The Legal 500

Allen & Overy has a superb reputation for its finance-focused projects practice, and advises banks, ECAs, sponsors and project companies. The team has recent experience in renewables work, and in 2010 Roger Lui represented the International Finance Corporation on the project financing for the development of the Gansu Guazhou wind power project. The group also advises on oil and gas and petrochemicals projects, and infrastructure developments. Thomas Brown is recommended for his experience, and Joseph Tse is also praised for inbound and outbound PRC financings, and advises a host of Chinese banks.

Clifford Chance has an excellent name for project finance work. The highly recommended Huw Jenkins leads the team, and has experience across the region. The team’s projects expertise spans infrastructure and power to acquisition finance. It acts for major banking clients including ICBC and Citigroup.

‘Fantastic firm’, Linklaters fields a very strong project finance capability in the region. The team is particularly noted for its ‘second to none mining practice’ where, ‘calm, thorough and imaginative’, Christopher Kelly and Robert Cleaver have ‘unparalleled knowledge of the mining sector’ and ‘work as a balanced and co-ordinated team’. In 2010, Stuart Salt advised a client on a solar energy joint venture, and Thomas Ng and Trevor Clark advised ICBC and ICBC (London) on a $2.5bn term loan agreement for Sonangol Finance. Clients rate the firm’s ‘great strength in managing multi-jurisdictional deals’.

Providing ‘excellent service’, Baker & McKenzie attracts praise for the depth of its projects practice, headed up by the recommended David Smith. The team handles both private projects in Hong Kong, and outbound work for Chinese clients, and advises on power, oil and gas, infrastructure and renewables projects, among others. It is advising the MTR Corporation on the $3bn Hong Kong section of the high speed Express Rail Link between Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Smith is also assisting Ocean Park Corporation on its $5.5bn master redevelopment project.

Baker Botts L.L.P. is well known for oil and gas expertise and ‘good industry knowledge’. John Kuzmik is ‘truly an old China hand’ and provides clients with ‘very practical solutions’. In April 2011, Kuzmik assisted Sinochem Corporation in a successful bid for a stake in the Statoil offshore Peregrino oilfield development, located in Brazil. Russell Wilkinson is advising PT Nusantara Regas on the development of the first floating LNG regasification terminal for Asia and Indonesia, and is also active in advising on Indonesia’s first LNG regasification terminal. David Renton is recommended.

Herbert Smith fields a ‘strong offering’ in the oil and gas arena, and has handled projects for major clients. Anna Howell leads on the energy side, and Alexander Aitken is in charge of the team’s project capabilities. The group advised CNOOC on sales and purchase agreements to acquire Tullow’s interest in three exploration areas in Uganda for $1.47bn. It also represented PTTEP on its $2.28bn acquisition of a 40% state in the Kai Kos Dehseh Oil Sands Project in Canada. Other clients include Kangean Energy and Sinopec.

Latham & Watkins LLP features a ‘good team’ in the project finance space.

The team benefits from the firm’s ‘strong regional franchise’ and is particularly well known for its experience in Southeast Asia. Joseph Bevash, who splits his time between Tokyo and Hong Kong, is ‘very good for energy work’. In 2010, Bevash advised the lenders on the $3.897bn financing for the Hongsa Mine-Mouth Power Project in Lao PDR. He also represented Jurong Aromatics Corporation in the development and financing of a $2.63bn petrochemicals project, and acted for International Power on the expansion of the Uch power project. David Miles is also recommended.

Traditionally strong in the energy and PPP area, Minter Ellison advises on infrastructure, power, and LNG projects, and the practice is led by the ‘very good’ Sam Farrands. Farrands led in advising Rio Tinto, Ivanhoe and Oyu Tolgoi on the purchase arrangements for a $3bn mine in Mongolia. He is also acting for the Hong Kong government in relation to a PPP assessment of the Central Harbourfront development, and continues to assist the West Kowloon Cultural District in its planned cultural project. Clients include Marriott and Leighton.

The ‘highly responsive’ team at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP provides ‘solid, well-though out advice’ on energy, infrastructure, financing and M&A matters. The team is led by ‘one of the region’s most experienced project finance lawyers’, Alan Schiffman, who is ‘just great’. In March 2011, Schiffman concluded the $1.3bn financing of a coal-fired power plant in Indonesia, Paiton III, represented China Huaneng Group in its acquisition of a stake in InterGen from GMR Infrastructure, and is currently involved in the development of a wind power project in China.

