Allen & Gledhill
Allen & Gledhill (Myanmar) is one of the most well-regarded firms in the Myanmar legal market. The firm provides advice in Myanmar and across the region through the Singapore-headquartered Allen & Gledhill network. Led by managing partner Minn Naing Oo, the firm’s Myanmar office boasts the largest number of legal professionals among law firms in the country.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is well known for its financial and corporate practice and has a strong project offering. Sectors of focus include insurance, infrastructure, power, hospitality, oil and gas, and technology and telecommunication.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
The corporate team was occupied with advising financial transactions regarding acquisitions for acquirers during the research cycle.
The project team was handling infrastructure works primarily for developers. In a landmark mandate, the firm advised the development of the New Yangon City, which the first time the government of Myanmar or a government-related entity of Myanmar has adopted the Swiss challenge model and the first time the government of Myanmar or a government-related entity of Myanmar is involved in a project development of this scale.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Development of the New Yangon City.
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Investment fund
“Knowledgeable and precise. Customer-oriented, dedicated and available.”
Hsiu-hau Oh
“Can consider holistic framework while always keeping customer's goal in mind. Highly experienced and knowledgeable.”
Chen Xi
“Hard-working and available. Professional and precise.”
Dentons Myanmar
Multinational law firm Dentons’ Myanmar office is located in Yangon.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is recognised for its work in the financial and corporate space.
Rajah & Tann Myanmar
Rajah & Tann Myanmar is a leading full-service law firm based in Yangon Myanmar. It is part of Singapore-headquartered Rajah & Tann Asia, the largest network of lawyers in southeast Asia.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm performs consistently well in a diverse and complex portfolio of projects across numerous sectors including energy, construction, real estate development, shipping, healthcare, education, logistics, FMCG and financial services.
Its strength is in representing foreign banks and investors on financings, investments and acquisitions in Myanmar, as well as managing disputes and enforcement of rights and claims
Baker McKenzie
Multinational law firm Baker McKenzie’s Yangon office was established in 2014 and is led by managing partner Andre Gan.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is active in the financial and corporate space. It takes on work in a variety of industry sectors including technology, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, media and insurance.
Key clients
The firm’s client list includes names such as Yoma Strategic Holdings and Prudential Holdings.
Research period review: 30th edition (2019/2020)
The firm was often engaged by foreign clients to advise on regulatory compliance matters across a range of industries. The firm also took on buy and sell-side roles on acquisitions.
Staffing changes saw the addition of corporate partner Kenneth See from Yoma Strategic, while managing partner Jo Daniels left the firm.
Deal highlights: 30th edition (2019/2020)
Yoma Strategic Holdings S$12.6 million acquisition of a 65% stake in Yankin Kyay Oh Group of Companies
DFDL
Active in Myanmar since the 1990s,
DFDL has a team of 25 lawyers in two offices in Yangon and Naypyidaw, providing services to domestic, Asian and international investors operating in Myanmar. The firm’s Myanmar team is led by managing director William Greenlee.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is recognised for its strong financial and corporate and project development practices.
Projects work is at the core of the firm’s Myanmar practice, and the firm is experienced in serving as both local and international counsel across a variety of sectors, including energy, natural resources and mining, and infrastructure.
The firm has further differentiated itself with the addition of foreign desks for India, Bhutan, Korea and China.
Key clients
Key clients of the firm include Bangkok Bank, British American Tobacco, Brown-Forman, Chevron, Export-Import Bank of China, IFC and Sungrow Power.
Client feedback:
32nd edition (2022/2023)
Asset finance
“Thorough and clear advice, constructive input, timely feedback. Very well placed to advise lessors on all lease matters concerning airlines in Myanmar. Also, very familiar with developments and regulatory processes.”
Insolvency
“Excellent technical expertise, industry and market in-depth knowledge and impressive, pragmatic and approachable client service.”
Duane Morris & Selvam
Duane Morris & Selvam is the first US firm to open in Myanmar in 2013. With an office in Yangon, the firm boasts a team of six partners and eight qualified lawyers. The firm holds the distinction of being the only foreign law firm to receive the Distinguished Service to Myanmar award from Myanmar’s attorney general.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm has a strong financial and corporate practice and a well-established project development practice. It is experienced in providing advice on matters including corporate advisory, regulatory compliance, market-entry, project development, and banking and finance.
Key clients
Notable clients include Korea Development Bank, Bank of China, ICBC Bank, the State Bank of India, Genesis, Iceberg Holdings, Young Investment Group, Shwe Minn Gan Financial, Eco Friendly Tower and Indraprastha Gas.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
The firm has been active in financial and corporate and project development work during the research cycle. It also advised on regulatory matters regarding projects, joint ventures and acquisitions for clients.
In staffing changes, managing director Krishna Ramachandra moved to Digital Insights Ventures in July 2022.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Sembcorp Utilities’ $250 million financing.
