Dong Ho Yoo, the new head of Jipyong Vietnam as of 1 February, has unveiled his plans to strengthen the firm’s existing services, focus on more specialised practice areas and solidify its local presence.
South Korean law firm Jipyong currently operates two offices in Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. During the next 12 months, one of Yoo’s key goals is to build on the firm’s core strengths while expanding its expertise in specialist areas.
“We will further strengthen our traditional core in real estate development and project transfers, financial services (banks, finance companies, securities firms) and M&A, while intentionally expanding our specialist bench in arbitration/disputes, energy, and complex cross-border transactions,” he told Asia Business Law Journal.
In the long term, Yoo aims to strengthen Jipyong’s reputation and competitiveness in the Vietnamese market, saying he wants it “to be seen not simply as a Korean firm operating in Vietnam, but as a top-tier Vietnam local firm with international standards trusted by Korean, Vietnamese and global clients alike, and competitive alongside major local and leading US/UK firms”.
Keeping an eye on the future, he expects continued growth in manufacturing-led foreign direct investment (FDI), infrastructure-linked real estate and supply chain expansion. He added that demand also remained strong in regulatory and compliance matters, as well as in financial services and arbitration.
Citing Vietnam’s standing as a regional manufacturing hub and ongoing policy and infrastructure initiatives, Yoo anticipates rising demand for Jipyong’s services across multiple sectors such as real estate, industrial and logistics development, manufacturing, energy and capital markets. He attributed this to several factors, including “renewed investor focus” and growing “advisory needs”.
Considering the significant changes taking place in the country, Yoo believes real estate will be at the forefront of legal developments.
“Businesses are navigating an active reform cycle, particularly in land and real estate, with the Land Law 2024 and related instruments reshaping land valuation and project execution. At the same time, the government is moving to streamline administrative procedures, including fast-track mechanisms for priority investments, aimed at shortening approval timelines,” he added.
Alongside real estate, data protection, cybersecurity and emerging technologies are areas to watch, while further reforms in financial regulation and cross-border investment may also be on the horizon as Vietnam seeks to position Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang as international financial centres.
Drawing on his background in arbitration, Yoo identified several areas where activity is expected to increase – not only in Vietnam but across Asia.
“Across Vietnam and Asia, we expect continued growth in construction, infrastructure, energy and post-M&A disputes, often involving multi-party contracts and cross-border elements,” he said.
Yoo’s appointment is not the only leadership change Jipyong has made in Vietnam, as Joo Yeon Shin was named head of the Ho Chi Minh City office. Jipyong now has 19 lawyers in the country, with six based in Ho Chi Minh City and 13 in Hanoi.
