The Legal 500

Within Asset finance, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Norton Rose Hong Kong’s shipping finance team acts for an impressive roster of clients, including DBS Bank and COSCO. In November 2010, Davide Barzilai advised Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and other lead arrangers on Genting Hong Kong’s $600m syndicated loan facility agreement, secured against Genting’s eight-vessel Asian fleet. Barzilai also has Islamic finance capabilities. Elsewhere, the team advised a Chinese bank on a RMB facility for the financing of two bulk carriers. Counsel Jonathan Silver is recommended.

Within Banking and finance, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

With three finance partners and a large team of associates, Norton Rose Hong Kong is a major player in Hong Kong. It now has a genuine general banking practice with considerable success in bilateral and syndicated financings, as well as project finance. It has a market leading position in structured trade and commodity finance. Chris Redden, who is ‘making a mark’, recently advised a syndicate of 20 banks on the $5bn term loan facility to Sinopec. The experienced Peter Haslam and Davide Barzilai are also recommended.

Within Capital markets (equity), Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Though with a principle focus on the PRC market, Norton Rose Hong Kong has had considerable success in acting for non-Asian companies looking to list in Hong Kong. In 2010, Julian Chung led the team that advised Vale on its secondary listing on HKSE. The firm has developed a leading reputation in mining deals and with eight partners working on Hong Kong IPOs, it has unrivalled senior resources.

Within Corporate (including M&A), Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose Hong Kong is particularly strong in financial institutions and natural resources M&A. The firm is ‘having a good run’ and has completed a series of deals for HSBC, including its acquisition of RBS’s retail and commercial banking business in India. On the natural resources front, it advised Chongqing Chonggang Minerals on its acquisition of 60% of Asia Iron Holdings. The immensely experienced David Stannard heads the department that includes Richard Crosby and Jon Perry.

Within Dispute resolution, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose Hong Kong’s ‘very impressive’ Camille Jojo has built a strong standing in the commercial disputes and contentious insolvency environments. In concert with contentious regulatory and shareholder disputes specialist Ruth Cowley and shipping and trade disputes expert Jim James, the firm has a genuinely broad practice. The firm has acted on behalf of its many Hong Kong-listed corporate clients in a multitude of SFC investigations.

Within Insurance Other recommended firms

Within Intellectual property, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose Hong Kong recently welcomed the entire IP group from DLA Piper. Justin Davidson is one of the key new appointments, specialising in contentious and non-contentious IP. Clients include Crocs, Crabtree & Evelyn and Constellation Wines.

Within Investment funds, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose Hong Kong advises sponsors, investors, trustees and fund service providers on fund formations and other matters. Charlotte Robins joined from Clifford Chance in April 2011, bringing private equity and hedge fund experience, coupled with regulatory knowledge. The ‘fantastic’ Andrew Abernethy provides ‘solid advice based on commercial considerations’, and counts Sunwah International Asset Management (Cayman) as a client. Davide Barzilai has experience in sharia-compliant funds.

Within Projects and energy, tier 4

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.

Within Regulatory, tier 5

Also recommended are: Simon Berry at Latham & Watkins LLP, who advises financial institutions on banking and broker regulations and listings; the growing regulatory capability at Norton Rose Hong Kong, which was boosted by the arrival of Charlotte Robins from Clifford Chance in 2011; and James Wood at O’Melveny & Myers LLP, who has regulatory experience in the funds sector.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, tier 4

Norton Rose Hong Kong continues to build on its strength in the arena, and is recognised for its quality advice and expertise. Litigator Camille Jojo advises on winding-ups and other contentious insolvency issues. Jojo is advising an Asian bank in a restructuring dispute claim in the High Court. Ruth Cowley is currently advising the administrators of a cross-border administration, and banking expert Peter Haslam provides restructuring advice.

Within Shipping, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Norton Rose Hong Kong advises banks and shipping companies on a range of maritime issues across the region. The team has made a ‘strong push into the ship finance market’, and recently acted for Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (as well as other lead arrangers) on Genting Hong Kong’s $600m syndicated loan facility agreement secured against its eight-vessel Asian fleet. Banking partner Davide Barzilai is recommended, and for shipping litigation, Jim James is well respected.

Within TMT, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

In October 2010, Norton Rose Hong Kong acquired DLA Piper’s TMT practice and the Hong Kong office welcomed two big names in Justin Davidson and Gigi Cheah (although Cheah recently relocated to the firm’s Singapore base, she is active across the region). The group handles contentious and non-contentious matters for a range of clients, and recently carried out a review for HSBC on its electronic terms, relating to enforceability and regulatory requirements.