Biography

Philip Sweeney Philip Sweeney is a seasoned British solicitor and the driving force behind Opus Law International in Thailand. With a career spanning over four decades, he brings a wealth of experience in serious and complex litigation to the Thai legal market, specializing in providing clear, ethical, and transparent legal services to the expatriate community.

Philip began his legal career in the United Kingdom and was admitted as a solicitor in December 1980 . He spent a significant portion of his early career practicing at Petherbridge & Company in Bradford, a firm that would later evolve . Demonstrating his expertise and leadership, he became a Senior Partner at the firm. As the practice grew and rebranded to Petherbridge Bassra Solicitors, Philip continued in a senior capacity, serving as a Consultant, where he remained actively involved until his departure from the UK . His practice focused on the most serious of cases, including complex fraud, business crime, and regulatory matters, regularly appearing before the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) .

In 2002, Philip co-founded Opus Law as a specialist department within Petherbridge Bassra, creating a dedicated team to handle high-stakes, complex crime and regulatory investigations . Under his guidance, Opus Law became recognized as a leading firm in its field, securing a place on the prestigious Legal Services Commission's Very High Cost Case (VHCC) Panel .

Seeking a new challenge and a better quality of life, Philip moved to Thailand in 2014 . Recognizing a gap in the market for reputable, English-speaking legal services, he co-founded Opus Law International in Bangkok with Thai partner Wirun (Ohm) Suwanno. Their shared vision was to build a firm that offered expatriates and foreigners the same professional, efficient, and ethically sound legal counsel that Philip had championed in the UK .

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Philip adapted by relocating to Chiang Mai, where he continued to manage the firm's operations and client matters remotely. Demonstrating resilience and a commitment to growth, he oversaw the re-opening of the Bangkok office in 2025. Today, Philip expertly manages both branches, dividing his time between the bustling capital and the northern capital to ensure Opus Law International provides seamless, client-focused service across Thailand.

• Experience: Admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales (1980).

• Accreditations: Criminal Litigation Accredited, Higher Courts Rights (Criminal) Accredited .

• Practice Focus: Visas & Immigration, Property Law, Litigation, Family Law, and Business Services for expatriates .