Displaying ‘dedication, expertise, and a client-focused approach’, DFDL Legal & Tax assists clients with a large market share and a strong presence in Myanmar, as well as household name global clients. The group stands out for its work on a range of corporate matters including financing, transactions and commercial deals, and especially the structuring of foreign direct investment. Practice head Nishant Choudhary often advises on large scale transactions in the aviation industry, while Mar Mau Aung is the one to turn to for matters in the real estate, mining and infrastructure sectors.

Tilleke & Gibbins’ practice caters to international companies looking to expand into Myanmar or invest into the country, utilising its larger network of offices throughout Asia to deal with cross-border matters for prestigious clients, as well as providing advice on private equity advice and joint ventures. Yuwadee Thean-Ngarm is a key name in the foreign direct investment, leading the team alongside UK-qualified lawyer Derrick Khoo, who is pivotal in the team’s work for Chinese investors into the power and manufacturing industries. Myanmar-qualified associate Nwe Oo is a versatile practitioner who local clients can turn for commercial and corporate advice.

Allen & Gledhill (Myanmar) Co., Ltd fields a mixture of Myanmar-qualified and foreign-qualified lawyers who have handled and continue to handle precedent setting M&A matters in Myanmar across a range of sectors, including banking, energy, and real estate. The firm has a particularly strong track record assisting foreign clients entering the insurance sector. Minn Naing Oo is an ‘extremely seasoned multi-jurisdiction qualified lawyer’, heads up the team together with managing director Oh Hsiu-Hau, a key contact for joint ventures and private equity transactions.

Duane Morris & Selvam (Myanmar) Limited has a varied practice that is not confined to general corporate matters, but extends to work including joint venture agreements, direct foreign investment and complex transactions in a range of industries. Leon Yee, who splits his time between Singapore, Myanmar and China, runs the team with Priyank Srivastava, who splits his time between India, Myanmar, and Singapore, leaving the pair well placed to advice on multijurisdictional commercial and corporate issues. Yee is a go-to practitioner for corporate governance issues, restructurings and joint ventures, whereas Srivastava stands out for his M&A work in the energy sector.

Myanmar Legal Mori Hamada Limited adopts a multidisciplinary approach in order to assist clients requiring corporate advice related to regulatory issues and disputes, while also handling precedent setting joint ventures for large corporations in sectors such as infrastructure and manufacturing. Practice head Takeshi Mukawa is prominent in this regard due to his experience in the investments and M&A realm. Fellow practice head Kana Manabe is also adept when it comes to M&A transactions given her presence in a range of joint venture transactions between Japanese companies and those in Myanmar. Atsushi Inoue is a corporate and securities law expert, and Khin Cho Kyi is also a key name to note in the team.

The group at Nishimura & Asahi represents large Japanese investors, as well as advising foreign businesses and state bodies on day-to-day commercial and corporate issues within Myanmar-based corporations such as withdrawals, downsizing, and crisis management. Team leader Yusuke Yukawa often advises companies on conflict resolution but has a notably broad practice, with an ability to advise on foreign investment in a range of industries. At associate level, Saw Nyan Htun is adept at handling a variety of corporate matters, and matters at the intersection of corporate and labour law. Counsel Kyi Chan Nyein is a go-to lawyer for authorities in Myanmar.

Rajah & Tann Myanmar Company Limited hosts a large team with a core strength in acquisition finance, and the fintech industry more widely, in addition to its focus on Myanmar laws in relation to corporate advice. The group is also active when it comes to asset sales and M&A matters, which form a large part of the group’s work. Chester Toh brings a strong knowledge of the regulatory risk assessment which he draws on to assist clients undertaking cross-border investments. Toh and Min Thein, whose practice revolves around assisting international clients with foreign investment, head up the team.

VDB Loi is lauded for its ‘insight to the general economic situation in the very challenging Myanmar environment’, and is known for its experience acting in significant financings in Myanmar. The group has a client roster featuring large international banks and other financial institutions. Foreign investment is a focus of the firm’s work, while also providing the full suite of corporate advice. Edwin Vanderbruggen and Jean Loi who run the team are both proficient in these areas, recently assisting two newly-licensed foreign banks to set up in Myanmar.