SSEK Law Firm > Jakarta, Indonesia > Firm Profile

SSEK Law Firm
MAYAPADA TOWER, 14TH FLOOR
JL JEND SUDIRMAN KAV 28
JAKARTA 12920
Indonesia

Indonesia > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Independent Indonesian firm SSEK Law Firm often acts as local counsel to large international firms on cross-border M&A, and has considerable experience of large multibillion dollar deals. It also acts for multinationals and large Indonesian companies on transactions, joint ventures, private equity and regulatory matters. The team is jointly led by Rusmaini Lenggogeni and Ira Eddymurthy, with Eddymurthy offering a wealth of experience in M&A and foreign investment, with a focus on the insurance and healthcare sectors. Michael Carl is active in the natural resources and tech sectors, while senior foreign legal counsel Michael Twomey handles deals in the energy, power and oil and gas industries. Former practice co-head Fahrul Yusuf left for EY Law in January 2022.

Practice head(s):

Ira Eddymurthy; Rusmaini Lenggogeni

Other key lawyers:

Dewi Savitri Reni; Michael Twomey; Michael Carl

Testimonials

‘Well-trained associates with experienced partners make their team standout compared to other law firms in a sense of delivery speed/quality of work.’

Key clients

Grab Holdings Inc.

Restaurant Brands Asia Limited

Yamaha

POSCO International Corporation

Indosat

Pertamina

General Electric

Bank Index

Princeton Digital Group

GlaxoSmithKline

Work highlights

  • Acted as Indonesian counsel for Singapore and Indonesia-headquartered Grab Holdings Inc. in connection with its listing on NASDAQ through a merger with a Special Purpose Acquisition Company, Altimeter Growth Corp.
  • Advised PT Indosat Tbk on the establishment of a data center joint venture with Indosat subsidiary PT Aplikanusa Lintasarta and BDx Asia Data Center Holdings Pte. Ltd.
  • Assisted Restaurant Brands Asia Limited, a listed Indian company that operates major F&B brands, as Indonesian counsel in the acquisition of a controlling stake in PT Sari Burger Indonesia, the franchisee of Burger King in Indonesia.

Indonesia > IT, Telecoms and Fintech Tier 1

SSEK Law Firm acts for start-ups and multinational companies on a broad range of IT, telecoms and fintech matters, such as advising on regulatory and licensing issues when entering the fintech market, as well as representing venture capital and private equity firms on their investments into Indonesia. Other key areas of expertise include the trading of crypto assets, initial coin offerings, peer-to-peer lending and regulatory advice on blockchain technology-based solutions, in addition to e-money and online payment services issues. Michael Carl, who had demonstrable experience advising on fintech-related transactions, jointly leads the ‘sophisticated practice’ alongside partner Winnie Rolindrawan, who focuses on mandates concerning e-money, payment gateways and fintech, while Fahrul Yusuf left the firm to EY Law in January 2022.

Practice head(s):

Winnie Y Rolindrawan; Michael S Carl

Testimonials

‘Sophisticated practice and team capable of providing high-quality advice to international clients inbound.’

‘Michael Carl is a key figure. He is very experienced and adept at interpreting local rules and regulations for international corporates and investors.’

‘Always provides good, practical advice in a difficult jurisdiction to operate.’

‘Michael Carl is very responsive and a good operator.’

Key clients

Microsoft

Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Informatics

OVO

Mastercard

Softbank Vision Fund

Grab Holdings Ltd.

Ping An

Binance

Indosat

LINE

Work highlights

  • Advised PT Indosat Tbk on the establishment of a data center joint venture with Indosat subsidiary PT Aplikanusa Lintasarta and BDx Asia Data Center Holdings Pte. Ltd.
  • Acted as Indonesian counsel to assist Grab Holdings Inc. with its listing on Nasdaq through a merger with a Special Purpose Acquisition Company, Altimeter Growth Corp.
  • Advised Indonesia’s Ministry of Communications and Informatics (MOCI) on the preparation of the contract and preparations for the tender for the development of the first National Data Center.

Indonesia > Real estate Tier 1

SSEK Law Firm houses a strong real estate practice ‘with a wealth of knowledge’ in the tourism and hospitality sectors. The team advises on land acquisition and licensing matters in the energy and natural resources industry, in addition to handling real estate acquisitions for hotel developments, industrial-use and infrastructure projects. Key clients include hospitality and leisure companies, real estate services firms and resort developers. Denny Rahmansyah, who advises on the real estate aspects of M&As and foreign investments, as well as hotel and resort developments, jointly leads the team alongside Michael Twomey, who focuses on commercial real estate developments. Other key contacts in the practice include Michael Carl and ‘resourcefulNico Mooduto.

