IFLR 1000 (2020)
R&T Sok & Heng Law Office
Financial and Corporate – Tier 1
Project development – Tier 2
Leading Lawyers:
Chhay Heng (Highly Regarded) - Banking, Energy and infrastructure, M&A, Project finance
Sok Khavan (Highly Regarded) - Banking, Energy and infrastructure, M&A, Project finance
Sophonnora Tiv (Notable Practitioner) - Banking, M&A
Bolstered by the Rajah & Tann Asia network R&T Sok & Heng is a strong performer in project development, but its financial and corporate practice sets it apart from its competitors.
During the research period the firm acted on a number of M&A mandates, most notable for Chinese acquirers in the real estate sector; acted on IPOs on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange; and advised on the first private offering of a listed company in Cambodia.
The firm has also recently advised on mandates involving cross-border financing and regulatory compliance in sectors including technology, consumer goods, insurance, banking and financial services.
Recent Deal Data highlights
- HLH Development / Royal Group of Companies joint venture
- Oriental Payment Group Holdings HKSE IPO
- Phnom Penh SEZ $10 million private offering
Client feedback
“The firm has been excellent in responding in a timely manner.” - Banking
“I have done work in Cambodia for many years, and R&T Sok & Heng is by far the market leader when it comes to both quality of legal advice and practical on the ground knowledge. Too often, Cambodian advisors will just advise on the practice - this does not work for international clients who need to follow a country's laws strictly. RTSH has found the right balance of advising on laws and give solutions on how to move a project forward when those laws are not always followed by the regulators. In addition, the lawyers understand complex legal transactions and can translate them into a course of action that will work in Cambodia.” – Financial and corporate
“Diligent on details, assess local rules and regulations, and provide advise to serve client's benefits.” - Financial and corporate
“The firm really impressed us with it's highly efficient and highly qualified professional service. The team responded promptly, and always offered its professional legal advice with full consideration of the benefit to us. The team has a business mindset, which helped us make better choices in the deal. Thanks to R&T's team, we closed the deal successfully and safely.” - M&A
Heng Chhay
“Heng Chhay is clearly the market-leading lawyer in Cambodia. His knowledge of the law, his understanding of the Cambodian political and legal environments and his ability to communicate those to foreign clients is second to none. He grasps concepts quickly.”
Sieng Deline
“Able to provide efficient responses in a manner that outlines all scenarios.”
Tiv Sophonnora
“He provides a highly efficient and highly professional service. He always responded promptly. His business mindset helped us make better choices in the deal.”
“He has a sharp mind and excellent knowledge of Cambodian law and practice and international legal concepts. “
“Great in handling details. Listens to the client and provides advice and services to comply with government rules and regulation while protecting the client's interests. “
Assegaf Hamzah & Partners
Banking - Tier 2
Capital markets : Debt - Tier 1
Capital markets : Equity - Tier 1
Mergers and acquisitions - Tier 1
Project development - Tier 2
Project finance - Tier 2
Restructuring and insolvency - Tier 3
Leading lawyers:
Astrid Widyakartika Handaka* (Rising Star) - Capital markets, M&A
Bono Daru Adji (Highly Regarded) - Banking, Capital markets, Energy and infrastructure, M&A
Fikri Assegaf (Market Leader) - Banking, Capital markets, Energy and infrastructure, M&A, Project finance
Ibrahim Sjarief Assegaf (Highly Regarded) - Banking, M&A
Kanya Satwika (Highly Regarded) - Islamic finance, Project development, Project finance
Tunggul Utomo (Notable Practitioner) - Banking, Capital markets, M&A, Project finance
Yanu Wiriasmoko (Rising Star) - Banking, Restructuring and insolvency
Assegaf Hamzah & Partners is particularly strong in M&A and capital markets.
During the research period the firm maintained its reputation in capital markets for innovative work and advised on the first sovereign green Sukuk and the first-ever issue under the Republic of Indonesia’s newly established green bond and green Sukuk framework. Other highlights saw the firm advising on the Republic of Indonesia’s first issue of public samurai bonds using the Japanese shelf registration scheme; first project bond in the geothermal energy sector in Indonesia; and the second IPO by a Sharia bank in Indonesia.
In M&A the firm has experience across banking and financial services, energy, resources, aviation, automotive, retail, media, and technology and telecommunication. The firm also has a strong track record in representing private equity investors. A recent highlight saw the firm act on a region-wide acquisition in the logistics space.
In project development, the firm acted on the development of the largest combined cycle gas-fired mega power plant in Southeast Asia; the largest mine-mouth power plant project in Indonesia; Indonesia’s first utility-scale solar photovoltaic plants; and Indonesian’s first multifunctional satellite project.
The firm was also recently active in the restructuring space and advised on restructurings and exits in the consumer goods, financial services, and agriculture sectors.
