Czech Republic-based independent European law firm Kinstellar has expanded its Asia presence with the launch of a new sister law firm in Cambodia through the combination of local counterparts Sok Siphana & Associates and Sethalay Law Office under a single brand “Sok Siphana Sethalay in association with Kinstellar Southeast Asia”.
Vanseka Sok, who previously led Sethalay Law Office, is now the managing partner of the newly formed entity Sok Siphana Sethalay in association with Kinstellar Southeast Asia.
Sok told Asia Business Law Journal that multinational companies, regional investors and local enterprises increasingly sought to capitalise on opportunities generated from Cambodia’s economic growth and strategic geographical position in Southeast Asia.
Sok added that this led to a growing demand for high-quality, business-oriented legal services that aligned with international standards, describing her new firm as being uniquely positioned to meet such demand through pragmatic and commercially focused legal advice across core practice areas.
“These (core practice areas) include corporate and commercial law, foreign investment [and] project development, particularly in renewable energy and infrastructure, as well as dispute resolution and cross-border transactions,” said Sok.
Sok brings about 12 years’ experience in financial law, commercial transactions, investment law and arbitration. As a former legal adviser to the National Bank of Cambodia, she was involved in the liquidation of banks and the drafting of resolution laws.
During her career, she supported various authorities in conducting research and drafting regulations on financial technology, consumer protection, universal health coverage, and competition law. Sok also regularly advises clients on market entry strategies, particularly in the financial services, investment and aviation sectors.
In Cambodia, Kinstellar has a team of 40 professionals, including a mix of lawyers and support staff, fluent in multiple languages to ensure effective communication and understanding across diverse client bases. The team also comprises partners and associates qualified to practice in various jurisdictions, covering a broad range of practice areas including corporate, finance, energy, dispute resolution and more.
“Together, these firms leverage local expertise and regional synergies to deliver comprehensive legal services across Southeast Asia, ensuring clients benefit from co-ordinated support in both Cambodia and Vietnam,” said Sok.
Sok Siphana Sethalay in association with Kinstellar Southeast Asia is part of a growing regional platform that includes the Asia Counsel, Kinstellar’s sister law firm in Vietnam. Based in Ho Chi Minh City, the Asia Counsel currently counts more than 20 Vietnamese and foreign lawyers, including three partners.
