Our Partners

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

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.

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

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.

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.