Mr. CHHEAV SATTHIA
Attorney-at-Law | Managing Partner
Mr. Chheav Satthia is the Founder and Managing Partner of Amara Law Firm, which was restructured from C H L Law Office in early 2024 to expand and enhance its legal services. Prior to founding Amara Law Firm, he practiced law for over six years, gaining extensive experience across a broad range of legal fields.
Satthia specializes in Real Estate and Construction, Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Intellectual Property, Securities, and Family Law. He also handles civil, commercial, and corporate litigation, criminal litigation, and cross-border legal matters involving Cambodian jurisdiction.
He holds an Executive Master’s Degree in International Business Law (LL.M.), with honors, from the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Belgium, and the Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE), Cambodia.
Satthia earned his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from RULE and completed the Japanese Law education program at the Nagoya University Research and Education Center for Japanese Law in Cambodia.
He also holds a qualification in Commercial Arbitration from the National Commercial Arbitration Centre (NCAC) of Cambodia.
Satthia has been a licensed member of the Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia (BAKC) since 2019.
In addition to his legal practice, Satthia serves as the Deputy Director of the Law and Justice Program of the Union Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC), Phnom Penh, and as Vice President of the Volunteering Lawyers Group affiliated with the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction (MLMUPC). In this capacity, he actively contributes to the drafting and review of laws and regulations, including the Land Law and other related legal instruments, with the objective of proposing them for adoption by the Government and subsequent enactment by the legislature of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
He is also an adjunct lecturer teaching law at university.
He is fluent in Khmer, English, and Japanese.
Mr. CHHEAV HOURLAY
Attorney-at-Law | Founding Partner
Mr. Chheav Hourlay is the Founding Partner of Amara Law Firm, a dynamic legal practice based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The firm evolved from C H L Law Office, which Mr. Hourlay initially established, and was restructured to offer broader, more comprehensive legal services tailored to the evolving needs of both domestic and international clients. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping the firm’s growth and reputation for professional integrity and client-centered solutions.
With over a decade of experience in the legal field, Mr. Hourlay has cultivated substantial expertise in human rights law, with a particular focus on criminal investigations, prison management, and rehabilitation programs. His commitment to justice and institutional reform is reflected in his continued involvement in cases and initiatives that aim to protect individual rights and promote transparency in the justice system.
His core practice centers on criminal litigation, where he has successfully represented clients in a wide spectrum of cases, including high-profile matters involving drug trafficking, money laundering, and human trafficking. Known for his meticulous legal strategy and courtroom presence, Mr. Hourlay is frequently sought after for complex and sensitive criminal cases, including those handled in coordination with various foreign embassies in Cambodia.
In addition to his litigation work, he also advises clients on a variety of commercial contract matters, providing legal counsel on real estate transactions, agricultural trade and supply chain operations, and natural resource distribution and retail. His understanding of both regulatory frameworks and commercial realities allows him to deliver practical, business-oriented legal solutions.
Mr. Hourlay obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE) in Phnom Penh in 2008. He has been a licensed member of the Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia (BAKC) since 2012 and currently serves as a member of the Inspectorate of the Inspection Department of the BAKC, contributing to the oversight and ethical standards of the legal profession in Cambodia.
Fluent in Khmer and English, Mr. Hourlay is well-positioned to assist both local and international clients and is committed to upholding the principles of justice, accountability, and client service.