Azmi & Associates is a full-service international law firm that was founded on the principle that we would succeed only if we deliver prompt, high-quality and cost-effective services to our clientele.
We progressively strive to be a world-class corporate and commercial law firm, providing integrated, innovative and comprehensive solutions globally by synergising human capital, technology and best practices.
Consumer and retail sector cover both manufacturing and distribution or retail for products and services. Acquiring in-depth knowledge and understanding of the needs of the retail companies, requirements and preferences of consumers, distribution of the related products and retail is vital for legal practitioners.
Our team of experienced lawyers have represented a diverse clientele that includes developers, restaurants, food wholesalers, clothing stores, franchise businesses and manufacturers whereby the team draws on in-depth industry and provides hands-on experience to its clients regarding the needs, legal requirements and preferences of consumers, distribution and retail including brand building, strong customer orientation, commercial understanding, intellectual property protections tailored to meet the specific needs of each of our retail clients.
Our range of services:
One of the key factors contributed to establish the economy of Malaysia to be the third largest in the Southeast Asia and designated relatively open and state-oriented is the innovation and growth of the corporate and commercial laws respectively. The involvement of the government, private and public companies, GLCs and many other entities in the corporate and commercial transactions further assisted to stimulate the economy of Malaysia.
We believe that the involvement of legal practitioners in the corporate and commercial sector is extremely critical so as to support the government, private and public companies, GLCs and many other entities.
Our team of associates are well experienced, knowledgeable, skilful, and diversify in various areas of corporate and commercial legal practice. Other than that, our team of associates is also able to provide creative solutions on various corporate issues for our treasured clients. The team of our associates advises clients in various kinds of corporate and commercial arrangements for instance distributorships, dealerships, joint ventures, licensing and regulatory compliance, supply, collaboration, franchising, and consortium arrangements.
Our range of services:
We provide comprehensive services in the area of Employment and Industrial Relations.
Our range of services:
Intellectual property includes an intangible creation of human intellect, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; used in commercial transactions. Intellectual property is being protected by law as it is crucial in business as the same is recognise as an intangible assets of entities which can be easily exploited financially. This is due to the fact that the characteristic of intellectual property is similar with the tangible assets; it can be sold or licensed.
Our Intellectual Property Practice Group is rapidly growing in a broad range of areas. We advise, in the context of Malaysian law, in relation to all areas of intellectual property – trademarks, patents, design rights, copyright, domain names and other rights. Further, as a member of the International Trademark Association (INTA), we are also able to benefit from our contacts within the international network of almost 4000 INTA members worldwide to assist clients who wish to expand and protect their intellectual property interests regionally as well as globally.
Our range of services:
Insurance & takaful protects the policy holders from financial loss generally. It also enables to mitigate loss, to stabilise financial, and promotes trade and commerce activities in which results into economic growth and development. As such, the area of insurance and takaful plays a crucial role in sustainable growth of an economy.
We provide advisory on the risk assessment, policy advisory to our clients in the industry for insurance and re-insurance matters. We handle life and general, marine and non-marine classes as well as re-insurance matters. In addition, we are also able to provide legal services related to claims investigation, review, mediation and the pursuit and defence of insurance and re-insurance claims. We have conducted in house training for corporate assureds, industry organisations and insurers and have contributed to authoritative practitioner texts. In the contentions areas, we have been involved as counsel and arbitrator.
Our range of services:
We provide both civil and corporate litigation and dispute resolution services in the areas of Contracts, Sale of Goods and Commodities, Hire Purchase and Leasing, Insurance, Admiralty & Shipping, Insolvency and Arbitration. We specialize in arbitration, consultation, litigation involving declarations, injunctions including Mareva and Anton Pillar orders, specific performance, tracing and recovery of assets, commercial and construction disputes, trusts and the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Our lawyers also sit as mediators and arbitrators.
Our range of services:
Over years, the market of real estate and property has never gone down or fluctuated due to the fact that every layer of society including individuals and entities have been purchasing and owning properties. This area of practice is also imperative to support the economy of Malaysia.
In view of the above, we valued our clients by supporting our clients in obtaining their objectives all across product lines. Many of our clients are looking to buy, sell and lease portfolios that surpass borders that involved well-structured and sophisticated financing arrangements. Our lawyers are devoted to assist our clients in every property related transactions and work with both lenders and borrowers to develop innovative structures and solutions.
