Shook Lin & Bok

Managing Partner: Mr Michael C M Soo

Number of partners: 16

Number of lawyers: 48

Languages: English, Malay, Cantonese, Mandarin, Tamil 

Firm Overview:

Established in 1918, Shook Lin & Bok is one of the largest law firms in Malaysia and the oldest law firm of local origin in the country. Over the years, the firm’s practice has evolved into a leading full service firm, offering a comprehensive range of legal services spanning the globe. Shook Lin & Bok has distinguished itself in its commitment to high standards of professionalism and integrity, building on its heritage of continuous learning by investing in the development of its human resources, team of legal practitioners and infrastructural resources for the benefit of its clients. The firm currently has 17 departments representing major practice areas, which combine in a complementary and multidisciplinary practice.

Main Areas of Practice: 

Arbitration (International & Domestic):

The firm’s arbitration practice has a sterling reputation, covering all areas of arbitration including construction, oil and gas, insurance and commercial matters, both locally and internationally.

Key Contact: Lam Ko Luen  

Email: [email protected] 

Banking & Finance:

The banking and finance practice of the firm provides services across all areas of transactions and products in banking and finance. Our team has extensive experience in the negotiation, structuring and the preparation of various documentation relating banking and finance matters.

Key Contact: Khong Mei Lin  

Email: [email protected]  

Building, Construction & Engineering:

The department advises clients on major deals and projects. The services provided range from advisory and documentation to dispute resolution via litigation, arbitration, adjudication and other alternative dispute resolutions.

Key Contact: Lam Ko Luen  

Email: [email protected]  

Company Secretarial:

We provide services pertaining to the formation and administration of companies and business entities, and their compliance with laws. We advise on and assist in the incorporation of companies, conversion of status of companies to or from private and public companies and registration of foreign companies or branches.

Key Contact: Ivan Ho Yue Chan  

Email: [email protected]  

Competition & Anti-Trust Law:

The department provides a broad range of services with respect to competition law including advisory work, compliance audit as well as representation before the Malaysia Competition Commission.

Key Contact: Michael C M Soo  

Email: [email protected]  

Corporate:

The highly experienced department is helmed by well-respected senior partners. Services include advisory and drafting of documentation relating to issuance and listing of securities on the Malaysian stock exchange, M&A and takeovers.

Key Contact: Ivan Ho Yue Chan  

Email: [email protected]  

Dispute Resolution:

The formidable team of litigators in this department is regularly rated as being first tier in terms of dispute resolution. Partners have appeared in many landmark cases.

Key Contacts: Romesh Abraham, Chan Kok Keong  

Emails: [email protected], [email protected]  

Family, Probate & Trusts:

The department handles a wide range of family matters, including advice and legal representation.

Key Contact: Romesh Abraham  

Email: [email protected]  

Insurance:

The experienced team in the insurance practice provides advisory and litigation services in all areas. Sectors include general, life, motor, industrial, maritime and aviation, construction, risk, product liability, workmen’s compensation insurance claims.

Key Contact: Lam Ko Luen  

Email: [email protected]  

Intellectual Property, IT & Licensing:

The top-tiered department handles all matters relating to trademarks, patents and designs, the protection, subsistence, ownership and assignment of copyrights.

Key Contact: Michael C M Soo  

Email: [email protected]  

Islamic Finance:

Our lawyers are skilled in the dual disciplines of Islamic Finance and Conventional Finance and this enhances the Department’s breadth and depth of advice. The department adopts a holistic approach to its advisory role and in this respect, actively engages with the various deal stakeholders including the Shariah scholars and the Shariah Advisory Councils.

Key Contact: Jalalullail Othman  

Email: [email protected]  

Labour & Industrial Disputes:

The firm has a strong employment practice and partners have a good reputation for handling disputes. The practice also includes work in advisory and litigation.

Key Contact: Romesh Abraham  

Email: [email protected]  

Loan & Debt Restructuring:

The team regularly advises various stakeholders on all forms of debt restructuring and settlement. Partners in this practice have extensive experience in the sale of distressed debts.

Key Contact: Khong Mei Lin  

Email: [email protected]  

Real Estate, Commercial & Conveyancing:

The firm enjoys a strong reputation in providing services in relation to all areas of transactions including advisory and documentation services for all conveyancing matters as well as government concessions.

Key Contact: Hoh Kiat Chiang  

Email: [email protected]  

Regulatory Compliance & Enforcement:

The department advises and assists on a full spectrum of compliance issues concerning the laws and regulations in Malaysia including anti-corruption, anti-dumping, anti-money laundering, banking and finance, control of supplies, data protection and data privacy, environmental, sustainability and governance, health and safety, international trade, price control and anti-profiteering, product liability, public procurement and whistleblowing.

Key Contacts: Jalalullail Othman, Chan Kok Keong  

Emails: [email protected], [email protected]  

Shipping & Maritime:

The team provides amongst others, all aspects of ship mortgages and enforcement; shipowner and shipbuilder disputes as well as other commercial disputes within the industry.

Key Contact: Chan Kok Keong  

Email: [email protected]  

Technology, Multimedia & Telecommunication (‘TMT’):

The department provides tailored legal services for clients in the technology, multimedia and telecommunications industries.

Key Contact: Tan Gian Chung  

Email: [email protected]