DFDL

WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE? We are pioneers in the frontier markets of Asia. Experts in Developing Asia.

A Unique Vision

DFDL was established in 1994 and built on a unique vision: to create an integrated legal, tax and investment advisory firm, with in-depth knowledge of the jurisdictions we work in, providing technical excellence across our core areas of expertise.

Over twenty years later, DFDL continues to build on its reputation as the obvious first-choice firm for sophisticated transactions in frontier markets across Asia and beyond.

As these markets continue to expand and thrive, so has DFDL and we are now uniquely positioned to help clients access investment opportunities in the world’s most dynamic region.

DFDL across Asia and beyond

With a team of over 140 local and foreign lawyers and advisers working within the network of 11 offices and three collaborating firms throughout nine countries in Asia, we provide personalized and cost-effective legal, tax and consulting services and solutions with particular expertise in:

• Banking and Finance
• Corporate, Mergers and Acquisitions
• Employment
• Energy, Mining and Infrastructure
• Real Estate and Construction
• Taxation

Since its foundation, DFDL has acquired an outstanding reputation for providing integrated and solution-oriented legal and tax services to establish, structure and protect our clients’ business interests in dynamic and challenging markets. DFDL is also actively involved in developing the legal and regulatory environments of the frontier markets in which we operate.

DFDL’s CHINA DESK

DFDL’s China Desk is staffed by lawyers with rich experience in both ASEAN/South Asia and China and maintains a dedicated focus on the business needs of DFDL’s Chinese clients. The China Desk focuses on all aspects of business and investment opportunities in connection with outbound investments into Southeast Asia, South Asia and beyond. Drawing on DFDL’s international and local expertise in legal and tax services combined with our understanding of Chinese business culture and sensitivity to the special needs and interests of our Chinese clients, DFDL is the go-to firm for Chinese businesses looking to expand their scope in Asia’s dynamic southern economies. Our team is comprised of multi-lingual Chinese and international advisers who are highly experienced in working with Chinese business interests and are able to effectively provide a full range of services to Chinese companies operating from inside or outside the Greater China Region and which are looking to develop their operations internationally.

Experience

DFDL China Desk has particularly been involved across the Mekong region and beyond in Major Projects for its Chinese clients in the Energy, Infrastructure, Transportation, Telecom and Agriculture sectors.

Significant engagements:

• Acted as project counsel to a Chinese state-owned enterprise  regarding the development of a coal-fired  power plant in Bangladesh (Capacity: 1,320MW).
• Acted as project  counsel to China Datang Overseas Investment  Co. concerning the Pak Beng hydropower project  in the Lao PDR (Capacity: 1,230MW).
• Advised Power China Resources on local legal aspects of the development and project  financing of the Nam Ou seven-cascade hydropower project  in the Lao PDR (Capacity: 1,272MW).
• Served as local counsel to Hydrolancang International in acquiring a majority stake in Hydro Power Lower Sesan 2 Co. Ltd in relation to a 400MW hydropower plant in Cambodia.
• Acted as local counsel for the Export-Import Bank of China in relation to a USD 500 million loan for a 338MW hydropower project developed by China Huadian Corporation in Cambodia.
• Acted as project counsel to CITIC Construction Co. Ltd. in relation to the establishment of a joint venture in Thailand. Assisted and advised Asia Ecoenergy Development Ltd. On a share acquisition regarding a 9.5MW waste-to-energy project in Thailand.
• Advised the Export-Import Bank of China on the financing of the 2 x 600MW  Vinh Tan 2 Thermal Power Plant in Vietnam (Value: USD 700 million).
• Advised China Development Bank on the financing of the purchase by EVN Telecom of equipment and construction services for a 3G project  in Vietnam (Value: USD 60 million).
• Advised China National Petroleum  Corporation on the construction of a 771km oil and gas pipeline  between Yunnan, China, and Maday Island, Myanmar  (Value: 2.5 billion).
• Advised China Nonferrous  Metal Group in relation  to a majority stake in a joint venture  agreement  in Myanmar (Value: USD 800 million).
• Advised China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Co. Ltd. on their bid for a construction project in Indonesia.

Expertise & Solutions

Whether you need legal assistance or tax advice on one aspect of a deal, or a step-by-step approach from conception to fruition, our advisers will guide you through every stage of the process. The services we offer during the investment phase include:

Services provided during the investment phase include:

• Market entry study, providing legal opinions on local law and procedures;
• Advising on land issues with the government;
• Conducting legal due diligence on project and financing documentation;
• Structuring transactions and projects;
• Advising on business or project license requirements and procurement thereof;
• Drafting joint venture agreements and other corporate documentation;
• Incorporation, registration of companies;
• Assistance with the legal aspects of financing-banking;
• Negotiating and drafting concession agreements;
• Debt restructuring and rescheduling of real estate based lending; Capital markets advice; Negotiating tenancy agreements, leases and licenses for residential commercial and industrial real estate developments;
• Sale and purchase of commercial, industrial and residential real estate;
• Identification of major tax issues that will affect the investment;
• Strategies to minimize tax exposures.

