Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

Tay & Partners is a preferred firm for lenders, with one such client saying: “The firm provides comprehensive services. The lawyers there are diligent and have quick response times.” Key partner Chang Hong Yun represented Rabobank International on a financing facility to a foreign borrower with interests in Malaysia. As Asialaw Profiles went to press, the deal was yet to complete but was valued at US$275 million. “The firm has a high quality of lawyers on show,” says a partner at a rival firm.

Peers agree that Tay & Partners “is definitely a player in this area”. The firm possesses a substantial corporate presence under the capable guidance of practice head Tay Beng Chai, and the legal ability of partner David Lee. A notable matter for the firm is its continuing work for Etika International Holdings in the acquisition of a Malaysian company that is engaged in the dairy bottling and distribution business. This matter is valued at RM89.5 million (US$30 million).

“Tay & Partners has a dedicated IP practice that stands above the others,” says a peer. The firm once again sits in the top tier, with partners Linda Wang and Su Siew Ling acclaimed by clients for their “excellent advice and practical solutions”. A particular area of expertise is the team’s litigation ability, with one client saying: “The lawyers there are very efficient in litigation in the courts in the country.” The firm advised Terumo Corporation in a patent litigation relating to a medical device. The trial has commenced but is yet to be completed. Wang headed up this case, with the pending decision expected to yield useful guidance and precedents on future patent litigation cases.

“Tay & Partners possesses a deep understanding of the IT, telecoms and media industries,” says one peer. The firm retains its ranking this year, with competitors quick to comment on its “multidisciplinary expertise” across this area of practice and its intellectual property capability. Partner Linda Wang advised the Recording Industry Association of Malaysia on licensing agreements for the use of sound recordings and musical works such as ring-back-tones and related content. This has helped telecom companies obtain licences for the use of such audio recordings, and has been reported as a legal ‘first’ in the region.