Asia Business Law Journal

14/08/2025

Chandler Mori Hamada Limited has hired a tax team consisting of senior partner Piphob Veraphong, partner Rachanee Prasongprasit and associate Theeravuth Temsiriwattanaku to establish a tax practice in Thailand.

“The tax team would supplement our M&A and corporate advisory work, as well as provide an opportunity to build out some capabilities on the dispute side because of the potential tax disputes that we can likely advise upon,” V Joseph Tisuthiwongse of Chandler Mori Hamada, said.

In addition to the three new tax lawyers, the firm has also hired Surapol Srangsomwong as senior adviser in its dispute resolution team.

Veraphong joins the firm from LawAlliance where he served as co-founder and partner for 23 years. Prior to establishing his own firm, Veraphong worked as partner at Linklaters for four years and Baker McKenzie for nine years.

Prasongprasit also joins the firm from LawAlliance. Additionally, she worked as a tax practitioner at Baker McKenzie and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Temsiriwattanaku is a tax law academic and practitioner in Thailand.

Meanwhile, Srangsomwong also co-founded LawAlliance and joins the firm from Herbert Smith Freehills in Bangkok where he previously served as managing partner and worked as a partner for 18 years. He also currently serves as director at publicly listed Thai company Loxley, Thai jewellery company Gold Master and the office of Thai Commercial Arbitration.

Chandler Mori Hamada has hired a tax team consisting of senior partner Piphob Veraphong, partner Rachanee Prasongprasit⁠ and associate Theeravuth Temsiriwattanaku to establish a tax practice in Thailand.

14/08/2025

Firms lead on Blackstone’s largest Japan acquisition to date https://law.asia/blackstone-largest-japan-acquisition-technopro-holdings/

Blackstone, advised by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, has launched a USD3.5 billion buyout of Japanese IT services provider TechnoPro Holdings in what will be the US global private equity firm’s largest investment to date in Japan.

TechnoPro, which is currently listed in the prime section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, has mandated TMI 総合法律事務所 as legal counsel. The IT services provider has also set up a special committee consisting of three independent outside directors including Kazuhiko Yamada of Nakamura, Tsunoda & Matsumoto.

To carry out its duties, the special committee appointed Mori Hamada & Matsumoto as its legal adviser.

“As legal adviser to the special committee, we provided advice on the bidding process, candidate selection procedures and negotiation of transaction terms from the perspective of ensuring the fairness of the transaction,” Mori Hamada’s Kenichi Sekiguchi, who led the team advising the special committee with Kensuke Sakajiri, said.

A multi-jurisdictional Simpson Thacher team advised Blackstone, consisting of Anthony King, Makiko Harunari, and Étienne Renaudeau. Kazuaki Tobioka led Anderson Mori’s team advising the US global private equity firm as Japanese counsel.

14/08/2025

Corrs Chambers Westgarth has hired Tim Gordon as a partner in its corporate practice in Sydney to focus on M&A transactions for listed companies, and Australian and international private equity funds, sovereign funds, multi-platform alternative asset managers and superannuation funds.

“We expect Tim to focus on coverage for global PE, domestic and international technology M&A opportunities, and to build on our strong relationships with leading independent firms,” Corrs' Gavin MacLaren told Asia Business Law Journal.

Gordon will join the firm on 25 August from Gilbert + Tobin where he currently serves as the executive partner and head of the corporate advisory group.

Gordon will be working with other senior practitioners at Corrs, such as Sandy Mak, the head of corporate practice, said MacLaren.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth has hired Tim Gordon as a partner in its corporate practice in Sydney to focus on M&A...

14/08/2025

With Indonesia emerging as a prime destination for foreign investment, M&A offers a strategic gateway, although not without legal complexities.

Eva Djauhari, Bondan Nugroho and Wilson Fu of DeHeng ARKO Law Office outline key legal, risk, and strategic factors for successful M&A in Indonesia’s growing market.

With Indonesia emerging as a prime destination for foreign investment, M&A offers a strategic gateway, although not without legal complexities...

14/08/2025

Focus Law names ex-GXS Bank, APEX GC as new corporate leader https://law.asia/focus-law-asia-appoints-elizabeth-fong/

Singapore boutique firm Focus Law Asia, has recruited Elizabeth Fong as director and head of corporate – most recently a general counsel and company secretary at both GXS Bank and Asia Pacific Exchange (APEX) – to expand the firm’s expertise in corporate and commercial transactions.

“Elizabeth’s arrival bolsters our ability to offer best-in-class, end-to-end support, from structuring entities and assisting with regulatory approvals, to advising boards and management on governance, executing high-stakes commercial and corporate transactions, and advancing the wider community through impact law,” Shem Khoo of Focus Law, said.

Prior to working at GXS Bank and APEX, Fong held Asia-Pacific privacy roles at JP Morgan and Meta.

13/08/2025

Asia Business Law Journal seeks input from counsel and professionals to identify Korea’s top private practice lawyers.

Access the nomination form below 👇
https://research.law.asia/zs/WCD9Xl

The nomination deadline is until August 18, 2025 (Monday).

We are eager for your involvement!

Your response would be greatly appreciated.

13/08/2025

M&A regulatory landscape in Asia https://law.asia/ma-regulatory-landscape-asia/

Evolution of the regulatory environment in Taiwan, India, Japan, South Korea, mainland China and Thailand aim to address dynamic shifts in mergers and acquisitions.

