Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill

Malaysia

Analysis

Overview

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill is a well-established leader in the Malaysia legal market. The firm has built its strong reputation over more than 70 years by delivering pragmatic, business-oriented solutions. Its team of lawyers spans the spectrum of experience from prominent senior figures to up-and-coming talent. The firm commands leading practices in banking, construction, dispute resolution, employment and tax. It advises numerous multinational enterprises and offers deep expertise across sectors such as real estate and technology. While the recent departure of notable partners Xin Yee (Cindy) Sim and Wei Lynn (Eunice) Chan represents a loss of experience and know-how, the firm’s depth of talent ensures it remains a powerhouse for transactional legal work.

Client feedback

"Able to fully comprehend the legal requirements and always responds in a timely manner." – Banking and finance

"Sound advice and quick responses." – Banking and finance

"Professional and reliable; we engage them mostly for industrial relations matters." – Banking and finance

"Knowledgeable in banking litigation." – Banking and finance

"Lawyer representatives are dedicated to their respective tasks given." – Banking and finance

"They give confidence to the bank in all aspects of managing litigation cases." – Banking and finance

"In-depth understanding of the law and its current landmark decisions." – Banking and finance

"Advising clients on the most appropriate litigation process to meet the organisation's debt recovery goals." – Banking and finance

"Provided quite an extensive write-up with some workable options to defend against the claim." – Competition/antitrust

"I was impressed by their prompt responses and valuable advice. Their efficiency and expertise were truly commendable." – Construction

"Great client communications." – Construction

"Promptness, clarity of information, and time management." – Construction

"Very knowledgeable and able to break down complex situations with sound strategic ideas." – Construction

"They render legible and timely legal advice." – Construction

"They are professional and highly experienced, and are able to provide specialised advice and vital insight into the particular subject-matter on which legal advice is being sought." – Dispute resolution

"LHAG (Lee Hishammuddin Alen & Gledhill) is very responsive and knowledgeable." – Dispute resolution

"LHAG has shown high capability in understanding complex business structures that helps a lot in strategising our position in the legal suit. Their team, which also includes the associates, was very responsive and proactive in communicating on case-related matters." – Dispute resolution

"The lawyers from LHAG always have a clear understanding of the client's desired outcome and demonstrate a great level of commitment to the client in achieving that outcome. Furthermore, LHAG also shows the ability to perform the work with a high level of commercial/strategic thinking integrated into the legal deliverables." – Dispute resolution

"Technically sound and understand the commercial side of it." – Dispute resolution

"Very knowledgeable and professional." – Dispute resolution

"The firm is extremely professional and responsive, very knowledgeable with regard to Malaysian law and practice, quick in understanding the needs of a lawyer from a foreign jurisdiction, and extremely nice to work with." – Dispute resolution

"They have the ability to identify important points from legal documents, evidence, and witness statements to build a strong case." – Dispute resolution

"Good quality of services in providing legal advice and managing arbitration matters." – Dispute resolution

"Diverse expertise and capabilities." – Dispute resolution

"Responsive and good communication with client." – Dispute resolution

"LHAG is very responsive, client-oriented and well-organised." – Dispute resolution

"LHAG listens carefully to my requirements for the draft contracts that I need from them and provides drafts that accurately meet my requirements. They also provide advice as to some commercial positions that I should consider in those draft contracts." – Energy

"Provide prompt and professional legal advice." – Energy

"Good planning and coordination. Routine updates. Clear explanation for non-legal personnel. Fast learning and catch-up on technical matters." – Energy

"Meticulous, systematic, and well-coordinated preparation for our arbitration within their own team and with the client. Sincerity in listening properly to understand the full context of the dispute. Attention to detail." – Energy

"They structure their cases well by having a step-by-step approach that is easily comprehended by the clients. This gives the clients the needed confidence in them." – Labour and employment

"Delivering above-and-beyond service. The firm goes the extra mile in providing its services in many aspects that are value-added, at no cost, and simply tops our expectations each and every time. Client management is very good and rather personalised. No fluff or air of arrogance in the way they conduct themselves." – Labour and employment

