Mayer Brown > Shanghai, China > Firm Profile

Mayer Brown > The Legal 500 Rankings

China > Real estate and construction: foreign firms Tier 1

The real estate and construction practice at Mayer Brown handles traditional real estate projects and investments, as well as contentious and non-contentious construction issues. The sizable team enables the firm to advise on a broad array of matters, including development, finance, M&A, disposals, and disputes related to real estate. The team is known for its expertise on real estate-related M&A, funds, and financing transactions. The firm’s clientele includes numerous major banks and financiers, where the firm advises on acquisition development and property-related financing. Outbound investments and cross-border transactions are also key areas. The team is co-led by Keith Cheung, Tom Fu, Andy Yeo, and Geoffrey Chan, who are based across Hong Kong and China. Fu splits his time between Hong Kong and Beijing, specialising in construction projects, while Hong Kong-based Chan handles complex arbitration matters. Also noted are counsel Rosalyn Han who works with international developers and contractors on high-value projects from Beijing, and Shanghai-based senior associate Ellen Zhang who focuses on direct property acquisition and joint ventures.

China > Intellectual property: foreign firms Tier 2

Mayer Brown's Hong Kong-based IP team has enviable roots in IP dispute resolution, handling matters pertaining to company hijacking, litigation and arbitration, most of which involve insolvency issues or cross-border elements. The department's combined sectoral experience encompasses the financial services, construction, manufacturing, retail, fashion, real estate, hospitality, media, tech and telecommunications sectors. Team head and co-leader of the firm's global IP practice Gabriela Kennedy is a towering figure in the IP and TMT fields; her clients include tech start-ups, media companies and universities. Other recommended individuals include Amita Haylock, whose IP expertise covers trademarks, copyright, designs and patents; and counsel Michelle Yee, who is head of brand management and specialises in the biotech sector.

China > Investment funds: foreign firms Tier 3

Mayer Brown's investment funds practice, based in Hong Kong with a global reach spanning four continents, stands ready to offer expert counsel to top-tier companies and financial institutions. They provide comprehensive guidance on legal, regulatory, and commercial matters, serving the needs of fund sponsors, institutional investors, and players in the alternative investment sector. Led by seasoned professionals Paul Moloney and Mark Uhrynuk , the practice excels in managing the complete fund lifecycle, from inception and ongoing compliance to the intricacies of restructuring and winding-up processes.

China > Restructuring and insolvency: foreign firms Tier 3

Mayer Brown is a ‘commercially-minded and exceptionally supportive‘ full-service restructuring practice with extensive experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters. The team’s expertise covers bond restructurings, trust asset claim adjudication and cross-border enforcement. The practitioners act for creditors, issuers, insolvency practitioners and corporate trustees, with notably clients such as CDB, ICBC and Maybank. The head of practice, John Marsden, represents clients in a wide range of matters and is highly knowledgeable in financing transactions, non-performing loan disposals and corporate restructurings. The team also includes Terence Tung , who has extensive experience in cross-border disputes; the highly experienced Pierre Dzakpasu, and Benjamin McCosker, whose expertise covers complex, multi-jurisdictional restructuring transactions.

China > TMT: foreign firms Tier 3

Mayer Brown’s Hong Kong-based team offers advice on a diverse array of contemporary issues, from AI, blockchain, and virtual banking to cybersecurity and the nuances of fintech platforms. Gabriela Kennedy leads the team with her experience in handling data privacy and cybersecurity issues across various Asian jurisdictions, and proficiency in media litigation, IT sourcing, and telecoms regulations. Amita Haylock specialises in complex litigation and alternate dispute resolution, particularly in telecoms, broadcasting, IP, and competition law.

China > Private equity: foreign firms Tier 4

A global firm with a well integrated regional presence, Mayer Brown’s private equity group regularly advises top PE, venture capital, hedge, real estate, infrastructure and sovereign wealth funds across the spectrum of transactions. The Hong Kong-based team of Mark Uhrynuk, David Ellis and Ricky Yiu are key players, being considered experts in the ESG and real estate sectors respectively. Steven Tran departed to Morrison Foerster in December 2022.

China > Banking and finance: foreign firms Tier 5

Mayer Brown‘s team advises lenders and borrowers on the full spectrum of banking and finance transactions, including leveraged and acquisition finance, and bilateral and syndicated loans. Richard Stock, who has longstanding experience in assisting airlines, lessors and financial institutions with aviation-related transactions, leads the banking and finance practice in Asia from Hong Kong. Former Beijing partners Hallam Chow and Boya Shen departed in September 2023 to join Haiwen & Partners.