Practice head(s):

Denny Rahmansyah; Michael Twomey

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘They have a strong and knowledgeable team for handling property clients. They are very good at it and even the junior associates have more than sufficient knowledge to answer any pop up questions given at any time.’

‘We worked with Nico Mooduto directly. He was resourceful and had a quick turnaround time.’

‘Great team that’s commercially minded, responsive and guided us well in our first hotel acquisition. Good communication skills, negotiation throughout SPA negotiations, and well-rounded.’

‘Experienced partner and up-to-date knowledge. Prompt responses given.’

‘The firm is a dynamic and has a team of lawyers with a wealth of knowledge.’

Key clients

MRT Jakarta

TSH Resources Berhad (TSH)

Samanea Group

China Fortune Land Development (CFLD)

Ovolo Group

GE Lighting Indonesia

Jones Lang LaSalle

Sentul City

Work highlights

  • Advised Singapore-based Samanea Group and its Indonesian subsidiary on the development of the One-Stop O20 Regional Wholesale Trade City, the first and most comprehensive wholesale center in Indonesia.
  • Assisted Indonesian property developer Sentul City Tbk in the sale of Aeon Mall Sentul City to Aeon Japan, the operator of the Aeon retail brand.
  • Assisted China Fortune Land Development with the acquisition of approximately 280 hectares of land, with the acquired land to be developed into an industrial estate and residential and commercial center.

Indonesia > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

Noted for its track record in debt restructurings, SSEK Law Firm frequently collaborates with the firm’s M&A practice to advise on the restructuring of Indonesian entities, in relation to acquisitions made by multinational companies. Michael S. Carl jointly leads the team alongside Dewi Savitri Reni, both of whom have demonstrable experience in debt structurings, while Denny Rahmansyah is another key member of the group. Key sectors of expertise include the oil and gas, automotive, shipping, and food and beverage industries.

Practice head(s):

Michael S. Carl; Dewi Savitri Reni

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

McDermott

General Motors

Pepsi Co.

Nissan

General Electric

Trafigura Asia Trading Pte. Ltd.

Idemitsu

POSCO

Luxindo Nusantara

Work highlights

  • Acted as liquidator of PT Aberdeen Standard Investments Indonesia, the Indonesian subsidiary of the UK-headquartered mutual fund investment management company.
  • Assisted McDermott in its restructuring of several companies in Indonesia, with our work including labour and employment matters related to the restructuring.

Indonesia > Shipping Tier 1

Indonesia > Antitrust and competition Tier 2

SSEK Law Firm’ competition and anti-monopoly practice regularly collaborates with the firm’s M&A team in securing approvals from the KPPU in relation to acquisitions, as well as advising clients on potential vertical restraints in agreements, namely distribution agreements. Counting Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline and Yamaha Motor among its key roster of clients, the practice is also noted for its capability in handling civil and criminal antitrust litigation matters. Founding partner Ira A. Eddymurthy leads the team and Michael Carl is noted for his expertise in assisting clients with merger filings before the KPPU.

Practice head(s):

Ira A. Eddymurthy

Other key lawyers:

Michael Carl; Stephen Igor Warokka; Juven Renaldi

Key clients

GlaxoSmithKline

Nissan Indonesia

Grab Inc.

Procter & Gamble

Yamaha Motor

Pigments Spain

Restaurant Brands Asia Limited

Siam Cement

Work highlights

  • Successfully defended PT Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing against a price-fixing lawsuit.
  • Advised on competition and antitrust issues surrounding the sale by American private equity firm Lone Star Funds of its interest in a global chemical manufacturing group to global investment firm Carlyle.

Indonesia > Labour and employment Tier 2

Praised for delivering ‘excellent advisory services to clients’, SSEK Law Firm advises on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, from employee contracts and personal protection issues to litigious mandates, namely employment terminations. Furthermore, the team frequently collaborates with the firm’s corporate practice to handle the employment aspects of high-value M&A transactions. Syahdan Z. Aziz jointly leads the practice alongside Rusmaini Lenggogeni, while senior associate Dicky Tanjung acts for clients across the energy and natural resources, and manufacturing sectors on employment termination matters.

Practice head(s):

Syahdan Z. Aziz; Rusmaini Lenggogeni

Other key lawyers:

Dicky Tanjung; Indrawan Dwi Yuriutomo

Testimonials

‘Indonesia employment law is intricate but the employment team in SSEK simplifies the law and delivers excellent advisory services to clients.’

‘Syahdan Aziz is very friendly and approachable but at the same time delivers on the work with sound and practical advice.’

