DFDL
With the opening of its Phnom Penh office in 1995, DFDL has been one of the oldest foreign legal and tax advisory firms in Cambodia. The firm is active in banking and finance, capital markets and corporate and M&A work and continues to have a strong presence in the Cambodian market. Key contacts include Guillaume Massin, Seka Hep, Clint O’Connell and Chris Robinson. Charles Amar, Kooi Thong Lai and Nearirath Sreng joined the firm in 2019.
General business law
Work highlights
Assisted a Korean bank in a 70% stake acquisition of Cambodia’s largest micro-finance institution, which amounted to more than $600 million.
Advised Smart Axiata, one of the largest telecommunications company in Cambodia, on its investment in Hong-Kong incorporated Pi Pay International.
Key clients
Belt Road Investment Group, China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation, Naga3
Client feedback
“DFDL provides in-depth investigations and solutions including preparing necessary documents to execute the transactions professionally.” – Corporate and M&A
“The firm offers good knowledge and details.” – Real estate
Davy Kong
“Great legal knowledge.”
Chris Robinson
“Humble, professional and knowledgeable.”
DFDL
Established in 1994, ‘Outstanding’ firm DFDL provides legal services in M&A, employment, infrastructure and tax matters. Kristy Newby is the country managing director of the firm’s Laos office. She advises clients on corporate and commercial matters, with a particular focus on M&A and foreign direct investment.
Provided regulatory advice and transactional assistance to ANZ in the closure of its retail arm.
Acted as Lao counsel to Bank of China (Hong Kong) and performed due diligence on compliance matters.
DFDL
With an office in Yangon and operating on the ground since 1995, DFDL’s Myanmar practice specialises in banking and finance, capital markets, and corporate and projects work with a particular focus on infrastructure, power and mining. A true hybrid practice, the firm has international origins and networks, but also boasts a strong local law practice. It has featured in many precedent-setting and landmark matters over the years and continues to win key mandates. Managing partner William Greenlee is respected throughout the market for his experience, while partner Nishant Choudhary is noted by peers as “one to watch” as a rising leader of the firm.
General business law
Work highlights
Advising Norfund on its joint venture with the IFC and Yoma Strategic Holdings on its recently launched $200 million solar mini-grid site in a local village.
Acted for Dai-Ichi Life Holdings on becoming the first licensed foreign life insurance provider in the country. Its licence approval was granted in April 2019.
Represented Yoma Strategic Holdings on the precedent-setting first registration of a mortgage over a leasehold interest of immovable property in favour of a foreign lender. This related to the $650 million Yoma Central mixed-use real estate development in downtown Yangon.
Acting for SF Holdings on its $4 million minority acquisition of Kospa, one of the first M&A transactions in the logistics sector of Myanmar.
Key clients
AIA Group, ANZ, Hyundai Motors, IFC, OPIC, Osotspa Myanmar Company, State Bank of India, World Bank
DFDL
DFDL maintains a strong presence in the Thai market with an extended regional presence that offers its international clients an integrated service in other nearby jurisdictions. It has demonstrated a competitive edge in the banking and financial services, energy, real estate, and technology and telecommunications sectors. With the increase of Chinese investment into the country, the firm has enjoyed an uptick of this work, particularly on some flagship projects in the logistics sector in the eastern economic corridor. The firm has a dedicated energy, mining and infrastructure practice and received numerous new and clean energy project mandates last year. Managing director Audray Souche is known for her expertise in energy, mining and infrastructure projects as well as diverse experience in corporate and M&A, commercial, regulatory and banking and finance practice areas. The firm enjoys a stellar reputation in the region as a go-to tax firm with particular strengths in the Bangkok office in wealth management and US tax. Tax specialists Jonathan Blaine and Jack Sheehan are notable.
Banking and finance
Work highlights
Advised Siam Commercial Bank on its $23.4 million loan for a project in Laos operated by Hongsa Power Company.
Assisted Bangkok Bank on its review of a credit facility given to a Laos hydropower project.
