International law firm A&O Shearman has recruited a partner from local Vietnamese law firm YKVN.
Hai Nguyen, a seasoned legal professional with over 15 years of experience, has joined A&O Shearman, bolstering the firm's services in Vietnam and the ASEAN region. Known for his impressive knowledge of Vietnamese law and expertise in finance, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets, Hai Nguyen's addition to the team is expected to support clients' needs in a rapidly evolving market.
Vietnam is an integral part of A&O Shearman's firm's offering, and the recruitment of Hai Nguyen reflects the company's focus on leveraging deep local expertise to capitalise on opportunities within the region, particularly in areas such as energy, finance, and regulatory compliance.
The firm's strategy in Vietnam and the ASEAN region is multifaceted. A&O Shearman is actively engaged in the Vietnamese energy market, providing market-leading legal guidance on regulatory and investment developments. The firm closely advises clients on Vietnam's Amended Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8), which significantly increases electricity capacity goals to nearly 100 GW by 2030.
In addition to its energy sector expertise, the firm maintains a strong presence across the Asia-Pacific region with dedicated desks and offices in key financial and commercial hubs, including Vietnam. This positioning allows them to serve clients with cross-border needs efficiently, especially in corporate, finance, and infrastructure projects throughout ASEAN and broader Asia.
The firm has also expanded its regulatory practice leadership in Hong Kong and is focusing on providing high-value transactional advice to clients in the ASEAN region. With a leading position in regional M&A legal advisory rankings, A&O Shearman is well-positioned to support corporate and M&A activity across ASEAN.
Hai Nguyen's recruitment strengthens A&O Shearman's presence in Vietnam's growing economy, where the firm now has 11 lawyers across its Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offices, including three partners. Vietnam has emerged as a key area for many strategic clients, especially within private capital, and the ongoing supply chain shifts and macroeconomic changes in the region contribute to Vietnam attracting significant foreign investment.
Tina LeDinh, Vietnam managing partner at A&O Shearman, stated that Hai Nguyen's addition advances the firm's vision of offering "a fully integrated international and domestic law practice" in Vietnam. The appointment of Hai Nguyen comes after the departure of Vietnam energy partner Adam Moncrieff from A&O Shearman to Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe's Singapore office.
Sources: [1] A&O Shearman's website: https://www.ao.com/en-gb/news/2021/06/a-o-shearman-advises-on-vietnam-amended-power-development-plan-8 [2] A&O Shearman's website: https://www.ao.com/en-gb/offices/asia/vietnam [3] IFLR1000: https://www.iflr1000.com/1330678/regulatory-and-compliance-a-o-shearman-adds-two-partners-in-hong-kong [4] IFLR1000: https://www.iflr1000.com/1330678/mergers-and-acquisitions-a-o-shearman-leads-asean-m-a-deals-in-h1-2021 [5] DealStreetAsia: https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/a-o-shearman-leads-asean-m-a-deals-in-h1-2021-185215/
- A&O Shearman's focus on Vietnam and the ASEAN region extends beyond just energy, as they also aim to capitalize on opportunities in areas such as law, finance, and business, given Hai Nguyen's expertise in mergers and acquisitions.
- The addition of Hai Nguyen to A&O Shearman's team in Vietnam underscores the firm's commitment to providing high-value transactional advice in the industry, reinforcing their leading position in regional M&A legal advisory rankings.
