Practice Areas
Specialist. Comprehensive.
Results-driven.
First Counsel provides strategic legal services for businesses, investors and startups in Vietnam – not just advisors, but genuine partners committed to your long-term success.
8+
Practice Areas
250+
Clients Served
EN·中文
Multilingual
24/7
Response Time
Core Practice Areas
Four areas of deep expertise
Each service is designed to address a specific group of legal needs – from day-to-day operations to complex cross-border transactions.
01
Legal Retainer & Outsourced In-House Counsel
Your dedicated legal team without the overhead. We handle contracts, compliance, risk management and day-to-day legal matters at a fixed, transparent monthly fee – replacing a full in-house legal department for businesses of any size.
Learn more
02
Employment Law & Labour Dispute Resolution
Comprehensive employment legal support – from drafting employment contracts and internal regulations to representing your business at labour mediation, court and arbitration proceedings. Proactive risk prevention and decisive dispute resolution.
Learn more
03
Investment Advisory & Legal Services for Foreign Investors
End-to-end support for domestic and foreign investors – market entry structuring, IRC/ERC licensing, cross-border M&A execution and post-investment compliance. Advised directly in English and Mandarin Chinese.
Learn more
04
Legal Audit & Due Diligence (ESG / EHS)
Comprehensive legal audits covering labour rights, human rights in business, ESG and environmental compliance – helping businesses meet international supply chain standards, prepare for external audits and support M&A and IPO transactions.
Learn more
Additional Services
Further legal expertise
Beyond our four core practice areas, First Counsel provides a full range of legal services to support every stage of your business journey.
Corporate Law & Governance
Company incorporation, charter drafting, corporate restructuring, shareholder agreements, board governance and compliance with Vietnamese company law. Advising businesses at every stage – from startup to established corporation.
Enquire
Commercial Contract Drafting & Review
Drafting, reviewing and negotiating all types of commercial agreements – distribution, agency, franchise, joint venture, supply, service and technology contracts. Bilingual drafting in Vietnamese and English.
Enquire
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Strategic representation in commercial disputes before Vietnamese courts at all levels and before domestic and international arbitration tribunals. Pre-dispute risk assessment and negotiated settlement where appropriate.
Enquire
Intellectual Property (IP)
Registration and protection of trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets in Vietnam and internationally. IP due diligence, licensing agreements and enforcement strategies against infringement.
Enquire
Data Protection & Cybersecurity Law
Advisory on compliance with Vietnam’s Personal Data Protection Decree (PDPD) and cybersecurity regulations. Data processing agreements, privacy policies, data breach response and cross-border data transfer compliance.
Enquire
Startup & Venture Capital Legal
Dedicated legal support for founders and early-stage companies – incorporation, co-founder agreements, ESOP structures, term sheet review, investment documentation and legal preparation for Seed and Series A/B fundraising rounds.
Enquire
Real Estate & Construction Law
Legal advisory on property transactions, land use rights, real estate development projects and construction contracts. Foreign investor property access structures, due diligence on real estate assets and lease agreement review.
Enquire
Tax & Regulatory Compliance
Legal advisory on tax obligations, tax treaty interpretation and regulatory compliance for businesses and foreign investors in Vietnam. Liaison with tax authorities, transfer pricing documentation and response to tax authority enquiries.
Enquire
Licensing & Regulatory Permits
Obtaining and maintaining business licences, sub-licences and regulatory permits across regulated sectors including healthcare, education, food & beverage, fintech, logistics and e-commerce operating in Vietnam.
Enquire
Why First Counsel
Three things that set us apart
Academic depth combined with practical experience
Our managing attorney is a PhD candidate in law and a registered arbitrator at TGAC – combining rigorous academic thinking with real-world experience handling complex legal matters across multiple practice areas.
Multilingual advisory — no barriers
We advise directly in Vietnamese, English and Mandarin Chinese – without the need for translators or intermediaries. Clear, precise communication in your preferred language throughout every engagement.
Practical solutions, not just correct law
A legally correct answer that cannot be implemented is a poor one. We look for solutions that are both compliant and commercially executable – agreed in writing upfront, with no hidden fees and a 24-hour response commitment.
Our Approach
How we work with you
01
Listen first, advise second
Every client has a different context. We take time to understand your commercial objectives, risk tolerance and practical constraints before making any recommendation.
02
Practical solutions over theoretical answers
We seek the optimal solution – one that is legally sound and practically achievable given your resources and timeline. The best advice is advice that can actually be implemented.
03
Fast response, proactive updates
Every matter is responded to within 24 business hours. We update you proactively at each stage – you will never have to chase us for information on your own file.
04
Partnership, not transactions
We invest in understanding your business over time. The longer we work together, the more precisely and effectively we can advise – growing with you as your business develops.
Sectors
Experience across multiple industries
Technology & Fintech
Real Estate
Trading & FDI
Manufacturing & Industry
Healthcare & Pharma
Education & Training
Logistics & Transport
Finance & Banking
Need legal advice
for your business?
Book a free initial consultation – we respond within 24 business hours.
