LPA Law further expands its presence in Asia with the integration of APFL Partners

28 February 2025

LPA Law further expands in Asia with the integration of APFL Partners Vietnam LLC

As part of its international strategy, LPA Law is strengthening its commitment to its clients in Asia with the integration into LPA Law of APFL Partners Vietnam LLC, a leading international law firm in Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City). This strategic growth, based on complementarity and a shared vision, will enable companies wishing to invest in Vietnam to benefit from the legal support of a multicultural team that has proven expertise in key sectors such as real estate, manufacturing, energy, agribusiness, hospitality, infrastructure, distribution, and media in Asia.

With 50 multicultural and multilingual lawyers across six strategic Asian cities (Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City), LPA Law is reinforcing its position as the leading French-speaking law firm in the region, offering in-depth local expertise combined with a global vision.

This initiative once again reflects the firm’s determination, as a trusted partner, to support its clients in their cross-border investments and activities (Europe, Asia, and Africa) by ensuring maximum legal security, anticipating challenges, and addressing their needs with agility and excellence.

Frédéric Bailly, partner and managing partner of LPA Law, welcomes this strategic expansion:

“The opening of these new offices marks a key milestone in our development. Asia is a crucial region for our growth, and we are excited to strengthen our ties with our local clients and partners.”

Arnaud Bourrut-Lacouture, co-managing partner in Singapore and now managing partner of the Vietnam offices, comments:

“Reuniting with my former Vietnamese colleagues is an incredible honour. Throughout my experiences in France and Singapore, I have maintained close ties with the APFL team. Taking on this new role, as the firm’s representative in Vietnam, is a challenge I embrace with great enthusiasm.”

Nicolas Audier, founder and former managing partner of APFL Partners, adds:

“I am delighted that APFL Partners is joining LPA Law. Over the years, APFL Partners has built a strong reputation as a leading international firm in Vietnam, recognized for its expertise in Commercial Arbitration, M&A, Real Estate, and more. I sincerely thank the entire APFL Partners team for their trust, dedication, and camaraderie. Special recognition goes to founding partners Bernadette Fahy and Nicolas Picard, as well as current partners Etienne Laumonier and Antoine Logeay. Now is the right time for me to pass the firm’s leadership to the next generation.”

As part of the transition, Nicolas Audier will continue to support the firm as Senior Legal Counsel, advising clients seeking to enter the Vietnamese market.

Joining LPA Law will give APFL Partners access to a team of over 50 lawyers practicing in multiple jurisdictions across the region. This will ensure seamless support for its clients in Vietnam with their international investment projects and cross-border commercial activities.

This new addition marks a new milestone for LPA Law, which now has 14 offices worldwide and more than 270 lawyers and legal professionals.

About LPA Law

LPA Law, a leading French law firm with an international reach, brings together more than 270 professionals across 14 offices on three continents. With a strategic presence in Asia (Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City), the firm offers comprehensive legal expertise covering mergers and acquisitions, private equity, commercial law, tax, employment law, intellectual property, and data protection. Consistently ranked among the top law firms, LPA Law supports its clients in their strategic projects both locally and internationally.

About APFL Partners

Founded in 2008, APFL Partners is a leading international law firm in Vietnam, providing local legal expertise combined with global experience. Formerly known as Audier & Partners Vietnam, the firm is now led by a new generation of highly skilled lawyers dedicated to supporting businesses in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.