BOUTIQUE law firm Chan Ban Eng & Co (CBE) celebrated its 53rd anniversary with the launch of Asia Pacific’s first book of its kind, entitled Directors & Officers Liability Insurance: Selected Articles, Cases and Materials, co-authored by JJ Chan and Kevin LaCroix at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur.
The event, held on Oct 21, was officiated by Tan Sri Zainun Ali, Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya and former Federal Court judge, who commended the publication as “both pioneering and necessary — encouraging a deeper understanding of D&O liability and insurance among practitioners, regulators, insurers, academics, and the judiciary.”
She congratulated Chan and LaCroix for producing a book that fills a vital gap in the region’s legal literature, expressing hope that it would spark meaningful conversations across boardrooms, universities, and institutions in Malaysia and throughout the Asia-Pacific.
“It is therefore timely and meaningful that this book is launched here in Malaysia, as CBE celebrates over 50 years of practice — a firm that has long stood for professionalism, integrity, and service to the law,” said Zainun, who also serves as a member of the Judicial Appointments Commission, the UN Global Judicial Integrity Advisory Board, and the Advisory Tribunal of the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah.
Among the notable attendees were Tan Sri A. Razak Ramli, Chairman of Shangri-La Group Malaysia and former Secretary-General of MITI; Tengku Mohamed Fauzi Hamid, Vice Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and President of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society; Mohd Radhi Abas, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Prime Minister’s Department; and Dr Ahmad Fareed, Deputy Director-General (Medico Legal Section) of the Ministry of Health.
Also present were chief executive officers, directors, and senior representatives from ICDM, FIDE Forum, MITBA, PIAM, SCI, AII, and leading insurers and reinsurers, including Lloyd’s of London, as well as representatives from healthcare, education, and corporate sectors across the region.
The book, prepared primarily for academic purposes, is not for sale and is distributed on a complimentary basis to promote legal education and good governance. Copies have been presented to the Prime Minister, Chief Justice, Cabinet ministers, and leading universities.
JJ Chan, Barrister-at-Law (Gray’s Inn, London) and Managing Partner of CBE, holds the distinction of being the first and only Malaysian lawyer recognised across all major regional and international legal rankings and awards, including:
- Asia Business Law Journal’s “A List of Malaysia”,
- Lexology’s “No. 1 Professional Negligence Lawyer in Malaysia”,
- Asian Legal Business “Asia’s Top 30 Litigators”,
- Asia’s Super 50 Disputes Lawyers,
- Malaysia Law Awards, and
- South East Asia Law Awards.
He is also the first Penang-born lawyer to receive recognition in any of them, let alone six.
His co-author, Kevin LaCroix, is a leading global authority in D&O liability from the United States and author of The D&O Diary, described by the New York Times as “influential” and by the Wall Street Journal as “widely followed.”
Earlier this week, JJ Chan was appointed as a Subject Matter Expert in financial lines, specifically in medical negligence, D&O liability, and insurance/reinsurance, by the Singapore College of Insurance (SCI), the leading professional training and education body for the insurance and financial services industry in Singapore.
Chan described the anniversary and book launch as a “truly meaningful event,” expressing gratitude to Tan Sri Zainun, Tan Sri Razak, LaCroix, and Rachel Flynn from Lloyd’s of London, as well as to supporters and business partners across sectors for celebrating the milestone with them.
He also thanked consultant Chan Be, his partners Fazleeza Azli, Ho Chi Yuen, Phoebe Ng and the CBE team — Xureen Scully, Pui Yi, Jin Yee Lim and Sharon Sio for their dedication and teamwork.
“In the spirit of sharing positive news, following discussions with Kevin LaCroix, CBE will be extending its presence to Singapore as a Foreign Law Practice, bringing together our combined experience, expertise, and shared knowledge to a broader regional stage, and advancing D&O, insurance/reinsurance, and governance across Asia,” Chan said.
Having reached this milestone, CBE looks forward to continuing its contribution to legal scholarship, governance, and education in the years ahead.
Pix courtesy of Chan Ban Eng & Co
