Bangkok--11 Mar--Vero PR
One of the older international law firms in Thailand has merged with a fast growing regional law firm to form a powerful new competitor in Southeast Asia’s legal sector.
The law firms of DFDL Mekong and McEvily & Collins announced they will merge, creating a 90-attorney firm with national and international reach. The official merger took place January 1, 2010.
DFDL Mekong Founder David Doran says the merger uniquely positions his firm to provide legal and tax advice to Thailand-based businesses seeking to make direct investments in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar.
“DFDL Mekong’s Bangkok office has a strong record of helping Thai companies and investors protect their investments and maximize their opportunities,” said Doran. “This merger will enhance our ability to provide Thai outbound investors with the advice and guidance they need as they make investments in the Mekong region.”
The merger, mutually agreed to by the shareholders at both firms, combines DFDL Mekong’s multi-faceted corporate, tax, finance, mergers, energy, real estate and public policy practices with McEvily & Collins’ exceptional real estate tax, corporate finance and M&A practices.
DFDL has operated offices in the Mekong region since 1994.Doran, said that among the benefits of the merger is the ability to provide enhanced legal and tax services to Thailand based companies in the banking, energy and infrastructure industries investors who are seeking counsel for new projects in the Mekong region.. Of particular note, he said he expects DFDL Mekong’s offices in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam to benefit from an increased flow of business from investors based in Thailand.
The merged firm will take on the DFDL Mekong name and the partners of McEvily and Collins will be partners of DFDL Mekong. The fifteen lawyers from McEvily and Collins’ offices in Bangkok, Koh Samui and Phuket will continue in their roles with DFDL Mekong. The merger was the result of previous collaborations between the firms on client projects.
“This merger has significantly strengthened our base in Thailand, and provides Thai businesses and investors with excellent local counsel as well as a great launching pad for projects in Southeast Asia,” said Paniti Junhasavasdikul, DFDL Mekong partner of the Bangkok office. “While other law firms in Thailand may be scaling back or holding steady, we have taken this as an opportunity to grow our team and our business in Thailand. As the economy continues to rebound, we will be ready for more opportunities.”
McEvily & Collins was founded in 1993 in Bangkok, and expanded to include offices in Phuket and Koh Samui. In 1999 McEvily & Collins was the first international law firm to open in Phuket.
“Merging the strength of our property practices in Koh Samui and Phuket with DFDL Mekong’s regional reach gives our clientele a whole new host of options, particularly to some of the successful property developers in Thailand who now want to replicate their success in other markets and resort areas in Southeast Asia,” said Collins, who will remain based in Phuket.
About DFDL Mekong
DFDL Mekong’s core business is advising on foreign direct investment projects. The firm’s lawyers and advisers have assisted in some of the most challenging and complex investment projects in Lao PDR, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. The firm has guided foreign investors with various types of commercial structures, including 100 percent foreign owned companies, joint venture, partnership, representative office, branch and Build Own Transfer (BOT) agreements. The firm also assists clients in dealing with government entities and local partners.
DFDL MEKONG has a diverse client base which includes some of the largest multinationals in the world. The firm also serves major companies from Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Japan. In addition, the firm’s special expertise in Project Finance and Secured Lending has created a strong client base amongst bilateral and international development banks, as well as private banks.
For more information please contact:
Tel: 026841551 veropr