Asian Legal Business

Growing trade and infrastructure ties between India and the Middle East are expanding the scope of legal work, with renewable energy projects, fintech regulation, and hybrid infrastructure models now sitting alongside traditional construction disputes. Lawyers say clients expect more than legal advice. A new era of commerce, driven by trade deals like the India-UAE CEPA and the India–Middle East–Europe corridor, is transforming India-Gulf legal work from transactional to strategic partnerships, reshaping mandates and client expectations. "The India-Middle East corridor, particularly the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Saudi Vision 2030 projects, and now the India Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor framework, has diversified the legal work we handle," says Adarsh Ramakrishnan, partner at MRP Advisory in Dubai. That complexity is driving demand for new kinds of legal expertise across the board. According to Aprajita Rana, a partner at AZB & Partners, the region has expanded the firm's practice into adjacent areas. "We are now advising on a much broader spectrum of matters, particularly in renewables, logistics, telecommunications, fintech, and other emerging industries, and across practice areas including investments, advisory, and regulatory," she says. Clients require deep regional regulation and local law expertise on one hand, while demanding cost predictability and smart use of technology on the other. "A standard one-size-fits-all all approach is no longer sufficient for complex cross-border work in the Middle East. To balance specialised regional knowledge with cost efficiency, we follow a modular model where automating and centralising routine tasks like background research, drafting, and precedent collation are handled by us, while ensuring that local experts bring in jurisdictional expertise," says Moin Ladha, partner at Khaitan & Co. 🔗Sachin K. has more: https://lnkd.in/dQdxKwrY 📙This story was first published in the October issue of ALB Asia: https://lnkd.in/e6VkkGMi

As the largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia's GDP reached approximately $1.4 trillion in 2024, ranking 16th globally, with an economic growth rate exceeding 5 percent. Its influence has steadily expanded from the regional to the global stage—becoming a member of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in August 2022 and joining the BRICS cooperation mechanism earlier this year. As early as 2013, China and Indonesia established a comprehensive strategic partnership. Since the beginning of this year alone, at least five Chinese law firms—including Guangdong RH Law Firm, Guangdong Wonder Law Firm, ZHI HENG LAW FIRM, Shandong Qiushihexin Law Firm, and Jingsh Law Firm—have announced their entry into Indonesia. Several others have established joint operations or partnerships with local Indonesian law firms. Xu Dongyi, a senior partner at Joint-Win and head of its Indonesia branch, tells ALB that Chinese enterprises have formed a multi-industry collaborative investment landscape in Indonesia, with manufacturing, mining, and large-scale infrastructure being the most active sectors. "Manufacturing covers sub-sectors such as heavy industry, light industry, and new energy. At the same time, e-commerce and finance are also core areas for Chinese enterprises," he says. 🔗Read more from Victor Wu: https://lnkd.in/dUDyrvHn 📙This story was first published in the October issue of ALB Asia: https://lnkd.in/e6VkkGMi

Brandon Tee has been recognized as one of ALB Asia's 40 Under 40. Congratulations! Brandon is the founder and managing director of BTPLaw LLC, a boutique transactional law firm he co-founded in December 2020. In just over four years, he has grown the firm from two partners to six, establishing it as a recognized player in Singapore's transactional legal market. Brandon has built a leading investment funds practice, with BTPLaw assisting in the formation of more than 200 umbrella variable capital companies (VCCs) and over 500 sub-funds since 2020 - representing approximately 10% of the global VCC formation market. The firm has also developed a notable cryptocurrency funds practice, including work on one of the world's tier 1 tokenised VCCs. Notable achievements include: • Acting for 15 minority unitholders in Dasin Retail Trust seeking to requisition an extraordinary general meeting, resulting in an unprecedented outcome and a Singapore Exchange consultation on shareholder rights • Leading BTPLaw to win Transactional Law Firm of the Year at the ALB Southeast Asia Awards 2025 • Personal recognition as ALB Rising Star (2022), Next Generation Partner for investment funds (2024-2025), and finalist for multiple ALB Southeast Asia Awards Beyond practice, Brandon serves on the executive committee of Club100 at NorthWest CDC, mentors through the NUS LAMP programme, and regularly speaks at NUS freshman orientation events. Congratulations, Brandon! 🍾 Full profile: https://lnkd.in/gzN2qAqM 📋Full list of ALB Asia's 40 Under 40 2025: https://lnkd.in/gA2UctpP

Charles Yim is one of ALB Asia's 40 Under 40! Charles is the managing partner of Charles Wilson LLP, which he launched in 2025 with the special invitation of Beijing's Zhong Yin Law Firm. The firm operates as Zhong Yin's Hong Kong office, providing integrated legal services across mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. His practice now focuses on bond issuances, structured notes, liability management, syndicated loans, fund formation, and regulatory compliance. His recent work includes: • Leading teams representing issuers, managers, and trustees in bond offerings across various structures • Extensive fund formations, including PE/VC funds, hedge funds, and public funds in Hong Kong and offshore • Guiding complex transactions for ICBC International, Bank of China, CITIC Securities, and numerous asset managers Charles combines his banking background with legal expertise to deliver commercially grounded advice on time-sensitive, cross-border matters. Previously named an ALB Rising Star in 2024, this recognition marks another milestone in his career. Congratulations, Charles! 🍾 📋Full list of ALB Asia's 40 Under 40 2025: https://lnkd.in/gA2UctpP

