Mori Hamada & Matsumoto to integrate Chandler & Thong-ek Law Offices in Thailand

Mori Hamada & Matsumoto (MHM), one of the four domestic law firms that account for the majority of the legal market in Japan, is the top performing firm in corporate M&A and structure finance. It also active overseas having six offices in China and South-East Asia. Opened in March 2015, MHM’s current office in Bangkok is staffed with five attorneys, including two partners and one foreign lawyer and mainly focuses on M&A and international practice.

Established in 1974, Chandler &Thong-ek Law Offices provides expertise in banking, project financing as well as cross-border transactions, regulatory and tax. The firm has expertise in the energy and natural resources industry and has a clientele of local and global institutions such as Star Petroleum and Mitsui-SOKO.

Once the transaction is complete, the combined Bangkok office will operate under the name of Chandler MHM Limited. MHM’s team in Thailand will join Chandler &Thong-ek Law Offices’ team, panning the Thai practice into approximately 50 attorneys. Satoshi Kawai, a leading partner at the MHM Bangkok office and Niwes Phancharoenworakul, the existing managing partner of C&T, will lead the practice.

The two firms have enjoyed close cooperation and anticipate to strengthen each other’s international practice in Asia by the extensive connection. The deal also indicates Japan’s aggressive investment in South-East Asia which has generated growth for legal assistance. Thailand has become one of the most popular destinations, receiving Japanese direct investment and is the hotspot for expansion, according to Japan External Trade Organization.

The deal is subject to regulatory scrutiny and is expected to complete in January 2017.

C.H.L.