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
M&A
“Counsel is very astute in his commercial awareness. Ability to lay out a myriad of options for our consideration with realistic outcome scenarios laid out clearly.”
Priyank Srivastava
“He is candid with his opinion and can stand up for his advice when challenged by us. Able to provide alternative solutions as well.”
Kelvin Chia Yangon
Kelvin Chia Yangon is one of the largest and oldest international law firms operating in Myanmar since 1995. It is part of the network of Kelvin Chia Partnership (KCP), a commercial law firm headquartered in Singapore since 1984. The firm is composed of 22 lawyers, paralegals, business researchers and support staff and maintains offices in Yangon and Mandalay.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is recognised for its strong financial, corporate and project development practices. The firm advises across an array of industries including real estate, infrastructure, logistics, food and beverage, and banking.
Lincoln Legal Services (Myanmar)
Founded in 2016, Lincoln Legal Services is headquartered in Yangon. Key figures include partners Sebastian Pawlita and Nyein Chan Zaw.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is noted for its financial and corporate and project development practices.
Sectors of focus include real estate, mining, oil and gas, hospitality, and logistics.
Key clients
Notable clients include Siam Makro, Mytel, Asia Resources Development, Oswal Group Global, NFunctions Myanmar Company, AB sMart, and The Blue Circle.
Research period review: 30th edition (2019/2020)
During the research period, the firm was often active in the retail sector and notably advised a foreign client in the largest roll-out of foreign-invested cash and carry outlets in the country to date.
In the projects space, the firm was active in a variety of sectors, including mining, power, and manufacturing. A highlight saw the firm advise a foreign manufacturer in establishing a landmark ethanol plant.
Deal highlights: 30th edition (2019/2020)
Magway 175MW solar plant
Shan State 250 KLPD ethanol plant
Siam Makro wholesale and retail centres
Client feedback: 30th edition (2019/2020)
Financial and corporate
“Sebastian P is extremely responsive and knowledgeable in nearly all aspects of Myanmar commercial law. If he does not know the answer, he will find it and provide sound commercial advice that weighs the risks in a country where the laws can be murky.”
Project development
“Their excellent service with in-depth knowledge and local insights!”
“The firm always provides prompt feedback. It has extensive legal knowledge about doing business in Myanmar. The advice is always practical. Where an issue is unclear, it also goes the extra mile to consult with the local authorities to get things done/ or provide practical advice to its client.”
Mayer Brown
Global law firm Mayer Brown has a strong track record in the projects space in Myanmar. Key figures include Singapore partners Ben Thompson and Nathan Dodd.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm has a special focus on the power sector. It is also active in the foreign banking and finance area where the team has a history of advising clients such as lenders and sponsors on landmark transactions.
Key clients
Key clients of the firm include Asian Development Bank, International Finance Corporation and Kansai Electric Power.
Client feedback:
32nd edition (2022/2023)
Project finance
“Timely response, commercial and crisp advice. Able to build consensus while at the same time ensuring key bankability risks managed.”
“Knowledgeable and helpful in sharing their deal experience and insights in Myanmar's power sector. Good client contacts in renewables sector.”
Myanmar Legal Services (merged with MHM)
Myanmar Legal MHM is a full-service law firm based in Yangon. Equipped with Japanese, Thai, Commonwealth-qualified and Myanmar lawyers, key figures of the firm include partner Kana Manabe and senior advisor Khin Cho Kyi.
Myanmar Legal MHM is part of Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, one of the largest full‐service Tokyo-headquartered international law firms, and works closely with offices in Singapore, Bangkok and Tokyo.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm has a focus on banking and finance, M&A, joint ventures, project finance and developments, and capital markets. Industry sectors include power, oil and gas, food and beverages, healthcare, energy and infrastructure.
Key clients
Key clients of the firm include Toyota, Mitsubishi, Kirin Holdings, Aeon, Hitachi, Myanmar Japan Thilawa Development and Myanmar Agro Exchange Public Company.
Nishimura & Asahi
The Yangon office of Japanese firm
Nishimura & Asahi opened in 2013 and is one of the longest-established international law firms in Myanmar. The Myanmar team is helmed by partner Yusuke Yukawa. The firm has strengthened its regional presence with offices in several major cities including Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta and Singapore.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is active in the financial and corporate and project development areas. It has significant experience advising on matters related to market entry, regulatory compliance, joint ventures and entity establishment.
Sectors of focus include healthcare, retail, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, banking and financial services, and real estate.
Key clients
Key clients include Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Rajah & Tann NK Legal Myanmar
Regional firm Rajah & Tann’s Myanmar office is located in Yangon and is led by managing partner Min Thein. Membership of the Rajah & Tann Asia network allows the firm to provide comprehensive legal advice to clients across the region.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is a consistent performer in the financial and corporate and project development practice areas. The firm has experience in advising across a range of industry sectors including insurance, hospitality, real estate, logistics, food and beverages, healthcare, technology and telecommunication, and energy. The firm has built a robust Japanese practice and often acts for clients based there with interests in Myanmar.
