PARTNERS
ZAINAL ABIDIN TUKANG
Founder & Managing Partner
En. Zainal Abidin bin Tukang is the visionary founder and driving force behind our Firm. A graduate of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 2000, he embarked on his legal career with a pupillage at the prestigious Messrs Hamid Sultan & Rakan-Rakan in Kuala Lumpur. During this formative period, he played a pivotal role in the preparation of JANAB KEY, a seminal legal reference authored by the then Court of Appeal Judge, Yang Arif En. Hamid Sultan Abu Backer. Today, this publication is widely regarded as an indispensable resource for legal practitioners and law students alike.
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En. Zainal Abidin’s early career saw him retained as a Legal Assistant at Messrs Hamid Sultan & Rakan-Rakan, where he spearheaded the litigation department, handling complex cases in banking and personal injury claims. His exceptional trial advocacy skills were honed through numerous high-stakes cases, particularly in corporate banking claims and running-down matters, where he consistently delivered results for his clients.
A seasoned litigator, En. Zainal Abidin has appeared in landmark civil litigation cases at the highest levels of the Malaysian judiciary, including the Federal Court and the Court of Appeal. His deep understanding of the law, combined with his strategic acuity, has earned him a reputation as a formidable advocate and a trusted advisor.
Beyond his litigation prowess, En. Zainal Abidin is a thought leader in the field of Islamic banking and finance. He has attended and actively participated in numerous seminars, talks, and conferences on Islamic banking, staying at the forefront of industry developments. His expertise has made him a recognized speaker, and he has been invited on multiple occasions by leading banks to deliver talks and seminars on critical legal matters. His ability to distill complex legal concepts into actionable insights has made him a respected voice in the industry.
As the founder of our Firm, En. Zainal Abidin embodies the qualities of a great leader—vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. His leadership has not only shaped the Firm’s culture of professionalism and dedication but has also inspired his team to achieve remarkable success. Under his guidance, the Firm has grown into a trusted name in the legal community, known for its expertise, innovation, and client-centric approach.
En. Zainal Abidin’s legacy is one of leadership, expertise, and a relentless pursuit of justice. His contributions to the legal profession and the Islamic banking sector continue to set new benchmarks, making him a true pillar of the industry.
NUR AZIA NADIA ABDUL SOUD
CEO & Partner
Mrs. Nur Azia Nadia Binti Abdul Soud is a distinguished legal professional with a robust background in both Civil and Shariah laws. She began her career as a Legal Associate at Messrs Antin Zakaria & Rauf, where she gained valuable experience across their KK Times Square and Sandakan branches. A proud alumna of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), she graduated with double degrees in Civil Law and Shariah Law in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Her academic excellence was further recognized when she was listed in the Rector’s List for her LLB in Shariah (Hons).
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Currently, Mrs. Nur Azia Nadia serves as the Partner-in-Charge of Islamic Banking at our Firm, where she brings her extensive expertise and passion for Shariah-compliant financing to the forefront. Her dedication to the field is evident through her active participation in prominent industry events, including the Kuala Lumpur Islamic Finance Law Conference 2014 and the International Islamic Banking and Finance Law Conference 2016. These engagements have allowed her to stay at the cutting edge of developments in Islamic banking and finance law.
With a strong litigation background, Mrs. Nur Azia Nadia has conducted and appeared in numerous civil proceedings. She is also a registered lawyer with the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) in Sabah, where she has represented clients in various criminal cases, further showcasing her versatility and commitment to justice.
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In addition to her legal practice, Mrs. Nur Azia Nadia is a well-regarded speaker in the field of Islamic banking. She has been invited on multiple occasions to deliver talks and seminars to banking institutions, particularly on the Manzili Islamic Home Financing procedure. Her ability to simplify complex legal concepts and her deep understanding of Shariah principles make her an invaluable resource for both her clients and the broader financial community.
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Mrs. Nur Azia Nadia’s combination of academic excellence, professional experience, and passion for Islamic law positions her as a key figure in the field of Islamic banking and finance. Her contributions continue to drive innovation and compliance within the industry, making her an asset to our Firm and the clients we serve.
EMILY JARIAN
Partner & Head of Litigation Department
With over a decade of post-qualified experience in corporate litigation, she has developed a deep understanding of the complexities and nuances of corporate disputes. Her legal practice focuses on delivering strategic, results-driven solutions to clients, ensuring their legal and business interests are well-protected. She specializes in handling high-stakes litigation, mediation and dispute resolution, with a proven track record of successfully navigating intricate legal challenges.
