Vietnam 2024
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
General counsel and head of legal, compliance, and corporate affairs | Pharmacity
Head of legal, compliance and government affairs | Asia Clean Capital Vietnam
Director of legal and compliance division | MB Shinsei Finance (Mcredit)
Head of legal and contract manager | Ricons Construction Investment
Senior vice president - head of legal | Emergent Property Services Vietnam
Head of legal - Vietnam and Asia Area frontier markets / director of legal affairs and organisational capacity development | AstraZeneca
Chief legal officer | Hoi An South Development
We are beyond thrilled to announce the second edition of the GC Powerlist: Vietnam, building on the success of last year’s inaugural publication. This edition highlights a whole new plethora of accomplished in-house lawyers in one of the world’s foremost high-growth and high-potential economies. As well as celebrating their exceptional achievements and innovative approaches as they navigate the complexities of the legal landscape, we delve into what creative strategies they have used to navigate the unique challenges they face in the Vietnamese business context.
The in-house legal community in Vietnam expands its knowledge base every day, with local lawyers increasingly taking on prominent roles internationally. The GC Powerlist Team is proud to foster connections within this vibrant and positive in-house legal community.
Inside this edition, you will find in-depth profiles and exclusive interviews with influential general counsel from a variety of industries. These professionals have consistently demonstrated their capacity to shape legal strategies, mitigate risks, and provide invaluable guidance to their organisations. Their accomplishments inspire the legal community, showcasing the significant impact that in-house lawyers can have on business strategies and overall success.
As in-house counsel play a more active role in decision-making, they are well-positioned to advise on building strong partnerships. Tong Thi Thu Thao, head of legal and contract manager at Ricons Construction Investment, shares insights on collaboration: “The key to successful partnerships is being proactive, maintaining effective communication, and engaging early to align legal and business objectives. This means considering commercial factors, rather than focusing solely on legal issues. In-house legal counsel should actively understand their company’s operations and strategic goals, regularly update on relevant regulations, and provide timely support, even without specific requests from management. By adopting a proactive approach and ensuring transparency in all communications, the legal team builds trust and fosters a shared goal of mutual growth. Legal leaders should position their function as facilitators, helping the business achieve its objectives within the legal framework.”
This publication addresses various topics and challenges unique to the in-house legal sector. We invite you to explore the GC Powerlist: Vietnam 2024 and discover the remarkable stories of these exceptional professionals. Through their experiences and insights, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of Vietnam’s in-house legal landscape, highlighting the invaluable contributions of the nation’s top corporate lawyers.
On behalf of The Legal 500, I extend my deepest gratitude to all the featured in-house lawyers for their valuable contributions and for sharing their journeys with us. It is my pleasure to present this distinguished collection, showcasing Vietnam’s most exceptional and dedicated in-house legal talent.
Joe Boswell
Global editor – GC Powerlist
Legal 500
On 3 September, after the success of the Kenya launch, Legal 500 hosted the second official launch event for the GC Powerlist: East Africa 2026, in partnership with ENS. Held at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, Uganda, the evening brought together many of the region’s leading in-house lawyers, with a particular focus on celebrating the strength and contribution of Uganda’s legal community.
The event commenced with welcoming remarks from Giulio Tomassi Galanti, Business Development Manager at Legal 500, who highlighted the dynamic growth and increasing sophistication of the East African legal market. He also reflected on the rigorous research and selection process behind the GC Powerlist series, congratulating this year’s honourees for their outstanding contributions to both the legal profession and the organisations they serve.
Giulio was followed by Rachel Musoke, Head of ENS Uganda, who addressed the audience and applauded the exceptional achievements of those recognised in the 2026 edition.
Following the formal certificate presentation ceremony, Candy Wekesa Okoboi, Head of Legal at Stanbic Bank Uganda, was invited to speak on behalf of the honourees. She reflected on the significance of being recognised by the publication and emphasised the importance of bringing together East Africa’s in-house legal community to celebrate shared achievements, strengthen professional connections, and support the continued development of the profession across the region.
The Kampala launch of the GC Powerlist: East Africa 2026 proved a fitting celebration of the region’s outstanding in-house legal talent. The evening showcased the depth of expertise, leadership, and innovation present across East Africa’s corporate counsel community, while reaffirming Legal 500’s commitment to recognising and championing its achievements. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this year’s research process, and to ENS for once again partnering with Legal 500 to provide a platform that honours these exceptional legal professionals.
