ABOUT THE FIRM

Overview

Melli Darsa & Co. or MDC is an Indonesian law firm dedicated to providing quality Indonesian legal services meeting international standards. Established in November 2002, MDC has already handled some of Indonesia’s most high-profile securities, corporate finance and M&A deals. All our senior and mid-level attorneys are experienced lawyers and have extensive expertise and experience in capital market and securities, corporate finance and banking, project finance, corporate commercial and M&A. Our lawyers are also well versed in a broad range of industry areas which include insurance, mining and energy, property, plantation and telecommunication.

Our ultimate aim is to be the firm of choice for those who desire highly competent and responsive lawyers to assist them in their many activities in Indonesia. We take pride in being able to deliver top-notch specialized services in areas mentioned above. Indeed, we honor the trust given by our clients in appointing us. Thus we always commit and strive to give the utmost level of expertise, attention, and supervision to the work which we accept.

Background

MDC was founded by Ms. Melli Darsa who holds a law degree from the University of Indonesia (1990) and a Master of Law degree from Harvard Law School (1994). She has practiced as a lawyer in Indonesia since 1990 and was admitted in 1996 to practice in the State of New York, USA. In addition, Ms. Darsa is a registered lawyer with Bapepam & LK or the Indonesian Capital Markets & Financial Institution Supervisory Agency.

Ms. Darsa had working experience in the United States and prior to establishing MDC, was an international partner of one of global firms active in Indonesia.

As of 1 January 2005, our firm formally changed its name from Melli Darsa & Associates to Melli Darsa & Co or MDC in line with the introduction of the firm’s two-tier partnership system made of Senior and Junior (Jr.) Partners.

The body of Jr. Partners is currently composed of Ms. Elizabeth Silalahi (since April 2006), Mr. Sugianto Osman (since April 2007), Ms. Zippora Siregar (since April 2007) and Mr. David Iskandar Siahaan (since September 2007).

Achievement

During the span of its existence, MDC has always maintained constant top level of performance in respect of services delivered to clients. In doing so, not only has it managed to carve a name for itself in the legal industry in Indonesia, some partners in MDC have been acknowledged as the leading individuals in their specific areas of expertise.

To name a few, the following are the accolades received by MDC :

• Asian-Counsel's Firms of the Year 2009 for "Emerging Firm 2009".



• Melli Darsa is listed in Asian Legal Business Hot 100 (September 2009 edition): “Why hot: Widely regarded as one of the most astute and entrepreneurial practitioners in Indonesia.”



• Asian Legal Business Employer of Choice 2009 for Indonesia.



• The 2007 Indonesian Law Firm of the Year award from the International Financial Law Review.



• “A prominent name for capital markets matter, this firm is also respected for its expertise in the banking and finance sector. The group counts high-profile names amongst it clientele and source say they are “greatly impressed” with the quality of the work. Competitors also acknowledge the group’s good relationship with international bankers and foreign investors.”
  
  (Chambers Asia The Asia’s Leading Lawyer for Business 2008 Edition)
  
  
• “This independent domestic firm boasts considerable expertise in M&A, capital markets and corporate finance work. It impresses many international firms, who have no hesitation in referring work to this “terrific” team. Clients describe these lawyers in glowing terms and are quick to emphasise the “consistently high quality of service” that they deliver. Sources also applaud the team’s “professionalism, punctuality and commitment".”
  
  (Chambers Asia The Asia’s Leading Lawyer for Business 2008 Edition)
  
  
• “At Melli Darsa & Co, Melli Darsa and her team have a strong reputation for complex international M&A transactions, including for their due diligence. Clients say they are ”excellent” and “great for international M&A”.”
  
  The Asia Pacific Legal 500, The Guide to Asia’s Commercial Law Firms (2006/2007 Edition)
  
  
• “Founded in 2002, Melli Darsa & Co is considered among the best of the new generation of law firm that have emerged in recent times.”
  
  (International Financial Law Review 1000 The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms 2006 Edition)
  
  
• In a market survey on the best law firms to work for in Asia-Pacific conducted by Asialaw (as published in Asialaw September 2006), Melli Darsa & Co. is ranked as the first among the law firms in Indonesia for ‘Prospects for Career Advancement’.
  

Non-Exclusive International Links

We are an independent Indonesian law firm with no formal affiliations with any foreign law firm. However, we do have several close relations and we are able to work seamlessly with many of the major global and foreign law firms which provide legal services into Indonesia or to Indonesian clients. We are able to call on these relationships, including with certain foreign sole practitioners, in order to provide exceptional guidance to our clients. When necessary, we can cooperate or submit a joint offer with them as we believe most appropriate depending on the nature of the transaction and the interests of the client.

MDC in the Community

To contribute to the community has been enshrined in MDC’s mission statement as one of the basic purposes of the firm’s very existence. The contribution can find its form in performing pro bono activities. It has been MDC’s policy that pro bono works performed by any member of the firm are treated equally as any billable work in term of the quality standard applied.

MDC and/or its lawyers (on a personal basis) have, on occasions, contributed thoughts to the legal development of Indonesia e.g. in assisting the drafting of and commenting on draft legislations. MDC, in cooperation with law faculties in a number of universities in Indonesia, has held workshops for law students on specific topics.

We take pride in the contributions that we have made to date and wish to continue making significant contributions to serve the community as we grow.

Contact

Further details about our practice are available on request. To find out more about us, please contact :

MELLI DARSA & Co.
Menara Standard Chartered, 19th Floor
Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio No. 164
Jakarta 12950, Indonesia
T. 62-21 2553 2019
F. 62-21 2553 2020