David Doran is the Founding Partner of DFDL and formerly served as its chairman and managing partner. He currently acts as head of DFDL’s Thai practice, based in our Bangkok office. David has over 30 years of experience in Southeast Asia, having opened and managed DFDL offices in Vientiane in 1994, Phnom Penh in 1995 and Bangkok in 2005.

David has broad experience in cross border M&A transactions, project finance and FDI. He also has special expertise in the energy sector, having represented both developers and lenders for major renewable energy projects across the region. He has advised on nearly 20 hydropower projects worth over USD 15 billion in the Lao PDR.

More recently, David has turned his attention to the education sector, including traditional, online and hybrid institutions, from start-ups to international schools, as well as their funding & acquisition.

David was born in Thailand, is a Thai citizen, and is authorized to provide legal advice in Thailand. He is also admitted to the practice law in California and Washington State.