THE ART OF ADVOCACY

8
Advocates

85
Years of experience 

750
Matters

800
Clients

1
VISION

OUR CHAMBERS

Head of Chambers (Criminal)
Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad

Head of Chambers (Civil)
Edmund Bon Tai Soon

Senior Advocate
Khor Xiou Shan (Valen)

Senior Advocate
New Sin Yew

Senior Advocate
Joshua Tay H’ng Foong

Advocate
Michael Cheah Ern Tien

Advocate
Kee Shu Min

Treasurer
Norhayati Jamari

Treasurer
Jenn Yong Yoon Mei

ALUMNI

THIS IS A UNIQUE LAW PRACTICE

AmerBON, Advocates offers fully integrated legal services within the framework of a set of chambers, with a focus on litigation and dispute resolution. Amer and Edmund’s select group of lawyers are “book smart” and “street smart”, devising winning strategies that combine a mastery of the law, familiarity with procedural tactics, and political and client sensitivity. The firm is aggressive in delivering the best outcomes for clients, in the shortest time and most cost-effective manner.

AmerBON advises on high-value transactions at pre-action stages and provides legal representation in arbitrations and the Malaysian courts. The firm is engaged by federal and state governments, public-listed and government-linked companies, media, as well as high net-worth public figures, for strategic corporate and litigation advice on complex cases.

THIS IS A UNIQUE
LAW PRACTICE

01
The firm only takes on a limited number of cases a year to ensure its lawyers are highly responsive to its clients.
02
The firm is able to holistically advise on both the civil and criminal aspects of the cases it handles. The lawyers have the expertise to conduct criminal defence litigation when required to.
03

The firm’s lawyers are well-known for taking on public interest cases. Media outlets routinely seek out AmerBON lawyers for quick and accurate commentary on fast developing stories with legal implications. For clients, this means that AmerBON lawyers bring to the table a high degree of social capital – public trust, influence, profile, and networks – which could be tapped on where appropriate.

PRACTICE
AREAS

  • Administrative
  • Arbitration
  • Business
  • Capital Markets
  • Commercial
  • Competition
  • Constitutional
  • Construction
  • Contract
  • Corporate
  • Criminal
  • Cyber
  • Defamation
  • Divorce
  • Employment
  • Environmental
  • Family
  • Human Rights
  • Immigration
  • Inheritance
  • Insolvency
  • Intellectual Property
  • International Law
  • Land
  • Matrimonial
  • Media
  • Non-profits
  • Obligations
  • Personal Injury
  • Privacy
  • Probate
  • Public
  • Tax
  • Technology
  • Torts
  • Trusts
  • Water
  • Wills

PRO BONO

Each lawyer at the firm is motivated by social causes, such as  indigenous rights and the abolition of capital punishment. AmerBON practises cause lawyering by taking up cases directed at altering aspects of the political, economic and social status quo in the country. Through our self-funded Collective of Applied Law & Legal Realism (CALR), the lawyers devote up to 40% of their time to pro bono work in service of the community.

The CALR also manages the firm’s pupillage and case-engineering curriculum, runs a graduate student “Street Law” programme providing free legal aid to the public, and undertakes research and development to improve ways of providing legal assistance such as through its “DIYLaw” and “Total Law” solutions.

