Thomaspierre
OUR PEOPLE
Our integrated team of Cambodian and foreign advisors brings a unique skill set and experience to the practice of law in Cambodia. Each of our professionals is relentlessly committed to providing the best quality service to our clients.
Mr. BUN Youdy, LL.M.
| Tel: |
+855 (0) 12 817 817 |
| Email: |
bun@bun-associates.com |
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Youdy is the firm’s Practice Leader of the Corporate, Banking & Finance and Commercial Litigation practices. He is currently a panel lawyer for numerous foreign banks operating in Cambodia, including one of the largest banks in terms of assets and loan portfolio. He provides advice to some of the largest financial institutions and securities firms in Asia relating to their business expansion and entry strategies into Cambodia. Youdy recently counseled a large Japanese electronics manufacturer with their USD65 million investment project establishing the first electronic large-scale mass-production facility in the country. He also previously counseled one of Cambodia’s largest conglomerates on the acquisition of a USD60 million turn-key brewery plant and assisted a foreign fund in a transaction for the partial debt assignment of the largest loan ever granted in the telecommunications sector.
Youdy is one of the first commercial arbitrators selected in the Kingdom. He is an attorney-at-law admitted to the Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia and its former Secretary-General. He studied in prestigious universities in Cambodia, France and the United States. Youdy has been ranked a leading lawyer in Cambodia in Chambers & Partners’ 2011 Asia Pacific Guide and is praised as a “detailed and meticulous” lawyer who specializes in foreign investment, banking, corporate and commercial litigation. He is fluent in Khmer, English and French. Read more |
Dr. FONTAINE Antoine, Ph.D.
| Tel: |
+855 (0) 95 555 123 |
| Email: |
fontaine@bun-associates.com |
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Antoine is the firm’s Practice Leader of the Insurance, Labor, Tax and Regulatory Reform practices. Holding a Ph.D. in Insurance Law from the University Paris XII, he developed unmatched expertise in Cambodia’s insurance sector and provides comprehensive advice to multinational companies on their insurance portfolio, including regulatory and tax compliance and counseling foreign insurance companies on their market entry. He recently assisted clients in obtaining licenses, including for micro-life insurance companies, brokers and agents, as well as for a major NGO preparing the health component of the Cambodian social security. He also liaises with the Government on insurance matters, including regulatory reform.
Antoine has worked in Cambodia for over a decade and has particular insight into maximizing a foreign company’s entrance into the market. He previously counseled multinational companies on their agro-industry investments’ tax structuring. He also provides tax advice for companies’ restructuring and acquisition projects, as well as on public service taxation, and on the insurance tax system. His regulatory reform practice includes counseling on the delegation of public services such as the legal and economic feasibility of public transportation in Phnom Penh. He has counseled Cambodia’s leading human resource and recruiting agency, audited several major foreign companies’ human resource practices and provides guidance to companies on the introduction of their internal labor regulations in compliance with the Cambodian system.
Antoine co-founded Bun & Associates after working for AXA Insurance, the French Embassy in Cambodia and leading French law firm, Gide Loyrette Nouel. Since 1999, Antoine has been lecturing in universities around South East Asia and published several articles on Southeast Asian legal systems. In 2010, he served as Chairman of the French Cambodian Chamber of Commerce. He is described in Chambers & Partners’ 2011 Asia Pacific Guide as “a foreign legal counsel with vast experience in various aspects of Cambodian law”, with clients highlighting that “he is always able to provide a timely response.” Antoine is admitted to the Paris Bar and is fluent in French and English and conversant in Khmer. Read more |
Mr. ING Sophealeak, LL.M.
| Tel: |
+855 (0) 12 884 656 |
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+855 (0) 16 884 656 |
| Email: |
ing@bun-associates.com |
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Sophealeak is the firm’s Practice Leader of the Real Estate, Commercial Contracts and Intellectual Property practices. His recent work includes securing the acquisition of multi-million dollar properties for foreign-based clients and a major garment industry player, as well as securing long term lease agreements on behalf of a number of multinational companies for their multi-million dollar investments within the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone. Working closely with Cambodian and foreign bankers, he has assisted foreign investors on a number of economic land concessions, particularly in the area of palm oil and rubber plantations. Sophealeak provides advice on real estate development projects, including on land holding structures and related issues and on joint venture projects between local companies and foreign investors, distributorship and service agreements as well as business licensing.
He previously counseled a leading engineering firm, with regional presence, on major on-shore and off-shore construction projects, assisted Cambodia’s largest premium rice exporter in securing a multi-million dollar equity participation from a foreign investment fund, and facilitated the acquisition of prominent businesses in the Food & Beverage sector. Sophealeak is also currently assisting the Ministry of Public Works and Transport on their Road Asset Management Project, a project supported by the Asian Development Bank the Australian Agency for International Development and the International Development Association. Sophealeak also previously counseled an international petroleum company on its intellectual property infringement matters.
