Legal Awards 2022

Jan22686 Based inMalaysia, Tan & Khong Chambers offers a broad range of experiences and skill sets covering almost any arising legal issues concerning individuals, the public or companies. In the wake of the company being recognised in theAPAC LegalAwards 2022, we speak to one of the founding partners about the appetite for the industry post-Covid, and how its strong ethos on putting the customer first has led to the firm’s success. Legal Services Client Care Excellence Award 2022 Tan & Khong Chambers (Tan & Khong) is a boutique legal firm practicing largely in litigation. The firm was established in mid-2019 and is presently led by Founders Khong Zhi Jian and Tan Keng Soon (Daryl), both of whom are accomplished lawyers who have previously served in various other firms – prior to setting up on their own. As a company practicing in diverse areas, the firm’s clients range from individuals to small-medium enterprises, up to publicly listed companies. But this wouldn’t be possible without the strong team. “As of today, we have four other full time staff members,” explains Khong. “Although we remain a small setup, we are proud of what we have accomplished in this short time.” Some of the practice’s recent highlights include taking on exciting briefs invarious contentiousmatters, including an admiralty in remaction, successfully taking up anAnton Piller, and prohibitory injunction for a breach of confidentiality, and successfullyestablishing liability against a consultant architect for professional negligence. “Our founding values are premised on our vision and client charter,” Khong continues. “It is a long list of very idealistic values, such as striving to be ethical, to ensure all firm personnel develop a mindset of continuing legal education, to focus on quality and client-oriented services, to be fair and clear on our billing, amongst many other things.” It is this customer-centric approach that really sets Tan & Khong aside from its competitors and differentiates the firm in the industry. Focusing on providing quality and tailored legal services, that are committed towards the continuing vision of client care, has paid dividends in ensuring that the firm has been successful during its first three years of operation. Khong tells us more about this approach and how it has helped the practice to get to where it is today. “We are completely honest and creative in finding solutions to our clients’ arising problems. We recognize that litigating is only a means to an end, and our approach is not always necessary to adopt litigation and sue. We believe every client appreciates honest and frank legal advice and assist the legal industry towards removing a stigma that lawyers are only all in for the money, as some may perceive.” Obviously, the Covid-19 pandemic had a huge effect on the industry and in Malaysia, from the litigation perspective of practice, the courts moved rapidly into utilising online remote technology. It became apparent all too soon to Tan & Khong that lawyers who weren’t into technology were forced to adapt one way or another. “For our part, we came to terms quite quickly that the way forward was to go digital,” Khong elaborates. “We have since been moving in that direction. We went partially paperless, and we are continuously learning how to use digital tools to refer to digital documents efficiently. We also make it a point that every staff member must be equipped and be knowledgeable with the most efficient digital tools available. As for our clients, we encourage clients and prospective clients to meet us remotely through online applications – as we realised how much time and expenses that could save everyone.” Recently, the law firm was rewarded for its hard work and dedication by being recognised in the APAC Legal Awards 2022 and bestowed with the title of Legal Services Client Care Excellence Award 2022, something of which they are undoubtedly proud. “It is an accomplishment having survived time and time again, and in the process, becoming stronger, wiser andmore learned. That, in addition to the euphoria of continuing improvement and expansion, is reward in itself,” Khong enthuses. Looking to the future there are big plans for Tan & Khong. This includes further development on the recently gained Certificate in Adjudication – awarded by the Asian International Arbitration Centre – as well as the intent to rise through the ranks of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators to become fellows of the institute. Khong has also recently passed a written examination for appointment as a Commissioner of Oath which will take place in October. This means that Tan & Khong can offer a further range of services, such as affirmation of affidavits and statutory declarations. “We are also looking to expand our firm circa mid-2023 and, if everything plays out right, we will look at moving our properties to a new and bigger premises,” Khong enthuses. “We are excited to bring in new partners to expand our departments, such as partners in corporate practice and other areas of niche specialty.” It is with pride that we present Tan & Khong with this award – long may its success continue. Contact: Khong Zhi Jian Company: Tan & Khong Chambers Web Address: www.tkchambers.com Aug 2045

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