Shearn Delamore & Co > Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia > Firm Profile

Shearn Delamore & Co > The Legal 500 Rankings

Malaysia > Legal Market Overview

Malaysia > Antitrust and competition Tier 1

‘Expert in the field’ Anand Raj and K Shanti Mogan co-head the antitrust and competition offering at Shearn Delamore & Co. The team regularly advises multinational, government-linked and Malaysian enterprises across the consumer goods, entertainment, insurance and oil and gas, on matters pertaining to alleged infringement of the Competition Act 2010, price fixing, as well as general compliance and due diligence. Recent work highlights include advising one of the largest global technology companies on competition issues in relation to data protection. Lilien Wong, who represents clients in domestic and international commercial litigation and arbitration, is another key member of the team.

Malaysia > Banking and finance Tier 1

Shearn Delamore & Co is best known for its expertise in financial services regulation, along with bank financing, debt capital markets offerings and debt restructurings. Key work highlights include advising Malaysia Aviation Group on its large-scale debt restructuring. The team represents an impressive roster of Malaysian and international banks, along with a range of borrowers, including real estate developers. Christina Kow is noted for her expertise in the regulation of financial institutions, securities and derivatives, while Pamela Kung focuses on transactional work, including acquisition financings, syndicated lending and debt restructuring.

Malaysia > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

The corporate and M&A team at Shearn Delamore & Co has several industry strengths, from e-commerce and healthcare to infrastructure, pharmaceuticals and financial services. The firm’s clients include foreign financial institutions, insurance companies and private equity firms. The practice is well-versed in leveraged buyouts, due diligence, M&A and regulatory approvals among other corporate services. Corporate governance expert Grace Yeoh leads the team with support of Putri Noor Shariza Noordin, who focuses on M&A. Marhaini Nordin regularly advises on the offering of securities by foreign corporations, while Nicholas Tan Choi Chuan   and Michelle Wong Min Er represent multinational companies. Lai Zhen Pik works on securities offerings, joint ventures and corporate restructurings.

Malaysia > Dispute resolution Tier 1

The ‘technically sound’ team at Shearn Delamore & Co represents clients in commercial, corporate and banking disputes, in addition to acting for media houses and broadcasters in multimedia, entertainment, online publication claims and defamation-related issues; a key area of expertise for Yee Mei Ken. The practice also occupies a particular niche in the field of professional negligence litigation. Jeyanthini Kannaperan leads the team and regularly appears at hearings, trials and appeals at the High Court and Appellate Courts. Rodney Gomez advises on the contentious elements of construction contracts, infrastructure projects and procurement contracts, and insolvency expert Rabindra Nathan is another key member of the team.

Malaysia > Intellectual property Tier 1

The IP team at Shearn Delamore & Co is led by Karen Abraham, described as ‘the best there is in Malaysia and the region’. The team stands out for its work on Malaysia-based trademark and patent prosecution; uniquely, it manages large trademark portfolios of international clients, including Astro, Petronas and Pfizer, in addition to various global technology companies. The practice advises on angles of appropriate protection and enforcement of trademarks. Further, it deals with registration and protection of domain names issues and the enforcement of industrial design protection. Indran Shanmuganathan has expertise working with government bodies to enforce anti-counterfeiting laws. Zaraihan Shaari retired in December 2021.

Malaysia > Labour and employment Tier 1

Shearn Delamore & Co’s team, ‘formed of hands-on partners’, is headed by Sivabalah Nadarajah. It is experienced in offering strategic advice to clients on matters concerning terms and conditions, terminations, disciplinary actions and HR-related issues. Regarding litigation, the team’s capability is demonstrated by its advice to HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad on restructuring and the resulting impact on Trade Union employees, in addition to action on cases involving unfair dismissal and terms and conditions of contracts. The practice’s matters regularly reach the Industrial, Appeal and High Courts in Malaysia. Raymond Low is a standout member of the team, noted for his ‘excellent breath and depth of labour and employment law knowledge’ and his advocating abilities.

