Allen & Overy houses a ‘proactive and solution-orientated’ team of experts across the firm’s Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong offices. The foreign desk acts for a diverse range of clients, including leading financial institutions, multilateral agencies, export credit agencies, sponsors and government entities. Based in Hong Kong, head of the Myanmar practice group Simon Makinson advises telecoms companies and financial investors on high-value transactions, and has demonstrable expertise in energy projects. The Singapore office is home to James Mythen, who acts for clients on M&As, joint ventures and private equity transactions across the ASEAN region, in addition to inbound investments into Myanmar. Senior associates Joshua Htet and Ayesha Thapar, who operate from the firm’s London and Singapore offices respectively, support Mythen on exit strategies and commercial arrangements. In Bangkok, Sarah Wilson advises development banks on financial matters relating to infrastructure connectivity for sustainable growth in Myanmar and counsel Chris Burkett is another key contact in the team.
Foreign desks in Myanmar
Allen & Overy Ltd
Practice head(s):
Simon Makinson; James Mythen
Other key lawyers:
Sarah Wilson; Joshua Htet; Ayesha Thapar; Chris Burkett
Testimonials
‘Current and in-depth knowledge of the project finance market.’
‘A strong team with great team work.’
‘Proactive and solution-orientated.’
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown advises domestic and international clients on the entire lifecycle of infrastructure and energy projects, from acquisition and financing to restructuring and exit strategies. Based in the firm's Singapore office, practice leaders Ben Thompson and Nathan Dodd are at the forefront of developments in Myanmar’s power sector and have demonstrable experience in natural gas, hydropower and solar projects. The duo are often assisted by thriving counsel Matthew Chow, who advises on construction mandates.
Practice head(s):
Ben Thompson; Nathan Dodd
Other key lawyers:
Matthew Chow
Key clients
ADB
IFC
Sembcorp
Marubeni
Kansai Electric
Électricité de France SA (EDF)
Sumitomo Corporation
Shwe Taung Group
National Infrastructure Holdings
Ayeyar Hinthar Holdings
Work highlights
- Assisted the sponsors, comprising of EDF, Marubeni Corporation and Ayeyar Hinthar Holdings Co., Ltd on all aspects of the development of the Shweli-3 671MW hydropower project.
- Advised syndicate of international lenders to Sembcorp, on development and operation of the Myingyan 225MW gas-fired Independent Power Project (IPP).
- Acted as international legal counsel to the project sponsors, the Kansai Electric Power Co., on development of the 66MW hydropower project at Deedoke on the Myitnge River in the Mandalay Region in Myanmar.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright is noted for its capability in project financings, with experience across the power, telecoms and infrastructure sectors, and counts capital markets and banking matters in its workload. The team is well-placed to leverage the firm's global footprint, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, to service Myanmar companies and inward investors. Based in Singapore, practice leader Yu-En Ong and Janelene Chan advise on Myanmar-related infrastructure projects and regularly collaborate with commercial and development banks on onboarding, restructuring and exiting mandates. The duo are sought out by financial institutions for their extensive knowledge of Asia, emerging markets and local Myanmar laws.
Practice head(s):
Yu-En Ong
Other key lawyers:
Janelene Chan
Testimonials
‘Global network, so it is easy to leverage expertise from other parts of the world.’
‘We can call them at any time of the day.’
‘Creative in identifying solutions.’
Key clients
FMO
DBS Bank
ING Group
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited
Work highlights
- Advising on the US$258,670,000 financing in Myanmar to Irrawaddy Towers Asset Holding Pte. Ltd. and Irrawaddy Green Towers Company Limited (IGT)
- Advised DBS, ING and OCBC on leveraged buyout by TPG of Pan Asia Majestic Eagle Limited of a telecom tower companies in Myanmar.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper’s versatile foreign desk practice is spread across the firm's offices in Singapore and Bangkok, with Singapore-based Vincent Seah at the helm. Seah acts for domestic and international sponsors, investors and energy companies on solar and gas projects in Myanmar, while Bangkok-based Samata Masagee advises on cross-border energy projects, in addition to telecoms and retail foreign inward investments. The Bangkok office is also home to Waranon Vanichprapa, who handles banking and finance mandates.
Practice head(s):
Vincent Seah
Other key lawyers:
Samata Masagee; Waranon Vanichprapa
Key clients
TTCL Public Company
Sojitz Corporation
INPEX Corporation
Shikoku Electric Power Company
Chukoku Electric Power Company
China Huadian
Zhefu Holdings
Supreme Trading
ACO Investments
Work highlights
- Advising a consortium of energy companies on all aspects of the development and financing of the 388MW Ahlone LNG-to-power project in Myanmar.