Our range of services:
Senior Partner
Dato’ Azmi Mohd Ali (DJMK) is the Senior Partner of the Firm. The firm, Azmi & Associates under his leadership is recognized as one of the largest law firms (by size) in Malaysia.
He holds LL.B (Hons.) from the University of Malaya (1984) and LLM in US & Global Business Law from the Suffolk University, Boston, U.S.A (2011). He has also attended a short program on Enterprise Innovation at Cambridge University Business School.
He is an experienced and is one of the leading corporate lawyers in Malaysia with expertise in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, cross-border transactions, project finance, privatisation, energy, oil and gas and foreign investments.
Prior to his venture in private practice, Dato’ Azmi spent 6 1⁄2 years as an in-house counsel of PETRONAS. He was involved in projects of national importance for Malaysia and negotiated and concluded the NGPSA, a major gas development project for Malaysia, in 1990.
His accomplishments as a corporate lawyer are well noted and have earned him numerous awards, and recognitions from reputed international legal publications. He won the prestigious Legal 500 Hall of Fame for M&A/corporate 2020, Distinguished M&A Practitioner for AsiaLaw 2020, International Law Office 2016 Clients Choice Award for Malaysia in Mergers & Acquisitions, and other international publications.
Managing Partner
Ahmad Lutfi graduated in 1995 from International Islamic University Malaysia with a LL.B (Hons) and was subsequently admitted to the Malaysian Bar in 1996. He has also obtained his professional qualification from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) and graduated from the Institute in February 1996.
He embarked on his journey as a legal practitioner by joining Hisham Sobri & Kadir from 1996 to year 2000 where he was made partner. Lutfi then became one of the founding partners of Azmi & Associates and now heads a team of 15 lawyers who specialise in financial services and Islamic banking. Azmi & Associates is presently the 8th largest law firm in Malaysia with more than 70 lawyers with offices in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Singapore and a joint-venture office in Jakarta, Indonesia.
He has advised various clients in numerous exercises ranging from private debt securities, syndicated and cross-border financing, structured and project financing, trade facilities; both conventional and Islamic, Islamic banking product development, Islamic profit rate swap, corporate debt restructuring, privatization and build-operate-transfer/build-operate-own projects, mergers and acquisitions, foreign direct investment, energy and power related transactions, joint ventures to telecommunication projects and building contracts and Islamic derivatives.
Lutfi has also advised clients in various transactions involving debt and equity structured on Shariah principles and concepts of Murabahah, Mudharabah, Musharakah, Tawarruq, Ijarah, Istisna’, Wakalah, Bay Sarf, Bai Dayn, Kafalah and Rahnu. His capabilities include the areas of Sukuk, syndication and structured finance. He also has significant expertise in Islamic product development, venture capital and private equity funding.
Asialaw Leading Lawyers, a publication of Asia Law & Practice in its 2015, 2013 and 2012 publications respectively has identified Lutfi as one of the leading lawyers in Islamic banking and finance. Islamic Finance news in its publication, Leading Lawyers for 2009, 2010 and 2011 has identified Lutfi as one of the leading lawyers nominated in the category of Islamic Banking and Finance.
Lutfi has been featured in ISLAMICA 500 in 2015 as one of the 500 most influentials to make Islamic Economy.
Co-Deputy Managing Partner
Serina graduated in 1992 with an LL. B Business Law (Hons) from Coventry University, England. She became a member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn in 1992 and was admitted to the English Bar in 1993. She read in the chambers of Philip Nainan in Johor Bahru and was admitted to the Malaysian Bar on 27 August 1994.
Early in her career she joined Messrs KM Chye & Partners in January 1995 and underwent training in Singapore with Messrs Khattar Wong & Partners, in the field of conveyancing and banking and later in 1996 in the field of shipping. She joined Messrs Hisham, Sobri & Kadir in 1999. Serina was involved in various corporate and commercial matters, in particular, due diligence work on companies applying for listing on the Main and Second Boards of the then Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.
Serina then became one of the founding partners of Azmi & Associates in 2000, and is responsible for the development of the Capital & Debt Markets Practice Group and Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group. Some of her most notable assignments include:
Co-Deputy Managing Partner
uhaidi was called to the Malaysian Bar and admitted to the roll of Advocates and Solicitors in 2001 after obtaining his law degree from International Islamic University of Malaysia. He subsequently obtained his MBA from Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2016.
