Chambers Asia Pacific (2020)
Banking & Finance - Band 2
Capital Markets - Band 1
Competition and Antitrust - Band 1
Corporate/M&A - Band 1
Dispute Resolution - Band 1
Employment - Band 1
Projects & Energy - Band 2
Real Estate - Band 2
Technology, Media, Telecommunications - Band 1
Ranked Lawyers:
Ahmad Fikri Assegaf - Capital Markets (Band 1), Corporate/M&A (Band 1), Projects & Energy (Band 2)
Ahmad Maulana - Employment (Band 2)
Asep Ridwan - Competition/Antitrust (Band 2)
Bono Adji - Capital Markets (Band 1), Corporate/M&A (Band 1)
Chandra M Hamzah - Dispute Resolution (Senior Statespeople)
Eko Basyuni - Corporate/M&A (Band 3)
Eri Hertiawan - Dispute Resolution (Band 2)
Farid Nasution - Competition/Antitrust (Band 2)
Ibrahim Sjarief Assegaf - Banking & Finance (Band 2)
Putu Suryastuti - Capital Markets (Band 2)
Zacky Z Husein - Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) (Band 1)
Banking & Finance
What the team is known for
Notable full-service firm, regularly advising borrowers and lenders on a broad range of conventional and Shari'a-compliant deals. Assists clients with acquisition, leveraged and structured financings, regularly assisting leading Indonesian and overseas groups. Strong client base includes government entities, private equity firms and overseas banks. Also well placed to handle project and infrastructure finance, as well as restructuring and insolvency mandates. Has recently handled bank merger deals, as well as non-performing loan transactions.
Strengths
A client states that "it is an excellent and highly professional" team, adding: "They provide an overview of what you are heading for, and what the options are."
Another interviewee says: "They work so hard to enable us to meet deadlines."
Work highlights
Acted for Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional on its merger with Bank Sumitomo Mitsui Indonesia.
Notable practitioners
Ibrahim Sjarief Assegaf often advises major Indonesian and global banks on loan facilities, as well as refinancing and non-performing loan transactions. An interviewee commends his "cool and very professional" approach to matters, noting that "the way he talks is very comforting to clients."
Capital Markets
What the team is known for
Offers a full suite of services, including advising on convertible and exchangeable bonds, IPOs and private placements. Additionally adept at advising on Shari'a-compliant sovereign debt issuances. Particularly active for issuers, advising several of Indonesia's largest corporates in the energy, mining, retail, insurance and telecommunications sectors. Also represents government entities and financial institutions.
Strengths
One interviewee declares: "They are very professional and know what they are doing, providing solutions rather than a conservative reading of the law."
"They are ready at any time when we ask for their opinion or advice," according to a client.
Work highlights
Assisted the Republic of Indonesia with its issuance of government samurai bonds worth a total value of JPY100 billion.
Notable practitioners
Ahmad Fikri Assegaf has extensive experience of representing leading corporates and government entities in bonds, IPOs and rights issuances. One interviewee says: "He brings a lot of gravitas and has a great depth of experience in different areas. He is very thoughtful, incisive and good at seeing the big picture while remaining on top of the details."
Bono Adji is a renowned practitioner handling bonds, IPOs and rights issuances in sectors such as mining, energy and telecoms. He is described by one commentator as "very smart, practical and hard-working."
Putu Suryastuti is recognised by market commentators for her busy ECM practice. Also able to handle DCM deals, she advises issuers in the infrastructure, finance, retail and insurance industries, among others.
Competition and Antitrust
What the team is known for
Possesses expertise across a wide range of competition and antitrust work, including representing clients in major cartel investigations before the Indonesian Competition Commission (KPPU). Also handles abuse of dominance and price-fixing cases, alongside merger notifications and competition audits. Entrusted by multinational and domestic clients from the automotive, technology, finance and manufacturing sectors, among others. Also advises on merger control matters.
Strengths
Sources emphasise the firm's knowledge of the market and the law, with one client commenting: "They provide the client with a good picture of the economic market and legal point of view. They also have a good network within the antitrust community and academia."
Work highlights
Assisted Nokia in preparing and submitting a post-merger notification to the KPPU relating to its acquisition of Comptel.
Advised Indonesia Entertainment Group on post-completion notification matters relating to its acquisition of Sinemart Indonesia.
Notable practitioners
Head of department Chandra Hamzah is the main contact for clients.
Corporate & Finance (Expertise Based Abroad)
What the team is known for
Leverages its network of offices across the Asia-Pacific region to advise on a significant volume of cross-border mandates. Provides Indonesia law advice through its associate firm, Assegaf Hamzah & Partners. Expertise covers banking and finance, dispute resolution, M&A and projects. Possesses notable language capabilities in the group's Singapore office, including Bahasa Indonesia.
Strengths
Market sources opine that the firm stands out among Singapore firms for possessing "strong relationships with Indonesian conglomerates based in Singapore."
Notable practitioners
Ng Sey Ming is a contact for the practice.
