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In its annual Asia Super 50 TMT Lawyers list, Asian Legal Business highlights the outstanding lawyers in the technology, media, and telecommunications sectors in the region, who have earned wide recognition in terms of client service. The list is in alphabetical order, and certain lawyers have been profiled.
JONATHAN CROMPTON
partner, RPC, Hong Kong
Jonathan Crompton joined RPC’s Hong Kong office as a partner in 2017. He is a disputes and regulatory lawyer specialising in disputes related to finance and technology industries. He advises financial services firms on white-collar and regulatory investigations, and cross-border litigations, and acts for multinational clients operating in the communications, media, and technology space.
Crompton has extensive experience helping companies and individuals navigate complex cross-border disputes, investigations and cyber incidents that entail matters at the intersection of financial services and technology. He advises on all forms of disputes including litigations before national courts and arbitrations under various rules (in particular, HKIAC, ICC and UNCITRAL), and on investigations by regulators (notably financial services regulators such as the Securities and Futures Commission, and data privacy regulators such as the Hong Kong Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, the Singapore Personal Data Protection Commission, and the UK Information Commissioner’s Officer).
As Asia lead for RPC’s ‘ReSecure’ 24/7 cyber incident response service, Crompton frequently helps clients manage the crisis of cyber-attacks and other data breaches across Asia. He acts as incident response manager and breach coordinator, helping clients investigate, manage, and mitigate the harmful effects to their businesses, and advising on data protection regimes and reporting obligations across Asia. He also helps clients across the globe recover sums transferred because of cyber, crypto, and other frauds.
Crompton’s clients include leading multinational corporations and brands, asset managers, senior individuals, and any company that suffers a cyber-attack.
One of Crompton’s clients says, “Jonathan is the go-to person for any contentious TMT matters. His dedication to his work, specialisation in TMT is ahead of others (before it became the hot area) and his commercial sensibilities let us rest assured that we are in good hands, especially in the environment of multiple decision makers.”
DANG THE DUC
managing partner, Indochine counsel, Vietnam
Dang The Duc is the founder and managing partner of Indochine Counsel. He specializes in international and cross-border transactions in such areas of practice as M&A, securities and capital markets, banking and finance, technology and media and intellectual property.
For over 25 years, Duc has advised on major transactions for leading financial institutions, investment funds and multinational companies. He also has substantial experience in advisory and transactional work for IPR, IT and technology-related matters.
Duc has been actively involved in promoting financing for innovation and technology advancement through legal mechanisms in the past several years. He acted as the lead legal counsel for a study project supported by the World Bank to improve access to early-stage financing for innovative start-ups and SMEs in Vietnam; and acted as the local lead counsel for conducting the Legal Analysis for Implementation of Vietnam National Single Window for International Development’s ASEAN Development Vision to Advance National Cooperation for Economic Integration that intended to provide recommendations to Vietnam government on the gaps in domestic legal framework to keep pace with the evolving electronic transactions and data protection/data privacy.
One of Duc’s clients says, “I would say probably Mr Duc leads one of the best and most professional TMT lawyers in Vietnam with a passion for technology and digitalisation. He has provided TMT advised, drafted, and reviewed TMT documents such as license agreements and supported venture capital and M&A activity”.
NAUFAL FILEINDI
partner, Guido Hidayanto & Partners, Indonesia
Naufal Fileindi is a partner at Guido Hidayanto & Partners and leads the firm’s digital technology and IP group.
In addition to general corporate, advisory, and mergers and acquisition matters, Fileindi also specializes in transactions and advisory relating to e-commerce, technology and media, data protection and privacy, and intellectual property rights.
Some of the significant work Fileindi has done in recent years includes matters on personal data compliance and reporting, data protection impact assessment, digital and privacy agreements, corporate restructuring, and other legal and regulatory compliance issues.
Fileindi handles a vast client base in social media platforms, digital payment companies, games development, online marketplace, telecom companies, financial institutions, and businesses in conventional sectors, including Noice, OLX, Baidu, Monk’s Hill Venture, PT Astra Digital International.
