Rahmat Lim & Partners > Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia > Firm Profile

Rahmat Lim & Partners > The Legal 500 Rankings

Malaysia > Banking and Finance (including Islamic Finance) Tier 1

Rahmat Lim & Partners advises leading domestic and international financial institutions on cross-border lending, asset financing, project financing and investment funds. The team is also renowned for its Islamic finance offering, which involves handling Islamic finance contracts and sukuk issuances. The group is under the guidance of Wan Kai Chee and Kelvin Loh, whose expertise spans convertible and exchangeable bonds and syndicated loans. Azman bin Othman Luk concentrates on securities regulation and structured financing; Syed Rashid bin Rahim Alsree assists financial institutions with bilateral loans; and Geraldine Su is engaged by investment and commercial banks on Islamic financing. Florence Yong is skilled in maritime matters relating to leasing and financing, while Vivien Yeow assists major Malaysian corporations in various financing mandates.

Malaysia > Capital markets Tier 1

A robust performer in both domestic and cross-border mandates, Rahmat Lim & Partners’ capital markets offering continues to advise on an extensive range of high-value matters. On the equity capital markets side, the team handles IPOs in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, as well as employee share schemes and REITs, whereas in debt capital markets, the group is well versed in the renewable energy space. The team is also noted for its investment funds know-how, and regularly advises global clients on the marketing of offshore private investment funds. Wan Kai Chee is experienced in foreign direct investment into Malaysia and schemes of arrangements and vestings, while Kelvin Loh expertly handles sustainability-linked finance, Basel III-compliant bonds, and listed convertible preference share issuances. Zandra Tan covers corporate finance, Geraldine Su advises private equity firms on sovereign funding and project finance, Tan Yan Yan handles fund and collective investment scheme formations, while Livia Hong oversees joint venture and shareholder arrangements.

Malaysia > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Fielding a destination corporate and M&A practice, Rahmat Lim & Partners continues to advise on high-profile M&A deals and is regularly instructed by leading financial institutions and public and private corporations. Core workflows for the group include cross-border joint ventures, corporate reorganisations, leveraged buyouts, and share and business acquisitions and disposals. The department is jointly led by M&A expert Moy Pui Yee, who focuses on takeovers and foreign investments in the energy and power sectors, and Chia Chee Hoong, who covers corporate and debt restructurings, securities regulation, and investments. Chen Lee Won advises private equity firms and sovereign funds on matters including cross-border investments, Lim Teong Sit handles Islamic finance and structured finance products, while Eilene Teh is recommended for her work on strategic investments and divestitures.

Malaysia > Projects and energy Tier 1

The team at Rahmat Lim & Partners is well regarded for its capabilities in handling both contentious and non-contentious matters. Their client roster consists of local and international contractors, and government-linked companies that instruct the team across a vast array of sectors, including transportation, renewable energy and ports. The team advises across a spectrum of construction and engineering issues, including structuring of projects, as well as contract and project documentation. The team is led by a group of partners, with Chong Yee Leong providing energy-focused arbitration along with Kamilah Kasim, who is a well regarded dispute resolution expert, while Dzuhairi bin Jaafar Thani leads the firm’s corporate practice with Chen Lee Won contributing expertise in handling transactions.

Malaysia > Real estate and construction Tier 1

Praised for its ‘responsiveness and technical expertise’, Rahmat Lim & Partners is well versed in the intricacies of corporate real estate, advising clients across the full range of real estate matters including property developments and joint ventures, and listings of real estate investment trusts. Lee Yee Ling leads the department, with capabilities spanning a broad range of commercial property transactions, while Chen Lee Won covers various corporate-related matters. The construction team regularly advises across a spectrum of construction and engineering issues, including the structuring of projects, contract and project documentation, with Dzuhairi bin Jaafar Thani noted for handling construction contracts. Members of the team also appear as counsel in domestic and international arbitration and lead mediation proceedings, with Chong Yee Leong being recognised as a proficient dispute resolution practitioner alongside Kamilah Kasim, who is involved in complex engineering disputes. All named individuals collectively lead the department.

Malaysia > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Distinguished by its popularity with multinational clients, Rahmat Lim & Partners’ scope of work includes commercial, banking, and corporate disputes. The firm regularly undertakes matters concerning shareholder issues, employment cases, and contentious insolvency and restructuring. The group is jointly led by the ‘meticulous’ Jack Yow, who focuses on corporate and industrial relations cases, and Chong Yee Leong, a key contact for in the international arbitration space with a focus on power and energy matters. Arbitrator Chong Boon Leong covers international investment and commercial disputes, and Yap Yeow Han represents financial institutions at all levels of Malaysian court. Kwong Chiew Ee advises on fraud litigation and asset tracing proceedings, while Abd Azim Bin Abd Razak handles infrastructure disputes.

Malaysia > Fintech and financial services regulatory Tier 2

The team at Rahmat Lim & Partners assists local and international clients on the development and implementation of various types of fintech, advises on matters such as equity crowdfunding, electronic evidence, and online payment systems. Jointly leading the team is Azman bin Othman Luk, who handles finance transactions, while Wan Kai Chee specialises in foreign direct investment and fintech, lending his assistance to the firm’s wide roster of clients.

Malaysia > Intellectual property Tier 2

The IP practice at Rahmat Lim & Partners advises on an extensive range of matters, including anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy measures, civil and criminal enforcement relating to trademarks and registered designs, and complex patent litigation in the pharmaceutical and telecoms spheres. On the non-contentious side, the group covers acquisition and protection matters, such as the management of IP portfolios. Recently, the firm has ventured into tech-related IP work, with a focus on generative AI licensing and copyright infringement in the context of AI. ‘Market leader’ Pauline Khor leads the team, frequently acting for multinationals and government-linked corporations on tech-related IP and licensing issues, such as Open-Source Software audits and the creation of IP strategies.

Malaysia > Labour and employment Tier 2

On the employment front, Rahmat Lim & Partners offers advice on a full range of matters including, pension schemes, statutory welfare, and outsourcing arrangements. The team also handles disputes, including unfair dismissals, enforcement of confidentiality clauses, and disciplinary proceedings, displaying the team’s wide range of capabilities. On the health and safety front, the team advises on regulations, as well as assisting with employment investigations. Leading the team, Jack Yow is also heads the firm's litigation practice and specialises in industrial relations and employment law litigation, while Tan Mei Fang handles a range of employment disputes.

Malaysia > Shipping Tier 2

Rahmat Lim & Partners offers full-service capabilities to assist clients across the maritime and offshore industries. The team routinely handles matters such as the sale, registration, and de-registration of vessels, transfers of the flag, and secured and unsecured vessel lending, serving both local and international clients including financial institutions, equity providers, and insurers. Jointly leading the practice, Soh Yin Chuin   has wide experience across maritime transactions including loan and lease financings, sustainable financings, and asset sales, while Jack Yow leads the litigation side of the practice alongside Chong Yee Leong, who spearheads the arbitration offering.

Malaysia > TMT Tier 3

Engaged by banks, start-ups, and e-commerce platforms, Rahmat Lim & Partners is well versed in fintech regulatory and compliance work, and often advises on online payment systems and equity crowdfunding platforms. With demonstrable experience in TMT disputes, the group is collectively led by Azman bin Othman Luk, Wan Kai Chee, and Pauline Khor, who is skilled in matters concerning IP and tech. Karen Foong is a key contact, as is Penny Wong, who handles personal data protection and cloud computing work.

Malaysia > Antitrust and competition