Corporate/M&A
What the team is known for
Market-leading corporate practice, active on some of the largest and most complex M&A transactions in the region. Advises major Indonesian clients and prominent international companies on joint ventures, foreign direct investment and private equity. Valued also for its work in real estate, particularly on hotel development deals and lease agreements. Regularly handles acquisitions pertaining to industrial, retail and residential properties.
Strengths
A client enthuses: "They really think outside the box and are good at coming up with innovative solutions."
Another interviewee reports: "I would recommend them for sure. They are available and their English is really good."
Work highlights
Acted for Mitra Pinasthika Mustika on the USD436 million divestment of its 100% stake in motorcycle lubricant manufacturer Federal Karyatama to Esso Petroleum and ExxonMobil UK.
Notable practitioners
Ahmad Fikri Assegaf regularly advises local and domestic clients on acquisitions and divestments in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing and technology. "He brings a lot of gravitas and has a great depth of experience in different areas. He is very thoughtful, incisive and good at seeing the big picture while remaining on top of the details," a source says.
Bono Adji comes highly recommend by market commentators, who describe him as "a very smart, practical and hard-working lawyer." He acts for leading Indonesian corporates and global investors on high-value M&A and joint venture deals in a range of sectors.
Eko Basyuni is a well-regarded corporate lawyer, especially acting for international clients on FDI in Indonesia. He handles transactions in a range of areas, such as manufacturing and real estate.
Dispute Resolution
What the team is known for
Maintains an excellent reputation for handling a diverse range of contentious matters, from commercial disputes to competition litigation. Areas of focus include employment, land, transportation and finance-related cases. Especially acts for leading domestic corporates, as well as foreign entities. Clients further benefit from the firm's membership of the Rajah & Tann Asia network. Also active in complex arbitration, frequently appearing in both local and foreign-based proceedings.
Strengths
A client lauds the team's "world-class lawyers," adding: "They are smart, ready almost 24 hours a day, and really knowledgeable about Indonesian law."
Another interviewee comments that "they respond very well" and provide "an international-standard quality" of service.
Work highlights
Represented the defendant Aneka Tambang in an IDR107.9 trillion claim by Perusahaan Toradja, concerning the historical transfer of a mine site to Aneka Tambang, as well as a concurrent defamation claim.
Notable practitioners
Chandra Hamzah is a highly respected name in the market, particularly for his knowledge of anti-corruption issues. He regularly advises Indonesian and foreign clients on both litigation and arbitration, including international proceedings.
Eri Hertiawan comes highly recommend by clients and market commentators, and handles a wide variety of disputes. He undertakes both litigation and arbitration, including cases relating to aviation, shipping, competition law and land law.
Employment
What the team is known for
Recognised for advising an impressive range of domestic and foreign clients on a variety of employment issues, including unfair dismissals, fraud and retrenchment. Also handles matters relating to trade union issues, employee handbooks and benefit packages. Additionally offers expertise in expatriate matters. Able to draw on the firm's expertise in M&A to advise on transactional employment matters.
Strengths
An interviewee says: "They definitely know their law and their response times are good, especially if it is urgent."
A source indicates that "they demonstrate a deep knowledge" and provide "commercial advice."
Work highlights
Advised CGS-CIMB Sekuritas Indonesia on an internal investigation relating to alleged employee manipulation of its trading system.
Notable practitioners
Ahmad Maulana "considers both the legal and practical viewpoints with the aim of providing solutions to clients," a source says. He has a wide range of expertise in contentious and non-contentious matters, including those relating to employee fraud, labour unions, expatriate workers and employee benefits.
Projects & Energy
What the team is known for
Noted for advising some of the region's largest energy and resources companies, including government entities and export credit agencies. Proficient in handling project-related transactions, financings and development in the renewable energy space, as well as rail and telecommunications infrastructure developments. Frequently involved in cross-border matters for both lenders and project companies. Also able to handle contentious mandates in the projects and energy sector.
Work highlights
Advised onshore consortium contractor Meindo Elang Indah on issues relating to the EPC contract, towards the development of the USD1.8 billion Jawa-1 gas power plant project.
Notable practitioners
Ahmad Fikri Assegaf has considerable experience of handling project finance and capital markets deals in the energy sector. Of late, he has handled transactions relating to the coal plant, geothermal and mining sectors.
Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT)
What the team is known for
Well-reputed team routinely instructed by leading telecommunications and technology companies on commercial and regulatory mandates in this space. Often advises on internet connectivity, mobile applications, e-commerce and data centre establishment matters. Has particular expertise relating to OTT media services. Also demonstrates expertise in data privacy, data protection and cybersecurity matters.
Strengths
An impressed client says: "They are smart, ready almost 24 hours, and really knowledgeable about Indonesian law."
Another interviewee remarks: "We are very pleased with their support so far. They are very professional and personal."
Notable practitioners
Zacky Husein has considerable experience of advising leading Indonesian and global clients on such issues as data protection, OTT services, Internet of Things, blockchain and telecoms regulations. An impressed client appreciates his "very proactive" approach.