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

Wong & Partners is a “top class banking outfit”, says one competitor. The firm maintains its leading position in the market with the arrival of partner Mark Lim in 2010 in a continuing sign of the firm’s growth and ambition in the country. A highlight transaction, headed by Lim, was the firm’s work for Malayan Banking. This was a financing transaction involving a syndicated term loan facility that was made available to the client through a syndicate of international financial institutions. This matter was valued at US$700 million. A peer says: “The firm’s banking team is thevembodiment of sophistication. It’s one of the leading firms in the area, not to mention highly responsive as well.”

Wong & Partners provides international service quality service with personal attention. One peer says: “The firm sets an international standard for the market. It is definitely one of the top firms in the country.” It advised Jerneh Asia and Paramount Corporation in the sale of their equity interests in Jerneh Insurance to ACE INA International Holdings. The transaction was valued at RM654 million (US$219 million) and completed in January 2011. Partner Muni Abdul Aziz is praised by peers and clients, with one client saying: “He’s highly intelligent, young and has an appetite for M&A. He listens and operates at the highest level and matches the standards of the best international firms.”

Armed with the global reach of the Baker & McKenzie network, Wong & Partners is a rampant force in IP in Malaysia. Partner Chew Kherk Ying is recommended and receives glowing praise from clients, with one saying: “She is an integral part of the IP industry in this country, and is simply excellent.” The firm acts for multinational clients such as Nokia, Hewlett Packard and Procter & Gamble. A notable matter was the firm’s representation of Dunhill Tobacco, British American Tobacco (Investments) and Commercial Marketers & Distributors in the initiation of legal proceedings against a local cigarette manufacturer for multiple IPR infringements.

The IT, telecoms and media practice at Wong & Partners is closely tied with its excellent intellectual property department. The firm takes advantage of the global capabilities offered by the Baker & McKenzie network of offices, which enables it to provide incomparable cross border support to international clients. Some of the esteemed brands on its client sheet include Sony and Nokia. The firm also advised social game developer Zynga Game Network on the legality of two of its online games on social networks. Partner Chew Kherk Ying led on this transaction, and clients applaud Chew’s “professionalism and ability to consider all possibilities and advise accordingly”.

“Wong & Partners has incomparable experience in the tax area in Malaysia,” says a partner at a rival firm. The firm’s tax practice is led by partner Adeline Wong, who is assisted by 11 associates. The firm boasts an impressive client list of multinational companies such as Dell, Sony, Honda, Goldman Sachs, Shaklee Corporation, Agilent Technologies, UBS and Cardinal Health. Wong led a firm team advising Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co in the tax aspects of its high profile insurance M&A transaction last year. This involved dealing with a rare deal structure relating to a Section 15 stamp duty exemption application.