Chambers Asia Pacific (2016)
Banking & Finance - Band 1
Ranked Lawyers: Ahmad Fikri Assegaf (Band 1), Ibrahim Sjarief Assegaf (Band 4), Yanu Wiriasmoko (Other Noted Practitioners)
Basic facts about the department
- 4 partners
- 9 other qualified lawyers
What the team is known for
A popular choice for both domestic and international banks looking for high-quality advice on lending. Offers expertise in acquisition financing, credit facilities and syndicated lending, with additional experience in debt restructuring. Notable presence in the financing of major real estate, power and telecoms projects.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"They are a good-quality firm with good people."
"A law firm with very good technical skills - they have given us very sound legal advice."
Work highlights
Represented a group of lenders including Bank Negara and Bank ANZ Indonesia on two revolving credit facilities with a combined value of approximately USD381 million granted to Telekomunikasi Selular.
Assisted CIMB Bank Singapore and Qatar National Bank Singapore on their USD100 million loan to Plaza Indonesia Realty for the purpose of refinancing a facility and funding expenditure.
Notable practitioners
Ahmad Fikri Assegaf is described as "knowledgeable and reliable"by clients, who appreciate that he always makes himself available to answer their queries. He has a strong reputation for his financing work and also advises on M&A and capital markets matters.
Ibrahim Sjarief Assegaf is viewed by market sources as "a good operator" and "very helpful commercially." He recently advised a syndicate of lenders including BNP Paribas and ING on the financing of a hydropower plant in Lampung, in Sumatra.
Significant clients
Bank Mandiri, HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, The World Bank, Deutsche Bank.
Capital Markets - Band 1
Ranked Lawyers: Ahmad Fikri Assegaf - Band 1, Bono Adji - Band 1, Putu Saryastuti - Up and Coming
Basic facts about the department
- 4 partners
What the team is known for
Premier player in the capital markets sector widely regarded as a popular choice for issuers and arrangers. Adept at handling both debt and equity transactions, offering expert advice on rights issuances, convertible bonds and private placement exercises, with a particularly strong reputation for IPO work.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"They are one of the top-tier firms for capital markets."
"They understand the goals of the parties and can help reach a workable solution."
Work highlights
Advised Japfa Comfeed, an Indonesian agri-food company, on its SGD198 million IPO.
Represented Tower Bersama Infrastructure as the issuer in a USD350 million notes offering via its subsidiary, TBG Global.
Notable practitioners
Leading practitioner Ahmad Fikri Assegaf has an excellent reputation for his work advising significant clients on both public and private listings, in addition to Shari'a-compliant transactions. He is considered a "high-quality lawyer" and a "problem solver" by market sources. He was recently involved in the Japfa Comfeed IPO.
Co-head of department Bono Adji is endorsed by clients as"knowledgeable, reachable and able to respond promptly." He is well respected for his work representing issuers in sophisticated equity offerings, and is also known for his strong corporate practice. He advised Graha Layar Prima on its USD17.2 million IPO.
Up-and-comer Putu Suryastuti is building a reputation for acting for high-profile financial institutions as underwriters on a range of fund-raising activities. Interviewees describe her as "a very practical lawyer," and praise her "understanding of the law and regulations." She formed part of the team acting for Saratoga Investama Sedaya on its USD72.5 million issuance of notes through private placement.
Significant clients
Bank Mandiri, XL Axiata, Garuda Indonesia, Indosat, Chandra Asri Petrochemical.
Corporate/M&A - Band 1
Ranked Lawyers: Ahmad Fikri Assegaf - Band 1, Bono Adji - Band 2, Eko Basyuni - Up and Coming
Basic facts about the department
- 4 partners
- 17 other ranked lawyers
What the team is known for
Leading corporate team widely acknowledged for its work on a range of significant mergers and acquisitions. Advises major Indonesian clients and prominent international companies on joint ventures, foreign direct investment and private equity.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"We are very happy with their service."
"Its quality of work is outstanding."
"They provided very good counsel and took care of me very well."
Work highlights
Advised XL Axiata on its USD577 million sale of 3,500 telecommunications towers and linked business, which involved a complex bidding process.
Represented Multimedia Nusantara in its establishment of a joint venture with Telstra, a major Australian telecom company.
Notable practitioners
Founding partner Ahmad Fikri Assegaf is highly praised by sources, who note his "deep knowledge and ability to manage complex matters." His broad practice incorporates acquisitions and investment, and he is regularly instructed by blue-chip clients as both buyer and seller.
Bono Adji is considered a skilled practitioner in the corporate space and is especially adept at handling acquisitions that involve publicly listed companies. Interviewees enthuse that they "love working with him" as he "always provides sound opinions on ways to close a transaction."
Up-and-comer Eko Basyuni is emerging as a solid lawyer with a strong specialism in corporate matters. He advises clients from a number of sectors including telecommunications and e-commerce.
