Chambers Asia Pacific (2021)
Banking & Finance - Band 2
Capital Markets - Band 1
Competition and Antitrust - Band 1
Corporate & Finance (International Firms): Desk Abroad - Band 4
Corporate/M&A - Band 1
Dispute Resolution - Band 1
Employment - Band 1
Projects & Energy - Band 2
Real Estate - Band 2
Tax - Spotlight
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 1)
Farid Nasution - Competition/Antitrust (Band 2)
Ibrahim Sjarief Assegaf - Banking & Finance (Band 2)
Kanya Satwika - Projects & Energy (Band 4)
Ng Sey Ming - Banking & Finance (International Firms) - Expert Abroad (Spotlight)
Putu Suryastuti - Capital Markets (Band 2)
Rikrik Rizkiyana - Competition/Antitrust (Band 1)
Wibowo Mukti - Tax (Spotlight)
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, advising leading Indonesian and overseas banks, corporates, asset managers and government entities. Also well placed to handle project and infrastructure finance, as well as restructuring and insolvency mandates and bank merger deals. Growing capabilities in regard to fintech.
Strengths
According to an interviewee, its lawyers are "very detail-focused and practical," as well as being "commercial in their outlook."
A client reports: "They provide a high-quality standard of service," including that "they are easily contacted and quite responsive."
Work highlights
Advised Bank Central Asia, Bank Mandiri and Bank Maybank Indonesia on the IDR5 trillion financing to Japfa, towards its refinancing of existing facilities, capital expenditure and working capital.
Notable practitioners
Ibrahim Sjarief Assegaf represents top Indonesian and international banks on a range of acquisition finance, project finance and refinancing deals, as well as debt restructuring. A market commentator says that "he has broad knowledge of Indonesian law and financing, and he is practical and thinks commercially."
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 and telecommunications sectors. Also represents government entities and financial institutions.
Strengths
A client says: "They have a strong group supported by well-known names. For me, their capital markets team is one of the best in Indonesia."
Interviewees often refer to the high quality of the work produced by the team.
Work highlights
Assisted Visi Telekomunikasi Infrastruktur with its rights issue, raising USD14.6 million.
Notable practitioners
Ahmad Fikri Assegaf is a seasoned practitioner with a broad practice covering capital markets, M&A and finance. Interviewees say: "He is not just extremely knowledgeable on black-letter laws of Indonesian capital markets regulations, but has some very effective connections with regulators that can help to clarify guidelines."
Bono Adji is noted by a market source for his ability to give "commercial and clear solutions." He advises on both debt and equity capital markets deals. One client enthuses: "He is well known and a deal-maker. He will try to find a way for us to do a deal taking into consideration the business aspects and the compliance aspects. Having him in the room when we are meeting with officials give additional comfort since his views are highly respected."
Putu Suryastuti acts for issuers and joint lead managers on bond issuances and rights issues, and is notably active representing financial institutions in their capital-raising activities.
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, transportation and manufacturing sectors, among others. Its competition team includes former KPPU employees, providing additional regulatory expertise, and in-house economists.
Strengths
Sources praise the team's ability to simplify matters for the client.
Work highlights
Assisted Nissan with filing a notification to the KPPU regarding its acquisition of shares in Mitsubishi.
Notable practitioners
Asep Ridwan is described as a "well rounded" practitioner by market sources, who note his proficiency in handling contentious and non-contentious competition matters. "He has been doing competition law his whole career," says one client, "so I have no doubts about his expertise."
Farid Nasution has an active practice in transactional and contentious competition matters. He is able to draw on his experience working for the KPPU to assist clients.
Rikrik Rizkiyana is a highly respected competition practitioner. He has a broad practice encompassing merger control and KPPU investigations.
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 Indonesian.
Notable practitioners
Ng Sey Ming in Singapore is a key contact.
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 development deals and lease agreements. Regularly handles acquisitions pertaining to industrial, retail and residential properties.
Work highlights
Assisted Metamorfosis Ekosistem Indonesia and Wealthtrack Technology with the acquisition of Bank Artos.
Advised Sugih Lestari on the negotiation of a lease agreement with the title holder of a plot of land.
Notable practitioners
Ahmad Fikri Assegaf is an established figure in the market. He is best known for handling notable transactions in the financial services and oil and gas sectors.
Bono Adji is a highly respected M&A practitioner. He has significant expertise in assisting major Indonesian, regional and international corporates with structuring transactions.
