Banking & Finance
ACSV Legal routinely advises high-net worth individuals, companies, banks, and other entities on cash flow-based lending, asset based lending, acquisition financing, exit financing, and other secured and unsecured financing. We also advise clients on creating security interests for different types of collateral including: inventory, equipment, accounts receivables, securities, real estate, and other to meet the various needs of our clients.
Our lawyers have extensive experience working on banking and finance matters within the Asia Pacific region including but not limited to: syndication, leveraged buyouts, asset finance derivatives, and project financing. We have an in-depth knowledge of the complexities of the local market, as well as our clients’ businesses, and use this expertise to assist our clients in achieving their objectives.
Labour and Employment Law
ACSV Legal regularly advises clients on hiring and disciplinary practices, compensation structures, internal labour regulations, restrictions on post-employment termination. Our team has in-depth legal knowledge with focused, practical experience to help managers make real-world judgments while minimizing potential exposure.
We have also actively collaborated with SH Law led by Huynh Van Nong, a Vietnam qualified lawyer, in various employment related disputes such as harassment, wrongful discharge claims, employment contract and employee benefit claims and wage and hour disputes. Mr Huynh has extensive experience in investigations and litigations, routinely representing both employers and employees in employment disputes.
Corporate / M&A
ACSV Legal has one of the premier Corporate / M&A practices in Vietnam and its approach is to understand the legal, commercial and political dynamics of every matter. ACSV Legal has advised on various high profile complex cross-border M&A transactions which have been made possible by strategic and pre-emptive pre-deal restructuring. We advise on all types of commercial agreements, reviews contracts from both Vietnamese and foreign law perspectives.
ACSV Legal anticipates potential roadblocks and enhances deal certainty by providing sector specific advice on transactions, regulatory requirements and investment policy. We structure investments by combining legal and tax expertise with an intimate understanding of risk allocation and exit considerations.
ACSV Legal advises clients making direct investments into Vietnam. Clients must obtain the correct licenses from the competent authorities and comply with both Vietnamese and foreign legislation. Given that the local Vietnamese laws, regulations and procedures change constantly, are not transparent and complex, ACSV Legal supports its clients during the licensing process and it is essential that we keep our clients updated on these changes.
Private Equity
ACSV Legal has experience in advising clients on strategic investments, divestments, debt and security transactions, design and review of loan contracts, as well as capital contributions. We have extensive experience in private equity transactions with a focus on a strong commercial approach. This gives us a comprehensive understanding of the hurdles our clients may face.
Our experience allows us also to anticipate potential roadblocks and to enhance deal certainty by providing sector specific advice on transactions, regulatory requirements and investment policy. ACSV Legal’s lawyers also facilitate the private equity process by assisting our clients with draft application dossiers, reviewing existing and proposed corporate structure and liaising with the local authorities during the licensing process.
Restructuring
ACSV Legal represents some of the biggest names in many industries in Vietnam, including health and fitness, retail, food and beverage and hospitality. We have advised on various high profile complex cross-border M&A transactions which have been made possible by strategic and pre-emptive pre-deal restructuring.
Our lawyers provide an innovative and practical approach to structuring investments into Vietnam by combining legal and tax expertise with an intimate understanding of risk allocation and exit considerations.
Taxation
ACSV Legal lawyers are experts in both corporate and commercial Vietnamese law and can thus provide our clients with appropriate tax advice.
When our clients require advice on complex tax laws encompassing multiple jurisdictions we collaborate with team members from practice groups across the region to provide them with a more comprehensive solution.
Our sister company Domicile Corporate Services supports with ongoing corporate compliance post-company establishment such as accounting, tax payroll and human resources compliance. For more information see www.domicilecs.com
Japanese Client Relationship Manager
FUBITO YAMAMOTO
Fubito Yamamoto is the Japanese Client Relationship Manager for One Asia Lawyers at ACSV Legal. He will support Japanese clients who are interested in investing in Vietnam and works closely together with the Japanese lawyers at the partner offices of the One Asia Lawyer network. Fubito has been working and living in Vietnam for almost 15 years.
