Indonesia’s top 100 lawyers 2021

Asia Small business Law Journal reveals the country’s top non-public observe lawyers. Putro Harnowo experiences

Following the pandemic’s large blow, Indonesia is building a comeback with supportive fiscal stimulus and a recovery dependent on domestic demand from customers and enterprises that can adapt much better and a lot quicker. Nonetheless, the difficult nature of the nation’s legislation and regulatory method demands company now, more than ever, to have experienced assistance in order to improve and scale up.

The prospective clients for Indonesia’s elevated financial exercise are bolstered by the country’s tech startups. The nation is dwelling to a “decacorn” (a startup enterprise with a present valuation of a lot more than US$10 billion), 6 unicorns, and 20% of all fintech companies in Southeast Asia, creating its ecosystem one particular of the most aggressive and dynamic in the location.

When the pandemic wreaked havoc, the country’s digital economy expanded by 11% to US$44 billion in 2020 from US$40 billion the former calendar year, in accordance to the newest e-conomy SEA report on electronic economies of Southeast Asia compiled by Google, Temasek and Bain & Firm.

Previous yr, the country’s GDP contracted by 1.5%, the 1st destructive due to the fact the 1997 Asian financial disaster. The Indonesian government has set apart US$48.2 billion for financial stimulus programmes this 12 months and aims for an optimistic advancement amount of 5%, on the other hand the Asian Improvement Lender sets a decreased expectation, at 4.5%, with the International Monetary Fund forecasting 4.3% advancement.

To attract international investment decision, the govt handed the Omnibus Law, in Oct 2020, to revise additional than 70 present regulations and laws, simplify business permits and land acquisition procedures, and simplicity overseas ownership requirements. Nevertheless, the new law has triggered a series of protests nationwide from students, trade unions and environmental groups.

Against this challenging backdrop, Asia Organization Regulation Journal offers its A-Checklist of the top 100 attorneys practising in Indonesia (see the list of all 100 attorneys and the vital observe regions for which they are endorsed following this short article). The A-Listing is based on in depth study executed and nominations obtained from in-household counsel in Indonesia and elsewhere, and Indonesia-concentrated associates at global law firms.

Nearly all of the A-Record legal professionals are located in the country’s capital, Jakarta. This reflects the premium on legal professionals who are properly positioned to have their ear to the floor during this vital recovery regarding developments among the monetary and sector-distinct regulators, and inside of the corridors of electricity in government.

To understand these lawyers’ customers, and their sights on what it can take to be a very first-course attorney in Indonesia, we sought responses from quite a few specialists, seasoned in-property counsel and corporate legal administrators. From these suggestions, it is probable to extract a portrait of exceptional Indonesian attorneys that make up this elite team.

Comments submitted to Asia Small business Law Journal by customers propose that they not only search for attorneys who are remarkably experienced in their field, and responsive in furnishing expert services, but who are also equipped to meet clients’ requires and reliably manual their initiatives forward in these unsure instances.

Akira-Nagasaki,-Partner,-City-Yuwa-Partners,-Tokyo

World network

As a significant rising market place, and the biggest economic system in Southeast Asia, Indonesia’s potential customers are deserving of investor interest. Nevertheless, navigating the country’s regulatory framework is not a simple subject, and several A-Record legal professionals are recommended for their extraordinary advisories in this regard.

Herry Kurniawan, companion at ABNR, gets praise from customers and friends, among them Tham Wai Kong, normal counsel of Jurong Port in Singapore, who describes Kurniawan as “a commercially minded attorney with apparent and concise lawful assistance rendered in a small business-welcoming fashion. It was a good knowledge and enjoyment to get the job done with him.”

Wang Zi, a husband or wife at Guantao Legislation Agency in Beijing, worked with Kurniawan on an electrical power job for a Chinese company. “I am amazed by his professionalism and his willingness to accommodate the customer,” says Wang.

“He is an pro in job funding, and the initial individual I would advise if any Chinese organization desires Indonesian lawful guidance in this field.”

The same perspective is expressed by Akira Nagasaki, a spouse at Metropolis-Yuwa Companions in Tokyo. “Herry has assisted my agency in different transactions in Indonesia, and has generally presented us with rapid and concise guidance to manoeuvre by way of elaborate Indonesian legislation difficulties,” states Nagasaki.