White & Case has a strong reputation in Asia for its projects expertise, and fields a one-partner practice in Hong Kong, led by Hallam Chow. It has experience advising on clean energy and renewables projects, oil and gas, and outbound development work from China. Chow is advising Saudi Aramco in a joint venture with Sinopec to develop a refinery project in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Elsewhere, Chow represented China Development Bank in two financings for telecoms-related projects, and is currently advising Asian Development Bank on a loan to China WindPower Group, for wind power projects in China.

Fulbright & Jaworski LLP’s focus lies in energy and natural resources, and the firm is noted for experience in oil and gas and LNG projects, as well as assisting in related M&A work and project development. Stefan Ricketts advises on energy-related matters in Asia, and the ‘very good’ Jeffrey Blount handles projects for Chinese clients and has infrastructure experience. Ricketts is advising Korea Gas Corporation on investments in Iraq within the oil and gas sector, and continues to assist Senoko Energy and others on the development of the Singapore LNG terminal. The team also acts for several Chinese NOCs. Ben McQuhae left to join Jones Day in November 2010.

Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy has an excellent reputation for project finance work. Young Joon Kim is singled out for his experience, and acts for lenders and ECAs. Clients include the Export-Import Bank of Korea and Korea Trade Insurance Corporation. Gary Wigmore, who splits his time between Hong Kong and Tokyo, is rated as ‘great’. Wigmore advises on project development, M&A and financing matters, and has experience in the oil and gas, mining, power, infrastructure and telecoms sectors.

Christopher Stephens leads Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP’s team, which has cross-border experience and handles projects from conception and structuring through to the financing stage. Highlights included advising Thang Long Thermoelectric as investor and developer of a coal-fired thermal power project with Wuhan Kaidi Electric Power. In May 2011, Stephens advised Florens (a subsidiary of COSCO Pacific) on a $200m leveraged sale-leaseback financing transaction. The group is currently advising JAKS Resources Berhad of Malaysia on the development of a $2bn thermal power project in Vietnam, and also advising Taekwang Group and others as sponsors of a BOT coal-fired power project, also in Vietnam.

Providing ‘thorough and timely advice’, Paul Hastings LLP’s team spans leveraged finance and energy work, handled by Brett King, and power, infrastructure, project development and M&A, which is led by Patricia Tan Openshaw. Providing ‘practical legal insights’, Openshaw ‘takes an active role as counsel in contract negotiations’, and acts for banks including the Export-Import Bank of Korea, Crédit Agricole and ING Bank. King recently advised Sonnedix Thailand on the financing and development of a $21.8m solar photovoltaic plant in Thailand. The team continues to advise PT Cirebon Electric Power in the development and financing of a coal-fired power plant in Indonesia.

Providing ‘client-orientated and meaningful advice’, Pinsent Masons operates a strong regional practice, calling on its top-rated Hong Kong construction expertise. John Yeap leads on the power and energy side, and advises Chinese clients on outbound work, and is also active in projects in Southeast Asia. Yeap advised PSALM on the privatisation of a natural gas-fired power plant, and also assisted in the privatisation of three hydroelectric plants. He is currently advising a Chinese energy company on a $3bn coal-fired power plant in Indonesia. Ian Laing handles infrastructure investments, and is acting for China Harbour Engineering & Construction on the $600m China Harbour’s Mauritius Roads Decongestion PPP.

Shearman & Sterling LLP has an excellent reputation for project finance expertise, and focuses on the China projects market: Shanghai-based Andrew Ruff heads the Asia projects team, and counsel Nick Wang is recommended in Hong Kong. The group advises on petrochemical, power, LNG, mining and port projects, as well as related M&A transactions. Recent clients include Asian Development Bank, Sinosure, China Development Bank and The Dow Chemical Company.

Brian Downie leads the broad projects practice at Simmons & Simmons, which encompasses a range of work, including LNG, oil, power and petrochemical projects. Tom Deegan leads on the energy and infrastructure side. The team is advising Celanese on $700m feedstock agreements for its existing and planned chemical plants in China. It continues to advise a petroleum company on a joint venture project also in China. In May 2011, Eric Lin joined from Allen & Overy LLP in London, and brings experience in infrastructure, mining and power. Lin acts for several Chinese clients in outbound transactions.

