Foreign firms in Malaysia
Allen & Overy
Allen & Overy's Malaysia practice group has experience across a range of M&A, capital markets, project development, and conventional and Islamic financing transactions, and counts government and government-linked companies, local and international banks, project companies and corporates among its client roster. The team is jointly led by Jason Humphreys, who handles projects, energy and infrastructure and Islamic finance transactions; energy and natural resources partners Barry Irwin; Jeremy Stoupas and Aloysius Tan, who both specialise in debt capital markets and Islamic finance; and corporate and M&A partners Chris Moore and James Mythen. All partners reference are based in Singapore.
Practice head(s):
Chris Moor; James Mythen; Aloysius Tan; Jason Humphreys; Jeremy Stoupas; Barry Irwin
Testimonials
‘Allen & Overy do not mind working to go the extra mile to complete the task to minimise client’s legal cost. A&O will try their best to complete the task before the deadline.’
‘Aloysius Tan and Raj Sankaran are helpful and knowledgeable.‘
‘Jeremy Stoupas who is very experienced in the capital markets field.‘
Key clients
Maybank
CIMB
RHB Bank
Khazanah Nasional Berhad
Cagamas Berhad
Axiata Group
Tenaga Nasional Berhad
The Government of Malaysia
UEM Edgenta Berhad
International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation
Work highlights
- Advised Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund, Khazanah Nasional Berhad on an innovative Sukuk offering, a cash-settled exchangeable Sukuk.
- Advised CIMB, Maybank and RHB Bank on Malaysian oil and gas services company Sapura Energy Berhad’s rights issue of ordinary shares with free warrants and Islamic redeemable convertible preference shares, which raised MYR 4bn.
- Advised Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company in relation to the acquisition of a non-operating interest in a production sharing contracts in Malaysia.
- Advised CIMB Bank Berhad and CIMB Bank Berhad (Singapore branch) as mandated lead arrangers, in the acquisition financing of a Singapore plastics company with wholly and partially owned subsidiaries in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia.
- Advised Navis Investment Partners (Asia) Ltd on its acquisition of DZ Card Group, an international manufacturer of plastic bank cards and other security products.
Clifford Chance
Clifford Chance has experience handling a range of Malaysia-related corporate, banking and finance and capital market instructions. The group has a particular reputation for its capital markets expertise and recently advised Malaysia-based poultry producer Leong Hup International Berhad and its selling shareholders on a RM 1bn initial public offering on Bursa Malaysia. Names to note include Singapore-based partners Raymond Tong and Johannes Juette for capital markets and Valerie Kong for corporate and M&A transactions.
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Benefiting from being one of only two international firms with an office in Malaysia, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is instructed across a range of inbound and outbound corporate and financing transactions, projects, and disputes. Kuala Lumpur-based partners include dispute resolution specialist Peter Godwin and Glynn Cooper who 'is well versed in major projects'. Other names to note include Adrian Cheng, David Clinch and Mark Robinson in Singapore, who head up the finance, corporate and the TMT groups, respectively.
Practice head(s):
Peter Godwin; Glynn Cooper; Adrian Cheng; David Clinch
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘A helpful combination of local legal knowledge with a good understanding of the needs of clients entering this market from western jurisdictions.‘
‘They offer a good blend of international and local expertise. As an international firm going into, or with issues in, Malaysia, you’d want someone who knows the market well but would still be able to offer an international, commercial perspective.‘
‘They’ve got a broad regional and international footprint, which is important for multinational companies like ours. They recently helped us in relation to a major multi-jurisdictional infrastructure matter and were very strong. Their experience and understanding of the industry dynamics shone through too.‘
‘We deal with Glynn Cooper and he has been very responsive to even last minute requests. He manages the firm’s resources efficiently from all over the world when providing service to us.‘
‘They are very responsive and the advice is spot on. They have a sense for business and gives you the comfort that you have a commercial position with the proper legal protections.‘
‘They’ve got an excellent team. The partners are really experienced, and know their stuff.‘
‘Glynn Cooper and Peter Godwin are both very impressive, giving on-point, commercial advice.‘
‘Glynn Cooper is well-versed in major projects and has a strong client focus.‘
Key clients
Tenaga Nasional
PETRONAS
YTL
Sumitomo
Mitsubishi
UEM Group
Malakoff
China Railway Construction Corporation
Lendlease
Santos
Aboitiz
Brunei Economic Development Board
Petrofac
Arkema
UMW
Diamond Gas
Hibiscus
Genting
Edra Power
Edotco
Hong Leong Group
CIMB
Maybank
RHB Bank
Deutsche Bank
Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB)
Kumpulan Wang Persaraan Diperbadankan (KWAP)
Malaysia Airlines
Air Asia
KKR
Weir Group
Japan Pulp and Paper
Grab
Lendlease
YTL
Pos Malaysia
Sunway Group
Iflix
Work highlights
- Advised the Japanese consortium as a proposed bidder for the railway systems and rolling stock concession (being the principal concession) in relation to the Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) to Singapore high-speed rail project, which has now been put on hold.
