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John Frangos

Partner and Deputy Director, Dispute Resolution

Biography

John Frangos is a partner and deputy director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution and litigation group. From the firm’s head office in Bangkok, he assists clients on complex disputes in Southeast Asia. He co-leads the firm’s compliance and investigations practice and leads the firm’s aviation practice.

On the basis of his expertise in the aviation industry, coupled with his exceptional client service, John is ranked as a leading aviation practitioner by Chambers Asia-Pacific. Clients have described him as “absolutely one of the best aviation lawyers in Thailand”, and as “super responsive, incredibly knowledgeable, and really focused on getting the best outcome as quickly as possible” (Chambers Asia-Pacific 2021). He is also ranked as a “Next Generation Partner” in the area of transport in the 2021 edition of The Legal 500 Asia Pacific.

With many years’ experience in Thailand and Vietnam, John brings strong knowledge of local business practices and customs. He also has a deep understanding of the region’s political and economic landscapes, which shape the legal environment that businesses must navigate.

John serves as the Thailand chapter head for the New York State Bar Association and a committee leader for the Aerospace Council of the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand. He was previously a commissioner on the Anti-Corruption Commission for the International Chamber of Commerce – Thailand. In that capacity, he assisted the Thai government by providing his expertise and comments on its anti-corruption laws. John has also worked with the Vietnamese government to propose amendments to regulations on aircraft registration and repossession.

John is admitted to the New York bar.

Experience

  • Advised a global aircraft leasing company on the successful repossession of a Boeing 737 passenger jet from a Thai airline before the Intellectual Property & International Trade Court in Bangkok and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand.
  • Advised an American beverage company on an internal anti-corruption investigation in Thailand.
  • Advised a global energy services firm on defending an anti-corruption investigation by the Thai government.
  • Advised an international e-commerce firm on handling multiple Thai criminal investigations related to alleged regulatory violations.
  • Advised an aircraft manufacturer on a joint venture dispute in Thailand.
  • Assisted a global aircraft leasing company on resolving a lease default dispute with a Thai airline.
  • Advised an Asian regional airline on a complex breach of contract claim against its Thai business partner.
  • Counseled a global aircraft leasing company on the successful repossession of a Boeing 767 passenger jet from a Thai airline before the Intellectual Property & International Trade Court in Bangkok and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand.
  • Advised a global oil and gas consulting firm on an internal anti-corruption investigation related to attempted bid tampering.
  • Advised a U.S. educational organization on criminal matters related to fraudulent standardized test taking in Thailand.
  • Assisted a multinational vehicle manufacturer on designing and implementing an anti-corruption compliance program in Thailand.
  • Advised an American precious metals company on all aspects of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), as well as Thai and Vietnamese anti-corruption compliance in its joint venture transactions and general business dealings in Thailand and Vietnam.
  • Advised an international consulting firm on designing and implementing a corporate compliance program across its Southeast Asia operations.
  • Designed and implemented a special intensive anti-corruption training program for the board of directors of a large Thai company.
  • Advised a major American software company on defending numerous employment termination cases in Thailand resulting from a global merger.
  • Represented multiple aircraft and engine leasing companies on significant damage claims against Thai airlines.
  • Advised a global automobile manufacturer on a significant customs dispute in Thailand.
  • Advised one of the world’s largest oil field service companies on a full range of labor and employment issues under Thai law.
  • Advised a major international food and beverage company on its internal investigation of an employee’s misappropriation of company assets in Thailand.
  • Advised several global auto makers and auto-parts suppliers on product liability claims in Thailand.
ABOUT John

