Oliver Massmann

is an International Attorney at Law and a Financial Accountant and Auditor.

Dr. Oliver Massmann received his PhD with Major in International Business Law from the European Global School in Paris.

Dr. Massmann has over 20 years experience working as commercial lawyer in Vietnam.

Dr. Massmann practices in the area of corporate international taxation and on power/water projects, matters related to oil and gas companies and telecoms, privatization and equitization, mergers and acquisitions, and general commercial matters for multinational clients in relation to investment and doing business in Vietnam. He has been awarded Leading Lawyer in Mergers and Acquisitions in Vietnam by LEGAL 500 for the last four years in a row.

Dr. Massmann is the only foreign lawyer as Member to the Supervisory Board of PetroVietnam Insurance Corporation, Vietnam's largest industrial insurer.

Dr. Massmann is currently working on several investment projects as well as taxation matters and advising the Ministry of Electrical Power on building the power generation infrastructure in Myanmar.

The National Assembly of Vietnam invited Dr. Oliver Massmann to present on the Impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement on Vietnam, June 2016. Dr. Oliver Massmann is the first foreigner ever to present in Vietnamese language to Members of the National Assembly of Vietnam.

Dr. Massmann is registered Arbitrator of the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (The VIAC). He is the only foreign lawyer in Vietnam who is presenting to the National Assembly of Vietnam in Vietnamese language and teaching International law in Vietnamese language at the Ministry of Justice in Hanoi.

Dr. Massmann is holding a German Judge Degree. He has worked as arbitrator in International Arbitration and Mediation centers in Asia and Europe during the last 20 years. Dr. Massmann has represented many client in arbitration proceedings and Disputes in these Arbitration centers.

Dr. Massmann is a 1994 graduate of Bochum Law University, first state exam and Ministry of Justice, Duesseldorf Germany, second state exam 1997. He is holding a LLM degree in international taxation from St. Thomas University Florida- United State of America. He is certified as International Financial Accountant and Auditor by College of Birmingham. He is admitted to the Bar Association in Berlin and a licensed foreign lawyer in Vietnam.

Resume

Experience

•Duane Morris LLP
- Partner, 2007-present
•Baker & McKenzie
- Partner, 2004-2007
- Associate, 1999-2004

Honors and Awards

•Listed in Chambers Asia-Pacific for Projects, Infrastructure & Energy-Vietnam, 2020
•Listed in Chambers Asia-Pacific for Corporate/M&A-Vietnam, 2020
•Listed by IFLR 1000 as Highly Regarded Lawyer for M&A, Energy & Infrastructure, Technology and Telecommunications, Oil and Gas, 2020

•Listed by IFLR 1000 as Highly Regarded Lawyer for M&A, Energy & Infrastructure, 2019

•Listed in Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2019 and 2020

•Listed in Chambers Global, 2018-2020

•Ranked as one of leading lawyer in M&A sector in Vietnam and as the only German qualified Individual Leading Lawyer in Vietnam.

•Merit Award of the Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee for good achievements in judiciary support

•Certificates granted by Foreign Trade University as Professor to the Foreign TradeUniversity - Lecturing on Guest-Invitation Basis, June 2010
•Vietnam's honorable ambassador to LAWASIA as member of the executive board of LAWASIA Energy Section
• Recommended Tax Lawyer in the PLC Which Lawyer? Tax rankings for Vietnam, 2006/2007
•Recommended Lawyer in Vietnam, Certificate granted by Global Counsel
•Certificates granted by the Ministry of Justice of Vietnam regarding lectures in Vietnamese language on the Bilateral Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the U.S. at the Legal Professional School (December 2001); International Rules for Arbitration, including the UNCITRAL Rules and the Model Law; Practical International Arbitration Experiences, Danang, Vietnam (August 2002); and seminars on EU/German law (2003-present)
•Part of a group of lawyers that received The Department of Trade and Industry Award for Capacity Building in the Developing World at the Worldaware Business Awards 2004 ceremony held at the Royal Society in London, January 2004. The award is given to an organization for its role in enhancing the ability of a developing country to participate in international trade negotiations.