Key clients

Procter & Gamble

Yamaha Motor

General Motors

Nissan Motor Co.

FedEx

Kohler Group

Grab Holdings Inc.

Work highlights

  • Successfully defended an Indonesian joint venture company all the way to the Supreme Court against a lawsuit filed by a former employee over termination benefits.
  • Assists Kohler Group with their corporate, commercial, regulatory and employment law affairs in Indonesia.
  • Assisted McDermott, the international engineering, procurement, construction, and installation company, in its restructuring of several companies in Indonesia, with our work including labor and employment matters related to the restructuring.

Indonesia > Projects and energy Tier 2

Counting oil and gas, mining and power projects in its workload, SSEK Law Firm handles a broad range of project development and financing matters, with demonstrable experience in the solar, geothermal and hydro arenas. The ‘responsive’ practice is also noted for its expertise in smelter development projects and advises clients on the full project lifecycle, from land acquisitions to financing work. Fitriana Mahiddin, who focuses on oil and gas, coal-bed methane and mining projects, jointly leads the practice Michael Twomey, who specialises in project finance matters and handles upstream and downstream oil and gas transactions. Michael S. Carl acts for companies in the natural resources sector on M&As and project finance mandates.

Practice head(s):

Fitriana Mahiddin; Michael Twomey

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘They are responsive and always attend to their client’s needs even in crunch-time situation.’

Key clients

SYSTEMIQ Ltd.

Forest Carbon

Mirova

Pertagas

ExxonMobil

Louis Dreyfus Company

Pertamina

Chevron

McDermott

Total Oil

Work highlights

  • Assisted SYSTEMIQ, a systems change company, in its work with its partners in Indonesia to design and implement local waste management projects.
  • Acted as Indonesian counsel to Mandala Energy,a KKR-funded vehicle headquartered in Singapore, in connection with its disposal of the Lemang production sharing contract, an upstream oil and gas asset in Indonesia.
  • Advised PT Pertamina Gas, a subsidiary of PT Pertamina, Indonesia’s largest state-owned oil and natural gas corporation, on a facility agreement with PT Bank DBS Indonesia and PT Bank BPTN Tbk.

Indonesia > Banking and finance Tier 3

SSEK Law Firm acts for multinational corporations and large international banks on banking M&A, debt restructurings, project finance and insurance work, as well as general day-to-day advice. It has recently been handling a number of financings for mining and plantation projects, and regulatory matters for large financial services companies. Ira Eddymurthy heads the team and focuses on foreign investments, while Winnie Rolindrawan specialises in the burgeoning areas of e-money, payment gateways, and fintech. Fahrul Yusuf left for EY Law in January 2022.

Practice head(s):

Ira Eddymurthy

Other key lawyers:

Michael Carl; Winnie Rolindrawan

Key clients

Bank Index

PT Danareksa (Persero)

UniCredit

Mastercard

Western Union

Prudential

SoftBank Vision Fund

OVO

Ping An Puhui

Work highlights

  • Acted for Jakarta-based Bank Index and its majority shareholders in a share subscription transaction with Funding Asia Group Pte. Ltd. and Trusty Cars Pte. Ltd., a transaction undertaken to transform Bank Index into a digital bank.
  • Assisted PT Danareksa (Persero), an Indonesian state-owned enterprise engaged in financial services, in becoming established as a Holding State-Owned Enterprise (Holding Danareksa).
  • Advised Trafigura Asia Trading Pte. Ltd., a leading global independent commodity trading and logistics house, on the provision of a loan facility to PT Growth Java Industry, a nickel pig iron producer in Indonesia.

Indonesia > Dispute resolution Tier 3

Independent Indonesian firm SSEK Law Firm acts for international and domestic clients on a range of disputes. It has particular experience of commercial litigation, debt restructuring and employment cases, and has handled numerous SIAC and ICC arbitration cases. Dewi Savitri Reni heads the practice and focuses on debt restructurings, arbitration and litigation, while Michael Carl is experienced in disputes in the mining and natural resources sectors. Mahareksha Singh Dillon is a name to note for commercial disputes, litigation and police investigations.

Practice head(s):

Dewi Savitri Reni

Testimonials

‘Outstanding knowledge and experience in labour and employment Law.’

‘The service is incredible. As a client, we feel that we get maximum service levels.’

‘They also provide an affordable and competitive proposal.’

‘The strength of SSEK is the combination of a certain level of experience with competitive prices.’

Key clients

Nissan

General Motors

Mitsubishi Electric

Yamaha Motor

Ford

Work highlights

  • Defended PT Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing against a price-fixing lawsuit.
  • Assisted an Italian health service provider through an Indonesian police investigation and district court trial after it was the victim of a group of cybercriminals.
  • Defended an Indonesian joint venture company all the way to the Supreme Court against a lawsuit filed by a former employee over termination benefits.

