The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Tilleke & Gibbins is a third tier firm,

Tilleke & Gibbins’ banking and finance team has ‘really upped its game’ in 2012, and ‘the response is quick and always on time’. It recently advised Standard Chartered Bank (Vietnam) during bancassurance transactions with ACE Life, and also prepared a suite of home loan documentation and related security agreements for the same client. Department head Michael Lee ‘always provides professional advice’ and is highly recommended, as is senior associate Vinh Quoc Nguyen.

Within Corporate and M&A, Tilleke & Gibbins is a second tier firm,

Tilleke & Gibbins is ‘reliable and stable in terms of work and efficiency’, and ‘provides value-added service in its analysis of new legislation and how it may impact clients’. The team acts for foreign clients acquiring operations in Asia and domestic clients wishing to invest internationally. It has particular expertise in franchising work, and handled this type of work for clients such as Gap Inc, Hertz Europe, Subway, Hamley’s, Arcadia and Circle K Convenience Stores. Department head Michael Lee is recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, Tilleke & Gibbins is a third tier firm,

In keeping with their excellent IP practice, Tilleke & Gibbins has a specialised practice focusing on IP dispute resolution, reflecting the firm’s wider strength in IP, as well as a highly respected employment disputes practice.

Within Intellectual property: International firms, Tilleke & Gibbins is a first tier firm,

Clients are ‘impressed by the high levels of professionalism’ at Tilleke & Gibbins, which has a comprehensive IP practice in Vietnam, with particular expertise in anti-counterfeiting, strategic filing advice, and commercial IP work. The team is equally adept at trade mark and patent work, and handles a prolific volume of patent registration and prosecution each year. The team recently added three recruits to support the work of managing partner Thomas Treutler and department head Nga Thi Phi Nguyen, whose ‘advice is educated and informative, and always given in a timely manner’. The department recently advised Gap Inc on the IP and commercial aspects of its franchising entry into both Thailand and Vietnam, and co-ordinated successful raids in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on behalf of New Era, resulting in the seizure of a large number of counterfeit baseball caps.

Within Intellectual property: Local firms Leading individuals

Within Real estate and construction, Tilleke & Gibbins is a second tier firm,

Tilleke & Gibbins’ real estate and construction team is ‘efficient’ and shows ‘high professionalism’ in its advice to clients such as Marriott, VinaCapital, Kumho Engineering and Construction, Da Cin, and Prudential. Recently promoted partner Michael Lee heads the department and has been providing ongoing advice to Taisei, one of Japan’s largest engineering and construction companies, on a $170m mixed-use commercial real estate development in Hanoi. Thomas Treutler and senior associate Vinh Quoc Nguyen are also recommended.

Within Shipping, Tilleke & Gibbins is a second tier firm,

Tilleke & Gibbins’s practice encompasses a range of shipping and maritime issues, including sales and purchases, cargo recovery, freight forwarding, marine insurance, shipbuilding, vessel registration, and environmental regulatory advice.

Within TMT, Tilleke & Gibbins is a second tier firm,

The TMT team at Tilleke & Gibbins works in tandem with the firm's strong IP department. It has expertise in e-commerce, cloud computing and online contracts, among other areas, and recently advised global mobile phone distributor Brightstar on available business lines for its revised business model. Thomas Treutler leads the team.