- Advising Lendlease on the development of the Lifestyle Quarter of the TRX project, a new financial district in Kuala Lumpur.
- Assisting a major power company with its proposed sale, by way of a competitive auction, of a significant gas-fired power plant.
- Acting for a major utilities company on its proposed acquisition, in a bilateral process, of a stake in a significant independent water and power project.
- Advised the global investment firm KKR on the Malaysian aspects of its acquisition of a controlling interest in Exact Software from funds advised by APAX Partners.
K&L Gates Straits Law LLC
The Malaysia practice at K&L Gates Straits Law LLC is instructed in international aspects of transactions involving Malaysian companies or assets. Hong Kong-based managing partner David Tang heads up the group which includes Nicholas Hanna, who focuses on equity capital markets, private equity and M&A; Lian Yok Tan has particular energy, infrastructure and resources expertise; and James Bradley is highlighted for aviation finance experience.
Practice head(s):
David Tang
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
MRT Corporation Berhad
Keresa Plantations Sdn Bhd
Microsoft
Work highlights
- Advising MRT Corporation Berhad, which operates the mass rapid transit system in Kuala Lumpur, on the construction and financing of its Line 3.
- Acting for MRT Corporation Berhad on its change of contracting structure for the construction of Line 2 from a Project Delivery Partner (PDP) model to a turnkey model.
- Assisted Keresa Plantations Sdn Bhd with its investment into a US chemicals production company, EE-Terrabon Biofuels LLC, as well as the commercial aspects of constructing chemical producing plants in the USA and Malaysia.
- Advised Microsoft on forming a strategic investment with Grab, the on-demand transportation, mobile payments and online-to-offline services platform in Southeast Asia.
Linklaters
The Malaysia foreign desk at Linklaters has experience handling a range of corporate, capital market and financing deals, with particular expertise in Islamic finance and Sukuk transactions. Key names to note include practice head Hyung Ahn, who splits his time between the firms Hong Kong, Seoul, and Singapore offices and leads the firm’s capital markets practice across Southeast Asia; Sophie Mathur focuses on corporate strategic transactions and financial sponsor deals; and capital markets partner Jonathan Horan.
Practice head(s):
Hyung Ahn
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
AmInvestment Bank Berhad
Air Asia Berhad
Maybank Investment Bank Berhad
BNP Paribas
Deutsche Bank AG
CIMB Bank (L) Limited
CIMB Investment Bank Berhad
Government of Malaysia
Export-Import Bank of Malaysia
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
RHB Islamic Bank Berhad
Standard Chartered Bank
Bumi Armada Berhad
Sime Darby
Work highlights
- Advised the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited on the issuance of US$300m Trust Certificates due 2022 by SD International Sukuk Limited.
- Acted for United Overseas Bank Limited on the renewal of its strategic regional bancassurance arrangements with Prudential.
- Advising HSBC Amanah Malaysia Berhad, HSBC and Citicorp International Limited, which acted as arranger, dealer and delegated trustee respectively, on the multicurrency Sukuk Issuance Programme issued by TNB Global Ventures Capital Berhad.
- Advised BNP Paribas Securities (Asia) Limited, as he global coordinator, lead manager and book-runner, and Citicorp International Limited as a trustee on Top Glove Labuan’s issuance of Guaranteed Exchangeable Bonds.
- Acted for J.P. Morgan Securities (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and J.P. Morgan Securities plc as the placing agent on the placement of 120,301,300 existing ordinary shares of RHB Bank Berhad.
Norton Rose Fulbright
The Singapore-based Malaysia desk at Norton Rose Fulbright is known for handling a range of contentious and non-contentious projects and infrastructure matters, with particular experience in project finance in the shipping and offshore oil and gas sectors. Practice head Stephen Begley specialises in financing and development of energy-related transactions.
Practice head(s):
Stephen Begley
Key clients
Gas Malaysia Berhad
Trans Thai-Malaysia (Thailand) Limited
Edra Global Energy Berhad
AXA
ING Bank NV
Work highlights
- Advised Société Générale as lenders for the bridge financing to a subsidiary of Bumi Armada Berhad of Malaysia for the acquisition/conversion and operation of an LNG Vessel into a LNG floating storage unit for the Malta LNG-to-power project.
- Advised ING Bank NV on the project financing to a subsidiary of Yinson Holdings Berhad of Malaysia of a floating production, storage and offloading unit to be sub-chartered to JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration (Malaysia) for use at the Layang Development offshore Malaysia.
- Advising Gas Malaysia Berhad in developing the necessary framework for third party access, paving the way for the liberalisation of the downstream gas market in Malaysia.
