Straight Talking.

JONATHAN K. CHERN

Jonathan K. is a qualified Malaysian lawyer with a strong international law firm background. His current practice encompasses all aspects of commercial law. He earned his Law Degree and Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Adelaide, Australia, in 2012.

Before embarking on his legal career, Jonathan gained valuable experience at Ernst & Young (EY). He then began practicing law at ZUL RAFIQUE & Partners, a well-respected commercial law firm in Kuala Lumpur, where he focused on employment law and dispute resolution.

Before founding Chern & Co., Jonathan served as a foreign lawyer at Tilleke & Gibbins (T&G), a leading international law firm based in Bangkok, Thailand. As a consultant in T&G’s Corporate & Commercial Practice Group (China Desk), he advised on a broad spectrum of corporate and commercial matters, including regulatory issues frequently encountered by international clients investing in Southeast Asia.

In 2024, Jonathan was recognized as one of LexisNexis® 40 Under 40, a prestigious legal industry award celebrating lawyers with exceptional potential and dedication to driving the legal sector forward. In 2025, under his leadership, Chern & Co. was named a finalist for Dispute Resolution Boutique Law Firm of the Year at the Thomson Reuters ALB Southeast Asia Law Awards.

Reported Cases:

  • Lim Fang Xin v Australian Trade & Investment Commission [2025] ILJU 90
  • Blackspace Sdn Bhd v Mitchell Wong Pou Yee & Ors [2025] MLJU 1183
  • ABS Solution (s) Pte Ltd v Lim Teck Hoe & Anor [2024] MLJU 3491
  • Geto Global Construction Tech Malaysia Sdn Bhd v Transkon Sdn Bhd & Anor [2024] MLJU 2396
  • Ahmad Nizar bin Safian v Malayan Banking Bhd [2024] MLJU 2264
  • Akademi Memandu Kist Sdn Bhd & Ors v. Messrs Mohamed A.Ali & Associates & Ors [2024] MLJU 1661
  • Wong Yiip Shaun (t/a Messrs YS Wong & Associates) v. Phang Xue Ying [2024] MLJU 762
  • Annadora Lumanta v. Esquire Synergy Sdn Bhd [6/4-362/2016]
  • ABS Solution (S) Pte Ltd v. Lim Teck Hoe & Anor [2022] MLJU 2483
  • Attitude Models & Production Sdn Bhd v. Jade Eservices Malaysia Sdn Bhd [2022] MLJU 958
  • Muhammad Muaz (suing in his own capacity & as a representative of the 34 purchasers of Residensi Sutera 7- Service Apartment) v. Modal Ehsan Sdn Bhd [2022] MLJU 2662
  • Muhammad Muaz (suing in his own capacity & as a representative of the 34 purchasers of Residensi Sutera 7- Service Apartment) v. Modal Ehsan Sdn Bhd [2022] MLJU 2138yea

Commercial Dispute Resolution

Jonathan has advised and acted for clients in a wide range of commercial disputes involving complex legal and factual issues. His experience includes:-

  • Injunctive relief applications, including freezing (Mareva), prohibitory, and mandatory injunctions.
  • Class action proceedings involving investor claims, fraudulent misrepresentation, and corporate misconduct.
  • Shareholder and partnership disputes, including joint venture breakdowns, exit strategies, and fiduciary breaches.
  • Oppression and derivative claims under corporate law, including applications for injunctive relief and boardroom control.
  • Contractual disputes involving unlawful termination, anticipatory breach, and post-settlement enforcement.
  • Interlocutory matters such as summary judgment, striking out, stay of proceedings, and jurisdictional objections.
  • Cross-border commercial disputes involving forum challenges, foreign law elements, and asset preservation.
  • Defended Clients in disputes involving allegations of fraud, fraudulent trading and/o conspiracy to defraud. 
  • Contempt and committal proceedings arising from breach of court orders or litigation misconduct.
  • Claims in professional negligence, including against lawyers and professional advisors
  • Litigation strategy in disputes with overlapping regulatory, shareholder and/or reputational dimension

Pro-Bono Work

Jonathan has provided pro-bono legal assistance to various charitable and social organizations, including:

  • Bangkok-Based Charitable Organization: Advised on VAT declarations, visa-related issues, and the eligibility for tax exemptions.
  • Vietnam-Based Social Enterprise: Assisted in establishing an investment fund, provided guidance on taxation matters, and reviewed the legality of routine core agreements. The enterprise focuses on empowering young women in Southeast Asia to lead change.