The ‘very good’ Ashurst Hong Kong in association with Jackson Woo & Associates advises banks and lenders in LNG, infrastructure and oil and gas projects. ‘Always available’, Matthias Schemuth is ‘technically proficient and commercial’, and is advising Japan Bank for International Cooperation on the viability of PPP projects in the region. The team advised PTT and Petronas, as project company and sponsor respectively, on the Trans Thai-Malaysian Pipeline Phase Two project. It is also involved in the Shwe Field Pipeline project, and is advising Korea Eximbank on a financing matter for a bid to acquire the share capital of Dana Petroleum.

Philip Gilligan leads the team at Deacons, which advises sponsors, investors and borrowers on global projects, Chinese water projects and carbon credit prepayment facilities in the region. It is advising a sponsor on two power projects in Timor Leste, and advising a new client on a mining project in Mongolia. The group is also representing the buyer and borrower on the first and second cross-border prepayment facilities for carbon credits in China.

Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP’s projects expertise forms part of its corporate practice, and the team advises on oil and gas, renewables and M&A outbound work. Paul Chen and Heng Loong Cheong are the key contacts. Dirk Walker in Beijing also provides key support. Clients include China Environmental Energy Holdings, Jumao Photonics and TSI Photonics.

Gide Loyrette Nouel operates a highly experienced project finance group across Hong Kong and mainland China, and is expert in advising Chinese clients on outbound investments. Rebecca Silli recently assisted in advising Total Petrochemicals on the establishment of a joint venture with China Power Investment Corporation for a coal-based polyolefin plant in Mongolia. Other clients include Areva NP and Veolia Water. Balbir Bindra is recommended.

Known for its expertise in the shipping arena, Holman Fenwick Willan’s projects capabilities span port terminals, oil and gas exploration, infrastructure and project development. Richard Wilmot, Henry Fung, Patrick Cheung and Patrick Yeung are all active in a variety of projects. Wilmot is currently advising an Asian acquirer in matters related to an oil and gas offshore field concession.

Jones Day was boosted in 2010 by the hire of Ben McQuhae from Fulbright & Jaworski LLP. Michael Arruda leads the team, which advises on oil and gas exploration, mining, renewable energy and infrastructure projects, and related M&A transactions. In 2011, Arruda represented a subsidiary company of Temasek as leader of a consortium of investors in acquiring a stake in Frac Tech Holdings, a US-based oilfield service company.

Featuring a team which is ‘always prepared to go the extra mile’, Mallesons Stephen Jaques’ experience spans energy, natural resources, project finance and infrastructure. Paul Starr and David Bateson are noted for their contentious construction experience in the projects arena, and advise contractors in disputes. Edmund Wan advises on Chinese outbound investment projects. Brad Galvin advises on water, power and telecoms projects, and has a focus on Southeast Asia. Galvin, together with Hayden Flinn, advised mobile network operator CSL in a contract for a Long Term Evolution network with ZTE Corporation.

Mayer Brown JSM’s projects capability decreased significantly in Hong Kong with the departure of Jack Su. The practice is now led by Xiang Yang Ge in the Beijing office, and the Vietnam-based Dao Nguyen.

Norton Rose Hong Kong is developing a projects offering in the region, particularly in the mining sector. Chris Redden and Jon Perry advised Chongqing Chonggang Minerals Development Investment on its acquisition of a stake in Asia Iron Holdings. The team also advised the lenders, including Stand Chartered and National Australia Bank, on an 800MW combined cycle project, developed by the GMR Group in Singapore. Shaun McRobert is recommended.

SJ Berwin LLP features the highly recommended Daniel Liew, who counts Hongkong Electric, Impregilo Infrastructure, China Development Bank and Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings as clients. Liew is advising on an intra-Asia transaction for COSCO, regarding its proposed acquisitions of six iron ore mines in the Philippines and a toll expressway project in China. Elsewhere, he is representing Ping An Insurance on water and toll expressway projects, in China, and assisting Datang Telecom in overseas acquisitions.

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is widely known for its oil and gas expertise, and has substantial cross-border experience. James Cuclis is the key contact in Hong Kong, and advised Santos on the development of the $16bn greenfield Gladstone LNG facility in Australia. Cuclis is also assisting in the representation of Reliance Industries in the $7.2bn sale of its stake in 23 oil and gas production sharing contracts operating in India.