DFDL Legal & Tax > Vientiane, Laos > Firm Profile
DFDL Legal & Tax Offices
DFDL Legal & Tax
UNIT 01, HOUSE 004 PHAI NAM ROAD
SISAKET VILLAGE, CHANTHABOULY DISTRICT
VIENTIANE
Laos
UNIT 01, HOUSE 004 PHAI NAM ROAD
SISAKET VILLAGE, CHANTHABOULY DISTRICT
VIENTIANE
Laos
DFDL Legal & Tax > The Legal 500 Rankings
Laos > Leading firms Tier 1
DFDL Legal & Tax‘s Vientiane office assists a broad roster of domestic and foreign clients with a host of transactional and advisory matters. Over the past year, the team has continued to advise a number of foreign investors and contractors on high-profile projects in the energy, natural resources, tech, education, and payment services sectors. The firm also routinely serves as local counsel to major international banks. With a wealth of experience in the Southeast Asian and Australasian markets, managing director Kristy Newby specialises in M&A, foreign inbound investment, and Mekong region mining activity. Bangkok-based Gert Meersman heads up the regional energy, mining, and infrastructure offering, while Senesakoune Sihanouvong focuses chiefly on tax matters. Standre Bezuidenhout is noted for his Lao labour law practice.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The best projects team in the market with a long history of advising on Lao hydropower projects as Lao counsel. Strength and depth and experience.’
‘Kristy Newby is very easy to work with, knows the market well and is always willing to help.’
‘Highly dedicated and rigorous. Able to communicate effectively.’
‘Kristy Newby and Standre Bezuidenhout both deliver outstanding quality work. Very responsive and knowledgeable.’
Key clients
Vientiane International School – Gateway Project
Mekong Timber Plantations
ANZ restructuring
LXML, Phu Bia and Lao Sanxai
Southern Lao Vietnam Electricity Corridor (SOLVEC)
Vietnam > Tax
DFDL Legal & Tax's ability to leverage the expertise of lawyers and accountants makes it a leading choice for advice on strategic planning, transfer pricing, tax compliance and customs issues. In addition to having a team in Vietnam, the firm's wider offering across the region puts it on a strong footing to assist clients with cross-border issues. Tax director Lan Hua is experienced in matters such as investment structuring, international tax planning and tax controversies. Senior tax manager Phan Thi Lieu is also a key individual. Jack Sheehan, who is based in Laos, leads the regional tax team.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
IBC Solar Energy
Liberty Global Transaction Solutions
Iatelier Vietnam Company Limited
Work highlights
- Provided Vietnamese tax analysis and tax structuring of EPC arrangement for IBC Solar Energy.
- Acted as underwriting tax counsel for Liberty Global Transaction Solutions and assisted on the buyer-side warranty and indemnity insurance policy’s negotiation and completion process.
- Advised on the Vietnamese VAT treatment of cross-border intercompany service activities forIatelier Vietnam Company.
Thailand > Projects and energy
DFDL Legal & Tax acts for domestic and international clients, including major energy conglomerates on project finance and development, transactions and regulatory matters in relation to energy, mining and infrastructure projects in Thailand and across Southeast Asia. The practice is jointly led by managing partner Audray Souche who has experience in cross-border energy and infrastructure project developments and financing, and Gert Meersman, who leads the regional energy, mining and infrastructure practice.Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘The team is truly “hands-on” and always delivers usable advice.’
Key clients
B.Grimm Power Public Company Limited
B.Grimm Solar Power, Inc (Project Company)
A Consortium of Thai lenders (Krung Thai Bank as Intercreditor Agent)
Lao-China Power Investment Co. Ltd. (LCPC)
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
TSBP Sekong Power and Mineral Company Limited (a subsidiary of Investment and Hydropower Consultant)
Xekong Thermal Power Plant Co. Ltd. (a subsidiary of Phonesack Group)
Abt Associates / USAID
Work highlights
- Acting as the borrower’s counsel to B.Grimm Power Public Company Limited, negotiating and drafting financial documents and closing assistance to achieve financial close.
- Acting as lead counsel for B.Grimm Power Public Company Limited (Sponsor) B.Grimm Solar Power, Inc (Project Company) on a multi-sites solar rooftop projects in the Philippines, totalling of 12MW for a large scale food manufacturer.
- Negotiating the Concession Agreement and Land Lease Agreement for B.Grimm Power Public Company Limited (Sponsor)B.Grimm Solar Power, Inc (Project Company) with the GOL, drafting and negotiating the Power Transmission Agreement with EDL, drafting and negotiating Shareholders’ Agreement between China Southern Power Grid and EDL and advising on the regulatory framework, permits and licenses and all other aspects of the project.
Thailand > Tax
DFDL Legal & Tax handles a range of tax matters including income tax, capital gains tax and transfer pricing for clients in the hospitality, technology and manufacturing sectors. Regional practice head Jack Sheehan specialises in structuring inbound and outbound investments in Asia, as well as corporate and international tax planning and the tax aspects of M&A transactions. Jonathan Blaine leads the team in Bangkok and handles tax planning, with a focus on US, Thailand and Japanese investments.Practice head(s):
Key clients
3i Infotech Limited
Mettler
Work highlights
- Advised 3i Infotech Limited on legal and tax issues relating to the master agreement in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
- Advised Mettler on the reorganisation from a Thai tax and transfer pricing perspective.
DFDL Legal & Tax > Firm Profile
The Firm: DFDL was established in 1994 in the Lao PDR and was built on a unique vision: to create an integrated legal and tax firm with in-depth knowledge of our jurisdiction so as to provide technical excellence across our core areas of expertise.
Our Lao office has the experience and insights to assist clients to navigate the complexities of this emerging market and to provide commercially-focused advice, based on over twenty years of experience in this jurisdiction.
Described in Legal 500 as being “very professional” and offering “excellent local experience and expertise”, DFDL’s Lao and foreign advisers have an outstanding reputation for offering focused legal services covering a broad scope of legal issues.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lao PDR (all practice areas) | Kristy Newby | kristy.newby@dfdl.com | |
| Taxation | Jack Sheehan | jack.sheehan@dfdl.com |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Kristy Newby | Partner & Managing Director, Lao PDR | View Profile |
 | Senesakoune Sihanouvong | Partner, Lao PDR | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Partner : 2 Advisor : 8Languages
English Chinese (Mandarin) LaotianMemberships
IAG International Advisory Group World Services Group (WSG) Employment Law Alliance (ELA)Other
Official Website : https://www.dfdl.com/locations/lao-pdr/Press Releases
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