Driven by a resilient economy and changing regulations, Indonesia’s legal landscape is continuously evolving. This transformation is paving the way to emergence of a new generation of innovative law firms that combine strong local expertise with a global outlook. ALB highlights these exceptional firms for their skill in managing complexities and making significant contributions to the market. The firms are listed alphabetically, and some have been featured with profiles.

AGI Legal

AGI Legal, established in 2023 and based in Indonesia, is rapidly making its mark in the legal landscape with a strategic focus on growth and innovation. The firm has been involved in significant transactions, such as advising on the divestment of PT Oiltanking Karimun and a substantial loan facility to Lippo Malls Indonesia Retail Trust. These deals highlight AGI Legal's capability to handle complex transactions involving multiple jurisdictions and innovative financial structures.

As an associate firm of Allen & Gledhill, AGI Legal is part of the Allen & Gledhill network known as A&G Asia, one of the largest law firm networks in the region with over 650 lawyers regularly working on cross-border transactions in Asia and beyond. Tapping into this extensive network of resources, the firm provides comprehensive legal solutions that address both local and global challenges, positioning itself as a go-to advisor for clients navigating Indonesia's dynamic business environment.

In the coming year, AGI Legal will remain focused on cross-border collaboration to meet the growing demand for cross-border, integrated legal services. The firm is also committed to investing in its people, technology, and resources to stay ahead of market trends.

AGI Legal's key team members include its four founding partners, Kevin Omar Sidharta, Elsie F. Hakim, Giffy Pardede, and Aris Budi Prasetiyo, as well as foreign counsel, Oene J. Marseille, all of whom have extensive experience and a deep understanding of the local legal landscape. This enables the firm to provide clients with tailored legal solutions and reinforces its position as a trusted advisor in the Indonesian market.

AVYA Law Firm

AVYA Law Firm is recognised as one of Indonesia's fastest-growing law firms. The firm has distinguished itself by building a team of lawyers renowned for exceptional client service, a commitment to social impact, and active participation in critical intellectual debates on public policy through commentaries featured in leading international news outlets.

Two of the firm’s founding members, Alldo Fellix Januardy and Melly Affrissyah, established the firm, focusing on niche areas within Indonesia’s legal landscape: private wealth and family office and government advisory.

Over time, both founders have developed extensive case representation portfolios. Mr. Januardy is highly regarded for his expertise across multiple practice areas, and counselling on complex private wealth and family office matters spanning Indonesia, Singapore, and China jurisdictions. Meanwhile, Ms. Afrissyah has advised on regulatory issues for Ibu Kota Negara (Indonesia’s new capital city) and played a pivotal role in facilitating a major Chinese joint venture’s collaboration with the government to construct a critical airport in Central Sulawesi.

The firm has since expanded to six main practices: private wealth and family office, government advisory, corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, innovation and technology, and construction and infrastructure. The firm also recently opened a China Practice to advise Chinese investors in doing business in Indonesia.

AVYA Law Firm’s commitment to social impact is evident in its recent initiatives, including leading a pro-bono campaign to support detained protesters during a “constitutional crisis” protest in Jakarta in August 2024. The firm also provided pro-bono advisory services to one of the world’s largest digital media agencies, collaborating with prominent content creators to promote a sustainable waste management campaign in Indonesia.

Rifdaan Novarazka & Prabowo

Rifdaan Novarazka & Prabowo, founded in 2023 in Jakarta, has rapidly established itself as a formidable force in Indonesia's legal arena. Within just nine months, the firm has expanded its team from 10 to 19 fee-earners, reflecting its strategic growth and increasing demand for its services. This burgeoning team includes five partners, three counsels, and eleven associates, all dedicated to delivering exceptional legal solutions.

The firm has been at the forefront of several high-profile transactions, including advising an Indonesian SOE on a $235 million joint venture for a container terminal in Sumatra. This project involved complex stakeholder management and project financing intricacies. Another significant deal involved a $197.6 million transaction for a Chinese FDI company in the nickel smelting industry, showcasing the firm’s expertise in cross-border transactions.