Prior to co-founding Bun & Associates, Sophealeak worked in the Finance Department of leading French law firm Gide Loyrette Nouel in their Paris office and for the International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group) in Cambodia. He is a graduate of renowned law schools in Cambodia and France. Sophealeak is fluent in Khmer, English and French. Read more |
Mr. ANN Sovathana, LL.M.
| Tel: |
+855 (0) 95 555 819 |
| Email: |
ann@bun-associates.com |
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Sovathana’s practice focuses on corporate, banking & finance. He has particular expertise in drafting complex financing and business licensing agreements. Liaising with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Commerce, he also handles prospective companies’ applications for securities licenses. Sovathana also counsels numerous major international banks on their loan documentation and security packages. He is an expert in high level legal translations, including in securities, banking and finance. Prior to joining Bun & Associates, Sovathana worked with public institutions, such as the Ministry of Commerce, the European Commission and several United Nations agencies. He recently served as Associate Legal Officer at the Khmer Rouge trial with the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia. He holds a Master of Laws in Public Administration from the Royal University of Law and Economics, Cambodia and a Master in International Relations from Ritsumeikan University, Japan. He also holds a Bachelor in Commerce (Banking and Finance) from the International Institute of Cambodia. He is fluent in Khmer, English and Thai and conversant in Japanese. |
Ms. BOTH Sorya, LL.M.
| Tel: |
+855 (0) 12 679 467 |
| Email: |
both@bun-associates.com |
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Sorya’s practice focuses on corporate and labor law. She has particular expertise in corporate and labor compliance, including registrations and liaising with the Ministries of Commerce, of Economy and Finance and of Labor and Vocational Training, as well as with the Council for the Development of Cambodia. She counsels clients from their incorporation to their business licensing and foreign investments, including advice concerning regulatory restrictions on certain business activities and concerning the legal modalities of investments. She has assisted multinational companies with their market entry and establishing their subsidiaries in Cambodia. Prior to joining Bun & Associates, Sorya trained at Lyon-based law firm Fronton & Berny. She also worked as Legal Officer at Avocats Sans Frontières on the Khmer Rouge trial with the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia. She holds a Master in Business Comparative Law from the University Lumière Lyon 2, France, which included an exchange program with Montreal University, Canada. She also holds Bachelor degrees in Private Law from the University Lumière Lyon 2 and from the Royal University of Law and Economics, Cambodia. She is fluent in Khmer, English and French. |
Mr. HUOY Tongkin, LL.M.
| Tel: |
+855 (0) 95 555 818 |
| Email: |
huoy@bun-associates.com |
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Tongkin’s practice focuses on real estate, commercial contracts, banking and corporate law. He has particular expertise in drafting agreements, including multi-million dollar property sale and purchase and lease agreements, and in preparing numerous complex security documents involving real estate-based assets. Tongkin provides legal assistance in the area of economic land concessions, especially concerning palm oil and rubber plantation investments. He is currently also an advisor to the Chairman of the Fourth Commission of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia in charge of matters relating to interior, national defense, investigation, anti-corruption and public service. In this capacity, he reviews and analyzes draft laws and prepares legal opinions and memoranda on areas under the jurisdiction of the Fourth Commission. He previously served in the Legal Department of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction. Tongkin regularly lectures private and public law at Cambodian universities including the Royal University of Law and Economics. He holds a Master in International Private and Comparative Law from the University Jean Moulin Lyon 3, France, a Bachelor in Private Law from the University Lumière Lyon 2, France, as well as a Bachelor in Private Law from the Royal University of Law and Economics. He is fluent in Khmer, English and French. |
Ms. KORK Ratana, LL.B.
| Tel: |
+855 (0) 17 430 760 |
| Email: |
kork@bun-associates.com |
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Ratana’s practice focuses on banking and finance. She processes loan and security documentation and liaises with the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction relating to security registrations. She holds a Bachelor in Law from the Royal University of Law and Economics of Cambodia. Ratana is fluent in Khmer and English. |
Mr. OEM Sam Ann, LL.M.
