The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Tilleke & Gibbins is a third tier firm,

At Tilleke & Gibbins, Santhapat Periera is considered an ‘expert on banking, finance and foreign investment projects’, and Cynthia Pornavalai is also recommended. In addition to conventional finance work, the firm has strength across regulatory issues, structured finance and capital markets. Transactions included advising a consortium of lenders on bids to provide THB15.85bn to a telecoms operator to expand a 3G mobile network.

Within Corporate and M&A (including capital markets), Tilleke & Gibbins is a third tier firm,

Tilleke & Gibbins attracts praise for its ‘respectful and efficient’ service and clients say ‘its response times are among the fastest’. Piyanuj Ratprasatporn heads a team that is growing in profile and size; notably the arrival Jeffrey Blatt as of counsel adds strength in telecoms and technology. In a headline transaction, the firm acted for Amcor on its acquisition of five Thai subsidiaries of Alcan Packaging from Rio Tinto.

Within Dispute resolution, Tilleke & Gibbins is a second tier firm,

Tilleke & Gibbins is ‘timely, responsive and business savvy’ with lawyers commended as ‘excellent strategisers who are able to provide solid business advice’. IP, customs disputes, white-collar crime and labour litigation are all active areas, but the headline in 2010 was advising a US firm on the Thai aspects of a $80m civil case that involved a real estate financing in Thailand. Tiziana Sucharitkul and Thawat Damsa-ard are recommended.

Within Dispute resolution: International arbitration, Tilleke & Gibbins is a second tier firm,

Tilleke & Gibbins is representing a Hong Kong construction company in a complex $30m dispute with its Thai joint venture partner arising out of rail project contract - significantly involving arbitration in two different jurisdictions.

Within Intellectual property, Tilleke & Gibbins is a first tier firm,

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.

Within Projects and energy, tier 4

Tilleke & Gibbins has a growing practice that acts on both alternative and conventional energy matters. It recently advised a Korean industrial conglomerate on the establishment of a waste-to-energy project.

Within Real estate and construction, Tilleke & Gibbins is a second tier firm,

Tilleke & Gibbins’ Phuket office ensures it receives a steady flow of leisure instructions, while its Bangkok office handles a well-balanced mix of residential and mixed-use projects. In a landmark case, the firm is representing a household name fashion retailer in several real estate disputes arising from the termination of a 30-year franchisee relationship.

Within TMT, Tilleke & Gibbins is a second tier firm,

Tilleke & Gibbins has diversified away from its traditional dependence on the IT side and now offers broad telecoms expertise alongside its historical strength in software and cybercrime matters. The firm advised a major foreign telecoms and software vendor in negotiations with five Thai mobile telecom operators to deploy mobile number portability in Thailand.

Within Tax, Tilleke & Gibbins is a second tier firm,

Tilleke & Gibbins provides ‘timely and price-efficient service’ and lawyers are highlighted as ‘business-oriented and proactive’. Sriwan Puapondh’s team is increasing its share of top-tier mandates and recently advised Inter IKEA Holdings Services on tax matters.

Within Transport, Tilleke & Gibbins is a second tier firm,

Tilleke & Gibbins practice has gone from strength-to-strength since the arrival of Chinachart Vatanasuchart from Mayer Brown JSM in 2009. The firm recently advised a P&I Club on regulations regarding importation of hazardous products into Thailand.