Andrew Stoutley, chief operating officer of Tilleke & Gibbins, provided a lengthy quote to Asian Legal Business (ALB) for a recent feature on how law firms in Southeast Asia are increasingly using data analytics and information to drive their business strategy. The article featured contributions from a number of partners and executives from firms across Southeast Asia on the different ways that their firms are applying data to their operations and incorporating information and analytics into their strategic decision-making processes. In his contribution, Andrew explained that as technology has become central to virtually all operations at Tilleke & Gibbins, metrics and data have been harnessed to inform decisions at all levels. To illustrate this, he gave the example of a broad strategic planning process that the firm has undertaken to lay out strategy for the coming years. Identifying and gathering key quantitative and qualitative data points was crucial to the process, which considers every element of the firm’s planned operations for the next several years. Andrew went on to discuss the importance of determining how best to share the data with the relevant stakeholders, such as through visualizations or dashboards that allow staff to monitor the progress of operations. The other informants for the article reported a similar uptick in reliance on data—such as in competitive intelligence, billing, and matter management—and emphasized the necessity for firms to recognize the value of data as a resource that must be protected and used wisely. The full article is available on page 4 of the September 2021 issue of ALB.

On September 14, Dino Santaniello, head of Tilleke & Gibbins in Laos, spoke in a webinar titled “Starting a Business in Laos.” The webinar, which was hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce in Laos (ECCIL), featured four business and legal experts sharing insights on how entrepreneurs, investors, and multinationals can set up a company and obtain work permits in Laos. In his presentation, Dino focused on the legal framework for business establishment in Laos and offered some practical tips on how the process is conducted locally. Together, the speakers highlighted the significant opportunity available to business operations in Laos, and discussed the competitive advantages and challenges of carrying out business activities in the jurisdiction. They also discussed taxation and financial best practices, such as opening a corporate bank account. The well-attended webinar attracted many entrepreneurs, investors, executives, and others interested in potentially setting up business operations in Laos.

On September 9, Dino Santaniello, head of Tilleke & Gibbins in Laos, will speak in a construction and real estate webinar hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce in Laos (ECCIL). In the webinar, which will feature expert speakers from the legal and real estate industries, Dino will focus on the legal and regulatory environment regarding land ownership, commercial investment in Laos, real estate due diligence, and other real estate project-related activities. Dino and his fellow speakers will provide entrepreneurs, investors, project managers, and other interested parties with key insights on real estate and construction in Laos, as well as an understanding of the new Law on Land and related investment opportunities in the country. For more details and registration information, please visit the ECCIL website.

Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution team members delivered a three-day Thai-language webinar series from August 24 to 26, focusing primarily on complex civil litigation in the construction sector. Pathanin Sornchangwat, associate, and Suruswadee Jaimsuwan, counsel, presented the first session titled “Lawyers and a Solution to Construction Business and Contracts.” During the event, they discussed common problems in the construction sector, provided practical advice on how companies can examine contracts to prevent unexpected complications, and addressed the role of lawyers in settling disputes. On the next day, Chusert Supasitthumrong, partner, and Pongpalin Chantrapirom, associate, discussed termination of business contracts. Chusert first explained principles of termination, including cause, methods, results, damages, and key issues businesses should be aware of. Pongpalin then addressed bases for termination of a logistics contract, pointed out particularly notable elements of a contract, highlighted key differences between contract types, and shared precedent cases from the Supreme Court. In the final webinar, Dutsadee Dutsadeepanich, associate, and Noppramart Thammateeradaycho, counsel, discussed issues related to permit withdrawal—informed by previous condominium cases. They noted some consequences of the action, and shared  legal defenses that condominium project owners might use when facing such an obstacle. They also shared their insights on the ongoing case regarding a recent court ruling on the construction permit of Ananda Development’s Ashton Asoke condominium project. Video recordings of all three sessions (in Thai) are available to watch on the Tilleke & Gibbins YouTube channel.