March 2024 – Kinstellar is delighted to announce that it has joined forces with Asia Counsel (www.asia-counsel.com), a prominent law firm in Vietnam. Our sister law firm in Vietnam will continue to operate under the existing “Asia Counsel” brand, now in association with Kinstellar Southeast Asia.
Our strategy is to continue to develop a first-class group of law firms in jurisdictions where the major international law firms are not focussed, thereby positioning ourselves as the leading innovator and powerhouse in those jurisdictions.
This strategic move marks a significant milestone and a launchpad for our group’s expansion plans in the emerging markets of Southeast Asia. By combining our strengths, resources and expertise with those of Asia Counsel, we will be positioned to deliver comprehensive high-quality legal solutions that meet the needs of our clients, just as we do in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Our new Vietnam and Southeast Asian platform will offer clients significant synergies with the existing Kinstellar full service firm operations in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Turkey and Uzbekistan.
Asia Counsel
Asia Counsel is a prominent and highly regarded law firm based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s business capital. It has over 20 Vietnamese and foreign lawyers, including three partners. The firm has built an excellent reputation over a decade of on-the-ground experience and excellence. It acts for multinational corporations, UK, US, European, Japanese, Chinese and other Asia-Pacific law firms, as well as global, regional and local investment funds, venture capital funds, private equity investors and financial institutions. It also serves an array of high-profile Vietnamese corporations with their full business lifecycle in Vietnam — from market entry and M&A to daily operations and regional expansion.
Leadership
Minh Duong, Managing Partner, has been advising clients in Vietnam for more than 15 years. He is admitted in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Australia and the High Court of Australia. He has worked on many major M&A, banking and finance matters in Vietnam and is a recognised and highly rated M&A lawyer in Vietnam.
Justin Gisz has more than 25 years of legal experience, more than 16 years of which in Vietnam. Primarily a corporate / M&A lawyer, Justin also has considerable experience in banking and finance, capital markets and real estate. He advises VC and PE funds, corporates and high net worth individuals on their investment and business activities in Vietnam. Justin is qualified in New South Wales, Australia, and holds a Vietnam Foreign Lawyer’s Practising Certificate.
Phong Nguyen specialises in M&A, capital markets, banking and finance and corporate and commercial law. He has practiced law in Vietnam since 2003 and has extensive experience working at international firms and in advising clients on their investment and acquisition projects in Vietnam.
Jason Mogg, Senior Partner, Kinstellar, comments: ‘‘Bringing Asia Counsel into the Kinstellar family marks a significant milestone for our group and for its development plans for Southeast Asia. We are excited to have a firm of the quality of Asia Counsel in our group and about pursuing the next steps in Southeast Asia’’.
Minh Duong, Managing Partner, Asia Counsel, adds: ‘‘As we embark on this exciting new chapter, our commitment to delivering exceptional services and maintaining the highest standards remains unwavering. The shared values and goals of Asia Counsel and Kinstellar Southeast Asia undoubtedly will benefit both us and our existing and future clients. Together, we will be better positioned to innovate, serve our clients more effectively, and navigate the rapidly evolving legal landscape’’.