Kurniawan’s colleague, spouse Freddy Karyadi, also gets praise from Joanna Teng, director of Camford Law Corporation in Singapore, for his deep market understanding and experience. “Freddy strives to give purchasers with benefit-extra gains, which assistance them establish and manage their lawful knowledge,” says Teng. “Particularly, he understands clientele requirements, and this knowing permits him always to put their business enterprise aims to start with. A lot more importantly, he is obtainable and responsive at all occasions.”

An additional ABNR lawyer, senior lover Emir Nurmansyah, receives a commendation from Du Jiaying, an associate at Zhejiang Zeda Law Agency in Hangzhou, the cash of China’s Zhejiang province. “Emir is pretty committed to his get the job done and helps our purchasers to handle the legal hazards under Indonesia law” states Du.

Du-Jiaying,-Associate,-Zhejiang-Zeda-Law-Firm,-Hangzhou

In Hong Kong, the acquisition and growth supervisor of resort operator Ovolo Group, Kim Kyu Baek, nominates Denny Rahmansyah, handling partner at SSEK, for his support on a lodge transaction in Bali. “Denny and his workforce were fantastic in top the cost in the direction of sale and acquire agreement negotiations, and closing the deal,” claims Kim. “Very commercially minded and quick turnarounds.”

Michael Wong, chief economical officer at an upstream palm oil planter, TSH Resources in Kuala Lumpur, says Rahmansyah is “knowledgeable, responsive and communicates well”.

Iqbal Hadromi, the founding husband or wife of Hadromi & Companions, is applauded by Kenneth Howden, director of international finance at global offshore drilling contractor Vantage Drilling in Dubai, for his support in environment up an entity in Indonesia. “As new functions have commenced, we have obtained the demanded information on how we can run, with aid in registering with all of the authorities and environment up new financial institution accounts,” claims Howden.

“With our administration distribute out through the entire world, it is important for us to be in a position to count on our expert advisers in our local working destinations, and we have experienced exceptional company from Iqbal Hadromi in this regard.”

Kenneth-Howden,-Director-of-International-Finance,-Vantage-Drilling,-Dubai

Vincent Chong, authorized director at Reckitt Benckiser in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, is all praise for Rio Lassatrio, co-founder and spouse at LHBM Counsel. “Rio is a proficient law firm who tells you, straight off, the cans and cannots underneath Indonesian rules and regulations – really realistic in his assistance.”

Andreas Hartono, a senior lover at Andreas Sheila & Partners, claims Takuya Kasai, senior director at Japanese fund supervisor IDI Infrastructures in Tokyo, is “very in depth and constantly supplies a substantial level of the services”.

In India, Abhaya Chatterjee, handling lover of boutique financial consulting apply Arrow Strategies in Bhopal Town, suggests Johannes Sahetapy-Engel, co-founder and associate at Akset Legislation, for currently being “knowledgable, great, motion-oriented, usually reachable, and possessing great connections with other intercontinental regulation firms”.

Regional champions

Indonesia’s economic system is mostly driven by neighborhood activity, instead than exports, which has helped to cushion it from world-wide crises. Having said that, its authorized framework is not constantly up to date with the wants of a youthful population that has been the key driver to buyer current market advancement, forcing firms to innovate and investigate uncharted territory. Some legal professionals are excelling at enabling clients who healthy with this new progressive lifestyle.

Ivan Ferdiansyah Baely, a associate at IABF, is a single of the most effective possibilities for dealing with condition entities, in accordance to Wiweko Probojakti, main economical officer at the authorities-owned business Angkasa Pura II in Jakarta. “The company has been partaking in a qualified romantic relationship with IABF due to the fact May 2020,” states Probojakti. “We are happy with the deliverables, and the result was outstanding, timely and in excellent top quality.”

Sri Bimo Bangunagoro, authorized manager at the Indonesia Inventory Trade in Jakarta, states Baely “is very well versed in cash markets guidelines, and has been involved in lots of funds market place-similar transactions involving the stock exchange, such as info and technological know-how matters”.

