Philippines > Foreign firms
Index of tables
Foreign firms
Other recommended firms
Working out of the firm’s Hong Kong office, Allen & Overy’s ‘first-choice’ Philippines desk regularly advises on major Philippines-related capital markets, banking and project finance transactions, as well as dispute resolution. James Grandolfo, who co-heads the team with fellow capital markets partner David Johnson, is praised for ‘knowing the market and players well’. ‘The unique quality that differentiates the firm from other international counsels is its in-depth knowledge of local laws, specifically in the areas of securities and equities, as well as its broad understanding of the country’s auditing and accounting procedures and its practical familiarity with the business culture of the Philippines’. Recent highlights include representing the Republic of the Philippines as issuer on a $1bn global bond offering.
For an on-the-ground offering in the Philippines, no firm can match Baker & McKenzie’s presence, thanks to the preeminence of its local correspondent firm Quisumbing Torres, which works seamlessly with the international network. The firm offers full service coverage, from major corporate matters to IP and immigration issues.
Clifford Chance’s Philippines focus group is led by Singapore-based senior associate Antonio Chan and Bangkok-based counsel John Cordova. The firm regularly represents lenders on project financings in the power sector. A recent highlight was representing Philip Morris on its Philippines $2.34bn joint venture with Fortune Tobacco Corporation.
Latham & Watkins LLP’s Tokyo managing partner Joseph Bevash has a good track record in Philippines-related matters. The firm is regularly involved in major power projects, and recently advised co-sponsor Denham Capital Management on the project financing for a 600MW coal-fired power plant in Luzon.
Paul Hastings LLP is commended for being ‘very knowledgeable about recent trends’ in the market, while the ‘well connected’ Hong Kong-based Philippines head Patricia Tan Openshaw ‘is a good negotiator’. Recent highlights for the practice, which offers both contentious and non-contentious advice, include advising First Gas Power Corporation and FGP Corp on €500m worth of operation and maintenance agreements with Siemens for the Santa Rita and Santa Lorenzo power plants.
Shearman & Sterling LLP is praised for being ‘cost competitive, as there is a real effort to run transactions in a streamlined and efficient manner’. Bill McCormack, Sanja Udovicic and Andrew Ruff focus on projects and finance-related work, while M&A partner Paul Strecker ‘is extremely knowledgeable, professional and able to provide practical advice’. A recent highlight was advising the IFC on a $50m acquisition of shares in Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation.
Jonathan Stone at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP ‘is very authoritative and very much respected for capital markets transactions. His vast experience made the difference’. Recent highlights include advising Energy Development Corporation on its $300m bond offering.
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP’s partners W Clayton Johnson and Yong Lee are both highly experienced in Philippines-linked corporate and finance transactions. Recent highlights include representing the underwriters in the Republic of Philippines $1.5bn US-registered bond offering.
Linklaters is highly recommended for its transactional capabilities, and its Philippines experience includes M&A, project finance, banking, capital markets, corporate finance, energy and infrastructure advice. Singapore-based partners Dean Lockhart and Kevin Wong, and Hong Kong’s Jeremy Webb have significant experience advising on Philippines-related matters.
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy is highly recommended for finance-related transactions in the Philippines, where recent clients include UBS and Citibank.
White & Case’s Hong Kong-based corporate partner Sharon Hartline has a good track record in cross-border transactions involving the Philippines. The firm’s disputes practice has also been involved in several international arbitrations and has represented the Republic of the Philippines in the ICC.
Other firms with a strong track record for Philippines-related matters include Baker Botts L.L.P., Australia’s Blake Dawson, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer for M&A, global IP specialist Rouse, Sidley Austin LLP, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Vinson & Elkins L.L.P..