Fubito speaks fluent Japanese and Vietnamese.
Practice Manager
MARIEKE VAN DER PIJL
Marieke van der Pijl is Practice Manager at ACSV Legal. She joined the team in June 2017. Marieke has worked as the Knowledge & Business Development Manager of the law firm Gide Loyrette Nouel, Vietnam. She has been the Vice-Chair and Legal Consultant of the Food, Agri and Aqua Business Sector Committee of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, and Chair of the Agribusiness Working Group of the Vietnam Business Forum. Before moving to Vietnam in 2011, she has held various legal positions in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Marieke holds an LLM in European and International Law of the Radboud University, Netherlands. She has studied a year at the Law Faculty of the University of Poitiers, France.
She is the co-author of the article Corporate Governance in Vietnam – its significance and challenges as published in the International Journal of Corporate Governance, Vol. 7, No. 1, 2016 and author of the chapter on Food Safety and Agriculture in the Whitebook of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, edition 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Marieke speaks fluent Dutch, French, English, Italian and also Vietnamese.
Associate
areas of expertise
HUONG VO
Huong Vo is an associate at ACSV Legal. She joined the team in May 2019. Huong graduated in 2017 from the HCMC University of Law with double majors, including Law and Business Administration.
Prior to working at ACSV Legal, she worked at another law firm and at the compliance department of both the SEA&NZ Business Unit of the largest brewing company in the world and at a Japanese specialist shopping mall developer.
Huong has experience in drafting and reviewing contracts, supported with company compliance for four different Vietnam-based entities with anti-bribery laws and anti-trust laws of the US, UK and Vietnam as well as other applicable laws.
Associate
areas of expertise
NGUYET LE
Nguyet Le joined the team in July 2017 and is an associate at ACSV Legal Vietnam. Prior to working at ACSV Legal, she worked at a large law firm in Vietnam. Nguyet graduated from the Ho Chi Minh City National University, Economics and Law Faculty, in August 2015.
Nguyet has been involved in matters in relation to licensing matters for foreign direct investment projects in Vietnam as well as incorporation of offshore companies and other matters relating to business operations. Nguyet has also been involved in due diligence exercises and in performing legal research on a number of commercial issues in corporate, employment and retail matters.
Associate
LINH NGUYEN
Linh Nguyen joined the team in April 2017 and is an associate at ACSV Legal Vietnam. Linh has experience with legal research on several issues in corporate, investment as well as commercial matters. Linh has also been involved in due diligence exercises and in preparation of application dossier for incorporation of domestic and foreign-invested enterprises.
Linh graduated from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law in August 2017.
Associate
areas of expertise
LY NGUYEN
Ly Nguyen joined the team in April 2017 and is an associate at ACSV Legal. Ly’s first major is Financial Business Administration and in 2018 she graduated from the Ho Chi Minh University of Law for her second major.
Ly has experience in the preparation and submission of application dossiers for incorporation of domestic and foreign-owned enterprises as well as drafting of various commercial agreements. She also performs legal research on several commercial issues in corporate, tax, employment, construction and real estate.
Associate
areas of expertise
NHA NGUYEN
Nha Nguyen joined the team in November 2016 and is an associate at ACSV Legal Vietnam. Nha graduated from the Ho Chi Minh University of Law in August 2017.
Nha has experience in assisting on a wide range of legal matters, including preparation and submission of application dossiers for domestic and foreign-owned enterprises incorporation, legal research relating to sub-licenses on education, wholesale and retail sectors and performing several due diligence.
Associate
areas of expertise
TRANG PHAN
Trang Phan joined the team in July 2015 and is an associate at ACSV Legal Vietnam. Trang graduated from the University of Economics and Law in August 2015 and is attending the Lawyer Training Course of the Judicial Academy of Vietnam.
Trang works on a variety of cross-border mergers and acquisitions, incorporation of offshore companies and other matters relating to business operations. Trang also has experience in licensing matters for foreign direct investment projects in Vietnam.She has also been involved in due diligence exercises and in performing legal research on a number of commercial issues in corporate, employment and retail matters.
