Leading independent international law firm Blumenthal Richter & Sumet (BRS) has expanded its regional platform with the acquisition of law practice Legal ASEAN. This move further strengthens the firm’s capabilities in cross-border investments, real estate, foreign direct investment and regional legal consultancy across Southeast Asia.

Legal ASEAN’s founder, Mark D Alelio, joins BRS as a Partner, bringing with him over two decades of legal practice with multin

ational law firms  in Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar.

Mark is widely recognized for his strategic counsel to international and Thai clients on market entry, real estate development, foreign direct investment (FDI), and cross-border structuring. In adding his extensive experience across

 a variety of matters throughout Southeast Asia, Mark brings deep regional insights that complement and reinforce BRS’s existing strengths.

Mark’s practice additionally covers dispute resolution, with Mark having managed complex real estate and labor disputes, and represented clients before Thailand’s Department of Special Investigations (DSI). His work further spans across corporate, Board of Investment (BOI) promotion attainment, market entry advisory in the IT and technology sectors, and management agreement structuring between Thai developers and major international hotel brands. Known for his commercial approach, Mark remains dedicated to delivering practical solutions grounded in local knowledge and responsive to the evolving needs of global businesses.

Mark’s team—comprising Senior Associates Sasathorn Dharakasem and Teerapun Jiamton, Associates Sireethorn Ruksachart, Pranchalee Maneerat, and Pitchayapa Rungrueng, along with dedicated support staff—has also joined BRS as part of the acquisition. The team’s addition effectively enhances the firm’s service capacity and regional practice depth, while simultaneously contributing to the firm’s rapidly growing practice.

Reflecting on the move, Mark commented:

“Joining BRS will enable me to offer my existing clients an even broader range of legal services, including access to the firm’s in-house dispute resolution, intellectual property, and tax & customs teams. Clients will also benefit from BRS’s dedicated Japan Desk and China Desk, further enhanc

ing the regional support we can provide.”

Echoing this strategic perspective, BRS Senior Partner and Head of Real Estate Robert Schuler remarked:

“Mark’s extensive experience across Southeast Asia aligns with BRS’s long-term strategic vision to grow our regional capabilities and deepen support for clients investing and operating in ASEAN markets.”

“The leadership at BRS sees this acquisition as a unique opportunity to further strengthen our offering to both domestic and international clients. We are pleased to welcome Mark and his team, and look forward to combining our expertise to better serve businesses navigating Thailand and the wider region, particularly in the real estate sector.”