This will be conducted in English and according to Ho Chi Minh City  local time. 

With the successful of the first event in Vietnam last year, Legal Plus will be back in Ho Chi Minh City once again!!  The Vietnam: 2nd International Arbitration & Corporate Crime Summit will take place on Friday 17 October 2025 at New World Saigon Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City.  We will have a group of local and international speakers at the summit whom will be presenting on various topics in relations to international arbitration and corporate crime as well as share the upcoming trends and provide updates to assist businesses to avoid arbitration.  It will also be an excellent platform to mingle with fellow legal professionals in the region.  For more information, please refer to the flyer.  Download

Registration is now open.  We are offering complimentary pass to in-house legal professional (non law/consulting firm only) and discounted rate is available for law / consulting firms.  For more information, please refer to the registration below. 

If you are interested to sponsor or speak at the event, contact Jason at jason.sinclair@legalplus-asia.com for package details.  For registrations details, contact Bettina at legalpluseventsasia@legalplus-asia.com.

Program
The organiser reserves the right to change the program without prior notice.

• Opening Welcome by Chairman
  Michael K. Lee, Partner, Dilinh Legal
• Welcome Address and VIAC Updates in 2025-2026
  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duy Nghia, Member, VIAC’s Council; Director, Vietnam Institute for International Arbitration Research and Training
• Keynote Session: Update in Global Arbitration 2025 and a Look into 2026
  Prof. Dr. Colin Ong KC, King’s Counsel and Chartered Arbitrator, 36 Stone (London);Eldan Law LLP (Brunei) and Dr Colin Ong Legal Services (Brunei)
• Shareholders’ Panacea: Overcoming Reflective Loss Through Treaty Arbitration
  Olga Boltenko, Boltenko Arbiters
• M&A and JV Disputes in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape: Force Majeure, Termination Risks, and Mitigation Strategies
  Xin Liu, Partner, Freshfields
• Managing Shareholder & Stakeholder Disputes
  Kevin Warburton, Partner, HFW
• 1st Grand Panel: Art of Negotiation: Tactical Issues in Why Arbitration, Why Mediation and Why Not? Increase in ADR Methods in the Vietnam and Asia
  Moderator: Shobna Chandran, Director, Shobna Chandran LLC
  Panellists:
  • Peter Scott Caldwell, Independent Arbitrator & Mediator
  • Nguyen Manh Dzung, Director, ADR Vietnam Chambers LLC
  • Ha Cong Anh Bao, Dean, Faculty of Law, Foreign Trade University
• 2nd Grand Panel: Enforcement & Invalidity of Awards: Understanding Arbitration Clauses & Monetising an Award — Regional Issues to Consider
  Moderator: Constance Zhao, Special Counsel, King & Wood Mallesons
  Panellists:
  • Elodie Dulac, Partner, King & Spalding
  • Kevin Warburton, Partner, HFW
  • Sameet Gambhir, Sr. Vice President — Legal, UFlex Limited
  
•  The Future of Appropriate Dispute Resolution in ASEAN and Beyond
  Shobna Chandran, Director, Shobna Chandran LLC
• Arbitration in Vietnam — The Most Important Golden Rule — How to Create Enforceable Commercial Contracts — Get your Dispute Resolution Clause Right
  Oliver Massmann, General Director, Duane Morris Vietnam LLC
• Cross-Border Data Breach: What You Need To Know!
  
• 3rd Grand Panel: Tech Disputes in Asia: Ai issues & Avoiding Corporate Fraud
  Moderator: TBC
  Panellists:
  • Sameet Gambhir, Sr. Vice President — Legal, UFlex Limited
  • Tristan Teo, Associate Director, ADTLaw LLC

Speakers

Michael K. Lee, Chairman

Partner, Dilinh Legal

Michael K. Lee, a US-licensed attorney with over 18 years in Vietnam, started as a US trial lawyer before moving to Vietnam in 2007 to join Johnson Stokes and Master (later Mayer Brown). At Mayer Brown’s Ho Chi Minh City office, he focused on corporate and real estate practice areas. He held the position of partner and head of Tilleke and Gibbins’ corporate/commercial division in Vietnam from 2010 to 2017. Since joining Dilinh in late 2017, he has primarily advised clients in the automotive, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical sectors. Beyond corporate law, Michael has been a member of the VIAC’s panel of arbitrators since May 2012. His engagements include serving as chair of the VIAC arbitration tribunal to settle a USD nine-figure dispute concerning a mining project in Southeast Asia.

