“During their college years, students should learn to use their time efficiently. Engage in activities that will be beneficial to their sired profession, such as attending training sessions, actively participating in national and international events, and, of course, interning at the best law firms in Indonesia,” stated Hendra Ong, S.H., LL.M., a doctoral law program student at Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH), class of 2021. 

Despite his extensive experience in corporate law, Hendra values the importance of continually expanding his knowledge and skills through education. He believes that pursuing further studies is essential for enhancing one’s insights and competencies. 

“For me, learning is a never ending journey. While I’ve gained significant knowledge from practical experience, I can’t overlook the significance of legal theories in supporting my role as a lawyer. That’s why I decided to pursue advanced studies (S3),” explained Hendra. 

Hendra currently serves as a lawyer at Hanafiah Ponggawa & Partners (Dentons HPRP), a leading law firm in Indonesia. He joined Dentons HPRP in 2007 after graduating from the Bachelor of Law program at UPH in 2000. In 2020, he was appointed as a Partner and became one of the firm’s owners. 

With an impressive track record, Hendra, who also holds a master’s degree in international business law from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) in the Netherlands, is recognized as a skilled attorney in the field of transportation, particularly aviation and railways. 

In the transportation industry, Hendra plays a pivotal role in facilitating mergers, acquisitions, and client restructurings. His client portfolio includes air transportation companies like AERCAP, Garuda Indonesia Group (including Citilink and GMF AeroAsia), as well as land transportation entities such as PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero), PT MRT Jakarta (Perseroda), PT LRT Jakarta, and the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub). 

“I’m particularly interested in the transportation sector, especially aviation and railways, because there are not many legal experts specializing in this field. I hope to contribute to the development of the aviation industry in Indonesia, especially regarding aircraft financing. Currently, there are many challenges faced by the transportation industry players in conducting their activities. Through my role as a lawyer, I aim to provide effective solutions to address the challenges faced by my clients,” he stated. 

Hendra has achieved several accolades in his profession. Notably, he was recognized as a Leading Individual Lawyer by Legal 500 in 2022 and 2023, included in The A List – Indonesia’s Top 100 Lawyers by Asian Business Law Journal (ABLJ) – Vantage Asia in 2019, and named to the 40 under 40 Asia list by Asian Legal Business (ALB) Thomson Reuters in 2017. 

Hendra shared that his dream of becoming a lawyer began when he was in junior high school (SMP). To him, understanding the law enables one to address everyday issues. In order to achieve his dreams, he pursued a Bachelor of Law degree at UPH. 

About UPH Doctor of Law Program 

The Doctor of Law program at UPH is designed to equip high-achieving students with advanced research skills. Students can commence dissertation research in the third semester and collaborate with advisors throughout the program. The UPH Doctor of Law program aims to shape students into experts and professionals in the field of law, making a meaningful impact in both the professional world and society. For further information, contact 0812-8535-2278 or register here.