Recent Deal Data highlights
- Barito Pacific $636 million rights issue
- ExxonMobil $436 million acquisition of Federal Karyatama
- Jawa-1 - 1,760 MW combined-cycle gas-fired power plant project
- Makassar-Parepare 142 km railway
- Oriente Mas Sejahtera petrochemical complex
- Pelabuhan Indonesia III $500 million 4.875% bond issue
- Salam Pacific Indonesia Lines / Toll Logistics joint venture
- Star Energy Geothermal $580 million 6.75% Senior Secured Notes issue
Client feedback
“AHP was outstanding.”- Capital markets
“They have been able to give good advice encompassing regulatory, corporate, antitrust and also give comments on the transaction documents.” - M&A
Bono Daru Adji
“He has been a good contact partner, and his team has been able to provide good quality advice.”
Astrid Widyakartika
“Astrid was excellent; she should be a partner!”
Rajah & Tann (Laos) Co., Ltd
Financial and corporate – Active
Project development – Tier 3
A member of the Asia network of Rajah & Tann, the firm is active across the financial and corporate space.
The firm has a diversified practice and advises on a wide array of matters including the establishment of foreign-Lao joint ventures, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and project financing. Sectors of focus include technology and telecommunication, energy, infrastructure and construction.
Recent Deal Data highlights
- EDL-Generation $500 million loan facility
- Xelanong 1 hydropower plant
Christopher & Lee Ong
Banking and finance – Tier 3
Capital markets : Debt – Tier 3
Capital markets : Equity – Tier 3
Mergers and acquisitions – Tier 3
Project development : Infrastructure – Tier 1
Project development : Oil and gas – Tier 1
Project development : Power – Tier 1
Leading Lawyers:
Christopher Lee (Market Leader) - Banking, Energy and infrastructure, M&A, Project finance
Eileen Yeoh (Highly Regarded) - Project Development
Jack Chor (Highly Regarded) - Banking, Project development
Lee Hock Chye (Notable Practitioner) - Banking, Real estate acquisitions
Shemane Chan (Highly Regarded) - Energy and infrastructure, Project Development
Rajah & Tann Myanmar Company Limited
Financial and corporate – Tier 2
Project development – Tier 3
Leading Lawyer:
Chester Toh (Highly Regarded) - Banking
Hiroyuki Ota* (Highly Regarded) - M&A
In Myanmar, Rajah & Tann’s strength lies in its work in the financial and corporate space. The firm has a special focus on M&A work in the food and beverages sector. The firm has established a strong Japanese practice and is ideally placed to catch the windfall from increased Japanese interest in Myanmar.
In banking, the firm primarily acted on the lender's side on a host of financing transactions across various industries. An interesting cross-border financing mandate saw the firm acting for the borrower in financing a real estate development project.
The M&A team had a busy year and was active on a mix of buy-side and sell-side M&A mandates and joint ventures in sectors including food and beverages, healthcare, technology and telecommunication, insurance, and energy.
The firm strengthened its financial and corporate offering with the hire of new partner Kyaw Swa Myint from MLE Legal.
Recent Deal Data highlights
- ENGIE Group acquisition of a minority stake in Mandalay Yoma Energy Company
- OUE Lippo Healthcare $19.5 million acquisition of stakes in Yoma Siloam Hospital Pun Hlaing and Pun Hlaing International Hospital
- Yangon Museum Development $144 million financing
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law)
M&A - Tier 3
Project development - Tier 2
Project finance - Other notable
Leading Lawyer:
Jaime Renato Gatmaytan (Highly regarded) - Project finance, M&A
C&G Law is recognised for its quality work in the projects space.
The firm’s recent banking work includes acting mainly for lenders on acquisition finance transactions. In this area, the firm represented the likes of United Overseas Bank and Standard Chartered Bank.
In M&A the firm acted primarily for acquirers and was also active on matters related to mergers, joint ventures and regulatory compliance. A highlight saw the firm advising on the merger of two publicly listed companies operating in the real estate space.
On the project development side the firm was recently active in sectors including oil and gas, transport, and energy. A highlight saw the firm advising the operators on the second major airport project to be awarded by the Philippine government in recent years.
The firm boosted its corporate and projects teams with the hire of Annalisa J Carlota as a partner from Asian Development Bank.
