Sonya Kalnin
Partner Bangkok
Sonya is a Partner in the Energy group.
Dual qualified in England & Wales and Ontario, Canada, Sonya is a seasoned legal expert known for delivering impactful results across diverse legal landscapes. With over two decades of experience, she is a trusted advisor to start-ups, multinational corporations, financial institutions, state-owned enterprises and private equity clients, guiding them through complex global transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity, project finance, strategic alliances, corporate governance and regulatory and compliance matters, including ESG.
Recognised for her strategic insight and dedication to client service, Sonya has built a reputation for excellence particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors across Asia and internationally. Her deep industry knowledge and innovative, pragmatic, and commercially minded legal advice make her a leader in her field.
Consistently ranked as a leading corporate lawyer in Chambers Asia Pacific and Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Sonya is celebrated for her leadership and collaborative approach. Clients praise her as “a great commercially minded lawyer” with “in-depth knowledge that gets the deal done” underscoring her reputation as a leader in her field.
- Advising RATCH Group on its share acquisition in the 2,045 MW Paiton Energy Thermal Power Plant in Indonesia and the operation and maintenance entity from Mitsui & Co., Ltd.; on expanding its renewable energy capacity through the acquisition of shares in Asahan-1 Hydroelectric Power Project, an Indonesian run-of-river hydroelectric power plant with a generation capacity of 180 MW; on bidding for offshore wind farms in Taiwan.
- Advising PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (PTTGC) on its acquisition of 49% stake in Revolve Group Limited, a leading player in the production of rotomolding compounds.
- Advising PTT Public Company Limited’s (Thailand’s largest oil conglomerate) on the successful divestment of shares in Thai Paraxylene Company Limited to Thai Oil Company Limited.
- Advising Ares SSG on the landmark sale of controlling stakes two of Thailand’s largest electric arc furnace steelmakers, G Steel PCL and GJ Steel PCL) to Nippon Steel Corporation, one of the world’s leading steel manufacturers.
- Advising Charoen Pokphand Group on its US$10.6bn acquisition of Tesco’s businesses in Thailand and Malaysia – the largest acquisition in Thailand's history.
- Advising Casino Group on the €3.1bn sale of its stake in Big C Supercenter in Thailand – awarded Deal of the Year, Asian-Mena Counsel’s Deal of the Year 2016.
- Advising Suntory Beverage & Food Asia on its strategic acquisition of a 51% stake in International Refreshment (Thailand) from Pepsi-Cola (Thai) Trading.
- Advising TE Asia Healthcare Partners Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based healthcare investment firm, on its acquisition of shares in Apex Profound Beauty.
- Advising LINE MAN Wongnai and LINE Company (Thailand) Limited on its acquisition of shares in Rabbit LINE Pay Company Limited from previous shareholders, RabbitPay System Company Limited and Advanced mPAY Company Limited.
- Advising Affinity Equity Partners in its strategic investment in Ramkhamhaeng Hospital, one of Thailand’s largest healthcare providers.
Education
- 2001 · University of Windsor, Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- 2000 · Universiteit van Amsterdam, International Legal Exchange
- 1998 · Queen’s University, Bachelor of Arts (BA) (Hons)
- 1994 – 1995 · Universidad de Granada, Spanish Language Exchange
memberships and associations
- Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales – Oct 2003
- Barrister and Solicitor of the Law Society of Upper Canada, Ontario, Canada – Oct 2002
- Member of Canadian Bar Association
- Member of the Thai-Canadian Chamber of Commerce
- Chairperson of the Kalnin Foundation