The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2016 Edition)
The rankings and editorials on Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers released by the Legal 500 Asia Pacific are highlighted below.
Dispute resolution – Tier 1
Leading Lawyer - Chau Huy Quang
Chau Huy Quang heads Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers’ dispute resolution practice, which is increasingly involved in international arbitration and works closely with its Singapore office in cases that are either subject to Singaporean law or heard under SIAC rules. Foreign counsel Logan Leung, who joined from LNT & Partners in December 2014, shares leadership of the international arbitration subgroup with Quang. The group is also involved in oil and gas, shipping, employment and construction disputes. Tran Vi Thoai is a highly regarded litigator.
Shipping – Tier 2
Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers has established a shipping practice following its recent integration with Singaporean law firm Rajah & Tann LLP, which has a highly regarded shipping team. The team won instructions to advise shipping companies on establishment, compliance and competition, and represents clients in seeking orders for and defending against ship arrests. Chau Huy Quang and foreign counsel Logan Leung are the key names.
TMT – Tier 2
Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers has increased its practice exponentially through its alliance with Singapore-based Rajah & Tann LLP and continues to work with Brian Ng, who has returned to Singapore following the completion of his secondment to Vietnam. It handles a varied workload for regional and multinational clients, which includes assistance with compliance issues and transactional support.
Banking & Finance – Tier 3
Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers has been prominently involved in borrower side mandates recently. Vu Thi Que and senior associate Trinh Minh Duc are advising Novelis Group on a $200m subordinated (secured) revolving loan facility with Morgan Stanley. Nguyen Dinh Nha heads the team, following Brian Ng’s return to Singapore.
Corporate and M&A – Tier 3
Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers reinforced its practice through its absorption of VN Counsel, which resulted in Nguyen Thi Hong Thang’s arrival, and the strategic recruitment of Thuy Hoang Thi Thanh from Schulz, Noack, Bärwinkel, who focuses her practice on German clients. The group is advising Fairfax Asia on its acquisition of a 35% stake in the post-issue share capital of a Vietnamese state-owned insurer. Vu Thi Que heads the team. Brian Ng relocated to the firm’s Singapore office.
Projects & Energy – Tier 3
Vu Thi Que’s team at Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers has won new instructions from Korean and Japanese clients. The group is advising Thi Vai International Port – a joint venture between Kyoei Steel, Vung Tau Shipping and VN Steel Corporation – on developing a port in Phu My.
Real Estate and Construction – Tier 3
Vu Thi Que leads the team at Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers, which was augmented by the arrival of real estate specialist Nguyen Thi Hong Thang, as a result of the firm’s merger with VN Counsel. Nguyen works closely with key client Setia Becamex and is handling the Ecolakes My Phuoc residential project.
Tax – Tier 3
Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers’ strength in tax stems largely from its expertise in litigation and it is handling several ongoing tax disputes. On the tax advisory side, the team is instructed to assist with tax incentives, double taxation treaties and transfer pricing. Department head Chau Huy Quang also leads the dispute resolution team.
Intellectual Property – Tier 4
Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers handles IP matters from within its dispute resolution and corporate and M&A teams, through which it regularly wins instructions to advise on trade mark registrations, IP licensing and copyright infringement. Litigator Chau Huy Quang is a key name for anti-counterfeiting and Vu Thi Que focuses on IP licensing and advisory matters.