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Biography

Atul Lakshman is a consultant at Tilleke & Gibbins in Bangkok, where he regularly provides advice and assistance to domestic and international clients on high-value, fast-paced, and complex cross-border transactions, as well as general corporate matters. He handles a wide range of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, venture capital and other strategic transactions on both the buy and sell sides across Southeast Asia for clients in infrastructure, manufacturing, technology, and other sectors. He is also involved in advising businesses in emerging economies such as Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos.

Prior to joining Tilleke & Gibbins, Atul practiced in multiple leading law firms in India, where he facilitated major transactions and provided complex corporate legal advice for clients across aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, fintech, venture capital, and a range of other industries.

Atul holds an LLM in International Financial Law from King’s College, London, a master’s degree in Security and Defence Laws from NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, and a BA and LLB from Bangalore Institute of Legal Studies, an affiliate of Karnataka State Law University. He is qualified to practice law by the Bar Council of India (Karnataka) and speaks fluent English, Hindi, and Kannada.

Experience

  • Advised one of the biggest multinational state-owned Chinese shipping and logistics conglomerates in the world in its acquisition of one of the largest ports in Myanmar, as part of a worldwide acquisition of ports involving more than 25 jurisdictions and 200 shipping and logistics companies.
  • Advised a Hong Kong based client with a wide Southeast Asia presence in conducting extensive pre-IPO Myanmar due diligence, review of definitive documents, and rectification of non-compliances.
  • Actively advising the world’s biggest electric vehicle manufacturer in a strategic joint venture in Thailand for development, installation and distribution of an ultra-fast electric vehicle charging ecosystem.
  • Assisted a leading Thai securities brokerage company in structuring offshore sale of its shares in a licensed Myanmar securities brokerage firm.
  • Assisted a leading Indian space-tech startup involved in engineering, design, development, and testing of all aspects of affordable satellites and launch vehicles in its early-stage and growth-stage domestic and foreign transactions.
  • Represented a leading offshore Chinese technology company in its acquisition of shares in entities located in Philippines, Cambodia, and Myanmar, as part of a debt-offset arrangement.
  • Advised UK-based shareholders and an Indian company involved in manufacture, distribution, sale and service of vacuum pumps and vacuum pumping systems in its 100% share acquisition by a Swedish group of companies.
  • Provided end-to-end transaction assistance, including due diligence support, to a strategic Indian venture capital fund in all its early-stage investments in domestic and overseas companies that predominantly operate in the technology sector.
  • Advised an electric-automobile giant in its corporate due diligence in Thailand and strategic partnership in Cambodia.
  • Assisted a Bangalore-based automotive company on its business acquisition and hiring of several key employees of a competing business in the automotive sector, and assisted existing shareholders of the acquiring company in their successful exits.
ABOUT Atul