Biography

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duy Nghia, Welcome Message

Member, VIAC’s Council; Director, Vietnam Institute for International Arbitration Research and Training

As an Arbitrator, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duy Nghia has handled disputes in business, commerce, construction, investment, and M&A, and has served as Presiding Arbitrator in numerous arbitral tribunals resolving international disputes at VIAC. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duy Nghia holds an LL.B. and a Ph.D. in Law from Leipzig University, Germany (1991), specializing in business law. He was also a Fulbright Scholar at Harvard Law School (2002–2003) and a research fellow at Stanford University (1998). Beyond arbitration, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duy Nghia is a Senior Lecturer and has held various academic positions: Head of the Business Law Department, Faculty of Law (now the University of Law), Vietnam National University, Hanoi (1996–2009); Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (2011–2017); and Director of the Public Policy Program, Fulbright University Vietnam (2018–2025). 

Biography

Prof. Dr. Colin Ong QC, Keynote Speaker

King’s Counsel and Chartered Arbitrator, 36 Stone (London);Eldan Law LLP (Brunei) and Dr Colin Ong Legal Services (Brunei)

Professor Colin Ong has acted as counsel in over 250 international commercial and investment arbitrations across multiple jurisdictions. Listed by Lexology as a Thought Leader in Arbitration, Construction and Litigation since 2019. He has sat as arbitrator or presiding arbitrator in over 200 arbitrations across the World. He is the Chairman of International Advisory Boards of THAC (Thailand) and JIIART (Japan); President, Arbitration Association Brunei Darussalam and Board member of both the Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC) and the Borneo International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (BICAM). In 2024, he was re-appointed by China’s Chief Justice to sit another 4-year team as a member of the Supreme People’s Court ICEC. Professor Colin Ong has over 32 years of experience as lead counsel and arbitrator. He is the first ASEAN national lawyer appointed English Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel). He is the senior Master of the Bench of the Inner Temple (2010) in Brunei and Singapore. He actively regularly leads international law firm teams as well as sits as arbitrator in seats around the World. He is the author of several leading advocacy and arbitration publications. Legal 500 Construction (Tier-1 Silk) describes him as “intellectually brilliant, a first-tier advocate and an incredibly fast thinker on his feet. His complete mastery of construction law, coupled with his near eidetic memory and incredible strategic plans, puts him well ahead.” Lexology Arbitration Thought Leaders 2024 describes him as “the undisputed superstar in Asia as both arbitrator and counsel…his mastery of both civil and common law, places him at the pinnacle of the legal market.”

Biography

Shobna Chandran Moderator - 1st Grand Panel

Director, Shobna Chandran LLC

Shobna Chandran graduated with First Class Honours from NUS Law, and was a Justices Law Clerk to the then-Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong and the Court of Appeal bench until 2008. Shobna has worked with 3 Senior Counsels in her 15- year career (Davinder Singh SC, Philip Jeyaretnam SC, and Chelva Rajah SC). Shobna’s expertise is in high-value cross border commercial litigation, arbitration, insolvency and appellate matters. Shobna’s boutique firm offers Shobna’s extensive experience thriving in appellate advocacy and high stakes cross-border commercial disputes. Shobna has successfully argued cases, winning all the way up to the Court of Appeal against Senior Counsel. Shobna has handled arbitration cases ranging from telecommunications to pharmaceutical industry to solar/ renewable energy, shareholder disputes, banking and finance disputes, of more than a billion dollars. Shobna was recognised as one of the top lawyers under 40 by Singapore Business Review in 2017, and in 2023 and 2024 commended as “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Asia Pacific. In October 2023, Shobna was named as Singapore Rising Star by Asian Legal Business for her exceptional work in the disputes space. In June 2024, Shobna was named as one of the top arbitration lawyers in the region by Benchmark Asia Pacific’s Top 40 under 40.

Biography

Constance Zhao, Moderator — 2nd Grand Panel

Special Counsel, King & Wood Mallesons

Constance Zhao is a Special Counsel from the Dispute Resolution team at King & Wood Mallesons (KWM), Singapore. She specializes in cross border dispute resolution in Asia and has deep experience acting in international arbitration proceedings under the SIAC, ICC, HKIAC, CIETAC Rules and in ad hoc arbitrations under the UNCITRAL Rules. She has extensive experience across a range of sectors and industries, including renewable energy, technology, manufacturing and construction. Constance is qualified and admitted in both Singapore and England & Wales, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. She previously spent a number of years working in KWM’s Beijing office.

