Tommy Thomas Advocates & Solicitors

Firm Details:

Partners: Alan Gomez, Ganesan Nethi, Michael Yap, Rahayu Mumazaini, Mervyn Lai

Consultant: Tommy Thomas

Number of lawyers: 13

Languages: English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, Cantonese, Tamil

Firm Overview:

TOMMY THOMAS provides counsel and solicitors' services in respect of disputes, potential disputes and advisory assistance. The breadth and depth of the combined experience within the firm has positioned TOMMY THOMAS as the firm of choice in litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution. “The team is known for handling some of Malaysia’s largest and most complex cases. In addition to its outstanding track record on commercial cases, it has a strong public law practice, acting on major judicial review and constitutional matters. Also frequently sought after for major appellate work.” (Chambers Asia). TOMMY THOMAS is the only small firm in Benchmark Asia Pacific’s list of 7 “highly recommended leading disputes” firms in Malaysia.

The firm’s diverse team has a stellar reputation and track record in high-profile and heavy commercial disputes. Each partner has their own specialization, but work as a team in heavy or complex briefs.

Tan Sri Tommy Thomas resumed practice in September 2020 after having served as the Attorney General of Malaysia between June 2018 and February 2020 and continues to be much sought as Counsel in commercial, contract, corporate, securities, tax and constitutional disputes.

Alan Gomez acts as Counsel in a wide range of commercial disputes, spanning construction, corporate and shareholder disputes, oil and gas and securities matters. He has also recently been placed in the public spotlight as Counsel acting for Tan Sri Tommy Thomas in defending suits brought by ex-PM Najib Razak.

Ganesan Nethi is a securities litigator who acts for the Securities Commission of Malaysia and other major industry players in securities, derivatives and digital asset fraud matters, while also undertaking construction and building strata disputes cases.

Michael Yap is an upcoming construction litigator, and is rapidly making a name in the Malaysian construction industry, particularly in payment disputes and loss and expense claims.

Rahayu Mumazaini resumed her shipping and admiralty practice in January 2021 after having served as Tan Sri Tommy Thomas’ special officer at the Attorney General’s Chambers between June 2018 and February 2020. She is also well versed in bilateral and multilateral treaties, sanctions and fraud asset tracing.

Mervyn Lai is a competition law specialist who represents the Malaysia Competition Commission, and with substantial experience in corporate and shareholder disputes. He is also developing a practice in defamation, having defended environmental and anti-corruption journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown, the sister-in-law of ex British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, in a defamation suit against her for RM300 million.

Main Areas Of Practice:

Commercial:

The firm is actively involved at all levels of the Superior Courts and arbitration involving complex commercial and corporate disputes, as well as oil and gas claims.

Securities:

The firm acts for the Securities Commission of Malaysia and other major industry players in securities, derivatives and digital asset fraud.

Construction:

Acting for a number of major and public listed construction companies, both local and foreign, in high value and complex construction disputes and arbitrations. The firm’s construction practice has a wide breadth; ranging from disputes on performance bonds; re-possession of site equipment and construction materials; delay and disruption claims; construction insurance; fraudulent and dubious construction contracts, construction insolvency, and quantum and monetary disputes.

Shipping:

The firm is actively involved in advising and representing various shipowners’ Protection & Indemnity Clubs, vessel owners and other maritime industry players across the whole range of admiralty disputes, and is the first port of call for urgent injunctions and arrests.

Competition:

The department is best known for representing the Malaysia Competition Commission in its high profile and larger cases. The firm acts for the Commission in the Court of Appeal in respect of its proposed decision to penalize Grab for RM86 million, and before the Competition Appeal Tribunal in defending the Commission’s RM 415 million fine against 5 chicken feed producers, the largest fine imposed by the Commission to date.