Practices

Corporate/M&A

Languages

    English

    Hindi

    Kannada

Education

    LLM, King’s College, London

    MA, NALSAR University of Law

    BA and LLB, Karnataka State Law University

Insights

August 20, 2026
As part of its membership in Lex Mundi, Tilleke & Gibbins has released the latest edition of its Guide to Doing Business in Thailand, providing an overview of the legal, regulatory, and commercial considerations for companies establishing or expanding operations in Thailand. The 2026 edition offers practical insight into the country’s business environment, investment framework, and operational requirements. The guide covers a wide range of topics relevant to foreign and domestic investors, including: Investment incentives and promotion schemes Financial facilities and banking regulations Exchange controls and money transfers Import and export regulations Business structures and incorporation options Requirements for establishing a business Operational and compliance considerations Business cessation and insolvency procedures Employment and labor laws Taxation Immigration and visa requirements Prepared by Tilleke & Gibbins lawyers across multiple practice areas, the publication outlines key aspects of doing business in Thailand, including foreign investment restrictions, regulatory compliance obligations, corporate structures, employment requirements, and recent legal and economic developments affecting investors. The publication forms part of Lex Mundi’s Country Guides series, a global collection of jurisdiction-specific reference materials prepared by member firms around the world. Together, these guides help companies evaluate opportunities, compare regulatory environments, and plan international business activities across multiple markets. The full Guide to Doing Business in Thailand 2026 is available through the button below.
May 2, 2025
Attorneys from Tilleke & Gibbins have updated the latest edition of Doing Business in Thailand, a Q&A-style guide from Thomson Reuters Practical Law that offers an overview of key legal considerations for companies operating in jurisdictions worldwide. The contribution outlines the country’s legal and regulatory framework for foreign investment and business operations and reflects the latest legislative developments. The chapter addresses the following core topics: Legal system: Structure of the courts and the codified nature of Thai law. Foreign investment: Business restrictions under the Foreign Business Act, sector-specific regulations, exchange control rules, and investment incentives. Business vehicles: Overview of partnerships, private and public limited companies, and other legal entities. Employment: Labor protections, employment contracts, foreign worker requirements, and termination procedures. Tax: Corporate and personal income tax, indirect taxes, and tax obligations for residents and non-residents. Intellectual property: Registration and enforcement of patents, trademarks, designs, and copyrights. Data protection: Key provisions of the Personal Data Protection Act and related compliance obligations. Competition law: Regulatory framework under the Trade Competition Act. Anti-bribery and corruption: Relevant legislation and enforcement mechanisms. E-commerce and digital business: Legal regime for online transactions and digital platforms. Marketing and advertising: Consumer protection laws and regulations affecting advertising and marketing practices. Product regulation and liability: Safety standards, liability regimes, and roles of enforcement authorities. Practical Law, a legal reference resource from Thomson Reuters, publishes a range of guides for hundreds of jurisdictions and practice areas. The insurance and reinsurance guide is a valuable resource for legal practitioners, covering numerous jurisdictions worldwide. To view the latest version of the guide, please visit the Practical Law website and enroll in the free Practical Law trial to gain full access.
March 17, 2025
Tilleke & Gibbins has contributed the Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam chapters to Data Protection and Cybersecurity Regulation in Southeast Asia, a wide-ranging guide published by Drew Network Asia (DNA). The resource provides a comprehensive overview of data protection and cybersecurity laws across the region, offering practical insight into compliance requirements and regulatory developments affecting organizations that handle personal data or operate digital services in Southeast Asia. The guide begins with a regional overview, including the broader ASEAN context and cooperation initiatives. Jurisdiction-specific chapters follow a consistent structure—covering data privacy and governance obligations, security requirements and breach notification, outsourcing and cross-border data transfers, and broader accountability and compliance measures. This format allows readers to compare regulatory approaches across markets such as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and others. In addition to the country chapters, the publication addresses cybersecurity and privacy engineering challenges, providing guidance for organizations and outlining obligations applicable to data controllers, processors, and intermediaries. A dedicated section on data breach management across ASEAN examines notification requirements, response considerations, and practical steps for managing incidents in a regional or global context. The guide is intended to serve as a practical reference, and the authors note that specific legal requirements may vary depending on sector, processing activity, or evolving legislation. Readers seeking more detailed advice can contact the practitioners listed in each chapter. The full guide is available for download using the button below or directly from the DNA website.
December 4, 2024
Thailand Legal Basics, a valuable primer for foreign investors, explores all aspects of living and doing business in Thailand. Written by specialists at Tilleke & Gibbins in Bangkok, it is the only comprehensive English-language guide to the Thai legal system with a focus on the concerns of foreign business and investment.

Awards & Rankings

September 18, 2026
Tilleke & Gibbins has once again been recognized in the ALB Asia M&A Rankings 2026, earning Tier 2 rankings for its corporate and M&A practices in both Thailand and Vietnam. This marks the firm’s thirteenth consecutive year of recognition in the annual rankings. Published by Asian Legal Business (ALB), the rankings identify leading M&A law firms across Asia based on the volume, complexity, and scale of their work; their presence across the region and within individual jurisdictions; and strategic developments such as key hires and practice-group expansion. ALB, owned by Thomson Reuters, is a leading source of information for legal professionals active in the region. The continued recognition of Tilleke & Gibbins in Thailand and Vietnam reflects the firm’s longstanding capabilities in advising clients on significant transactions in these key Southeast Asian markets. To learn more about the ALB M&A rankings, and to browse the full rankings, please see the September 2026 issue of ALB.
September 11, 2026
Tilleke & Gibbins has been named TMT Firm of the Year at the Asia Legal Awards 2026, presented by Law.com International. The winners were announced at an awards ceremony in Singapore on September 10, 2026. The TMT Firm of the Year award recognizes Tilleke & Gibbins’ work in the technology, media, and telecommunications sector, where its lawyers advise clients on complex legal and regulatory matters arising from technological development and the rapidly evolving digital economy. The Asia Legal Awards recognize significant transactions, cases, and legal work across Asia. Presented by Law.com International and open to law firms with offices in the region, the awards honor the firms, teams, and individuals demonstrating innovation, impact, and excellence in the legal industry. For more information, please see the full list of Asia Legal Awards 2026 winners and finalists.
August 13, 2026
Tilleke & Gibbins has been recognized in the inaugural Asia Top Cybersecurity & Data Law Firms 2026 list from Asian Legal Business (ALB), published in the magazine’s August 2026 edition. The new ranking highlights leading law firms across Asia with dedicated cybersecurity, privacy, and data regulation practices, recognizing firms with a proven track record of advising clients on complex cybersecurity and data law matters. Tilleke & Gibbins is one of only 21 firms included in the inaugural list, reflecting the firm’s strength in data privacy, cybersecurity, technology, and regulatory matters throughout Southeast Asia. According to ALB, the firms selected for inclusion are recognized for their capabilities in areas such as privacy compliance, incident response, digital investigations, and technology-enabled client service. The recognition underscores the continued growth and regional prominence of Tilleke & Gibbins’ data privacy and cybersecurity practice, which advises clients across a broad range of industries on data protection compliance, cybersecurity preparedness and response, technology transactions, digital platform regulation, and emerging regulatory developments. This latest honor reflects the firm’s commitment to helping clients navigate an increasingly complex digital and regulatory landscape and reinforces its reputation as a leading adviser on technology, privacy, and cybersecurity issues across the region.

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