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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

November 19, 2021
On November 18, John Frangos, partner and deputy director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution and litigation group, spoke in an online session for the Practising Law Institute (PLI) titled “Investor-State Dispute Settlement: Strategic Enforcement of Arbitral Awards.” The session was part of a three-day PLI program on international investment law and settlement of disputes between investors and the state. The program was organized to provide an overview of the relevant law and practice in the area of international investment disputes, and to facilitate consideration of dispute resolution mechanisms such as international arbitration proceedings against states under international investment agreements. During the session, John was joined by experts from Europe, the Americas, and Africa and the Middle East. Each outlined strategic enforcement of arbitral awards in their respective region, and shared insights on how enforcement of arbitral awards can bring a conclusion to long-running international investment disputes with state actors. In attendance were attorneys and others investor representatives from around the world who were looking to better understand the process of international arbitration proceedings in investor-state disputes. For more details on the program, please see the PLI website.
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November 19, 2021
On November 18, 2021, John Frangos, partner and deputy director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution department, spoke in an online session for the Practising Law Institute (PLI) titled “Investor-State Dispute Settlement: Strategic Enforcement of Arbitral Awards.” The session was part of a three-day PLI program on international investment law and settlement of disputes between investors and the state, organized to provide legal and investment professionals with an overview of the relevant law and practice in the area of international investment disputes, and to facilitate consideration of dispute resolution mechanisms such as international arbitration proceedings against states under international investment agreements. In his session, John was joined by experts from Africa and the Middle East, the Americas, and Europe. Each outlined strategic enforcement of arbitral awards in their respective region, and shared insights on how enforcement of arbitral awards can bring a conclusion to long-running international investment disputes with state actors. In attendance were attorneys and others investor representatives from around the world who were looking to better understand the process of international arbitration proceedings in investor-state disputes. For more details on the program, please visit the PLI website.
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October 28, 2021
On October 27, Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution group in Bangkok teamed up with consulting firm KPMG to offer a webinar titled “Business Rehabilitation in Thailand: Considerations for Debtors and Creditors.” The webinar aimed to help companies better understand the rehabilitation process as they look ahead toward the post-COVID-19 environment. During the session, Alongkorn Tongmee, senior associate; Jamorn Pornponwat, associate; and John Frangos, partner, introduced the Thai business rehabilitation process and detailed the objectives and benefits of rehabilitation, notable legal challenges, and key considerations that debtors and creditors should keep in mind if they become involved in business rehabilitation in Thailand. A full video recording of the session is available below.
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October 14, 2021
As part of its membership in Lex Mundi, Tilleke & Gibbins has published an updated edition of its Guide to Doing Business in Thailand for 2021. This guide outlines all of the key factors for starting and operating a business in the Thai market. Issues covered include: Investment incentives Financial facilities Exchange controls Import and export regulations Structures for doing business Requirements for the Establishment of a Business Operation of the Business Cessation or Termination of the Business Labor legislation, relations, and supply Tax Immigration requirements This publication is part of Lex Mundi’s Guides to Doing Business series prepared by member firms in more than 100 jurisdictions worldwide. The guides serve as a useful resource when planning an international business strategy or researching a new market.
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Awards & Rankings

December 16, 2021
In the recently released 2022 edition of Chambers Asia-Pacific, Tilleke & Gibbins has earned high rankings across all of the firm’s jurisdictions in Southeast Asia. Moreover, a total of 21 practitioners from all of the firm’s offices received individual rankings. A full summary is below. Thailand Tilleke & Gibbins’ practice in Bangkok—the firm’s largest office—led the way with rankings in 12 different practices areas, including three Band 1 recognitions: Aviation – Band 1 Competition/Antitrust – Band 2 Corporate/M&A – Band 3 Dispute Resolution – Band 3 Employment – Band 1 Insurance – Band 3 Intellectual Property – Band 1 Projects & Energy – Band 3 Real Estate – Band 3 Restructuring/Insolvency – Band 2 Tax – Band 3 Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) – Band 2 Vietnam Tilleke & Gibbins’ offices in Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) garnered a total of five rankings, two of which are Band 1: Corporate/M&A – Band 4 Dispute Resolution – Band 4 Employment – Band 3 Intellectual Property – Band 1 Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) – Band 1 Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, and Myanmar The firm’s offices in Jakarta, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and Yangon earned one ranking each: Cambodia – General Business Law – Band 2 Indonesia – Intellectual Property – Band 4 Laos – General Business Law – Band 2 Myanmar – General Business Law – Band 4 Individual Rankings In the 2022 rankings, Tilleke & Gibbins lawyers received a total of 21 individual rankings—two more than last year’s 19. The ranked practitioners are recognized in eight practice areas: Aviation: John Frangos (Thailand) Corporate/M&A: Chuyen Hong Huu Le (Vietnam), Cynthia M. Pornavalai (Thailand), Kien Trung Trinh (Vietnam) Dispute Resolution: Thawat Damsa-ard (Thailand) Employment: Chusert Supasitthumrong (Thailand), Kien Trung Trinh (Vietnam), Pimvimol (June) Vipamaneerut (Thailand), General Business Law: Jay Cohen (Cambodia), Dino Santaniello (Laos) Intellectual Property: Darani Vachanavuttivong (Thailand), Alan Adcock (Thailand), Nandana Indananda (Thailand), Suebsiri Taweepon (Thailand), Sukontip Jitmongkolthong (Thailand), Thomas Treutler (Vietnam), Loc Xuan Le (Vietnam), Linh Thi Mai Nguyen (Vietnam), Trung Nguyen (Vietnam) Real Estate: Cynthia M. Pornavalai (Thailand) TMT: Waewpen Piemwichai (Vietnam) The annual Chambers Asia-Pacific rankings are based on in-depth market research, including input from clients and other legal practitioners. The rankings are widely used as a reference guide to the top law firms and legal professionals across the Asia-Pacific region. To read the full rankings and the accompanying analyses, please visit the Chambers and Partners website.
