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Jay Cohen

Partner and Director, Cambodia

Biography

Jay Cohen is a partner and director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ Cambodia practice, leading the Phnom Penh office’s commercial and intellectual property practices. Based on the quality of his client service and legal expertise, Jay is ranked as a leading commercial lawyer in Cambodia by Asialaw, Chambers Asia-Pacific, IFLR 1000, and The Legal 500 Asia Pacific.

With over 15 years of experience in Asia, Jay is an authority on inbound investments in the region. His practice covers every stage of the investment process, beginning with offshore structuring issues and market entry into Cambodia, including advising on appropriate entities, tax considerations, licensing requirements, intellectual property protection, and labor compliance matters. He also regularly assists clients with implementing appropriate corporate and investment structures, advising on ongoing operations, and negotiating and drafting commercial contracts.

Jay has particular expertise in the energy industry, in which he frequently assists clients with acquisition of energy resources and infrastructure, handles upstream licensing and transactional work, and advises on regulatory compliance in emerging Southeast Asian markets. He is also a well-respected practitioner to the technology industry, frequently advising innovative technology companies on their Southeast Asian operations, with a particular focus on the regulatory framework applicable to FinTech and other professional services technology. He is an active member of the firm’s Technology Industry Group.

More broadly, Jay is a trusted advisor to businesses on a variety of general corporate, commercial, intellectual property, and compliance matters in Cambodia, including licensing and regulation; civil aviation compliance procedures (including aircraft registration and deregistration); real estate investment structuring; resource development project licensing and concessions; trademark and patent registration and enforcement; labor and employment matters; and mergers and acquisitions.

Jay is a truly global practitioner, entrusted with high-value commercial matters by both local clients in Cambodia and international clients from across Asia, Europe, and the United States alike. He consistently provides practical, innovative solutions to the dynamic challenges that arise within a developing legal framework. Recognized for his knowledge and insights on the legal environment for business in Cambodia, Jay currently serves on the Board of Governors for the American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, is a member of the Executive Board of Cambodia’s National Commercial Arbitration Centre, and was named to the Cambodia Leadership Review Top 50 2025 from the Cambodia Investment Review and the International Business Chamber of Cambodia.

Jay earned his JD from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri, alongside an MA in East Asian Studies, and is licensed to practice law in the state of California. He is conversant in Chinese (Mandarin).

Experience

  • Served as a sole arbitrator in a complex dispute in front of the National Commercial Arbitration Centre of Cambodia.
  • Assisted with an EPC agreement for the construction of a jet fuel depot as part of the development of Phnom Penh’s new international airport.
  • Retained to assist a Thai state-owned bank in preparing a suite of template agreements under the umbrella of the client’s uncommitted credit facility agreement for use in the Cambodian market.
  • Advised numerous world-leading banks, investment firms, and financial services providers on the marketing of offshore debt and equity securities and funds, and the provision of financial services (e.g., remittance and clearance services) to clients in Cambodia.
  • Represented a leading Cambodian utilities company in procuring a USD 2.3 million loan facility to expand its water treatment plants and provide working capital.
  • Advised the operator of a leading third-party mobile and online payment platform on regulatory issues and approvals required to introduce and operate the client’s widely-used payment platform in the Cambodian market.
  • Acted for a Singapore-based impact investment firm on leading a pre-series A round for an agricultural supply chain startup in Cambodia.
  • Advised a leading energy-as-a-service company in Asia on business model structuring issues and assisted with preparing a template equipment lease agreement for its planned launch of a rooftop solar business in Cambodia.
  • Advised the Southeast Asian regional franchisee of a world-leading clothing retailer on the expansion into the Cambodian market.
  • Represented a client on the provision of a USD 500,000 convertible loan to a Cambodian water authority. Work involved extensive investigations into the holding company and four subsidiary water companies, reviewing and providing extensive input on the loan agreement, and advising on the successful completion of the loan.
  • Advised multinational clients on the acquisition of oil and gas blocks in Cambodia, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, and the United Kingdom.
  • Represented a major global energy company in negotiating the terms of a transnational gas pipeline in Southeast Asia.
  • Drafted and advised on the service and process agreements for one of Asia’s largest refineries.
  • Drafted license and service agreements for telecom platforms in Indonesia, Israel, Kazakhstan, The Netherlands, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.
  • Advised on and drafted original design manufacturing transactions for a major global consumer electronics company for the production of mobile phones.
  • Advised banks and Fortune 500 companies on know your customer and anti-corruption requirements in Southeast Asia.
  • Drafted and advised on loan and security agreements, and banking opinions in Cambodia for international banks.
  • Advised real estate developers on all aspects of real estate development projects from initial structuring issues, land acquisition, security issues, real estate development rules, condominium management rules and commercial agreements with buyers.
  • Acted as legal advisor to the administrator in the first insolvency proceeding filed in Cambodia for Nautisco Seafood Manufacturing.
  • Represented creditor and participated in the creditor’s committee in connection with Cambodia’s second insolvency proceeding for Mfone.
ABOUT Jay

