- Founder: Louis was one of the three founders of Arifin & Partners, serving from 1 January 1977 until his retirement on 31 December 2017.
- Education: St John’s Institution, Kuala Lumpur; Sultan Ismail College, Kota Bharu; University of Singapore (predecessor of National University of Singapore).
- Character: Described as “a man of all seasons,” charming, humorous, generous, and deeply committed to the law.
- Professional Contributions:
- Secretary of the Bar Council in the 1980s
- Member of the Selangor Children’s Spastic Society
- Active Rotarian at KL Rotary Club Di Raja – roles included Youth Service Director, Vice President, Secretary
- Legal adviser to the Rotary Foundation Malaysia (early 1990s–2004)
- Legal adviser to the Selangor Turf Club
- Accredited Malaysian Golf Association referee
- Secretary of the Outward-Bound School, Lumut
- Active member of Kelab Golf Negara Subang
- Notable Legal Case: First defendant in Pendakwa Raya v Cheah Beng Poh & Ors. [1984] 2 MLJ 225, prosecuted for participation in an unlawful assembly by his classmate Mohtar Abdullah (future Attorney General).
- Legal Career:
- Pupillage at Shearn Delamore under Douglas G Rawson (1970)
- Admitted as Advocate and Solicitor of High Court of Malaya on 18 December 1970
- Over six years at Shearn before founding Arifin & Partners
- Personal Life: Met his wife, the late Mary Cheah, at Shearn Delamore. Together, they had one son, Patrick.
- Passions: Reading, poetry (especially love poems), pro bono work, and practising law with integrity rather than treating it as a business.
- Health & Determination: Suffered a massive stroke on 4 February 1997. With medical care from Professor John Bosco, Professor Gracie Ong, and University Hospital Kuala Lumpur’s neurologists, he recovered and attended Patrick’s graduation in Scotland in June 1997.
- Legacy: Loved and respected by colleagues, friends, and staff. Known for his generosity, humor, and enduring commitment to law and family.
Thank you, Louis, for your guidance, kindness, and the legacy you leave behind.
Written by
Steven CF Wong