Board Memberships

•Member of Board of Management of German Business Association

•Member to the Supervisory Board of PetroVietnam Insurance Holdings Joint Stock Company

Publications

Selected Publications

•Quoted, Vietnam Expands Its Solar Energy Capability, Daily Science, February 17, 2020
•Quoted, Vietnam Goes Big on Solar Power, VOA News, February 5, 2020
•Quoted, Reaching High for the Fortune Global 500, Vietnam Investment Review, September 25, 2019

•Quoted, Vietnam Set to Relax Foreign Holding Limit in Special Sectors, The Voice of Vietnam, August 11, 2019

•Quoted, Long-awaited EU-Vietnam Free Trade Deal Inked in Hanoi, VN Express, June 30, 2019

•Quoted, Competition Can Take Brakes Off Southeast Asia Solar Market, PVTech, April 9, 2019

• Overcoming Corruption: Vietnam Emerges as Investable Proposition, iGaming Times, September 2018

• Vietnam Considering New, More Promising Feed-in Tariff for Wind Power, Offshore Wind, September 2018

• Vietnam - Effective Anti-Corruption Measures and Compliance Structures - Advise for the Government, VITV, September 2018

• Legal Complications Remain for Foreign Investment in Vietnam Infrastructure, VN Express International, September 2018

• Vietnam Set to Try Direct Corporate Power Purchase Agreement, VN Express International, August 2018

• EU Firms to Bid on Public Contracts, Vietnam Investment Review, August 2018

• Vietnam Remains an M&A Magnet, Vietnam Investment Review, July 2018

• Listing Frenzy in Vietnam, Asian Legal Business, July 2018

•In 2017, Mr. Massmann has drafted reports, articles on Vietnam - EU free trade treaty and Investment in some areas in Vietnam which have been published locally and internationally. He is number 1 author with various articles on investing and doing business in Vietnam

•In 2016, Mr. Massmann has drafted reports, articles on TTP, Vietnam - EU free trade treaty and Investment in some areas in Vietnam which have been published locally and internationally. He also sent the Prime Minister the expectation of foreign investors who would like to invest in Vietnam and provide recommendations to improve legal framework and foreign investment environment in Vietnam. He is number 1 author with various articles on investing and doing business in Vietnam

• Duane Morris Vietnam acts on Biomass Power Project in Vietnam Practice Source, October 2015

• It's Time to Invest in Vietnam Solar Projects, Law360, October 2015

• At this Rate Vietnam Will Kill the Goose that Lays the Golden Eggs Vietnam Needs a Sound Strategy, Eurolink, September/October 2015

• New Vietnam Investment Law won’t help Public Sector, Monitor Global Outlook, September 2015

• Why Vietnam is the most investor-friendly country in Southeast Asia, ThanhNien News, August 2015

• Wave of M&As forecast for Vietnam, Vietnam Investment Review, March 2015

• A touch of Clarity, Vietnam Economic Times, January 2015

• New Investment and Enterprise Laws - Meaning Reform or Minor Fiddling? Vietnam Investment Review, January 2015

• Do you expect a final solution for the EU-VN free trade consultations soon? and Impacts of the Asean Economic Community on Vietnam’s economy and especially international companies in Vietnam, International Magazine - Germany, December 2014

• Mining Industry of Vietnam, The ASIA Miner, Australia, November 2014

•Vietnam - Fusion und ubernahme, Asia Bridge, November 2014

• Investing in Geothermal Power Project in Vietnam, September 2014

•Co-authored with Chris Rowley, The Changing face of Vietnamese Management, Routledge, 2009
•Co-author, The Winds of Change, Vietnam Investment Review, July 2009
•Co-author, Vietnam Opens Wider For Business, December 31, 2008
• International Business: Vietnam Ventures, Los Angeles Daily Journal, November 27, 2007
• Vietnam: BOT Projects - Tax Issues, Asia-Pacific Tax Bulletin Journal, March 2006
• Vietnam - WTO: Why and How?, to be published in EuroCham's newsletter in the Vietnam Investment Review, August 2004
• Vietnam: Cross-Border Chattel Hiring, Asia-Pacific Tax Bulletin, May/June 2004, March 2004
• Vietnam and the Phu My 3 BOT Power Plant - An Open Door or Invite Only, published on Swiss-South East Asian Chamber of Commerce ( SEA ) Journal, January 2002
• Labor Law in Vietnam, Bundesanstalt fur Au enhandel (Bfai), November 2001
• Dispute Resolution in Vietnam, Bundesanstalt fur Au enhandel (Bfai), November 2001
• Investitionsfuhrer Vietnam 2000, The Guide For Foreign Investment In Vietnam 2000, (Bfai), February 2000
•Vietnamese Private International Law (Civil Code Vietnam) Internationales Privatrecht Vietnam for the first edition of the book Ausseuropaische IPR - Gesetze Der Professoren Kruger (KOln), Kropholler (Hamburg), Siehr (Zurich) Und Dr. Riering, Edited by Deutsches Notarinstitut (Wurzburg) am Max-Planck Institut, April 1998
• Finanzierung und Kreditsicherung in Vietnam (Bfai), March 1998
•Publications about the Legal System in Vietnam through Bundesstelle Fur Au enhandelsinformationen (Bfai), Agrippastra e 87-93, 50676 KOln, January/February 1998