Zuhaidi joined Azmi & Associates in May 2002 as an Associate under the Mergers, Acquisitions & New Ventures Practice Group and Real Estates Practice Groups. He is a Partner and head of the Projects Practice Group.
Zuhaidi’s core areas are in real estates transactions, project development, mergers & acquisitions, oil & gas, mining and corporate commercial transactions.
Some of the notable real estates development projects that he has advised include KLIA Aeropolis, Subang Aerospace Industrial Park, Kapar i-Zone Industrial Park, Pagoh Education Hub, various asset purchase and leaseback transactions for government-linked companies, plantation and property assets transfer exercise in Sime Darby group of companies, dealings of few office buildings in KL Sentral, advising on tender exercise, joint development agreements, advisory on construction contracts (JKR, FIDIC, PAM) and contract administrations.
In the area of corporate commercial mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and takeovers, he has advised on the acquisition of Taman Desa Medical Center, joint ventures between property players in Iskandar, Kulai, Bangi, Kajang and Kelang, Pre-IPO assets restructuring of FGV Berhad, due-diligence of target companies and plantation lands in Indonesia, management agreements, tender bid agreements and consortium agreements.
In cross border assignments, he has assisted the largest mining group with its headquarters in Belgium in their acquisition of large mining lands in the state of Perak and the setting-up of their Malaysian operation for the extraction of calcium carbonate, the first of its kind in Malaysia, acted as the Malaysian counsel for an Australian bank in the due diligence exercise for the purpose of the syndicated and secured loan facilities up to US$105 million for an Australian mining group for its “rare earth” mining project in Western Australia and the processing plant for the product in Gebeng, Pahang, acted as leading external corporate counsel for the largest polysilicone manufacturer in Japan, for its silica rock project in Malaysia, concluded a long term crude oil lifting contract in the challenged environment of Khartoum, Sudan prior to its referendum which separated North and South Sudan and negotiated exit strategy for a Malaysian based oil & gas service company with a Vietnamese oil company.
He has also completed internship with a prominent Indonesian law firm based in Jakarta, Messrs Irawati Hermawan & Partners in order to be more versatile on business ventures and regulatory regime in Indonesia. On that note, he has strong links and networks with lawyers and consultants in Indonesia, extensively useful in advising Malaysian clients in doing business in Indonesia.
Zuhaidi regularly gives talk in the area of land law, corporate dealings, property transactions and others. He has participated in PEMUDAH roadshow on land dealing and construction issues in order to elevate Malaysia’s standing in the International Finance Corporation’s Doing Business publication, which he has been a permanent correspondent to the publication since 2005. In 2016, he was invited to give a briefing in Tokyo by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the topics of Malaysian infrastructure projects covering MRT, LRT, KTM and the future HSR rail infra.
Due to his capabilities, Zuhaidi has been recognised as Asialaw Leading Lawyer 2013, Asialaw Leading Lawyer 2014, Asialaw Leading Lawyer 2015, Asia Pacific Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer 2015 in Corporate, Real Estate & Construction, Asia Pacific Legal 500 Leading Lawyer 2016 and Asialaw Leading Lawyer 2017 in Corporate / M&A.
Partner, Global Financial Services and Islamic Banking
Farhah Hayati graduated from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) with Second Class Upper LL.B (Hons) in September 2002.
During her undergraduate studies, she also joined a programme in the Law Centre of Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws at IIUM and obtained a certificate in Company’s administration (“CICA”) in 2003.
After graduation, she was attached to Messrs. Azmi & Associates and was mainly exposed to corporate matters under the supervision of associates of the firm. She started her pupilage in October 2002 with Messrs. Hasnan Hamzah, whereby she was exposed to litigation matter under the supervision of En. Hasnan himself. Subsequently, in November 2002, she continued her term of pupilage with this Firm under the supervision of our Senior Partner, En. Azmi Mohd Ali, whereby she assisted in conducting corporate due diligence exercises for the purpose of submission to the Securities Commission and other various corporate works.
In addition, she also assisted in drafting and preparing the financing documents in Islamic Banking, registry works related to intellectual property protection specifically in trademarks registration, probate and administration in Islamic Law, drafting and preparing the agreements in relation to the acquisition of shares in public listed company, cross border transactions, opinions and also assisted in conducting researches for litigation matters, contracts, as well as corporate matters.
