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.
Leading firms in Cambodia
Bun & Associates
Practice head(s):
Youdy Bun; Sovath Phin; Sinath Un
Testimonials
‘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.’
Key clients
Swire Beverages Holdings Limited
Morgan Stanley Asia Limited
GuarantCo Ltd
Branch of Kasikorn Bank Public Company Limited
Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited
CIMB Bank
Work highlights
- 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.
Practice head(s):
Thierry Gougy; Chris Robinson; Guillaume Massin; Clint O’Connell; Seka Hep; Dave Seibert; Kooithong Lai; Nearirath Sreng; Davy Kong; Leung Seng
Key clients
AirAsia
Amazon
Asian Development Bank
B.Grimm Power
Domino’s Pizza
First Commercial Bank
NagaWorld
Royal Group
Triodos Investment Management
Vinci
Work highlights
- 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.
Practice head(s):
Chhay Heng
Other key lawyers:
Sophonnora Tiv; Sotheary Hout
Testimonials
‘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.’
Key clients
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.
Work highlights
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.
Practice head(s):
Matthew Rendall; Siphana Sok; Khieu Mealy
Other key lawyers:
Daron Wong
Testimonials
‘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.’
Key clients
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
Work highlights
- 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.
Practice head(s):
Jay Cohen
Other key lawyers:
David Mol; Nitikar Nith; Teo Pastor
Testimonials
‘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.’
Key clients
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
Work highlights
- 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.
Practice head(s):
Mariza Ung; Edith Xingfei Ruan
Other key lawyers:
Edwin Vanderbruggen
Testimonials
‘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.’
Key clients
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
Work highlights
- 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.
Lim, Ann & Saim
Known for providing ‘very sound and balanced’ advice, the team at Lim, Ann & Saim 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.
Practice head(s):
Charles Amar
Testimonials
‘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.’
Key clients
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.
Practice head(s):
Daniel Greif; Hau Nguyen
Other key lawyers:
Sereyratha Chan
Testimonials
‘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.’
Key clients
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
Work highlights
- 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.