Biography

Xin Liu

Partner, Freshfields

Xin is a partner in Freshfields’ Asia dispute resolution group. Recognised as one of the most accomplished lawyers in Asia, “40 under 40”, by the Asian Legal Business (ALB), Xin specialises in international arbitration and cross-border litigation with a focus on Asia-related M&A and joint venture disputes. Xin has over 15 years of experience acting in a wide range of complex and highvalue cross-border disputes involving multinational corporations and governments. These matters have included litigation in the US, China, Hong Kong, UK, BVI, Cayman, and Singapore, and arbitration before ICSID, ICC, SIAC, HKIAC, CIETAC, LCIA, JAMS, and SHIAC, as well as ad hoc arbitrations under UNCITRAL rules. He has handled disputes and projects involving all Southeast Asian jurisdictions, including Vietnam. Xin is triple-qualified in New York, the PRC (non-practicing), and Hong Kong. He is also a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK). Xin worked in Freshfields’ New York office for a year, and prior to joining the firm, he worked for four years with a leading Chinese law firm in Beijing and the World Bank in Washington D.C. Xin received his LL.M. from Harvard Law School and his M.A. in International Law and B.A. in Law from Renmin University of China.

Biography

Elodie Dulac

Partner, King & Spalding

Elodie Dulac is a partner in King & Spalding’s Singapore office and a member of the firm’s International Arbitration group. She represents clients in commercial and investment arbitrations. Elodie has particular expertise in energy, mining, pharma, joint ventures/shareholder disputes and investor-State disputes as well as Asia-Africa disputes. In addition to her work as counsel, she has been appointed as arbitrator in over 30 arbitrations. Elodie is a founding member and member of the organising committee of the East Africa International Arbitration Conference. She is a Singapore representative on the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR, and a Vice Chair of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution and Arbitration Committee. She has been named as a leading lawyer for international arbitration in Chambers Asia Pacific 2025, Legal500 2025, and Lexology/ Who’s Who Legal 2025 (Global Leader and Thought Leader). Elodie is admitted to practice in England & Wales (Solicitor-Advocate) and Paris, France.

Biography

Tristan Teo

Associate Director, ADTLaw LLC

Tristan is an Associate Director of ADTLaw LLC, which is in a joint venture with Ashurst LLP through Ashurst ADTLaw. He specialises in managing and resolving commercial disputes, employment matters and investigations. Tristan has appeared as counsel before all levels of the Singapore courts, and acts as counsel and Tribunal Secretary in international arbitrations under prominent institutional rules. He also has an active advisory practice and regularly advises clients on contentions and non-contentious employment matters, and on internal and external investigations including by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, the Commercial Affairs Department of the Singapore Police Force, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority and the Ministry of Manpower in relation to regulatory issues and offences including fraud, anti-bribery and corruption. Tristan is qualified in Singapore and Australia (Victoria) and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

Biography

Kevin Warburton

Partner, HFW

Kevin Warburton is a Partner in HFW’s disputes practice, based in the Hong Kong office. Kevin is an arbitration specialist, with a broad practice which also includes commercial litigation, regulatory/internal investigations and privacy/cyber related matters. He is experienced in advising clients in Hong Kong and overseas, including private and listed companies, financial institutions, high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs and multinational organisations. Kevin is admitted to practice in Hong Kong, England & Wales and the British Virgin Islands.

Biography

Sameet Gambhir

Sr. Vice President — Legal, UFlex Limited

Sameet Gambhir, FCS, LLB, is a seasoned legal, compliance, and risk management professional with over 35 years of distinguished experience across leading organisations like UFlex Limited, DCM Shriram, KPMG, Schneider Electric, and Hill & Associates. Currently serving as Sr. Vice President & Group Head – Legal at UFlex, he has also completed a Leadership Effectiveness Programme from IIM Bangalore. Mr. Gambhir’s expertise spans corporate legal affairs, governance, ESG, IPR, crossborder transactions, regulatory compliance, M&A, risk management, data privacy, and labour laws. He has been repeatedly recognised as one of India’s top GCs, with accolades including Forbes India’s Top In-house Counsel (2021–24), Legal500’s GC Powerlist (2022–24), and LegalEra’s Distinguished Legal Minds.He has also received honours from ASSOCHAM, Business World Legal, UBS Forums, and LexTalk World. He holds leadership roles in key national legal and corporate governance bodies, including PHDCCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, DMA, ICSI, BIS, and EODB (Ministry of Commerce & Industry). A respected academic voice, he regularly lectures at top institutions like IMT, IMI, LBSIM, and NDIM. A pro-bono contributor and a keen golfer, Mr. Gambhir exemplifies thought leadership, integrity, and cross-sectoral excellence in corporate legal affairs.

