Lawyering

Is Corporate Practice Less Stressful Than Litigation?

I was asked whether being in corporate practice is less stressful and less hectic than being in litigation practice. I think this kind of generalisation is not particularly helpful. Different law firms have different cultures and expectations of their lawyers. Clients’ demand would also determine whether a particular project or …

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Can the Purchaser Rely on the Warranty and Indemnity Clauses in the Share Purchase Agreement?

In M&A transactions, warranty and indemnity clauses are toolkits for protecting the purchaser’s interest. But what happens if the seller can’t fulfill these obligations due to financial reason? A well-drafted clause is only as effective as the seller’s ability to pay. If the purchaser is concerned that the seller may …

Lawyering

Can I ask you a quick question?

Like other lawyers, I often receive queries via WhatsApp. While I don’t mind answering “simple/quick questions” when they are straightforward, I often find that these quick questions come with underlying complexities. A seemingly straightforward question may require a deeper understanding of the issue at hand, and sometimes I need to …

Lawyering

Why I Plan Ahead for Corporate Transactions

As a corporate lawyer focusing on M&A and equity capital markets transactions, I always try to plan ahead for corporate transactions. From my experience, lawyers often face urgent deadlines – not always because clients give short notice, but because partners delay giving instructions to the team until the last minute. …

Corporate Governance

Checklist for Qualifications of a Director in Malaysia

Prior to appointing a person as a director, the candidate must meet the following requirements to comply with the law and enhance the company’s corporate governance. is at least 18 years old; is not an undischarged bankrupt, who has not obtained leave of the Official Receiver or Court to be …

Lawyering

What is the most challenging part of a corporate transaction?

What is the most challenging part of a corporate transaction? For me, it’s: Not the tight deadlines. Not the volume of work. Not the long hours. It’s the people, whether within the team or with external parties. As a corporate transactional lawyer focusing on M&A and equity capital markets, I’ve …

Lawyering

The grass always seems greener on the other side

As a corporate lawyer with focus on M&A and ECM, I’ve sometimes envied my former colleague, who is a banking lawyer. His work seemed less hectic, with fewer hours on legal due diligence and more time for casual conversations in the office. However, when the opportunity arose to venture into …

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IP Warranties in M&A Agreements

If intellectual property of a target company is what drives the acquisition, the IP warranties in the transaction agreement should be comprehensive to protect the buyer’s interests. The IP warranties in the transaction agreement should include: The target company owns or holds valid licenses for all IP essential to its …

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Shareholders’ Agreement: Getting It Legally Right

A shareholders’ agreement is an essential agreement in M&A transactions involving more than one shareholder. Understanding the key legal provisions is the foundation for a solid shareholders’ agreement. The following are three legal provisions to keep in mind: 1. Quorum for general meeting (Section 328, Companies Act 2016 (“CA”)) Other …

Corporate Governance

What Does ESG Mean for Directors and Senior Management of PLCs?

What Does ESG Mean for Directors and Senior Management of PLCs? The Malaysian Code of Corporate Governance (MCCG) recognises that sustainability and its underlying environmental, social as well as governance (ESG) issues are becoming increasingly material to the ability of companies to create durable and sustainable value and maintain confidence …