Asia Business Law Journal

23/07/2025

Thailand can be a regulatory conundrum when it comes to foreign investors considering setting up shop in the country.

Featuring insights from:
Warot Wanakankowit of Warot Advisory Services Co., Ltd.;
Christopher Osborne, Nicharee Pudphetkaew and Supitcha Saowapak of SCL Nishimura & Asahi.

Thailand can be a regulatory conundrum when it comes to foreign investors consIdering setting up shop here

23/07/2025

Fresh recruit to lead JTJB’s new construction practice https://law.asia/jtjb-launches-construction-practice-led-yeo-boon-tat/

JTJB has launched a construction and infrastructure practice led by recently hired senior partner Yeo Boon Tat to bolster its offerings to clients and position the firm to tap high-growth opportunities, says managing partner John Sze.

Yeo joins the firm from Watson Farley & Williams where he worked as a partner for two years. He also served as director at Quahe Woo & Palmer for two years and partner at Pinsent Masons MPillay for 12 years.

In addition to launching the new construction and infrastructure practice, JTJB has already started the recruitment process to support its growth.

23/07/2025

Thailand’s proposed reforms to its foreign business act promise a long-desired open investment climate, but questions of clarity, enforcement and fairness remain.

Featured lawyers include:
Kraisorn Rueangkul of DFDL;
Penrurk Petchmani of Tilleke & Gibbins;
Siripen Kulworakulpitak of IAS Advisory - Attorneys at Law;
Kudun Sukhumananda of Kudun and Partners;
Christopher Osborne of SCL Nishimura & Asahi;
Maprang Sombatthai of Thai-CCA;
Wayu Suthisarnsuntorn of Pisut & Partners.

Thailand’s proposed reforms to its foreign business act promise a long-desired open investment climate, but questions of clarity, enforcement and fairness remain...

22/07/2025

Johnson Stokes & Master hires first partner since HK relaunch https://law.asia/johnson-stokes-master-joe-choy-hong-kong/

Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM) has onboarded Joe Choy as a new partner and co-head of its employment and benefits team to assist Chinese-speaking clients on employment and retirement schemes matters, JSM’s partner and employment and benefits co-head, Hong Tran, has told Asia Business Law Journal.

This is JSM’s first partner hire since it resumed operating as an independent law firm in Hong Kong, following its separation from Mayer Brown in December 2024. JSM had previously entered into a combination with Mayer Brown in 2008.

Choy rejoins JSM following a two-year tenure at Eversheds Sutherland, where he served as of counsel and led the firm’s Asia employment, labour and pensions team. Earlier in his career, he worked as a senior associate at Mayer Brown for five years. He is admitted to practise law in Hong Kong as well as the Greater Bay Area.

22/07/2025

Clifford Chance LLP has launched a dedicated transactional construction team in Australia to address the increase in capital deployments across sophisticated and innovative projects in various sectors in the country and the Asia-Pacific region.

Matthew Buchanan of Clifford Chance, told Asia Business Law Journal, that newly hired counsel Katie Joukadjian would lead the team and there was an associated expansion needing specialist procurement expertise.

Clifford Chance’s Nadia Kalic added, “While we have existing partners and counsel in Australia who advise on construction matters as part of their broader transactional, financing and disputes practices, Katie enhances this existing offering and brings a dedicated focus and deep expertise in this area.”

Joukadjian rejoins Clifford Chance from Pinsent Masons where she served as special counsel for five years. Prior to joining Pinsent Masons, she had worked at Clifford Chance’s United Arab Emirates office as senior associate for three years.

Clifford Chance has launched a dedicated transactional construction team in Australia to address the increase in capital deployments...

22/07/2025

Freshfields lifts tech, life sciences with Singapore partner https://law.asia/freshfields-expands-tech-life-sciences-singapore-partner-harry-evans/

Freshfields has added IP and technology, media and telecommunications partner, Harry Evans, to its global transactions practice in Singapore to expand capabilities in the tech and life sciences sectors.

“Harry strengthens our tech and life sciences capabilities in the region, with Singapore being an important regional hub for tech firms,” Freshfield’s Matthew O’Callaghan, told Asia Business Law Journal.

Evans joins Freshfields from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer in Singapore, where he served as co-head of the Asia IP and commercial team.

Evans will work closely with Richard Bird, head of IP and data practice group in Asia, as well as the wider global team, to grow its IP and data offering.