Recent Deal Data highlights
- AEV International $338 million financing
- Cebu Holdings / Cebu Property Ventures and Development Corporation merger
- Clark International Airport
- NLEX exit ramp
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Banking and finance - Tier 1
Capital markets: Debt - Tier 2
Capital markets: Equity - Tier 2
M&A - Tier 2
Project development - Tier 1
Restructuring and insolvency - Tier 1
Leading Lawyers:
Angela Lim (Highly regarded) - Banking, Energy and infrastructure, Project finance
Chia Kim Huat (Highly regarded) - Capital markets
Chua Beng Chye (Rising star) - Restructuring and insolvency
Danny Lim (Notable practitioner) - Capital markets : Equity, M&A
Danny Ong (Highly regarded) - Restructuring and insolvency
Evelyn Wee (Highly regarded) - Capital markets, M&A
Ho Mei Shi (Rising star) - Banking and finance
Hoon Chi Tern (Rising star) - Capital markets, M&A
Howard Cheam (Notable practitioner) - Capital markets : Debt, Capital markets : Equity, M&A
Lawrence Tan (Notable practitioner) - M&A
Lee Eng Beng, SC (Highly regarded) - Restructuring and insolvency
Lim Wee Hann (Highly regarded) - M&A
Mark Cheng (Highly regarded) - Restructuring and insolvency
Ng Kim Beng (Highly regarded) - Project development
Ng Sey Ming (Highly regarded) - Banking, Capital markets: Debt
Patrick Ang (Market leader) -Restructuring and insolvency
Raelene Pereira* (Rising star) - Restructuring and insolvency
Regina Liew (Highly regarded) - Banking and finance
Sandy Foo (Highly regarded) - Banking, Energy and infrastructure, M&A, Project development, Project finance
Sim Chee Siong (Highly regarded) - Project development
Sim Kwan Kiat (Highly regarded) - Restructuring and insolvency
Soh Lip San (Highly regarded) - Project development
Tan Chuan Thye, SC (Highly regarded) - Restructuring and insolvency
Tan Mui Hui (Notable practitioner) - Capital markets : Deb, Capital markets : Equity, M&A
Rajah & Tann in Singapore is a consistent performer across the financial and corporate space and excels in project and restructuring work.
The banking team acts for domestic and international banks, financial institutions, and corporates on a wide variety of instruments and cross border transactions. During the research period the firm acted for an array of stakeholders such as lenders, arrangers, and financiers on several real estate finance, project finance, acquisition finance, Islamic finance and structured finance transactions. A highlight mandate saw the firm act for the lender on the world’s largest Islamic bilateral hotel financing deal and Singapore’s first Islamic real estate financing in the core central business district.
In capital markets work the firm has experience in acting for issuers, issue managers, underwriters, and originators on deals from across the spectrum of capital markets transactions. A recent highlight saw the firm advise on the issue of the first catastrophe bond in Singapore.
In M&A the firm took on both buy and sell-side roles in acquisitions and advised on mergers. Recent highlights include acting for sell-side in the award-winning, high profile acquisition of Global Logistics Properties and acting on the first merger between two real estate investment trusts in Singapore.
In the projects space a noteworthy mandate saw the firm advising the developer on the largest private sector property development initiative undertaken in Thailand.
The firm’s restructuring team was the first dedicated restructuring and insolvency practice group in Singapore and remains the largest of such dedicated practice groups in the jurisdiction. The team has acted for a wide range of clients, including lenders and creditors (both secured and unsecured), debtors, and liquidators, judicial managers, receivers, scheme managers and independent financial advisors. The firm notably acted on the debt restructuring of Nam Cheong - one of the largest debt restructuring exercises in the oil and gas industry locally.
Staffing changes saw the appointments of new partners Eugene Lee from Prolegis to the capital markets and M&A teams, and Loh Chun Kiat from WongPartnership to the M&A team.
Recent Deal Data highlights
- ESR-REIT / Viva Industrial Trust merger
- Hong Leong Asia S$202.3 million rights issue
- Koufu Group SGX IPO
- Nam Cheong $1.35 billion debt restructuring
- Nesta Investment Holdings $11.87 billion acquisition of Global Logistics Properties
- One Bangkok
- SIT multi-energy microgrid
Client feedback
“The counsels are precise and meticulous in the approach and offer comprehensive, prompt and strategic M&A and banking/finance advice.” - Banking
“Shemane Chan was thorough in drafting, providing for all possibilities in the first cut, and determined and dogged in the negotiations that ensued.” - Project development
Shemane Chan
“Thorough in providing the first cut of the draft. Determined and dogged in the ensuing negotiations. Always flexible to accommodate calls and discussions with clients. “
Lee Xin Mei
“She is perfect for our company needs and requirements. We could not have breezed through the past challenging transactions without her help.”
R&T Asia (Thailand) Limited
Banking and finance - Other notable
Project development - Tier 2
Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers
Banking and finance – Tier 3
Project development – Tier 3
Mergers and acquisitions – Tier 3
Leading Lawyers:
Brian Ng (Highly regarded) - Banking, M&A
Huy Quang Chau (Highly regarded) - Energy and infrastructure: Disputes
Vu Thi Que (Highly regarded) - Energy and infrastructure, Project development, M&A