The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Allens Arthur Robinson is a first tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson advises borrowers or lenders on project financing, drafts bank documentation, advises on establishing new banks and acts for foreign banks investing in local players such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s (CBA) acquisition of a 15% stake in Vietnam International Commercial Joint Stock Bank (VIB). Borrower clients include Harbinger Capital Partners, while on the lender side the team advised a Singapore-based bank on a $100m syndicated loan to a Hanoi developer. Lead banking and finance partner Thomas Miller is highly regarded, with Bill Magennis recommended for project finance. Senior associate Linh Bui and newly promoted partner Hop Dang are also recommended.

Within Capital markets, Allens Arthur Robinson is a third tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson’s Thomas Miller and senior associate Linh Bui are recommended. The team has been advising VimpelCom on a complex share swap transaction with GTEL-Mobile.

Within Corporate and M&A, Allens Arthur Robinson is a first tier firm,

‘Good for M&A work’, Allens Arthur Robinson has been busy with share transactions including BP’s $1bn divestment of interests in oil production facilities and Phu My 3 power plant, as well as advising China Investment Corporation on acquiring a 19% interest in AES – VMC Mong Duong Power BOT Company. It advised several clients on new joint ventures including a beer production deal between Sapporo Holdings Ltd and Vinataba. The firm also provides operational and contract advice, and notably collaborated with Melbourne colleagues to advise Hutchison Telecommunications (Vietnam) on rolling out its 2G and 3G networks. Its ‘good, experienced lawyers’ include Nigel Russell, Bill Magennis and financing expert Thomas Miller, who are all recommended, as are senior associates Andrew Hilton and Linh Bui.

Within Dispute resolution, Allens Arthur Robinson is a first tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson primarily advises in commercial and construction disputes. Bill Magennis ‘combines a great ability to understand what is important and the realities of doing business in Vietnam with pragmatism and admirable technical legal skills’. Hop Dang, who made partner in July 2011, is a panel arbitrator at the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). He is ‘exceptionally well qualified and has specialist knowledge on sovereign risk issues’.

Within Insurance, Allens Arthur Robinson is a second tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson’s Bill Magennis and senior associate Andrew Hilton have substantial experience in the sector, having worked on the equitisations of BaoViet and Bao Minh CMG, and advised Allianz on becoming Vietnam’s first wholly foreign-owned insurer.

Within Legal market overview,

Vilaf – Hong Duc and YKVN remain the standout full-service Vietnamese firms. Allens Arthur Robinson, Baker & McKenzie, Frasers and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer are among the best full-service international firms, as are Mayer Brown JSM and Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I., both of which are performing superbly across numerous practice areas. The rankings include Singapore or Hong Kong practices with significant track records relating to Vietnam.

Within Projects and energy, Allens Arthur Robinson is a first tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson’s ‘very professional’ team of ‘good, experienced lawyers’ acts on some of Vietnam’s signal projects. It is advising Vung Ang II Thermal Power JSC on establishing a 1,200MW thermal power plant, Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Company on the Nghi Son 2 project, and for an investor on the 1,240MW Mong Duong 2 coal-fired power plant. It is advising Premier Oil on financing a FPSO platform. Bill Magennis, newly promoted partner Hop Dang, and financing expert Thomas Miller are recommended.

Within Real estate and construction, Allens Arthur Robinson is a first tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson has one of Vietnam’s foremost construction practices, complemented by its wider real estate practice. It was busy during 2010 and 2011 advising manufacturers on building factories. Ongoing real estate projects include mandates in Ho Chi Minh City: advising Refico on ownership structuring and development of Project Nexus, a resort complex in District 1, and advising Azure City Co Ltd on the Watergardens Project, a 43,000sq m residential development in District 9. Corporate work included selling property or interests in real estate projects. Practice head Nigel Russell provides ‘pragmatic, quality advice’, supported by a team including senior associates Hoai Tran and the ‘impressive’ Andrew Hilton. Thomas Miller (financing) and Bill Magennis (projects and development) arealso recommended.

Within TMT (technology, media and telecoms), Allens Arthur Robinson is a first tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson ‘provides a high-quality, responsive, commercially astute professional service, underpinned by quality international legal knowledge and deep experience in Vietnam’. The Vietnam team recently worked alongside Melbourne colleagues to advise Hutchison Telecommunications (Vietnam) on rolling out its 2G and 3G networks, and on converting its joint venture with Hanoi Telecom into a joint stock company structure. Bill Magennis ‘combines a great ability to understand what is important and the realities of doing business in Vietnam with pragmatism and admirable technical legal skills’, and Thomas Miller is ‘an international-quality finance lawyer, whose advice is reliable and service dependable’. The pair is representing VimpelCom on a complex preference shares investment to increase its stake in GTEL-Mobile. Newly promoted partner Hop Dang and senior associate Andrew Hilton are also recommended.

Within Tax, Allens Arthur Robinson is a second tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson advises on tax relating to transactions and corporate structures. Bill Magennis, Thomas Miller and Hop Dang are recommended.