The Singapore-based office at A&O Shearman has a strong reputation for its capabilities across a broad range of practice areas. Noted for its expertise in the banking and finance arena, the practice assists its impressive client portfolio on matters ranging from M&A and joint ventures to infrastructure and energy projects, as well as capital markets mandates and disputes. The team is overseen by a multitude of experts, including M&A specialist James Mythen and projects, energy, infrastructure and Islamic finance expert Jason Humphreys, both of whom co-head the firm’s Malaysia desk. Mythen advised Telenor ASA in its cross-jurisdictional and high-profile $15bn merger of Digi.com. Aloysius Tan has experience in handling Islamic finance matters, as well as capital markets work, while ‘excellent’ Sheila Ahuja is noted for her expertise in commercial and investor-state arbitrations. Counsel Husayn Reza is praised as ‘knowledgeable of market practices’ and assists on the range of banking and finance mandates.

Managing partner Valerie Kong solely leads the team at Clifford Chance’s Singapore office following the relocation of former co-lead Johannes Juette to the firm’s London office; Juette remains an active member of the group. Kong frequently advises on cross-border M&A, with a focus on Southeast Asia, while Thomas England acts for banks and borrowers on new money and restructuring transactions. Nicholas Wong advises sponsors, investors, banks and export credit agencies on the structuring, development and financing of energy, oil and gas, infrastructure and mining development projects, and Gareth Deiner specialises in debt capital markets products. Daryl Liu is a member of the firm's funds and investment management group. Key clients span the food and beverage, energy and resources, consumer goods, private equity and healthcare sectors, among others.

The Singapore-based practice at Linklaters is well-equipped to handle a broad range of matters across Malaysia. The corporate, banking and capital markets-focused team boasts an impressive workload, advising its plethora of clients on high-value M&A and the full-range of financial services mandates, in addition to representing clients in disputes. Amit Singh, who has experience in handling cross-border debt and equity matters, leads the practice alongside international finance specialist Philip Badge, who advises on multi-jurisdictional structured finance transactions across Southeast Asia and India, and Sophie Mathur, who is is noted for her expertise in M&A transactions. Jonathan Horan, who focuses on capital markets mandates, is another key contact in the group.

DLA Piper’s offering derives from its Hong Kong office, which is the base of team leader Heng Loong Cheong, as well as Singapore and Bangkok. The multi-jurisdictional team works across a broad range of practice areas, offering support to its international roster of clients who are based in, or doing business in Malaysia. Key areas of focus include M&A, as demonstrated by its advice to KKP in its acquisition of high-value shares in a Malaysian company, in addition to finance mandates and projects, employment issues, IP work, technology and sourcing matters, investigations and disputes. Hong Kong-based Edward Chatterton is noted for his expertise in the IP arena, while Katherine Chew operates from the firm's office in Singapore and focuses on M&A and corporate restructurings.

The practice at Latham & Watkins LLP acts for its roster of domestic and international clients on an array of corporate and finance transactions in Malaysia, from capital markets, M&A and private equity to venture capital, project developments and Islamic finance structures. Based in the Singapore office, Sharon Lau leads the team and is noted for her expertise in capital markets, M&A and private equity-related matters. Key sectors of expertise include food and beverage, technology, traditional and renewable energy, oil and gas, telecoms and real estate.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s work in Malaysia derives predominantly from its Singapore office, which is the base of its team leader Stephen Begley, who specialises in energy and natural resources-related mandates. The team is noted for its expertise in this arena, having witnessed an increase in oil and gas, renewables, and solar and energy storage projects-related matters, in addition to large-scale infrastructure projects. The practice’s client roster includes Malaysian corporations. Wilson Ang brings to bear his experience in handling regulatory, compliance and disputes mandate, while Katie Chung is another key contact for cross-border disputes and Ben Rose advises lenders on high-value financings. Ben Smith relocated from the firm's Singapore office to London in July 2023.

Noted for its expertise in Islamic finance mandates, Trowers & Hamlins LLP acts for domestic and international clients on a range of matters, including cross-border investments, M&A, private equity, and financing deals, with demonstrable experience in the real estate, hospitality, oil and gas, and energy and infrastructure arenas. Nick Edmondes is praised for his 'breadth of knowledge in Islamic financing', while Elias Moubarak advises on project financings and real estate financings, in addition to capital market issuances. Geoff Allen joined the firm in June 2022 and leads the corporate and commercial team. Other key contacts include Tom Reynolds and real estate expert Abdulhaq Mohammed. All named practitioners collectively lead the practice from the firm's office in Kuala Lumpur.

Based in the Singapore and Hong Kong offices respectively, senior counsel Sreenivasan Narayanan and Choo Lye Tan jointly lead the Southeast Asia practice at K&L Gates. The team advises on a broad range of matters, including M&A transactions and joint ventures, in addition to banking and finance mandates, with demonstrable experience across the aviation, financial services, energy, life sciences and manufacturing sectors. Based in Singapore, Henry Kim focuses on disputes arising out of commodities, shipping, energy, and power infrastructure projects and is another key contact in the group. Team changes include the departure of James Bradley to Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP in October 2022, and the departure of Lian Yok Tan to Squire Patton Boggs in May 2023.

Praised as ‘extremely client-focused, commercially flexible and strong during negotiations with counterparties’, the team at Milbank is led by Singapore-based managing partner David Zemans, and acts for Malaysian financial institutions and institutional investors in regional transactions. Working in conjunction with the firm’s Tokyo and Hong Kong offices, key areas of expertise include advising on Islamic finance mandates, involving Malaysian-Indonesian elements, in addition to capital markets transactions, project developments, commercial deals, M&A and restructurings. James Murray, who leads the project, energy and infrastructure finance practice group in Asia, is another key contact in the practice.