The Legal 500

Within Capital markets, Morrison & Foerster LLP is a first tier firm,

The ‘top notch’ practice at Morrison & Foerster successfully completed four China-related IPOs in 2008: Renhe Commercial Holdings ($435m), Solargiga ($130m, the first solar-power company to list in Hong Kong), Asia Cement ($238m) and Maoye Holdings ($343m). The team also acted for UBS, JPMorgan and CITIC in the $1.2bn Hong Kong IPO of China Zhongwang. Hong Kong managing partner Ven Tan is the leading individual.

Within Corporate & M&A, Morrison & Foerster LLP is a third tier firm,

Morrison & Foerster lost former mainland managing partner Steve Toronto to the in-house team at the NBA - how the M&A practice will fare remains to be seen. The practice made some redress with the hire in Beijing of Sherry Yin from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. One highlight of 2008 was the team’s representation of ChinaHR in its $174m sale to Monster Worldwide.

Within Intellectual property

Within Private equity/venture capital, Morrison & Foerster LLP is a second tier firm,

‘Great, particularly for venture capital’, in 2008 Morrison & Foerster hired Sherry Yin following Steven Toronto’s departure for the NBA. The team represented a Middle Eastern family office in its establishment of a RMB1bn venture fund focused on investment in technology companies affiliated with the China Academy of Sciences.

Within Projects and energy

Within Real estate, Morrison & Foerster LLP is a third tier firm,

A ‘solid firm with a strong practice and good lawyers’, Morrison & Foerster’s represented a property and real estate developer in its multi-million dollar, two week acquisition of a Hong Kong company with assets in Northern China. Beijing manager Paul McKenzie stands out.

Within TMT, Morrison & Foerster LLP is a first tier firm,

Rated as ‘great for TMT’, Morrison & Foerster is increasing its market profile in China with ‘strong corporate and technical IT/IP capabilities’. A significant engagement of 2008 was representing NetEase.com in relation to its licensing and operation in China of the World of Warcraft online game from Blizzard, including the establishment of a structure to address PRC telecoms regulatory limitations and the outsourcing of $100m data-centre arrangements to local providers. Outsourcing is a particular strength. Hong Kong-based Nigel Stamp and Gordon Milner are the main partners.