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.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'I have found Tilleke & Gibbons especially adept at considering the practical application of complicated legal topics.'
- 'Derrick Khoo is very approachable, listens well, and offers practical advice.'
- 'The Tilleke & Gibbins team is unique in that they cover all the jurisdictions in Southeast Asia that we need, in particular, Myanmar which is a very difficult jurisdiction to navigate. The firm provides practical advice to navigate through these difficult jurisdictions.'
- 'Derrick Khoo is the standout. He has a proactive approach to advising clients like us, often anticipating our needs before they arise. He provides tailored, strategic advice that aligns with our evolving business goals. Derrick's exceptional client focus is evident in his hands-on management of complex cross-border transactions and his ability to offer innovative solutions under challenging circumstances. His dedication to understanding our unique situation makes him an invaluable partner, providing guidance that extends beyond traditional legal services to deliver real business impact.'
- 'They are legally sound and really understand the business environment and legal framework in Myanmar, particularly interpretation of law by government departments which is always changing, as well as unpublished changing legal practices that are implemented by the authorities frequently. They provide advice and practical experience on how to manage risk and deal with uncertainty.'
- 'The key partner is Derrick Khoo. He has a very strong commercial acumen and aligns his legal advice closely with our commercial goals, delivering advice that is both thoughtful and solution-oriented. Rather than merely reciting legal provisions which we hear other law firms do, Derrick often borrows from his past international experience managing complex environments to provide innovative and practical solutions in Myanmar. His ability to navigate an increasingly tricky legal environment, and his knack for assessing and advising on risk mitigation both legal and non-legal, sets him apart as truly exceptional.'
- 'They have deep local knowledge of the market and professionals who truly understand the needs of their clients. We have worked with them for quite some time now and we are pleased to receive the tailored advice and service that we need.'
- 'The individual we work with directly understands what the challenges are in the local market, especially as we navigate in a very complicated and difficult market in Myanmar. The understanding of cross border legal requirements and coming up with solutions that allow us to overcome the hurdles we face in multiple countries is what makes its professional different from others.'
Key clients
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation
- AvePoint
- Bloomberg
- Brighter PTT Oil and Retail Business Company Limited
- Heineken Myanmar
- KBZ Bank
- KBZ Group
- Marsh
- Meta Platforms, Inc.
- Myanmar Information Highway
Work highlights
- Acted for an energy drink manufacturers on all legal matters in connection with its approximately $7m joint venture for the establishment of a major manufacturing facility in Myanmar.
- Defended a paint manufacturer against a complaint of unfair competition practices brought under the Competition Law 2015.
- Advised a client on the establishment of a joint venture in Myanmar to operate a factory for the production of food products.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Yuwadee Thean-Ngarm, Derrick Khoo