Azmi & Associates

Global Financial Services & Islamic Banking

Managing Partner / Head, Global Financial Services & Islamic Banking

Ahmad Lutfi graduated in 1995 from International Islamic University Malaysia with a LL.B (Hons) and was subsequently admitted to the Malaysian Bar in 1996.

He has also obtained his professional qualification from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) and graduated from the Institute in February 1996.

He embarked on his journey as a legal practitioner by joining Hisham Sobri & Kadir from 1996 to year 2000 where he was made partner. Lutfi then became one of the founding partners of Azmi & Associates and now heads a team of 15 lawyers who specialise in financial services and Islamic banking.

He has advised various clients in numerous exercises ranging from private debt securities, syndicated and cross-border financing, structured and project financing, trade facilities; both conventional and Islamic, Islamic banking product development, Islamic profit rate swap, corporate debt restructuring, privatization and build-operate-transfer/build-operate-own projects, mergers and acquisitions, foreign direct investment, energy and power related transactions, joint ventures to telecommunication projects and building contracts and Islamic derivatives.

Lutfi has also advised clients in various transactions involving debt and equity structured on Shariah principles and concepts of Murabahah, Mudharabah, Musharakah, Tawarruq, Ijarah, Istisna’, Wakalah, Bay Sarf, Bai Dayn, Kafalah and Rahnu. His capabilities include the areas of Sukuk, syndication and structured finance. He also has significant expertise in Islamic product development, venture capital and private equity funding.

Asialaw Leading Lawyers, a publication of Asia Law & Practice in its 2015, 2013 and 2012 publications respectively has identified Lutfi as one of the leading lawyers in Islamic banking and finance. Islamic Finance news in its publication, Leading Lawyers for 2009, 2010 and 2011 has identified Lutfi as one of the leading lawyers nominated in the category of Islamic Banking and Finance.

Lutfi has been featured in ISLAMICA 500 in 2015 as one of the 500 most influentials to make Islamic Economy.

On 29 September 2016, Azmi & Associates has received the inaugural Best Islamic Finance Law Firm 2016 Award in Jakarta by Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA).

Lutfi has presented papers, conducted workshops, trainings, moderated and participated in forums on Islamic finance in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Russia, Kazakhstan, the United Kingdom, Italy, Luxembourg, Nigeria, Austria, Saudi Arabia and had moderated the Malaysia Belgium Conference on Islamic Finance.

Lutfi is also an Independent Non-Executive Director of Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF).

English and Bahasa Malaysia

Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya

LL.B (Hons), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)

Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA)