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

“There is no firm other than Haryati Deepak I would recommend for the top tier,” says one peer. “I would honestly prefer to see it alone up there.” The firm is known for its devotion to IT and telecom work, with experience advising public companies as well as corporates from the private sector. Clients range from banking sector names, such as Islamic financial institution Bank Muamalat, to industry bodies such as the Association of the Computer & Multimedia Industry of Malaysia. Recent mandates include documentation work for mobile telecom carriers and businesses. Key partners Intan Haryati and Deepak Pillai are market leading professionals who provide continued guidance on the firm’s transactions.

Skrine retains its position at the top of the rankings this year amid continued support from clients and peers alike. One competitor says: “The firm has a focused and dedicated team of practitioners experienced and well versed in IT, telecoms and media work. I wouldn’t see it anywhere else but in the top tier.” The firm’s highly acclaimed IP practice supports its top class capabilities in IT, telecoms and media work. The team advises high profile clients such as the Genting group, and international law firms such as Morrison & Foerster, on domestic law matters. Partner Charmayne Ong is recommended by clients, with one noting: “She is very professional and always gives sound commercial advice.”

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.”

Naqiz & Partners climbs up a ranking tier this year as peers and clients unite in praise for the firm’s prowess in the IT, telecoms and media sectors. One peer says: “The partners at the firm are all very good at what they do. The firm has really made a name for itself in this particular area of practice.” Partner Eric Chin is particularly well loved by clients, with one saying: “He is meticulous and always a step ahead. He’s able to find multiple angles and multiples approaches to our problems.” The firm advised in the establishment of the ASEAN Basketball League, and its related television and sponsorship rights.

“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.

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”.

“ZICOlaw provides an end-to-end service with its array of quality practices,” says one satisfied client. The IT, telecoms and media practice at the firm is no different, with a peer saying: “It’s an important area of practice for the firm, and it has its share of big ticket deals.” A notable transaction was the firm’s representation of Bursa Malaysia in its partnership with CME Group. Partner Sharon Tan was involved in this transaction. Tan is well regarded in the industry, with one partner at a rival firm saying: “She’s a key resource in this area of practice and sets the industry standard.”

Christopher Lee & Co’s IT, telecoms and media practice is praised by peers and clients, with one corporate client singling partner Kuok Yew Chen: “He provides all-encompassing insights for our problems and offers us multiple alternatives. And he does it all with a smile.” The firm advised 3D International on its joint venture with Smart Surface, which will develop a hardware and software bundle unit for architectural 3D imaging purposes called Gesture 3D Archiwalk. This deal was completed in November 2010.

“The lawyers at Raja Darryl & Loh were very polite and had excellent knowledge of the law,” says one client. The firm’s IT, telecoms and media practice is highly regarded by its clients, with one praising lead partner Tong Lai Ling: “She’s very patient. More often than not, the conference calls are late at night. The team there is very prompt.” A notable series of transactions in the last year included the firm’s work for Silverlake Axis on the implementation of CIMB Group’s 1Platform core banking platform across the region, which was valued at RM1.1 billion (US$368 million). The firm also advised on the standardisation and upgrade of the client’s integrated banking system over a span of three years, which was valued at S$30 million (US$24.9 million).

The IT, telecoms and media practice at Shearn Delamore & Co works closely with its intellectual property team, and this exchange has benefitted clients. “We have been impressed by the seamless delivery between its [IT, telecoms and media, and IP] teams,” says one client. “They’re both very experienced.” The firm acts for clients such as Hewlett Packard Asia Pacific, Computaris, and Measat Broadcast Network System.

“Zul Rafique & Partners has the technical knowledge required. That’s why we instruct the firm,” says a client. The practice advised Telekom Malaysia in work relating to high speed broadband services, and issues surrounding its maintenance and operation manual. Partner Au Wei Lien led on this transaction, which concluded in December 2010 and was the first agreement implemented by the client relating to high speed broadband services. The firm also advised Telekom Malaysia on continuing legal and regulatory issues regarding networks and access agreements.