Latham & Watkins LLP > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Firm Profile

Latham & Watkins LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Hong Kong > Capital markets (equity) Tier 1

Acting on its own as well as frequently in collaboration with lawyers on the mainland, Latham & Watkins LLP handles a significant volume of IPOs and follow on offerings for underwriters and issuers, both in Hong Kong and the US. Although the firm’s versatile practice is comfortable handing transactions across a wide range of industry sectors, under the guidance of Cathy Yeung  it has, in recent years, been particularly active handling  issuances in the TMT, life sciences and new economy sectors. As well as transactional work the team has been involved in a consultative role on the development of the SPAC regime and pre-revenue biotech companies, and has continued to assist regulators in applying the nascent listing regimes. Benjamin Su is central to much of the firm’s work in the TMT space and has developed excellent ties with both Chinese issuers and international underwriters.

Hong Kong > Corporate (including M&A) Tier 1

The team at Latham & Watkins LLP is noted for its deep bench, exhibiting knowledge which spans the full gamut of corporate issues, the group assists a lucrative client base which notably includes Warburg Pincus Asia LLC, Tencent Holdings Limited, and Platinum Equity. The practice frequently handles M&A related matters concerning competitive auctions, carve-outs, and club deals. Simon Cooke heads the practice, and is known for his vast experience in advising on joint ventures, equity investments, and partial exits. Frank Sun handles both public and private M&A mandates, investments, and regularly advises buyer-led consortiums. Dividing her time between Hong Kong and Singapore, Amy Beckingham has significant expertise in public and private M&A as well as IPO exits.

Hong Kong > Private equity Tier 1

The team at Latham & Watkins LLP has broad expertise spanning the technology, healthcare, and logistics sectors, frequently assisting private equity funds and investors with late stage investments. Additionally, the team exhibits deep expertise in consortia arrangements, management buyouts and accordion financings. Practice head Simon Cooke has deep expertise in a broad range of acquisitions, exits, and mergers. Leading the China practice, Frank Sun handles both in and out bound transactions within China, including joint ventures, venture capital investments, and series angel financings. Dividing her time between Hong Kong and Singapore, Amy Beckingham acts as the vice chair of the global corporate department.

Hong Kong > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

Latham & Watkins LLP’s restructuring and insolvency group covers a myriad of issues stemming from both public high-yield bonds and private bank debts, acting on both debtor and creditor side mandates. Its work frequently incorporates its American roots in order to provide US law advice, such as advising on cross-border proceedings under Chapter 11 and Chapter 15. Players from multiple sectors, including energy, real estate, finance, and aviation, often turn to the team, especially those with connections to China’s corporates. Leveraging its cross-practice and multi-jurisdictional teams, the department is well-positioned to provide clients with advice on highly complex situations for private and publicly listed companies in Hong Kong and the wider Asia region, expertise essential when advising on non-traditional mandates like restructuring work covering Hong Kong scheme arrangements and UK restructuring plans. Howard Lam leads the practice and is a key point of contact for insolvency practitioners, bondholders, distressed funds, and bank lenders on China-related and Asia-based restructuring matters. Working alongside Lam is Flora Innes, whose involvement spans complex corporate restructurings, insolvency proceedings, and cross-border disputes.

Hong Kong > Banking and finance Tier 2

American firm Latham & Watkins LLP has operated in Hong Kong for over 25 years, developing a practice with US, English, and domestic law capabilities through its advisory work primary centered towards private equity clients, who turn to the firm for its capabilities in all the main aspects of banking and finance, including acquisition financing and leveraged lending. Practice chair Andrew Bishop is noted for his capabilities in multi-jurisdictional financing transactions on behalf of some of the world’s leading private equity firms and financial institutions, with recent engagements seeing him acting for Carlyle Asia Investment Advisors and Warburg Pincus on the financing of a number of significant transactions. Howard Lam's extensive knowledge makes him a key contact for clients seeking advice on China-related high-profile transactions. Other key names include Lynsey Edgar and Ruonan Duan, both elected to counsel in January 2022 and 2023 respectively.

