The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Paul Hastings LLP is a third tier firm,

Paul Hastings LLP is recommended for leveraged, real estate and project finance. ‘Clearly a leader in the region’, Brett King is recognised as a genuine leveraged finance specialist, with a tremendous reputations amongst the banks. On the project finance front, the firm continued to work on the PT Cirebon and Cebu Power projects, with Patricia Tan Openshaw to the fore.

Within Capital markets (debt), tier 4

Paul Hastings LLP has an active debt practice, including a strong Korean team based in Hong Kong. The firm recently represented Sino-Ocean Land Holdings on its landmark $400m perpetual subordinated capital securities issue. The team is ‘responsive’ and ‘knowledgeable’, with Vivian Lam singled out for ‘personal commitment’ and ‘solution oriented’ advice. High-yield expert David Grimm is also recommended.

Within Capital markets (equity), Paul Hastings LLP is a third tier firm,

Paul Hastings LLP has made dramatic headway over the last three years, having hired Sammy Li (‘rich experience’, ‘sound judgment’) from Morgan Stanley and Steven Winegar from Goldman Sachs, and it now represents a number of major underwriters. With PRC national Raymond Li also having an integral role in mainland China, the team is commended for its ‘knowledge’ and ‘experience’. Key recent deals include China Rongsheng Heavy Industries’ $1.8bn Hong Kong IPO and Goodbaby International’s $217m listing.

Within Corporate (including M&A), tier 5

Paul Hastings LLP’s Hong Kong-based M&A practice is heavily weighted towards that of the Korean department, including its advice on Samsung Electronics’ $1.37bn acquisition of Seagate Technology and Hanwha Chemical’s equity investment in Solarfun Power. In this regard, Daniel Kim is recommended.

Within Employment, Paul Hastings LLP is a third tier firm,

Paul Hastings LLP’s Hong Kong group is run by Michael Downey. Non-contentious work includes advising on employment issues relating to spin-offs of one of the largest mobile communications manufacturers in the world. On the contentious side, the team is representing a multinational insurance company against discrimination claims by former agent.

Within Investment funds, Paul Hastings LLP is a third tier firm,

Paul Hastings LLP is rated for private equity fund formation and real estate fund work, where the firm has a particularly good reputation. The team acts for clients including Blackstone, The Carlyle Group, Asia Pacific Land and CBRE Investors. It is also advising Tan-Eu Capital on the formation of a $1bn real estate private equity fund with focus on investment in China. Neil Torpey and Vivian Lam are singled out for their knowledge. Steven Winegar recently joined from Goldman Sachs.

Within Projects and energy, Paul Hastings LLP is a third tier firm,

Providing ‘thorough and timely advice’, Paul Hastings LLP’s team spans leveraged finance and energy work, handled by Brett King, and power, infrastructure, project development and M&A, which is led by Patricia Tan Openshaw. Providing ‘practical legal insights’, Openshaw ‘takes an active role as counsel in contract negotiations’, and acts for banks including the Export-Import Bank of Korea, Crédit Agricole and ING Bank. King recently advised Sonnedix Thailand on the financing and development of a $21.8m solar photovoltaic plant in Thailand. The team continues to advise PT Cirebon Electric Power in the development and financing of a coal-fired power plant in Indonesia.

Within Real estate, Paul Hastings LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘knowledgeable and timely’ team at Paul Hastings LLP acts for international and Greater China-based companies such as Deutsche Bank, HSBC and Sino-Ocean Land. The firm recently advised Mapletree Investments on the headline $2.4bn acquisition of Festival Walk, a shopping and commercial complex in Hong Kong, from Swire Properties. John Cahill, Derek Roth and Vivian Lam are the key contacts.