What we say about the firm's legal practice in Hong Kong
Capital markets (equity)
Within Capital markets (equity), tier 5
Minter Ellison’s Anne Ko, Katherine U and Barbara Mok have a strong record in the ECM sector, with a focus on mid-market deals in the $50 to $100m range. The firm represents both issuers and underwriters.
Construction
Within Construction, Minter Ellison is a second tier firm,
Minter Ellison fields a ‘coherent team of construction lawyers’, who have ‘thorough knowledge of the practice area and other dispute resolution means’. David Goldstein is highly regarded, as is Steven Yip, who has a ‘good knowledge of litigation procedures and tactics’. On the non-contentious side, Yip is providing procurement and regulatory advice to PetroChina on a submarine natural gas pipeline project that involves laying a 20km pipeline in Hong Kong and China waters. In 2010, Ian Cocking left to join Clyde & Co.
Corporate (including M&A)
Within Corporate (including M&A), tier 5
Minter Ellison has excellent contacts in the PRC, particularly following the hire of Anne Ko, Katherine U and Barbara Mok from Jones Day. Much of the firm’s focus has been on China-outbound deals, particularly into Australia and New Zealand.
Dispute resolution
Within Dispute resolution, tier 5
Minter Ellison is home to renowned Hong Kong litigator Nigel Francis. He has appeared in many of Hong Kong’s headline cases, but also has a niche in TMT disputes.
Employment
Within Employment, tier 4
Minter Ellison ‘always provides valuable and commercially sensible advice’. For non-contentious work, Winnie Ng is ‘a solid adviser’ and, on the contentious side, Nigel Francis is ‘very good in all aspects’.
Private equity
Within Private equity, Minter Ellison is a third tier firm,
Minter Ellison has an impressive record in the resources sector with early stage investments in China, as well as transactions in Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia. Fred Kinmonth and Elisabeth Ellis comprise a strong senior echelon with genuine private equity expertise. The firm recently acted for Affinity Equity Partners on the sale of the Loscam Group to China Merchants Group.
Projects and energy
Within Projects and energy, Minter Ellison is a second tier firm,
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.
Real estate
Within Real estate Other recommended firms