Firm Profile > Zul Rafique & Partners > Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia

Banking and finance Tier 1

The team at Zul Rafique & Partners offers regulatory and transactional advice to domestic and international financial institutions, acting on both the lending and borrowing side in project financing and syndicated lending matters. The practice is led by the 'excellent' Loh Mei Mei, advising clients such as Standard Chartered, HSBC, and Bank of China Malaysia. Mei and Celine Rangithan advised Maybank and CIMB on a complex project financing deal involving four different companies, with a total of around RM1.17bn in funds provided. Kung Suan Im, Ashela Ramaya, and Chan Kwan Hoe are all active in the practice.

Capital markets Tier 1

Zul Rafique & Partners' banking and finance practice has been particularly active of late in debt capital markets space and has been frequently instructed by domestic and international financial institutions to advise on regulatory and transactional elements of transactions. The group also has experience advising corporates on equity and debt capital market offerings. Loh Mei Mei is well regarded for her debt capital markets and project finance experience; she advised Genting Malaysia and its subsidiary, GENM Capital, on Genting Malaysia's medium-term notes programme. Ashela Ramaya and Chan Kwan Hoe are other names to note for debt capital markets transactions, while Jerry Ong is highlighted for his expertise in equity mandates.

Islamic finance Tier 1

With experience handling a range of domestic and cross-border transactions, Zul Rafique & Partners' banking and finance practice group advises on a wide range of structures involving various Shariah principles. Practice head Loh Mei Mei – who has recently been particularly active in advising Islamic banks on project finance transactions – Kung Suan Im, Ashela Ramaya, Chan Kwan Hoe and Celine Rangithan, all have broad practices and experience in transactions in the bank lending space and debt capital markets.

Labour and employment Tier 1

The 'dynamic' employment and industrial relations practice at Zul Rafique & Partners handles a range of contentious and non-contentious matters and attracts praise for being 'thorough when rendering an opinion and provides sound legal advice'. The group is jointly led by industrial court litigator P Jayasingam, Wong Keat Ching, who splits her time between contentious and corporate advisory work, and Thavaselvi Pararajasingam, who counts banks and insurers among her clients.

Real estate and construction Tier 2

Zul Rafique & Partners' corporate real estate practice group handles a full range of real estate matters including property acquisitions and divestments, property developments and joint ventures, commercial leasing, property management and property-related financing. The team is jointly led by Tang Ai Leen, Leong May Ling and Ainal Marlinda Md Said who all have experience across a range of real estate transactions.

Corporate and M&A Tier 3

The 'responsive' corporate and M&A team at Zul Rafique & Partners has experience assisting local and international clients on a range of transactional, restructuring, commercial and regulatory aspects of deals. The group is praised for having 'good lawyers who really understand the local environment', such as the 'very knowledgeable' Jerry Ong, who 'gives practical advice', and heads up the team alongside corporate finance expert David Lee Lai Huat.

Dispute resolution Tier 3

Zul Rafique & Partners' disputes team has a breadth of experience in contentious matters, including a range of civil, corporate and commercial, and land and tenancy disputes. It is particularly strong in construction-related matters, with experience in alternative dispute resolution methods. The team is jointly led by construction disputes expert T Kuhendran and P Jayasingam, who specialises in civil and industrial relations.

Projects and energy Tier 4

Highlighted for its project finance experience, Zul Rafique & Partners has been instructed, often by lenders, in development and construction projects. As head of the banking and finance team Loh Mei Mei is a name to note.

Client Testimonials

CLIENT: Norzifiah Aziz, Group Chief Financial Officer, Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care Sdn Bhd

COMPANY/FIRM: ZUL RAFIQUE & PARTNERS

TESTIMONIAL: “The team at Zul Rafique & partners has proven to be able to balance the requirement for technically sound advice whilst being practical and able to provide timely and commercialized solution. Their ability to negotiate and timely completion of documentation is second to none.”

CLIENT: Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels Sdn Bhd

COMPANY/FIRM: ZUL RAFIQUE & PARTNERS

TESTIMONIAL: “We worked with the Banking & Finance Practice Group of Zul Rafique & partners (ZRp) to put in place a syndicated, Islamic loan for the financing of our destination. The team of lawyers from ZRp was led by partner, Loh Mei Mei. The financing documentation involved multiple parties on both sides with many coordination issues. Our experience with Ms Loh and her team was a very positive one. They demonstrated and put into action pragmatic solutions to arising issues and in so doing proved themselves valuable business enablers. I found them very collaborative and responsive. In transactions of this long term nature, the kinds of compromises made are important. The ZRp team expended considerable effort and skill in arriving at balanced compromises that left all parties assured that their objectives were addressed.”