She completed her term of pupilage on 18 July 2003 and called to the Malaysian Bar on 4 September 2003. She is currently attached to Financial Services Practice Group.
Partner, Litigation & Arbitration
Abu Daud graduated in 2002 with a LL.B (Hons) from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and in 2003 earned his second degree in Bachelor of Laws (Shariah). In his free time Abu Daud enjoys taking up carpentry projects.
He joined Azmi & Associates in 2003 and spent the term of his pupillage. Abu Daud was called to the Malaysian Bar and admitted to the roll of Advocates and Solicitors in 2004. In 2011 he became a Partner at Azmi & Associates and now leads a robust practice group in Litigation, where his expertise include.
Some of Abu Daud’s most notable matters include:
Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions
Norhisham brings 23 years of corporate legal experience with him.
He is currently a Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions Partner at Azmi & Associates, a legal firm with more than 80 lawyers in Kuala Lumpur. His practice focuses on investments, corporate and commercial transactions, private equity & venture capital, corporate governance and compliance.
He has strong business acumen having advised major corporate transactions for listed companies and GLCs across a number of industries including automotive, palm oil plantation and real estate.
Norhisham also maintains a robust corporate governance practice and is a regular speaker in the market. He has conducted more than 85 public and in-house programs in the last 5 years for many entities including the Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC), Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA), Malaysian Insurance Institute (MII), and the Malaysian Directors Academy (now known as the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia). He also coaches board members of public listed companies and GLCs on corporate governance issues.
SKILL SET:
Corporate & Commercial Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Investments, Restructuring, Due Diligence, Joint-Ventures, Cross-Border Investments, Private Equity, Companies Act 2016, Bursa Malaysia Listing Requirements, Compliance, Risk Management, Corporate Governance (MCCG, Board Responsibilities & Accountability, Shareholder Activism, Anti-Corruption, Cybersecurity, Sustainability and ESG), Strategic Planning and Negotiation Skills.
EDUCATION:
MEMBERSHIP:
HIGHLIGHTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Norhisham’s key transactions are as follows:
Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions
Sharizan Sarif graduated from International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) in 2004.
After graduation, he joined SME Bank Berhad for about 2 years as Assistant Legal Manager, where he advised on all aspects of corporate financing offered by the bank and the overall operation of the bank.
He left the bank to undertake his pupillage at Azmi & Associates under the supervision of Dato’ Azmi Mohd Ali. He was called to the Malaysian Bar and admitted to the roll of Advocates and Solicitors in January 2009.
He was seconded twice to Gas and Power Business (Legal) Department, PETRONAS and was stationed at Malaysia LNG Sdn Bhd, Bintulu, and secondly at KLCC to assist procurement team on contracts related to floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG).
He attended International and Executive Legal Education (IELE) training on American laws at Berkeley School of Law, University of California, U.S.A.
He is now pursuing Professional Certificate in Islamic Finance from International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF) which was set up by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
He has advised and involved in various corporate and commercial work, mergers & acquisitions, corporate restructuring, joint venture arrangement and concession arrangement, including:
Partner, Admiralty & Shipping, Insurance and International Trade
Philip Teoh graduated with Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from National University of Singapore in 1989 and later obtained a Master of Laws from University of Malaya.
He chambered under the reknowned litigator Mr Harry Elias in Singapore and then commenced his practice with the shipping law practice of Koh & Yang. He later founded the Shipping and Insurance practice of David Chong & Co and practised in both its Singapore and Malaysian offices. He is admitted as Advocate and Solicitor of both the High Court of Malaya and the Supreme Court of Singapore. He has more than 25 years’ experience in the shipping & transport, admiralty, insurance and international trade matters.
Prior to joining the firm, he established his own firm Philip Teoh & Co. He has previously founded and headed the International Trade, Shipping and Insurance Practices of Messrs. David Chong & Co., and had led the Shipping, Insurance and International Trade practices of Lee Ong & Kandiah and Zaid Ibrahim & Co. respectively.
Through his years of practice, he has amassed experiences in:
He argued and won the first reported decision of the Malaysian Admiralty Court in the case of The Istana VI. His cases have been reported in the law reports, many of which involved novel points of shipping law including:
He has handled cases in several of the notable shipping incidents in the region:
Philip other achievements throughout his practice years and associated credentials are better represented in the following:
Publications:
Presented Papers and Conducted Seminars At:
Specific Areas of Expertise:
Relevant Engagements:
Philip Teoh joined Azmi & Associates in January 2015 as a Partner and Head of the Admiralty & Shipping, Insurance and International Trade Practice Group.
Partner, Capital & Debt Markets
Moo Eng Thing holds LL. B (Hons) from the University of London and CLP.
She was attached with the Firm as an attachment student before she proceeded to read in chambers starting from 13 December 2007. She was called to the Malaysian Bar and admitted to the roll of Advocates and Solicitors on 22nd October 2008 and is currently attached to the Capital & Debt Market Practice Group.
In April 2012, she joined RHB Trustees Berhad (formerly known as OSK Trustees Berhad) as Acting Head & Senior Manager of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) Division. She gained experience in legal and operational matters relating to REITs and unit trusts. In August 2013, she left RHB Trustees Berhad and re-joined Azmi & Associates.
She has been involved in various assignments, amongst others:
Partner, Banking & Finance, Islamic Banking
Ahmad Syahir graduated from International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) with a First-Class Honours Degree in 2008.
During his study, he obtained several awards for his academic performance including the Ahmad Ibrahim Kuliyyah of Laws Dean’s List Certificate for all eight semesters of his studies. He was also awarded the Best Student in Islamic Banking Law and was named in the Rector’s List during the 24th IIUM Convocation 2008.
He attended International and Executive Legal Education (IELE) training at University of California, Berkeley, United States in 2015 and he has successfully obtained a Certificate of American Law from Berkeley School of Law, University of California, U.S.A.
He also attended an Arabic language course at the Abu Nour University, Damascus, Syria in 2006. In 2005, he was selected to participate in a course organized by Da’wah and Guidance Centre that was held in Makkah al- Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia. He received Certificate of Excellence for both courses he attended. He was a product of Darul Quran, JAKIM. He completed the memorization of the whole thirty chapters of al-Quran and received his Certificate in Tahfiz al-Quran Darul Quran-IIUM with jayyid jiddan (second class upper) in 2004.
He joined Azmi & Associate in May 2008 to undertake his pupilage under the supervision of our Senior Partner, Dato’ Azmi Mohd Ali. He was called to the Malaysian Bar on 10th April 2009. He was part of the team that advised on the issuance of Sukuk al-Ijarah and al-Mudarabah by Malaysian highway concessionaire Projek Lintasan Shah Alam Sdn. Bhd., which garnered the Islamic Finance News Deal of the Year 2008 award for its innovativeness.
He was also part of the team that advised Bursa Malaysia Islamic Services on the drafting of the rules governing the operations of Bursa Suq al-Sila’, the world’s first fully-automated secure online commodity-trading platform established by Bursa Malaysia Berhad based on the Shariah concept of Murabahah (tawarruq) which was awarded the “Most Outstanding Islamic Finance Product” at the Kuala Lumpur Islamic Finance Forum (KLIFF) 2009.
He has also been actively involved in advising various financial institutions, corporations, cooperative societies and government agencies for the development of common Islamic finance and banking documentation.
He is listed under the Legal 500 as a recommended lawyer in the area of Banking & Finance.
His other notable assignments include:
Partner, Litigation & Arbitration, Labour & Employment
Melinda graduated in 2003 with a LL. B (Hons) from the University of London. Melinda was called to the Malaysian Bar and admitted to the roll of Advocates and Solicitors in April 2007.
Thereafter, she began her career in Messrs De Silva, which subsequently merged into the firm known as Bodipalar Ponnudurai De Silva up until end of 2011. During her employment, she handled various legal practices such as civil litigation, industrial relations and constitutional and administrative matters.
Melinda joined Azmi & Associates in 2012 and led a unit within the Litigation and Arbitration Practice Group, specialising in Labour and Employment. Melinda was then elevated to a Partner of the firm in 2016. In 2017, Melinda was named in the Asian Legal Business (Asia Edition) as the Top 40 under 40 outstanding legal professionals in the Asian region. Some of Melinda’s interests outside of law include travelling, baking, and reading.
Melinda has been involved in many matters since she began her career in law, some of the more notable cases include:
Partner, Multimedia, Technology and Intellectual Property
Khairul Fazli graduated from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) with Second Class Upper LL.B (Hons) in October 2005.
He joined Messrs. Azmi & Associates in November 2005 as a pupil and was called to the Malaysian Bar and admitted to the roll of Advocates and Solicitors on 17 November 2006.