Industries

Aviation

Practices

Compliance and Investigations

Dispute Resolution and Litigation

Location

Languages

    English

Education

    MIA, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University

    JD, New York Law School

    BA, Stony Brook University

Insights

August 2, 2021
Lawyers from Tilleke & Gibbins’ Bangkok office have authored the Thailand chapter of the 2021 edition of Chambers & Partners Aviation Finance & Leasing Guide. John Frangos, partner and deputy director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution practice; Santhapat Periera, partner in the firm’s corporate and commercial department; and Nuanchun Somboonvinij, senior associate in the firm’s dispute resolution group, provided the Thailand update for the publication, which covers the most important legal developments affecting aircraft lessors, lessees, and financiers in 32 jurisdictions worldwide. The guide provides in-depth details on the legal regimes affecting all aspects of aircraft sale and purchase, aircraft and engine leasing, and aircraft debt finance, including sale and lease agreement terms; taxation; lease registration and enforcement; lease assignment/novation; insurance and reinsurance; debt structuring; securities; liens; and many others that affect the day-to-day operations of leading players in the aviation industry. Chambers and Partners’ Global Practice Guides provide in-house counsel with expert legal commentary focusing on practical legal issues affecting business, and enable readers to compare legislation and relevant procedures across a range of key jurisdictions. The full Chambers & Partners Aviation Finance & Leasing Guide—including the Thailand chapter—is available for free on the Chambers and Partners website, and the Thailand chapter be downloaded as a stand-alone PDF through the button below.
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July 6, 2021
An article in Global Restructuring Review on the Thai court’s approval of Thai Airways’ business rehabilitation plan features insights from John Frangos, partner and deputy director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution department. The article reports that the airline’s rehabilitation plan has received court approval, over objections from two of the creditors. This step will now allow the airline—which has received over 13,000 debt repayment claims—to implement plan under the control of five administrators. John, who co-leads the firm’s regional aviation practice, explained a number of issues to the article’s author, including the Thai government’s unwillingness to bail out the financially troubled company, the challenges facing Thai Airways (and the Thai aviation industry as a whole) during the pandemic, and the historic nature of this bankruptcy case. John is representing many creditors of Thai Airways, and he shared their general reaction to the rehabilitation plan, noting that most were not necessary happy with it but did not object because they figured it was “the best deal they are going to get.” The full article is available on the Global Restructuring Review website.
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July 6, 2021
On July 13, 2021, John Frangos, partner and deputy director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution group, will speak at an anti-corruption workshop jointly organized by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, and the Sanya Darmasakti Anti-Corruption Institute of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) of Thailand. The Workshop on the Prevention of Corruption Best Practices and Innovative Tools aims to give Thai authorities and business executives in the country a better understanding of the UN Convention Against Corruption and some of the best practices to prevent corruption and its damaging effects, based on the experience of governments and private-sector organizations around the world. John’s presentation is part of a session on private sector initiatives against corruption, and he will specifically focus on his work advising companies and other clients on anti-corruption compliance issues in the region. As the workshop’s only presenter from a law firm, John’s discussion will provide important perspective on anti-corruption challenges, concerns, and successes in private enterprise across a wide range of industries. The other speakers featured in the two-day workshop include personnel from UNODC and NACC, representatives from civil society organizations, researchers, and individuals from the private sector. The workshop is closed to the public, but more information about the work of the UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific is available on the UNODC website. For answers on anti-corruption measures and compliance in jurisdictions throughout Southeast Asia, please contact Tilleke & Gibbins at [email protected]
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June 25, 2021
On Thursday, July 8, 2021, John Frangos, partner and deputy director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution group, will join a virtual panel on litigation in the Asia-Pacific region. Hosted by the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), the panel discussion will bring together legal experts from throughout the region to comment on litigation norms and procedures in various Asian jurisdictions. John, the chair of NYBSA’s Thailand chapter, will focus his remarks on dispute resolution and litigation in Thailand, while the other panelists—from law firms in the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam—will share perspectives on court proceedings in their jurisdictions. Each speaker will lay out some notable aspects of litigation and the court system that international parties should keep in mind when considering litigation in each jurisdiction. The moderator (from a law firm in Japan) will be able to add further commentary reflecting the situation in that country. As the world begins to pull out of the economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this will help prepare businesses and entrepreneurs for an increase in trading activity by providing key insights they can apply if litigious disputes arise in the course of their operations in the Asia-Pacific region. Following the speaker presentations and their roundtable discussion on how disputes that end up in litigation can unfold in the region, the webinar will close with a time for audience questions so that attendees can get advice on their specific situations. For more details and to register for this free online panel discussion, please visit the NYSBA website.
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Awards & Rankings

