The Legal 500

Haiwen & Partners’ ‘technically brilliant lawyers’ are involved in large scale, complex, domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, including acquisitions of material assets, mergers, stock purchases, restructurings and joint ventures. The client base includes purchasers, sellers, lenders and financial advisors, and the firm has built a well recognised general corporate governance practice. Highlights included advising China-based Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company on the PRC law aspects to its $1.8bn acquisition of Ford Motor Company’s Sweden-based manufacturer Volvo Cars. In 2010, the practice also advised China Mobile in connection with its acquisition of 20% interests in Shanghai Pudong Development Bank; acted for CITIC Capital in connection with its acquisition of 35.79% interests in Jilin Grain Group; and advised China Huaneng Group in connection with its acquisition of 50% interests in InterGen. The team also acted for Huaneng Power International in connection with its acquisition of Shandong Luneng Group’s power, port and coal assets, and represented Sinopec in connection with its acquisition of 55% interests in Sonangol Sinopec International. Extensive capabilities in dispute resolution, securities, corporate and banking, antitrust, employment, tax, intellectual property, real estate and environmental law complement the M&A group. He Fei is widely respected for ‘being committed to the task’.

Jun He Law Offices is a preeminent firm for FDI work, and M&A is a key area for the practice. It has advised on transactions relating to both listed and privately-held companies, on domestic and cross-border transactions, and in a wide range of industrial sectors including finance, manufacturing, real estate, infrastructure, high technology, electronics, pharmaceuticals and service trades. The firm is also at the forefront of advising in private equity and venture capital investments. Highlights included acting as PRC legal counsel to COFCO and Hopu in their investments into Mengni, and advising Zhejiang Hisun Pharmaceutical Stock in association with the formation of the joint venture with Norway-based Axellia Pharmaceuticals. The practice also acted for CITIC Group’s wholly-owned subsidiary, CITIC International Cooperation, in its EPC contracts for three cement production lines in Belarus, the project being the largest industrial cooperation project between China and Belarus to date. Additionally, the firm advised on a project involving PRC sourced funds where a Japanese partnership fund was formed to invest in a biotechnology company. Linfei Liu and Hongli Ma are ‘deeply committed lawyers’.

On the outbound side, King & Wood’s ‘truly expert team’ has assisted numerous domestic clients investing abroad and tapping overseas resources, technologies, brands and markets, and is noted for its strong relationships with Chinese regulators and strong network of overseas offices and alliance partners. The firm also has a widely praised FDI practice and frequently provides legal services to both multinationals investing in China and to domestic companies receiving investments from foreign entities. Jing Gang led the advice to Beijing Wild Wolf Investment Consulting in its successful acquisition of all the shares of Beijing Globallink Computer Technology and Ourgame Asset from NHN and SeaRainbow Holding. The team, led by corporate law specialist Hu Zaichi, assisted the Centre for Development of Trade and Management of Investment in Europe, a subsidiary of the Chengtong group, in connection with the acquisition of a large development with 13 office buildings, business facilities and apartments in Moscow. Xu Ping specialises in foreign direct investment in China, M&A, and technology transfers, and ex-Clifford Chance LLP Beijing chief representative Rupert Li is highly regarded for cross-border M&A and strategic corporate investments. Li has handled numerous onshore and offshore acquisitions, investments, and listings for large-scale enterprises, including offshore investments, joint venture establishments and M&A transactions; Carolyn Dong specialises in corporate governance, M&A, corporate restructuring, outbound investment, and foreign direct investment in China. Yang Xiaolei and Zhou Ning are also recommended;

Zhong Lun Law Firm welcomed former Lovells and Allbright Law Offices partner Robert Lewis as international managing partner. The ‘deeply esteemed and practical’ team represented Shendi Group as PRC counsel in relation to the planned development of the Shanghai Disneyland theme park. The team has represented large multinational and US Fortune 500 companies and large Chinese enterprises in cross-border M&A, joint ventures, real estate investment, corporate restructuring, and other international investments.

Famed for its strength in capital markets, Commerce & Finance Law Office is also noted for its ‘first-rate advice’ to domestic listed companies. The team recently represented Wuxi PharmaTech on its $1.6bn proposed sale. Liu Gang, Di Xiaofeng and Han Xiaojing are key figures.

Jun Hu was recently welcomed to Fangda Partners as a partner from FenXun Partners. The team acted as PRC counsel when KKR Investment Consultancy (Beijing) acquired a 10% equity interest in China International Capital Corporation, and represented Home Inns & Hotels Management in its acquisition of Motel 168 International Holdings.