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November 11, 2021
On November 10, 2021, Tilleke & Gibbins was awarded a CSR Recognition at the 2021 AMCHAM CSR Excellence Awards, hosted online by the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Thailand. This is the second consecutive year that the firm was recognized at these awards, which celebrate companies in Thailand with sustainable business practices such as good governance, social responsibility, business integrity, stakeholder engagement, and demonstrated delivery of positive impacts on the society and environment. The awards bring together AMCHAM member companies each year to highlight exceptional corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects by American and Thai companies, with the aim of encouraging businesses to recognize the value of giving back to the community. This year, winning companies received a certificate marking the recognition, along with congratulatory letters from the chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy and the president of AMCHAM Thailand. More details on the AMCHAM CSR Excellence Awards and a full list of this year’s honorees are available on the AMCHAM Thailand website.
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September 17, 2021
The 2022 edition of Asialaw Profiles lists a total of 24 Tilleke & Gibbins practitioners in the highly regarded guide to leading law firms and legal practitioners in Asia. The guide seeks to rank legal professionals from Asia-based firms on the strength of their client services and legal capabilities, based on in-depth global surveys of corporate management, in-house counsel, and private-practice lawyers. In the individual listings, the lawyers are classified as “Rising Stars,” “Notable Practitioners,” “Distinguished Practitioners,” and “Elite Practitioners.” Of the 24 ranked Tilleke & Gibbins professionals, 14 are recognized for their work in Thailand, 4 for Vietnam, 2 for Myanmar, 2 for Cambodia, and one each for Indonesia and Laos. Below are the firm’s lawyers who have been recognized for each category this year, according to practice area and jurisdiction: Elite Practitioners Alan Adcock – Intellectual property – Thailand Darani Vachanavuttivong – Intellectual property – Laos and Thailand Nandana Indananda – Intellectual property – Thailand Thawat Damsa-ard – Dispute resolution – Thailand Thomas Treutler – Intellectual Property – Vietnam Distinguished Practitioners Athistha Chitranukroh – Insurance – Thailand Chusert Supasitthumrong – Dispute Resolution, Labor and Employment – Thailand Cynthia M. Pornavalai – Corporate and M&A – Thailand Dino Santaniello – Corporate and M&A – Laos Jay Cohen – Corporate and M&A – Cambodia Kien Trung Trinh – Labor and employment – Vietnam Loc Xuan Le – Intellectual property – Vietnam Pimvimol (June) Vipamaneerut – Labor and employment – Thailand Tiziana Sucharitkul – Dispute resolution – Thailand Wongrat Ratanaprayul – Intellectual property – Indonesia Notable Practitioners Chaiwat Keratisuthisathorn – Real Estate – Thailand John Frangos – Aviation – Thailand Kobkit Thienpreecha – Capital Markets, Corporate and M&A Nwe Oo – Corporate and M&A – Myanmar Santhapat Pereira – Banking and finance, Corporate and M&A – Thailand Vinh Quoc Nguyen – Corporate and M&A Yuwadee Thean-ngarm –Intellectual property – Myanmar Rising Stars David Mol – Intellectual property – Cambodia Suebsiri Taweepon – Intellectual Property – Thailand For more details and to browse the full rankings, please visit the Asialaw website.
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