Services provided throughout the course of the investment include:

• Advice on distribution and commercial contracts;
• Advice on labor law, employment contracts and related matters;
• Securing ownership, lease, titling, registration of land;
• Other commercial matters;
• Alternative dispute resolution;
• Free Trade Advisory;
• Litigation, tax arbitration; and
• Tax planning advice.

DFDL People

IT IS THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR FIRM

At DFDL our most valuable assets are our people. We are dedicated to hiring, developing and retaining experienced and efficient advisers. Key people who lead our China Desk include:

WILLIAM D. GREENLEE, JR Partner; Deputy Managing Director, Myanmar; Head of DFDL China Desk

William’s practice focuses on M&A and project finance and includes negotiating, structuring, documenting and managing large private equity and opportunity-fund companies and transactions. William holds a B.A. degree from the University of Oregon in Asian Studies with a minor in East Asian Literature and Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco, California. William is a member of the State Bar of California, State Bar of Nevada, State Bar of California International Law Section and the Inter-Pacific Bar Association. He speaks English, Mandarin, Thai and Bahasa Indonesian.

Jack Sheehan, Partner, Head of Regional Tax Practice Group

Jack is a Partner and the Head of the Regional Tax Practice Group. He specializes in international tax planning, mergers and acquisitions, and general tax advisory. Jack has extensive experience in advising clients on inbound and outbound investments and complex tax matters in Asia. He regularly features as a speaker and writer on international tax matters in Asia. Jack is a member of the Editorial Board for Bloomberg BNA on tax treaties, a contributor for the International Bureau for Fiscal Documentation, and a member of the International Fiscal Association. Jack was shortlisted as Asia Tax Leader 2016 and is listed as a leader for tax controversy by International Tax Review. He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and is a postgraduate student at the University of Oxford.

Ivy Liu, Senior Adviser (Thailand); Co-Head of DFDL China Desk

Ivy has practiced law for over seven years in both China and Southeast Asia, and is Co-Head of the DFDL China Desk. She has expertise in advising developers, lenders and contractors on deal structuring, due diligence, drafting and review of project and finance documents within the Energy, Mining, and Infrastructure (EMI) practice group. She specializes in advising China-based clients on cross-border transactions, with a particular focus on large hydropower projects. Ivy holds an LL.M. (University of California, Berkeley, USA), and an LL.M. and LL.B. (Nanjing University, China). She is a member of the New York and China bar associations, and speaks English and Mandarin.

Audray Souche, Managing Director of DFDL Thailand

DFDL is pleased to announce the appointment of Audray Souche as the Managing Director of DFDL Thailand. Audray succeeds Angus Mitchell in the role.Audray has been working in the region since 2002. After a first experience in Cambodia, she joined DFDL in 2004 and has worked several years in DFDL’s Vientiane and Ho Chi Minh City offices. As the Deputy Head of the regional Energy, Mining and Infrastructure Practice Group, she has led DFDL teams on numerous energy, project development, financing and technical assistance matters in the Lao PDR, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Bhutan and Nepal and launched the development of a dedicated regional renewable energy division. With more than 6 years of experience in the Thai jurisdiction, including 5 years as deputy managing director of DFDL Thailand, she has also worked closely with the Thai team and accompanied DFDL clients in Thailand on numerous corporate/licensing, commercial, labor and M&A matters.

Robin Ruu Pin Teow, Senior Consultant (Cambodia); Co-Head of DFDL China Desk

Robin has over 10 years’ experience working for top Chinese law firms as both a Partner and Senior Foreign Consultant. Robin specializes in cross-border transactions, mergers and acquisitions, project development and joint-venture structuring for local and international clients in the energy, mining, infrastructure, pharmaceutical, financial services, and consumer goods sectors. He also has expertise in cross border dispute resolution and representing clients at various international arbitration centers. He holds an LL.B. from King’s College London, UK, and has been admitted to the Malaysian bar.

Haibin Zeng, Legal Adviser (Lao PDR)

Haibin specializes in trans-boundary investment and projects as well as banking and finance matters. His unique academic background and fluency in English and Mandarin have placed him in good stead to advise on a range of inbound investment matters from China. He has represented international investors across a variety of sectors, including real estate, gaming, agriculture and commodities trading, including several major Chinese enterprises based in the Lao PDR. Haibin holds an LL.M. from transnational Law and Business University, Korea, and an LL.B. from Jilin University, China. He has been admitted to the Chinese bar.

What Characterizes Us Best?

We are award-winning, entrepreneurial, dynamic, relentlessly solutions-oriented and innovative; we are everywhere you are and want to be in frontier Asia.

Recent awards:

Excellence · Creativity · Trust Since 1994