Mergers and acquisitions and private equity expert Michael Yu rejoined Global Law Office’s partnership in 2011 from international firm Norton Rose LLP. The firm also opened a Shenzhen office with five senior IPO and M&A lawyers. Huawei LIN acted for Warburg Pincus in the restructuring of a pre-IPO investment in Sunshine 100, and assisted Standard Chartered with a $350m investment in an offshore SPV, related to an onshore real estate development project; The ‘impressive lawyer’ David Fu advised Sanofi-aventis on general corporate matters in China, and acted for Nokia on the restructuring of PRC joint ventures and spin-off of certain businesses in China. Jinrong Liu advised Sewco on its acquisition of a majority equity interest in Tycoon Beverage Group, and acted for China Resources Medications Group on its acquisition of equity interest in Beijing Pharmaceutical Group. Liu also represented New Horizon Capital, CITIC PE and Beijing State-owned Capital Management Center on an equity investment in Beijing Wangfujing International Commercial Development, which owns PRC A-share listed company, Beijing Wangfujing Department Store (Group) Stock.

Jingtian & Gongcheng welcomed ex-Haiwen & Partners and Shearman & Sterling LLP lawyer Jinrong Liu to the firm as partner, and Qingjie Wang joined as partner from King & Wood; Guoqing Li rejoined as partner from Hogan Lovells International LLP. The practice acts mostly on the acquisition of domestic enterprises by foreign investors, takeovers and listed companies’ asset reorganisations, as well as M&A between domestic enterprises. The client base comprises state-owned and private enterprises, listed companies and overseas investors, from sectors such as real estate, telecommunication, media and entertainment, retail merchandising, energy, natural resources and traditional manufacturing.

M&A work is a major practice area for Tian Yuan Law Firm. Zhu Xiaohui has represented clients in their acquisition of listed companies, and Guanxiong Wu focuses on foreign direct investments, venture investments and M&A. Hua Chen is also a key contact and leading individual.

Headquartered in Beijing, DeHeng Law Office has a network of domestic branches in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Changsha, Jinan, Tianjin, Shenyang, Dalian, Changchun and Xian, as well as overseas offices in New York, the Hague and Paris. The practice is well versed in tender offers, acquisition agreements, major asset restructurings, share repurchases and the purchase and transfer of shares and assets. Clients include China FAW Group, Dongfeng Motor, China National Chemical Corporation, China Three Gorges Project Corporation, China Huaneng Corporation, and China Railway Construction Corporation. Qi Jiang is the principal figure.

Headquartered in Beijing, Guantao Law Firm acted in relation to the acquisition by Tidetime Sun, principally engaged in media-related businesses, of three coal mines in Xinjiang for HK$7.8bn, the deal expected to allow Tidetime Sun to expand into the coal mining, coking coal process and sale business in the PRC. The practice also acted for CGNPC in its £756m bid for Kalahari Minerals and advised on All Team Group’s restructuring and the RMB250m sale of its shares to Ming Fai. Other highlights included advising Datang Telecom Technology in a strategic investment into Semiconductor Manufacturing International, as well as acting in connection with Wah Nam International Holdings’ proposed takeover offer for two ASX-listed iron ore developers. Sun Dongfeng and Xiao Hongming are recommended.

The ‘truly impressive’ Han Kun Law Offices advised China Development Bank Capital and its affiliate in connection with an aggregate of $240m investment into the wholly owned polysilicon manufacturing subsidiaries of LDK Solar. The practice also advised SIG Asia Investment in connection with its investment in Kanbox, a cloud storage business that backs up, synchronises and accesses personal files from multiple devices. The team also represented Yongye International in connection with its $50m private equity investment from Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia, and advised the chairman of the board of China Fire & Security Group in connection with the acquisition of China Fire by Bain Capital Partners and the management of China Fire.

Run Ming Law Office is noted for its advice to foreign investors in relation to their various direct investments in China. The key corporate and M&A contacts include executive partner Yi Liu, ‘excellent partners’ Ron Ma and Xin Lv, as well as Yingying Gu. The practice recently advised ORIX on the setting up of regional headquarters in China.

