DFDL is delighted to announce this mid-year’s partner promotions and nominations. These advancements reinforce our dedication to developing key individuals with significant potential to contribute to the firm’s growth. They align with DFDL’s strategy and focus on quality, emphasizing our commitment to a sustainable and locally entrenched business.
Promotions to Partner:
- Saif Bhuiyan (Bangladesh): Celebrated for his outstanding contributions to the projects and energy sector, Saif rises to the role of Partner. As a transactional lawyer with over eight years of experience, his expertise spans international IPOs, and project financing. His areas of specialization include Projects and Energy, Infrastructure, Banking and Finance, M&A and Real Estate.
- Davy Kong (Cambodia): Davy’s promotion acknowledges her impact on the Cambodian Real Estate and Construction workstream. With over 15 years of real estate experience in Cambodia, she has an in-depth understanding of the Cambodian market, focusing on land law, environmental law, construction law, trust law, real estate development, and special economic zone regulations. Her very active involvement in the Cambodian business community, notably through her role as AMCHAM board member, has been bringing great value in terms of DFDL’s visibility in the market.
- Vajiravann Chamnan (Cambodia): Vajiravann, a tax professional with over 10 years of experience in Cambodia, brings extensive tax expertise to her new partner role. She possesses a deep understanding of Cambodian tax regulations and offers a proven track record in tax compliance, audits, tax due diligence, and tax advisory services, making her a trusted advisor for domestic and international clients.
- Kooi Thong Lai (Lao PDR): Leveraging his 15 years’ experience and expertise in banking and finance and debt capital market transactions, Kooithong has been promoted to Partner. His regional expertise is enhanced by his recent relocation to Vientiane, which also further solidifies DFDL’s presence in Lao PDR, while he will continue supporting the Banking & Finance Practice at DFDL’s Phnom Penh office. His deep knowledge of Southeast Asian financial markets and regulations, including Islamic finance, spans various industries such as aviation, logistics, technology, media, and telecommunications. Before joining DFDL, Kooithong was a Partner at a top-tier Malaysian law firm and led the Malaysian office of a global law firm’s alternative legal service provider, advising on key financing transactions.
New Leadership Role:
- Kristy Newby: In recognition of continuous and consistent contributions to large energy, mining and infrastructure matters as well as to the intimate knowledge she has developed over the years of the regional energy landscape and players, notably from the perspective of the cross-border dynamics between Laos and Thailand, Laos and China and Laos and Vietnam, Kristy has been appointed co-head of the Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure practice alongside Dave Seibert. This strengthens DFDL’s leadership in this key practice area. She also co-leads the regional Compliance & Investigations Practice, frequently advising on data protection and privacy matters.
Commenting on these appointments, Audray Souche, Regional Managing Partner of DFDL, said:
“It is an honor to announce these well-deserved partner promotions, particularly during DFDL’s 30th anniversary. We are also proud of the number of women among our new partners, reflecting our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are very pleased to recognize the outstanding talent within our team. Seeing our young lawyers from diverse backgrounds become partners is a highlight of my leadership experience. We will continue building on our strengths and growing capabilities in key areas to further benefit our clients.”
Join us in congratulating our new Partners and Kristy Newby. We are proud of their achievements and excited for their continued contributions to DFDL’s success.
