Malaysian firm Shearn Delamore & Co has appointed construction lawyer Rodney Gomez as managing partner, replacing disputes colleague Dhinesh Bhaskaran in the role.

Gomez, who has spent his career with the firm and been a partner since 2001, brings with him experience gained within a 30-year tenure at the Malaysian Bar. He focuses primarily on construction law, both contentious and non-contentious, including all aspects of dispute resolution, including arbitration, adjudication, conciliation, mediation and litigation.

As head of the firm’s infrastructure and projects group, he has advised on matters involving construction contracts, consultancy agreements, engineering contracts, infrastructure projects, procurement contracts, and project management and implementation, with a proven leadership track record in overseeing legal matters related to large-scale projects.

Shearn Delamore said his appointment acknowledged his “seasoned legal background, but also reflects his ability to steer the firm towards a successful future”, including in the sectors and markets in which it operates.

Bhaskaran, meantime, will continue in practice heading up the firm’s medico-legal and environmental practices.

Bhaskaran had led the firm’s team of 100 lawyers and 300 support staff as managing partner since 2019, including throughout the global pandemic. Shearn Delamore was founded almost 119 years ago, making it one of the oldest firms in Malaysia.

The firm is a member of Drew Network Asia (DNA), alongside Drew & Napier in Singapore, Makarim & Taira S in Indonesia and Martinez Vergara Gonzalez & Serrano in the Philippines.

DNA was joined by Tilleke & Gibbins in September 2023, expanding the firm’s reach across Southeast Asia by adding offices in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, and bringing the network to nine countries with more than 800 fee-earners.

Shearn Delamore is not the only Malaysian firm to change leadership, with corporate lawyer Kuok Yew Chen being appointed as managing partner at rivals Christopher & Lee Ong in April 2023, succeeding Yon See Ting, who also served in the role since 2019.