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Cambodia

Cambodia

Our Phnom Penh practice offers a team of dedicated Khmer and international professionals to provide advice on intellectual property, regulatory compliance, and a spectrum of other legal issues. Our corporate clients rely on us to launch and thrive in this dynamic emerging market. Our strong local foundation enables us to set them up for success.

Cambodia Offices
Overview

Trusted and innovative legal advisors in the emerging economy of Cambodia.

Built on a strong local foundation, Tilleke & Gibbins office in Phnom Penh has grown into one of the strongest legal outfits on the ground in Cambodia. The firm’s 16-person team in Phnom Penh comprises a mix of local and foreign legal advisors and other business professionals to provide our clients with well-rounded legal, business, and cultural advice to help them achieve their objectives in the jurisdiction.

Under the leadership of partner Jay Cohen, a practitioner with over 15 years of experience in Asia, the firm’s Phnom Penh office handles a full range of corporate and commercial, intellectual property, and regulatory services to a wide range of clients. On the commercial side this includes market entry for multinationals, commercial transactions (M&As, JVs, and business partnerships), labor and employment, and key regulatory matters for highly regulated industries—especially banking and finance, technology, telecommunications, media, e-commerce, energy, consumer goods, and life sciences (e.g., pharmaceuticals and medical devices). Beyond this corporate and commercial work, the firm also boasts a market-leading intellectual property (IP) practice, which clients often see as a key differentiator between our firm and other corporate and commercial firms in the country. Our IP practice seamlessly compliments our strategic market entry advice and sets the firm apart as a premium one-stop shop for all legal needs in Cambodia.

Experience

  • Advising many of the world’s largest companies on product safety, labeling, and registration requirements, including leading players in the automotive, consumer goods, food and beverage, garment, and pharmaceutical industries.
  • Advising a Cambodian investment fund on the proposed acquisition of a specialized bank.
  • Represented a global motorcycle manufacturer in investigations into the distribution of counterfeit products in Cambodia, and worked with the Cambodian Counter Counterfeit Committee and the police to initiate the country’s first ever raid action on the basis of industrial design infringement, resulting in the seizure of 444 counterfeit motorcycles.
  • Represented a venture capital fund on the provision of a convertible loan to a Cambodian water authority. Our work involved extensive investigations into the holding company and four subsidiary water companies, reviewing and providing extensive input into the convertible loan agreement, and advising on the successful completion of the loan.
  • Advised a global consumer electronics brand on product liability issues and product safety regulations following the discovery of potential defects in a product available in the Cambodian market, including advice on voluntary reporting to and engagement with national regulators, voluntary product recall, and various other practical matters to ensure the safety of their customer base.
  • Advising a leading Cambodian commercial bank on multiple aspects of the operations, including the offering of innovative new digital banking services, data protection and data breach policies and procedures, the offering of high-value facilities and other financial instruments, and various other matters essential to their continuing position as a market-leader in the country’s banking sector.
  • Advised a major U.S.-based television and media company on the launch of its video-on-demand platform in Cambodia.
    Advised Walmart on Cambodia’s online advertisement, gambling, and charitable donation laws in relation to an international online competition the company was holding among its global workforce.
  • Represented a shareholder in the sale of a majority stake of Green Sustainable Ventures to a subsidiary of a Malaysian company specializing in solar power technology and infrastructure, Pestech Power Sdn Bhd, including advice on regulatory issues in the power sector regarding share transfers and negotiations over a long-term lease agreement in connection with the land on which the solar power plant will reside.
  • Advised a market-leading technology company on the expansion of its service offerings in Cambodia, including the provision of comprehensive data protection handbook, advice on cybersecurity and digital marketing regulations, and advising on the provision of insurance, loans and lending, e-payment, and telemedicine services.
  • Acted for a leading agricultural machinery and product manufacturer in coordinating a raid action with the Cambodian Counter Counterfeit Committee (CCCC), which resulted in one of largest seizures of counterfeit products in Cambodian history, including upwards of 30,000 counterfeit products infringing our client’s trademark.
  • Engaged by a European international development agency to conduct a comprehensive legal study on the legal framework applicable to rooftop solar in Cambodia, and possible structures for investment into rooftop solar and solar power plants. We provided highly detailed advice on all legal aspects of rooftop solar and investments in rooftop solar, as well as the legal framework for solar power in general, including photovoltaic power plants. We also advised on all aspects of investing in Cambodia, including tax structuring, leasing, licensing for financial leasing, licensing for construction of plants, and any related matter.
  • Provided localized anti-corruption policies and internal investigation guidelines to one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies to ensure compliance in their Cambodia operations and distribution network.
  • Advising one of the world’s largest social media companies on the launch of an express Wi-Fi project for users in remote areas of Cambodia.
  • Retained by a leading global coffee chain to investigate and act against the retail and wholesale marketing of unauthorized products bearing the client’s logo. We have conducted dozens of investigations and surveys for this client in Phnom Penh and online, identifying multiple infringing companies, securing the cessation of their sale of counterfeit products, and tracing the suppliers to prevent further distribution.
  • Representing an American sports league with a globally recognized brand in the investigation and resolution of unauthorized advertisement and broadcast of their league games. The successful cessation of these broadcasts on the basis of copyright infringement was particularly notable due to them underdeveloped nature of Cambodia’s copyright laws, and it provided our client with the confidence to enter the market while retaining existing local licensees as planned.

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Phnom Penh Office

Phnom Penh Office

15th Floor, Unit 1501, Flatiron, Street No. 102 Phnom Penh City Center, Sangkat Srah Chak, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, 120210