The Legal 500

Within Asset finance, tier 4

Ashurst Hong Kong in association with Jackson Woo & Associates’ asset finance capabilities stem from the firm’s projects and energy experience. Recent highlights for practice head Matthias Schemuth include advising Mitsui & Co on the lease financing of locomotives to Malaysian rail operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad. Schemuth also advised Investec Bank on the financing of two corporate jets for IFA Aviation, Dubai.

Within Banking and finance, tier 4

Principally focused on project finance and structured lending, Ashurst Hong Kong in association with Jackson Woo & Associates has done well to develop its banking connections in Hong Kong. Export credit deals have featured heavily for the practice, including advising Korea Eximbank on financing provided to Korea National Oil Corporation to fund its $2.6bn acquisition of Dana Petroleum. Matthias Schemuth is the lead partner.

Within Capital markets (debt), tier 4

Ashurst Hong Kong in association with Jackson Woo & Associates is recommended for covered bonds transactions with Peter Kwan to the fore. The firm recently advised the Korean Housing Finance Corporation on the first statutory covered bond in Asia.

Within Capital markets (equity), tier 4

Ashurst Hong Kong in association with Jackson Woo & Associates has done well out of its blossoming connections to major investment banks, with a principle focus on mid-market deals emanating out of China. Beyond this, the Hong Kong team advised the banks on Coal India’s Bombay Stock Exchange listing, the largest ever IPO in India. US partner Stuart Rubin led on the deal.

Within Corporate (including M&A), tier 5

Ashurst Hong Kong in association with Jackson Woo & Associates made considerable progress in 2010 and 2011 with a series of instructions, which were led by Robert Ogilvy Watson (‘very hands on’, ‘extensive experience on public takeovers’). The ‘very responsive’ firm, which provides ‘a lot of senior coverage’, has also worked on a number of outbound transactions by Chinese SOEs, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Jackson Woo and the firm’s connections with China’s Guantao Law Firm. This includes CGNPC Uranium Resources $1.23bn possible offer for Kalahari Minerals. Key sectors are insurance and energy and resources.

Within Dispute resolution, tier 5

Ashurst Hong Kong in association with Jackson Woo & Associates entered the dispute resolution market with the hire of the highly regarded Gareth Hughes in 2011 from Simmons & Simmons. The focus is principally on financial institutions related litigation.

Within Investment funds, Ashurst LLP is a third tier firm,

Ashurst Hong Kong in association with Jackson Woo & Associates is strong in the private funds sector, and advises clients on closed-end funds. The team, led by ‘solid lawyer’ Dean Moroz, also undertakes sponsor-side work for sovereign funds. Moroz recently advised Kazyna Capital Management JSC (part of the Kazakh sovereign wealth fund) on the establishment of the $400m Kazakhstan Hong Kong Development Fund, a joint venture project between KCM and various Hong Kong investors. Moroz also advised Intermediate Capital Asia Pacific on co-investment arrangements involving a middle-eastern sovereign wealth fund and a Cayman Island limited partnership.

Within Projects and energy, tier 4

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.

Within Structured finance and securitisation, Ashurst LLP is a third tier firm,

Ashurst Hong Kong in association with Jackson Woo & Associates continues to ‘make a play’ in the structured finance and securitisation markets, and has experience advising Korean companies in transactions across Asia. The team, led by Peter Kwon, advises issuers on asset-backed securities and covered bonds, and recently assisted Korea Housing Finance Corporation in the issuance of $500m covered bonds due 2015. Chris Whiteley relocated to Hong Kong in August 2011, bringing added structured finance and OTC capabilities to the team.