Sri-Bimo-Bangunagoro,-Legal-Manager,-The-Indonesia-Stock-Exchange,-Jakarta

“His regulation organization is greatly acknowledged as a leading company in the capital marketplaces and data technological know-how sectors, and that’s why it has sufficient sources to aid us in several jobs,” suggests Bangunagoro.

Prasetiyo, who goes by 1 title and is authorized division head at authentic estate company Tokyu Land Indonesia in Jakarta, describes Eddy Marek Leks, handling lover at Leks & Co, as “a distinguished law firm for the authentic estate and residence industry. His know-how and knowledge in Indonesian real estate regulation are fantastic.”

Antonius Taroreh, lawful co-ordinator at authentic estate enterprise Ciputra Property in Jakarta, adds that Leks “is total of integrity, has capable understanding specifically in the legislation of home and land, and always will work in accordance to the aims set, and on time”.

Mohamad Kadri, senior husband or wife at Guido Hidayanto & Associates, is applauded by Abdillah Saputra Tadjoedin, senior guide of compliance at e-commerce organization Tokopedia in Jakarta. “Kadri has considerable qualified experience and is a commonly recognised skilled in banking and finance, as properly as cash markets,” he says.

Rudy Kamdani, lawful and compliance director at AXA Mandiri Money Companies in Jakarta, agrees. “Kadri is quite knowledgable and a incredibly business-oriented particular person.”

Rudy-Kamdani,-legal-and-compliance-director,-AXA-Mandiri-Financial-Services,-Jakarta

Lanang Kusuma, state lawful counsel at on the web market OLX in Jakarta, describes Soenardi Pardi, a husband or wife at Hendra Soenardi, as “a attorney who generally thinks out of the box to locate modern alternatives to our authorized and organization problems or needs”.

Pardi is also acknowledged by Yance Rahadian, senior counsel at Adaro Strength in Jakarta. “His expertise, information and expertise add to really sharp-witted lawful tips for the organization and customer to shift forward with self-assurance.”

Kusuma, at OLX, also praises Pardi’s colleague, associate Oscar Damarjati. “I regard Oscar as a remarkably experienced law firm, with higher-precision drafting and negotiation techniques,” he states.

Andi Kadir, senor associate at HHP, is nominated by Bobby Noer Rahman, common counsel at real estate developer CFLD Indonesia in Jakarta, for being “one of a couple of Indonesian lawyers who can speak loudly in a place comprehensive of foreign lawyers, and not only have earned a clap but a standing ovation for his powerful knowledge and large negotiation expertise.”

Rizki Indra Kusuma, controlling director of authorized at financial commitment keeping firm Rajawali Corpora in Jakarta, praises Kadir’s colleague, spouse Iqbal Dermawan: “Iqbal is a quite excellent money markets and M&A attorney, constantly wondering, and delivers the best for purchasers, is effective more challenging than any other lawyer.”

Rinaldi, who goes by a person identify, is head of enterprise threat and control at Citibank Indonesia in Jakarta and has this to say about UMBRA handling lover Pramudya Octavinanda: “Although still pretty young, Pramudya started and led an military of young and proficient attorneys from scratch with a quickly turnaround.

“UMBRA has acquired many notable awards in Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific. Pramudya is a person of the country’s gurus in M&A.”

Luky Walalangi, controlling lover at Walalangi and Partners, is “highly competent, with strong working experience in a huge vary of industries,” observes Kezia Pembayun, authorized director at L’Oreal Indonesia in Jakarta. “He is able to offer pragmatic suggestions.”

Sugianto Osman, a lover at Ginting & Reksodiputro, is advised by Perdana Saputro, vice president of legal at on-line marketplace Bukalapak in Jakarta, for “strong capabilities in M&A and handling of lots of non-public fairness firms. He is also relevant in tech industries and has managed several tech corporations in Indonesia.”

Ivan Setiady, lawful director at real estate developer Risland Group in Jakarta, applauds Suhardi Somomoeljono & Associates’ associate, Dianyndra Kusuma Hardy, who is “smart, element-oriented and well knowledgeable in the commercial litigation sector.”

Ivan-Setiady,-Legal-Director,-Risland-Group,-Jakarta

Ladies of excellence

It is fairly common to see females legal professionals getting the guide of company in Indonesia, and the condition is not remarkable in regulation firms. A lot of outstanding gals legal professionals have set up their own practices, or have climbed the ladder to guide companies.