Indonesia > Intellectual property Tier 3

The IP team at SSEK Law Firm advises on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters, acting for domestic and multinational clients on the protection of trademarks, patents, copyrights and industrial designs. The practice is particularly active across the energy and natural resources, pharmaceutical and digital sectors. Rusmaini Lenggogeni leads the team, working closely with associate and registered IP consultant Dian Kirana, who represents clients in the prosecution and litigation of IP rights in Indonesia.

Practice head(s):

Rusmaini Lenggogeni

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

Restaurant Brands Asia Limited

Denny’s

PepsiCo, Inc

Danone

Mundipharma

Grab Holding, Inc

Work highlights

  • Assisted Restaurant Brands Asia Limited as Indonesian counsel in the acquisition of a controlling stake in PT Sari Burger Indonesia, the franchisee of Burger King in Indonesia.
  • Advised PepsiCo, Inc. on intellectual property matters in connection with the sale of its stake in and the termination of its joint venture in Indonesia with PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur.
  • Assisted Denny’s with trademark issues in Indonesia.

The firm: SSEK Law Firm was founded in 1992 and is today one of the largest and most highly regarded full-service corporate law firms in Indonesia. SSEK combines the local knowledge of its three decades of practice with the global outlook of its award-winning lawyers to offer multinationals and domestic companies innovative and timely solutions to their practical challenges.

SSEK’s attorneys combine the highest levels of local knowledge and international expertise. Our overriding priority is looking after our clients’ interests. We understand not only the legal environment as it affects clients but also their business and the business environment in which they operate.

SSEK’s experience enables us to anticipate and understand the government’s position in ambiguous situations. Utilizing a significant network of contacts in government departments and agencies, and our extensive computerized database of Indonesian law, opinions, and work product, we are able to advise clients on likely government policy positions when laws and regulations do not provide clear guidance.

SSEK is recognized by multiple legal directories as a leading firm in Indonesia across all major practice areas, and our partners and foreign legal advisers have received numerous individual awards and recognitions, including from The Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, IFLR1000 and Asia Law & Practice.

SSEK is described as “one of a select group of Indonesian local firms capable of providing genuine international standard advice” and a firm that “manages to combine technical strength with a very commercial approach” (The Legal 500).

The amalgamation of skills and holistic focus means that many clients consider SSEK’s role to be not just that of a legal representative, but also that of a trusted partner – the first point of reference and a reliable source of guidance.

Main areas of practice
Banking, finance and insurance: SSEK advises on all aspects of establishing and operating financial institutions in Indonesia. As well as providing regulatory advice, the firm prepares loan agreements and security documents for financial institutions and advises clients on mutual funds and pension plans, project finance and syndicated commercial loan transactions.

Capital markets and securities: SSEK advises issuers, underwriters and investors in stock, bond, convertible bond and commercial paper transactions, and assists clients with IPOs and strategic financing alternatives.

Dispute resolution: The firm helps clients develop appropriate strategies and claims in the event of a dispute while identifying any reasonable grounds for settlement and compromise. SSEK also advises clients on the merits of arbitration and related contractual requirements and acts as counsel in arbitral proceedings.

Energy, mining and natural resources: SSEK enjoys a strong international reputation in the coal and hard rock mining sector. The firm also assists investors in the forestry and palm oil plantation business.

Infrastructure and project finance: SSEK has extensive experience in project finance for the oil and gas, energy and mining sectors. The firm acts as counsel to developers and lenders in all types of infrastructure development projects, including multimillion dollar private power, toll road, telecommunications and water supply projects, as well as natural gas pipeline and mining projects.

Intellectual property: SSEK’s IP practice assists domestic and multinational companies in protecting their trademarks, patents, copyrights and industrial designs in Indonesia. We are able to assist foreign IP owners in the prosecution and litigation of IP matters in Indonesia and work with outside experts for certain matters.

Labor and employment: SSEK has a full-service employment practice. We have extensive experience in contentious employment matters, in particular employment terminations and employment-related litigation. SSEK is extremely active in assisting multinationals and domestic companies on everyday employment matters such as employee contracts, enrolment in Indonesia’s social security program for workers.

Litigation: SSEK is experienced in civil litigation, arbitrations and dealing with the Indonesian national police in criminal investigations and complaints.

Mergers and acquisitions: The firm has worked on numerous high-profile acquisitions involving both private and publicly listed companies in a variety of sectors. SSEK advises on regulatory compliance and attends to related due diligence and document preparation.