Allbright Law Offices covers the full range of services from general corporate transactions, commercial agreements and compliance to inbound and outbound investments and advising on projects and infrastructure. A key component of the practice is its M&A capability; it regularly advises multinational and listed companies, state-owned enterprises and professional investment institutions on asset acquisitions and strategic minority investments, and on sale of assets. In addition to conventional M&A work, the group often acts for special committees of board of directors and advises on MBOs, buyout funds, mezzanine debt funds and mezzanine debt funds. Clients include Shanghai Industrial Holdings, which instructed the firm on its HK$2.74bn acquisition of 45% equity interest in Neo China. Julia Zhu and Victor Wang are recommended.

Fangda Partners’ broad expertise includes company restructures and disposals, variations of capital, de-mergers, joint ventures, M&A work, and MBOs. The firm has a strong legacy of acting for blue-chip clients such as Goldman Sachs and Carlyle Group, and in 2011 it represented Home Inns and Hotel Management in its acquisition of 100% equity interest in Motel 168; both are leading PRC companies in the hotel industry and the deal was valued at $470m. It also represented Russian internet investment group Digital Sky Technologies on its $500m investment in 360buy.com, the largest Chinese e-commerce company. Corporate partners in Shanghai include Yang Gao and Benjamin Miao.

Jun He Law Offices has a sizeable practice with around half of its partners fielding expertise in M&A transactions. The firm is particularly active in foreign direct investment, and despite the slowdown continues to be involved in complex matters. Typical transactions involve advising listed and privately-held companies on domestic and cross-border transactions, while sector expertise includes finance, manufacturing, real estate, infrastructure, technology and pharmaceuticals. Tommy Hilfiger and GE have recently instructed the practice. Areas of expertise include designing and optimising transaction structures, conducting due diligence investigations and assisting in information disclosure, governmental filings, approvals and registrations. Adam Li is recommended.

King & Wood’s extensive client list spans multinationals, state-owned enterprises and private enterprises. It regularly advises companies on conforming with Chinese laws, and on inbound and outbound investment. On the M&A side, the range of expertise includes divestitures, strategic investments, stock and asset acquisitions and spin-offs for various client types. Additionally, it advises on real estate and tax matters.

Llinks Law Offices’ advice ranges from privatisation of state-owned enterprises to corporate housekeeping matters, and it is frequently involved in foreign direct investment and re-investment. It recently advised TB Partners on its acquisition of part of the shares of Qinheyuan Aged Care Services Group, and assisted a private fund in its acquisition of Belgravia Place from Grosvenor, advising it on the equity transfer, construction and project financing. China’s largest furniture operator, Redstar, recently instructed the firm in relation to its investment in the Chengcheng Square Project. Founding partner David Yu is recommended

Boss & Young Attorneys at Law has an outstanding practice which, while smaller in headcount than some of its main competitors, does punch above its weight in dealing with complex matters. The firm has seen an upsurge in deals of late, with highlights including advising on the acquisition of a 15% equity stake in a leading local PRC fixtures company. Other recent clients include a leading foreign property development company based in Shanghai.

Chen & Co. Law Firm is experienced in advising both multinational and domestic clients, having previously advised Canadian Solar and Virtuous Games Shanghai. It has acted for Fresenius Medical Care’s Shanghai subsidiary with drafting PRC sales contacts and construction services contracts for a plant expansion and ensured that the client was compliant with PRC laws and regulations. West Pharmaceutical Services instructed the firm in relation to PRC plant construction, including land acquisition, permit application and reviewing construction contracts. Lin Zhong heads the international business team and focuses particularly on direct investment and cross-border M&A.

Duan & Duan Law Firm is experienced in foreign direct investment and is regularly called upon for advice on corporate formation, dissolution and liquidation, and corporate governance. It has a strong name among media and entertainment clients and has attracted big-name clients such as Coca-Cola and Microsoft. Adding to the firm’s advantage is its related expertise in taxation, real estate, construction and environmental protection. Janet Duan and Steven Gong are recommended

M&A and restructuring is a core area at HHP Attorneys-At-Law. It handles the full range of services from early evaluation and planning of legal risks, feasibility and structure of a transaction, to advice on post-closing management, corporate governance and operation of the target company. The team has strong capabilities in foreign direct investment, assisting various entities in purchasing equity and assets, reinvesting in China, and establishing joint ventures with foreign investors on behalf of domestic companies. Clients include B&Q and Berlitz International.

Jade & Fountain PRC Lawyers has been growing its team of late with a number of new senior appointments and a new office in Beijing. The firm’s ‘outstanding’ corporate practice head Selena She is noted for ‘bringing her international firm experience to this local firm’. The team is commended for its ‘strength-in-depth which is often on a par with the larger firms’. Recent highlights include advising NASDAQ-listed Shanda Games on its acquisition of the Chinese online games company Goldcool. The team ‘offers a combination of legal insight, courtroom experience, industry expertise and practical business sense’. In addition to She, recent hires Lawrence Guo and Sophie Sha, and Henry Xiao are recommended.

