The Legal 500

Within Foreign firms, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Norton Rose LLP welcomed of counsel and projects specialist Fei Kwok to the Shanghai office from Shearman & Sterling LLP and Shanghai corporate finance lawyer Sun Hong was promoted to partner. The team advised long-standing clients Export-Import Bank of China and DnB NOR Bank as arrangers of loan facilities of circa $200m to Diana Shipping and Angelicoussis Shipping Group, two leading Greek operators, for the financing of five capesize and VLOC newbuildings. The firm advised The Bank of China on a secured term loan facility to finance a LNG vessel required for the transportation of liquefied natural gas from LNG loading facilities in Malaysia to the LNG terminal and trunk line project receiving facilities, to be located in Shanghai. It also advised China Development Bank on its bilateral financing of four large crude carriers under construction in China for affiliates of CV Shipping. Beijing partner Nigel Ward is recommended.

Within Foreign firms, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

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.

Within Foreign firms, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

At Norton Rose LLP, Jim James is widely reputed for shipbuilding, shipping and ship-mortgage enforcement matters. The firm’s combined Hong Kong and China practice is acting for a major US supplier listed in Hong Kong on two sets of CIETAC arbitration proceedings following non-payment for shipments of defective off-road vehicles supplied by a PRC manufacturer for the US market. Other work includes advising various investors, including major private equity funds, on rights and remedies in relation to defaults of term and convertible loans by the portfolio company.

Within Foreign firms Other recommended firms

Within Legal market overview,

Movement continues between international and domestic firms in mainland China. Former Beijing Lovells partner Robert Lewis went to Allbright Law Offices in 2010, but has since joined Beijing’s Zhong Lun Law Firm; and Michael Yu left Global Law Office for Norton Rose LLP in 2010, but rejoined Global Law Office in 2011.

Within Foreign firms, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose LLP’s 2010 merger with Deacons Australia saw the securing of mandates in China/Australia cross-border project finance transactions, particularly in the mining space. Key matters included advising Challenger Emerging Markets Infrastructure Fund on its RMB238m acquisition of a 40% interest in six raw water, water supply and wastewater treatment plants. In Beijing, Tom Luckock and Wang Yi are recommended. Oil and gas projects of counsel Fei Kwok joined the Shanghai office from Shearman & Sterling LLP.

Within Foreign firms, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

All members of Norton Rose LLP’s strong Asia-wide shipping practice are regularly involved in China-related shipping matters. The group has broad sector exposure, particularly in banking and finance, where highlights included acting for the Export-Import Bank of China and DnB NOR Bank as arrangers of a $200m loan facility to two leading Greek operators. The team also has experience of Sinosure supported financing. Jim James specialises in shipping litigation.

Within Foreign firms Other recommended firms