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Our story begins over a half century ago with Zain Azahari Zainal Abidin, an aspiring lawyer who stood at the threshold of a new era. Malaya, as it was then known, had achieved its independence from Britain the year before he was called to the Bar of England and Wales.

It is said that the best way to learn how to swim is to be thrown into the deep end of the pool. So it was that early in Zain’s legal training, he read in the chambers of the late Radhakrishna Ramani - an internationally-renowned lawyer who once served as President of the United Nations Security Council. Under the tutelage of his august and inexhaustible master, Zain not only received considerable training as a lawyer but was also rapidly acquainted with the virtues of diligence and assiduity. These qualities would stand him in good stead in the decades to come.

While growing his skills and experience over the following years, Zain saw a dearth of all-Malayan, home-grown legal firms in the fledgling nation that had capabilities on par with established expatriate brands. Imbued with a blend of determination and pioneering spirit kindled in the post-war generation that had witnessed the rebuilding and birth of a country, Zain rose to the challenge to bridge that gap. With a passion for the law rivalled only by his passion for art, he established Zain & Co. in 1970.

From its humble beginnings, Zain & Co. has since grown into a full service law firm. The firm has received many independent accolades and awards throughout the years for its standards of excellence.

Recognition

Vatsala Ratnasabapathy named ‘Litigation Star’ by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2025

May 13, 2025

Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific, the only publication on the market that focuses exclusively on dispute resolution, has rated a Zain & Co. partner as a Litigation Star in their 2025 edition.

Zain & Co.’s Dispute Resolution teams ranked by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2025

May 13, 2025

We are pleased to announce that Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific has ranked Zain & Co.’s Dispute Resolution teams in their 2025 edition.

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific ranks Zain & Co. in nine practice areas (2025)

January 2025

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific has been analysing the capabilities of law firms across the world for 33 years, seeking to highlight the practice area teams who provide the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel. This year, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific has ranked Zain & Co. in nine practice areas.

View all recognition for Kuala Lumpur

Insights

Navigating the new beneficial ownership reporting landscape in Malaysia

May 2025

Malaysia: On 7 May 2025, the firm’s Partner, Rebecca Jeyanthi Selvaraj, delivered a knowledge-sharing session to the Legal Department and other participating business units of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (“PNB”) on the subject of ‘Navigating the Beneficial Ownership (“BO”) Reporting Requirements in Malaysia’, with a particular focus on the Companies (Amendment) Act 2024 (“the Amended Act”) and the newly issued Guidelines for the Reporting Framework for Beneficial Ownership of Companies (“Revised BO Guidelines”) by the Companies Commission of Malaysia which was released on 1 April 2024.

Expert witnesses - a multi-jurisdictional exploration from the Academy of Expert UK’s Expert Witness Seminar

April 2025

Our Senior Partner Vatsala Ratnasabapathy spoke at the Academy of Expert (UK)’s Expert Witness Seminar, held on 28 February 2025. She shared her perspective as counsel on the use of expert witnesses in both litigation and arbitration proceedings. She drew extensively from both her own experience, as well as existing jurisprudence from our domestic courts and from abroad, to share insightful and practical tips for engaging with expert witnesses.

Insights from the Kelantan Bar Civil Law Conference 2025: Understanding Valuation Reports

March 1, 2025

Malaysia: On 17 February 2025, the Kelantan State Bar Committee held its inaugural Kelantan Bar Civil Law Conference 2025. Our Senior Partner, Kok Su Ann, delivered an insightful session on Understanding Valuation Reports in Land Acquisition Matters and provided attendees with a practical and comprehensive analysis of how Valuation Reports are to be understood and offering perspectives in navigating land acquisitions effectively.

View all insights for Kuala Lumpur

News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Vatsala Ratnasabapathy named ‘Litigation Star’ by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2025

May 13, 2025

Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific, the only publication on the market that focuses exclusively on dispute resolution, has rated a Zain & Co. partner as a Litigation Star in their 2025 edition.

Zain & Co.’s Dispute Resolution teams ranked by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2025

May 13, 2025

We are pleased to announce that Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific has ranked Zain & Co.’s Dispute Resolution teams in their 2025 edition.

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific ranks Zain & Co. in nine practice areas (2025)

January 2025

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific has been analysing the capabilities of law firms across the world for 33 years, seeking to highlight the practice area teams who provide the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel. This year, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific has ranked Zain & Co. in nine practice areas.

View all press releases for Kuala Lumpur