Richard Wang & Co’s practice includes a number of former judges and foreign-educated lawyers. It is regularly called-upon to advise on mergers, bankruptcy and company re-organisation, and often advises foreign companies on investments into China. The firm’s experience includes completing a $250m equity merger of POSCO Plaza. Richard Wang and John Liu are recommended.

Wang Jing & Co has strong foundations in the shipping industry and has evolved to become a full-service firm with considerable corporate experience. It frequently acts as general legal counsel on foreign direct investments and mergers and acquisitions, and has expertise in employment, international trade, taxation and real estate law. Highlights included advising US-based energy companies on corporate finance matters, and acting for a Japanese publisher in relation to joint venture projects in China. Chen Xin is the key partner contact.

Yishi Law Firm is renowned for its Japanese client base, particularly in the electronics sector. Other clients include Petrochina and GE. Firm director Shi Yi is an experienced arbitrator who specialises in foreign direct investments - particularly among financial institutes - and international trade, M&A and share transfers.

Haworth & Lexon is a strong player in the mid-tier field, often drawing upon its extensive network which includes offices in New York, Paris, Sydney and Hong Kong. Much of its activity in Shanghai is legal compliance work for corporate clients; among these a number of Fortune 500 companies such as GE. Recent highlights include acting on a joint venture for a Korean company, with a total investment of over RNB10bn. Sean Yuan and Bailey Xu are recommended.

Concord & Partners is headquartered in Beijing and has a longstanding reputation, particularly in foreign investment matters. The firm is regularly instructed on urban infrastructure projects and advises across a number of sectors such as financial services and the media. Typical instructions include corporate restructurings, equity and asset acquisitions and transfers, corporate divisions and mergers and equity and debt financing.

Grandall Law Firm focuses on mergers and restructuring-related advice and often draws upon its IP, tax and employment practices. It has advised on offshore and onshore corporate structure and planning, divestitures, spin-offs and a number of venture capital transactions. Charles Guan Jianjun and Ni Junji are recommended.

HaoLiWen PRC Attorneys’ team frequently assists foreign investors in establishing a corporate presence in China, and it advised two multinationals from the pharmaceuticals and logistics sectors regarding strategies in restructuring operations in China. It also provides general day-to-day advice to corporate clients and has expertise on various compliance issues as well as private equity and capital funds. Deming Zhao is recommended.

Henry Zhuang & Partners has had considerable success in the corporate and commercial arena. It acted for a Singapore investor in a split from its joint venture company, which had assets of more than $170m. It also advised investors from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia setting up a restaurant in Shanghai, and represented a Singaporean cosmetics company on its franchising business in China. Additionally it has been instructed on a wide range of foreign investments and acquisition projects. Founding partner Henry Zhuang Hongzhi is noted.

MWE China Law Offices is strategically aligned with McDermott Will & Emery LLP and advises local, national and international organisations on Chinese and multi-jurisdictional mergers and acquisitions. It assists businesses with gaining entry and doing business in China, covering a broad range of sectors and representing a mix of buyers, sellers, investors and financial institutions as well as independent director committees and management groups. Founding partner and managing partner Kevin Qian is recommended.

Shimin Law Office’s core client base comprises a number of Japanese and Korean clients, which call upon the group for advice on corporate governance, strategic matters and tax-related issues. Hu Shimin is a key partner.

Headquartered in Shenzen, Shu Jin Law Firm specialises in areas including restructuring and reorganisation, M&A, foreign direct investment and re-investment and insolvency and liquidation. It acts for clients including International Finance Corporation (IFC) and various private entrepreneurs. The firm advised Ching Hing in relation to the $216m acquisition of an iron and titanium dioxide mine.

Wyselead Law Firm advises corporates on foreign direct investment and on Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures. It has been involved in a number of acquisition projects in China, conducting due diligence, drafting and negotiating equity transfer contracts and other documents, as well as advising on governmental approval formalities. Recommended attorneys include managing partner Bo Zhu and Sharon Li.

Headquartered in Beijing, Guantao Law Firm has numerous offices across China and acts for a range of clients on matters such as corporate governance, setting up legal and capital structures, stock ownership restructuring and share transfers. Its client list includes fund management companies and insurers.