Biogrpahy

Olga Boltenko

Boltenko Arbiters

Ms. Boltenko is a barrister, arbitrator, and mediator with over a decade of experience in cross-border dispute resolution and international arbitration. Most recently with Fangda Partners in Hong Kong, Ms. Boltenko has also practised with leading arbitration teams in Paris and Singapore. With a particular focus on public international law, investor-State dispute resolution, and commercial arbitration, Ms Boltenko has acted as legal counsel in investor-State disputes under the auspices of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the ICSID, the SCC, the ICC, the LCIA, and in various capacities in dozens of commercial disputes in a wide array of industries including oil and gas, mining, infrastructure, construction, telecommunications and pharmaceuticals, across Asia and beyond. Ms. Boltenko teaches a master of laws degree in arbitration and ADR with a focus on Belt & Road investment law at The University of Hong Kong, where she is a deputy executive director. She is also a professor of law at the Royal University of Law and Economics in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where she teaches a course in investment law at the dual degree program with the Free University of Brussels. Ms. Boltenko has been consistently recognized in legal rankings, including by Who’s Who Legal, where she has been ranked over the years as a National Leader for Hong Kong and a Thought Leader Global Elite - Under 45. She is described as a “highly motivated and hard-working practitioner who stands out as an excellent choice for investor-state disputes”.

Biography

Peter Scott Caldwell

Independent Arbitrator & Mediator

Peter Scott Caldwell is regularly appointed as arbitrator, mediator, dispute board member and adjudicator on a wide variety of disputes or projects in various Asian jurisdictions involving parties from around the world. Peter is a chartered engineer with many years’ experience in managing major civil engineering works. He is also a Chartered Arbitrator and accredited mediator. Peter was a member of the working party which drafted the first edition of the IBA Rules for the Taking of Evidence in International Commercial Arbitration. He is board member of the Dispute Resolution Board Foundation Region 2, an Arbitrator Member of the Society of Construction Arbitrators and a member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR. He is a former Secretary-General of Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and a founder member and past chair of the Society of Construction Law Hong Kong, a past chair of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) regional branch and was involved in founding the Thai Branch of CIArb.

Biography

Oliver Massmann

General Director, Duane Morris Vietnam LLC

Dr. Oliver Massmann is the General Director of Duane Morris Vietnam LLC. Dr. Oliver Massmann is an International Attorney at Law and a Financial Accountant and Auditor. Dr. Massmann received his PhD with Major in International Business Law. Dr. Oliver Massmann is a registered International Arbitrator and holding a German judge degree. He has worked as an arbitrator in international arbitration and mediation centers in Asia and Europe for over 25 years. In June 2016, the National Assembly of Vietnam invited Dr. Massmann to present on the impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement in Vietnamese. Dr Oliver Massmann is Chairman of the Advisory Board of the German Vietnamese Society (Deutsch Vietnamesische Gesellschaft, DVG) and the Delegate in Vietnam. Dr. Massmann is admitted to the Bar Association in Berlin and is a licensed foreign lawyer with more than 25 years of experience in Vietnam.

Biography

Manh Dzung Nguyen

Director, ADR Vietnam Chambers LLC

Mr Nguyen Manh Dzung is a qualified Vietnamese lawyer with over 30 years of experience in settling maritime, commercial, and investment disputes through domestic litigation and international arbitration. His practice areas include admiralty and maritime law, arbitration & mediation, commercial law, contracts, insurance and reinsurance, international law, international trade, litigation and transportation. He has become a full-time arbitrator and is listed on various international panels of arbitrators, including VIAC, KCAB International, HIAC, SHAC, HKIAC, eBram, and SCMA. He is the first Vietnamese Member of the ICC Court of International Arbitration and the ICC Taskforce on ADR and Arbitration. He has regularly been appointed as sole arbitrator and presiding arbitrator over 70 arbitrations on international sale contracts, service contracts, shipping agency contracts, consultancy and design contracts, business co-operative agreements, supply contracts, joint venture contracts, marine insurance policies, M&A transactions, supply chain and logistic service contracts, leasing contracts, partnership agreements, contracts of carriage of goods by sea, loan agreements, etc. under different arbitration rules.

Biography

Ha Cong Anh Bao

Dean, Faculty of Law, Foreign Trade University

With more than 18 years of experience as a lecturer at the Foreign Trade University, Mr. Bao is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the university. Having been formally trained in law and business from undergraduate to postgraduate levels, he has extensive knowledge of corporate operations. His areas of expertise in practice and research include commercial and international business contracts, e-commerce law, finance, and banking. He has published numerous works in these fields. Mr. Bao is also teaching at several universities in Hanoi. He is a certified instructor for the international CFAB program of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) in Vietnam. In addition, Mr. Bao frequently conducts training and provides consultancy for various corporations and companies in Vietnam on commercial and international business contracts. He also serves as an arbitrator at VIAC and a mediator at VICMC.

Biography

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Registration Details

Complimentary Registration for in-house counsel

Complimentary Registration - Click Here

If you would like to apply for an in-house counsel complimentary ticket, please click here and fill in your details. Complimentary seat is applicable to in-house counsel from non law / consultancy firm only.  Two complimentary seats per company, first-come-first-served. Results are based on the organiser’s discretion and applicants will be notified by email.