Key clients
The firm’s client list includes names such as Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance, Yangon Metropolitan Development, Eco World Developer Holding, Myanmar Distribution Group, and Myanmar Ministry of Planning and Finance.
Research period review: 31st edition (2020/2021)
In banking, the firm often acted for the lenders; a representative deal saw the firm advise the lenders in a first of its kind project financing. The firm was also active in the corporate space, acting on matters such as joint ventures, acquisitions, franchise agreements, and disposals. A standout deal saw the firm advising the insurance provider on a high-value private equity acquisition in the telecommunication sector - the second-largest deal involving Myanmar assets to date.
In projects, the firm notably advised the bidders on the development of a confidential infrastructure project.
Deal highlights: 31st edition (2020/2021)
Ascent Myanmar $17.5 million acquisition of a minority stake in Frontiir
Campana Mythic $30 million project financing
CVC $700 million acquisition of Irrawaddy Green Towers
Pluto Rising disposal of beverage manufacturing business
Client feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)
Financial and corporate
"Very commercially minded, balancing legal issues (particularly in Myanmar context) with commercial, risk-focused considerations; very responsive, leading to completion within a reasonable time frame (again in Myanmar context)."
Hiroyuki Ota
"Great working relationship, good and responsive communications, clear commercial mindedness."
Shearman & Sterling
New York-headquartered law firm
Shearman & Sterling caters to the Myanmar market through its Singapore and Seoul offices. Key figures include partners Ben Shorten, Bill McCormack, and Anna Chung.
The firm has further offices across southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm has a focus on project development mandates, particularly in the energy sector covering LNG to power and hydropower projects. The firm notably has experience in working with multilaterals and government bodies on drafting templates for hydropower concession agreements and PPAs.
Thanlwin Legal
Founded in 2016, Thanlwin Legal has established itself as a consistent performer across the financial and prorate and project development spaces. The firm’s main office is located in Yangon and is led by managing partners Tseng Chin-Po and Chen Shu Yuan.
Focusses / specialisms
Sectors of focus include oil and gas, technology and telecommunication, energy, real estate and transport.
Tilleke & Gibbins
Regional firm Tilleke & Gibbins’ Yangon office opened in 2013 and houses 12 attorneys under the leadership of director Yuwadee Thean-ngarm. Tilleke & Gibbins is a solid regional player with offices in jurisdictions including Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm has a well-established financial and corporate practice and is also active in the project development space.
Sectors of activity include banking and financial services, fintech, energy, insurance, manufacturing, tourism, transportation and utilities, technology, media and telecommunications.
Client feedback:
32nd edition (2022/2023)
Banking and finance
“Prompt and up-to-date information.”
VDB Loi
Regional firm VDB Loi’s Myanmar offices are located in Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw. Key figures include Jean Loi, Edwin Vanderbruggen and Maxim Kobzev. The firm has further offices throughout the region in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos and Vietnam.
Focusses / specialisms
VDB Loi is well known for high-quality financial and corporate and project development work. The firm is experienced in advising on an array of matters including mergers, acquisitions, financings, and infrastructure and energy projects.
Sectors of activity include energy, oil and gas, real estate, manufacturing, banking and financial services, and telecommunications.
Key clients
Key clients of the firm include DH (Myanmar), United Overseas Bank, Ayeyarwady Bank and CNTIC Vpower YG2.
Wint & Partners Legal Services
Wint & Partners is a general business law firm based in Yangon, Myanmar. Key figures of the firm include managing partner and co-founder Wint Thandar Oo.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm provides legal services in corporate, joint venture, M&A and private equity. It is also active in banking and finance, project finance, restructuring and insolvency, and advises clients on related regulatory matters. Sectors of focus include real estate, media, aviation, natural resources, oil & gas, mining, energy and infrastructure.
WongPartnership
A member of the WPG regional network,
WongPartnership in Myanmar boasts a well -established financial and corporate practice. The firm has an office in Yangon.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm takes on clients from a diverse range of sectors including construction and engineering, aviation, telecommunication, real estate, hospitality, and food and beverages.
Key clients
Key clients include Singapore Airlines, Chip Eng Seng Corporation, Sodexo Services Asia, Denko Petrochemical Management, and Andaman Alliance Healthcare.
ZICO Law Myanmar
Active in Myanmar since 2013, ZICO Law’s Myanmar office is located in Yangon. Key figures include executive chairman Maung Maung Thein and resident partner Geraldine Oh. The firm is a member of the ZICO Law network and is able to service clients throughout the region.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is recognised for its financial and corporate and project development practices.
It is experienced in advising on matters in a wide range of sectors including renewable energy, real estate, transport, telecommunication, banking and financial services, and entertainment.
Key clients
Key clients of the firm include Maybank, A-Bank, Digital Money Myanmar, Myanmar Japan Tobacco, China Triumph International Engineering, Supreme Group and Myanmar Singapore (Hlegu) Industrial Park.
