Founded in 1905, Shearn Delamore & Co is one of the oldest law firms in Malaysia and is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur. The firm has more than 100 lawyers and 300 support staff. It is part of the Drew Network Asia regional alliance, with Drew & Napier from Singapore and Makarim & Taira S from Indonesia.
Focusses / specialisms
While the firm is a strong performer in banking and finance, capital markets and project development, its core strength lies in its market-leading corporate and M&A practice.
The banking and capital markets team advises on matters related to Islamic finance, acquisition finance, project finance, refinancing and derivatives.
The corporate team takes on work from local clients and has a special focus on inbound work.
Sectors of focus include pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, real estate, technology, energy, and banking and financial services.
Key clients
Key clients of the firm include Axiata Group, China Railway Engineering Corporation, OCBC Bank (Malaysia), Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation, Monash University, Fairview Valley, HSBC Bank Malaysia, Standard Chartered, BNP Paribas, Ragawang Power and Gas Malaysia Distribution.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
During the research period, the firm continued to be active across all financial and corporate sectors.
The banking and finance team was active in assisting clients on Islamic finance, structured finance, project finance and debt capital markets transactions, as well as regulatory mandates related to governing securities, financial services and foreign exchange administration. Partner Toh Chern Yen joined the firm’s banking and finance practice in 2022.
In the capital markets, the firm kept busy with sukuk, bond/note issuance, listings and share offerings.
The corporate team was active handling transactions including joint ventures, public and private acquisitions, advising clients on international inbound work from the US, Europe, Japan and China. The team was also involved in restructuring works.
In the project space, the firm continued to be active in PPP/PFI projects and related regulatory mandates. Other active sectors include oil and gas, mining, power production, energy, renewables, natural resources, hydro, solar and wind, and biomass and biofuels.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
RM100 million ($22 million) term loan facility granted to S P Setia.
$150 million funding package provided by IFC to Dialog Axiata.
MMC Port Holdings’ RM1 billion Islamic medium term notes programme.
IJM’s RM360 million sukuk issuance.
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
M&A
“Very responsive and commercial, plus excellent industry knowledge of the education sector.”
“The firm provides practical yet safe and legally correct advice under the law. The counsel involved has a strategy in undertaking the transaction.”
Project development
“They are always very responsive and approachable and provide excellent and relevant advice.”
Nicholas Tan Choi Chuan
“Nicholas is exceptionally responsive and provides excellent legal services (legal advice, reviewing and drafting complex legal documents).”
“Very responsive, very knowledgeable about the regulatory issues and how to structure the deal around them in the higher education sector.”
Marhaini Nordin
“She is helpful and provides practical solutions in undertaking the transaction.”
Teo Eu John
“Excellent responsiveness, legal drafting, legal advice.”