"LHAG provided timely and good advice, and the case was professionally handled with very good results to resolve the entire situation." – Labour and employment

"Very efficient delivery time. Good quality of legal advice provided. The partner is very responsive and approachable." – Labour and employment

"LHAG, in its professionalism, had demonstrated the quality of being responsible by taking the case seriously, including exploring the medical field to ensure that the company's defence is well interpreted. The firm had proven to be visible in the eyes of the company despite the long period of the case, ensuring that the company is well aware of the progress of the case, including addressing the company's concerns about the complications and challenges faced throughout the case." – Labour and employment

"Very knowledgeable and full of experience in handling our case. Very sure of the law and gives much comfort about the probability of winning the case. Always available for a discussion and replies fast to our queries." – Labour and employment

They are well known for their exceptional legal expertise, professionalism, and commitment to providing high-quality legal services. The firm excels in delivering strategic legal solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of its clients. Their team of experienced lawyers demonstrates a deep understanding of the law and a strong dedication to achieving favourable outcomes for their clients." – Labour and employment

"In essence, we can rest easy knowing that our company is represented in court by LHAG's solicitors, particularly when it comes to labour issues. LHAG solicitors are very committed and well-versed in employment and corporate-related disputes. LHAG has a track record of delivering sound legal opinions in less than a day." – Labour and employment

"Brand reputation – able to attract clients, receive positive feedback, and do well on customer retention." – Real estate

"LHAG has reviewed information and issues raised by the [Royal Malaysian Customs Department] and provided comprehensive legal advice. They also provide technical support and recommendations, facilitate communication, and negotiate with the tax authority." – Tax

"A tax expert. Provides concise legal advice and arguments at appeal court and proposes settlement strategies with government agencies." – Tax

"The team's experience and insights have been invaluable to us. Their ability to analyse complex problems and provide clear, actionable solutions is remarkable." – Tax

"The firm has built a solid reputation over the years for its professionalism, integrity, and commitment to delivering high-quality legal solutions. Their track record of successful cases and transactions contributes to their credibility in the legal community." – Tax

"They are attentive to our inquiries. They invested efforts to study the grounds provided by the High Court judge in previous cases, allowing us to obtain the stay that would otherwise be difficult to obtain from that particular judge. They provided quality services that match our budgets." – Tax

Andrew Chang

Andrew is very accessible and that is key for us who are in the insolvency industry. Andrew is excellent at making the complex simple when explaining complex legal proceedings/rules. This has enabled a more productive and effective discussion.

Oh Sheng Chia

Responsive and able to provide sound advice.”

Andrew Chiew

Highly intelligent, efficient and experienced in his areas of practice. Very personable, great communicator.”

Nurul Aisyah Hassan

"Responsive and helpful."

Very responsive and accommodative.”

Always listens to the customer's need; friendly and approachable at any time.”

Ai Ting Ho

Ai Ting excels in efficiency, knowledge, helpfulness, and friendliness, making her a valuable and reliable assistant for various tasks and inquiries.”

Provides effective communication, helpful and gives responsive assistance and consistently performs to meet our needs.”

Kumar Kanagasingam

"Provides accurate and correct advice. Knows the current landmark decisions in the legal fraternity. Advises on matters that are not to be compromised. Always provides advice and performs recovery actions while protecting the client's interests at all times."

G Vijay Kumar

"Our experience with this team has been extraordinarily commendable, primarily because of their unmatched expertise in the telecommunications sector. Mr. G. Vijay Kumar's communication stands out as well, as he provides his advice in a manner that is both understandable and succinct. The team's turnaround times have been equally impressive. They have consistently provided swift responses, regardless of the complexity or scale of our queries. To summarise, this team of solicitors has demonstrated a distinctive blend of industry knowledge, legal expertise and client service that is truly professional."

G. Vijay Kumar is very knowledgeable and has good ability to comprehend complex business arrangements. He also has a very supportive and responsive team to liaise with us on case-related matters.”

Heng Seng Lim

Very knowledgeable and clear in his explanation of the law. Very experienced, having been long in practice. Very serious and meticulous in his work.”

