Firms To Watch: Leading firms

Established in January 2024 by Antoine Fontaine and Sophealeak Ing, ANANT Law Firm provides a full-service offering, with notable expertise in matters concerning insurance, healthcare, tax, real estate and infrastructure, in addition to M&A, among others.

Leading firms in Cambodia

Bun & Associates

Bun & Associates maintains a diverse range of practices across the Cambodian market. The group regularly advises on a wide variety of projects involving energy generation and transmission, infrastructure, telecoms, oil & gas and manufacturing, with the team displaying deep bench strength in commercial real estate and construction matters. The firm’s healthcare practice is regularly involved in major transactions within the sector and assisted the country’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization in drafting new legislation pertaining to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Noted for his dispute resolution practice, Youdy Bun frequently advises on transactions, high-profile disputes and legislative drafting.

Praxisleiter:

Youdy Bun; Sovath Phin; Sinath Un


Referenzen

‘The firm has qualified associates working in teams in specific areas of practice which is very effective. It is quite knowledgeable in telecoms, and Youdy Bun is an expert in government relations.’

Kernmandanten

Swire Beverages Holdings Limited


Morgan Stanley Asia Limited


GuarantCo Ltd


Branch of Kasikorn Bank Public Company Limited


Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited


CIMB Bank


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Swire on the acquisition of Coca-Cola’s bottling operations in Vietnam and Cambodia through its share purchase of subsidiaries of The Coca-Cola Company.
  • Advised on the provision of a 100% guarantee to the guaranteed bonds issued by Cambodia’s sole rail operator.
  • Acted for a borrower on Solar Power Project financing for one of the biggest Thailand-based energy companies.

DFDL

DFDL utilises its sizeable Cambodia office to assist its clients with matters across a broad range of sectors, including banking and finance, real estate, and energy and projects. The firm leverages its international network to act as both lead and local counsel, standing out for its strength in handling tax-related matters. Chris Robinson, as head of the corporate and commercial practice, has experience advising private equity funds, multinational corporations and financial institutions on a plethora of corporate matters. Guillaume Massin’s maintains a broad practice, advising on corporate and commercial transactions, dispute resolution, real estate and infrastructure. Clint O’Connell  heads the firm’s tax practice, and has vast experience in advising on the tax elements of business transactions. In November 2022, Chuan How Tan departed the firm for Mishcon de Reya LLP.

Praxisleiter:

Thierry Gougy; Chris Robinson; Guillaume Massin; Clint O’Connell; Seka Hep; Dave Seibert; Kooithong Lai; Nearirath Sreng; Davy Kong; Leung Seng


Kernmandanten

AirAsia


Amazon


Asian Development Bank


B.Grimm Power


Domino’s Pizza


First Commercial Bank


NagaWorld


Royal Group


Triodos Investment Management


Vinci


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted as local counsel for the buyer, Domino’s Pizza Enterprise, an Australian publicly listed company, in a deal involving Domino’s Pizza Enterprises entering into an agreement with Impress Foods.
  • Acted as a lead counsel for AirAsia in its joint venture with Sivilai Asia to establish a new airline, AirAsia Cambodia, which is due to launch in the second half of 2023.
  • Acted for the Cambodian arm of Manulife, the Canadian multinational insurance company and financial services provider, in connection with the purchase of a slice of a US$24m bond issue by Royal railway.

Rajah & Tann Sok & Heng Law Office

Rajah & Tann Sok & Heng Law Office is adept in advising clients on complex and high-value corporate and commercial matters, with particular emphasis on cross-border transactions and M&A. The group notably advised Coca Cola on its USD 1bn disposal of its bottling operations in Cambodia and Vietnam. The firm is also noted for its active capital markets and banking & finance practices. Managing partner Chhay Heng frequently advises local and multinational corporations on M&A, real estate developments, and insolvency related matters. Sophonnora Tiv  heads the firm’s capital markets practice whilst Sotheary Hout heads the corporate and commercial practice.

Praxisleiter:

Chhay Heng


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Sophonnora Tiv; Sotheary Hout


Referenzen

‘Honest, competent and insightful.’

‘Clear and simple communication; they are straight to the point and always provide solutions with the best interest of the clients in mind.’

