IFLR 1000
The Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms

Christopher Lee & Co was founded by name partner Christopher Lee, a well-known market figure who was formerly at heavyweight Baker & McKenzie member firm Wong & Partners. "Christopher Lee has one of the best names in the market and is a very prominent figure," says a practitioner.

The firm's banking and project finance practice, headed by partner Fiona Sequerah, acts primarily for lenders. The practice counts Maybank Islamic and Mizuho Corporate Bank among its clients.

Deals
Banking and project finance practice head Sequerah acted for Maybank Islamic as financier for a two-tranche Islamic financing facility of up to an aggregate of RM100 million to Air Asia X to refinance the outstanding balance of an existing facility and to finance general and corporate working capital requirements.

Name partner Christopher Lee advised HSBC Bank Malaysia as security agent for a syndicated loan for up to $230 million for ATT Tanjung to finance the construction of an oil storage terminal in Johor.

Peers believe that Christopher Lee & Co is a firm to watch, which is no surprise given its strong transactions this year. The M&A practice is led by respected partner Kuok Yew Chen, although name partner Christopher Lee has a commanding presence. "Christopher Lee has one of the best names in the market and is a very prominent figure," says a lawyer.

Deals
This year the firm acted on a string of high-profile transactions, including SAM Engineering & Equipment's proposed acquisition of an engine casing business from Singapore Aerospace.

Showcasing its strength in its media practice, partner Kuok Yew Chen represented Tan Sri Rashid in its sale of shares in Mcat Box Office, the third-largest cinema operator in Malaysia, to Navis Capital.