David Dawborn

Practice Areas

Consistently recognised as one of Indonesia’s leading international lawyers, David advises on a diverse range of cross-border corporate, commercial and financial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, securities, as well as natural resources and infrastructure projects. He has close relationships with international investment banks and private equity firms in the region.

Career

David is a partner of Herbert Smith Freehills on long-term secondment to Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung as senior international counsel in Jakarta. He has been based in Indonesia for over 30 years.

Professional Memberships

• Registered foreign lawyer by Indonesian Bar Association (Peradi)

• Member of the Law Institute of Victoria, Australia

Publications

David has co-authored the following recent publications:

• Indonesian Investment – Six Trends to Watch

• Capital Markets and Securities Law Reform under Indonesia’s 2023 Financial Omnibus Law

• Changes to Reporting Obligation for Share Ownership and Encumbrance in Public Companies

Clients

David has been a trusted adviser to a list of regular blue-chip clients for many years, including Rio Tinto, Goldman Sachs, China Investment Corporation, Deutsche Bank, Willis Towers Watson, Mars Group, Diageo, Sumitomo and Mitsubishi.

Work Highlights

• Rio Tinto on numerous Indonesian mining projects, including sale of its investment in Indonesia’s large mine, PT Freeport Indonesia

• Warburg Pincus on the acquisition of PT Asuransi Bina Dana Arta Tbk to create a regional digital insurance platform, which was the first acquisition of a listed Indonesian insurance company by a private equity firm

• Temasek Group on its multi phased structured USD4.56 billion divestment of its controlling stake in Indonesian listed bank, Bank Danamon, to The Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd (FinanceAsia Best Indonesia Deal)

• Willis Towers Watson on the sale of its reinsurance business in both Indonesia and Malaysia as part of its US$3.25 billion sale to Gallagher

• Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley in relation to the establishment and licensing of their OJK licensed Indonesian securities businesses

• Alibaba (as a shareholder in Tokopedia) on Indonesian legal aspects of the proposed merger of Gojek and Tokopedia

• Inchcape, a leading UK based independent automotive distributor and retailer, on its joint venture with Indomobil Group, acquisition of Mercedes-Benz assembly and distribution operations in Indonesia

• CVC Capital Partners in relation to its complex structured investment in the “Active” business of Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk (one of the largest listed retail companies in Indonesia) which comprises the Sports, Golf, Kids, Lifestyle, Payless and garment manufacturing business units

Languages Spoken

English, Indonesian

Education

Awards