Malaysia, particularly its capital Kuala Lumpur, operates one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic and competitive legal markets. It is distinguished by its leadership in Islamic Finance, its sophisticated Dispute Resolution practices, and the presence of highly-regarded independent local firms.
The top firms are a mix of established domestic powerhouses and international firms operating through strong local alliances, dominating high-value M&A, Project Finance, and Tax advisory work.
Top 10 Commercial Law Firms in Malaysia
This list is based on consistent Band 1 and Tier 1 rankings across multiple commercial specialties by leading international legal directories, reflecting their high quality and market influence.
| Rank (Approx.) | Firm Name | Category/Standing | Key Specialties/Focus | Regional/Global Linkage |
| 1 | Rahmat Lim & Partners | Elite Independent | Market Leader in M&A, Banking & Finance, and Capital Markets. | Associated with Allen & Gledhill (Singapore). |
| 2 | Skrine | Leading Full-Service | Litigation & Arbitration Powerhouse. Also Tier 1 in Corporate/M&A and Construction. | Leading independent firm. |
| 3 | Shearn Delamore & Co. | Established Powerhouse | Dominant in Dispute Resolution, Tax Law, Intellectual Property (IP), and Employment. | Leading independent firm. |
| 4 | Adnan Sundra & Low (ASL) | Finance Specialist | Pre-eminent in Project Finance, Islamic Finance, and Capital Markets. | Leading independent firm. |
| 5 | Wong & Partners | Global Alliance | Top-tier Cross-Border M&A, Banking & Finance, and Tax advisory. | Member firm of Baker McKenzie International. |
| 6 | Christopher & Lee Ong (CLO) | Regional Network | Highly ranked in Projects, Infrastructure & Energy, and Corporate/M&A. | Member of the Rajah & Tann Asia network. |
| 7 | Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill (LHAG) | Litigation & Corporate | Top-tier Commercial Litigation, Employment, and Construction. | Strong independent firm. |
| 8 | Zaid Ibrahim & Co. (ZICO) | Full-Service Regional | Largest firm by headcount. Strong in Regulatory, Corporate, and Regional services (ZICO Law). | Regional ZICO Law network. |
| 9 | Zul Rafique & Partners | Corporate & Finance | Strong in Capital Markets, Banking, and Project Finance. | Strong independent firm. |
| 10 | Albar & Partners | Finance Specialist | Market-leading expertise in Banking & Islamic Finance, and Capital Markets (Debt). | Strong independent firm. |
🔑 Key Strengths of the Malaysian Legal Market
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Islamic Finance: Malaysia is a global leader in Islamic banking and finance. Firms like Adnan Sundra & Low and Albar & Partners are highly specialized in advising on Shari’ah-compliant transactions, including Sukuk (Islamic bonds) and Project Finance.
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Dispute Resolution: The litigation and arbitration market is extremely active. Firms like Skrine and Shearn Delamore & Co. are routinely mandated on complex, high-stakes commercial disputes, often involving construction, energy, and corporate fraud.
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The M&A Leaders: Cross-border Mergers & Acquisitions are driven by both independent firms like Rahmat Lim & Partners and globally aligned firms like Wong & Partners, who leverage their local expertise and international standards to advise multinational corporations and sovereign wealth funds.
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Infrastructure and Projects: Significant government and private investment in infrastructure, power, and renewable energy (particularly solar) ensures that firms like Christopher & Lee Ong and ASL maintain Band 1 practices in Project Development and Finance.