Established over 40 years ago, Makarim & Taira S is a prominent Indonesian law firm with a reputation for navigating complex legal landscapes across multiple practice areas. The firm distinguishes itself through its deep understanding of Indonesia's regulatory environment and its ability to provide sophisticated, practical legal solutions for both local and international clients. The firm's international reach is notably enhanced through strategic partnerships, including memberships in Drew Network Asia and the World Law Group. These connections allow them to provide seamless cross-border legal services, particularly across the Asean region.
The firm's banking and finance practice has been particularly dynamic, advising international financial institutions like Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of America, and China Construction Bank on various complex transactions. Their lawyers have demonstrated exceptional skill in handling cross-border financing, regulatory compliance, and innovative financial products.
Makarim & Taira S’s capital markets practice has been instrumental in facilitating significant cross-border transactions. Notable work includes advising Grab Holdings Inc. on its acquisition of Chope and assisting Surfin Meta Digital Technology in its restructuring and listing process. These transactions demonstrate the firm's ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and support companies expanding into the Indonesian market.
The firm has also shown strength in dispute resolution, representing clients in sophisticated legal challenges. Their work includes advising international hotel management companies, handling shareholder disputes, and representing clients in complex arbitration proceedings.
The intellectual property and franchising practices are equally impressive. The firm has assisted global brands like Hilton, Taco Bell and Hyatt in expanding their operations in Indonesia, providing comprehensive legal support for trademark registrations, franchise arrangements and regulatory compliance.
In the technology and telecommunications sector, the firm has emerged as a go-to legal partner for global tech giants. The firm has advised companies like ByteDance, TikTok, and NetApp on intricate employment matters, regulatory compliance and strategic business challenges. Its expertise is particularly notable in helping international tech companies adapt to Indonesia's complex legal framework.
In the energy sector, Makarim & Taira S. has been pivotal in supporting complex projects. It advised Sumitomo Corporation on multiple renewable energy and power plant projects, showcasing its expertise in project development, due diligence and regulatory compliance. The firm's work on the Energy Transition Mechanism Project, which involves the early retirement of a coal-fired power plant, highlights its commitment to supporting sustainable energy transitions.
Key partners like banking and finance specialist Maria Sagrado, M&A maestro Frederick Simanjuntak, dispute resolution expert Rahayu Hoed, and projects lead Vincent Ariesta spearhead teams that have consistently delivered sophisticated legal solutions. Their work spans critical sectors including technology, energy, banking and infrastructure.
What sets Makarim & Taira S. apart is its ability to blend deep local knowledge with an international perspective. The firm consistently demonstrates an understanding of Indonesia's unique regulatory landscape while providing commercially pragmatic advice. Its lawyers are not just legal advisers but strategic partners who help clients navigate complex business environments.
The firm's client roster reads like a who's who of global corporations, including Marriott International, Sumitomo Corporation, Telus International, and numerous technology and financial services companies. This speaks to its reputation for delivering high-quality, strategic legal services.
Makarim & Taira S. represents the new generation of Indonesian law firms – sophisticated, globally oriented, and capable of handling the most complex legal challenges across multiple sectors. Its ability to provide nuanced, strategic advice makes it a critical partner for companies looking to succeed in the Indonesian market.
Work highlights
Advised a multinational garment manufacturer with terminating several key employees due to serious violations that caused significant company losses.
Advised TikTok on various employment matters from the Indonesian law perspective.
Assisted ByteDance with various employment issues in Indonesia, including addressing disciplinary processes, retirement age compliance and asset recovery.
Work highlights
Assisted a Singapore-based global hospitality group with various trademark registrations in Indonesia, including filing responses and appeals against trademark rejections. Various trademarks were successfully registered, protecting the client's brands in the Indonesian market.
Represented Taco Bell Restaurants Asia in managing its franchise business in Indonesia, the first Taco Bell restaurant in the country.
Work highlights
Represented a British Virgin Islands company in enforcing a foreign court judgment in Indonesia against an individual guarantor. This landmark case set a precedent for enforcing foreign court rulings in Indonesia by filing a new lawsuit based on tort.
Acted for an Indonesian electricity provider in a shareholders dispute at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre.
Work highlights
Advised Grab Holdings on its acquisition of Chope group companies, a Singapore-based restaurant reservation platform.
Assisted Freeport Indonesia in completing an acquisition of Smelting through a debt-to-equity swap, increasing its shareholding from 39.5% to 66%.
Acted for Telus International with its plan to acquire Gear Inc., conducting limited due diligence and providing advice on Indonesian law requirements.
Work highlights
Advised a Japanese conglomerate and its related entities in responding to an allegation of late merger filing submission investigated by the Indonesian Competition Commission (KPPU). The matter was complex, involving multiple entities and navigating investigation and examination stages.
Work highlights
Advised a fintech company on licensing requirements for its new Indonesian entity. The team carefully analysed the platform's functions and recommended appropriate licences, providing a clear roadmap for legal operation in Indonesia.
Assisted a company providing innovative credit scoring using mobile phone data to analyse its credit-scoring model's compliance with Indonesian regulations. It ensured the company's operations aligned with the evolving regulatory framework.
Work highlights
Advised a Japanese financial company on the Energy Transition Mechanism Project, which involved the early retirement of a 660MW coal-fired power plant at Cirebon.
Work highlights
Represented an international hotel management company in three separate civil lawsuits in 2024, with two disputes in Jakarta related to hotel ownership arrangements and one in Pontianak involving a hotel guest's booking claim. Both Jakarta disputes were successfully settled.