Shearman & Sterling LLP
Shearman & Sterling LLP is instructed in project development and finance transactions in Malaysia, with particular experience in the oil and gas sector. Practice head Ben Shorten has expertise in advising both lenders and sponsors of projects, while Anthony Patten assists oil and gas sector clients with a range of corporate, project development and finance transactions, and Bill McCormack focuses on the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects. All lawyers noted are based in Singapore.
Practice head(s):
Ben Shorten
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Instructions provided by the team are well-thought-out, collaborative and practical and we always look forward to working with them.‘
‘Anthony Patten who has the extensive industry-specific experience to be commercial, technically sound and very approachable.‘
Key clients
PETRONAS
Malakoff International Limited & Malakoff Corporation Berhad
OM Holdings Limited
Bumi Armada Berhad
Genting Berhad
Malaysian Export Import Bank
Maybank
Work highlights
- Advising Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) in respect of the development of its approximately US$28bn Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development project in Malaysia involving a refinery, cracker, and multiple downstream joint-venture petrochemical projects in Malaysia.
- Advised PETRONAS on a US$8bn investment by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company in PETRONAS’ Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (‘RAPID’) project in Johor State, Malaysia.
- Acted for PETRONAS on the development of its terminal facilities in Southern Johor, Malaysia.
- Assisted PETRONAS with the development of its independent cogeneration plant in Southern Johor, Malaysia, which will exclusively supply power and steam to Petronas’ Pengerang Integrated Complex.
- Advised OM Holdings Limited the restructuring of a 330 MW ferrosilicon smelter project in the Samalaju Industrial Park in Sarawak, Malaysia. This included assisting with the amendment of various project documents.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper's multi-jurisdictional team handles Malaysia-related capital markets, project finance, real estate and general corporate and commercial transactions, with particular expertise in the education, energy, financial services, real estate and technology sectors. Hong Kong-based Heng Loong Cheong heads the team and is known for his experience in M&A and expertise in Association of Southeast Asian Nations regulatory matters. Joe Bauerschmidt, who is based in Singapore, has experience in debt and equity capital markets and corporate transactions, while Melbourne-based Arthur Chong, has particular experience in assisting Malaysian clients investing in Australia. The team benefits from the addition in Singapore of debt capital markets partner Philip Lee, who joined from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP.
Practice head(s):
Heng Loong Cheong
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They do not fall short of the standard expected of an international law firm. They always work in a team that comprises a good mix of lawyers with different seniority.‘
‘Cheong Heng Loong has good sound knowledge of the law and is able to offer practical solutions to address challenging issues faced in this transaction.‘
Key clients
Laureate Education
Rabobank; HSBC; Standard Chartered Bank; ICICI Bank
Experian Ventures
YTL Corporation Berhad
Magna Prima Berhad
Salcon Berhad
Serba Dinamik Holdings Bhd
SP Setia Berhad
UEM Sunrise
Work highlights
- Advising Laureate Education on the US$162m sale of its global network institution in Malaysia, INTI University and Colleges, to Affinity Equity Partners.
- Advising Rabobank, HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank and ICICI Bank, as lenders to Malaysia-based, Sabah Forest Industries Limited, on restructuring and enforcement options.
- Assisted Experian Ventures with the US$10m Series B2 of Jirnexu, an insurance and banking products comparison website which operates as RinggitPlus in Malaysia.
- Acted for YTL Corporation Berhad on its acquisition of the Westin Hotel in Perth.
- Advised a Malaysia-headquartered property development company with operations across the UK, Asia and Australia on the development and implementation of client’s APAC privacy compliance framework covering key jurisdictions including Malaysia.
King & Spalding LLP
King & Spalding LLP is highlighted for its experience in contentious and non-contentious cross-border projects and energy instructions. Kelly Malone, who splits his time between New York and Singapore, is a name to note for construction, development and project financing with particular experience assisting with the acquisition of large-scale power and infrastructure projects, while Singapore-based Donny Low handles international arbitration.
Latham & Watkins LLP
Latham & Watkins LLP is highlighted for its experience in corporate and finance transactions. Key names to note include Sharon Lau, who handles a range of financing, capital markets and corporate transactions; Joseph A Bevash, who has particular experience in the financing of power, gas and petrochemicals projects, and corporate finance and M&A partner Michael Sturrock.
Other key lawyers:
Sharon Lau; Joseph Bevash; Michael Sturrock
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
With an office in Kuala Lumpur, Trowers & Hamlins LLP is one of only two international firms with a base in Malaysia. The group assists its client roster, which spans from high-net-worth individuals to investment banks and government and government-linked companies, with international cross-border investment. Practice head Nick Edmondes has experience in a range of corporate and project finance transactions with particular expertise in the real estate sector, while Elias Moubarak specialises in conventional and Islamic finance structures, and Tom Reynolds advises on corporate transactions and cross-border commercial contracts.
Practice head(s):
Nick Edmondes
Other key lawyers: