Experience 

David Lim is a partner in Mayer Brown JSM’s Ho Chi Minh City office.  He is a corporate lawyer with a strong emphasis in the real estate sector.  He advises extensively on foreign investment projects in Vietnam and also handles a very wide range of real estate-related work that includes township developments, residential developments, commercial developments, resort developments and mixed-use developments.  As part of this practice, David assists clients with land acquisition, negotiations in joint ventures, licensing, foreign exchange restrictions, investment structures, mergers and acquisitions, sale and lease structures and financing.

David brings extensive knowledge of the Law on Investments of Vietnam to foreign investment projects that encompass a wide range of market sectors.  His work on investments for all types of projects includes guidance on issues ranging from investment structures to tax and foreign exchange issues to litigation.

In transactional matters, David has advised on the Vietnamese aspect of the listing of a real estate investment trust overseas.  He has also acted for property owners and developers in leasing matters, financing, land issues and property transfers.  His significant projects include drafting and advising, on an ongoing basis, on structures for a number of large hotels and resort development projects in Vietnam.

Notable Engagements 

• Advised Indochina Land Holdings on various residential, commercial and high-end resort development projects in Vietnam.
• Advised Indochina Land Holdings on the structuring and documentation in respect of Hyatt Regency Danang Residences Project comprising a five star resort with luxury condominiums and villas.
• Advised Setia Berhad on all matters including investment structure, licensing, negotiations on the joint venture and sale and leasing structures relating to a  226-hectare township development project with a gross development value of US$600 million and containing residential, commercial, hotel, sports, and leisure facilities in Binh Duong Province, Vietnam.
• Advising a client on a US$3.5 Billion urban development project with universities, residential, commercial, retail, recreational and medical facilities.
• Advised a client on investment structure, land acquisition, and lease of land for a US$930 million commercial property development project in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with commercial offices, retail space, and hotel and recreational facilities.
• Advising on a US$265 million acquisition of part of a property development project.
• Advising a client on acquisition of shares in and the restructuring of a US$334 million mixed-development project.
• Advising a property investment fund in respect of structures relating to hotel and private residences management, with a particular focus on structures for sale and lease of properties to Vietnamese and foreign individuals and corporate entities.
• Advising a client on a mixed-use property development project in Ho Chi Minh City, including land acquisition, negotiations on a joint venture and land acquisition, and financing (including security arrangements with financial institutions).
• Advising a client on the acquisition of a completed commercial building , with emphasis on investment structure, tax and licensing matters.
• Advising a property investment fund on investment structures, including acquisition of shares in existing Vietnamese corporate entities, acquisition of completed buildings and apartments, and joint ventures.

Education 

The University of Warwick, LLB (Hons), 1998

Admitted

• Foreign Lawyer Practising Certificate in Vietnam, 2004
• Advocate and Solicitor at the High Court of Malaya, 2000