22/07/2025

Malaysian firm Zaid Ibrahim & Co’s deputy managing partner and co-head of its infrastructure, energy and utilities practice, Amin Abdul Majid, has been promoted as the firm’s new managing partner.

Majid joined Zaid Ibrahim & Co in 2011 and has advised clients and stakeholders on energy and infrastructure projects for nearly 20 years.

On Majid’s promotion, Gilbert Gan, the former managing partner, will now assume the role of senior partner at the firm.

Malaysian firm Zaid Ibrahim & Co’s deputy managing partner and co-head of its infrastructure, energy and utilities practice, Amin Abdul...

22/07/2025

Malaysia’s RDS Partnership adds partners amid market https://law.asia/malaysia-rds-partnership-adds-partners-market-shift/

RDS Partnership has strengthened its corporate practice with the appointment of two partners, Sharifah Hamzah and Hurriyyah Kamaruzzaman, to meet increasing demands in technology, energy and manufacturing.

Saravana Kumar of RDS Partnership, told Asia Business Law Journal that the firm’s move to strengthen its corporate practice was driven by multiple factors, including its strategic alliance with DeHeng Law Offices.

Hamzah was a partner at Foong & Partners in 2019.

Meanwhile, Kamaruzzaman worked as a legal associate at Zul Rafique & Partners.

The appointments of Hamzah and Kamaruzzaman are part of a broader plan to expand the firm’s capabilities not only in corporate but in other practice areas.

21/07/2025

Allen & Gledhill, Baker McKenzie, Clifford Chance LLP and Shook Lin & Bok have advised on the landmark SGD988 million (USD773 million) IPO of the NTT DC REIT on the Singapore Exchange on 14 July, making it the largest REIT listing on the SGX in more than a decade.

James Adams and Charles Whitefoord led a Baker McKenzie team as international counsel advising on the carve-out and listing of NTT DC REIT.

NTT DC REIT has also mandated Allen & Gledhill, who acted as Singapore legal counsel with a team led by Jerry Koh together with Chua Bor Jern and Victoria Leong.

Clifford Chance advised the issue’s joint managers, joint global co-ordinators, bookrunners and underwriters, Merrill Lynch, UBS, Mizuho, Citigroup and DBS. The Clifford Chance team was led by Jean Thio.

Shook Lin & Bok acted as Singapore legal adviser to the trustee.

The deal is the latest in a series of data centre transactions for NTT.

Allen & Gledhill, Baker McKenzie, Clifford Chance and Shook Lin & Bok have advised on the landmark SGD988 million (USD773 million) IPO...

18/07/2025

Johnson Stokes & Master has onboarded Joe Choy as a new partner and co-head of its employment and benefits team to assist Chinese-speaking clients on employment and retirement schemes matters, JSM’s partner and employment and benefits co-head, Hong Tran, has told Asia Business Law Journal.

Choy rejoins JSM following a two-year tenure at Eversheds Sutherland, where he served as of counsel and led the firm’s Asia employment, labour and pensions team. Earlier in his career, he worked as a senior associate at Mayer Brown for five years.

Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM) has onboarded Joe Choy as a new partner and co-head of its employment and benefits team to assist...

18/07/2025

New Jones Day partner deepens disputes bench in Singapore https://law.asia/jones-day-adds-kay-jannes-wegner-singapore-disputes-team/

Jones Day has strengthened its cross-border disputes offering in Asia with the addition of UK and Germany-qualified lawyer Kay-Jannes Wegner, who has 25 years of experience, as a partner in the firm’s Singapore office.

Prior to joining Jones Day, Wegner was a partner at Mayer Brown and a senior member of Kim & Chang’s international and cross-border litigation practice and head of its European arbitration desk.

Wegner worked as a senior associate at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and Clifford Chance before joining Kim & Chang in 2011.

18/07/2025

Freshfields has added IP and technology, media and telecommunications partner, Harry Evans, to its global transactions practice in Singapore to expand capabilities in the tech and life sciences sectors.

“Harry strengthens our tech and life sciences capabilities in the region, with Singapore being an important regional hub for tech firms,” Freshfield’s Matthew O’Callaghan, told Asia Business Law Journal.

Evans joins Freshfields from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer in Singapore, where he served as co-head of the Asia IP and commercial team.

Evans will work closely with Richard Bird, head of IP and data practice group in Asia, as well as the wider global team, to grow its IP and data offering.

Freshfields has added IP and technology, media and telecommunications partner, Harry Evans, to its global transactions practice...