Associate
areas of expertise
THU NGUYEN
Thu Nguyen joined the team in December 2014 and is an associate at ACSV Legal Vietnam. Thu graduated from the Ho Chi Minh University of Law in August 2014 and obtained the Lawyer Training Certificate of the Judicial Academy of Vietnam in May 2017.
Thu has experience with the preparation of data rooms for domestic and offshore financing projects, and due diligence. She also advises on procedures and documents required for incorporation and operation of new companies in Vietnam and on licensing matters for foreign direct investment projects in Vietnam, and liaises with competent authorities on the same.
Thu has advised on matters for an emerging food and beverages group on the acquisition of various restaurant chains and acted for founders in the sale and issuance of shares in a confectionery manufacturing company. Thu supports ACSV Legal's client in the manufacturing industry.
Associate
areas of expertise
AN TRAN
An Tran joined the team in April 2014 and is an associate at ACSV Legal Vietnam. An graduated from the Ho Chi Minh University of Law in August 2014.
An has experience in the preparation and submission of application dossiers for incorporation of domestic and foreign-owned enterprises and in drafting various commercial agreements such as employment agreement, distribution agreement, consultancy agreement and services agreement. He has also been involved in due diligence exercises and in performing legal research on a number of commercial issues in corporate, employment and retail matters.
Associate
areas of expertise
KATIE O'CONNELL
Katie O’Connell is an associate at ACSV Legal. She joined the team in June 2018. She is a member of the California Bar. Prior to coming to Vietnam, Katie worked as a law clerk in California, United States. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of San Diego and a Juris Doctor from the California Western School of Law.
Katie is registered as a foreign lawyer.
Katie has worked on a variety of cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and all forms of foreign direct investments, assisting clients in various sectors including health and fitness, food and beverages, information technology and hospitality.
Associate
areas of expertise
PHUONG HUYNH
Phuong Huynh joined the team in April 2013 and is an associate at ACSV Legal Vietnam. She earned her LLB at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law in August 2013 and is a qualified lawyer since June 2017. Phuong was admitted to the Ho Chi Minh City Bar in 2018.
Phuong is fluent in English and Vietnamese.
Phuong has assisted on a wide range of legal matters and has particular expertise in lease-related matters. She also has experience in foreign direct investment in Vietnam, incorporation of offshore companies, intellectual property, franchising, and drafting of commercial contracts and other related documents in domestic and international transactions.
Senior Associate
areas of expertise
HUYEN PHAM
Huyen is a Senior Associate at ACSV Legal. She joined the team in May 2019. Prior to joining ACSV Legal, Huyen worked at the largest Japanese law firm Nishimura & Asahi, and in various positions at Vietnamese subsidiaries of Japanese companies in Vietnam.
She has published articles in ILFR on Solar power regulations and Private-Public Partnerships in Vietnam.
Huyen obtained her LL.B from the HCMC University of Law in 2001 and is a member of the HCMC Bar since 2015.
Besides being a native Vietnamese-speaker, Huyen is fluent in Japanese and English.
Huyen has expertise in legal due diligence, drafting various types of contracts. She has also supported numerous companies to establish an entity in Vietnam and obtain the relevant licences.
Senior Associate
areas of expertise
MINH NGUYEN
Minh Nguyen joined the team in 2019 and is a senior associate at ACSV Legal Vietnam. Prior to joining ACSV Legal, she worked at various reputable international law firms in Vietnam. Minh also worked as Legal Compliance Manager in the SEA&NZ Business Unit of the largest brewing company in the world. In this position, Minh was responsible for compliance of four different Vietnam-based entities with anti-bribery laws and anti-trust laws of the US, UK and Vietnam as well as other applicable laws. She also led the project related to the group restructuring in Vietnam, and the solar project to supply clean energy to two Vietnam-located breweries.