Recommended for its ‘outstanding level of service’ is boutique R&P China Lawyers. It was established in March 2010 by managing director Maarten Roos, who has ‘great knowledge of the law’, along with a number of Chinese partners. It focuses exclusively on foreign SMEs investing into China and has clients from jurisdictions including Germany, France, the US and Australia. Recent work includes advising on the separation of a joint venture, and arranging the sale of two subsidiaries and the holding company by a foreign investor for RMB45.5m in an MBO. The firm is praised for its ‘excellent response times’.

Baker & McKenzie’s ‘deep team can cover all the issues related to an M&A deal’. Bee Chun Boo headed the group advising CNOOC International on the $7.06bn acquisition by Bridas Corporation of BP’s 60% interest in Pan American Energy, and Marco Marazzi led the team acting for AXA on the sale of its 15.6% stake in Taikang Life to Goldman Sachs and Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, one of the largest transactions in the PRC financial industry in recent years. Hong Kong-based Dorothea Koo, Nancy Leigh and Tracy Wut are recommended. Wut is noted for pharmaceutical and healthcare transactions; Shanghai managing partner Danian Zhang and Howard Wu are also key figures; and in Beijing, Stanley Jia is a leading individual. Clients praise the ‘impressive legal knowledge, attention to detail and negotiation skills’.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer saw its Hong Kong managing partner Kay Ian Ng leave for Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, its Beijing managing partner Antony Dapiran exit for Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP’s new Hong Kong practice and Beijing head Christopher Wong join Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. Nonetheless, peers and clients still regard the firm as a ‘top-flight M&A shop’. Hong Kong-based China chairman Teresa Ko’s experience includes advising Anheuser-Busch Inbev on the sale of its stake in Tsingtao Brewery to Japan’s Asahi Brewery for $667m; and Beijing managing partner Melissa Thomas acted for BNP Paribas and International Finance Corporation on their proposed investments in one of the first joint venture fund management companies to be established in China.

Linklaters ‘represents very good value for money’. The practice experienced some movement, with Robert Cleaver relocating to Hong Kong from London, Andrew Mackie returning to London from Hong Kong, former Beijing office head Paul Chow leaving for Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP’s Hong Kong office and Teresa Ma moving to Shanghai to head the office. The practice acted as legal counsel to Credit Suisse in relation to Shenzhen Development Bank’s independent directors’ proposed acquisition of 90.75% of the shares held by Ping An Insurance (Group) in Ping An Bank. Hong Kong-based Keith Johnson heads up the M&A practice in Asia; Johnson is ‘one of my favourite lawyers worldwide. He is experienced, astute, non-nonsense and creative’. Also in Hong Kong, Christopher Kelly, Betty Yap and Samantha Thompson are key lawyers; Shanghai-based Simon Poh is an M&A specialist and Jian Fang is well regarded.

From offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, Shearman & Sterling LLP is ‘a go-to US firm’ for sophisticated and complex M&A transactions in China. The team represented the Special Committee of China Security & Surveillance Technology in a potential going-private transaction. The group also represented the Independent Committee of Chemspec International, a China-based contract manufacturer of engineered specialty chemicals in a proposed going-private transaction and represented Sanofi-aventis in the $520.6m acquisition of BMP Sunstone Corporation, a specialty pharmaceutical company operating exclusively in China. Lee Edwards is the China managing partner. Edwards has extensive experience in M&A and foreign direct investment transactions. Beijing-based Ling Huang is also a key practitioner. Huang has represented Chinese and multinational corporations in cross-border M&A transactions and is noted for her advice to leading Chinese companies, including state-owned entities.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP’s ‘strong local team with direct US M&A experience is extremely helpful on deals’. The practice represented Sinopec as US counsel in its $2.5bn acquisition of a 55% stake in Sonangol Sinopec International (Cayman Islands), representing Sinopec’s first acquisition of overseas upstream assets. Beijing partners Jon Christianson and Peter Huang are key contacts; and Gregory Miao is Shanghai head. In Hong Kong, Edward Lam and Jonathan Stone are well respected; and the ‘honest and easy to work with’ Alec Tracy has ‘good breadth of experience across China and Southeast Asia’. Nicholas Norris and Dominic Tsun left for Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

Allen & Overy LLP is particularly strong in the FIG, energy and natural resources, life sciences, industrials, real estate and TMT sectors. The practice advised China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation on its first acquisition of overseas upstream assets. The Hong Kong practice gained partner Chris Swift, who relocated back from Tokyo, and Gary McLean moved from London to Hong Kong to head the Asia Pacific corporate team. Shanghai and Beijing-based Victor Ho, Shanghai partner Richard Kim and Shanghai managing partner Ji Zou are recommended. Peter Thorp moved to the Paris office, and Hong Kong-based Joseph Tse assumed management responsibilities for Beijing and Shanghai.

