With energy and infrastructure deals at the forefront of its game plan, UK top 20 firm Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has joined a growing number of international firms establishing a foothold in Myanmar, via a non-exclusive tie-up with domestic outfit Legal Network Consultants (LNC).
Yangon-based LNC will operate alongside BLP’s Asia network, which includes offices in Singapore, Hong Kong and China, having obtained a license to open in Beijing in February 2013.
LNC is headed by Khin Mar Aye, who has more than two decades of legal experience providing a full service to clients, aided by the firm’s existing relationship with Myanmar-based shipping and intellectual firm The Law Chambers.
Alistair Duffield, head of BLP’s Singapore and South East Asia practices, said: ‘For us, Myanmar presents a whole horizon of huge opportunities particularly in the power, oil and gas, mining, infrastructure and real estate sectors which play to our strengths.’
Earlier this week, BLP hired Beijing-based asset finance partner Nigel Ward from Norton Rose Fulbright, who has extensive experience of working in countries such as Indonesia and Myanmar. Ward specialises in shipping and aviation finance.
BLP follows Baker & McKenzie and Stephenson Harwood into the jurisdiction, while Singapore leader Rajah & Tann, Japanese law firm Nishimura & Asahi and London intellectual property boutique Rouse have also recently secured local capability.
BLP’s interest in the jurisdiction was reported last month, at the time of Bakers’ launch, which saw the US firm open its own branch in the jurisdiction.
david.stevenson@legalease.co.uk