In addition to corporate transactions, Rifdaan Novarazka & Prabowo has excelled in dispute resolution. The firm represented an Indonesian SOE in a Singapore-seated arbitration valued at over $500 million, cementing its reputation for managing complex international disputes. The firm also successfully defended a global beauty and wellness company in an arbitration under the Indonesian National Arbitration Board (BANI) rules.

To meet the diverse needs of its clients, the majority of which consist of multinational companies and prominent SOEs, Rifdaan Novarazka & Prabowo has also expanded its practice areas in the past year, launching new groups in construction and insurance. This strategic diversification allows the firm to provide comprehensive legal services across various industries, including shipping and logistics, automotive, oil and gas, and technology. 

Sandiva Legal Network

Sandiva Legal Network is a dynamic law firm with eight partners and a total of 21 fee-earners. Since its inception in 2019, the firm has earned a reputation for providing strategic legal solutions across diverse sectors.

In the past year, Sandiva has advised on several significant matters, including representing a palm oil trading company in a $300,000 payment dispute, acting as the liquidator for an online supermarket dissolution with debts of $5 million, and assisting a ride-hailing company in managing a police report that threatened its reputation. Additionally, the firm facilitated a strategic cooperation agreement for an education foundation with a notable school management organisation in Jakarta.

The firm's 2024 growth has been increased in revenue and strategic partnerships with Sichuan Yingling Heshi Law Firm in China and local firms in Central Java and Bali. These alliances bolster Sandiva’s ability to support clients in Indonesia and mainland China, a region of growing significance. 

Led by managing partner Arthur Sanger and key members including partners, Allova Mengko, Febry Arisandi, and Mochamad Fachreza, the firm has heavily invested in people development, with 70% of its team undergoing leadership training. The team is also supported by Sandiva’s newly joined senior advisor, Mr. Darwin Zahedy Saleh, a respected figure in the development of the economy and the mining and energy industry in Indonesia.

Looking ahead, Sandiva plans to diversify its practice by launching a new specific practice group in general corporate and M&A and recruiting a specialist partner. This expansion aligns with its goal of broadening expertise to serve its growing client base better.

S&P Law Office

S&P Law remarkable growth trajectory took off in 2021. Since then, S&P Law has around six partners and a team of 22 fee-earners. S&P Law has extensive experience in litigation (especially land and property disputes), intellectual property, foreign investment, tax and customs, corporate governance, and labour employment. This track record is a testament to the firm's capabilities and reputation, all under the expert leadership of Mr. Timoty Ezra Simanjuntak.

For instance, S&P Law handles various trademark international registrations and fraud cases committed by thousands of individual outlets utilising an advanced audit system for PT Bali Hai Brewery Indonesia. S&P Law offers legal advice and thorough due diligence services to foreign investors seeking to invest in PT Makmur Berkah Amanda, as the owner of the Safe n Lock warehouse complex with an area of up to 400 hundred hectares and the owner of Halal Industrial Park Sidoarjo (HIPS), which is a Special Economic Zone (KEK) and National Strategic Project. In addition, S&P Law oversees various land cases in Depok and surrounding areas, representing PT Karabha Digdaya, which holds ownership of up to 300 hundred hectares of land.

S&P Law recently won the Indonesia Pro Bono Awards 2024 for Non-Litigation Law Firms from Hukum Online, one of the most renowned legal platforms from Indonesia. S&P Law has Rising Star of Associates regularly involved in high-profile cases, and is consistently praised by peers and clients for making substantial contributions to their field, like Mr. Jokki Situmeang (senior associate) and Mr. Aldo Prasetyo (senior associate).

METHODOLOGY

Law firms must be permanently based in Indonesia and have 10 partners or fewer. The list was made based on the following criteria:

• Growth of the law firm in the past 12 months (including new office opening, increases in headcount or revenue, and other forms of expansion) 

• Notable deals or cases

• Key clients

• Significant accolades received, such as public recognition or awards