Liyanto Wijaya is among this year's ALB Asia 40 Under 40! Liyanto is a senior partner at UMBRA - Strategic Legal Solutions, where he focuses on power, mining, construction, infrastructure, and project finance. With 17 years of experience, he joined UMBRA at its inception after developing his career at Indonesia's first-tier firms. His recent work includes: • Lead partner on the $29 million Tembesi Batam floating solar photovoltaic power plant - a pioneering renewable project requiring complex structuring around environmental permits and multi-party agreements • Representing PT Indonesia Power on Indonesia's first barge-mounted power plant • Advising on gold mining infrastructure at Awak Mas Liyanto advises on some of Indonesia's most strategic energy and infrastructure projects, combining sector expertise with practical, commercially-focused legal advice. Congratulations, Liyanto! 🍾 📋Full list of ALB Asia's 40 Under 40 2025: https://lnkd.in/gA2UctpP

Christian Teo has been selected as one of ALB Asia's 40 Under 40! Christian is the founder and director of Watershed Law, a boutique dispute resolution firm he established in 2024. An Accredited Specialist in Maritime & Shipping by the Singapore Academy of Law, he focuses on commercial litigation and international arbitration, particularly in shipping and international trade. His recent work includes: • Acting for the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds in relation to the 2024 collision between Vox Maxima and Marine Honour • Advising a state-owned shipowner in sanctions-related disputes worth over $1 billion • Representing a Dubai-based trader in multi-jurisdictional proceedings concerning $45 million of cargo, successfully resisting a rare anti-anti-arbitration injunction Christian is building Watershed Law with a vision of developing it into a leading multi-service regional firm focused on practical, agile legal advice. Congratulations, Christian! 🍾 📋Full list of ALB Asia's 40 Under 40 2025: https://lnkd.in/gA2UctpP

Yohanes Adhyaksatia Tamba is one of ALB Asia's 40 Under 40! At 29, Yohanes is a partner and co-founder of Tamba & Kumara Law Offices in Jakarta. He established the firm just three years ago, and it has already gained recognition for handling sophisticated, high-value transactions across corporate, finance, and natural resources matters. His recent work includes: • Advising a state-owned enterprise on the legal feasibility of a coal gasification project, covering carbon capture, industrial zones, and natural gas distribution • The $5 million spin-off and acquisition of PT Rimba Palma Sejahtera Lestari's wood pellet business • Assisting PT Asuransi Jiwa Taspen in its $4 million bid to acquire an investment management company His practice spans banking and finance, M&A, mining, insurance, and employment law, with a growing focus on energy-sector work. Congratulations, Yohanes!🍾 📋Full list of ALB Asia's 40 Under 40 2025: https://lnkd.in/gA2UctpP

Congratulations to Alvin Suryohadiprojo on his selection as one of ALB Asia's 40 Under 40. Alvin is a partner at Karna Partnership in association with Withers, where he advises on M&A, private equity, venture capital, and digital economy transactions in Indonesia. His recent work includes: • Assisting Sele Raya Group with a production sharing contract with the Government of Indonesia for the Amanah Oil and Gas Block • Advising on a $4 million convertible bond issuance for Artotel Group • Guiding Wapoga Mutiara Timber on carbon trading project service agreements valued at $15 million Alvin provides ongoing counsel to venture capital firms and corporate venture arms, including Mandiri Capital Indonesia and Investidea Ventures, on fund establishment, investments, and due diligence matters. Previously recognized as an ALB Rising Star for Indonesia in 2023, this latest honor reflects his continued impact in Indonesia's legal market. Congratulations, Alvin! 🍾 📋Full list of ALB Asia's 40 Under 40 2025: https://lnkd.in/gA2UctpP

Indian law firms are transforming their service offerings as businesses confront unprecedented geopolitical risks in 2025. Growing trade protectionism, increased government intervention in markets, heightened global global competition, and flare-ups in regional conflicts are accelerating global fragmentation. Traditional business strategy centered on market size, cost, and efficiency has been disrupted, with geopolitics emerging as the dominant force shaping business decisions. Geoeconomic confrontation through sanctions, tariffs, and investment screening now ranks among the top risks globally. Yet only 30 percent of CEOs have full visibility into their company's exposure to political risk across operations, markets and suppliers, according to a 2024 EY study. This gap has created demand for legal advisors who can bridge traditional jurisprudence with strategic risk assessment. "The legal needs of clients have shifted from being purely transactional or compliance-driven to being deeply intertwined with geopolitical risk analysis," says Shashi Mathews, partner at CMS INDUSLAW. "In today's world of evolving international relations and increasing geopolitical tensions, it is key for businesses with multinational operations to keep abreast with the ever-changing 'rules of engagement,'" says Ajay Shaw, partner at DSK Legal. 🔗Read more from Gigi Wong: https://lnkd.in/gbyHD5ir 📙This story was first published in the October issue of ALB Asia: https://lnkd.in/e6VkkGMi

We are happy to share that Jennifer Poh has been recognized as one of ALB Asia's 40 Under 40. Jennifer is associate general counsel at SHEIN in Singapore, where she focuses on sustainability governance, corporate governance, and ESG compliance. At SHEIN over the past year, she has guided the legal team through significant advancements in sustainability-related governance and reporting, navigating rapidly evolving regulations in the field. Her background includes: • Establishing one of the first dedicated sustainability governance and change management practices for lawyers globally • Expanding an integrated ESG legal-consulting practice at Orrick in San Francisco • Leading corporate governance and reporting for a newly NASDAQ-listed solar company Jennifer holds an LLB-JD with first-class honours and passed the New York bar exam at 23. Outside her legal practice, she is a yoga instructor and volunteers through yoga-related charitable work. Congratulations, Jennifer! 🍾 📋Full list of ALB Asia's 40 Under 40 2025: https://lnkd.in/gA2UctpP