Key clients
ANZ, Asian Development Bank, Bank of China Hong Kong, Credit Suisse, Kasikorn Bank, International and Commercial Bank of China, International Finance Corporation, JP Morgan Chase, Siam Commercial Bank
Construction
Work highlights
Advising Thai developer Anamaya Samui with respect to the proposed $50 million expansion of its luxury Anamaya project in Koh Samui to include both a residential portion and hotel portion.
Acting for Seagate in relation to various site construction and renovation projects. The firm’s role includes the drafting and localisation of construction services master agreements and advising on construction law matters.
Corporate and M&A
Work highlights
Acted for Indian nonwovens group Supreme Treon on local law aspects in relation to its acquisition of the automotive interior trims and NVH business of Futuris Automotive.
Engaged by ride-hailing unicorn Grab in relation to its $1.5 billion investment for SoftBank’s technology fund, Softbank Vision Fund (SVF). The team provided regulatory advice to the client and helped it re-conduct due diligence on its Vietnamese and Thai entities in preparation for a new round of share acquisitions by SVF.
Key clients
B Grimm Power, Decathlon, Wheig Asia
Tax
Work highlights
Assisted the Thai operational segments of Aditya Birla Chemicals Thailand on its transition from a Thai International Headquarters scheme to a new regime that is a newly-established incentivised programme under the auspices of the Thai Board of Investment. This transition was one of the first in Thailand and involved a significant reworking of current operational, employment, and compliance and reporting modifications.
Advising Hong Kong-based Asian investment fund and asset manager, Ion Pacific, on local tax advice, investment structuring, upstream US tax planning and compliance support.
DFDL
Regional firm DFDL has a strong foothold in the Vietnam market supported by its core strength in banking and finance, corporate and M&A and tax. Key figures include managing partner Martin Desautels, banking partner Jerome Buzenet and head of Hanoi office Dai Thang Huynh. China desk consultant Ivy Liu left the firm and relocated to Singapore in 2019.
Banking and finance
Work highlights
Advised an international life insurance company on legal aspects of a bancassurance distribution agreement with Vietnamese State-owned bank regarding its acquisition of a life insurance company in the country.
Conducted legal due diligence and issued a legal opinion for China Exim Bank on a Vietnam-based artificial fibre manufacturer pertaining to a construction financing project of a new factory.
Capital markets
Work highlights
Requested by a Chinese garment manufacturer to conduct the legal due diligence on its 13 subsidiaries in Vietnam in relation to its potential IPO.
Assisted in a legal and tax due diligence on Charming Trim & Packaging Vietnam in preparation for an IPO on its parent company in Hong Kong.
Corporate and M&A
Work highlights
Conducted legal due diligence for SoftBank Vision Fund on the Vietnam subsidiary of a regional tech company in preparation for a series D investment.
Assisted a Philippine conglomerate in acquiring a public company and its five subsidiaries specialising in fishery farming in the south of Vietnam.
Advised a Chinese household product manufacturer on acquiring a group of Vietnam companies.
Energy
Work highlights
Assisting a Thai-based conglomerate in securing an offshore loan from State Bank Vietnam in relation to a renewable energy project.
Advising a French solar energy company on the rooftop solar developments in Vietnam.
Real estate
Work highlights
Assisted LeoPalace21 in legal due diligence on a hotel and commercial complex project in Ho Chi Minh City.
Negotiated, on behalf of Osprey Packs Vietnam, a 10 year-lease backed with a bank guarantee to secure the lease in one of the central districts of Ho Chi Minh City.
Tax
Work highlights
Advised B Grimm on the claim for tax refund regarding its solar power plant project.
Assisted CH2M in the application of the US-Vietnam double tax agreement.
Key clients
Airbus, Chemonics, Küffner Maunz Langer Zugmaier
Client feedback
“High quality for the value – practical and applicable advice with in-depth analysis.” – Regulatory
Jerome Buzenet
“Excellent listener and an innovative solution finder.”