Speaking Engagements

Selected Speaking Engagements

•Presentation at the Conference on the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), Brussels, 18 September 2018

•Presentation at AML Summit Vietnam 2017 in HCMC, December 2017

•Presentation at Largest Solar and Energy Storage Show, Manila, November 2017

•Presentation at Second Trade Mission Vietnam, Hanoi and HCMC, November 2017

•Presentation at Vietnam’s business environment - Investment opportunities and challenges for foreign investors, Brussels, November 2017

•Presentation at Solar & off-Grid Renewables South East Asia Conference, in Bangkok, November 2017

•Presentation at Vietnam Norwegian Solar Energy Seminar, in Hanoi, October 2017

•Presentation at Hong Kong In-House Legal Summit, in Hong Kong, September 2017

•Presentation at Vietnam In-House Legal Summit, in HCMC, June 2017

•Presentation at Vietnam - Australia Energy Forum in Hanoi, May 2017

•Presentation on Transport Infrastructure Outlook Vietnam in HCMC, May 2017

•Presentation at Vietnam Renewable Energy Summit Hanoi, May 2017

•Presentation on investment in Vietnam in Germany, April 2017

•Presentation at World Fair Council in US in March 2017

•Presentation at Automechanika in HCMC, March 2017

•Presentation at International HR Conference in Hong Kong, March 2016

•Presentation at Global Legal & IP in Singapore, March 2017

•Presentation on EU - VN FTA in HCMC, January 2017

•Presentation at Eurocham business minds come together to discuss the present and the future of the business landscape in Vietnam in HCMC, December 2016

•Discussion about How Free Trade Agreements will effect commodity business landscape in Vietnam in HCMC, December 2016

•Presentation at Solar & Offgrid South East Asia in Bangkok, November 2016

•Presentation at Vietnamese Market Analysis - Practical and Legal Perspective in Gent, November 2016

•Presentation at Vietnam’s business environment - Investment opportunities and challenges for foreign investors in Brussels, November 2016

•Presentation on Trans-Pacific Partnership & Trade Relationships in San Jose, October 2016

•Presentation on Vietnam’s business environment - Investment opportunities and challenges for foreign investors in Hanoi, October 2016

•Presentation at Hong Kong In-house Legal Summit 2016 in Hong Kong, September 2016

•Presentation in Vietnamese on Flat world - Opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises in Hanoi, August 2016

•Presentation at Electric Power Asia conference in Yangon, July 2016

•Presentation on Rules of Origin under EUVNFTA and TPP in Hanoi, June 2016

•Presentation on Vietnam - Major trade pacts - The TPP, EVFTA and AEC - What is in for you? Opportunities and Challenges in Hanoi, June 2016

•Discussion about The EU- Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the Rules of Origin in Hanoi, June 2016

•Invited by the members of the National Assembly, Presentation in Vietnamese Trans-Pacific Partnership and its implementation in Vietnam in June 2016

•Presentation on How the EVFTA impact supply chains in HCMC, June 2016

•Presentation on Rules of origin under the TPP - What is different from the EVFTA? Opportunities and challenges for certain sectors in HCMC, May 2016

•Discussion on 2016 Economic Status and its impact analysis; Emergence of the Asian regional transaction banks in Hanoi, May 2016

•Presentation on Vietnam and its major trade pacts or how the country could have deep impact on our global supply chains in Netherland, April 2016

•Presentation on M&A at Thailand In-House Summit in Bangkok, March 2016

•Presentation at Asia M&A Forum 2016 in Hong Kong, March 2016

•Presentation at International HR Conference, in Hong Kong, March 2016

•Presentation on TPP and its impact in Hanoi, February 2016

•Presentation on Solar Energy in Hanoi, January 2016

•Presenting Major Legal Issues for Getting Deals Done at the meeting with Chairman of EVN Mr Duong Quang Thanh - HCMC December 2015

•Presentation on Vietnam scraps foreign ownership limits in investment - How much you know & What you can do? in HCMC, December 2015

•Presentation on Vietnam, New Investment law, The AEC, EVFTA, TPP and Star Trek: FTA and TPP, Germany, November 2015

•Presentation on Vietnam, New Investment law, The AEC, EVFTA, TPP and Star Trek: Scotti: Beam Vietnam Up in Netherland, November 2015

•Presentation on Investment in Vietnam and Myanmar, in Hongkong, September 2015

•Presentation on Implementing Power Project in Myanmar, in Yangon, September 2015

