The Legal 500 > Latham & Watkins LLP > Hong Kong,

Latham & Watkins LLP

18TH FLOOR, ONE EXCHANGE SQUARE, 8 CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL HONG KONG

Tel:: Work +852 2912 2500
Fax:: Fax +852 2912 2600

Web:: www.lw.com
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Hong Kong : Banking and finance

Within Banking and finance, Latham & Watkins LLP is a third tier firm,

Latham & Watkins LLP is recognised primarily for project finance. Oil and gas and natural resources deals are particularly prominent for the practice, which is also noted for its broad reach covering deals throughout the Asia Pacific region. David Miles is recommended.

Hong Kong : Capital markets (equity)

Within Capital markets (equity), Latham & Watkins LLP is a third tier firm,

Latham & Watkins LLP’s large team has fine credentials in the ECM sector, none more so than Stanley Chow and Michael Liu. In 2012, the team represented Kinetic Mines and Energy in connection with its Hong Kong listing. It also has a particularly strong record in financial institutions deals.

Hong Kong : Corporate (including M&A)

Within Corporate (including M&A), Latham & Watkins LLP is a second tier firm,

Latham & Watkins LLP has demonstrated notable expertise in Hong Kong regulatory matters, including listing rules and the Takeover Code. In 2012, the firm advised Hong Kong listed City Telecom on the HK5bn sale of the Hong Kong Broadband Network and IDD businesses to Metropolitan Light Company. In an illustration of its expertise on outbound deals, the firm also represented China-based Bright Food on its $516m acquisition of Australia’s Manassen Foods. In addition, the firm is at the heart of the take- private trend involving US-listed PRC companies. Senior figures Michael Liu, Stanley Chow, and Cathy Yeung are recommended, as are regulatory expert Simon Berry and PRC specialist Kenneth Chan.

Hong Kong : Dispute resolution

Within Dispute resolution, tier 6

Latham & Watkins LLP is noted for financial institutions litigation, regulatory investigations (including FCPA matters), and TMT disputes. Hong Kong stalwart Simon Powell has a tremendous reputation.

Hong Kong : Dispute resolution: international arbitration

Within Dispute resolution: international arbitration, Latham & Watkins LLP is a third tier firm,

Latham & Watkins LLP’s dispute resolution practice has a strong weighting towards international arbitration, and in Simon Powell it has a practitioner of genuine strength. While much of the practice centres on PRC disputes, the department is gaining exposure to cases throughout Asia.

Hong Kong : Private equity

Within Private equity, Latham & Watkins LLP is a third tier firm,

Latham & Watkins LLP has had success with a number of regional private equity houses such as Primavera Capital, as well as cornerstone global client Carlyle. In 2011, a team led by Tim Gardner represented Primavera on the first sponsor-backed privatisation of NYSE-listed PRC company, Chemspec International.

Hong Kong : Projects and energy

Within Projects and energy, Latham & Watkins LLP is a second tier firm,

Latham & Watkins LLP is particularly well respected for its energy expertise, with recent work highlights including two Hong Kong IPOs, and numerous high-value acquisitions. The team recently advised the financial adviser and underwriter on Sinopec Kantons Holdings’ HK$2.2bn acquisition of interests in five joint ventures in the PRC from its ultimate controlling shareholder, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation. Practice head Joseph Bevash has significant experience in oil and gas, power, mining and infrastructure matters. Project finance expert David Miles is also recommended.

Hong Kong : Regulatory

Within Regulatory, tier 5

At Latham & Watkins LLP, Simon Berry is highly regarded for his broad non-contentious practice. The firm is also well known for its anti-corruption expertise, where disputes partner Simon Powell is recommended.

Hong Kong : Restructuring and insolvency

Within Restructuring and insolvency, tier 4

Simon Powell leads the restructuring, insolvency and workouts practice at Latham & Watkins LLP. Powell has over 20 years’ experience in the field, and recently worked alongside counsel Eleanor Lam on their advice to electrical appliances group Tatung concerning the financial difficulties of Proview International Holdings (a company which includes an entity that the client has a significant equity investment in).

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Legal Developments in Hong Kong

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

Hong Kong Enacts Competition Law

After years of debate, on 14 June 2012 and in its last days of office, the Legislative Council finally enacted Hong Kong’s first cross- sector competition law.

- Hogan Lovells
The Hong Kong Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance Has Been Amended: Are Your Data Protection Practices

The Personal Data (Privacy) Amendment Ordinance (the "Amendment Ordinance") was passed on 27 June 2012.

- Hogan Lovells
MOFCOM Gets Serious About Unreported M&A Transactions

The Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (“MOFCOM”) passed the Provisional Measures on the Investigation and Handling of Concentrations between Business Operators which were Not Notified in accordance with the Law (the “Provisional Measures”) on 30 December 2011, and uploaded them on its website on 5 January 2012.

- Hogan Lovells
China VIE structure for foreign investment under attack from multiple directions

will it emerge (relatively) unscathed or is its very survival threatened?

- Hogan Lovells
LIABILITY FOR DIRECTORS OF LISTED COMPANIES – NOT JUST FOR FRAUD

Article by Timothy Loh and Sherry Xiao

- Timothy Loh, Solicitors
Hedge fund euthanasia?

Are the Courts sealing the fate of struggling hedge funds too early or should they be given further time to recover and realize their potential for investors?

- Harney Westwood & Riegels
BVI Securities and Investment Business Bill 2010 receives its first reading

The long-awaited Securities and Investment Business Bill, 2010 (commonly referred to as “SIBA”) received its first reading by the BVI House of Assembly on 18 March 2010. This follows public consultation in Summer 2009.

- Harney Westwood & Riegels
Cayman Investment Company Obtains Chapter 15 Protection in the United States

The United States’ Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has recognised the liquidation of a Cayman company, Saad Investments Finance Company (No5) Limited (“SIFCO5”) (an SPV established to operate as an investment company), as a “foreign main proceeding” under Chapter 15 of the United States’ Bankruptcy Code.

- Harney Westwood & Riegels
BVI to update Intellectual Property laws

As the British Virgin Islands continues to play a vital role in facilitating global trade and investment, it turns its attention to helping its more than 60,000 new companies per year build a business environment where innovation can be a key economic driver. Towards this end, the BVI Financial Services Commission (the “FSC”), which is the public body with responsibility for, among other things, administering the intellectual property laws of the BVI, announced on 5 January 2010 the establishment of a Focus Group to review and revise the existing IP laws

- Harney Westwood & Riegels
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS CORPORATE ARRANGEMENT SCHEMES

With a global economic downturn in full swing, companies around the world are looking for ways to safeguard their future existence. The strategies employed to do so are numerous and varied but a number of companies have employed the use of corporate arrangement schemes entered into with their creditors, investors and other stakeholders as a way to refocus and preserve their business.

- Harney Westwood & Riegels