French law firm LPA Law has expanded in Southeast Asia through the integration of Vietnam-based APFL Partners, giving it six locations in Asia and strengthening its position as one of the leading Francophone legal groups in the region.

The move adds offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to LPA Law's existing Asian presence in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Singapore, bringing its total lawyer count in the region to 50 across six cities.

Arnaud Bourrut-Lacouture, co-managing partner of LPA Singapore, will serve as the legal representative and managing partner of the Vietnam offices while maintaining his Singapore role. Bourrut-Lacouture previously practiced law in Vietnam for two years.

“Reuniting with my former Vietnamese colleagues is an incredible honour,” said Bourrut-Lacouture in a statement. “Taking on this new role, as the firm's representative in Vietnam, is a challenge I embrace with great enthusiasm.”

APFL Partners, established in 2008, specialises in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution, with expertise in Vietnam's booming real estate, energy, and manufacturing sectors.

Nicolas Audier, founder of APFL Partners, will transition to a senior legal counsel role, focusing on advising European clients entering the Vietnamese market.

The acquisition expands LPA Law's global presence to 14 offices across three continents, with more than 270 lawyers and legal professionals. The firm primarily serves multinational corporations across industries including pharmaceuticals, technology, real estate, and media.