Zippora Siregar, a controlling husband or wife at Siregar & Djojonegoro, has manufactured a name for herself and the company with her expertise in assisting complex transactions. Bukalapak’s Perdana Saputro praises her for her “solid and long observe document of practical experience in managing authorized do the job, specially in the banking finance location. Her approach is correct, and she can stability transacting parties’ pursuits, earning the bargains operate easy.”

Ervin Pakpahan, senior counsel and head of external affairs at tobacco corporation HM Sampoerna in Jakarta, suggests: “Zippora is a seasoned and passionate law firm with in-depth information, wide expertise in several locations of the legislation and enterprise acumen, enabling her to see the industrial aspect of assignments at hand.”

Ervin-Pakpahan,-Senior-Counsel-and-Head-of-External-Affairs,-HM-Sampoerna,-Jakarta

Angela Maryska, division head at corporate secretary and team general counsel at Indonesian conglomerate Astra International in Jakarta, recommends Mita Djajadiredja, senior partner at HHP. “Mita has substantial know-how centered on her broad and prolonged expertise,” suggests Maryska. “She is very approachable, responsive and reputable. In offering guidance, she is in a position to blend lawful-based mostly attention with reasonable commercial criteria.”

Kirana Diah Sastrawijaya, a senior spouse at UMBRA, is “the country expert in renewable energy regulation,” states Citibank’s Rinaldi. “She facilitates a variety of discussions between company leaders, and also with the authorities of Indonesia, and provides legal answers.”

A good portion of the A-List is stuffed by Indonesia’s foremost females lawyers, which include: Melli Darsa, founder and senior associate at Melli Darsa & Co Ira Eddymurthy, founding associate at SSEK Irawati Hermawan, taking care of partner at Hermawan Juniarto Rahayu Ningsih Hoed, senior spouse at Makarim & Taira S Prudence Jahja, managing spouse at Januar Jahja & Associates and Jennifer Tumbuan, handling associate at Tumbuan & Companions.

Compiling the A-List

The A-Listing is centered on extensive study done by Asia Company Regulation Journal. To recognize the best 100 legal professionals in Indonesia, we turned to 1000’s of in-residence counsel in Indonesia and all around the world – as properly as companions at international law firms – and questioned them to notify us which attorneys should really make the minimize, and why. Nominations were made by professionals at a broad assortment of Indonesian and world corporations, economical establishments and law companies, such as Adaro Power, AirAsia, Angkasa Pura, ANZ Financial institution, Gojek, Ashland India, Astra Global, ASUS, AXA Mandiri, Bae Kim & Lee, Bank CIMB Niaga, Bank IBK, Financial institution Mandiri, BFI Finance, Blue Chicken, Bukalapak.com, Citibank, City-Yuwa Partners, Dentsu, Drew & Napier, IDI Infrastructures, Indonesia Stock Exchange, JLL, Jones Day, Kendall Court, King & Wooden Mallesons, KPMG, LEGO Singapore, LG International, L’Oreal, Marubeni Company, Mattel, Mayer Brown, Medco Energy, Mitsubishi, Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, Nishimura & Asahi, OLX, Ovolo Team, Reckitt Benckiser, Shanghai Electrical, Shell, Shimizu Company, Tempo Scan Team, Tokopedia, WongPartnership and quite a few far more. Comprehensive editorial investigation adopted the nomination course of action.

The last list reflects the nominations acquired mixed with the Asia Business enterprise Regulation Journal editorial team’s in depth experience in documenting and analysing the lawful industry in Asia. All Indonesian non-public-apply attorneys and overseas legal professionals based mostly in the nation were automatically qualified for inclusion in the nominations method, and, as constantly, there were being no costs or any other demands for entry.

The names and photos of all 100 A-Record lawyers are published right here. In addition, each and every A-List law firm was given the chance to incorporate their biography and make contact with particulars, for which a publishing rate was charged.

It is important to notice that even though the compilation of the A-Record was based mostly entirely on unbiased editorial investigate, the biographies and get in touch with information that show up along with many of the listings have been composed by the collaborating attorneys, and the content has not been independently verified by Asia Small business Legislation Journal.

Indonesia's top 100 lawyers 2021