Kernmandanten

The Coca Cola Company


FWF Full Well


Nisshin Logistics Co., Ltd.


Emerging Markets Investment Advisors


Mediaload (Cambodia) Co., Ltd.


JS Land Plc.


Macau Legend Development Ltd.


Forte Investment Holdings Co., Ltd.


Helicap Fund I Pte. Ltd.


Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) Limited


Mengly J. Quach Education Plc.


Highlight-Mandate


SOK SIPHANA & ASSOCIATES

SOK SIPHANA & ASSOCIATES regularly advises the government on foreign affairs and multi-lateral trade issues, in addition to reforms which enabled ridesharing services like Uber to enter the Cambodian market. The group houses a broad variety of practices, including international trade, labour and employement, and banking and finance. Siphana Sok regularly acts for both foreign and local investors in matters concerning international trade and market expansion within Cambodia. Managing partner Matthew Rendal is adept at acting for real estate investors, while Daron Wong, head of the business and transactions practice, is also noted for his deep knowledge of cross-border M&A and corporate restructuring issues.

Praxisleiter:

Matthew Rendall; Siphana Sok; Khieu Mealy


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Daron Wong


Referenzen

‘The team is led by very experienced and knowledgeable partners. Their combined practice is unrivalled and you know that you are in a safe pair of hands with this team. In such an opaque market, it is critical to have advisers who understand and work effectively within the system.’

‘Siphana Sok provides excellent insights on macro issues and trends affecting the country.’

‘Mealy Khieu and Matthew Rendall are seasoned professionals who are very familiar with legal developments and issues.’

Kernmandanten

Leader Energy Holding Sdn Bhd


MGA Asia Insurance Brokers


Luk Fook Holdings Company Limited


Cathay Pacific Airways Limited


TotalEnergies SE


CITIC Construction Co., Ltd


Hongkong Land (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


Maxim’s Caterers Ltd. (Starbucks Cambodia)


EXIM Bank Malaysia


Maybank Penang


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Leader Energy Group on their USD 118m acquisition of a 125km 230KV transmission line in Cambodia.
  • Acted for a major Malaysian bank in their USD 80m refinancing of a 100 MW Cambodian power plant.
  • Assisted Attwood Investment Group with a major joint-venture with a leading port management logistics company.

Tilleke & Gibbins (Cambodia) Ltd.

Tilleke & Gibbins (Cambodia) Ltd. exhibits deep bench strength across a broad range of matters, regularly assisting multinationals with market entry, joint ventures, and franchising related issues. The group is also noted for its deep expertise in IP, particularly in relation to prosecution and enforcement. Jay Cohen has broad knowledge spanning a range of areas, including banking and finance and project development. At the associate level, Nitikar Nith represents a wide variety of corporate clients, from start-ups to multinational companies, in arbitrations and disputes. Associate David Mol is noted for his broad expertise in foreign direct investment and licensing issues.

Praxisleiter:

Jay Cohen


Weitere Kernanwälte:

David Mol; Nitikar Nith; Teo Pastor


Referenzen

‘Responsive with local knowledge. The firm has a deep understanding of the legal and regulatory environment in Cambodia.’

‘Jay Cohen is honest, straightforward, practical and responsive.’

Kernmandanten

Advanced Bank of Asia Limited


Baramey Production


HThai (Thailand) Company Limited – H&M Cambodia


I-Finance Leasing PLC


Insitor Impact Asia


Khmer Water Supply Holding Co., Ltd.


Palladium (Cambodia) Ltd.


Pfizer


Red Bull


Zuellig Pharma


Highlight-Mandate


  • Represented Khmer Supply Holding Co., Ltd. in procuring a USD 2.3m loan facility from InfraCo Asia to expand its water treatment plants and provide working capital.
  • Acted for Singapore-based impact investment firm, Insitor Partners, and its Insitor Impact Asia Fund II, on leading a Pre-Series A round for Azaylla, an agricultural supply chain and distribution startup in Cambodia.

VDB Loi

VDB Loi is known for its broad tax expertise, often advising on both the tax and regulatory aspects of major transactions. The team is noted for its broad capabilities in handling cross-border work, including project and acquisition financings. The team is led by Edith Xingfei Ruan and Mariza Ung, who is well-known for assisting clients with the commercial aspects of solar power projects. Edwin Vanderbruggen has a great deal of experience on handling M&A within the telecoms sector.

