Gide Loyrette Nouel has moved to build up its Vietnam presence, adding three lawyers to its Ho Chi Minh City office this month.

The French firm has relocated Jacques de Servigny to be the new partner-in-charge of the Vietnam practice, which also has an office in Hanoi.

De Servigny has headed Gide's Budapest office since it opened in 1993 and helped oversee the French firm's Central and Eastern European expansion.

He takes over the position from Francois d'Hautefeuille, who remains based in Ho Chi Minh City. Meanwhile, Belgrade managing partner Francois d'Ornano has taken over as Budapest office head, while Gide has relocated Paris-based real estate lawyer Carol Santoni to head up the Belgrade office.

Gide has also hired Sullivan & Cromwell's London-based associate Samantha Campbell to head its Vietnam banking and finance practice. Joining as a senior associate, she relocated to Ho Chi Minh City earlier this month.

The third lawyer added to the Ho Chi Minh City office is a corporate associate who has joined from Mayer Brown JSM in Vietnam.

De Servigny commented: "I am excited to be joining the firm's strong practice in the Far East. Gide was the first international law firm to practice in China and it has grown to become one of the preeminent international law firms in the region."

Gide now has 15 lawyers in Ho Chi Minh City, including two partners, and 10 lawyers in Hanoi, also including two partners.

Other international firms present in Vietnam include US firm Baker & McKenzie, magic circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and UK top 10 firm Lovells.

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