“You must have strong mental and physical strength and a good team (legal and non-legal support) and blessings from above.”
– Ng Yoke Mui, Consultant
1975
When the Firm opened its doors on 1st August 1975, Malaysia itself was emerging from the 2nd Malaysia Plan, charting its course toward economic reform, social restructuring, and growth.
It was a time defined by ambition, and it was in this spirit of purpose that our founding partners planted the seeds of what would become our enduring legacy.
Founding Partners
Mr. Sundra Moorthi, Dato’ Low Chee Choon, and Dato’ Mohammed Adnan bin Datuk Shuaib did more than create a law practice; they built a practice where trust was the defining currency.
With integrity as their compass and professionalism as their promise, they forged relationships rooted in compassion, seeing every client not as a file and every staff not as a mere employee, but as a real-life story worthy of attention, care, and respect.
Firm Offices
From No. 9, Jalan Gereja to Wisma Budiman, then Menara Olympia, and now Menara Etiqa, each move reflects the Firm’s continued growth and steady expansion over the years.
No. 9, Jalan Gereja
Wisma Budiman
Menara Olympia
Wisma Budiman
Menara Olympia
Glass door entrance at Menara Olympia
1985 – 10th Anniversary
From a small team of five, the Firm gradually evolved into a leading law practice with a diverse portfolio of high-profile clients and landmark transactions.
1990
Sundra Moorthi served as the Managing Partner, leading the Firm from 1975 until 2010.
1995 – 20th Anniversary
These early years were modest on the surface, but monumental in impact. Brick by brick, value by value, our founders shaped the character of the Firm.
Their principles of honesty, excellence, and unwavering service became the soul of our practice.
And it is this foundation, laid with their own hands and hearts, that continues to carry our name forward, nearly five decades later.
ASL's 20th Anniversary
who has been with the Firm since 1995
Areas of Practice – Chance Over Choice
“When I joined the Firm in 1995, I was to assist Dato’ Low in banking and finance matters.
Not long after that, I was roped in to assist Mr Sundra in the strategic merger that saw the takeover of the Heavy Industries Corporation of Malaysia Berhad (HICOM) by Diversified Resources Berhad (as it then was) that has culminated in the formation of the DRB-HICOM Berhad conglomerate.
After that project, I went on to do more corporate work. When Tesco came into Malaysia in 1996, I was roped in by Dato’ Low to assist with Tesco’s joint venture with the Sime Darby group and later on, its site acquisitions.”
Practice as a Balancing Act
“It’s a juggling act – juggling a few transactions moving at the same time, and staying sane.
You must have strong mental and physical strength and a good team (legal and non-legal support) and blessings from above.”
During the Asian Financial Crisis, the Firm focused on supporting clients through major corporate restructuring projects, expanding its work to help businesses navigate one of the region’s most challenging economic periods. The Firm was privileged to advise on a number of significant transactions, including:
• Advising Danamodal Nasional Berhad on the recapitalisation of undercapitalised financial institutions.
• Advising on numerous schemes of arrangement and compromises under Section 176 of the Companies Act 1965.
• Advising Commerce International Merchant Bankers Berhad on the issuance of RM16 billion in bonds by Projek Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan Berhad.
• Advising on the privatisation of Star Putra LRT.
• Advising on the disposal of 100% equity interest in Usahasama Proton-DRB Sdn Bhd (USPD) to Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Berhad (PROTON).
Enjoyment in Practice
“Nothing beats your own investigation, your own reading and your own due diligence.
I hope all lawyers enjoy their professional life. Whatever path you choose, it is important to take genuine satisfaction in the work you do.
The profession offers endless opportunities to learn and to deepen your understanding. Approach it with curiosity, positivity and a sense of enjoyment.”
Professional Judgement
“There will inevitably be challenging days, particularly when dealing with difficult clients, and as lawyers we often continue to act despite those challenges.
At times, however, it is important to draw clear boundaries and make a principled stand with a client.
Acting for a client is ultimately a matter of professional judgment, there is no obligation to do so if it compromises those principles.“
who has been with the Firm since 1988