The Legal 500

Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP has the largest full-service real estate practice of any foreign firm in China. ‘They have the requisite expertise, have been in China the longest, and have the most experience on real estate deals’. Private equity is a particular strength. The team represented Asia Pacific Land in obtaining financing for and completing its $650m acquisition of The Center, the highest value single asset real estate acquisition in China’s history. Joel Rothstein receives plaudits for ‘good drafting skills, good master on the deal structure and good memory of the deal history’.

‘Particularly great for real estate finance’, Allen & Overy LLP advised Nomura on the transfer of Lehman’s property interests across Asia, and advised Franshion Properties on its $1.5bn acquisition of China Jin Mao Group, including the landmark Jinmao Tower. Joseph Tse is singled out for ‘great drafting’.

Lovells LLP’ ‘impressive’ real estate practice recently represented Gale International regarding the planning, development and operation of Meixi Lake District, a new state-of-the-art ecological city in Changsha. The team also advised China Merchants Property Development on its $234m sale of Nanjing International Finance Center to ARA Asia Dragon Fund. Shanghai-based Andrew McGinty garners praise for ‘deep knowledge of real estate in China’.

Allens Arthur Robinson’s highlights included advising Macquarie Hallway Property on its sale of the 16,000 square metres City Apartments complex in downtown Shanghai. Nigel Papi is the key partner.

Particularly strong for REITs, Baker & McKenzie also has a ‘highly respected’ PRC real estate practice. The team advised toymaker Mattel in relation to the renovation and the opening of its inaugural ‘House of Barbie’ store in Shanghai. Michelle Gon is recommended.

Deacons advised Hutchison Harbour Ring on its $650m sale to Asia Pacific Land of the holding company that owns The Center office tower in Shanghai. Franki Cheung and Myles Seto are recommended.

‘Good at bridging the gap between an acquiring international corporation and a selling local Chinese company’, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.’s real estate team is praised as ‘prompt, highly skilled and savvy’. David Boitout and Rebecca Silli are singled out as ‘particularly good’.

Herbert Smith LLP’s 2008 work included advising Beijing PMP Real Estate on a proposed development of a tourist and agricultural complex in southern China. Beijing partner Karen Ip has an active practice.

‘Leading construction specialist’ Ashley Howlett in Jones Day’s Beijing office has concomitant expertise in corporate real estate with a focus on M&A and projects.

Mallesons Stephen Jaques’ highlights 
include advising an international real estate company on multibillion RMB developments in China and acting for SOHO China on its acquisitions of the Chaoyangmen SOHO (Kaiheng Centre) Project for RMB2.9bn and the ZhongGuanCun SOHO Project for RMB890m. John Shi is the key individual.

Mayer Brown JSM is best known for ‘strength representing Hong Kong clients in the PRC’. Highlights include acting for ProLogis on the $1.3bn sale of its PRC operations and property fund interests in Japan to affiliates of GIC Real Estate. Shanghai-based Billy Ho heads the firm’s China real estate practice.

A ‘solid firm with a strong practice and good lawyers’, Morrison & Foerster’s represented a property and real estate developer in its multi-million dollar, two week acquisition of a Hong Kong company with assets in Northern China. Beijing manager Paul McKenzie stands out.

Rated for its ‘longstanding commitment to China’ O’Melveny & Myers LLP has recently been advising on real estate fund formation and project finance. Qiang Li in Shanghai leads the firm’s practice in this area.

‘Excellent in all respects’, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP’s China real estate team focuses principally on finance. The practice advised Lehman Brothers Asia and JPMorgan in the mezzanine financing of the $650m acquisition of The Center office buildings in Shanghai. China practice leader James Tervo and Michelle Taylor are ‘both top notch professionals, leaders in their fields’.

Troutman Sanders LLP is rated as ‘very responsive and knowledgeable about China’. The team recently advised the Portman Group in obtaining $60m construction financing for the restoration of the historic Jian Ye Li mixed use development in Shanghai. Edward Epstein is praised as ‘exceptionally good; creative and helpful’.