Fileindi is a certified data protection officer and a qualified risk governance professional (QRGP). He has been active in the Indonesian regtech scene since 2010, advocating creative legal writing and promoting law colloquially to the masses. Since 2010, he has been a partner of HukumOnline, Indonesia’s largest legal media platform, while also being active as guest speaker in off-air forums and radio.
One of Fileindi’s clients says, “Naufal is very passionate about providing solutions that are pragmatic which is very important in an ever-changing regulatory and business environment.” Adds another, “I see him more as a partner in exchanging ideas and clearly he does want to spend time knowing your business, so he is able to provide something that is more cutting edge and closer to the business leads.”
AZMUL HAQUE
managing director, Collyer Law, Singapore
As the founder and managing director of Collyer Law, Azmul Haque has gained particular expertise over the past 20 years in complex, cross-border corporate transactions, commercial contracts involving technology-related matters and regulatory matters in a range of areas the impact business and evaluating innovative business models disrupting traditional industries.
Haque actively deals with MNC and Asian corporations, family-owned businesses and high-net-worth individuals notably in the India-Singapore corridor, ASEAN, and the Middle East.
Haque is also well recognised as a leading practitioner for the TMT sector with primary focus on matters relating to the emerging technology of fintech, health tech, adtech, Big Data, IOT, block-chain, Internet, and e-commerce.
Among his most outstanding work in recent years, Haque has advised Sky Mavis in relation to the design, development and commercialisation of potential merchandise and NFTs that incorporate the artwork in Axies; advised Edtech leader Veative Labs with regard to reviewing and revising various commercial contracts, including reseller agreements of the distribution of its proprietary products involving a platform for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) content for education and professional services; and advised a digital-only bank with no physical branches on data protection law and regulatory advice.
Some of Haque’s prominent clients include Dynasty eSports, Qyuki Digital Media, Vulcan AI, and ASEAN Financial Innovation Network, to name a few.
One of Haque’s clients says, “Azmul is very commercially pragmatic with his legal advice. He also has strong TMT industry knowledge, not common among locally qualified lawyers.”
PAUL HASWELL
partner, Seyfarth Shaw, Hong Kong
Paul Haswell joined Seyfarth Shaw as a partner in international technology, media, and telecoms in January 2022. He is an expert in telecom projects and commercial contracts relating to technology, data, outsourcing, supply chains and cryptocurrency with more than two decades experience in the legal industry, most of this in Asia.
Haswell assists clients with both non-contentious matters and disputes in the TMT space. Most recently, he has advised on data privacy implications in relation to the rollout of autonomous vehicles and the data they collect in Hong Kong and China, the impact of newly introduced data privacy rules, and issues relating to the use of artificial intelligence. He has also acted in both court proceedings and arbitrations in relation to IT system delivery, issues in relation to blockchain and IP infringement and the sale and purchase of technology. In addition, he has advised on the use and acceptance of cryptocurrency as well as the use and exploitation of NFTs and the metaverse.
Haswell describes himself as “a technology enthusiast who just happens to be a lawyer” and regularly speaks and presents on technology matters including most recently the impact of sanctions on tech companies, cybersecurity challenges, the metaverse and the impact of Hong Kong and China data and technology law on both international businesses.
Haswell has an extensive client base which spans Hong Kong, the UK, the U.S., Mainland China, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and Europe. He works with both multinationals and startups; his clients include HSBC, Hutchison, the Hong Kong Communications Authority and Fujitsu, among many others.
A client of his says, “Paul is a real team player. He is very knowledgeable and experienced in the tech and related legal space.”
RAKESH KIRPALANI
director, dispute resolution and information technology, Drew & Napier, Singapore
Rakesh Kirpalani is the director of dispute resolution and information technology and chief technology officer of Drew & Napier. His practice primarily focuses on complex commercial dispute resolution at all levels of the Singapore Courts and arbitration under the rules of numerous institutions, including SIAC, ICC, LCIA and HKIAC.
As the head of the information technology practice, Kirpalani also advises extensively on risk management and dispute resolution related to technology, electronic evidence and regulatory compliance. He has led the firm’s digital transformation and its legal tech services have benefited from his expertise in technology.