| Tel: |
+855 (0) 16 343 309 |
| Email: |
oem@bun-associates.com |
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Sam Ann’s practice focuses on labor, real estate and insurance law. He counsels clients on labor and insurance compliance, including registrations with the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training and the Ministry of Economy and Finance and liaising with both Ministries. He also has particular expertise in drafting real estate transactions, including lease and sale and purchase agreements and, on insurance matters, handles and processes application forms and related documents for insurance licenses. Prior to joining Bun & Associates, Sam Ann was a legal researcher for the French Centre for Cooperation based in the Royal University of Law and Economics and as a legal trainee at a leading bank in Cambodia. He holds a Master of Economic Cooperation Law from the University Montesquieu Bordeaux IV, France, delocalized to the National University of Vietnam, Hanoi. He also holds Bachelor degrees in Private Law from the University Lumière Lyon 2, France and from the Royal University of Law and Economics, Cambodia. He is fluent in Khmer, French and English, and conversant in Vietnamese. |
Ms. PHAL Dalika, LL.M.
| Tel: |
+855 (0) 77 777 896 |
| Email: |
dalika@bun-associates.com |
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Dalika’s practice focuses on corporate and banking & finance. She has particular expertise in handling financing transactions, including drafting and processing loan documentation and security documents. Dalika recently assisted a foreign bank in developing their e-commerce and advised a foreign insurance company on its incorporation in Cambodia, liaising with the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Prior to joining Bun & Associates, she served as Legal and Compliance Officer for leading micro-finance institution VisionFund Cambodia, where her work included liaising with National Bank of Cambodia on regulations and compliance therewith, as well as overseeing contracts, including loan agreements. Dalika also previously worked as Legal Assistant to the Office of Co-Investigating Judge at the Khmer Rouge trial with the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia and as Legal Awareness Assistant to non-profit organizations. She holds a Master in Real Property from the University Jean Moulin Lyon 3, France and a Master in Real Property from the Royal University of Law and Economics, Cambodia. She also holds Bachelor degrees in Private Law from the University Lumière Lyon 2, France, as well as the Royal University of Law and Economics. Dalika is fluent in Khmer, English and conversant in French. |
Ms. PHAL CHALM Theany, LL.M.
| Tel: |
+855 (0) 97 721 0982 |
| Email: |
phal@bun-associates.com |
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Theany’s practice focuses on insurance, commercial contracts and real estate. She has particular experience with Khmer, English and French legal translations of various agreements, including of real estate, banking and commercial contracts. Theany recently assisted with analyzing Cambodia’s plant variety and seed protection laws concerning a client’s market entry research, as well as with analyzing labor law implications with mass layoffs. Prior to joining Bun & Associates, she interned at law firms in Paris and Phnom Penh, including BNG Legal and Allens Arthur Robinson. She holds a Master in International Business Law from the University of Burgundy, France and a Bachelor in Business Law from the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne. She is fluent in Khmer, French and English and conversant in Spanish. |
Dr. PHIN Sovath, BBA, LL.D.
| Tel: |
+855 (0) 95 555 817 |
| Email: |
phin@bun-associates.com |
Practice Areas:
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Sovath’s practice focuses on intellectual property, corporate and project finance. He recently assisted a Hong Kong based client in securing a multi-million dollar asset purchase of a garment factory. He also recently advised on Cambodia’s first company acquisition in the securities sector. Sovath has particular expertise in intellectual property matters, including the registration, protection and enforcement thereof. Prior to joining Bun & Associates, he worked as an Advisor in the Corporate & Commercial Practice Group as well as in the Energy, Infrastructure & Project Finance Practice Group at the law firm DFDL Mekong’s Cambodia office. There, he was involved in a number of major projects, including the largest financing project for the purchase of a majority share of Cambodia’s largest telecommunications operator. He also recently served as National Consultant for the Asian Development Bank Regional Technical Assistance Project. Sovath has previously provided comments and recommendations to the Government on several draft laws and regulations within the framework of the Private-Public Sector Forum. He is one of the first selected commercial arbitrators. He published articles on intellectual property law in Cambodia and is a member of the Cambodian Society of Comparative Law. He has been Assistant Dean and Law Professor at Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia (PUC) since 2009, teaching intellectual property law among other subjects. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from National University of Management, Cambodia, and a Doctor of Laws (Comparative Law) from Nagoya University Graduate School of Law, Japan, majoring in Intellectual Property Law. He is fluent in Khmer and English. |
Mr. PHY Nitro, LL.M.
| Tel: |
+855 (0) 12 727 956 |
| Email: |
phy@bun-associates.com |
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Nitro’s practice focuses on banking, finance and securities. He processes financing transactions, including corporate loans and liaises with the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction. He also counsels clients on Cambodia’s emerging securities business. Nitro holds a Master in Comparative Law, majoring in Securities Law from Nagoya University, Graduate School of Law, Japan. He also holds a Bachelor in Private Law from the Royal University of Law and Economics, Cambodia as well as a Bachelor of Education from the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He is fluent in Khmer and English. |
Mr. PRACH Pagna, LL.M.
