Second office opening in Hanoi and recruitment of two senior consultants boost the firm's Vietnam practice
Lovells is reinforcing its position in the emerging market of Vietnam with the opening of an office in Hanoi to complement its long standing presence in Ho Chi Minh City. This follows on from the recent hire of two senior level consultants, Gregory F. Buhyoff and Nasir PKM Abdul to bolster the firm’s Vietnam presence.
Lovells has had an office in Ho Chi Minh City since 1994 and was one of the first foreign law firms to obtain a branch licence to practice in Vietnam in 1996. Since then the office has serviced the needs of the firm’s international clients, advising in relation to large scale M&A and infrastructure projects (in conjunction with Lovells offices in Singapore and Hong Kong) and on intellectual property registration and enforcement strategy, where the firm has a market leading reputation.
Vietnam is one of Asia's fastest growing economies and has seen strong domestic growth since its accession to the WTO in January 2007. Government, ministries and many state corporations are based in the capital city, Hanoi, making it increasingly important to Lovells' international client base.
The expansion of Lovells’ Vietnam practice is aligned with the firm's growth strategy in South East Asia, which has also seen the arrival of several senior lateral hires in Singapore including international arbitrator Richard Tan, intellectual property specialist Chung Nian Lam, corporate of counsel Scott Calver and most recently the high profile hire of leading energy partner Brad Roach.
Commenting on the expansion, Asia regional managing partner, Crispin Rapinet said:
"Vietnam is an important part of our strategy of expansion in Asia and having a presence in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh is valuable for us to be able to serve our clients in the region. Our aim is to continue to win international work involving the Vietnam market, working alongside specialist teams in Hong Kong and Singapore, capturing the opportunities for work from the firms' existing clients, many of whom are active in Vietnam."
Of Counsel has Greg Buhyoff joined Lovells to spearhead the firm's intellectual property practice in Vietnam. He is a US attorney with extensive IP and IT experience in the USA, Vietnam and the Asian region. Previously a senior attorney with Baker & McKenzie in Ho Chi Minh City, he was responsible for a wide range of matters including foreign direct investment, regulatory matters, project finance, construction, telecommunications, intellectual property and technology transfer/licensing. He has handled a variety of matters, including registration, cancellation, administrative appeals, licensing, unfair competition (including in respect of comparative advertising) and anti-piracy cases for a wide range of multinational clients, including many from the research-based pharmaceutical industry. Greg speaks English, Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese.
Corporate Of Counsel Nasir PKM Abdul has joined from local firm Ngo Migueres & Associes, where he managed the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City branch offices, having previously worked with Latham & Watkins in Paris for a number of years. He has substantial experience in representing various European, US and Asian clients in the areas of foreign investments, international contracts, real estate and international arbitration. Nasir is fluent in English and native in French and Vietnamese.
Notes to editors
About Greg Buhyoff
Greg received his law degree with distinction from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. He is a member of the California and Nevada State Bars; ABA Intellectual Property Law Section; the San Francisco Intellectual Property Law Association and INTA (formerly served on the TRIPs Treaty Analysis Committee). Greg is admitted to practise before the U.S. District Court for Nevada; the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central and Eastern Districts of California, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Greg is a regular speaker on IP-related issues.
About Nasir PKM Abdul
Nasir received his LL.M. from Washington College of Law, American University, Washington D.C, and Graduate Law Degree and Graduate English Degree from University of Paris. He is admitted to practise before the French jurisdictions as an Avocat a la Cour. He is a Registered Foreign Lawyer in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and Registered Foreign Arbitrator at the Vietnam International Arbitration Center, Hanoi. Nasir is a regular speaker at various lectures and conferences including at the Maison du Droit in Hanoi, the HCMC Faculty of Law and the Hanoi and HCMC Bar associations.
About Lovells
With over 3,000 people operating from 26 offices in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States, Lovells is one of the world's leading international law firms. We advise many of the world's largest corporations, financial institutions and governmental organisations. We regularly act on complex, multi jurisdictional transactions as well as some of the most high-profile commercial disputes.
Lovells (the "firm") is an international legal practice comprising Lovells LLP and its affiliated businesses. Lovells LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC323639. Registered office and principal place of business: Atlantic House, Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2FG. The word "partner" is used to refer to a member of Lovells LLP, or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications, and to a partner, member, employee or consultant in any of its affiliated businesses who has equivalent standing.
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