•Presentation on Myanmar - Significant Law and Regulation Relevant to the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry Yangon, September 2015

•Presentation at Corporate Compliance and Disclosure, Seminar in Singapore, August

•Presentation on Business proposal to your potential investor? Do’s and Don’ts, Hanoi, August 2015

•Presents at Global Economic Outlook and Economic Developments and Outlook for Vietnam seminar in Hanoi, June 2015

•Presentation at Wind Energy Event in HCMC, June 2015

•Presentation on Investment Law and Asean Economic Community in HCMC, June 2015

•Presentation at South East Asia In-House Legal Summit 2015 in Singapore, May 2015

•Presentation at Customs & International Trade Compliance Asia Masterclass in Singapore, May 2015

•Presentation on Update on the new Investment and Enterprise Laws - What is really new? in HCMC, May 2015

•Presentation at Energy in SouthEast Asia, Netherland, April 2015

•Presentation on Doing Business in Vietnam, Legal Updates in Hanoi, April 2015

•Presentation at Thailand and Myanmar, your Gateway into Asean in Netherland, April 2015

•Presentation at Asean Seminar in Frankfurt, March 2015

•Presents at Asia M&A Forum 2015 in Hongkong, March 2015

•Presentation at Seminar 'Reforming Vietnam's economy' in Paris, February 2015

•Presentation at Offshore Convention Myanmar 2015 Conference and Exhibition, Myanmar, January 2015

•Presentation at Investment event in Vietnam in HCMC, January 2015

•Presentation in Norwegian Business Forum in HCMC, November 2014

•Presentation at SACC Mission to Vietnam, November 2014

•Presentation on Legal Due Diligence Vietnam in HCMC, November 2014

•Presentation in TU - SUV CEO Talk in HCMC, November 2014

•Presentation in Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution Summit in Hongkong, September 2014

•Presentation in Australia Mintech in Australia, August 2014

•Presentation on Investment in Myanmar in Hanoi, June 2014

•Presentation in Poland - Vietnam Business Forum in Hanoi, June 2014

•Presentation in Thailand Power and Electricity in Thailand, June 2014

•Presentation in Unconventional Gas Conference in Singapore, June 2014

•Presentation in M&A - Vietnam Business Forum in Hanoi, June 2014

•Presentation in Sea Offshore Summit in HCMC, April 2014

•Presentation on Investing in Myanmar in Netherland, April 2014

•Presentation in Mining Seminar in Hanoi, March 2014

•Presentation in Myanmar Infrastructure Summit in Myanmar, March 2014

•Presentation in Investment Forum in Myanmar, January 2014

•Presentation on Trans-Pacific Partnership in Thailand, January 2014

•Presentation on Healthcare Sector in Berlin, November 2013

•Presentation on Investing in Myanmar in Yangon, November 2013

•Presentation on Vietnam Insurance in HCMC, November 2013

•Presentation in AFLA New York in New York, Oct 2013

•Presentation on Vietnam Energy Outlook in HMC, Sep 2013

•Presentation on Trade and Distribution in Singapore, August 2013

•Presentation at Greater Mekong Investment seminar in Bangkok, June 2013

•Presentation on Legal issues in Oil and Gas Project in Singapore, June 2013

•Presentation at Vietnam Economy in Hanoi, June 2013

•Presentation on Investing in Myanmar in HMC, May 2013

•Presentation on comparative analysis between Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia in HCMC, May 2013