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In addition to her corporate litigation knowledge, she has extensive exposure to Islamic banking and finance, a rapidly evolving and specialized field in the legal and finance industry. Her consistent involvements in this filed have allowed her to stay ahead of emerging trends and changes in Islamic banking and finance law, enabling her to provide innovative and compliant legal solutions to clients operating within this framework. This unique skill has not only enriched her practice but also contributed significantly to the growth and diversification of the Firm’s Litigation Department
Committed to excellence, she brings a meticulous yet creative approach to every case, combining sharp legal acumen with a client-centered mindset. Whether representing national corporations, mid-sized enterprises, or individual stakeholders, she strives to achieve optimal outcomes while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
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Her dedication to advancing the Firm’s capabilities as well as her ability to tackle complex legal issues have been instrumental in strengthening the Firm’s litigation practice and enhancing our reputation as a trusted legal partner for our clients.
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Experience:
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Mrs. Emily Jarian was called to the Malaysian Bar in June 2012. She earned her Bachelor of Legal Studies in 2006 and later graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) (Hons) degree from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in 2010.
After completing her pupillage with Messrs Zahir, Jeya & Zainal, she had worked with Messrs SP Veloo & Co. In 2013, she joined Messrs Soo & Co, where she practiced as a Legal Assistant in the corporate and litigation departments. She then moved to Messrs Robert Devan & Co in 2014, where she primarily handled and assisted senior counsels in complex general litigation matters.
In 2016, she became a Partner at Messrs Seah & Co, where she was fully in charge of banking litigation and foreclosure proceedings.
Thereafter, Mrs. Emily Jarian had ceased her practice as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in September 2017. Following this, she pursued her passion for law by commencing her pupillage with Messrs Antin Zakaria & Rauf. During this period, she gained extensive experience in civil litigation, drafting pleadings, and conducting general legal research and upon her completion, she was immediately offered to join Messrs Zainal & Associates.
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Currently, Mrs. Emily Jarian is the Partner of the Firm and have been entrusted to head the Firm’s Litigation Department for all branches.
JAMES PATRICK
Partner
Mr. James Bin Patrick was born in Kota Belud. He graduated with the Bachelor of Laws (Hons) Degree in 1989 and possess as professional degree of Master in Business Administration in Strategic Organisational Resources Management (Human Resource Management) in 2007.
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His career in legal practice, civil service and corporate private sector has provided him a wide spectrum of invaluable knowledge and experience. His earlier legal practice concentrates on general conveyancing and litigation with a special emphasis on corporate and banking institutions within the context of Sabah.
In civil service, he advises the Management, Board of Directors and Government Ministry in port operation, human resource, engineering, management and disciplinary matters just name a few and keeps a strong and steady relationship with the State Attorney General Chambers.
He also monitors legal cases by penal of lawyers against port users and defaulters of port facilities. His involvement and role as the sole legal advisor for port gives him a rare experience beyond legal matters per-se. His involvement in the whole privatisation process of the port which span a period of over 10 years. It is during this period that his rare expertise was put into use with his involvement in almost all committees and sub-committees in all levels of the Government. He was also the person in charge of preparing and successful enacting of various state legislations and subsidiary legislations involving the port.
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James was certified as a trainer under The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) program in 2000 and had developed and present many in-house training modules. Since then his training and skills as a speaker and motivator takes him beyond the industry and his profession and had since then been invited to give many talks and presenter for many topics, spiritual being the latest interest.
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He is now partner of Zainal & Associates.
Experience
1990
Started practicing as an Advocates & Solicitors with the firm of M/s Skinner Lind Willie Wong & Chin.
1993
He then joined the State Civil Service as the Legal Advisor for Sabah Ports Authority.
2004
He joined the privatised entity as the Assistant Legal Manager for Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd (SPSB).
2009
Return to practice by setting his own firm, M/s JP Chambers of Law, with Tuaran as his base.
Bridget Gregory Joitol
Partner & Head of Conveyancing Department
Bridget Gregory Joitol has obtained her Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) Degree from Multimedia University, Malacca Campus (MMU) in 2014 and was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in 2015.
Prior to her admission, she was under the tutelage of Ms. Gazel Cheong Mei Foong of Messrs Gazel Chen & Partners where she was exposed to civil litigation, arbitration, probates and wills, divorce and general conveyancing and was retained as an associate until she returned to Sabah in February 2016.
She was admitted to the Sabah Bar in October 2016 under the tutelage of Datuk Darell Leiking of Messrs Leiking & Associates and was exposed mainly to general conveyancing matters involving native land matters.
In 2018, she moved to Kuala Lumpur to gain further experiences and/or knowledges on corporate matters with Dato’ Yeow Wah Chin of Messrs Yeow & Salleh. During her practice in the firm, she has assisted the partners in handling conventional loans involving bridging loans and general banking loans, drafting and reviewing corporate agreements such as joint-venture agreements and shareholders agreements. She has also been assigned to handle housing development projects with prestigious developers in Peninsular Malaysia. She practiced with the firm until April 2021.
She is now a Partner at Messrs. Zainal & Associates
