Dacheng Wong Law Alliance, Chinese law firm Dacheng’s Singapore joint venture, has led the formation of a Southeast Asian legal network called the ASEAN Legal Alliance (ALA).

The ALA, which aims to provide integrated legal services across countries that will make up the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), describes itself as a “regional network of leading law firms [that] serves as [a] one-stop legal partner to companies expanding in the region.”
 
The 10 firms in the network, each representing an ASEAN country, are Dacheng Wong Alliance, Yeoh Mazlina & Partners (Malaysia), Indochine Counsel (Vietnam), HML Law Firm & Consultants (Cambodia), Advokatku Legal Audit Consultant (Indonesia), Lao Law & Consultancy Group (Laos), GSMH Law (Philippines), Apisith & Alliance Ltd (Thailand), Cheok Advocates and Solicitors (Brunei) and Global Law Firm (Myanmar).

The ALA was launched last week with a full-day legal conference in Singapore entitled “ASEAN Economic Community - what can you expect.”

“The alliance is timely, as governments and businesses in ASEAN prepare for the AEC which will make ASEAN a common market for business, trade and commerce,” said Aloysius Wee, partner at Dacheng Wong Alliance, in a statement. “Clients planning to expand their businesses in the different markets within ASEAN in quick succession need holistic advice on cross-border transactions and international law. They also need deep, on-ground knowledge to help them navigate diverse business landscapes and cultural complexities to succeed. ALA fulfils these needs while upholding the highest standards of professional integrity, competence and standards.”

With an eye on the AEC, a number of law firms are setting up Southeast Asian legal networks. Notable networks out of Singapore so far have included Rajah & Tann’s Rajah & Tann Asia, and RHTLaw Taylor Wessing’s ASEAN+ network.