Our Partners

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Our Partners

In July 2018, Lim Cheng Bock, Yap Lay Hoon and Sharmini Ganeshan, founded the firm of Bock + Partners. We aspired to create a firm which did more than focus on legalities and the law. We sought to create a firm that looked at holistic solutions, taking into account our clients’ long-term growth. We believe this unique approach distinguishes us from other firms.

We have since expanded to include Yogeswaran Balakrishnan, who was promoted to Partner in 2020, and Ashwin Lim, who was made a Partner in 2022.

Together with our legal associates and support staff, we are committed to providing advice and solutions that best serve your needs.

lim cheng bock

Lim Cheng Bock

Founding Partner

yap lay hoon

Yap Lay Hoon

Founding Partner

sharmin ganeshan

Sharmini Ganeshan

Founding Partner

yogeswaran

Yogeswaran Balakrishnan

Partner

ashwin lim

Ashwin Lim

Partner

Contact us
Suite A1-8-9, Arcoris Business Suites, Arcoris Mont Kiara, Jalan Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Copyright Bock + Partners © 2024
Contact us
Suite A1-8-9, Arcoris Business Suites, Arcoris Mont Kiara, Jalan Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Copyright Bock + Partners © 2024
lim cheng bock

Lim Cheng Bock

Bachelor of Laws (Hons), University of Kent, Canterbury, England.
Year of Commencing Practice: 1987

Lim Cheng Bock (or Bock as he is known to his clients and friends) is a Founding Partner of the Firm. He is conversant in all areas of corporate law, including contentious matters. He currently focuses on corporate restructuring, establishment of private equity funds, mergers and acquisitions, schemes of arrangements shareholder rights and disputes, tax and conveyancing and all matters pertaining to foreign investment. His unique perspective on corporate law stems from an in-depth understanding of accounting procedures and the financial implications of the transactions he handles.

In the course of his career, Bock has overseen numerous high-value joint ventures, take-overs, mergers and acquisition, restructurings, schemes of arrangements, drafting of contracts, corporate litigation, shareholders’ dispute, advisory at general meetings of companies, conveyancing and rendering general corporate advice and planning. He has been instrumental in setting up several private equity funds for a number of corporate clients. He has also expanded his knowledge into the area of intellectual property and information technology.

In addition to his client-base in Malaysia, his portfolio of clients includes multinational from the United Kingdom, USA, Europe and Japan.

Bock, was called to the English Bar in 1986. He began his career at Messrs Shearn Delamore & Co before moving to the Corporate and Conveyancing Department at Messrs Cheah Teh & Su.

yap lay hoon

Yap Lay Hoon

Education: Bachelor of Laws (Hons) (Upper Second Class), University of Leeds, England.
Year of Commencing Practice: 1997

Lay Hoon’s areas of practice include all aspects of corporate law with an emphasis on shareholders’ disputes, corporate restructuring, real estate matters and mergers and acquisitions. Lay Hoon has also been involved in the setting up of several equity funds for a number of corporate clients. More recently, she has negotiated and undertaken the documentation for a number of complex high-value settlement agreements including several private family company disputes. She also advises on and oversees the procurement of real-estate transactions for the automated warehousing industry.

Lay Hoon guides clients undertaking foreign investments in Malaysia including advising on regulatory approvals, licensing and other regulatory compliance. In a rapidly evolving tax and regulatory framework, Lay Hoon is much valued for her advice and experience in handling matters pertaining to tax, especially the newly introduced Capital Gains Tax and Real Property Gains Tax. Lay Hoon also advises on cross-border corporate issues. She also advises on the set up and structuring of limited liability partnerships.

