Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill > Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia > Firm Profile

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill > The Legal 500 Rankings

Malaysia > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill enjoys a prestigious history in the dispute resolution arena. Regularly engaged by an impressive clientele comprised of multinational companies, major institutions and local banks, the firm covers the full spectrum of disputes including international trade, commercial, contract, and insurance. The practice is co-led by Lambert Rasa-Ratnam, an industry veteran who has demonstrable experience in handling banking and administrative law cases, and Kumar Kanagasingam, who regularly acts in high-value insolvency and fraud matters. Other notable practitioners include Andrew Ean Vooi Chiew, who is recognised for his work in the defamation sphere.

Malaysia > Islamic finance Tier 1

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill’s Islamic finance team has a stellar reputation and is led by Tay Weng Hwee, who advises on various legal documentation and issues regarding Islamic banking facilities. Counting major lenders, borrowers, and financial institutions amongst its key roster of clients, the department advises on Shariah-compliant financing, Malaysian and foreign currency-denominated transactions, and has recently extended its expertise to include working on Shariah fintech financing products. Megat Hizaini Hassan’s presence bolsters the strength of the team, thanks to his expertise on Sukuk mandates, Murabahah and Ijarah transactions, and Islamic investment work.

Malaysia > Labour and employment Tier 1

The practice at Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill is led by Lim Seng Heng, who is highly regarded for his ‘deep knowledge’ in labour, employment and industrial relations mandates in Malaysia. The team handles a broad range of matters, including advisory issues concerning misconduct alleged by employees, constructive dismissal, poor performance and restructuring exercises, in addition regulatory mandates involving aspects of contract law, from drafting to ensuring compliance. Industrial relations expert Shariffullah Majeed is regularly supported by senior associate Nurul Aisyah Hassan, while Amardeep Singh Toor frequently appears in the Industrial Court to defend employers in unjust dismissal claims. Tan Hooi Ping, who was promoted to partner in January 2023, is another key contact in the group.

Malaysia > Projects and energy Tier 1

Experienced in advising on the full-cycle of financed projects, Steven SY Tee heads up the projects and energy practice at Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill, which is highly regarded for its provision of ‘strategic and specific advice’ in complex matters. Its projects advisory work covers the inception, development and construction of large-scale and high-value projects for clients across various sectors, including construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and renewables. The team also has experience acting as counsel in project dispute management and the negotiation of settlement agreements therein. The ‘capable, dedicated and reliable’ Crystal Wong Wai Chin is a noteworthy member of the team who is noted as ‘highly skilled in construction disputes and arbitration’. Names to note include Dato’ Nitin Nadkarni, who became a consultant in the team in January 2023, and senior associate Joyce Ong Kar Yee.

Malaysia > Real estate and construction Tier 1

The robust real estate offering at Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill is co-led by Tay Weng Hwee, an expert in advising on property finance and joint ventures, and Nitin Nadkarni, a specialist in the field of multi-jurisdictional construction disputes. Recognised as a ‘strong team with business acumen’, the practice handles the full spectrum of real estate matters across the hospitality, retail, industrial, and housing sectors. Acting for a range of leading Malaysian and international developers, investors, contractors, and financiers, the team’s work includes both transactional and contentious elements. Darshendev Singh is a well-versed construction litigator who is praised for his ‘deep expertise and specialisation’, while Bella Chu Chai Yee advises on all aspects of commercial and residential development, in addition to real estate financing considerations.

Malaysia > Antitrust and competition Tier 2

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill’s antitrust and competition practice prides itself on offering a full-package service to its clients. Much of the firm’s work consists of conducting due diligence and compliance audits and arranging for mock dawn raid exercises. In particular, the department has strengths in coordinating matters relating to pricing concerns within Malaysia’s complex regulatory regime and advising on the competition elements of M&A transactions. Jack S’ng Hoi leads the practice with a track record in advising on various competition-related disputes. The team frequently offers advice within the telecoms, healthcare, and oil and gas industries in Malaysia.