Market sources describe Eko Basyuni as "a pleasant person who tries to find solutions." He handles M&A, foreign direct investment and restructuring.
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 mining-related cases. Especially acts for leading domestic corporates, as well as foreign entities. Also active in complex arbitration, frequently appearing in BANI proceedings. Clients further benefit from the firm's membership of the Rajah & Tann Asia network, as well as its other practice area departments in Jakarta, which often work in conjunction with the disputes team.
Strengths
A client describes the team as "knowledgeable and experienced," and appreciates that "their advice is easy to follow and down to earth."
Another interviewee is grateful that "someone will reply to you, 24/7."
Work highlights
Successfully represented Antam in the Supreme Court, in relation to a claim by Karya Murni, James & Armando Pundimas, and Hafar Indotech concerning a nickel mining concession in South-East Sulawesi.
Notable practitioners
Chandra Hamzah represents Indonesian and international clients in several high-profile matters, including in relation to mining, employment and anti-corruption. An interviewee reports that "he is very helpful" and "able to provide his insight into Indonesia's justice system."
Eri Hertiawan is a leading name in litigation and arbitration, with expertise in such areas as aviation, competition and general contractual disputes. One interviewee notes that "he is very well connected in Indonesian legal and political circles," while another source says that "there is nobody more experienced in arbitration than him."
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. Additionally offers expertise in expatriate matters. Able to draw on the firm's expertise in M&A to advise on transactional employment matters.
Strengths
One client comments: "They are top-notch. They provide good legal advice, have strong connections and are always contactable."
Work highlights
Successfully represented the Asian Development Bank in a civil case filed by an ex-employee alleging defamation, intimidation, discrimination and wrongful termination.
Notable practitioners
Ahmad Maulana handles the full range of employment issues from representing clients before the Industrial Relations Court to assisting with work permit issues. Clients praise his willingness to go the extra mile and comment: "He is very hands-on and totally dedicated to the case. His knowledge is very helpful in understanding the latest employment law."
Projects & Energy
What the team is known for
Noted for advising some of the region's largest energy and resources companies, as well as government entities and export credit agencies. Proficient in handling project-related transactions, financings and development in the oil and gas, renewable energy and petrochemical spaces, 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.
Strengths
The team is "very detail-focused and practical," according to a client.
Another interviewee appreciates "their willingness to accommodate and agree to a solution."
Work highlights
Advised Chandra Asri Perkasa on the USD5 billion construction and operation of a petrochemical complex to be built on approximately 200 hectares of land.
Notable practitioners
Ahmad Fikri Assegaf acts for lenders and project companies on the financing of projects, including in relation to power and infrastructure. He is described as "an outstanding lawyer who really knows his stuff" by a commentator.
Kanya Satwika has expertise in the oil and gas and power space, including renewable energy, as well as infrastructure projects. An interviewee says: "She is very good - she's knowledgeable about the market and understands the commercial side of things."
Tax
What the team is known for
Established practice with a strong base in handling tax implications of transactions. Also represents clients in tax disputes regarding VAT. Regularly acts for technology and energy sector clients.
Strengths
One impressed client remarks that "the talent across its teams is deep and they clearly have a client-first approach to their business." The same source adds: "The lawyers are always available when we need them, always informed and work as partners in our business as opposed to advisers. The quality of advice is tremendous."
Work highlights
Advised TikTok on the Indonesian tax regulations linked to its provision of OTT services.
Notable practitioners
Wibowo Mukti is "very talented and has deep tax knowledge," attests one market commentator. He has many years of experience in this area and is adept in matters including transfer pricing, tax reviews and audits.
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. Often advises on cloud, mobile network, e-commerce, OTT services and data centre matters. Also demonstrates expertise in data protection and cybersecurity matters. Regularly works alongside its other practice area departments, including in relation to M&A, fundraising and tax issues within the TMT sector.
Strengths
An interviewee reports that "the talent across their teams is deep and they clearly have a client-first approach to their business."
The team is "knowledgeable and responsive," according to a client.
Work highlights
Advised General Atlantic and GGV Capital on the USD150 million Series C funding round of Ruangguru, which is an Indonesian online education platform.
Notable practitioners
Zacky Zainal Husein has strong regulatory expertise across mobile network operations, data protection, data centres and OTT services. An interviewee attests: "He is a strong leader with great experience, excellent market knowledge and a very measured approach."