The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Mayer Brown is a first tier firm,

‘Top tier in all respects’, Mayer Brown JSM advises extensively on documentation, regulations and transactions, and represents major borrowers on large credit or debt facilities. The group recently advised Vietinbank on a $307m debt and equity investment by the IFC, and advised Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) as borrower on a $540m syndicated loan. Its clients include ANZ, Credit Agricole, HSBC, the IFC, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC), Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and Techcombank. Hoang Anh Nguyen and Mai Phuong Nguyen are recommended, along with managing partner Dao Nguyen, who ‘can do no wrong – head and shoulders above her peers in the market’.

Within Capital markets, Mayer Brown is a first tier firm,

Always responsive, hardworking and professional’, Mayer Brown JSM is especially good for debt-side instructions. It advised Elara Capital plc as sole lead manager and bookrunner on listing Hoang Anh Gia Lai JSC with the UK Listing Authority and on its LSE listing in March 2011 – the first by a Vietnamese company. Other instructions included advising on several dollar-denominated bond issuances. The ‘very practical and experienced’ Hoang Anh Nguyen has ‘in-depth knowledge and very good ability to understand well clients’ needs’. Mai Phuong Nguyen is ‘experienced, responsive and creative’, and Dao Nguyen has ‘great in-depth knowledge and is an outstanding lawyer’.

Within Corporate and M&A, Mayer Brown is a first tier firm,

Mayer Brown JSM’s ‘talented team provides excellent commercial and legal advice, while value for money is fabulous’. The group advises on establishing companies or joint ventures, on M&A, restructuring, and operational or contractual issues. It recently advised WPP Singapore on setting up two joint ventures, and is advising on the cross-border restructuring of The Yokohama Rubber Company Limited. Other clients include Chevron International, Jardine Matheson and Vietinbank. ‘Excellent’ corporate real estate expert David Lim and ‘fantastic’ managing partner Dao Nguyen, who is ‘smart, responsive, efficient and no-nonsense’, demonstrate ‘a detailed view of ongoing and likely future legal developments, a strong willingness to understand the client’s exact needs, combined with a pragmatic approach’. Hoang Anh Nguyen, Mai Phuong Nguyen and senior associate Kevin Hawkins are also recommended.

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, Mayer Brown is a first tier firm,

Mayer Brown JSM’s ‘talented team provides great value, and excellent commercial and legal advice’. It advises on establishing joint ventures, on investments, and is representing a consortium in bidding for a BOT power project. Practice head Dao Nguyen may be ‘the top lawyer in Vietnam for a complicated important energy project: she is smart, responsive, efficient, and provides practical advice that resolves a problem or challenge. The government agencies also respect her experience and knowledge’.

Within Real estate and construction, Mayer Brown is a first tier firm,

Mayer Brown JSM’s eight-lawyer real estate team has ‘solid industry knowledge, in particular for real estate; fees are high but worth spending on good advice’; ‘few firms in the market can match it for scope and depth of service, quality and value for money’. Its rare breadth spans expertise in investments and other transactions, financing, licensing and regulatory matters, developments and commercial contract advice. It represents various domestic and international clients on medium and high-end transactions and development projects for hotels and resorts, residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects. It recently advised on a strategic investment into Nam Long Investment Corporation, a privately owned Vietnamese real estate developer. David Lim is ‘highly professional, knowledgeable and service oriented’, and, on the corporate and projects side of the practice, Dao Nguyen is uniformly well respected, and ‘can do no wrong – head and shoulders above her peers in the market’.

Within TMT (technology, media and telecoms), Mayer Brown is a second tier firm,

Mayer Brown JSM provides corporate and commercial advice to IT and telecoms companies. Dao Nguyen is superb.