Yieng Ping (Ivy) Ling

Prompt updates and very responsive. Willing to explore other approaches and not to just stick to one.”

Before offering her advice, Ivy diligently studies the case in detail and provides technical view and practical recommendations.”

Always attentive to the client, fast response, provides excellent legal advice and strategies, a problem solver.”

Chung Seng Mong

"Great level of commitment, amazing level of understanding of nature of client's business, and integration of strategic thinking into the legal deliverables."

Willingness to assist in pro bono ad-hoc queries.”

Harvey Ng

It is a great pleasure working with Harvey, he is very responsive to our requests and has in-depth knowledge in the subject-matter. He provides sound and practical advice and is generally of great assistance.”

Kar Yee (Joyce) Ong

Joyce listens very well to my requirements and implements those requirements accurately into her draft contracts for me.”

Darshendev Singh

"Hard-working, knowledgeable, and a good communicator."

"Accessibility, clarity in communication, and precise advice."

"Very analytical, thoroughly examines cases from all angles, approachable to address questions, demonstrates sound judgement to draw logical conclusions, and exhibits a creative thought process to find workable solutions to issues."

"Extremely knowledgeable and detailed."

Hooi Ping Tan

"Very thorough and very responsive."

"She is always able to consider from the customer's perspective and is very professional."

"I have been working with Hooi Ping for over six years now; she is very responsive, comes up with innovative solutions, and has deep subject-matter expertise, helping manage any risks even before they arise."

Jia Xin (Jason) Tan

"Throughout the entire anti-dumping investigation, Jason Tan and his team have been very responsive and attentive to our inquiries. The team are very knowledgeable in handling matters related to trade and regulatory disputes."

"Jason was very helpful throughout the entire anti-dumping investigation. He actively participated, together with his team, during the on-site verification and attended to all the queries from the Brazilian authority."

"His professionalism and dedication in assisting clients to resolve their issues are above and beyond. As such, it is truly a pleasure to collaborate with someone as reliable and committed as him."

"Jason is a highly competent and client-focused lawyer at LHAG, known for his legal expertise, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, professionalism, and dedication to client satisfaction. He plays a valuable role in providing exceptional legal services and upholding the firm's reputation for excellence in the legal profession."

Wai Fung Teh

"Very responsive and knowledgeable in the area of law he practises."

"Provides prompt, precise, and professional advice."

"Good client management, responsive, has in-depth knowledge of arbitration matters, and always meets deadlines."

"Good planning and coordination, fast learning and understanding to catch up on technical matters, and clear explanation of legal issues for non-legal personnel."

Pei Roo (Chris) Toh

"He is able to provide concise and timely advice."

"His attention to detail is impressive. He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of our case is thoroughly examined and optimised. In addition, he consistently approaches challenges with innovative solutions."

Amardeep Singh Toor

"He listens well and advises the clients accordingly. His politeness and professionalism carry a big weight!"

"Pleasant personality and good client management. Goes the extra mile in delivering his services. Competent lawyer that comes with an equally strong, competent, and reliable team. Able to accommodate time-sensitive work yet producing sound, business-centric, practical and relevant legal advice."

"Professional, trustworthy, and a good communicator."

"Very responsive, provides timely and good advice, and overall has a nice personality."

"Very knowledgeable, frank assessment."

"He's well-versed in his field and very knowledgeable."

"Amardeep is prompt, courteous, and professional."

"Well-versed in employment-related disputes."

"Highly knowledgeable in his fields of law, demonstrates sharp analytical skills, exhibits a strong work ethic and is committed to thorough research, preparation, and diligence in handling legal cases. Adept at finding creative solutions to legal challenges, offering innovative approaches to resolving disputes. Prioritises the needs and interests of his clients, providing personalised attention."

Wai Chin (Crystal) Wong

"Proactive, disciplined, systematic, reliable, energetic, precise and personable."

"Crystal is very reliable and trustworthy."