Malaysia > Banking and finance Tier 2

The practice at Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill includes advising on regulatory work, Islamic finance, the restructuring of debt facilities, and liability management. The firm has impressive relationships with an array of local and international banks, such as AFFIN Islamic Bank Berhad, and delivers advice to Malaysian lending companies regarding Shariah-compliant auto-service financing. Tay Weng Hwee heads the team and is experienced in transactional work, where he recently acted for Sabah Credit Corporation in relation to the proposed variation of negative covenants in its Sukuk Musharakah programme. Megat Hizaini Hassan is heavily involved in the firm’s Murabahah transactions and remains at the forefront of the Islamic finance segment, while Bella Chu Chai Yee continues to advise on real estate, corporate, and financial restructuring deals.

Malaysia > Capital markets Tier 2

The capital markets offering at Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill is spearheaded by Tay Weng Hwee, who draws strength from his experience in regularly handling cross-border transactions. The firm’s activity covers a wide range of transactional work for both local and international clients, showcasing expertise in equity and debt capital markets, structured finance, and regulatory matters. Megat Hizaini Hassan specialises in Islamic finance and leads much of the department’s Sukuk mandates, while Bella Chu Chai Yee is frequently involved in IPO formations and equity-related deals.

Malaysia > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Counting multinational corporations, government-linked companies, financial institutions, and private and public-listed companies among its key roster of clients, Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill advises on M&A in Malaysia, share acquisition and disposal transactions and corporate restructurings. Tay Weng Hwee leads the team and 'is knowledgeable in handling M&A transactions', as well as joint ventures and capital markets mandates, while Steven SY Tee specialises in joint ventures and shareholders' agreements. Bella Chu Chai Yee and associate Thivya Manokaran are praised as 'personable professionals who go above and beyond to ensure that clients obtain the results that they want', and Teo Wai Sum is another key contact in the group.

Malaysia > Tax Tier 2

Recognised for its 'technical knowledge and expertise', the tax department at Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill is jointly led by expert Nitin Nadkarni and Jason Tan Jia Xin, who is praised for going 'above and beyond' on all tax matters. Well-versed in both the contentious and non-contentious aspects of the practice, the team is engaged by notable international clients to advise on high-value tax transactions, unfair trade practices, audits, and transfer pricing cases, in addition to indirect tax disputes. Ivy Yieng Ping Ling is noted for her 'impressive breadth of tax knowledge' and frequently appears before the Customs Appeal Tribunal and High Court, while senior associate Chris Toh Pei Roo focuses on direct tax disputes.

Malaysia > Intellectual property Tier 3

The IP offering at Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill is broad-ranging and includes advising on patents and utility innovations, franchising, licensing, and breach of confidence matters. Acting for both local and international clients, the firm regularly covers technology-related IP disputes, due diligence exercises, and IP asset management, as well as advisory work which involves branding and marketing strategies. Chng Keng Lung, an IP litigation specialist, leads the practice and works on both contentious and non-contentious matters, while associate Teo Kah Min is a key member of the group and is frequently engaged in IP advisory and compliance work.

Malaysia > TMT (including Fintech) Tier 3

Telecoms work is at the heart of Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill’s TMT practice, with the firm handling issues such as compliance with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and the drafting of agreements between telecoms operators and infrastructure providers. The team also frequently assists clients with data protection, IT outsourcing and e-money mandates. Practice head G. Vijay Kumar is equipped to litigate a wide array of technology and telecoms-based disputes spanning network service provision and IT system integration. Personal data protection, including the cross-border transfer of personal data, is a recognised practice strength of Teo Wai Sum. Chan Mun Yew adds to the contentious expertise with disputes concerning the provision of telecommunication and network services a notable strength. Eleena Abd Wahab and Eunice Wei Lynn Chan  departed in September 2022 and October 2022, respectively.