Featuring insights from:
William Qiu, Johnson Zhu and Yuanyuan Tao of Zhong Lun;
Rabindra Jhunjhunwala, Avik Biswas and Saranya Mishra of Khaitan & Co;
Takao Kitano of Mori Hamada & Matsumoto;
Tae Hyun Lee, Hyo Jeong Ko and Young Seok Cheon of Jipyong;
James Hsiao and Iting Huang of Dentons;
Chai Lertvittayachaikul, Chai Lertvittayachaikul, Kamonrat Kongtheing and Panupong Wongmueang of Kudun & Partners.

12/08/2025

HFW has hired Elizabeth Sloane as a partner in Melbourne to expand its service in the international shipping and commodities sectors in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Elizabeth’s practice will both complement and supplement the firm’s client base, and she will work with a range of shipping sector clients, including shipowners and charterers, IG P&I Clubs (International Group of Protection and Indemnity Clubs), insurers, commodity traders, banks and financiers,” Gavin Vallely of HFW, said.

Sloane has rejoined HFW after spending five years as a partner at Stephenson Harwood in Hong Kong. She previously worked at HFW’s Hong Kong office from 2008 to 2016.

In addition, she served as president and board member of the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association Hong Kong SAR China from 2017 to 2023.

HFW has hired Elizabeth Sloane as a partner in Melbourne to expand its service in the international shipping and commodities sectors...

12/08/2025

Thailand’s M&A landscape continues to evolve in response to global and domestic pressures. Economic recovery post-pandemic, geopolitical realignments, regulatory reforms and environmental concerns have all played a role in shaping recent M&A activity in the country.

While deal volume has moderated in the past year due to macroeconomic headwinds and tightened capital markets, investor interest remains strong across several key sectors.

Chai Lertvittayachaikul, Bongkotkan Chumsai Na Ayudhya, Kamonrat Kongtheing and Panupong Wongmueang of Kudun and Partners, examine Thailand’s evolving M&A landscape driven by reforms, ESG, and key growth sectors.

Thailand’s M&A landscape continues to evolve in response to global and domestic pressures. Economic recovery post-pandemic...

12/08/2025

Chandler Mori Hamada forms tax team, lifts dispute resolution https://law.asia/chandler-mori-hamada-forms-tax-team-thailand/

Chandler Mori Hamada Limited has hired a tax team consisting of senior partner Piphob Veraphong, partner Rachanee Prasongprasit and associate Theeravuth Temsiriwattanaku to establish a tax practice in Thailand.

“The tax team would supplement our M&A and corporate advisory work, as well as provide an opportunity to build out some capabilities on the dispute side because of the potential tax disputes that we can likely advise upon,” V Joseph Tisuthiwongse of Chandler Mori Hamada, said.

In addition to the three new tax lawyers, the firm has also hired Surapol Srangsomwong as senior adviser in its dispute resolution team.

Veraphong joins the firm from LawAlliance where he served as co-founder and partner for 23 years. Prior to establishing his own firm, Veraphong worked as partner at Linklaters for four years and Baker McKenzie for nine years.

Prasongprasit also joins the firm from LawAlliance. Additionally, she worked as a tax practitioner at Baker McKenzie and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Temsiriwattanaku is a tax law academic and practitioner in Thailand.

Meanwhile, Srangsomwong also co-founded LawAlliance and joins the firm from Herbert Smith Freehills in Bangkok where he previously served as managing partner and worked as a partner for 18 years. He also currently serves as director at publicly listed Thai company Loxley, Thai jewellery company Gold Master and the office of Thai Commercial Arbitration.

12/08/2025

Blackstone, advised by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, has launched a USD3.5 billion buyout of Japanese IT services provider TechnoPro Holdings in what will be the US global private equity firm’s largest investment to date in Japan.

TechnoPro, which is currently listed in the prime section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, has mandated TMI 総合法律事務所 as legal counsel. The IT services provider has also set up a special committee consisting of three independent outside directors including Kazuhiko Yamada of Nakamura, Tsunoda & Matsumoto.

To carry out its duties, the special committee appointed Mori Hamada & Matsumoto as its legal adviser.

“As legal adviser to the special committee, we provided advice on the bidding process, candidate selection procedures and negotiation of transaction terms from the perspective of ensuring the fairness of the transaction,” Mori Hamada’s Kenichi Sekiguchi, who led the team advising the special committee with Kensuke Sakajiri, said.

A multi-jurisdictional Simpson Thacher team advised Blackstone, consisting of Anthony King, Makiko Harunari, and Étienne Renaudeau. Kazuaki Tobioka led Anderson Mori’s team advising the US global private equity firm as Japanese counsel.

Blackstone, advised by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, has launched a USD3.5 billion buyout of Japanese IT...

12/08/2025

Singapore boutique firm Focus Law Asia, has recruited Elizabeth Fong as director and head of corporate – most recently a general counsel and company secretary at both GXS Bank and Asia Pacific Exchange (APEX) – to expand the firm’s expertise in corporate and commercial transactions.

“Elizabeth’s arrival bolsters our ability to offer best-in-class, end-to-end support, from structuring entities and assisting with regulatory approvals, to advising boards and management on governance, executing high-stakes commercial and corporate transactions, and advancing the wider community through impact law,” Shem Khoo of Focus Law, said.

Prior to working at GXS Bank and APEX, Fong held Asia-Pacific privacy roles at JP Morgan and Meta.

Singapore boutique firm Focus Law Asia, has recruited Elizabeth Fong as director and head of corporate – most recently a general counsel...