Faces and Stories of GA

Through this initiative, “Faces and Stories of GA,” we invite you to step behind the scenes of our firm to discover the distinctive blend of human and professional qualities that define GA.

Using the voices of our professionals, we will delve into the most significant moments of their careers, the motivations that drive them, and their insights on the laws and changes shaping our industry.

Today, we are pleased to introduce you to Mallika E.S Margherita, Partner at ILCT Ltd.!

Mallika, a Thai national of Italian heritage. She is a lawyer of a bilingual background. Having grew up in a bilingual environment, Ms. Mallika possesses unique and rare multicultural knowledge. She graduated LLB from a notable Thai university along with an LLM from a US law school. Following her education, she has been practicing law for more than three decades.

What is the most important advice you would give to someone starting this career?

The most important advice I would give to anyone starting a legal career would be to really understand the world around you, not just the law. Law isn’t just about knowing the rules, it’s about understanding people, cultures, and how businesses operate.  In today’s interconnected world, it’s incredibly important to be able to navigate different legal systems, especially in cross-border work. Being bilingual or multilingual is a huge advantage, as it allows you to bridge cultural and legal differences. Don't be afraid to take on challenges, whether that’s a complex cross-border deal or adapting to new legal developments. Law is constantly evolving, so being flexible and willing to learn is key.

What was your main motivation for becoming a lawyer?

I think my motivation came from a mix of curiosity and a desire to make a real impact. Growing up in a bilingual environment, I was naturally drawn to the idea of working across cultures. I wanted to use my legal skills to help people and businesses from different parts of the world. I enjoy the challenge of solving complex problems, particularly when it means opening doors for others in a new market. It’s incredibly satisfying to assist clients in overcoming legal barriers and achieving success in a foreign market.

What are the most important current laws affecting potential investors in your country?

For anyone looking to invest in Thailand, the Foreign Business Act is one of the most important laws to keep in mind, especially because it restricts foreign ownership in certain sectors. But there are ways to work around these limitations, especially if you’re working with Thai partners or using other structures that the law allows. The Board of Investment (BOI) is also a key resource for foreign investors. They offer incentives like tax exemptions and other benefits, depending on the sector you’re investing in—especially in tourism, manufacturing, and tech. Additionally, if you’re considering real estate, there are restrictions on foreign ownership, and the rules can get a little complicated, so it’s always wise to seek legal advice.

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Grimaldi Alliance, studio legale internazionale con 11 sedi in Italia, oltre a uffici diretti a New York, Lugano, Brussels, Londra e Parigi, e un network internazionale attivo in oltre 60 giurisdizioni, annuncia l’ingresso di ILCT, prestigioso studio professionale thailandese con oltre 100 professionisti, presente a Bangkok.

Fondato nel 1966, ILCT è uno dei brand più autorevoli del mercato della Thailandia, con un'offerta full service che comprende una vasta gamma di practise: banking&finance, competition e antistrust, negoziazioni avanzate, corporate, entertainment, servizi per espatriati, fintech, food&drug, affari esteri, appalti pubblici, Information Technology, infrastrutture e project financing, assicurativo, proprietà intellettuale, diritto del lavoro, litigation e abitrati, diritto sanitario, M&A, diritto minerario, real estate, fiscale e tax. 

Con 10 partner, coordinati dal Managing Partner Jayavadh Bunnag, i 100 professionisti di lLCT assicurano un coverage professionale e linguistico (tailandese, inglese, cinese, giapponese, francese, italiano e spagnolo) davvero rilevante per GA.

"L'ingresso di ILCT in Grimaldi Alliance rappresenta un tassello fondamentale nella nostra strategia di espansione sui mercati asiatici", ha dichiarato Francesco Sciaudone, Managing Partner di Grimaldi Alliance. "Grimaldi Alliance si conferma un ponte strategico per tutti gli imprenditori che desiderano espandere le loro attività all'estero. La nostra collaborazione con ILCT ci permette di ampliare ulteriormente la nostra capacità di accompagnare le aziende nell’enorme mercato asiatico, garantendo loro un supporto legale su misura e basato su una profonda conoscenza del contesto locale."

La partnership con ILCT consolida la posizione di Grimaldi Alliance come leader globale nel supporto legale per l'internazionalizzazione delle imprese, offrendo soluzioni personalizzate che facilitano la crescita e l’espansione delle aziende nei mercati più dinamici del mondo.