Hong Kong > Capital markets (debt) Tier 2

US finance heavyweight Latham & Watkins LLP is able to draw upon the expertise of a strong bench of US and UK-qualified practitioners based out of Hong Kong who are adept at advising on deals throughout the credit spectrum (including for Chinese SOEs) originating in China and abroad. The team, which is led by the vastly experienced Ji Liu, is also very well-versed in handling underwriter mandates, and it is this balanced offering which ensures that clients benefit from a very well-rounded view of the market. As well as handling conventional bond issuances (both standalone and program offerings), the team is also very well-versed at handling equity-linked transactions, chiefly as a result of Posit Laohaphan's strong credentials both with regard to US-listed and non-US listed companies in the region. Noted for his TMT-focused IPO practice, Benjamin Su also handles some bond issuances for clients in the sector and is also adept at advising underwriters for convertible bond issuances.

Hong Kong > Structured finance and securitisation Tier 2

Based in Hong Kong and leveraging substantial regional resources from Singapore and Tokyo, Latham & Watkins LLP stands primed to offer its cohort of banking clients comprehensive guidance spanning a spectrum of derivatives and structured products concerns, frequently entailing intricate cross-border considerations. Alongside its proficiency in advising on derivative transactions rooted in conventional underlying assets like interest rates, commodities, and credit, the team adeptly handles matters involving more unconventional asset classes and products, including but not limited to, weather and longevity. A vital attribute of this team also lies in its robust engagement with US derivatives and structured product transactions associated with Asian enterprises listed in the US. Posit Laohaphan leads the team with expertise in advising banks as arrangers regarding margin loan facilities with collateral anchored in companies listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Recently promoted to the partnership, Michael Hardy is a consistent presence in structured credit dealings, catering to asset managers, private equity funds, and other notable players in the financial sector.

Hong Kong > Projects and energy Tier 3

Latham & Watkins LLP is highly adept at providing solutions to Chinese and Asia-based national oil and energy companies and private equity and infrastructure funds in the energy sector. The team frequently works on clean energy and LNG projects financings across the Middle East, Central Asia, and other emerging markets. David Blumental departed in 2023 to join Simmons & Simmons.

Hong Kong > Regulatory Tier 3

Latham & Watkins LLP handles a wide range of regulatory, risk management, compliance and contentious matters for a heavyweight roster of global and regional banks and private equity firms. Leveraging strong ties with financial regulators, team head Simon Hawkins advises banking and asset management clients on a wide array of regulatory issues associated with bringing new products to market, establishing new platforms/businesses and on ongoing compliance issues. Hawkins is also active in the fintech sector, particularly in the crypto regulatory landscape. The arrival in August 2022 of litigator Dominic Geiser from Herbert Smith Freehills also represented a step change in the office’s ability to work on domestic and multi-jurisdictional litigation in the financial services sector.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: international arbitration Tier 4

Latham & Watkins LLP continues to act for state governments and multinationals in complex disputes, consistently handling arbitrations administered under the two main institutions in Greater China, namely the HKIAC and CIETAC. Dominic Geiser joined as practice head from Herbert Smith Freehills in late 2022, with his practice focusing on complex commercial arbitration in Hong Kong and Asia, including contractual, financial, private and public company, shareholder and joint venture disputes.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 5

With a particularly extensive network in mainland China, Latham & Watkins LLP regularly represents clients in substantial cross-border litigation throughout Asia, including disputes related to contract, shareholders, M&A and JV, banking and securities, and professional liability. Hui Xu is chair of the firm’s Asia litigation and trial department and advises clients on a broad range of claims, with a particular focus on resolving multi-jurisdictional white collar investigations and litigation. Solicitor advocate Dominic Geiser’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and he is one of the relatively few lawyers in Hong Kong who has been awarded Higher Rights of Audience in civil litigation matters.