•Presentation on International Offshore Oil and Gas Hub in HMC, May 2013

•Presentation on Impacts of innovative infrastructure developments - focus on energy supply and energy security. Dr. Philipp ROsler (Minister of Economics & Technology of Germany) attending event at the Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam the Vietnam-Germany Dialogue Forum
•Presentation on Sustainable Investment and Progress in Vietnam, in Mrs. Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, November 2011
•Presentation on Vietnam's Investment Environment from Legal and Tax Perspective in German at a Conference organized by German-Asean Business Circle in Frankfurt, November 2010
•Presentation on Vietnam's Legal and Policy Framework on Energy: Current and Moving Forward in the 2nd annual Vietpower Conference, organized by IBC Asia, September 2010
•Presentation on Best Practice in Gas Project Partnerships: Win-Win Solutions in Development Bankable Oil and Gas Projects in the Conference on Vietnam Offshore Oil & Gas, organized by IBC Asia, June 2010
•Presentation on Expatriate Employment: Key Legal Considerations and Dispute Issues in the seminar on Employment Law & HRM in Vietnam organized by Asia Business Forum (Thailand) Limited, July 2010
•Presentation on International Trade Law - Evaluation from Practitioners: THE BASICS in the Short-term Training Course on International Trade Law organized by Hanoi University of Foreign Trade, June 2010
•Presentation on Free Trade Zone ASEAN - Obstacles and Prospects for Vietnam and Dispute Resolution Mechanism between Member States in seminar organized by KAS Vietnam, Ministry of Industry and Trade and International Business and Law Academy, November 24, 2009
•Presentation on Going Green and Financing Renewable Energy in Asia: The Basics in 12th LawAsia Conference, November 12, 2009
•Presentation on Legal Obstacles for Renewable Energy Development in Vietnam in the International Forum on Wind Power Development in Vietnam, November 6, 2009
•Presentation on Vietnam And Its Venture WTO-Impact And Opportunities in seminar organized by KAS Vietnam and National Academy of Public Administration, November 5, 2009
•Presentation on Legislation Dealing with Public Corruption in Vietnam in NYSBA Singapore Conference New York and New Asia - A Partnership for the 21st Century, October 29, 2009
•Presentation on Investment in the Energy Sector in Eurocham's GreenBiz Conference, September 17-18, 2009
•Presentation on Labor Law of Vietnam: Protecting the Protected in Fortress Intelligence's Seminar on Vietnam Employment Law, August 31, 2009
•Presentation on Towards Bankable Power Projects in Vietnam in Mekong Power Summit, June 4, 2009
•Presentation on Vietnam's Legal and Policy Framework on Energy: Current and Moving Forward in Seminar on Climate Change organized by the Vietnamese National Assembly, April 27, 2009
•Presentation on State Liability - German and European law in Seminar in Nha Trang, organized by KAS Vietnam, September 9-10, 2008
•Presentation on From Private Equity to IPO: Legal Aspects of Restructuring a Corporate Group in Preparation of an IPO in Seminar in Bangkok, organized by IRVING Seminar & Training, June 26-27, 2008
•Presentation on Legalization and Notarization - German and European Law in seminar in Nha Trang, organized by KAS Vietnam, March30-April 1, 2008
•Presentation on Vietnam Tax and Transfer Pricing in seminar in Singapore organized by Fortress Intelligence, March 17, 2008
•Presentation on Capital & Finance in seminar in Ho Chi Minh City, organized by Irving Seminar & Training, February 21-22, 2008
•Presentation on An introduction to Vietnam's labor law - law and practice in seminar in Singapore, organized by Fortress Intelligence, 17-18 January 2008
•Presentation on Trade Registration - German and European Law in seminar in Ho Chi Minh City, organized by KAS Vietnam, December 5-8, 2007
•Presentation on Latest Assessment of the Legal Framework for Infrastructure and Impact on IPP Developments in Vietnam and chairing the 10th Vietnam/Mekong OGP Summit, organized by Centre for Management Technology in Hanoi, November 27-28, 2007
•Presentation on Land Classification, Zoning and Building Permits in Ho Chi Minh City, organized by Irving Seminars, November 16, 2007
•Presentation on Harmonization of Economic and Trade Law, seminar in Halong organized by Konrad- Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), October 30, 2007
•Presentation regarding Trading Branches and Freight Tax on behalf of EuroCham in the Vietnam Business Forum, Hanoi, December 13, 2006
•Presentation regarding Vietnam's WTO accession, seminar organized by Eurocham, Ho Chi Minh City, December 6, 2006
•Presentation regarding Vietnam's WTO accession, seminar in Zurich and Geneva organized by the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce for ASEAN and Korea, November 22-24, 2006
•Presentation regarding Vietnam's WTO accession, seminar in Bonn organized by the Regional Development Policy South-East Asia Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), November 21, 2006
• Chancen und Hemmnisse fuer auslaendische Beteiligungen im Infrastrukturbereich, Au enwirtschaftskonferenz Berlin-Brandenburg 2006, organized by Au enwirtschaft Beraterin Asien & Pazifik, Berlin, November 16, 2006
•Presentation on enforceability of rights in Vietnam including bankruptcy and insolvency practices in the seminar re Aon Trade Credit Asia, 8th Annual Conference, Hanoi Hilton Hotel, Hanoi, Vietnam, October 17, 2006
•Presentation on Vietnam's Post-accession action plan within the seminar in Towards the Establishment of a WTO Training Program in the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam, September 20, 2006
• Corporate Governance - Principles and Implementation in Vietnam, at the seminar Developing corporate governance models towards international best principles and practices within the Vietnam -EU Business Forum (VEUBF), sponsored and supported by HSBC, State Bank of Vietnam Vietcombank, Hanoi, Vietnam, September 11, 2006