Clifford Chance LLP is known for financial services sector transactions, is particularly active in the mainland China healthcare, consumer goods and retail industries, and saw an increasing prevalence of cross-border, intra-Asia and China outbound M&A activity, focused predominantly within the natural resources, infrastructure and energy sectors. Key matters included advising Temasek on its acquisition of all of the nil-paid rights from Bank of America Corporation to subscribe for 1.79bn H shares of China Construction Bank as part of its RMB61.6bn rights issue, and advising Royal DSM in relation to the formation of a global joint venture with Sinochem Group. Hong Kong-based Asia M&A head Roger Denny is ‘brilliant’; Beijing partner Terence Foo leads the private equity practice in mainland China; and Shanghai partner Emma Davies advises on inbound M&A transactions, and leads the Asian healthcare and life sciences practice.

Latham & Watkins LLP acted in Repsol YPF’s headline sale of a significant interest in Repsol Brasil to China Petrochemical Corporation in order jointly to develop the projects of Repsol Brasil, creating one of Latin America’s largest energy companies. Shanghai-based partner Rowland Cheng continues to develop his inbound and outbound China M&A profile; in Hong Kong, recently promoted partner Timothy Gardner, Cathy Yeung, Simon Berry and Stanley Chow are recommended. Beijing-based partner Allen Wang is well regarded. Hong Kong-based David Zhang left for Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP represented Focus Media Holding, China’s largest lifestyle community digital out-of-home media company, in its acquisition of an approximately 15% stake in VisionChina Media, one of China’s largest out-of-home digital television advertising networks on mass transportation systems. Beijing partners Douglas Markel and Shaolin Luo, and Hong Kong-based Kathryn King Sudol are recommended.

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP advised The Bank of East Asia in the sale of its 80% interest in The Bank of East Asia (US) to Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, marking the first proposed acquisition of a US bank by a Chinese bank since the BHC Act was amended by the Foreign Bank Supervision Enhancement Act of 1991. Hong Kong and Beijing-based Chun Wei and William Chua are widely praised. In Hong Kong, Michael DeSombre is recommended.

White & Case LLP advised Industrial and Commercial Bank of China on its groundbreaking acquisition of an 80% interest in The Bank of East Asia (USA) National Association, which, subject to regulatory approvals, means that ICBC will become the first Chinese bank to own a commercial bank in the US. The practice also acted for GMR Group in the headline $1.2bn sale of its 50% stake in the global power generation company InterGen, marking the largest cross-border M&A transaction between India and China to date. Shanghai partner John Leary is ‘a strong lawyer’. In Beijing, overall China practice head Xiaoming Li and Vivian Tsoi are recommended.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP welcomed Antony Dapiran from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, where he was Beijing managing partner; and Paul Chow joined from Linklaters, where he managed the Beijing office. The practice advised Warburg Pincus on its acquisition of a majority equity interest in Beijing Fanhua Datong Investment Management, a company primarily engaged in the distribution of life insurance products in China. Hong Kong-based Asia head William Barron and Beijing-based Howard Zhang are recommended.

Herbert Smith LLP advised Johnson Matthey on the establishment of a joint venture with Hebei Aoxing Pharmaceutical Group; the practice also advised USI Holding/Wing Tai Properties on its sale of shares in Jumbo Broad, which has China real estate development projects. Shanghai-based department head Simon Meng and Betty Tam are recommended. In Hong Kong, Hilary Lau’s ‘work is outstanding’.

Hogan Lovells International LLP is ‘highly competent and creative’. The team advised Ford Motor Company on its $1.8bn divestiture of Sweden-based manufacturer Volvo Cars to China-based Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company, marking one of the biggest outbound investments made by a Chinese company after China’s anti-monopoly law came into effect. Beijing partners Jun Wei and Roy Zou ‘earn clients’ highest praise’. Shanghai partners Andrew McGinty, Philip Cheng and Steven Robinson are recommended. Thomas Man left for Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP’s Beijing office.

Mayer Brown JSM acted as lead international counsel for ION Geophysical Corporation in its formation of a joint venture with a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation and the simultaneous sale by ION of shares of ION common stock. In Beijing, Ian Lewis is ‘one of the best legal advisors I have ever had’. Beijing-based Xiangyang Ge is also ‘top-notch’. Shanghai-based Andy Yeo and Hong Kong lawyers Hannah Ha and Jeckle Chiu are key figures.

