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.

Michelle Ray-Jones, consultant, and Ploynapa Julagasigorn, associate, have been elected to the board of the Licensing and Executives Society (LES) Thailand, as announced at the LES Thailand annual conference on September 9–10, 2021. Michelle is the new president for the coming term, while Ploynapa is the society’s secretary. As board members, Michelle and Ploynapa are responsible for guiding LES policies and activities as it seeks to promote knowledge sharing and education on licensing, advocate for licensing issues to governmental and international bodies, and encourage standards and best practices among licensing executives. Their assumption of these leadership roles is also an indication of the growing diversity and gender parity in the licensing industry, which has often been male dominated in the past. Tilleke & Gibbins was one of the five founding members of LES Thailand when it was established in 2013. Since then the organization has expanded to offer seminars, events, and conferences throughout the year to help licensing professionals stay up to date on important current concerns and trends in licensing activities. For more information on LES Thailand’s Annual Conference 2021, please visit the LES Thailand website.

On September 10, Noppramart Thammateeradaycho, a counsel in Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution group in Bangkok, participated in a session on the Ashton Asoke condominium dispute, hosted by YTHAC, the young members group of the Thailand Arbitration Center. The discussion was held on the Clubhouse platform and focused on the long-running dispute over the Ashton Asoke luxury high-rise condominium, which has recently returned to the spotlight after a Central Administrative Court ruling on July 30, 2021, revoked the condominium’s construction permit and other related governmental authorizations. As the condominium has already been completed and is occupied by residents, the stakes of the dispute are very high. The speakers in the YTHAC session addressed the role of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in the Ashton Asoke dispute, and explained how ADR practices such as arbitration can potentially lead to a solution to the impasse.