Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

Australian firm Allens Arthur Robinson’s litigation and dispute resolution practice remains at the top of the table. The firm has been present in the market for over three decades and has two offices in Vietnam, one in Hanoi and another in Ho Chi Minh City. The latter is managed by Nigel Russell and the former by energy and disputes specialist Bill Magennis. The firm’s sector specialties include construction and energy, where it has gained a strong market foothold.

Baker & McKenzie’s dispute resolution practice offers strategic litigation analysis, litigation services, alternative dispute resolution and corporate compliance. The firm is experienced in cross-border work and has argued cases before the World Trade Organization (WTO). The firm boasts a host of leading individuals such as Fred Burke, Ha Tran, Hung Manh Tran and James Lockett.

A strong local player, DC Law has a solid litigation and arbitration practice headed up by experienced litigator Le Cong Dinh. With a track record acting in local courts and on international arbitrations, the firm has played decisive roles in prominent cases for multinational corporates in labour, corporate, commercial, competition and construction disputes before the Vietnamese courts. Clients of the practice include Sun Wah Properties, American Coffee and Bureau Veritas.

As one of the large international firms present in Vietnam for the past decade, Gide Loyrette Nouel brings quality litigation advice to international investor clients. In a recent international arbitration, the team was appointed as legal adviser to the State of Vietnam. The firm has two offices, one in Hanoi and another in Ho Chi Minh City. The group services multinational corporate and governmental clients, and has long-standing relationships with energy and construction companies. Cases handled recently include breach of contract and non-competition agreements, medical malpractice suits and shareholder actions.

With two offices in the country, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s dispute resolution practice is well-regarded by the market. The team is led by three partners including practice head Milton Lawson who is a commercial disputes specialist. The firm focuses on finance sector-related arbitrations and negotiations. Clients include leading banks, industrial corporates and domestic goods manufacturers.

Vilaf-Hong Duc has a strong dispute resolution practice with emphasis on the maritime and construction industries in matters like letters of credit, construction contracts, vessel collisions, cargo damage and commercial contracts. Recent high-profile work has seen the firm represent Radiant Investments in a dispute with United International Corporation over a 2% share. Vilaf helped settle the dispute and another issue between the boards of directors of the company.

Crown Agents used the firm in its disagreement with a former employee over the termination of their employment. Vilaf defended Vietnam International Assurance in a dispute over insurance for damaged goods. Nguyen Duy Linh is the firm’s head of litigation. Ngo Thanh Tung and Le Phan Thuy Anh are two other standout names.

The litigation and dispute resolution practice at Mayer Brown JSM has been developing on the back of its existing corporate and financial work. The team has been active representing its current commercial and investor clients in contentious matters, particularly on the IP, shareholder and employment front. The firm has been a presence in the market for 15 years and is led by Dao Nguyen.

Vision & Associates brings domestic capabilities with international experience to its clients when handling dispute resolution matters. Clients of the team include Hanoi Vietnamese-French Hospital, Fujita and Ready-mix Concrete. Le Quynh Anh is a respected litigator that leads a team of practitioners dealing with litigation, arbitration and mediation. Services cover legal advice, warning letter drafting, negotiations, defence before the Vietnamese courts, commercial arbitrations and enforcements.

One recent case for the firm had it advising Asahi Glass in a debt recovery from a Vietnamese company. The lawyers drafted a warning letter and engaged in negotiations which resulted in a conciliation between the debtor and its client.

A domestic legal stronghold, YKVN is not only known for its financial and corporate law prowess, but offers a solid dispute resolution practice that represents clients at all levels of the Vietnamese court system and in international arbitration centres. The practice focuses on litigation and arbitration in foreign investment and international commercial disputes. Recent clients include Vietcombank, Saigon Petro and DMBM, a US clothing manufacturer. Leading names of the practice include Diep Hoai Nam and Truong Nhat Quang.

In a recent major trade controversy between Vietnam and the US, the firm advised Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters & Producers and its members in relation to US anti-dumping proceedings targeted at imposing antidumping duties on imports of fish fillets from Vietnam. This was a high-profile case that had the team working around the clock with the individual companies in the Mekong Delta to prepare them for the US Department of Commerce verification.

Bizlink Lawyers & Consultants

The dispute resolution practice at Bizlink Lawyers & Consultants covers a range of areas, assisting clients on their financial, commercial, corporate, shipping, insurance, IP and employment dispute matters. The lawyers in the practice advise on negotiations, legal representation of clients before the local courts, arbitration and alternative proceedings. Managing partner Do Trong Hai has experience across the spectrum of services Bizlink offers, and combines his transactional experience with that of being a litigation barrister.

Detech & Associates

IP boutique Detech & Associates specialises in dispute resolution related to IP matters. Founded in 1991, its lawyers work with clients on IP infringements, and advise and represent clients in appeals and objections, litigations, and conducting searches and evidence collections or actions against IP rights infringements.

Phuoc & Partners

Phuoc & Partners’ dispute resolution and litigation practice group offers clients advice on traditional litigation, private mediation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution processes. The firm recently gained litigation specialist Dinh Quang Thuan and his joining bolsters the practice’s expertise. The group covers a range of legal sectors such as maritime, employment, insurance, construction, corporate and commercial. Key clients include Prudential Vietnam Assurance Private, Hagen O’Connell, New World Fashion Group and Electronic Samsung Vina.

A notable case for the firm had it representing the defendant Schlumberger Vietnam Services in a labour dispute brought on by a former employee for a claim in the amount of US$987,000. The Vietnamese appeal court completely rejected the claim of the plaintiff.

VCI-Legal

The dispute resolution team at VCI-Legal predominantly handles IP enforcement and litigation involving commercial, property, employment and maritime legal issues. Its clients span a range of industries from local businesses to multinational conglomerates. Examples include Coca Cola, Shell, Prudential and Unilever.