Minh earned her LL.B in Business Law at the National University of Hanoi in 2009, and her LL.M in International Commercial Arbitration at Pepperdine University, USA. Minh is an awardee of the prestigious Fulbright scholarship.
She was admitted to the HCMC Bar Association in 2014.
Minh is a registered arbitrator at the Pacific International Arbitration Centre in Vietnam, and is a member of various arbitration networks in the USA, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
Minh is fluent in English and Vietnamese.
Minh has advised on a variety of cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and forms of foreign direct investments, has assisted clients in various sectors including food and beverages, hospitality, agriculture, education, banking, pharmaceutical, gaming, and apparel.
Special Counsel
areas of expertise
HIEU PHAM
Hieu Pham joined the team in April 2014 and is a special counsel at ACSV Legal Vietnam. Hieu earned his LLB at the University of Economics and Law in August 2012 and is a qualified lawyer since August 2017. He was admitted as a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association in 2017.
Hieu is fluent in English and Vietnamese.
Hieu works and focuses on a variety of cross-border mergers and acquisitions, private equity, joint ventures and all forms of foreign direct investments, assisting clients in various sectors including health and fitness, food and beverages, information technology and hospitality, finance industry, digital marketing companies.
Senior Associate
areas of expertise
ELAINE CHEW
Elaine Chew is a senior associate of ACSV Legal Vietnam and joined the team in 2014. Prior to joining ACSV Legal, Elaine worked at international law firms in Malaysia and Vietnam. Elaine is a 2007 graduate from the University of Reading and was admitted as Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in 2010. She is a registered foreign lawyer in Vietnam.
Elaine is fluent in English and Malay.
Elaine has been involved in a wide range of corporate real estate transactional matters. This experience covers mergers and acquisitions, joint venture arrangements, investment structures, management arrangements and private equity transactions. Elaine has also worked for local and international corporations in the private equity, hospitality and tourism, food and beverages, retail, education and healthcare sectors, covering a spectrum of projects ranging from commercial, high-end condominium and villa resort developments to retail development projects.
Of Counsel
areas of expertise
KEN Y. FUKUDA
Ken Y. Fukuda serves as Of Counsel for ACSV Legal Vietnam and is a partner at Homma & Partners in Tokyo, Japan. Ken has over twenty years of experience specialising in various areas of international business transactions. Ken earned a doctorate degree in 1996 from Suffolk University Law School in Boston. He is a member of Daini Tokyo Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, California State Bar Association, and Hawaii State Bar Association. Ken is a registered foreign lawyer in Vietnam.
Ken is fluent in English and Japanese.
Ken has extensive experience in corporate affairs, M&A, real estate and immigration, but also judicial, mediation and arbitration hearings.
Managing Partner
areas of expertise
Awards
MARK OAKLEY
Mark Oakley is the founder and managing partner of ACSV Legal and has been advising on foreign direct investments into Southeast Asia for more than a decade. Prior to establishing ACSV Legal Mark worked at large international firms in London, Singapore, the Middle East and Vietnam. Mark is a 2001 graduate of the College of Law and a 1999 graduate of the University of Surrey and was admitted as a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales in 2003. Mark is a registered foreign lawyer in Vietnam.
Besides being a native English-speaker, Mark is fluent in German.
Mark has advised multinational clients on various international transactions involving banking, structured finance, M&A, joint ventures, acquisition finance and commercial agreements.
“Mark is a reliable adviser possessing outstanding expertise in private equity and cross-border transactions, combined with strong negotiation skills”Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2018
Mark has been recognised as a leading expert for Corporate Law advice in Vietnam. He is nominated as the exclusively recommended Corporate Law expert in Vietnam by Advisory Excellence.
Mark has been chosen as the winner of the 2019 International Advisory Experts Award for Corporate Law in Vietnam.
Mark has been nominated as a recognised practitioner by Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific 2019.
contact us
Get In Touch With Us Today
Contact us for information on how we can support you and your business interests in Vietnam and download our firm’s brochure.
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Level 11, Empress Tower, 138-142 Hai Ba Trung Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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Mon - Fri: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.