September 17, 2021
The 2021 edition of the prestigious Asia Women in Business Law Awards was announced on September 15, with Tilleke & Gibbins winning the prize for Thailand Firm of the Year. Each year, Euromoney hosts the Asia Women in Business Law Awards to recognize firms that are strongly committed to gender issues and women’s advancement in the law. The awards are a celebration of women in the legal profession throughout the Asia-Pacific region, and shine a spotlight on top individual lawyers as well as firms whose success is driven by women. The awards further recognize gender diversity initiatives, innovation, mentoring, work-life balance, pro bono work, and talent management. With its record of providing an equitable environment that supports and rewards high performers regardless of gender or other status, Tilleke & Gibbins is a regular contender in the awards, which it last won in 2019 when it was named Vietnam Firm of the Year. To browse the complete list of winners of the Asia Women in Business Law Awards 2021, please visit the awards website.
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August 27, 2021
International Financial Law Review (IFLR) has released the final installment of the 2022 edition of its annual IFLR1000 rankings of leading law firms in domestic and cross-border financial and transactional matters across the globe. Matching last year’s record results, Tilleke & Gibbins’ regional corporate and commercial team was awarded 15 distinct practice rankings across Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Tilleke & Gibbins was ranked in the following practice areas: Thailand—Banking and Finance, Capital Markets: Debt, Capital Markets: Equity, Mergers and Acquisitions, Project Development, Restructuring and Insolvency Vietnam—Banking and Finance, Mergers and Acquisitions, Project Development Myanmar—Financial and Corporate and Project Development Cambodia—Financial and Corporate, Project Development Laos—Financial and Corporate, Project Development In addition to the firmwide rankings, five of the firm’s attorneys were recognized with individual rankings for their expertise in financial or transactional matters in their respective jurisdictions. Charunun Sathitsuksomboon – Thailand – M&A Dino Santaniello – Laos – Corporate and M&A Saithong Rattana – Laos – Project Development, M&A Santhapat Periera – Laos – Banking, Energy, M&A Yuwadee Thean-ngarm – Myanmar – Banking and Finance, M&A The IFLR1000 ranks the world’s leading corporate and financial law firms, covering the core transactional practice areas of Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Mergers and Acquisitions, Project Development, and Restructuring and Insolvency. Please visit the IFLR1000 website to review the full rankings for Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
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July 23, 2021
The nominations for the 2021 Asia Women in Business Law Awards have been released, and Tilleke & Gibbins has been nominated in a record four firm categories and eight individual categories. The Asia Women in Business Law Awards are organized by the publisher Euromoney to recognize firms that are strongly committed to gender issues and women’s advancement in the law. Tilleke & Gibbins has been nominated in the following categories: Firm and Jurisdiction Categories Talent Management – International Firm of the Year Indonesia Firm of the Year Thailand Firm of the Year Vietnam Firm of the Year Practice Area Categories Commercial Arbitration Lawyer of the Year –  Noppramart Thammateeradaycho Copyright Lawyer of the Year – Yuwadee Thean-ngarm Insurance Lawyer of the Year – Athistha (Nop) Chitranukroh Privacy and Data Protection Lawyer of the Year – Athistha (Nop) Chitranukroh Shipping and Maritime Lawyer of the Year – Noppramart Thammateeradaycho TMT Lawyer of the Year – Waewpen Piemwichai Trademark Lawyer of the Year – Linh Thi Mai Nguyen Rising Star Categories IP Rising Star of the Year – Sher Hann Chua This is the fifth consecutive year that these three Tilleke & Gibbins jurisdictions (Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam) have all been nominated for the Firm of the Year awards—an award that the firm won for Vietnam in 2019. The winners will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony on September 15.
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