John Dick is Freehills' South-East Asia managing partner, and is based in Singapore. John has spent over 20 years in South-East Asia (Singapore 1989–1994, 2000 onwards, and Vietnam 1994–2000) advising on regional investment projects (both greenfield and acquisition), particularly in infrastructure and energy and resources areas.

With a focus on cross-border regional investment projects, John has represented clients in a number of industries and investment destinations. He has advised on all corporate aspects of investment including  debt and equity structuring of cross border investment projects (both joint venture and 100 per cent foreign owned), establishment of cross border structures and investment vehicles, obtaining of regulatory approvals, establishment and operation of businesses, general contracting, construction, procurement and employment matters.

Energy & resources

John has advised on all aspects of a variety of energy, oil and gas projects and resources projects including:

• upstream PSC contracts in Indonesia and Vietnam
• FPSO charter agreements
• gas sales, supply and transportation arrangements 
• power purchase and fuel supply agreements 
• acquisitions and greenfield developments
• sale and purchase of mining projects in Indonesia
• contract of work issues in Indonesia, and
• contracting in the energy and resources industry including construction, procurement, offtake and processing agreements

Water

In the past ten years, John has been involved in water projects in Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, India and China. This has included working on:

• government and private water project development 
• BOT and DBOO development, and 
• desalination, drinking and waste water developments.

Telecom

For the life of its Business Cooperation Contract (BCC) in Vietnam, John has advised Telstra on a variety of projects in developing the Vietnamese telecommunication system (including the BCC itself). He has also worked on paging and mobile ventures throughout the region for other clients.

Industry

John has advised clients on numerous projects across the manufacturing and services industries, including CarnaudMetalBox, Fosters, RMIT, Keppel, Lend Lease and IFC.

Projects have involved dealing with:

• foreign investment approvals and other regulatory requirements
• structuring of debt and equity investment including taxation advice 
• establishment of investment vehicles including offshore holding companies 
• joint venture documentation and negotiation 
• acquisition and divestment agreements 
• intellectual property registration and licensing 
• labour issues 
• land – leasing and acquisition issues 
• construction contracts 
• financing documentation and negotiation, and 
• liquidation of investments and restructuring.

Financing and capital markets

John has advised on:

• contested and uncontested ASX takeovers
• fund establishment in the region
• bank and leasing company establishment and licensing in Vietnam, and 
• project and corporate financing transactions throughout South-East Asia, including acting for IFC on numerous projects in Vietnam.
  

John is a graduate of the University of Western Australia holding Bachelor of Jurisprudence, Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws degrees. He is admitted as a barrister and solicitor in Western Australia.

John is the immediate Past President of AustCham Singapore, being made an honorary life member in June 2008. He was also the first president of AustCham Vietnam and was made a life member in September 2000.

John is named as a leading individual for Projects and Energy in the Singapore section of Asia-Pacific Legal 500 (2008/2009 edition).