The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, tier 5

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP counsel Dominic Gregory is recognised for leveraged finance and is ‘outstanding’, ‘solid’ and ‘methodical’. In 2011, the firm hired seasoned finance expert Clive Rough, until recently a senior figure at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 30040.

Within Capital markets (debt), Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is a second tier firm,

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is recommended for high-yield debt, as well as RMB bonds, particularly those with a hybrid high-yield structure. Alec Tracy is ‘honest and easy to work with’, ‘very experienced from a high-yield debt perspective’ and has a ‘good breadth of experience across China and Southeast Asia’. Edward Lam is also recommended.

Within Capital markets (equity), Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is a third tier firm,

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP was widely regarded as perhaps the leading firm on Hong Kong IPOs until the shock departure of preeminent figure Dominic Tsun and Li-Chien Wong to Kirkland & Ellis International LLP in 2011. The firm does retain tremendous US securities expertise. Indeed Julie Gao’s prevalence on US listings by PRC companies is definitely worthy of note.

Within Corporate (including M&A), tier 4

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP’s loss of ‘good operator’ and leading public M&A specialist Nicholas Norris and a broader team to Kirkland & Ellis International LLP is a considerable blow, particularly to its Hong Kong law credentials. Even so, its team of experienced US lawyers will inevitably keep the firm in the frame for international deals. In 2010, Jonathan Stone represented Vanship Holdings on its $576m sale of seven crude oil carriers to Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation.

Within Dispute resolution, tier 4

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP may be more recognised for arbitration work in Hong Kong, but with Paul Mitchard QC and Mandarin speaking US-qualified litigator Frances Kao becoming ever more present in regulatory enforcement, investigations and securities litigation, the firm deserves its place amongst the elite.

Within Dispute resolution International arbitration, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is a second tier firm,

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP’s Paul Mitchard QC is a big name in the arbitration sector. Though also involved in Hong Kong litigation, he is gradually building one of the leading arbitration practices in town. Much of the practice is investment related, including disputes over PRC joint ventures.

Within Legal market overview,

In August 2011, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP made the biggest splash by hiring seven partners from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Allen & Overy and Latham & Watkins LLP. These include leading M&A partner Nicholas Norris and eminent capital markets partner Dominic Tsun.

Within Private equity, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is a third tier firm,

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has a considerable amount of private equity experience amongst its ranks. A Greater China team represented Carlyle on its $190m acquisition of a minority interest in China Fishery Group via a PIPE investment.

Within Projects and energy, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘highly responsive’ team at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP provides ‘solid, well-though out advice’ on energy, infrastructure, financing and M&A matters. The team is led by ‘one of the region’s most experienced project finance lawyers’, Alan Schiffman, who is ‘just great’. In March 2011, Schiffman concluded the $1.3bn financing of a coal-fired power plant in Indonesia, Paiton III, represented China Huaneng Group in its acquisition of a stake in InterGen from GMR Infrastructure, and is currently involved in the development of a wind power project in China.

Within TMT Other recommended firms