The Legal 500 > Asia Pacific > Malaysia > Capital markets

The banking and finance team at Adnan Sundra & Low includes twelve partners and covers the full spectrum of capital markets issues. Attracting major clients such as BNP Paribas Securities, Barclays Bank and JP Morgan, it is led by Deepak Sadasivan and Adrian Chee Meng Yang, respective experts in project finance and corporate bonds. One of its most notable recent cases is its work for United Overseas Bank, NewParadigm Capital Markets and Danajamin Nasional on Exsim Capital Resources' inaugural Sukuk Musharakah IMTN Programme (valued up to RM2.0 billion). Recommended lawyers: Kok Ling Gan, Edward Ng and Jennifer Lee.

The team at Albar & Partners handles the breadth of capital markets matters in conjunction with banking and finance, and restructuring matters. Combined with M&A and de-mergers, its skills cover public take-overs, initial public offerings, listings and de-listings, REITs, and privatisation projects. It also handles derivatives, interest and currency swaps work. A standout highlight is the firm's work for Top Glove Corporation on the issuance of perpetual Islamic notes under the Shariah principle of Wakalah bi al-Istithmar (a value of up to RM3 billion). Recommended lawyers: Lily Tan Chea Li, Swee Loong Chung, Natalie Suan Wan Peh, Seet Hooi Ping , Cassandra Hogg and Sharifah Dalilah Albar

Both debt and equity capital market issues are handled by the team at Zaid Ibrahim & Co (a member of ZICO Law). Covering both domestic and cross-border cases, it handles bond issues (high yield, convertible and exchangeable), debt programmes, initial public offerings and equity (as well as equity linked) derivatives such as structured warrants and exchange traded funds. Where required, these matters are pursued in conventional or Islamic parameters with relevant adjustments made for compliance, product design, structuring and documentation (a recent highlight being SD International Sukuk's issuance of a high yield sukuk based on the principle of Wakalah Bi Al-Istithmar). Recommended lawyers: Gilbert Gan, Lilian Liew, Wooi Hong Tan , Ahmad Zulkharnain Musa, Idahani Ismas Ismail  and Ang Siak Keng.

Capital markets issues at Zul Rafique & Partners are handled by the firm's banking and finance Group. Counting Bahrain Mumtalakat and Allied Irish Bank as recent client wins, it is also known for its work on behalf of HSBC, Bank of China and Standard Chartered. It covers: Islamic financing, cross-border lending, issuance of debt instruments, offshore syndication and asset-backed securitisation. A recent standout case is its role in advising CIMB Investment Bank on a medium term notes programme granted to Semangkuk 2. This high value deal involved the acquisition of industrial warehouses and logistic properties in Malaysia. Recommended lawyers: Loh Mei Mei, Kung Suan Im, Ashela Ramaya, Chan Kwan Hoe and Celine Rangithan.

At Jeff Leong, Poon & Wong, matters concerning capital markets (particularly equity variants) are handled by the firm's corporate practice. The offering is jointly coordinated by Jeff Leong, Kenny Poon and James Wong (a specialist in debt capital  transactions) and frequently advises clients on complex IPOs.

Led by the 'knowledgeable and efficient' Tay Hwee the capital markets team at Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill handles a broad spectrum of sector issues. Specifically, this includes: major debt offerings, (both conventional and Islamic), bond offerings, medium term note programs and sukuk issuances. A recent standout case is its work for Sabah Credit Corporation on amendments to its Islamic Commercial Papers and Medium-Term Notes Programmes. The offering is complemented by the skills of Megat Hizaini Hassan, a renowned expert in Islamic finance as well as the 'knowledgeable and efficient' partners Tay Weng Hwee  and Bella Chai Yee Chu.

Rahmat Lim & Partners' capital markets offering is directed by experienced FinTech practitioner Wan Kai Chee. The practice is particularly known for its work in REITs, IPOs, secondary issuances, employee share schemes and warrants. The team includes corporate finance expert Zandra Tan and debt capital markets specialist Kelvin Loh. Notably, the firm also handles Islamic matters and recently supported the issuance of medium term notes based on the principle of Sukuk Murabahah (via a Tawarruq arrangement) for Edra Solar.  

Headed by Cynthia Toh Mei Lee, the capital markets offering at Wong Beh & Toh represents issuers, investment banks, underwriters and shareholders. Handling listings and securities offerings in domestic and foreign stock exchanges, it covers an extensive range of complementary issues. These include: regulatory due diligence, reverse takeovers, transfers of listings, rights issues, secondary offerings and foreign securities. Lin Lin Yeap is recommended for IPOs, M&A and Islamic financing.

Having built on its reputation in litigation and real estate, the team at David Lai & Tan has expanded its offering to cover corporate and commercial and capital markets. Specifically, it now handles matters such as take-overs, acquisitions, capital fund raising, joint ventures and initial public offerings. Lead partner Tan Yee Boon is an established disputes practitioner who now concentrates his efforts on listing regulations, sector compliance and advisory works for listed companies.

Led by Tan Kong Yam, the capital markets offering at Kadir Andri & Partners covers a broad spectrum of sector issues. These include: company acquisitions, asset management, de-mergers, schemes of arrangement and 'selective capital reduction exercises'. Clients are drawn from both domestic and international sectors and incorporate industries such as banking, insurance, plantations, energy and telecommunications. Samuel Hong is recommended for M&A.

Mah-Kamariyah & Philip Koh's capital markets practice represents clients with both Malaysia- and Hong Kong-based IPOs. It is led by Adrian Koh and features Yee Chew Yan, both recognised for their banking and corporate expertise.

For capital markets cases at Christopher & Lee Ong, the key partner to note is Yon See Ting. Equally adept at antitrust and M&A, she leads a team covering equity, debt and hybrid instruments. IPOs and extra-jurisdictional listings are also covered.

Managed by the 'exceptional lawyer' Peter Ling, the 'efficient and proficient' capital markets offering at Peter Ling & van Geyzel represents clients with matters in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore. Notably, a recent portfolio win is Rimbaco Group Global Limited, a company it advised on a USD10.45 million IPO on the Main Board of Hong Kong Stock Exchange.