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September 26, 2023

Tilleke & Gibbins Joins Drew Network Asia to Fuel Strategic Expansion and Legal Excellence

On September 26, 2023, Tilleke & Gibbins joined Drew Network Asia (DNA), a network of blue-chip law firms in Southeast Asia, expanding the network to a total of nine countries and 824 fee earners in Southeast Asia.

Formed in March 2020, DNA brings together some of the most influential and well-established law firms in Southeast Asia, namely Drew & Napier from Singapore, Makarim & Taira S. from Indonesia, Shearn Delamore & Co. from Malaysia, and Martinez Vergara & Gonzalez Sociedad (MVGS) from the Philippines. The addition of Tilleke & Gibbins further expands the network’s regional footprint in Southeast Asia, which now boasts a total headcount of over 1,600 in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

“We are delighted to become a part of DNA,” said Tiziana Sucharitkul, Managing Partner of Tilleke & Gibbins, “because being part of this network provides a platform for our clients to access the top lawyers in the region who will facilitate their legal needs and strategic ambitions in Southeast Asia. For over 130 years, Tilleke & Gibbins has been helping enterprises around the world achieve their business goals in Southeast Asia, and we are excited to continue our commitment to serving our clients as part of this network. We look forward to working hand in hand with the best lawyers in the region to enable this and to deliver the finest seamless legal advice and representation to our clients.”

Cavinder Bull SC, CEO, Drew & Napier said, “We are excited to have Tilleke & Gibbins join the network. DNA was created to enable pillar firms to service their clients’ multijurisdictional needs. With DNA covering almost the whole of Southeast Asia, we now have the capability to provide clients with seamless and integrated legal services of the highest quality throughout the region.”

“With the addition of Tilleke & Gibbins, we have significantly amplified our regional presence. I believe that DNA will become a formidable option for multijurisdictional legal work in the region.” said Dhinesh Bhaskaran, Managing Partner of Shearn Delamore & Co.

Maria Sagrado, Managing Partner, Makarim & Taira S. said, “The addition of Tilleke & Gibbins to the DNA family marks a significant milestone for our network, and underscores our unwavering pursuit of excellence. Together, we will leverage on our combined strengths to drive positive change to the legal industry.”

“We welcome Tilleke & Gibbins into our dynamic network which now has presence in almost the whole of Southeast Asia. By uniting our expertise and resources in DNA, we are poised to meet the needs of our clients more effectively and gain a competitive edge over other networks.” said Manuel Z. Gonzalez, Managing Partner of MVGS.

DNA is a cross-border ‘firm of firms’ that operates as a united collective, bringing both international perspectives and local expertise to the table. DNA operates as a one-stop shop in handling complex and time-sensitive multijurisdictional transactions or disputes.

Each DNA member firm upholds a stellar reputation that is built on consistently delivering premium legal advice alongside a world-class service experience. This unwavering commitment is recognized by clients and peers and has earned DNA firms top rankings in the world’s most prestigious legal publications.

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June 20, 2022
On June 17, 2022, two attorneys in the firm’s corporate and commercial group in Bangkok—Charuwan Charoonchitsathian, partner, and Gvavalin Mahakunkitchareon, associate—were keynote speakers for a special focus session organized by the Thailand office of Plug and Play Tech Center. During the session, Charuwan and Gvavalin walked attendees through the latest legal developments applicable to innovative technologies in the smart cities sector, including: Artificial intelligence (AI), cloud services, and internet of things (IOT); Data protection updates from the recent PDPA public hearings; and Evolving cybersecurity regulations. The Plug and Play Tech Center in Bangkok is the local branch of global startup ecosystem and innovation hub helping entrepreneurs gain access to expertise, guidance, and structural support needed to grow their business. For more information, please see the Plug and Play Tech Center website.
June 17, 2022
On June 16, 2022, Tilleke & Gibbins opened its Bangkok office for a press conference, executive meeting, and preview event for the upcoming Future Energy Asia & Future Mobility Asia Exhibition and Summit 2022. The event comprised three sessions—a media Q&A session, an executive committee meeting, and a networking cocktail reception and tour of the firm’s Museum of Counterfeit Goods. In the executive committee meeting, Joseph Tomkiewicz, partner and chair of the firm’s regional energy industry team (and member of the conference committee), was joined by high-profile representatives in the industry. Together they shared insights and discussed the future direction of the energy sector in Asia. The event concluded with a networking session and a tour of the firm’s well-known Museum of Counterfeit Goods. The opportunity to connect with other key players in the energy sector attracted top-level guests from leading organizations in Thailand and Southeast Asia, including the Ministry of Energy as well as BCPG, Bangkok Industrial Gas Company Limited, Energy Absolute, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, and Schneider Electric. The Future Energy Asia & Future Mobility Asia Exhibition and Summit 2022 will take place at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) on July 20–22. Joseph and Sher Hann Chua, consultant in the firm’s intellectual property group, will be guest speakers. For more information about the event, please visit the conference website.
June 15, 2022
On June 14, Auaychai Sukawong, partner and head of Tilleke & Gibbins’ regional tax practice, spoke at an OmegaWorldClass event in Bangkok titled “International Tax Planning in Practice.” The event focused on providing Thai companies with in-depth information to guide their outbound investment plans. Joined by other accomplished experts in the tax and legal sector, Auaychai shared his perspective on how careful tax planning can increase cash flow and minimize risk in international investment activities. He also added various practical insights from his work assisting investors and entrepreneurs with their international tax planning needs. OmegaWorldClass is an independent research institute based in Bangkok, founded to offer forward-looking business insights to corporate leaders and executives. The institute hosts conferences and seminars on a wide range of business-oriented topics. As one of Thailand’s foremost voices on tax issues—particularly tax structuring and tax planning strategies in Southeast Asia—Auaychai is a valuable addition to the OmegaWorldClass offerings.
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