China > Restructuring and insolvency: foreign firms Tier 1

Latham & Watkins LLP's Greater China restructuring and insolvency group has a strong debtor-side and creditor-side practice that is involved in matters across capital structures for borrowers, sponsors, institutional and distressed investors (individually and as ad hoc committees). The team offers local expertise in both public high-yield bonds and private bank debts. Recent mandates that the team has advised on include China Fortune Land Development and Hong Kong Airlines. The team is headed by Howard Lam , who regularly represents insolvency practitioners, bondholders, distressed funds and bank lenders. Flora Innes has vast experience in complex corporate restructures, insolvency proceedings, and cross-border disputes.

Philippines > Foreign firms Tier 1

Latham & Watkins LLP has an excellent reputation in the market for its work on some of the country’s biggest deals. It is skilled at handling inbound and outbound transactions, and has a strong capital markets practice, while the group is also often called upon to advise on major project financing matters, as well as on arbitrations and disputes. Practice head Benjamin Carale , is qualified in New York, the Philippines, and in Hong Kong, and leads on many of the firm’s most significant transactions, which often have substantial cross-border elements. Diana Dizon plays a pivotal role in various Philippine debt and equity capital markets transactions.

China > Private equity: foreign firms Tier 3

The Greater China practice at Latham & Watkins LLP is consistently engaged in the largest and most complex private equity transactions in the region, heavily involved in high-growth sectors including technology, healthcare and e-commerce, as well as advising PE clients on their infrastructure related investments throughout Asia. Based out of Hong Kong, Simon Cooke has advised on multiple landmark joint values, equity investments, disposals and privatisations, while Frank Sun is also a key contact for complex in-bound and out-bound China transactions. Stephen Shi is known for his experience in cross-border M&A.

South Korea > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms Tier 4

Spearheaded by Wonsuk Kang, Latham & Watkins LLP’s transactional practice in Korea continues to strengthen and expand. The firm handles a high number of mandates for Korea’s notable businesses, specialising in representing clients from the industrials and manufacturing, information technology and semiconductor sectors. Counsel Regina Jinseo Kim is a core member of the Seoul team and handles inbound Korean private equity deals for global clients.

China > Banking and finance: foreign firms Tier 5

Latham & Watkins LLP‘s finance department in Asia is led by Hong Kong and Singapore-based Andrew Bishop, whose track record includes assisting global private equity firms and financial institutions with groundbreaking financings in China, Australia, India, Japan and Singapore. Fellow partner Howard Lam routinely advises corporations, banks and financial sponsors on major finance deals.

United States > Insurance > Insurance: non-contentious

Latham & Watkins strengthened its insurance practice with the June 2022 additions from Clifford Chance of reinsurance and insurance capital raising expert Gary Boss, who heads the team, insurer investments and alternative capital specialist Analisa Dillingham and Kirsten Gaeta, who focuses her practice on M&A and capital market transactions in addition to joint ventures. Counsel Dean Agnos supports clients engaged in public and private mergers, stock and asset transactions and start-ups. At associate level, Lily Phan advises property and casualty, life and health insurers on a variety of transactions and corporate matters. The practice advises insurers, reinsurers and private equity investors on complex transactions, including reinsurance and restructuring matters that have ties to markets in Bermuda and the UK among others. Furthermore, the practice has extensive experience handling the establishment of new insurance companies, in particular with regard to alternative capital strategies. On the regulatory front, the firm is active in advising on governance and licensing issues. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

China > Dispute resolution: Litigation: foreign firms

Latham & Watkins LLP’s Greater China litigation and trial team focuses on complex multi-jurisdictional disputes, along with high-stakes domestic commercial litigation, arbitration and contentious regulatory matters. Practice chair Hui Xu is particularly focused on multi-jurisdictional, white-collar investigations and litigation, and Dominic Geiser, a summer 2022 partner recruit from Herbert Smith Freehills, is a specialist in contractual, financial and company disputes, as well as conflicts involving investors, shareholders and joint ventures. Promoted to counsel in the firm’s Beijing office in early 2023, Sean Wu acts in disputes concerning fraud, sanctions, and anti-corruption and anti-bribery issues.

