The areas in which women have acquired a grip are many and the legal industry is not left behind. The last decade significantly increased Women's representation in the legal services. We are witnessing big conglomerates having women manage their legalities, compliances, and regulations. Even amidst the positive gestures, it takes volumes of perseverance, grit, and determination for women to make a mark in this male-dominated and stigmatized sector. The esteemed founder of DN Legal, Dao Nguyen is one such inspirational, passionate, and successful leader, who currently outshines as an amazing leader in legal services in Vietnam.

She is a woman born to inspire; leaping towards her dreams with fortitude and facing challenges head-on. Right from the beginning of her career, leadership & mettle were deep-rooted within her. In the current business world that is defined by complexity, disruption, and change, she is a perfect leader with a holistic approach, diverse skill sets, multidimensional perspectives, and an empathetic mindset.

Leaders like Dao are not only making a mark in businesses but also inspiring several women to not compromise life. As a person who is determined to drive change, she is bringing legal transformation through her firm. She believes in delivering custom solutions tailored to you - your industry, your culture, your one-of-a-kind challenges as she knows that each transaction is unique and one-size-fits-all approaches will never help to reach its full potential. Leveraging around 29 years of experience in Property Law, Business Law, Corporate Law, and Entertainment Law, she founded DN Legal in 2014. At DN Legal, she oversees the entire legal function and manages everything that has a direct or indirect reference to legal ­ such as employment, policies, transactions, privacy, intellectual property, compliance, and more. Prior to DN legal, she was managing partner for 21 years at large international law firms Mayer Brown and Allen & Overy, helping both set up practices in Vietnam and consulting multinationals on doing business in Vietnam such as HSBC, Cathay Pacific, and Chevron.

She has extensive experience advising on all aspects of business in Vietnam. Some of her successful areas of focus include corporate M&A, banking and finance, real estate, energy, and infrastructure.  She has been a key resource for developers and the government of Vietnam on several landmark projects including the first licensed BOT project in Vietnam. Dao has practiced law in the US, Japan and for the last 27 years in Vietnam. Moreover, she is recognized and award-winning international lawyer such as IFLR1000 Women Leaders (2022), and others.

Women Entrepreneur magazine engages in an exclusive conversation with Dao to deduce more about her journey.

Please give a context to your life and the early journey you have been through to our readers. What has been a driving factor for you to pursue an entrepreneurial path?

I am a Vietnamese-American, born to an inspiring, bold and beautiful woman ­ a mother of 12 and a true entrepreneur. When I was just 10, my family migrated to the US in 1975 at the end of the Vietnam War. I grew up in Boston with 11 brothers and sisters (I am the eleventh child and youngest girl in my family).

I must admit that my mother is the greatest source of inspiration for my journey. Despite having 12 kids to be taken care of at home, when she was 35 years old, she owned one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Vietnam in the early 1970s. She had a joint venture with Nestle to make infant formula. Her company OPV Pharmaceuticals also produced its own brands of OTC drugs and made IV solutions for the US Army. After Vietnam re-opened its doors in 1987, at the age of 65 she and her three sisters return return to Vietnam and re-established OPV and built a GMP pharmaceutical plant there. She is passionate about it and wants to contribute to the healthcare sector in Vietnam.

What are some important features about your expertise as a leader that you want us to highlight through the article?

In my 3 decades of practice, I have mastered or had enough exposure to corporate and M&A, banking and finance, real estate, energy and infrastructure. I have acted for developers and the government of Vietnam on several landmark projects including the first licensed BOT project in Vietnam. Property Law, Business Law, Corporate Law, and Entertainment Law are my core areas of expertise.If you ask about my traits as a leader apart from a legal professional, I believe in having strong communication and sharing an inspiring vision and leading the team into a high-performing family with compassion-centred and result-driven strategies.

Take us through your educational journey and the prior industry experience that you bring to the table. How did your previous experiences shape you as a leader?

I am a graduate of Harvard University with a degree in Classics (Greek &  Latin) and an alumnus of UCLA Law School. I have been practising law in Vietnam since 1995 when the US first lifted its embargo. Prior to that, I practised in the US & Japan. I was a Managing Partner for over 21 years for two international law firms in Vietnam having helped both set up there. In the last 27 years in Vietnam, I trust that I have grown up with the country and helped many companies build their businesses in the region. I have been fortunate to help a major international bank set up in Vietnam as a startup. I cherish my contributions to changing laws to help promote a good business environment for both foreign and domestic companies.

What motivated you to establish DN Legal? Tell us about the underlying idea behind the firm and some of its most unique features.

In 2014, I decided to set up my own firm, DN Legal because I wanted to practice law on my own terms which are to have fun while trying to make a difference every day. Today DNL legal is recognized as a 'go-to' firm in the areas of corporate M&A, banking & finance, and real estate.

“A veteran corporate lawyer boasting 29 years of industry experience in vietnam and the US”

Drawing from your experience as a business leader, what would your advice be to young women and girls who also aspire to become business leaders and entrepreneurs in the future?

It's normal to have second thoughts about joining a law school and pursuing it as a career. I can resonate because I was hesitant and unsure too, in fact for a long time. My summer internship was the turning point, indeed. I was exposed to the law in practice at the Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. From problem-solving to proactive nature, multidimensional view, empathy, and communication; everything about this subject and career excited me. That's when I decided that this is going to be my profession. I believe that all of these are life skills you will cherish forever.

Another essential thing to remember throughout your journey is to say `No' when needed. Do not live your life to meet others' expectations. You will certainly lose yourself when you continue to satisfy others and prioritise them over you.

Dao Nguyen, Founding Partner, Dn Legal

Dao nguyen is a vietnamese- american corporate lawyer and mompreneur. Be it practising law, running a law firm, or being a mother; she gives her best to all roles of her life, which she believes to have inherited from her mom.