Kirpalani has consistently delivered desirable outcomes for clients in TMT industries. In recent years, he has successfully acted for Telcoin to strike out a claim of approximately 1.4 million pounds ($.1.7 million) for crypto tokens issued on the Ethereum blockchain; successfully defended MCDP Phoenix and Michael Carbonara in a high court suit for the breach of an alleged payment processing agreement; advised an insurance major on a ‘white hat’ hacking on the grounds of security testing and vulnerability disclosures; and acted for a reputable multinational regulated institution on ransomware attack in multiple jurisdictions.
The clients that Kirpalani has advised range from multi-national corporations, and multi-jurisdictional private equity funds to listed companies located in Singapore and other jurisdictions, which includes the China National Petroleum Company, AIA Singapore, and African Retail Traders.
One of Kirpalani’s clients says, “Rakesh was a safe pair of hands in navigating the technical issues and provided sound advice on which we were able to reach a good outcome and resolution on the matter on which we were working.”
NIKHIL KRISHNAMURTHY
senior partner, Krishnamurthy & Co. (K LAW), India
Nikhil Krishnamurthy heads the Intellectual Property and Media and Entertainment divisions at K Law. He has handled a wide spectrum of matters in IP litigation, prosecution, licensing, and enforcement in more than two decades of practice.
Krishnamurthy specializes in dealing with complex information technology issues, including theft of trade secrets and confidential information, intermediary liability, take-down notices, domain name disputes, phishing, framing, linking and deployment of web-crawlers in breach of terms of use. He also takes pride in success-fully negotiating several settlements in complex IP disputes to help the clients reduce the burden of excessive litigation.
Krishnamurthy has represented both reputable corporations and individuals in the TMT-related industries, including music publishers, production houses, record labels, composers, actors, fashion designers, intermediaries, and internet market platforms.
During his career, Krishnamurthy has made his mark in various path-breaking litigation matters, which include the first compulsory license for music broadcast, cross-border satellite broadcast of music, infringement of a foreign composer’s copyrights, celebrity rights of publicity, defamation, John Doe enforcement and software end-user infringement.
One of Krishnamurthy’s clients says, “Nikhil is thorough in his subject knowledge, educative, and always a quick solution provider.” Adds another, “Nikhil is always at the forefront of his peer group when it comes to keeping abreast of the latest legal developments. What sets him apart from ordinary peers is that he knows how to persevere through the challenging times to get to the rewarding and meaningful moments that make it all worth it.”
LIM CHONG KIN
managing director, corporate and finance, Drew & Napier, Singapore
Lim Chong Kin is the managing partner of Drew & Napier’s Corporate & Finance department. He leads the telecommunications, media and technology practice and also co-heads the competition law and regulatory practice and data protection, privacy and cybersecurity practice.
Lim has remained a crucial figure in the structuring and implementation of legislative and regulatory frameworks for telecommunication and media sectors in Singapore and other Southeast Asia countries. Since 1999, he has constantly been engaged by relevant authorities to advise on market access, consumer protection, competition regulation, merger reviews, public interest obligations, personal data protection, licensing and enforcement issues particularly concerning telecommunication, media, and technology sectors.
Lim also established the firm’s first-of-its-kind Data Protection and Cybersecurity Academy in 2020, which offers clients value-add services including training and external DPO services.
Under the helm of Lim, Drew & Napier’s telecommunication, media, and technology practice has possessed an unparalleled transactional, licensing and regulatory presence in the TMT and postal sectors in Singapore.
Some of Lim’s clients include Info-communications Media Development Authority, Personal Data Protection Commission, Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry (Brunei), Google, AT&T, Cisco, Tencent, Alibaba, Sprint/T-Systems and Take-Two Interactive.
One of his clients says, “His long and dependable track record is second to none. Lim is creative in advancing his clients position by striking a balance between regulatory requirements and supporting client’s business imperatives, treating matters not only expeditiously but judiciously.”
PRAMUDYA A. OKTAVINANDA
managing partner, UMBRA, Indonesia
Pramudya Oktavinanda (Pram) is the managing partner of UMBRA – Strategic Legal Solutions. Since establishing the firm in November 2017, Pram has led UMBRA’s meteoric growth from a firm with three lawyers into one of the largest corporate law firms and fastest growing law firms in Indonesia.
Pram has been considered the go-to lawyer for any challenging and state-of-the-art transactions throughout his 17-year career. He is well-versed in various intricate industries such as telecommunication, broadcasting, digital technology, and data and analytics services.