| Tel: |
+855 (0) 77 554 884 |
| Email: |
prach@bun-associates.com |
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Pagna’s practice focuses on real estate and corporate. He has particular experience in drafting lease and sale and purchase agreements, corporate documents and resolutions, as well as escrow agreements and assists clients with property due diligence and land registrations. In real estate matters, he also liaises with the Land Offices and relevant local authorities of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction. Pagna also specializes in Khmer, English and French legal translation. Prior to joining Bun & Associates, he was a Legal Intern with the Trial Chamber at the Khmer Rouge trial with the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia. He holds a Master specializing in Real Property from the University Jean Moulin Lyon 3, France and a Master specializing in Real Property from the Royal University of Law and Economics, Cambodia. He also holds Bachelor degrees in Private Law from the University Lumière Lyon 2 and the Royal University of Law and Economics, as well as a Bachelor in Education from the Institute of Foreign Languages, Cambodia. He is fluent in Khmer, English and French. |
Ms. SIN Sokanha, LL.M.
| Tel: |
+855 (0) 12 294 241 |
| Email: |
sin@bun-associates.com |
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Sokanha’s practice focuses on corporate and banking & finance. Prior to joining Bun & Associates, Sokanha worked as Legal Expert Consultant for the National Assembly of Cambodia commenting on and revising draft resolutions and advising the four Committees on legislation. She also previously worked at the USAID funded East-West Management Institute for four years, where her last position was Program Officer, supporting the Program on Rights and Justice to promote rule of law activities in Cambodia, coordinating the Legal Education Program for judges and prosecutors and organizing legal competitions such as mock trials. Sokanha holds a Master in Comparative Law from Nagoya University, Japan. She also holds an English Language Based Bachelor of Law from the Royal University of Law and Economics, Cambodia as well as a Bachelor of English for Tourism and Hospitality from the Institute of Foreign Languages of the Royal University of Phnom Penh. She is fluent in Khmer and English and conversant in Japanese. |
Mr. SOEUNG Sovann
| Tel: |
+855 (0) 70 222 027 |
| Email: |
soeung@bun-associates.com |
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Sovann’s practice focuses on tax advice, including monthly and annual tax compliance. He has particular expertise in handling company registrations and de-registrations, tax declarations, and assists with tax opinions. Prior to joining Bun & Associates, Sovann worked as an accountant for an event management company, where he was in charge of finance and tax filings. For the past six years, Sovann has also been working as a volunteer-accountant for the library Open Book, a non-governmental organization. He holds a Bachelor in Finance and Banking from the Royal University of Law and Economics of Cambodia. Sovann is fluent in Khmer and English. |
Mr. SONG Kosal, Ph.D. Candidate in Economics
| Tel: |
+855 (0) 95 555 815 |
| Email: |
song@bun-associates.com |
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Kosal’s practice focuses on tax law, including tax review, tax audit, tax advice, and tax compliance. His clients include major companies in the banking, insurance, telecommunications and trading industries. He provides tax-related advice with respect to complex tax structuring, service agreements, corporate related party transactions, and Qualified Investment Projects. He also counsels large companies including a large scale electronic assembly plant, on the tax implications of their investments in special economic zones. Prior to joining Bun & Associates, Kosal served as Assistant Manager in KPMG Cambodia’s Tax and Corporate Services Group and as a Senior Tax Consultant at PicewaterhouseCoopers Cambodia’s office. He is currently a lecturer on the Cambodian Tax system at CamEd Business School in Phnom Penh. He holds a Master in Economics from Nagoya University Graduate School of Economics, Japan where he is also a Ph.D. candidate in Economics, majoring in Fiscal Policy. Kosal is fluent in Khmer, English and conversant in Japanese. |
Ms. YIN Socheat, LL.M.
| Tel: |
+855 (0) 90 889 818 |
| Email: |
yin@bun-associates.com |
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Socheat’s practice focuses on commercial contracts, real estate and insurance. Prior to joining Bun & Associates, Socheat worked at Sotelco Ltd. (Beeline Cambodia), where she started as Senior Contract Specialist and was later promoted to Contract Manager, tasked with drafting and revising contracts, providing compliance advice and negotiating agreements with suppliers. She previously also held the positions of Legal Officer at the Arbitration Council Foundation, Executive Trainee at Forte Insurance (Cambodia) Plc. and Legal Intern at one of UNDP’s research projects on domestic violence issues. Socheat holds a Master in Comparative Law from Nagoya University, Japan. She also holds an English Language Based Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Law in Khmer language from the Royal University of Law and Economics, Cambodia. She is fluent in Khmer and English. |