Real estate and construction: SSEK advises on all types of real estate transactions, including rendering assistance and advice on the acquisition, sale and relinquishment of land. It negotiates and drafts commercial leases of all sizes and complexity, and assists clients in the coordination of large real estate acquisitions for hotel developments, industrial use and infrastructure projects.

Shipping: SSEK advises clients on compliance with cabotage rules and the implications for foreign investments in the domestic sea transportation industry, and assists with the sale and lease of vessels.

Technology, media and telecommunications (TMT): SSEK is active in advising clients in the growing e-commerce sector including on issues related to e-money and online payment services. The firm’s TMT team is experienced with M&A transactions in the technology space, cybersecurity, data privacy, fintech and regulatory matters.

International work: SSEK is regularly involved in large cross-border transactions. As an independent law firm, SSEK is able to work with major law firms in all jurisdictions.

Department Name Email Telephone
Managing Partner Fitriana Mahiddin FitrianaMahiddin@ssek.com +62 21 2953 2000
Communications Department David Eyerly DavidEyerly@ssek.com +62 21 2953 2000
Number of lawyers : 70
English
Indonesian
American Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia
Employment Law Alliance
The Law Firm Network
The Interlex Group
PERADI

CLIENT: VP – Finance & Support

COMPANY/FIRM: PT Total Oil Indonesia

TESTIMONIAL: “SSEK’s legal services are always delivered in seamless quality and well-timed manner.”


CLIENT: Senior VP

COMPANY/FIRM: Maynilad Water Services, Inc.

TESTIMONIAL: “Maynilad is the biggest water utility in the Philippines in terms of customer base. Currently, Maynilad is looking for opportunities to expand its business in Indonesia. We are regularly talking to government officials and potential private partners. In doing so, we need to have very strong legal counsel in Indonesia. Professionally, we found SSEK to help us in exploring projects.”


CLIENT: Executive counsel

COMPANY/FIRM: GE Corporate

TESTIMONIAL: “[Dewi Savitri Reni] has the ability to understand and communicate cultural differences between the respective US and Indonesia legal regimes and achieve US client objectives in a very different cultural and legal regulatory regime.”


CLIENT: Legal contract advisor

COMPANY/FIRM: PT Pertamina Internasional Eksplorasi dan Produksi

TESTIMONIAL: “[Fransiscus Rodyanto] understands the issues provided by the client accurately and speedily. He provides solutions to the client’s problems in a very efficient way, both for the client’s operational and strategic interests. He also possesses vast knowledge of current legal issues in the Indonesian and international oil and gas industry.”


CLIENT: Head of legal

COMPANY/FIRM: PT Xiaomi Communications Indonesia

TESTIMONIAL: “[Fransiscus Rodyanto] has helped our company solve many tough cases with his superior legal knowledge, research skills, analytical skills, strategic views and practical thoughts. He is a responsive, thorough, responsible and competent professional who always has the client’s best interest in mind.”


CLIENT: Finance Director

COMPANY/FIRM: PT Giesecke & Devrient Indonesia

TESTIMONIAL: “I am very satisfied with the excellent work that was done. Overall, I highly value the work that has been done with our company.”


  • SSEK is the Indonesia member firm of the Employment Law Alliance (ELA), a global network of leading labor and employment lawyers. The ELA provides HR executives, general counsel and business leaders with comprehensive labor and employment and immigration services. Multinational companies choose ELA lawyers for fast, efficient, responsive services tailored to meet the unique needs of their global workforce. ELA law firms provide HR legal solutions around the world. The ELA offers global reach with local experts.
  • SSEK is a member of The Interlex Group, an association of leading law firms around the world that cooperate to provide a complete range of international legal and business services to clients.
  • SSEK is a member of The Law Firm Network (LFN). LFN offers businesses an alternative to global law firms: successful independent law firms working together, in an integrated way, offering choice, competitive pricing and local knowledge. The networks member law firms work together to resolve cross-border issues and advise legal counsels of small, medium and multinational companies.

Legal Alert: Indonesia – New Merger Filing Regulation

Indonesia’s competition authority, the KPPU (Komisi Pengawas Persaingan Usaha), has issued a new merger filing regulation, KPPU Regulation No. 3 of 2023 regarding Evaluation of Merger, Consolidation, or Acquisition of Shares and/or Assets which May Result in Monopolistic Practices and/or Unfair Competition (“KPPU Reg 3/2023”).

SSEK Proudly Announces Brand Refresh

SSEK is pleased to announce a brand refresh including a redesign of the firm’s logo, website, and communications. We also have updated our name to SSEK Law Firm.