Morrison & Foerster is noted for its FDI and corporate advisory work, cross-border M&A that combines local regulatory knowledge with industry expertise, and its assistance to Japanese corporations with their strategic M&A activity into China. The team advised Intel Corporation in its $1.4bn acquisition of the Wireless Solutions business unit of German chipmaker Infineon Technologies, Europe’s second-largest semiconductor manufacturer. Beijing office managing partner Paul McKenzie is recommended; also in Beijing Sherry Xiaowei Yin, Shanghai partner Gregory Tan, and Shanghai and Palo Alto-based Charles Comey are notable practitioners.

Norton Rose LLP’s Michael Wilton moved from the firm’s Melbourne office, where he was M&A and capital markets head, to Beijing and Han Xu joined the Beijing office as of counsel, but Michael Yu rejoined Global Law Office. The team advised Challenger Emerging Markets Infrastructure Fund on its RMB238m acquisition of a 40% interest in six raw water, water supply and wastewater treatment plants in the eastern coast of China. In Beijing, Peter Burrows, Wang Yi, Virginie Deslandres and Ian McCubbin are notable practitioners. In Shanghai, Lynn Yang is ‘very experienced and great to work with’; and Justin Wilson and recently promoted Shanghai partner Sun Hong are also recommended.

O’Melveny & Myers LLP has ‘a smart, hardworking team that works around the clock’. Highlights included representing the special committee of the board of directors of Nasdaq-listed Solarfun Power Holdings in a complex, strategic transaction with Hanwha Chemical Corporation. Hong Kong and Beijing-based Doug Freeman is noted for representing public companies and private equity firms, and Larry Sussman in Beijing is a recommended practitioner. Shanghai-based Qiang Li is ‘outstanding’ and Walker Wallace is a leading individual. Shanghai counsel Charles Wu and Hong Kong counsel Victor Chen are also recommended.

Paul Hastings LLP LLP is ‘highly rated for its quality of delivery and work ethics’. Clients also praise ‘the level of cooperation and support among the firm’s major offices in the key financial hubs in the world’. Key matters included advising Softbank in its acquisition of a 35% stake in Synacast Corporation. In Beijing, David Livdahl and leading individual Roger Peng are recommended; in Shanghai Milton Chou, David Wang and Jia Yan are experienced practitioners.

Noted for its experience in the Chinese telecommunications, IT and media markets, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP acted as international counsel to the Shanghai Government and Shanghai Shendi (Group) in relation to a Walt Disney company’s joint venture agreement concerning the building of its first mainland China theme park, representing one of the largest foreign investment projects in China. Hong Kong and Beijing-based Jeanette Chan, Hong Kong’s Jack Lange and Beijing-based Xiaoyu Greg Liu are recommended.

Offering a deep bench of cross-border M&A experience in Asia, Weil, Gotshal & Manges is ‘a first choice for large investment transactions or deals that are complex’. The practice is also praised for its extensive US public company and distressed M&A experience, and was counsel to GE in its headline agreement with a Chinese state-owned aircraft manufacturer to form a new joint venture company in China to develop and market integrated avionics systems for commercial aircraft customers. Shanghai and Beijing head Steven Xiang ‘has in-depth China market knowledge’, and Beijing counsel Yan Yang is ‘very strong at handling SOE joint venture partners’; Shanghai partners Suat Eng Seah and Anthony Wang are experienced lawyers. Hong Kong-based Asia managing partner Akiko Mikumo is recommended.

Li Li joined Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP as Beijing office director from the Shanghai office of Debevoise & Plimpton, where she was a corporate partner. The practice represented a PRC conglomerate in connection with the proposed acquisition of a major hotel resort development in Southeast Asia. A Hong Kong law practice was launched in 2011, and Freeman Chan joined from Norton Rose Hong Kong’s Hong Kong office, where he led its China corporate finance practice. Beijing-based Megan Tang is a key contact, and Hong Kong-based Michael Preston is well regarded.

DLA Piper continues to handle cross-border deals involving large corporations in PRC. The team acted for AsiaInfo Holdings on its headline acquisition of Linkage Technologies International Holdings. Beijing corporate head Steven Liu, Shanghai corporate leader Wan Li and Hong Kong-based Asia corporate head Mabel Lui are key contacts.

