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John Frangos

Partner and Director, Dispute Resolution

Biography

John Frangos is a partner and director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution and litigation group. Based in Bangkok, he works with clients and the firm’s disputes team on complex cases across Southeast Asia. He is especially active in leading the firm’s aviation practice as well as its compliance and investigations practice.

On the basis of his expertise in the aviation industry, coupled with his exceptional client service, John is ranked as a leading aviation and transport practitioner by Chambers Asia-Pacific, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, and Asialaw Profiles. 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).

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 Thailand chapter of the International Chamber of Commerce. In that capacity, he assisted the Thai government by providing his expertise and comments on its anticorruption 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 15, 2022
Litigation is usually the last resort in resolving disputes. Most parties to a dispute try to avoid litigation altogether, fearing that seeking recourse with the courts or arbitration will lead to a disruption in commercial relationships, result in increased legal expenses, and generally lengthen the period in which the dispute remains unresolved. While some of these concerns may indeed be legitimate, sometimes litigation is the only means for a party to obtain relief. For parties contemplating such recourse, it is reassuring to know that the Thai court system is generally an accessible, unbiased, and balanced vehicle for the resolution of disputes. Civil Litigation in Thailand aims to introduce some of the fundamentals of Thai civil court procedures and practices. While it is not an in-depth study, this brief guide covers the main issues concerning civil litigation in Thailand as either a plaintiff or a defendant. The full guide is available through the button below.
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June 30, 2022
On June 29, 2022, Tilleke & Gibbins collaborated with K&L Gates Straits Law LLC to offer a timely webinar entitled “Current Climate for Investments: Concerns for Investment Structuring & Disputes in Southeast Asia.” During the session, two attorneys from Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution group in Bangkok—John Frangos, partner and director, and Eric Meyer, consultant, highlighted different global pressures affecting investment in Southeast Asia, and pointed out key considerations for investors in relation to their future investments. Together with the speakers from K&L Gates, John and Eric provided an introduction to investment treaties in several jurisdictions and potential disputes that could arise due to the current investment climate. Toward the end of the session, the speakers summarized the key issues and highlighted ways to mitigate the existing risks. A recording of the webinar can be viewed below.
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June 1, 2022
On May 31, 2022, Tilleke & Gibbins continued its collaboration with Anderson Mori & Tomotsune to offer a webinar entitled “Compliance Considerations in Thailand: What Companies Should Know.” During the session, which was translated into Japanese by Chieko Tsuchiya, a consultant in Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution department in Bangkok, John Frangos, partner and director of the department, addressed the following areas: The importance of compliance in Thailand; Key principles that make an effective compliance program, including the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s internal guidelines, risk assessments, policies and procedures, communication mechanisms, and audits and evaluations; and Case studies and practical considerations on how companies can reduce risks of wrongdoing activities.
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April 1, 2022
Thailand Legal Basics, a valuable primer for foreign investors, explores all aspects of living and doing business in Thailand. Written by specialists at Tilleke & Gibbins in Bangkok, it is the only comprehensive English-language guide to the Thai legal system with a focus on the concerns of foreign business and investment.
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Awards & Rankings

February 24, 2023
Tilleke & Gibbins has been named a finalist for two prestigious awards at the upcoming Chambers Asia Pacific and Greater China Region Awards 2023. The awards recognize and celebrate the achievements of firms, companies, and individuals who are driving the advancement of diversity and inclusion across the Asia Pacific region. Tilleke & Gibbins was shortlisted for the Diversity & Inclusion: Outstanding Firm award, which recognizes firms that have made exceptional strides in promoting diversity and inclusion across their organization. Additionally, Tilleke & Gibbins has been nominated for Thailand Firm of the Year, in recognition of the firm’s exceptional performance and outstanding achievements in providing legal services in Thailand. The Chambers Asia Pacific and Greater China Region Awards 2023will be held in person at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on May 4, 2023. For more information on the awards and the shortlisted nominees, please see the Chambers website.
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February 24, 2023
Tilleke & Gibbins has been named to the ALB Top 15 Innovative Law Firms list, an initiative from Asian Legal Business identifying the law firms in Asia that have incorporated new technologies and techniques to provide top legal and client services. Tilleke & Gibbins was recognized for its strength in emerging areas such as cannabis and digital assets—as well as recent landmark victories in court for the firm’s clients. Tilleke & Gibbins is dedicated to innovation in both client service and internal business operations, and is proud of its culture of innovation across all departments and offices throughout Southeast Asia. Asian Legal Business, owned by Thomson Reuters, is a leading source of information for businesses and professionals active in the region. To learn more about the ALB Top 15 Innovative Law Firms list, please see the January/February 2023 issue of Asian Legal Business magazine.
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February 23, 2023
Tilleke & Gibbins has been placed on the shortlist for 14 awards at The Legal 500’s Southeast Asia Awards 2023, including Southeast Asia Firm of the Year. The firm was honored to be nominated for the following awards, spanning regional, national, and individual categories: Regional Awards Southeast Asia Firm of the Year IP Firm of the Year Labor and Employment Firm of the Year Marketing Team of the Year National Awards Cambodia Firm of the Year Thailand Firm of the Year Individual Awards Alan Adcock, IP Lawyer of the Year Chusert Supasitthumrong, Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Linh Thi Mai Nguyen, IP Rising Star of the Year Loc Xuan Le, IP Lawyer of the Year Niti Muangkote, Banking and Finance Rising Star of the Year Nopparat Lalitkomon, TMT Rising Star of the Year Thomas J. Treutler, IP Lawyer of the Year Waewpen Piemwichai, TMT Rising Star of the Year This is the second edition of The Legal 500’s Southeast Asia Awards, following an inaugural virtual presentation in November 2021 in which Tilleke & Gibbins was named Laos Firm of the Year and Vietnam Firm of the Year. The winners this year will be announced at an in-person ceremony to be held on May 11, 2023, at the Pan Pacific Singapore.
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