The Legal 500

Domnern Somgiat & Boonma has ‘unrivalled expertise in patent law’ and handles around half of all patent applications filed by foreign companies in Thailand. Widely acclaimed as ‘one of the top two intellectual property practices in the market’, the firm fields ‘specialist, technical lawyers that add value to a transaction’. Nettaya Warncke is ‘excellent - a true specialist’ and is recommended for trade mark law, while Rutorn Nopakun is one of the leading names in the country for enforcement cases.

Tilleke & Gibbins scores points for being ‘connected to “who’s who” in Thai industry, which helps to provide a more commercially sensible solution’. Lawyers are ‘friendly, knowledgeable and technically superb’ and include leading names Darani Vachanavuttivong and Alan Adcock. In a major highlight, the firm represented a leading Japanese company in a THB100m civil action against the subsidiary of another major Japanese company in a case related to the infringement of a technology patent.

In addition to Baker & McKenzie’s excellent pharmaceutical and telecoms experience, the firm has a strong niche in media and entertainment work; Say Sujintaya acted as local production counsel for Warner Bros on the shooting of the movie Hangover Part 2. The team also took over the management of Abbott Laboratories entire Thailand trade mark portfolio.

Chavalit & Associates Limited specialises exclusively in intellectual property, IT and telecoms-related matters. The firm acts for domestic and foreign clients on the full range of IP issues but is particularly well-known for advising on copyright infringement and patent law.

Rouse has a ‘more personal touch to their approach to clients than other firms’, with Fabrice Mattei singled out for his ‘ability to grasp complex issues’. The firm has been representing Honda in landmark patent infringement proceedings against a Thai company.

Satyapon & Partners Limited is praised for ‘carving a niche outside out of the top two’, with its strong focus on enforcement work ensuring that it has become the main name for this type of work. Founding partner Satyapon Sachdecha is recommended.

In 2010, Siam Premier hired ‘outstanding’ heavyweight litigator Edward Kelly as co-head for IP, IT and telecoms; formerly at Tilleke & Gibbins, he is singled out as ‘knowledgeable and trustworthy with an unwavering commitment to responsible business practices’. The firm acts for household names in the media, pharma and fashion sectors on portfolio management, patent litigation and enforcement raids.

Ananda Intellectual Property was established in February 2011 by Franck Fougère, former managing director of Vidon & Partners. The firm has already secured a strong volume of contentious and transactional work and is managing the entire trade mark, copyright and design portfolio of a Singapore-based company.

Anek & Associates is particularly recommended for branding issues and trade mark protection.

LawPlus Ltd defended a Thai company’s trade mark against cancellation actions in Australia. Kowit Somwaiya is recommended.

Lewmanomont International Law Office has a strong regional practice that handles copyright, patent and trade mark matters across Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.

S & I International Bangkok Office has a niche in advising Japan-based companies on IP matters. Representative clients include Toyota Motor Corporation and Hitachi.

Vidon & Partners was dealt a blow with the departure of managing director Franck Fougère, who left to establish Ananda Intellectual Property. France-based Patrice Vidon has taken over the leadership of the practice.