With a core team based in Hong Kong, and groups in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, Deacons has a mix of traditional FDI, M&A, and outbound investment, as well as anti-monopoly and general commercial advice. The practice advised a major publishing company in its proposed multimillion-dollar acquisition of a number of foreign subsidiaries from a reputable media house. China practice head Franki Cheung is recommended. Machiuanna Chu and Iris Cheng were promoted to the partnership in Hong Kong; and Wei Min Zhang left for Baker Botts L.L.P.’s Beijing office.

Dechert LLP (Beijing Representative Office) represented Crown Packaging Investment (HK) in its $150m buyout of remaining interests in two joint venture companies. Hong Kong-based managing partner Basil Hwang and Beijing-based managing partner Henry Wang are recommended.

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.’s Beijing former office head, Yan Lan, was recruited by investment bank Lazard. The firm relocated co-Shanghai head Antoine de la Gatinais from Paris to Shanghai and recently promoted partner Thomas Urlacher from Paris to Beijing. Highlights included advising the Carlsberg Group in its purchase of an additional stake in Chongqing Brewery. Han Qimeng co-heads the Shanghai office, and Beijing partner-in-charge Warren Hua is a key contact.

Foreign direct investment and M&A projects are core to Jones Day’s business in Greater China. The firm continues to focus on its core client base of industrial and manufacturing clients, and strong China tax, antitrust and energy practices supplement the M&A practice. Clients say that ‘the lawyers are highly personable individuals who have a profound understanding of both Western and Chinese business and cultural approaches’. The practice advised Beiqi Foton Motor, China’s largest commercial-vehicle manufacturer, on its headline joint venture with Daimler. Beijing-based practice leader John Kao, Shanghai-based Alex Zhang, Winston Zhao and Patrick Hu are recommended. Ian Liao was made partner.

At Mallesons Stephen Jaques, ‘quality is always a top priority’. The practice acted for Campbell Soup in its agreement with Swire Pacific to form a joint venture in China to develop the growing soup market in mainland China; it also advised MetLife on its acquisition of American Life Insurance Company for $16.2bn. In Beijing, John Shi ‘provides smart solutions’; Nicolas Groffman is also recommended. Shanghai-based Martyn Huckerby is another key contact.

Noted by peers for its increased presence in the market, Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy serves both international and Chinese clients in some of the largest strategic M&A transactions. Beijing partner Edward Sun recently advised China’s biggest aviation company in its international arm’s $186m acquisition of Teledyne Continental Motors and Teledyne Mattituck Services, marking the first successful PRC acquisition in the US aviation manufacturing industry.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP’s Jeffrey Sun joined as a partner in Shanghai in 2011 from Latham & Watkins LLP, Thomas Man rejoined in Beijing from Hogan Lovells International LLP, and Hong Kong and Shanghai-based Billy Wong was admitted as partner. The team advised ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel company in setting up a joint venture in Hunan; and the practice is especially noted for its issuer/company-side representation for Chinese companies in Hong Kong. Hong Kong and Beijing-based Edwin Luk, and Shanghai-based Elizabeth Cole are the practice leaders.

Sidley Austin LLP welcomed Joseph Chan to its Shanghai office as a partner from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. The ‘very good’ Shanghai-based Tang Zhengyu represented Boston Power, a US innovator in green battery technology, in its landmark investment of $150m in China. Tang’s ‘qualities include a broad knowledge of law and providing balanced advice with solutions’. Chen Yang, in Beijing, acted for a healthcare and pharmaceutical company in establishing a vaccine manufacturing facility in China.

Simmons & Simmons remains focused on the financial institutions, TMT, energy and infrastructure and life sciences sectors. The practice advised Sinochem Group on the acquisition of 50% interest of the anti-infectives business of Koninklijke DSM and the formation of a global joint venture with Koninklijke DSM in relation to the anti-infectives business. Hong Kong and Shanghai-based Tom Deegan and Brian Downie are recommended; also in Hong Kong and Shanghai, Damien Bailey and Michael Hickman are well regarded. Davis Wang is also a key contact.

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is particularly strong in energy M&A transactions. The practice represented Sinopec in its $7.1bn investment in Repsol Brasil, marking the second largest overseas acquisition ever by a Chinese company in the energy and natural resources sector. The Greater China M&A practice saw the additions of partners Jay Kolb in Shanghai and Rob Patterson in Beijing, and the promotion of Beijing-based Nicholas Song to counsel. Xiao Yong is managing partner of the China Practice, and David Blumental is Shanghai and Beijing managing partner.