Industries

Aviation

Energy

Fintech

Technology

Practices

Antitrust and Competition

Banking and Finance

Capital Markets

Compliance and Investigations

Corporate/M&A

Customs and International Trade

Employment

Intellectual Property

Real Estate

Location

Languages

    English

    Chinese

Education

    JD, Washington University School of Law

    MA, Washington University School of Law

    BA, Emory University

Insights

January 26, 2026
Tilleke & Gibbins has contributed an updated Cambodia chapter to Foreign Investment Review 2026, a global guide to the legal and regulatory environment for foreign investment in 25 jurisdictions around the world. Published and distributed by Lexology Panoramic, the guide is focused on law and policy regarding foreign investment oversight, regulatory frameworks, procedural requirements, and other notable concerns for foreign investors. The updated Cambodia chapter was prepared by Jay Cohen, partner and director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ Phnom Penh office, and Nitikar Nith, associate. The chapter focuses most closely on the law and policy section, which explains the government’s policies and practices regarding foreign direct investment, the main investment laws and their scope, and the relevant authorities responsible for regulating mergers, acquisitions, and other business transactions. The chapter also brings up key recent developments, such as the prospect of Cambodia establishing a competition regulator. A PDF of the Cambodia chapter can be downloaded through the button below. Tilleke & Gibbins also provided the Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam chapters to Foreign Investment Review 2026. Readers can also gain 30 days of complementary access to the full Foreign Investment Review 2026 guide and the rest of Lexology Panoramic’s varied offerings through this link.
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January 16, 2026
Employment law specialists from Tilleke & Gibbins’ office in Phnom Penh have contributed the Cambodia chapter to the Guide to Restructuring a Cross-Border Workforce from International Employment Lawyer. This comprehensive global guide, covering 50 jurisdictions worldwide, addresses the complex issue of workplace restructurings, with a particular focus on the needs of multinational companies. The Cambodia chapter was authored by Jay Cohen, partner and director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ Phnom Penh office, and Chanvisal Lok, associate. The Q&A-style chapter provides in-depth analysis of key areas related to workplace restructuring, including: Reduction in workforce; Restructuring or reorganization of the business; Changing terms and conditions; and Areas to watch. A PDF of the Cambodia chapter can be downloaded through the button below. Tilleke & Gibbins also contributed the Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam chapters to the Guide to Restructuring a Cross-Border Workforce 2026. To browse the full guide for all 45 jurisdictions, please visit the International Employment Lawyer website.
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December 16, 2025
Tilleke & Gibbins has contributed the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam chapters to Infrastructure and Construction in Southeast Asia, a comparative guide developed by Drew Network Asia (DNA). The publication brings together insights from leading ASEAN law firms to address common legal and practical issues faced by participants in the construction and engineering sector across the region. Covering nine major Southeast Asian jurisdictions, the guide provides concise answers to frequently encountered questions relating to infrastructure and construction projects. Topics addressed include the regulatory environment, procurement practices, project structuring, risk allocation, contracting terms, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the enforcement of arbitral awards. Each jurisdictional chapter follows a consistent question-and-answer format, enabling readers to compare legal approaches and market practices across countries. This structure highlights both areas of convergence and key differences between jurisdictions, supporting more informed decision-making in cross-border projects and investments. While the guide offers a practical regional overview, it also underscores that legal frameworks and market practices vary significantly between jurisdictions and may be shaped by local principles and industry norms. Readers seeking jurisdiction-specific advice are encouraged to contact the practitioners listed at the end of each chapter. The full guide is available for download through the button below or directly from the DNA website.
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December 12, 2025
Tilleke & Gibbins has updated the Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam chapters in Multilaw’s Global Data Protection Guide, which collects expert advice from Multilaw member firms in 90 jurisdictions around the world (including a Laos chapter, which is also authored by Tilleke & Gibbins). The guide provides answers to key issues concerning the fast-developing data protection and privacy laws around the world, and helps data protection officers and in-house counsel understand how the regulatory regime for data protection can affect their organizations in various jurisdictions. Each section of the guide identifies the main laws that govern data protection in that jurisdiction, and gives a detailed overview of the legal principles in place as well as the enforcement authorities responsible for overseeing compliance. The guide also covers issues related to data subject rights, data protection officers, impact assessments, data breach notification requirements, and cross border data transfers. The use of personal data in marketing is also considered, with specific information on electronic marketing rules, cookies, and marketing to businesses and consumers. Multilaw, of which Tilleke & Gibbins is a longtime member, is a global network of carefully selected independent law firms able to provide expert legal advice in complex environments around the globe. The full guide is available for free on the Multilaw website.
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Awards & Rankings

