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

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill maintains a substantial presence in the banking and finance industry. One client says: “The firm provides creative solutions to meet the demands of clients such as ourselves.” A notable transaction led by key partner Tay Weng Hwee involved advising CIMB Bank on a bridging term loan facility for a share purchase in a US-incorporated company. The transaction was completed in June 2010 and valued at US$25 million.

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill remains an important player in the market. A client of the firm says: “As a client, we are not interested in lectures at school; only solutions that will enable us to achieve our goals. The firm gives us what we need.” Corporate partner Ng Leong Huat advised Consistent Record on its acquisition of General Corporation in the past year. The transaction was completed in December 2010 to the tune of RM505 million (US$169 million).

“Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill is fully deserving of a top tier position,” admits one rival partner. The firm maintains a “top of the class” dispute resolution practice, with a client saying: “The lawyers there provide creative solutions to meet our toughest problems and demands.” Partner Rosli Dahlan is singled out for praise by another client: “He provided excellent service and had superb turnaround time. His approach was very innovative and aggressive at the same time.” Dahlan led a firm team in the representation of Malaysian Airline System in its dispute with the Government of the Republic of Maldives and Air Maldives in a Malaysian suit for RM124 million (US$41.5 million) and a Singapore arbitration or RM315 million. These matters were both withdrawn and concluded in May 2010.

The IT, telecoms and media practice at Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill is secure in its position in the rankings this year, with one peer noting: “This is a specialty area of practice for the firm. I would even say that it has no rivals in this space.” The firm advises clients such as Parallel Media (Asia) in the region. A client recommends the firm’s lawyers: “They provide creative solutions that are tailored to the demands of telecom clients such as us.” Another client is equally satisfied with the level of talent at the practice, saying: “They provide practical advice without too much academic commentary.”

“Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill is an expert firm on labour and employment matters,” says a partner at a rival firm. It remains among the top practices in the country for another year, with partners Lim Heng Seng and Dato’ Thavalingam Thavarajah acclaimed by competitors as “top class practitioners”. One client says of Lim: “He is friendly yet professional. His manner is obliging and he brings great knowledge to the table.” The firm represented CIMB Bank in the high court regarding claims from an ex-employee of unfair dismissal for participating in an unlawful picket. The team, led by Thavarajah, successfully defended the client, with the matter now pending before the Court of Appeal. Other notable clients of the practice include SME Bank and the Sapura group.

“Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill is well known for its tax expertise,” says one competitor. “I would rate the firm highly in this space.” The firm retains its position in the tax rankings this year with clients praising it for its “knowledgeable and professional approach”. A continuing matter for the firm is its representation of a prominent Malaysian conglomerate in the Revenue’s challenge to a capital raising via a debt financing. The firm applied for judicial review on behalf of the client, with leave and an interim stay being granted pending a hearing. With RM300 million (US$100 million) at stake, this issue is yet to be resolved. Senior partner DP Naban is heading up this case.