Wong Beh & Toh

Yeap Lin Lin, a partner at Wong Beh & Toh, shares insights on how the firm is evolving to meet the shifting needs of its clients.   1)What do you see as the main points that differentiate Wong Beh & Toh from your competitors?  Wong Beh & Toh differentiates itself through its long-standing presence in the industry, combining a deep understanding of Malaysia's updated laws and global regulatory changes. The firm's hands-on, efficient, and experienced team prioritizes close communication with clients, ensuring their unique needs are fully understood and addressed.   2)Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that? In the next 12 months, we anticipate significant growth in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, and industrial real estate. This momentum is driven by an increasing number of IPOs in Malaysia, a rise in foreign direct investment, and growing demand for advanced infrastructure and tech-focused facilities. Notably, Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad has exceeded its IPO target for 2024, achieving more than 50 listings and surpassing its goal of 42 IPOs for the year. This marks the highest number of IPOs since 2006, when 40 listings were recorded. Furthermore, the expansion of data centers and Malaysia's emerging role as a hub for technology investments, akin to Silicon Valley, are expected to stimulate activity in mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property and industrial real estate. These trends underscore Malaysia’s position as a prime destination for global investors and technology innovators.   3)What's the main change you've made in the firm that will benefit clients? The main changes we have implemented to benefit clients include adopting virtual meeting platforms, enabling seamless and flexible communication regardless of location. Additionally, we have digitized our documents, making it easier to access, store, and retrieve documents of clients conveniently. These changes enhance our service delivery, improve client experience, and strengthen our ability to meet evolving client needs.   4)Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them? Technology is revolutionizing the way we interact with our clients and the range of services we offer. With the integration of advanced digital tools, we can now provide more efficient and tailored solutions. For instance, virtual meeting platforms and secure online portals enable seamless communication and collaboration, regardless of geographical boundaries. Ultimately, embracing technological advancements has strengthened our relationships with clients, making our interactions more dynamic, responsive, and impactful. 5)Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business? Drawing on the expertise of our partners who hold double degrees in commerce (accounting and finance) and law, and specialize in intellectual property (IP) laws, we have facilitated the structuring of complex deals that address both legal and financial aspects. By securing robust protection for our clients’ innovations, we ensure their intellectual assets are safeguarded as they expand into new markets. Leveraging our multidisciplinary expertise and strategic guidance, we empower clients to achieve successful outcomes, positioning their businesses for sustained growth and competitiveness. 6)Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms - where do you see the firm in three years’ time? We believe the clients are increasingly seeking stability and strategic direction from the law firms, especially in a rapidly changing global and economic landscape. They value partners who can provide consistent, reliable guidance while adapting to evolving regulations and industry trends. In three years, we see the firm continuing to grow in key areas such as technology, capital markets, intellectual property, and mergers and acquisitions. By maintaining a focus on talent development, embracing technology, and deepening client relationships, we aim to reinforce our role as a dependable and adaptable legal partner.