Competition authority: Directorate of Investment and Company Administration
Financial regulator: Central Bank of Myanmar
IFLR1000 ranking categories for this jurisdiction:
Financial and corporate (published October) – Financial and corporate, Project development
Jurisdiction overview
As Myanmar emerged from five decades of military rule that cut it off from much of the rest of the world, the resource rich country started to open up in 2011 with a series of far-reaching political and legal reforms to achieve rule of law and provide more legal certainty for its people and investors.
Previously known as Burma, the country has seen US and EU sanctions eased and increasing interest from the international business community. It appears to be looking forward to a period of relative peace and prosperity.
Some big international law firms have committed to Myanmar by opening an office in Yangon, including Allen & Overy in 2013 and Baker & McKenzie in 2014. This year, Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) opened its doors in the country by hiring Baker & McKenzie’s former managing partner Chris Hughes to lead its newly opened office in Yangon.
Domestic law firms have also sought out new opportunities, with NK Legal Myanmar integrating into the wider regional network of Singapore firm Rajah & Tann, while Myanmar Legal Service affiliated itself with Thai firm Chandler & Thong-Ek Law.
But Myanmar’s local legal sector is underdeveloped and there is no national bar association for legal practitioners in the country. With the assistance of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), Myanmar’s lawyers ran an election in September this year for their first ever independent national professional organisation to represent lawyers.
Once known for its poor human rights record, media censorship and tyranny under military rule, the regime has been left with many old laws that were set up to give leaders’ extensive powers to target political opposition and ethnic insurgents.
Candy Chan - Journalist - Asia-Pacific
Since its founding in Hartford in 1845, Robinson & Cole has expanded to 11 offices nationwide. In addition to its Hartford, CT office, it has offices in New London, Stamford, Boston, Albany, New York, Providence, Miami, Los Angeles, Wilmington and Philadelphia. Its M&A and corporate practice is based in the Hartford and Stamford offices, with additional team members in New York and Boston.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm’s presence is strongest in Connecticut, where it does notable work in M&A and real estate.
The corporate team represents strategic and private equity buyers and sellers in acquisition related matters. It also represents investment management firms in fund investments.
The firm has experience in aerospace, consumer goods and services, energy, banking and financial services, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, retail, technology and telecommunications.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include Nielsen, Private Client Resources, Nadavon Capital Partners, Target Hospitality and Harbinger Ventures II.
Research period review: 30th edition (2019/2020)
Throughout the research period the corporate team represented a mix of strategic and private equity buyers and sellers in asset and company acquisitions and sales across a variety of industries. It also worked on a Series C investment.
Deal highlights: 30th edition (2019/2020)
Harbinger Ventures II Series C investment in Fourth and Heart
Nadavon Capital Partners acquisition of Club Speed
PPC Enterprises acquisition of Private Client Resources
Target Hospitality acquisition of Permian Basin facilities
Client feedback: 30th edition (2019/2020)
M&A
“Eric Kogan is very knowledgeable and personable.”