ZICO Law

Operating since 2009 as Vientiane Law and now as ZICO Law (Laos), ‘Highly recommended’ firm ZICO Law advises clients in banking, dispute resolution, foreign investments, IP, labour, tax and telecommunications. Managing partner Aristotle David specialises in banking and finance, corporate commercial, IP and real estate.

General business law

Work highlights

Advised Lao Fiber Optic Communication Network on joint venture investment and various licensing and legal compliance matters.

Key clients

Bank of China, JTI, Link Capital Lao, Sanko Lao Company, Scoot Tigerair

Client feedback

Aristotle David

“Zico Law's strength is the lawyer in charge of Laos. Aristotle David has been very sincere to us and I have noticed that he gets a lot of respect from his clients. He is always ethical when it comes to work and this is the reason I am still working with Zico Law in Lao PDR.”

“This lawyer is one of the best lawyers you can find in Lao PDR. Not many lawyers are qualified to work up to international standard, but David can work well. He is excellent in managing his clients and I appreciate all of his work.”

ZICO Law serves various clients on the corporate and M&A, infrastructure and real estate matters. Executive chairman Maung Maung Thein specialises in banking and finance and corporate commercial law.

General business law

Work highlights

Advised a mobile financial services provider Digital Money Myanmar on all matters regarding its ongoing legal needs and provision of legal opinions.

Corporate and M&A

Work highlights

Advised a leading waste management company in Thailand on forming a joint venture valued at about $64.5 million with a Chinese partner, and preparing to bid for a project of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

Advised a multinational energy company in establishing a renewable energy business in Thailand as well as regulatory and license compliance.

Dispute resolution

Work highlights

Assisting an online shopping service provider on managing disputes and handling litigation matters.

Intellectual Property

Work highlights

Advising Mega Lifesciences, a Thailand-based manufacturer and distributor of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products, on the trademark enforcement of its acne treatment medication, ACNOTIN. The firm prevented the sale of the counterfeit product on the online drug stores successfully.

Key clients

Advanced Info Services, Chubb, Honda Motor, Lazada Group, Global Chemical, Valdimir, Yamato Holdings

Labour and employment 

Work highlights

Providing an international e-commerce provider legal and regulatory advice on the compliance of employment contracts, overtime pay and documents collection by the human resources personnel for the client. 

Key clients

Lumileds Holding

Client feedback

“Responsible, dependable, high-quality and reasonably priced.” – Energy

“Quick and responsive.” – Intellectual property

“Provides good advice and responsive.” – Intellectual property

Nuttaphol Arammuang

“Quick and responsive. He knows the law and practices.”

“Nuttaphol is an all-rounder. He is a very good litigator and also extremely competent when it comes to IP prosecution and advisory work. I can always count on him to give me a well-balanced and practical solution to issues.”

ASEAN full-service firm ZICO Law has commendable practices in banking and finance, construction and corporate and M&A. The firm is particularly skilled in real estate work. Over the research period, staff changes include the hire of partner Kevin Hawkins from VILAF and the transfer of partner Zi Li Tay from its Malaysia office (Zaid Ibrahim & Co).

Banking and finance

Work highlights

Advised a group of banks on a syndicated facility agreement for the purpose of a real estate project.

Construction

Work highlights

Preparing and revising EPC contract involving a solar power plant project.

Corporate and M&A

Work highlights

Advising Green Waste Management, a subsidiary of Comintel Corporation, on its first investment into Vietnam to develop a solid waste treatment plant in Hanoi. The scope of advice includes investment structure, share acquisition, regulatory approvals and legal risks.

Key clients

Aapico Hitech, Hongkong Land, Maxim's Caterers, Miniso

Intellectual property

Work highlights

Assisted multiple clients including food and beverages companies in filing trademark applications.

Labour and employment

Work highlights

Advising a confidential client regarding the employment of foreign staff.

Client feedback

“The team is attentive and provide legal advice guided by the client's commercial needs. I find the team helpful in this sense as investments in Vietnam is never straightforward and for the team to appreciate the commercial aspect of the transaction makes a huge difference to the advice that we get so that the management can make an informed decision before we proceed. The team in ZICO, particularly senior associate Gam Le, is well versed in English and able to provide comprehensive advice and offer solutions for challenges posed by the counter-party throughout the process.” – Real estate

Kevin Hawkins

“Extremely responsive and provides customised legal solutions according to the clients' specific requirements.”

“Kevin Hawkins has a wealth of experience in all types of energy projects in Vietnam and provides international quality advice. He is responsive to foreign investor clients.”

Phuc Nguyen

“He’s one of the most experienced real estate lawyers in the market.”

“Phuc is very methodical and thorough and he provides what we find is conservative and cautious advice on certain issues and regulations.”