Partners

Yuwadee Thean-ngarm

Partner and Director, Myanmar

Qualifications

  • MA, Chulalongkorn University
  • LLB, Thammasat University

Yuwadee Thean-ngarm is a partner and director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ Myanmar practice, having moved to oversee the firm’s Yangon office in 2013 after a decade as an attorney-at-law and litigator in the firm’s Bangkok office. She is recognized as a leading lawyer in Myanmar by IFLR 1000 and Asialaw Leading Lawyers, and in 2019 was named one of the brightest young lawyers in Asia in Asian Legal Business’ annual “Top 40 Under 40” list.

She advises clients on the full range of intellectual property and corporate and commercial matters under the fast-developing legal framework in Myanmar. With her deep understanding of the needs of international business in Myanmar, along with her broad practical experience overseeing legal work across virtually all practice areas, she assists her clients in developing strategies for corporate success in Myanmar.

In her corporate and commercial work, Yuwadee is especially active in advising foreign investors seeking to do business in Myanmar. She oversees a wide variety of matters, including business strategy and planning, company structuring and formation, law and legal updates, labour and employment, and tax. Yuwadee has extensive expertise in advising clients across diverse industries, such as banking and finance, chemicals, energy, logistics, manufacturing, service and trading, and telecommunications. On the intellectual property side, Yuwadee guides global and regional businesses in protecting their assets under the country’s new and still-developing regulatory framework for trademarks, patents, industrial designs, and copyright.

Yuwadee is also well known for promoting cross-border business in her role as the Vice President of the Thai Business Association of Myanmar (2022-2024). She is a formidable thought leadership contributor, providing legal expertise to World Bank research projects on investment, employment, and property in Myanmar, and is a frequent speaker in regional seminars and events on various corporate and commercial and intellectual property topics.

Besides her experience in Myanmar, Yuwadee is a member of the Thai Bar Association and the Lawyers Council of Thailand, with significant experience appearing before Thailand’s trademark registrar, Board of Trademarks, and Intellectual Property and International Trade Court (IP&IT Court).

  • Assisted a regional packaging company in company formation in Myanmar, including conducting land legal due diligence, advising on the establishment of a factory, obtaining necessary approvals and licenses, and advising on labor and employment matters.
  • Advised a subsidiary of Thailand’s largest cement company in developing port facilities for private use in cement operations, including preparing agreements, structuring terms and conditions, and obtaining the Myanmar Port Authority’s approval for the deal.
  • Advised one of the world’s largest social network companies on Myanmar Wi-Fi and telecommunications laws and regulations as part of the client’s plans for the establishment of a subsidiary in the country.
  • Advised an international development organization on labor laws, employment agreements, office policy manual, tax, and banking and accounting reports for their company’s establishment in Myanmar.
  • Represented a leading provider of offshore ship and shipyard services in establishing a technical services and engineering company in Myanmar, including assisting with company formation, advising on environmental regulations and operational issues, and obtaining necessary permits.
  • Assisted a regional medical information services provider in setting up a medical information management and research company in Myanmar, including advising on laws and regulations for offering consulting and information services, market research and support services, and publicizing of medical information.

Asialaw Leading Lawyers
Intellectual Property 2023 – Notable Practitioner for 3 consecutive years
Corporate/M&A 2024 – Notable Practitioner

IFLR 1000
Banking & Finance 2024 – Highly Regarded for 6 consecutive years
M&A 2024 – Highly Regarded for 6 consecutive years

WTR 1000
Trademarks 2023 – Recommended for 4 consecutive years

World IP Review Leaders
Intellectual Property 2022 – Ranked Lawyer for 2 consecutive years