CLIENT: Hatini Mat Husin, Senior Director/Head, Debt Markets & Advisory, Affin Hwang Investment Bank Berhad

COMPANY/FIRM: ZUL RAFIQUE & PARTNERS

TESTIMONIAL: “We have worked with Zul Rafique & Partners for many years on numerous fund raising exercises that we advised and lead arranged. We value the professionalism shown by the team at Zul Rafique & Partners. Having high quality lawyers across disciplines, their advice is technically sound and practical and their solution-oriented services are the one that we valued the most. They are always our top pick and we highly recommend them.”

CLIENT: MAXIS BERHAD

COMPANY/FIRM: ZUL RAFIQUE & PARTNERS (ZRP)

TESTIMONIAL: “We have worked with ZRP for many years on a number of projects spanning fund raising, corporate, compliance and general advisory matters.  The team at ZRP has impressed us with their combination of technical ability, commercial awareness and the ability to meet tight timelines without compromise on quality of work.” 

CLIENT: PERMODALAN NASIONAL BERHAD

COMPANY/FIRM: ZUL RAFIQUE & PARTNERS (ZRP)

TESTIMONIAL: “It was a pleasure to work with the ZRP team during our Sukuk Issuance. Given the tight deadline, they were technically strong and provided sound advice and we were able to meet our deadline. They were also very responsive and quick to provide answers or clarifications and the team were always approachable and friendly.”

CLIENT: Goh Han Lee, Head (Construction) Legal, RAPID Project, PETRONAS

COMPANY/FIRM: ZUL RAFIQUE & PARTNERS (ZRP)

TESTIMONIAL: Since 2013 the ZRP construction team had been advising us on the mega-multibillion dollar Refinery & Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) Project at Pengerang, with 1 partner and 2 associates being assigned on full time retainer to the Project. The team is currently led by Partner Falisa Abu Bakar who brings with her years of infrastructure construction expertise & experience. Falisa is ably assisted by Benjamin Yeoh & Nury Amirah Rosli, who had joined the Project as fresh young lawyers, but are now experienced senior associates and the next generation of construction specialists at ZRP. What impresses me the most is their commitment and practicality when advising on complex multi-faceted issues arising from construction. This is the value proposition that makes ZRP an invaluable partner to in-house legal & project teams

CLIENT: TRX CITY SDN. BHD. (TRXC)

COMPANY/FIRM: ZUL RAFIQUE & partners (ZRP)

TESTIMONIAL: There are various teams from ZRP that works with TRXC, ie the construction team and the corporate real estate practice group amongst others.  ZRP is dedicated and efficient.  The corporate real estate practice group which we work very close with are resourceful and the partner Tang Ai Leen is an experienced corporate lawyer with profound technical knowledge in her field and her understanding of the commercial side of deals is a plus point for her excel in her work. She also has a competent team to assist her in her works.  We would recommend ZRP for their corporate law expertise and highly recommend them as legal counsel for any proposed corporate conveyancing matters.

CLIENT: Ms. Anantha Selvi, Deputy General Manager- Group Legal- Hap Seng Management Services Sdn. Bhd.

COMPANY/FIRM: ZUL RAFIQUE & partners (ZRP)

TESTIMONIAL: It is always a great pleasure working with the Corporate Real Estate Practice Group of Messrs. Zul Rafique & Partners under the leadership of Miss Tang Ai Leen. They are accessible, responsible, reliable, efficient and well-equipped with the up to date knowledge. We will definitely recommend Messrs. Zul Rafique & Partners if you require any legal advice relating to corporate real estate! They have always been our first choice when we require legal services.

CLIENT: En. Ahmad Zahid Zainal Abidin, Head – Legal Property, Leasing & Suria Department, Legal & Corporate Services Division

COMPANY: KLCC Property Holdings Berhad

TESTIMONIAL: Very focused, professional and highly talented legal team at your disposal. You can be assured of satisfying experience

CLIENT: Masdura Haizal Mohd Pokoh

COMPANY: Telekom Malaysia Berhad

TESTIMONIAL: I have the pleasure of working closely with Mr Darren Kor on various matters over the years. He is an experienced partner who is always willing to take full responsibility and provide professional advice on matters given to him. I find his advice to be practical and he is always committed to address his clients’ issues. His extensive knowledge in the telecommunication sector in Malaysia as well as his experience in dealing with competition and data protection matters have given my company the advantage of having high quality advice for various commercial agreements. I would highly recommend him to potential clients.