DLA Piper > Bangkok, Thailand > Firm Profile

DLA Piper > The Legal 500 Rankings

Thailand > Insurance Tier 1

DLA Piper acts for insurers, reinsurers and brokers in Thailand and across Southeast Asia in insurance claims disputes, M&A transactions and regulatory matters. Thailand and co-insurance sector head Peter Shelford is well-known in the Thai insurance market and represents insurers and reinsurers, as well as major corporations, in insurance-related disputes. Legal director Yodwarat Tedkham handles contentious insurance matters, including maritime insurance disputes and reinsurance cases, while of counsel Robert Tang acts for clients across the Asia Pacific in non-marine insurance and reinsurance disputes.

Thailand > Real estate and construction Tier 1

DLA Piper handles the full range of real estate transactions, including project and commercial developments, REITs, property investments, as well as construction and real estate disputes. The practice is noted for its expertise in advising clients across the hotel and leisure sectors on contractual arrangements, development projects and management agreements. Dusadee Jittasaiyapan heads up the team and has experience in handling the full spectrum of real estate transactions across the retail, industrial and energy sectors. Senior associate Supranee Arjjit is a key contact in the team, and advises domestic and international clients on real estate investment and projects developments.

Thailand > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

DLA Piper advises financial institutions and multinational corporations on financing and debt restructuring transactions, as well as bankruptcy matters, and leverages the expertise of the wider regional restructuring and special situations team, and the firm’s global presence in this space. Practice co-leader Waranon Vanichprapa acts for Thai and international banks and companies on restructuring and bankruptcy matters. Practice co-leader Timothy Tan has experience in debt finance and debt restructuring transactions across the Asia Pacific region, while Komson Suntheeraporn represents creditors in court-supervised rehabilitation proceedings.

Thailand > Dispute resolution: international arbitration Tier 2

The international arbitration team at DLA Piper assists clients with both enforcing and resisting arbitral awards in all the main arbitration centres globally. The practice is led by litigator Don Rojanapenkul, who focuses on arbitrations involving insurance and infrastructure disputes, and includes senior consultant Peter Shelford who has expertise in insurance and reinsurance and construction cases, and counsel Robert Tang who focuses on cross-border energy and construction-related disputes.  Komson Suntheeraporn is also a key contact.

Thailand > Dispute resolution Tier 2

The dispute resolution practice at DLA Piper acts for domestic and multinational clients in multi-jurisdictional disputes, ranging from insurance claims to construction disputes, as well as administrative cases. Experienced litigator Don Rojanapenkul is also well versed in other forms of dispute resolution, including arbitrations and mediations. Peter Shelford is noted for his expertise in insurance, reinsurance and construction litigation matters, and the newly promoted partner Komson Suntheeraporn has ‘vast experience in commercial disputes’. Counsel Robert Tang and senior associate Ekasit Suttawat who is recommended for corporate fraud and construction disputes are also names to note.

Thailand > TMT Tier 2

DLA Piper advises growing technology, IT, e-commerce and fintech companies on a range of matters, from software development and licensing to financial data-related agreements and outsourcing. The cross-border technology practice has also seen increased activity in regulatory compliance, data privacy and cyber security. Samata Masagee heads up the practice group and advises on technology M&A transactions, startup investments and data protection issues. Experienced litigator Don Rojanapenkul represents clients in the technology and telecoms sectors on a range of disputes.

Thailand > Transport Tier 2

DLA Piper handles project development matters, as well as financing and commercial agreements for clients in the aviation, shipping, road and rail industry sectors. Experienced litigator and arbitrator Peter Shelford represents clients in shipping disputes, while Waranon Vanichprapa and Samata Masagee remain key contacts in the team.

Thailand > Banking and finance Tier 3

DLA Piper advises Thai and international banks, as well as other financial institutions and multinational corporations, on a range of matters including acquisition finance, corporate lending, debt restructuring, and project and real estate finance. Co–country managing partner Waranon Vanichprapa, who handles financing and restructuring transactions, regulatory matters and bankruptcy issues, jointly leads the practice with Timothy Tan who focuses on debt finance and debt restructuring transactions.

Thailand > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

The corporate team at DLA Piper handles acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, inbound and outbound investments, as well as regulatory matters. The practice group is led by Samata Masagee, who focuses on cross-border transactions in Southeast Asia and is active across the energy, real estate and technology sectors. Associate Krittiya Wuddhihiranpreeda advises on M&A, disposals and corporate restructurings, while associate Kanokkorn Viriyasutum’s expertise lies in the technology and insurance sectors.

Thailand > Labour and employment Tier 3

DLA Piper acts for clients across a range of sectors, including technology, manufacturing and hospitality, on cross-border contentious and non-contentious employment matters. Practice head Komson Suntheeraporn advises Thai and multinational corporations on contentious work, such as representing clients in labour court proceedings, as well as non-contentious and advisory matters. Peter Shelford has experience in representing multinational clients in employment disputes in Thailand and advises insurance sector clients on employment matters.

Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Leading firms

DLA Piper‘s international arbitration team spans from Australia to Southeast Asia and counts construction disputes among its specialist areas. From Sydney, ACICA vice-president Gitanjali Bajaj leads the Asia Pacific practice; she has particular construction, infrastructure, oil and gas, power and energy sector expertise. The group also benefits from strong individuals in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane. In Thailand, the team is particularly strong for insurance and construction disputes; Don Rojanapenkul and senior consultant Peter Shelford are key contacts.

Myanmar > Foreign desks

Based between Thailand and Singapore, DLA Piper’s practice is known for handling large-scale and often complex energy and infrastructure projects and financing work for an international client base. The group is led by Singapore-based Vincent Seah, who is active in power projects in Myanmar and is supported by Samata Masagee in Bangkok, who handles cross-border corporate mandates and acquisition work. Renewable energy continues to be a sector strength for the team.

Indonesia > Foreign firms

DLA Piper has a broad client offering and handles banking and finance, capital markets, corporate/M&A, disputes, and projects mandates. Managing partner Joe Bauerschmidt has played an active role in the expansion of the firm’s corporate and capital markets practice, particularly in the technology, financial, energy and real estate sectors. Timothy Tan is a key individual to note in the banking and finance practice, and the capital markets offering is led by English and New York qualified lawyer Philip Lee. Maurice Burke joined from Hogan Lovells Lee & Lee in 2021 and heads the investigations practice for Asia.

Singapore > Banking and finance: foreign firms

With a firm presence throughout south-east Asia, DLA Piper's Singapore banking and finance team is often instructed on cross-border financing transactions. Leveraged buy-outs and acquisition finance are areas of particular expertise, and it is also praised by clients for its trade finance offering. Timothy Tan  heads the team and also takes the lead in matters involving Indonesia and Thailand for borrowers and lenders. Vincent Seah has developed a reputation for project finance, with a focus on the energy sector.