Praxisleiter:

Mariza Ung; Edith Xingfei Ruan


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Edwin Vanderbruggen


Referenzen

‘Good exposure, local experience, knowledgeable and approachable.’

‘Edwin Vanderbruggen, Jean Loi and Mariza Ung are all responsive, widely knowledgeable and capable of adding value when it comes to advisory work.’

Kernmandanten

Arcadia Land Co., Ltd


The Blue Circle Pte Ltd.


JSM Holdings (Cambodia) Co., Ltd


LPA Singapore Pte. Ltd.


Michelin Asia (Singapore) Co., Ltd


Oriental Bank Plc


Prime Road Power (Public) Company Limited


Solarpack Total Eren


World Bank


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Prime Road Power (Public) Company Limited on all aspects of the development of a 60MW solar power plant project.
  • Advising The Blue Circle Pte Ltd. on one of the first wind power projects in Cambodia.
  • Advised Hattha Bank on a groundbreaking foreign bond issuance.

ATHIPA Attorneys

Known for providing ‘very sound and balanced’ advice, the team at ATHIPA Attorneys regularly assists Cambodian investors looking to expand their business. Charles Amar , who heads the practice is well-known for his specialism in real estate matters, often assisting clients with project development, construction, and asset management issues within the hospitality industry. The firm also advises on financing and securities matters.

Praxisleiter:

Charles Amar


Referenzen

‘Very personal service, they are very willing to assist in any situation. They have fantastic attention to detail, and Charles Amar has been a huge asset with his professional advice to our company.’

‘Their advice is very sound and balanced, strictly based on the law. Enjoy working with them.’

‘Charles Amar has worked very closely with our company. He has always been very discreet and found the right solutions to situations. He is professional and attentive. Always goes beyond the call of duty. They are very transparent and provide attention to detail with a personal service.’

Kernmandanten

DBD Engineering Plc.


LBL International


P Moral Group Co., Ltd


Bloom Architecture Co., Ltd


MC&Co Investment Co., Ltd


MC&Co Art Gallery Co., Ltd


IDEC Group Asia Pte., Ltd


RE-Edge Architecture + Design Co., Ltd


WB Bluebell (Cambodia) Co., Ltd


Krousar Thmey


Toutes à l’Ecole


IDEC Group


Mongkol Food & Beverages


Win Win Food Singapore Pte Ltd


Frasers Hospitality Pte., Ltd


S&O IP Cambodia

Led by director and senior trademark attorney Daniel Greif in Thailand, and Hau Nguyen (based in Vietnam), the ‘very passionate’ team at S&O IP Cambodia leverages its network across Southeast Asia, and Eurasia to assists with the full range of IP matters, from cybersquatting and online infringements to patent and trademark enforcement and prosecution. Based in Cambodia, senior associate Sereyratha Chan regularly advises brand owners on enforcement issues concerning infringements and counterfeits.

Praxisleiter:

Daniel Greif; Hau Nguyen


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Sereyratha Chan


Referenzen

‘Very lovely team, which is very passionate. We receive always prompt and valuable answers to our questions.’

‘I mainly work with Daniel Greif and his team, which fulfil all of our requirements.’

Kernmandanten

MF Brands Group (Lacoste)


Puma


Asics


Coty


AACS


Tapestry


Hanesbrands


Tommy Hilfiger


Levi’s Strauss (ACACAP)


Off-White LLC


Coach IP Holdings LLC


Total Energies SE


Spray Moret, LLC


Tucker-Rocky Corporation, Inc.


Voyetra Turtle Beach Inc


SK Enmove Co., Ltd.


Alston Investment Inc.


511 Tactical


Under Armour


Bio Oil


Highlight-Mandate


  • Represented MF Brands Group in enforcement and prosecution matters in Cambodia, including anti-counterfeiting actions, infringements, market survey, investigations, and raid actions, in addition to training course programs.
  • Assisted Puma with a market survey in Phnom Penh.
  • Assisted Asics with a market survey and investigations. The investigations are ongoing in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.