Malaysia > Real estate and construction Tier 1

Real estate specialist Grace Yeoh leads the ‘dependable and committed’ practice at Shearn Delamore & Co alongside engineering and construction expert Rodney Gomez. The team’s client roster includes domestic and international property developers, as well as listed and private companies, and advises on the full array of high-value real estate transactions, including sale, leaseback and disposal of land. The construction practice deals with contentious and non-contentious building and development projects, which are often multi-jurisdictional in nature, as well as advising on the full range of regulatory matters. Anita Balakrishnan has expertise in real estate acquisitions required to meet Islamic financing principles.

Malaysia > Shipping Tier 1

Based in Kuala Lumpur, the ‘strong team’ at Shearn Delamore & Co is headed by Rajasingam Gothandapani. The practice’s workload is primarily focused on advising maritime clients, including ship owners, port and terminal operators, and offshore and marine companies, on the full range of shipping matters. Recent highlights include advising abandoned seafarers on their rights to unpaid wages, as well as on their recovery and repatriation in the high-profile case of the ‘Oriental Dragon’. In addition, the team is well-equipped to advise clients on the wrongful delivery or misdelivery of high-value cargo; such cases are often cross-border in nature. Principal associate Nik Azila Shuhada Binti Nik Abdullah assists on the team’s most complex shipping matters.

Malaysia > Tax Tier 1

The tax team at Shearn Delamore & Co is led by Anand Raj and has a strong reputation in advising on the full range of direct and indirect tax matters, on issues involving structuring, planning, pricing, transfer and dispute resolution. Key areas of expertise include goods and services, corporate and income, as well as audits and investigations. Many of its cases are international in nature, a high proportion of which are prevalent in the oil and gas industry. Irene Yong is a standout member in the practice, ‘experienced and well-versed’ in the provision of advice across the full spectrum of tax mandates. The team successfully acted for the Malaysian Bar on a landmark High Court case regarding the Tax Revenue’s powers to undertake audits on law firm clients’ accounts, and the appeal of this matter was dismissed in 2021.

Malaysia > Islamic finance Tier 2

Shearn Delamore & Co’s long history in banking and finance and its extensive client base of banks and issuers, provides the platform for a thriving Islamic finance practice. It has demonstrated expertise in Islamic facilities, Islamic medium-term note programmes and Sukuk issuances. Christina Kow and Pamela Kung are the key partners in the team.

Malaysia > Projects and energy Tier 2

Shearn Delamore & Co has expertise across the oil and gas, mining, power production, energy and natural resources, and biomass sectors. Among the team’s diverse client roster are utility corporations, oil producers, mining organisations, as well as biomass and solar energy companies. Rodney Gomez has experience in arbitration, adjudication and litigation matters involving construction and engineering contracts, infrastructure projects and procurement contracts. Gomez co-heads the team alongside Grace Yeoh, who advises on transactions involving energy, natural resources and green technology projects, in addition to regulatory compliance matters.

Malaysia > Capital markets Tier 3

Shearn Delamore & Co’s team is co-headed by debt specialist Pamela Kung, who is equipped to handle Islamic and conventional matters, and equity specialist Nicholas Tan Choi Chuan. The practice has experience advising on mandates involving the listing of companies, the issuance of shares, proposed acquisitions of equity interests, corporate debt restructurings, as well as regulatory issues. Its client roster includes key Malaysian investment banks.

Malaysia > TMT (including Fintech) Tier 3

Shearn Delamore & Co’s TMT practice is well-placed to leverage the expertise of the firm’s wider IP, financial services, corporate and M&A, tax and competition teams. Key areas of expertise extend to cloud-based agreements, technology transactions, regulatory compliance issues and licensing agreements. Practice leader Timothy Siaw has considerable experience in the IP and technology arenas, while Christina Kow advises on structures involving financial services, including cryptocurrencies, electronic payments and electronic platforms. Karen Abraham and ‘invaluable’ Janet Toh specialise in IP.