Tax

Work highlights

Successfully represented Dyson Malaysia in a landmark goods and services tax (GST) dispute with customs before the Court of Appeal. This case, one of the largest GST disputes in Malaysia, addressed a novel legal point: whether a foreign entity with no physical presence in Malaysia can be 'deemed' to belong in Malaysia solely due to its GST registration. The resolution required interpreting and harmonising various legal provisions across different legislations, including the Zero-Rated Order and its parent legislation, the GST Act 2014.

Key clients

HICOM Automotive Manufacturers, Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, Tropical Land Property

Labour and employment

Work highlights

Represented the US in its appeal to the Federal Court against the Court of Appeal setting aside the High Court’s ruling that the US Embassy’s dismissal of a security guard enjoyed restrictive sovereign immunity from the Industrial Court’s jurisdiction. The Federal Court held the Industrial Court should first determine the immunity issue. The matter was remitted to the Industrial Court to hear the immunity issue. The High Court’s ruling that the US and its Embassy enjoyed immunity because of restrictive sovereign immunity was one of Malaysia’s first cases on its applicability in diplomatic mission employee unjust dismissal claims. The case concerns comity of nations, mutual respect and reciprocity underpinning sovereign immunity, an important international legal order principle.

Key clients

ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia, Petroliam Nasional

Intellectual property

Work highlights

Representing 7-Eleven Malaysia in a copyright infringement defence case, where the plaintiffs alleged unauthorised playing of their songs. The High Court's decision is expected to test the parameters of copyright laws, particularly regarding exclusive rights, economic rights, and the legal standing of licensees and sub-licensees. Additionally, the case will explore the issue of licensor indemnity in copyright infringement matters.

Key clients

RedRecords

Corporate and M&A

Work highlights

Advised IJM Corporation on its proposed acquisition of a 44.8% stake in Pestech International, a publicly listed company specialising in high voltage electrical transmission, rail electrification, and signalling. This strategic investment represents a synergistic opportunity for IJM and its subsidiaries, enhancing their portfolio in the infrastructure and energy sectors.

Advised D'Harmoni Telco Infra on the disposal of 200 telecommunication towers and basic infrastructure to EdgePoint Infrastructure. The firm advised on the transaction, conducting due diligence and drafting all necessary agreements, including the asset sale agreement. This transaction was complex due to the number of telecommunication towers, each involving different landlords and telco customers.

Capital markets

Work highlights

Advising QSR Stores and QSR Brands (M) Holdings on the issuance of Islamic medium-term notes programme of up to RM1 billion ($226 million). This deal presents a noteworthy challenge, primarily involving the advisory role in addressing intricate legal and regulatory matters related to Sukuk issuance in Malaysia.

Acting as the legal solicitors of Lim Seong Hai Capital (LSH Capital) in the proposed transfer of listing and quotation of the entire issued share capital of LSH Capital from the LEAP Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities. The proposed transfer of listing is impactful as LSH Capital is one of the first few entities undertaking the transfer of listing exercise under the new regulatory framework introduced by regulators in April 2023.

Key clients

WTK Holdings

Banking and finance

Work highlights

Advising Maybank Islamic on the legal documentation for the proposed agility financing involving the Shariah contract of Murabahah purchase order for the purchase of vehicles.

Advised OSK Holdings on the legal documentation for its Islamic term financing and Islamic revolving credit facility and ensure compliance with relevant Shariah regulations. The deal's complexity arises from the necessity to negotiate terms within the legal documentation that comply with both Shariah regulations and contract law.

Key clients

Urusharta Jamaah

Real estate

Work highlights

Assisted Lagenda Properties in acquiring two parcels of land in Kulai, Johor, and partnered with Sime Darby Property to develop affordable townships in Malaysia through a joint venture. This transaction is impactful as it marks the beginning of a partnership aiming to serve as a vehicle to commercially develop affordable homes, thereby enhancing access to homeownership for a wide range of customers.

Advised Kumpulan Wang Persaraan on the sale and leaseback of two purpose-built workers' accommodation properties in Bukit Minyak, Penang, and Tampoi, Johor, from Centurion Corporation's subsidiaries.

Key clients

UEM Sunrise