China > Fintech: foreign firms

Emerging fintech companies, traditional financial institutions, venture capitalists and web3 ecosystem participants trust Latham & Watkins LLP to handle mandates ranging from NFT platform launches, to payments service agreements, to global cybersecurity compliance programmes. Simon Hawkins, who leads both the firm’s Asia and global fintech industry groups, frequently advises on regulatory implications of blockchain and distributed ledger technology. Farhana Sharmeen, who operates from the firm’s Singapore office, is another key contact. Kieran Donovan has since left the practice.

China > TMT: foreign firms

Based in Hong Kong, Latham & Watkins LLP’s Greater China TMT team showcases a broad spectrum of regulatory, transactional, and litigation expertise in the tech domain, from tech transactions and intellectual property to data privacy and security. Ex practice co-head Kieran Donovan has since left the practice. Frank Sun advises Chinese tech entities on M&A.

Singapore > Banking and finance: foreign firms

Latham & Watkins LLP has maintained a steady pipeline of leveraged finance, acquisition financings and bank/bond deals. It has worked on a series of high-value acquisition financings across the Southeast Asia and South Asia regions. Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia are amongst its primary markets, and the team is a growing force in India, where it has advised on a number of headline acquisition financings. The finance team frequently works alongside colleagues in the capital markets, M&A, and private equity practices. Timothy Hia is an experienced banking and finance partner with an excellent record in headline and high-value financings, particularly in the acquisition finance segment. Chair of the Asia finance group, Andrew Bishop splits his time between Hong Kong and Singapore.

Singapore > Start-up and venture capital – Foreign firms

With an even mix of company and investor side representation, Latham & Watkins LLP has accumulated significant experience at all stages of the start-up life-cycle, from financing needs and M&A to crypto payments, data and technology advice. Ji Liu heads the firm’s corporate offering in Asia and is a leading figure. James Clayton-Payne is also a key presence; having advised a broad range of start-ups, venture capital investors and corporate venture capital vehicles in all rounds of fundraising, beginning with seed and continuing to Series F+ and exit.

Vietnam > Foreign desks

Latham & Watkins LLP’s Vietnam practice, led by Hong Kong and Singapore-based Amy Beckingham alongside Sharon Lau based in Singapore, continues to assist major Vietnamese companies, financial institutions, private equity firms, and fintech startups. Global corporate vice chair Beckingham specialises in M&A, joint venture, and equity capital markets deals throughout Asia. She has considerable experience advising international investors in relation to their investments into Vietnam. Lau, a member of the firm’s global executive committee, regularly represents issuers and underwriters in connection with IPOs and securities offerings in Vietnam or with Vietnamese elements. She has recently led a team representing electric-vehicle producer VinFast in relation to its US IPO, the first Vietnamese company to publicly file for an IPO in the US.

Japan > Corporate and M&A: International firms and joint ventures

Latham & Watkins Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise‘s corporate M&A team is headed up by Hong Kong-based Ji Liu, who is also the chair for the firm’s Asia corporate department. Work carried out by the team includes cross-border acquisitions, venture capital financings, strategic alliances, and other inbound and outbound corporate transactions. Notable names within the team include Hiroki Kobayashi, Ivan Smallwood and Hiroaki Takagi. Noah Carr left the firm in November 2023.

China > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms

Fielding M&A specialists from offices in Hong Kong and Beijing, Latham & Watkins LLP's Greater China lawyers routinely advise on high-profile corporate and M&A transactions. Clients also benefit from the group’s ability to leverage the firm’s enviable capital markets and banking and finance expertise for major deals.  Simon Cooke heads the Asia private equity practice from Hong Kong. Frank Sun and Stephen Shi are also key contacts.