- Representing a consortium of sponsors on all aspects of the development and financing of the 1,390MW Ayeyarwady LNG-to-power project in Myanmar.
- Advising ACO Investments on all aspects of the development and financing of a 300MW solar project in Myanmar.
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner provides a full-service offering to its diverse roster of clients, advising on a range of matters, from market entry and restructuring to high-end M&A and project developments. The team has demonstrable experience across the energy, hotel and leisure, property and financial services sectors. Based in Singapore, Tun Zaw Mra, who was promoted to partner in January 2023, leads the practice and focuses on M&A transactions, joint ventures, general corporate governance, restructurings and financing matters. Following the departure of former practice head Tien Gui Koh to Withers KhattarWong LLP in January 2022, senior consultant Nomita Nair rejoined the Singapore office in Februrary 2022 and is noted for her experience in project finance transactions.
Practice head(s):
Tun Zaw Mra
Other key lawyers:
Nomita Nair
Key clients
First Myanmar Public Investment Public Company Limited
Yoma Strategic Holdings
Dentons Myanmar Limited
Noted for its ‘strong cross-border capabilities’, Dentons Myanmar Limited advises domestic and multinational clients across the technology, insurance, mining and aviation sectors on the application of Myanmar laws and international sanctions on business models and operations. Ling Yi Quek, who has ‘impressive knowledge of the ASEAN markets’, regularly advises on due diligence, reviews corporate structures and notifies clients on changes in regulations. Quek is supported by Yangon-based associate Hnin Htet Htet Naing.
Practice head(s):
Ling Yi Quek
Other key lawyers:
Hnin Htet Htet Naing
Testimonials
‘The team has broad expertise and depth of resources.’
‘The team has experts and specialists in every sector, and very strong cross-border capabilities.’
‘Ling Yi Quek has impressive knowledge of the ASEAN markets and is familiar with Myanmar regulations and structuring cross-border transactions.’
‘Ling Yi Quek is highly effective in communicating with clients and delivering effective solutions. She is able to advice on compliance, risks identification and mitigation solutions.’
‘Dentons unique standing point is a diverse team of professionals consisting of local lawyers and international specialists from all fields. Multiple language capability is also a plus point.’
‘The team covers all industries and sectors, has young energetic and innovative young team members, as well as experienced senior members.’
‘Ling Yi Quek is a very trustable, thorough and responsive legal adviser. She is always hands-on with ongoing projects and detailed-oriented on cross-regional work covering South East Asian countries.’
‘Ling Yi Quek is tri-lingual with the ability to speak Chinese, Malay, and English, and her communication and responsiveness make us feel that all our legal matters are being taken care of.’
Key clients
UMW Corporation
AXA France Vie SA
BASF Myanmar Limited
China Unicom (Mya) Operations Company Limited
Marks and Spencer PLC
Master Builders Solutions Myanmar Limited
Amazon.com, Inc.
Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Ltd
Yunnan Construction and Investment Holdings Co Ltd
WSP Sverige AB
Work highlights
- Advising on the scope and mode of operations in Myanmar and conducting a due diligence report for Amazon.
- Advising Marks and Spencer PLC on Myanmar laws regulations relating to e-commerce.
- Advising AXA on insurance and re-insurance laws and regulations in Myanmar
Shearman & Sterling LLP
Spread across the firm’s Singapore, Seoul and Tokyo offices, Shearman & Sterling LLP‘s practice has demonstrable experience advising international clients on energy mandates and project developments in Myanmar. In Singapore, Bill McCormack
, who focuses on renewable energy projects, jointly leads the team alongside David Clinch, who advises on transactions and projects across the energy, natural resources and infrastructure sectors. Anna Chung, who operates from the Seoul office, and Tokyo-based Etienne Gelencsér, act for lenders and sponsors on projects across the Asia Pacific region, including Myanmar, while Singapore-based Jean-Louis Neves Mandelli focuses on power projects.
Practice head(s):
Bill McCormack; David Clinch
Other key lawyers:
Etienne Gelencsér; Anna Chung; Jean-Louis Neves Mandelli; Kok Jin Ong
Key clients
International Finance Corporation
Work highlights
- Advised International Finance Corporation and the lenders in connection with the development and financing of the greenfield run-of-river 60 MW Deedoke hydropower project located on the Myitnge River in Myanmar.