Michael K. Lee

Partner
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Michael is a Partner at Dilinh Legal with over a decade of experience in Vietnam. Prior to Dilinh Legal, Michael worked at the Vietnam offices of Tilleke & Gibbins and MBJSM. Michael has extensive experience on a wide range of corporate matters, including real estate, M&A, life science, technology, anti-corruption, and labor. For the last several years, Michael has been identified as a leading lawyer in Vietnam in the areas of Corporate and M&A by Chambers Asia Pacific, The Legal 500, and Asia Law Profiles.

The clients he has advised include Alcon, Alibaba, BlueScope Steel, Fruit of the Loom, Foster Wheeler, Gap, Gaw Capital, Groupon, Hong Kong Land, Indochina Land/Capital, Ipsen, JA Solar, JAS, Johnson & Johnson, Jones & Vining, Kenya Air, Kumho E&C, La Perla, Levi’s, Marriott, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Microsoft, Nielsen, Rocket Internet, Sapa Group, Servier, Taisei Construction, Tencent, VinaCapital, Werner and Yggdrasil.

EDUCATION

  • B.A., Anthropology, University of California at Los Angeles
  • LL.M., International Business, Washington College of Law, American University
  • J.D., McGeorge School of Law, University of Pacific

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • State Bar of California
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Registered Foreign Lawyer – Vietnam

RECOGNITIONS

Legal 500

  • Recognised as a “leading individual” in Vietnam in the area of corporate and M&A. – Legal 500, 2014 through 2018 Editions.
  • In relation to Vietnam Corporate and M&A, “Michael Lee has ‘a very good understanding of how to circumnavigate the logjams and challenges posed by the legislative environment in Vietnam’.” – Legal 500, 2017 Edition quoting a client.
  • In relation to Labor and Employment “Michael Lee… recommended for contentious and non-contentious work.” – Legal 500, 2017 Edition.
  • In relation to Real Estate and Construction “Michael Lee…[is] well regarded.” – Legal 500, 2017 Edition.

Chambers Asia

  • In relation to Vietnam Corporate and M&A, “Practice co-head Michael Lee is singled out by interviewees as “a great partner” who “responds on time, gives very sound advice and handles the matters very well.” – Chambers Asia 2017.
  • In relation to Real Estate, “Notable Practitioner: Michael Lee leads the real estate practice and is a key contact for clients.” – Chambers Asia 2017.
  • Individually ranked “Brand 4” in the field of Corporate and M&A. “According to clients, Michael Lee of Dilinh Legal is ‘very responsive, straight to the point and pragmatic,’ as well as being ‘good at translating the intricacies and complexities’ of legal issues. He is especially well placed to handle corporate matters in the life sciences, real estate, and manufacturing sectors.” – Chambers Asia 2019.

Asia Law Profiles

  • Recognized as a “Market Leading Lawyer” in Vietnam the area of Corporate and M&A. – Asia Law Profiles, 2017 Edition.
  • Recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” for Construction, Real Estate, and Corporate and M&A – Asia Law Profiles, 2019 Edition.

NOTABLE ENGAGEMENTS

  • Incorporated a Vietnamese subsidiary for Groupon to engage in advertisement services.
  • Incorporated the Vietnam operational entities of Rocket Internet’s Lazada and Zalora business.
  • Regulatory and corporate counsel to Alcon, Bayer, Ferring, Ipsen, J&J, MSD and Servier.
  • Performed comprehensive due diligence and advised on Vietnam aspects for Nippon Steel’s acquisition of BlueScope Steel businesses as part of a USD 1.36 billion joint venture.
  • Acted for Merck on the Vietnam aspects of the global Merck/Schering-Plough merger valued at USD 41.1 billion.
  • Advised La Perla Living International on several resort/residence projects in Central Vietnam, including the Bai Tram Resort.