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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April 3, 2026
Tilleke & Gibbins is pleased to announce that the firm has been shortlisted in two categories at the Financial Times (FT) Innovative Lawyers APAC 2026 awards: Innovative Lawyers in Cyber and Data Privacy – “Digital Identity & Cryptocurrency Compliance” Innovative Practitioner – Athistha (Nop) Chitranukroh The FT Innovative Lawyers APAC Awards recognize law firms and practitioners who are driving innovation in legal services and delivering innovative client solutions across the Asia-Pacific region. This recognition marks our third acknowledgment in the Innovative Lawyers category and, notably, our first-ever nomination in the Innovative Practitioner category at the FT Innovative Lawyers APAC awards. It reflects our team’s continued ability to support clients on groundbreaking, forward-looking projects across the region. The awards ceremony will take place on May 14, 2026, in Hong Kong. To learn more about the FT Innovative Lawyers APAC 2026 awards and to view the full list of shortlisted organizations, please visit the FT website.
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March 9, 2026
Tilleke & Gibbins has been shortlisted in multiple firmwide and individual categories at the Legal 500 Southeast Asia Awards 2026, including Regional Firm of the Year, reflecting the firm’s work across Southeast Asia and the continued development of its regional practices. In the individual categories, Aye Thuzar Hlaing has been shortlisted for Myanmar Associate of the Year (Corporate and M&A), and Linh Duy Mai has been shortlisted for Vietnam Associate of the Year (Intellectual Property). Tilleke & Gibbins has also been shortlisted in the following firm categories: Regional Firm of the Year Thailand – Law Firm of the Year Thailand – Law Firm of the Year (Litigation) Myanmar – Law Firm of the Year Vietnam – Law Firm of the Year Vietnam – Law Firm of the Year (Labor and Employment) Laos – Law Firm of the Year The winners will be announced on April 30, 2026, at the Legal 500 Southeast Asia Awards ceremony in Singapore. To browse the full shortlist for the Legal 500 Southeast Asia Awards 2026, please see the Legal 500 website.
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January 15, 2026
Tilleke & Gibbins has demonstrated continued excellence across all six jurisdictions where the firm operates in the 2026 edition of the Legal 500 Asia-Pacific rankings. The recently released rankings showcase the firm’s outstanding performance with 29 practice area recognitions and 34 individual rankings—an increase from 30 individual recognitions in 2025.
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