Lay Hoon obtained her Bachelor of Laws with Honours, Upper Second Class Division, and went on to be called to the English Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1996. She began her legal career at Messrs Chung Huang & Khalid where she practised as a conveyancing lawyer. She joined the Corporate and Conveyancing Department of Messrs Cheah Teh & Su in 1999 where she was a Partner before becoming a Founding Partner at Bock + Partners.

sharmin ganeshan

Sharmini Garneshan

Education: Bachelor of Laws (Hons) University of London, England
Year of Commencing Practise: 2000

Ms Sharmini is a founding partner of the firm. Her areas of expertise are mergers and acquisitions (M&A), restructuring of companies, foreign direct investment (FDI), private equity and venture capital funds. Her professional experience includes:

  1. Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A):
    • Extensive experience advising on both domestic and international M&A deals, including private mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, and divestitures.
    • Expertise in conducting due diligence, negotiating terms, drafting transactional documents and overseeing deal closures.
    • Proven track record in structuring deals to optimize tax and regulatory considerations.
  2. Restructuring of Companies:
    • Skilled in advising companies on corporate restructuring, including debt restructuring, internal reorganizations, spin-offs, and shareholder agreements.
    • Experienced in navigating complex regulatory frameworks to ensure compliance during restructuring processes.
    • Ability to manage negotiations with creditors, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies.
  3. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):
    • In-depth knowledge of the legal frameworks governing FDI, particularly in navigating local laws and foreign exchange regulations.
    • Proven experience advising multinational clients on the legal and regulatory implications of investing in Malaysia and structuring cross-border transactions to align with local and international legal requirements.
  4. Private Equity Funds and Venture Capital Funds:
    • Experienced in advising private equity funds on investments, buyouts, and divestitures, including legal due diligence, drafting agreements, and ensuring compliance with investment regulations.
    • Expertise in fund formation, structuring, and exit strategies, often involving multinational corporations and investors.

In addition to the above, she is well versed in matters of conveyancing, succession planning and shareholders’ disputes.

Ms Sharmini Ganeshan graduated with LLB (Hons) from University of London in July 1997 and thereafter obtained the Certificate in Legal Practice from the Legal Profession Qualifying Board in December 1998. She was admitted and enrolled as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court in Malaya on the 27th of January 2000. She began her career in Cheah Teh & Su where she was a partner prior to joining the firm.

yogeswaran

Yogeswaran Balakrishnan

Education:. Bachelor of Laws (Hons) University of London, England
Year of Commencing Practise: 2008

Yogeswaran Balakrishnan is experienced in corporate advisory and transactional matters involving restructuring of investments, acquisitions and debts. He also advises on and formulates legal strategies for corporate litigation. In recent times, he is involved in advisory work for pre-IPO and equity condition restructuring exercises, acquisitions of high valued entities and strategic real estate properties.

In addition to his work in corporate law, Yogeswaran has also acted for several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in a pro-bono capacity, notably acting for Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) when it was investigated for its media coverage of corruption issues involving the sale of Scorpene submarines to the Malaysian government.

Prior to starting his legal career, Yogeswaran was a Research Consultant at Harris Interactive UK Ltd, a research consultancy based in London. After completing the Certificate of Legal Practice, he pursued his pupillage under the guidance of Mr Loong Caesar of Messrs Raslan Loong. He began his career as a corporate lawyer with Messrs Cheah Teh & Su after being called to the Malaysian Bar in 2008. He became a partner of Messrs Bock and Partners in January 2020.

ashwin lim

Ashwin Lim

Education: Bachelor of Laws (Hons) (First Class Division) University of Leeds, England
Year of Commencing Practise: 2018

Ashwin Lim was made a partner of the firm in 2022, which he joined in 2018. Over the years, he has developed expertise in a wide array of corporate matters. His current areas of focus include:

Private mergers and acquisitions

  • Acted for a client in the sale of a sale of a series of corporations worth RM500million in the infrastructure industry.
  • Represented clients in the healthcare industry, successfully handling transactions totalling RM100 million.
  • Regularly advises clients across multiple industries on private mergers and acquisitions.
  • Highly proficient in managing high-value acquisitions and divestment of assets.

Corporate Advisory

  • Regularly acts for various clients in providing innovative corporate solutions through corporate restructuring strategies.

Legacy Planning

  • Skilled in the establishment of trusts and Labuan Foundations.
  • Acted in the establishment of Labuan Foundation and continues to act as the Foundation’s legal advisor that now holds over RM5 billion in assets.
  • Has considerable skill and expertise in legacy planning matters, including management of assets, inheritance issues, and related tax and corporate structural matters.

Ashwin is also experienced in dispute resolution including advising clients on pre-trial and trial strategies in disputes including disputes regulated under the Malaysian Institute of Accountants.

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