He holds different positions in Azmi & Associates from November 2006 to May 2012 before he was promoted to Partner of Messrs. Azmi & Associates and Head of the Multimedia, Technology and Intellectual Property Practice Group on 1 June 2012.
He left Messrs. Azmi & Associates in May 2014 to another law firm, where he leads the Intellectual Property and Commercial Practice Group of that firm prior to his resignation on 28 February 2017. He re-joins Messrs. Azmi & Associates on 1 March 2017 as a Partner in charge of Multimedia, Technology and Intellectual Property Practice Group.
To date, he has been dealing with various matters relating to intellectual properties, biotechnology, information and communication technology, technology, franchise, corporate and commercial, amongst others, as follows:
He is also the author of several articles on laws relating to franchise, pharmaceutical, personal data protection, domain name, copyright and trademark, which have been published in local as well as international newsletters.
He presented several papers on intellectual property related matters, amongst others, on Introduction to Intellectual Property Laws, Procedures of Trademark Registration in Malaysia, Intellectual Property Due Diligence: Its Importance and Franchise Laws in Malaysia.
He is a trademark as well as industrial design agent registered with the MyIPO.
He is currently the Partner in charge of Multimedia, Technology and Intellectual Property Practice Group at Messrs. Azmi & Associates.
Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate
Suhara holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree and a Bachelor of Law (Shariah) (Honours) degree from International Islamic University Malaysia. She also holds a Master of Business Administration (Corporate Governance) degree from Universiti Putra Malaysia and an ICSA qualification from Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.
Suhara started her practice at Azmi & Associates where she was involved in corporate matters, including in advising an airline company on its sale and purchase of aircrafts; advising a holding company of listed companies on the exit structure of a shareholder by way of capital reduction exercise and sale and purchase of shares; managing bidding process in relation to sale and purchase of shares which involved a number of potential purchasers; advising a private company in relation to the taking over of sewerage services from local authorities; advising high net-worth clients on Muslim wills, trust deeds and conveyancing matters; advising on a settlement agreement of a failed joint venture company involving a public listed company; and advising foreign parties in relation to their application for remittance licence to Bank Negara Malaysia.
Suhara joined Shook Lin & Bok in 2010 and was involved in corporate commercial, corporate finance and banking matters including in advising on the issuance of RM15.0 Billion Sukuk Musharakah by a public listed company that is involved in an energy business; advising on the issuance of Sukuk Musharakah amounting to RM380.0 Million by a private company; advising on the acquisition of 85% shares of a government linked company involved in a fertiliser business; and advising on the validity of Ijarah structure practised by local financial institutions.
Suhara joined Abdul Raman Saad & Associates in 2012 and was involved in corporate financing matters including in advising on the establishment of Al-Salām REIT, an Islamic Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that invests in Shariah-compliant diversified portfolio of income producing real estate; advising on the issuance Sukuk Ijarah amounting to RM1.0 Billion by a special purpose vehicle company of a REIT; advising various financial institutions on financing facilities ranging from RM1.0 Million to RM450.0 Million; advising a REIT involved in a healthcare industry in its various nature of transactions (including in the acquisition of various properties for the purpose of injection into the REIT, the lease agreements and the development agreements between the REIT and various hospital operators); advising a public listed company in its related parties transactions and recurrent related parties transactions; advising a public listed company in its Employees Share Option Scheme; advising a public listed company on the issuance of Bonus Issue and Rights Issue; and advising a statutory body in relation to a financing scheme to be used by the government servants in the entire Malaysia.
She re-joined Azmi & Associates in June 2016 and is currently the partner of Mergers & Acquisitions/Corporate Practice Group 4.
Some of the notable assignments that Suhara was part of since 2016 include:
Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate
Jonathan has been in practice for over twenty-seven (27) years. He joined us from another law firm and has also gained reputation as director of several major companies and corporations in Malaysia.
Jonathan was born in Sarikei, Sarawak, attended early schooling in Sibu but completed his secondary studies in Australia. He was also enrolled at an Australian university and earned himself Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Accounting) in 1987 and Bachelor of Laws in 1989 both from the Australian National University.
Jonathan was admitted to the High Court of Malaya in 1991 and charted his first legal career as legal assistant at Allen & Gledhill, Kuala Lumpur in the same year. Four (4) years later, he was elevated to partner in 1995. In 1996, he left Allen & Gledhill to become a partner at Nik Saghir & Ismail up until joining Azmi & Associates in April 2019.
Jonathan specialises in corporate finance work and commercial acquisitions & mergers and has been involved in various joint ventures transactions in local and international markets which include conducting legal due diligence and undertaking corporate restructuring. He has also undertaken work in assets privatisations and government concessions, in particular, for water and infrastructure projects.
His credentials and portfolio of directorships in major corporation/companies set out below showcase his familiarity with business operations of corporations, a valuable asset indeed in delivering legal services to clients with a deeper understanding of commercial operations of clients’ business.
His other notable assignments include:
Current Directorship Roles
He is now part of our expanded Mergers & Acquisitions / Corporate Practice Group.
Partner, Litigation & Arbitration
Natalia Izra received her American High School Diploma from Brussels American High School, Brussels, Belgium and obtained her LL.B Hons in Second Class (Upper) from Staffordshire University, United Kingdom in 1999. She then subsequently obtained the Certificate of Legal Practice in 2002.
Her pupillage was carried out in Shearn Delamore in 2002 and she was then called to the Malaysian Bar and admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor in 2003.
Prior to joining Azmi & Associates, Natalia was a Partner in the Dispute & Resolution Practice Group at Zul Rafique & Partners. She has also served as an associate in Raja, Darryl & Loh as well Zaid Ibrahim & Co, amongst others. She joined Zul Rafique & Partners in 2008 and became a partner in the said firm in 2013. Natalia was nominated as the Woman Lawyer of The Year at the 6th Annual ALB Malaysia Law Awards 2019.
Natalia’s area of specialisation is in general civil litigation. Throughout her practice she has handled disputes relating to amongst others the following matters: banking, probate, land, tenancy as well as tortious claims in respect of personal injury and defamation.
She has acted as both lead and co-counsel in respect of a variety of different types of disputes in the civil courts (at the subordinate, High Court and the appellate levels) in Malaysia.
During the tenure of her career, Natalia has acted as counsel or co-counsel in amongst others, the following cases: –
She has conducted various talks for clients and external organisations regarding issues surrounding contractual and/or tortious disputes. In addition, she also assisted in the drafting of the Rules of Court 2012.
Partner, Projects
Sallahudin graduated from International Islamic University Malaysia in 2012. Sallahudin is one of the privileged generations of solicitors who are truly home-grown in Azmi & Associates. He has started his legal career with us as a trainee solicitor in January 2012 after graduating from the International Islamic University Malaysia with a 1st Class Honours in his Bachelor of Law degree in January 2011.
Notably, he was the recipient of the Rector’s List and awarded as Best Student Overall in IIUM Convocation Ceremony in 2012. He was also completed his Master of Law (Comparative Laws) in 2017 from International Islamic University Malaysia.
He was called to the Malaysian Bar in January 2013 upon completing his pupilage with Messrs. Azmi & Associates under the supervision of Mr. Zuhaidi Mohd Shahari, Partner for the Projects Practice Group (PPG). Sallahudin is a valuable asset to the PPG which is one of the top-performing and fast-growing practice groups in the Firm. Sallahudin has always been at the forefront of the PPG as he has always been able to connect with clients on a personal level.
He has extensive knowledge in land matters and corporate exercises in advising big corporates. He has advised on various Government Link Companies including Sime Darby Property Berhad, Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad, Worldwide Holdings Berhad, TDM Berhad, FELDA, FGV Holdings Berhad, Meridian Berhad and Employee Provident Fund (EPF) in their various corporate exercises.
He has also advised Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) for asset transfer restructuring for all power electricity generations’ lands in all States in Malaysia and managing the completion of land transfer exercises from TNB to TNB’s subsidiary under the portfolio of power generation.
One of his major achievements in land matters is that he has advised Sime Darby Property Berhad on a unique and extremely rare land swap exercise involving Malay Reserve Land (MRL).
Transfer of MRL is heavily regulated and usually a transfer that can only be done to another Malay entity. In this instance, we strategized and came up with a solution in order to obtain State approval for the gazette and de-gazette of the MRL which ultimately allowed the Land Swap to take place in accordance with the Negeri Sembilan MRL State Enactment. He also and managed the process of stakeholder engagements involving all private landowners.
He has also advised Sime Darby Plantation Berhad for the asset transfer of the assets/lands that are registered under the name of the dissolved companies. This is a quite tricky exercise since all the assets under the dissolved companies are duly vested under the Registrar of the Companies i.e. Companies Commission of Malaysia. They are various documents to be provided to CCM in order to effect the registration of the transfer in favour of the transferee which was validated by the existing contract or sale and purchase agreement signed earlier.
Partner, Global Financial Services and Islamic Banking
Wan Nor Nadia graduated from the International Islamic University Malaysia (“IIUM”) with a First Class in LL.B Syariah (Hons) in 2011 as well as Second Class Upper LL.B (Hons) in 2010.
She was the recipient of several awards during her studies, among others, the Best Student of LL.B Syariah and Best Student for Public International Law. She was also on the Dean’s List for several semesters and was listed in the Rector’s List of the 26th IIUM Convocation.
She has a keen interest in Islamic Banking, Corporate Law and Conveyancing.
Wan Nor Nadia joined Azmi & Associates to undertake her pupilage period under the supervision of the Senior Partner, Dato’ Azmi Mohd Ali. During her pupilage period, she has been involved in general corporate matters, amongst others, incorporation of private limited company, conversion of private company to public company, change of company name, attending to the amendment of Memorandum and Articles of Association of a public listed company in compliance with Main Market Listing Requirements.
She is currently attached to Global Financial Services and Islamic Banking Practice Group.
Partner, Projects
Sheh Ting graduated from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom in 2006 with honours in the Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B). She pursued and obtained her Master of Laws (LL.M) with specialisation in Commercial Law in the same university the following year.
She thereafter obtained the Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP) from the Legal Profession Qualifying Board of Malaysia and she was admitted as an Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in 2010. She has received several awards for her academic achievement including the merit scholarship from the university where she took up her pre-university courses as well as her law degree.
Sheh Ting’s area of practice encompasses real estate, conveyancing, banking and finance. During her tenure of practice in the legal profession, she handles a broad range of matters including corporate real estate acquisitions and disposals, property development and construction, joint venture, projects for residential land, strata and individual title, industrial estates, commercial buildings, hotels and rural properties, property financing, corporate finance, project finance, Islamic banking, syndicated lending and retail loan matters.
She has been actively involved in undertaking various legal assignments including those local companies to public listed companies and foreign multinationals to offer full range of service and practical advice to the needs of the clients in the property, banking and finance, both from the local to the national level.
Her past notable assignments include:
Real Estate
Financial Services
Memberships
Publication
She is currently part of the Projects Practice Group under the supervision of our Partner, Zuhaidi Mohd Shahari.
Partner, M&A, Private Equity
Inamul Hassan Shah graduated from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) with LL.B First Class (Hons) in 2015.
Hassan Shah was the recipient of the Best Student (Academic) Award from IIUM and the Best Student award for the subjects of Evidence, Criminal Procedure and Islamic Banking. Throughout the term of his education, Hassan Shah was selected to assist academician on research for areas of Competition Law and Anti-Trust, with an emphasis on the financial sector.
Hassan Shah was admitted to the Malaysian Bar in February 2016. He joined Azmi & Associates in January 2017 under the supervision of the Partner, Rosinah Mohd Salleh in the Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group.
Prior to joining the Firm, he gained experience in various areas of law, which included employment, litigation, advisory works and drafting of legal documents. During that period, he has assisted in trials and hearings in all levels of Courts in Peninsular Malaysia including Industrial and Labour Courts.
Some of Hassan Shah’s notable assignments to date are as follows:
Hassan Shah is currently managing a unit of M&A and Private Equity Practice Groups, with a total of three (3) lawyers reporting to him.
Partner, Litigation & Arbitration
Wafiy graduated from International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) with LL.B (Hons) in 2015.
He was called to the Malaysian Bar and admitted to the roll of Advocates and Solicitors on 29 April 2016. In April 2015, he joined Messrs. Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill to undertake his pupillage and was thereafter retained as an associate under Banking, Insolvency and Corporate Dispute Department.
His primary area of practice is commercial dispute resolution, emphasis on banking and insolvency related matters. Since 2015, Wafiy has been involved in a wide range of contentious banking litigation/insolvency matters for local and international financial institutions and has gained significant experience in dealing with both Conventional and Islamic financing matter.
He joined the Firm on 18 December 2018 and is now part of our Litigation & Arbitration Practice Group.