Significant clients
Bank Mandiri, Barito Group, Garuda, HSBC, Indosat.
Dispute Resolution Band 1
Ranked lawyer: Eri Hertiawan - Band 2, Chandra M Hamzah - Other noted practitioners
Basic facts about the department
- 7 partners
- 24 other qualified lawyers
What the team is known for
Enjoys an excellent reputation for handling a diverse range of contentious matters, including commercial disputes, competition litigation and international arbitrations. Also active in aviation and tax disputes. Clients include international corporates and government organisations.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"They're very good and very committed."
"The firm has strong capabilities in litigation."
Work highlights
Successfully represented the Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, and the General Elections Commission and the Jakarta Provincial Elections Commission, in a dispute concerning a challenge to the election results over allegations that certain ballot boxes had been opened prematurely.
Defended The World Bank in a civil action brought by 22 private individuals who alleged that they were adversely affected by the Kedung Ombo Dam development in the 1990s, which was financed by The World Bank.
Notable practitioners
Co-head of the team Eri Hertiawan receives widespread recognition for his deft handling of contentious matters, with clients endorsing him as "highly expert and trustworthy." His recent highlights include assisting Goodyear with a IDR25 billion dispute, brought before the Competition Commission involving various cartel allegations.
Significant clients Bank Mandiri, Coca-Cola, HSBC, Holcim, Petronas Niaga Indonesia.
Employment - Band 2
Ranked Lawyers: Ahmad Maulana - Other Noted Practitioner
Basic facts about the department
- 1 partner
- 5 other qualified lawyers
What the team is known for
Frequently handles a range of advisory and litigation work. Expertise spans a spectrum of issues including unfair dismissals, retrenchment and redundancy packages. Additionally offers expertise in outsourcing and expatriate matters.
Work highlights
Acted for several employees of Indo Cipta Harmoni as witnesses for the prosecution in a corruption case involving a government-owned bank in Java.
Notable practitioners
Ahmad Maulana heads the department and is a key contact for this practice.
Projects & Energy - Band 3
Ranked Lawyers: Ahmad Fikri Assegaf - Band 2
Basic facts about the department
- 3 partners
- 12 other qualified lawyers
What the team is known for
Diverse practice acting for a variety of clients, including government entities, export credit agencies and major power companies, on project financing and development. Also experienced in investment and M&A in the oil and gas and infrastructure sectors.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"Their strength is deep knowledge about Indonesian law."
"They are always available to meet the clients on short notice and always make us the priority."
Work highlights
Acted for Mass Rapid Transit Jakarta on the tender process for the first phase of the mass rapid transit development, advising on local regulatory issues and negotiations with bidders.
Instructed by a consortium of banks, including Export-Import Bank of Korea and BNP Paribas, as the lenders in the USD142 million financing of a hydropower project in Lampung province.
Notable practitioners
Co-head of department Ahmad Fikri Assegaf is active on significant infrastructure and power project matters. He recently advised Export-Import Bank of China on the USD1.2 billion financing of the Sumsel-8 coal-fired mine-mouth power project. Sources particularly applaud him for his strength in negotiations.
Significant clients
Pertamina, Indonesia Infrastructure Finance, Sarana Multi Infrastructure, Petronas Naga Indonesia, Medco Indonesia.
Real Estate - Band 2
Basic facts about the department
- 1 partner
- 6 other qualified lawyers
What the team is known for
Well-established real estate team, offering comprehensive expertise in a range of advisory matters. Excellent M&A and financing capabilities, especially with regard to land acquisitions and infrastructure projects. Other areas of strength include foreign investment and leasing.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"It's a top-notch firm."
Work highlights
Assisted XL Axiata with various real estate matters, including conveyancing and preparation of agreements, in relation to its IDR5.6 trillion sale of 3,500 telecommunications towers.
Advised Eneres International Indonesia on its purchase of land in the Dumai Industrial Zone, which included reviewing a conditional sale and purchase agreement.
Notable practitioners
Head of department Yogi Marsono is a key contact for clients.
Significant clients
Holcim, Tower Bersama, Vale.
Telecommunications - Band 2
Basic facts about the department
- 2 partners
- 4 other qualified lawyers
What the team is known for
Widely recognised for its deft handling of M&A and capital markets transactions in the telecoms arena, acting for a largely multinational client base. Also assists a growing number of IT and media entities with transactional matters.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"A good-quality firm with good people."
"They have good knowledge and experience in TMT transactions."
Work highlights
Assisted XL Axiata with its USD577 million sale of 3,500 telecommunications towers and related businesses to Solusi Tunas Pratama.
Advised Tara Cell Intrabuana in connection with a USD110 million investment by Telekom Infranusantara.
Notable practitioners
Head of department Bono Adji is a key contact for the firm.
Significant clients
Indosat, Telenor, Rocket Internet, Tower Bersama, Qtel.