In recent years, he has acted as the leading legal counsel for Telkomsel’s $450 million investment in the combined entity of Gojek and Tokopedia, being the largest investment to date to be made by a state-owned enterprise group in digital start-ups; and acted as the leading legal counsel for Mitratel as buyer in the 16.48 trillion rupiah ($1.1 billion) sale and lease back of 10,050 telco towers of Telkomsel, the largest telco assets M&A transaction in the Southeast Asia to date and also the second largest in the Asia Pacific.
Still in his thirties, Pram is the youngest Indonesian lawyer to date who has received the largest number of accolades and recognitions from reputable international and local directories, a feat that he has consistently maintained since 2018.
Pram owns a significantly broad domestic and international client base, including Telkom Indonesia (Persero), Telekomunikasi Seluler, Dayamitra Telekomunikasi, Telkom Data Ekosistem, among others.
One of Pram’s clients says, “In terms of TMT business, his knowledge is second to none, Pak Pram knows well our group’s business and its complexities.” Adds another, “He knows precisely the complexities that we must face when deciding to invest in high risk and high volatile businesses like start-ups.”
DAN OUYANG
partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Hong Kong
Dan Ouyang is a partner of the capital markets practice in the Greater China Group in the Beijing and Hong Kong offices of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. She is also a member of the firm’s Compensation Committee.
Since joining the firm in 2015, Ouyang has led the team to become a major Hong Kong and U.S. capital markets powerhouse that competes head-to-head with other well-established players in the Greater China market in the sectors of TMT, life science, healthcare, consumer products and property management.
Ouyang’s experience encompasses IPO and follow-on offerings, Rule 144A and Reg S bond offerings, and private equity and M&A transactions. She has an impressive track record in the US and Hong Kong equity offerings for major international issuers and underwriters.
She has represented corporate clients across a wide spectrum of industries, including technology, healthcare, education, and entertainment. In recent years, she has advised a leading clear aligner treatment solution provider in China in its landmark Hong Kong IPO deal with a market cap reaching $10 billion; and advised a leading cloud-based communications solution provider in China in its U.S. IPO, which has made the highest subscription multiples among all China-based issuers in the past five years.
Some of Ouyang’s high-profile clients include Angelalign Technology, Imeik Technology Development, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup Global Markets, Deutsche Bank, China International Capital Corporation, Fenbi Technology, among others.
One of Ouyang’s clients says, “Relying on her rich experience in the past decade, Ouyang has in-depth understanding of diverse industries, including internet, education, health-care and mobility.”
VERONICA SITUMORANG
managing partner, Situmorang and Partners, Indonesia
Veronica Situmorang is the managing partner at Situmorang and Partners. Before establishing her own firm, she worked at a number of prestigious law firms in Jakarta, where she has obtained exposure to a wide range of practices at both the national and international levels in general corporate and commercial matters, M&A, banking and financing, capital markets, energy and mineral resources, intellectual property, technology and media, litigation and real estate. Side by side with her partner Theresia Hesti Oktaviani, they have done a significant role to accomplish marvellous achievements together with the firm.
Among the noteworthy TMT matters Situmorang has done over the years: represented Damogo Holdings (Singapore) in share acquisition and company restructuring of Damogo Indonesia; advised on Job2Go’s finance cooperation project with Hanwa Life Insurance Indonesia and Sinergi Performa Cipta; and assisted Daniel Mananta on his network and his cooperation with Freemantle Indonesia. She was also involved in establishing Indonesia Venteny Matahari and Pasifico Indonesia’s app Venteny finance.
Some of Situmorang’s prominent clients include Damogo Holding and Damogo Korea, Nusantara Elang Sejahtera(TIX.ID / DANA.ID), Espay Debit Indonesia Koe, Hanhwa Life Insurance Indonesia, and Daniel Mananta Network.
One of Situmorang’s clients says, “Veronica is knowledgeable and under-stands her assignment. Not only can she generate legal documents but under-stands the business and how TMT runs.” Adds another, “Situmorang is very helpful in preventing legal problems down the line. She gave preventive legal advice for us that can save time, trouble, and money by preventing problems before they arise.”
