest global sovereign Islamic bond issuance to date. The group also advised CIMB Bank on the first Callable Bull/Bear Certificate (CBBC) issuance in South East Asia. Lilian Liew leads the five-partner team.

Within Capital markets, Zaid Ibrahim & Co is a first tier firm,

Zaid Ibrahim & Co is well regarded for its specialist focus on debt issuances, with Lilian Liew, Chin Sook Kwan and Mohd Azura Nik leading on such financings. It recently acted for the arrangers on the landmark S$1.5bn sukuk by Khazanah Nasional, which was Singapore’s largest and longest-term sukuk issuance to date. The practice is also active in equity financing, despite Lynette Yeow’s move to Kadir, Andri & Partners. Gilbert Gan advised CIMB on the first CBBC issuance in South East Asia.

Within Corporate and M&A, Zaid Ibrahim & Co is a first tier firm,

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.

Within Dispute resolution Other recommended firms

Within IT and telecoms, Zaid Ibrahim & Co is a second tier firm,

Zaid Ibrahim & Co has a strong international clientele across sectors such as online gaming, online services and telecoms, with outsourcing mandates a prominent feature of the practice. Team head Sharon Tan has experience on regulatory matters and advising government agencies.

Within Islamic finance, Zaid Ibrahim & Co is a first tier firm,

Zaid Ibrahim & Co’s team is now led by Madzlan Hussain, following Megat Hizaini Hussain’s departure to Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill. The practice advises leading banks on pioneering deals, such as Singapore’s largest sukuk; the first CBBC in Southeast Asia; and the biggest sharia-compliant sovereign issuance globally to date, valued at $1.25bn.

Within Legal market overview,

Recent alliances between local and foreign firms include that of Azmi & Associates with Indonesia-based Law Offices of Remy & Partners and Jeff Leong, Poon & Wong with China’s Dacheng Law Office. Zaid Ibrahim & Co ended its tie-up with Singapore’s Allen & Gledhill LLP, which is now associated with the newly formed firm of Rahmat Lim and Partners.

Within Projects and energy, Zaid Ibrahim & Co is a first tier firm,

Zaid Ibrahim & Co has ‘a wide range of knowledgeable and experienced lawyers, and always functions as a one-stop-shop’. This is a mainly sponsor-side practice, with much of its client base comprising GLCs and foreign entities. It has recently focused on renewables, advising the government on new legislation as well as acting for foreign developers on onshore and offshore projects. Practice head Loh Wei Lian advised Sime Darby on a forensic audit of its energy and utilities division. The team provides ‘high-level, attentive service’, and Toh Beng Suan is particularly recommended.

Within Real estate and construction, Zaid Ibrahim & Co is a first tier firm,

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.

Within Tax, Zaid Ibrahim & Co is a third tier firm,

Zaid Ibrahim & Co’s tax advisory practice is led by Kelvin Ng, who has strong experience in offshore matters, particularly regarding the Labuan tax regime. Work focuses predominately on tax planning for high-net-worth individuals, major local and multinational corporations.