LLM, University College London
LLB, University of Reading
+66 2056 5765 
Sher Hann Chua is a consultant in Tilleke & Gibbins’ Bangkok and Yangon offices. Her practice focuses on intellectual property (IP) for the firm’s offices across the region, and corporate and commercial matters in emerging markets. Sher Hann represents a broad range of clients across industries that include automotive, energy, entertainment, food and beverage, life sciences, media, sports, real estate, and technology. She is a trusted advisor for IP, technology, and data transactions, and has extensive experience handling IP due diligence exercises, audits, valuations, acquisitions, and licensing and franchising projects. She has also regularly appeared before trademark registrars and government bodies on behalf of brand owners in negotiations, IP enforcement actions, and regulatory affairs matters.
Sher Hann was ranked in World IP Review’s 2022 Leaders list and their 2020 list of Influential Women in IP, which profiles 100 of the world’s leading female IP practitioners. She is also recognized as a leading trademark lawyer in the annual WTR 1000 rankings, which in 2020 highlighted her “practical and tenacious problem-solving ability.” Sher Hann was the recipient of the International Trademark Association’s (INTA) highly coveted Tomorrow’s Leader Award in 2019—an award that recognizes young practitioners around the world who have shown exceptional leadership in the field of IP. She was also recognized as a “Rising Star” in the practice areas of IP and Corporate & Commercial in Asialaw Profiles 2019.
Sher Hann is co-head of the firm’s regional China desk, and is a director of the Malaysian-Thai Chamber of Commerce. Sher Hann is appointed to the INTA Emerging Issues Committee, and serves on the group’s Cannabis Subcommittee. She is also a prolific author and a regular speaker at both domestic and international conferences and events.
Sher Hann received her LLB from the University of Reading and holds an LLM in Intellectual Property Law from University College London. She is dual-qualified as a solicitor (non-practicing) in England and Wales and as an advocate and solicitor in Malaysia, and is fluent in English, Chinese, and Bahasa Malaysia.
- Advised one of the world’s largest social network companies on various aspects of their expansion into the Myanmar telecommunications industry, including advice on telecommunication laws and regulations, incorporating a local entity, a proposed acquisition, and licensing issues.
- Assisted a world-leading diversified entertainment conglomerate on all matters related to their entry into the Myanmar market—one of the few jurisdiction in which it did not have a presence.
- Represented a leading Korean beauty products company on the prosecution and enforcement of their IP rights against online and offline infringers in Myanmar and across Southeast Asia. We also acted for the same client on restructuring their local business units in Thailand, which involved transitioning the units into franchising structures.
- Advised a French football club on the expansion of their football academy schooling services into Thailand, including strategic and separate IP licensing arrangements across various Thai partners to cover different goods and services.
- Advised an innovative market leader in the ophthalmology device manufacturing industry on negotiations with various government agencies in Thailand for a collaborative R&D agreement in relation to the development of intraocular lenses.
- Assisted a Korean quick service food franchisor with the restructuring of their franchisee’s businesses in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam, and advised on how the reorganization affects the master franchise’s business.
- Obtained a favorable outcome for a leading German luxury car manufacturer in relation to the unauthorized use of its trademarks and sale of accessories by an automotive parts dealer in Myanmar. The infringer changed the name of their business, removed all references to our client’s trademarks, ceased the sale of infringing products, and paid a monetary compensation to our client.
- Acted for a Malaysian government entity in a due diligence project for the potential acquisition of 20% equity in an entity that had a subsidiary in Myanmar with extensive land holdings, including 900+ telecommunication towers located in different regions around the country.
- Advised the subsidiary of one of the world’s largest mobile telecommunications companies on the legal and regulatory aspects concerning the development and use of their cross-device advertising software and the provision of such interest-based services in a Southeast Asian jurisdiction.
- Advised a global pharmaceutical company on all facets of its market entry into Myanmar, including appointment and termination of managers, preparation of employment agreements and policies, reviewing and advising on anti-corruption policies, checking local hospital practices, and advising on advertising rules and product regulatory issues, among other things.
- Advised a Chinese technology and consumer electronics company on data privacy and telecommunications regulations governing the incorporation of a call-recording functionality on mobile phones that will be marketed in a developing country.
- Secured a favorable outcome for a leading advertising company in a dispute over a domain name before an arbitration agency. An order was imposed on the counterparty to cancel its domain name.
- Advised a telecommunications company listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong on the regulations applicable to launching a film and music streaming service on the Internet.
- Provided ongoing assistance to a French fashion brand in its anticounterfeiting activities and advised on matters including jewelry making, trade descriptions, and retaining counterfeit goods subsequent to a raid action.
- Drafted and negotiated intellectual property licensing and technology agreements in setting up one of the largest e-commerce websites in the region, which involved a joint venture between a South Korean e-commerce company and a Malaysian telecommunications service provider.
- Represented an oil and gas company and its subsidiaries in the defense against an allegation of passing off.