www.calr.com.my

TESTIMONIALS

AmerBON is often cited as the go-to law firm for non-profits in Southeast Asia. It has great legal practitioners who focus on matters integral to society, such as human rights. It straddles the narrow path between law as a business and law as a special calling and has successfully expanded the space in the profession to integrate both. The firm’s pro bono work supported by the first-of-its-kind CALR programme broadens legal aid coverage to those traditionally unable to procure representation. The lawyers are innovators and not afraid to push boundaries while being effective in their diplomacy with stakeholders such as the courts and governmental authorities.
Programme OfficerInternational development aid provider focusing on governance, education, environment and
sustainable business
Edmund and his team were exemplary in providing me with pro bono advice on international aviation law at a time of great sadness over the MH17 tragedy. This is what we should expect of a skilled Malaysian set working in the best interests of the nation. These lawyers are class acts.
Dato’ Sri Anifah bin Haji AmanMalaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs (2009-2018)
I was very fortunate to have Edmund and his team on my divorce case. They worked with charm, passion, dedication and integrity. Edmund exudes confidence to his client. I’m very impressed with his expert knowledge of the law and in particular for championing the rights of women and the disabled, issues that are very close to my heart.
Pauline Chai Siew PhinLitigant in a billion ringgit divorce dispute
Amer is a walking encyclopedia on criminal law and the criminal procedure code. Couple this with the fact that he is so approachable would make him an excellent choice for us whenever we are in need of a good criminal lawyer.
Soh Sze JeanGeneral Counsel, Star Media Group Berhad
Perkhidmatan yang diberikan kepada UM8 oleh pihak AmerBON dan pasukannya yang mantap sangat pantas dan dengan strategi yang efektif. Dari awal kami UM8 didakwa sehingga saat ini, pihak AmerBON memandu kes kami dengan teliti tanpa terlepas pandangan walaupun sekecil-kecil perkara. Kami UM8 sangat hargai pertolongan yang diberikan kepada kami, tanpa mengira agama, bangsa dan taraf kehidupan. Terima kasih dari kami UM8.
Fahmi bin Zainol, Presiden, Persatuan Mahasiswa UM (PMUM) mewakili UM8 (Adam Fistival Wilfrid, Syamimi Munira, Haw Yu Hong, Khairol Najib Hashim, Abraham Au, Safwan Shamsuddin, Khairul Anwar dan Fahmi bin Zainol)
The lawyers at AmerBON have a good sense of justice and fairness, upholding what is right at all times. They are booksmart and effective, yet streetwise, tenacious and efficient. Running both as a commercial and human rights chambers, the firm is in the ascendancy. It will be buzzing in the Malaysian legal scene for the causes and cases it advocates for a long time to come.
Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Khalid bin Ibrahim14th Selangor Menteri Besar (2008-2014)
AmerBON’s lawyers are passionate and energetic advocates for human rights. Seeing how they work I came to realise that they have a detailed knowledge of history and are able to negotiate legal roadblocks with ease. I am glad to have them advising my family and I.
Sejahratul Dursina @ ChomelA survivor of abuse of powers by the police
AmerBON has a dynamic team of lawyers, and does not shy away from controversial work. They are very responsive, and emphasis is given to encouraging bright young lawyers in the firm to handle complex matters. Sharp in their analysis of the law, good in using domestic and international law to argue innovatively, and strategic in their approaches to the cases they handle. They have made a tremendous contribution to legal practice in Malaysia. Amazing!
Honey Tan Lay EanPartner at Tan Law Practice and member of the Malaysian Bar Council (2014-2018, 2020-2022)
Their rapport and guidance were outstanding at all times: prompt, timely, professional, responsive. They were open for calls and quick updates, and worked through all questions and issues on the cases handled; especially by Edmund Bon and Michael Cheah. Edmund is trustworthy and very straightforward. In unvarnished truth he will tell you exactly where you stand and what direction you should go without losing sight of the end goal which is to protect, defend and get the best outcome for his client.
Senior DirectorStatutory commission regulating technical and economic matters
The firm dealt with my urgent query with speed, efficiency and professionalism. Its overall performance in dealing with my instructions (and value for money) was excellent. Amer Hamzah and Michael Cheah were the lawyers I dealt with. From my initial legal request they quickly identified and understood the legal issues involved. I was impressed by their knowledge of Malaysian law and I found them to be highly professional and courteous.
Local State Solicitorto the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ireland
A small but highly effective legal team that is very much in tune with the needs of the given job. Expect open and frank discussions on the realities of the circumstances, accompanied by advice on the best response. Having interacted with the lawyers, I find them highly experienced, knowledgeable and skilful in their trade. Their technical expertise to address human rights violations due to business operations is impressive. It is a much-valued commodity – second to none.
Human Rights Advocate
AmerBON provides an impartial voice that our business unit leaders can trust. The firm has a deep understanding of our business, and its legal support comes with the right, pragmatic mindset. When we seek legal advice, it must be presented in a way that allows me as in-house counsel to use it internally without further ‘translation’. AmerBON is able to achieve this. The lawyers do not rely on their legal skills only. They can see beyond the legal implications of a commercial decision.
Group Legal CounselPublic listed company
The firm can take on cases of complex facts and law and work on a quick turnaround. They know their stuff. Our case was highly sensitive in the context of national politics. The legal issues were the first of their kind in Malaysia. Edmund, being well-versed in the country's political situation, presented the arguments effectively in the courts.
Litigantwho succeeded in a two million ringgit dispute at the Federal Court following a landmark judgment
Amer and his team provided exemplary legal representation to me in the case. They were responsive and met all my queries and concerns with ease. I was confident that, with the support I had, my case was in good hands. I would not have been able to deal with the legal intricacies and win the case without Amer.
Litigantwho was acquitted in a high-profile corruption and money laundering prosecution
CONTACT US

AmerBON, Advocates

Bar Council registration number: 000020002750

D3-5-1 Solaris Dutamas
No. 1 Jalan Dutamas 1
50480 Kuala Lumpur
O +603 6414 3808      F +603 6414 3807

[email protected]

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