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

Shearn Delamore & Co sits atop the rankings this year after another consistently excellent performance. “The firm really deserves to be in the top tier by itself. No other outfit, short of the big four, can compare with it where tax work is concerned,” ... [more]

Shearn Delamore & Co sits atop the rankings this year after another consistently excellent performance. “The firm really deserves to be in the top tier by itself. No other outfit, short of the big four, can compare with it where tax work is concerned,” says one impressed peer. Clients praise the firm’s balanced approach, with one saying: “The lawyers were very professional and always pragmatic. They give a range of options to clients, and offer reasoned choices.” The firm advised Pantai Sabak Ventures, a subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional, in the tax aspects of its acquisition of a stake in Teluk Datai Resorts. Partner Goh Ka Im led on this transaction, which was completed in July 2010 and valued at over RM300 million (US$100 million).

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Azman Davidson & Co retains its position in the rankings this year. “The firm has a great senior counsel in Bill Davidson,” says one peer. While the firm is not the largest in terms of size, peers and market observers vouch for its excellence in tax ... [more]

Azman Davidson & Co retains its position in the rankings this year. “The firm has a great senior counsel in Bill Davidson,” says one peer. While the firm is not the largest in terms of size, peers and market observers vouch for its excellence in tax work. It possesses a wealth of experience before the special commissioners of income tax (SCIT) and the high court, which helps the firm retain its key clients in the region. Beyond the senior partners, outstanding practitioners include Lim Chong Fong, Rajendra Navaratnam and Chu Ai Li. They are praised by competitors as “able and talented professionals”.

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“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 ... [more]

“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.

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“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 ... [more]

“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.

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“The lawyers at Raja Darryl & Loh’s tax practice have solid accounting and business knowledge,” says one client. Partner Vijey M Krishnan is head of this practice, and is well respected by peers and clients for his “hands on approach and practical legal ... [more]

“The lawyers at Raja Darryl & Loh’s tax practice have solid accounting and business knowledge,” says one client. Partner Vijey M Krishnan is head of this practice, and is well respected by peers and clients for his “hands on approach and practical legal views”. A notable case led by Krishnan last year was a tax appeal regarding the imposition of real property gains tax on the proceeds of a sale of land. The firm represented Petaling Rubber Estates, a subsidiary of Sime Darby, before the Inland Revenue Board on this matter, which did not complete.

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