LUKY WALALANGI
managing partner, Walalangi & Partners (in association with Nishimura & Asahi), Indonesia
Luky Walalangi, whose legal career spans more than two decades, is an expert and a leading lawyer in M&A, banking and finance, real estate transactions and TMT in Indonesia.
Besides advising on complex investments, acquisitions, and restructurings, Walalangi has advised various AI and innovation labs, technology start-ups, financial groups, gaming developers and publishers, social media platforms and online sports platforms on matters of business model structuring, regulatory requirements, cross-border marketing, digital currency and payments, personal data, and privacy rules.
Throughout his career, Walalangi has advised a string of landmark deals including a number of key cross-border transactions. Among the most noteworthy work that he has done, Walalangi advised Mitsubishi Corporation on its smart urban facilities development and utilization of artificial intelligence equipment to support the biggest and first of its kind transit-oriented development project in the South Tangerang area.
He also advised Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance, on the Series F funding of Go-Jek that raised a total of over USD 1 billion; advised a leading Japanese video game developer listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on progressive business model development plan and other regulatory matters; and advised Dhost Telekomunikasi Nusantara on its financing and acquisition process of indoor telecommunication infrastructure assets.
Some of Walalangi’s key clients include Mitsubishi, Roblox, Capcom, KDDI, and MDI Ventures among others.
One of his clients says, “Luky is the best lawyer in Indonesia. He knows not only legal regulations but also practical solutions.”
THE LIST
ALB ASIA SUPER 50 TMT LAWYERS 2022
RISHI ANAND
DSK Legal
SAHIL ARORA
Saraf & Partners
CAROLYN BIGG
DLA Piper
ETELKA BOGARDI
Norton Rose Fulbright
NICK CHAN
Squire Patton Boggs
DONG SHIK CHOI
Kim & Chang
MARCUS CHOW
Bird & Bird ATMD
PROBIR ROY CHOWDHURY
J Sagar Associates
JONATHAN CROMPTON
Reynolds Porter Chamberlain
TAKAHIKO DATE
Nishimura & Asahi
DANG THE DUC
Indochine Counsel
NAUFAL FILEINDI
Guido Hidayanto and Partners
SOICHIRO FUJIWARA
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
RAHUL GOEL
Anant Law
MIKI GOTO
Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
PAUL HASWELL
Seyfarth Shaw
AZMUL HAQUE
Collyer Law
AMITA HAYLOCK
Mayer Brown
JUNG-HYUN HWANG
Shin & Kim
SHEENA JACOB
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (Singapore)
AKASH KARMAKAR
Law Offices of Panag & Babu
CHIE KASAHARA
Atsumi & Sakai
SUNHEE KIM
Yulchon
RAKESH KIRPALANI
Drew & Napier
NIKHIL KRISHNAMURTHY
K Law
LIM CHONG KIN
Drew & Napier
ABHISHEK MALHOTRA
TMT Law Practice
RAHUL MATTHAN
Trilegal
NIDHISH MEHROTRA
ANM Global
GORDON MILNER
Morrison Foerster
MAX NG
Gateway Law Corporation
MASATAKA OGASAWARA
ZeLo, a Foreign Law Joint Enterprise
ATSUSHI OKADA
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
PRAMUDYA A. OKTAVINANDA
UMBRA – Strategic Legal Solutions
CONNELL O’NEILL
Gibson Dunn
IAN ONG
Linklaters
DAN OUYANG
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
KWANG BAE PARK
Lee & Ko
KYLIE PEH
WongPartnership
KEN PRASADTYO
Tjajo and Partners
MARK ROBINSON
Herbert Smith Freehills
NADARASHNARAJ SARGUNARAJ
Zaid Ibrahim & Co
VERONICA SITUMORANG
Situmorang & Partners Lawyers
DHRUV SURI
Priti Suri & Associates
BRYAN TAN
Reed Smith in alliance with ResourceLaw
TONG LAI LING
Raja Darryl & Loh
PANUPAN UDOMSUVANNAKUL
Chandler MHM
LUKY WALALANGI
Walalangi & Partners
PADRAIG WALSH
Tanner De Witt
R. YUDHA TRIARIANTO WASONO
SIP Law Firm
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