With a market-leading finance practice for over 30 years, Allen & Overy LLP‘s Greater China banking and finance work comprises both lender and borrower matters; and it has an enviable client base that includes Chinese and international investment and commercial banks, local and multinational corporations, and a growing list of funds. Clients also benefit from combined PRC and international legal services, further to the 2020 approval of the firm’s joint operation with Lang Yue Law Firm. The practice is co-led by Beijing-based Yvonne Ho, who enjoys close relationships with Chinese and international corporations, banks and export credit agencies (ECAs); and structured finance specialist Roger Lui in Hong Kong. In Shanghai, Matthew Bisley‘s extensive banking and finance transactional experience coves real estate, project (including energy), export credit and asset finance (including aviation and shipping), as well as general corporate finance.
Banking and finance: foreign firms in China
Allen & Overy LLP
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia)
Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
Natixis
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Yanlord Land (HK) Co
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
China CITIC Bank
Citibank
Asian Development Bank
DBS
Standard Chartered Bank
Credit Suisse
Bank of China
Work highlights
- Advised CLSA (as co-ordinating agent) and China CITIC Bank International (as agent) on the acquisition financing provided to a borrower to finance its voluntary general offer to acquire all the issued shares and outstanding share options of Clear Media.
- Advised the lender syndicate, including Standard Chartered Bank, on the financing of a logistics property portfolio (for the logistics subsidiary of China’s largest retailer).
- Advised HSBC on a club loan to a consumer household care company in China, which is to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Clifford Chance LLP
Acting for leading international and domestic investment banks, private equity sponsors, funds and corporations, Clifford Chance LLP‘s banking and finance team works across Hong Kong and China on both borrower and lender matters, and the practice has paved the way in sustainability-linked financing. With extensive experience in advising arrangers and lenders on acquisition financing and syndicated loans in Asia, Hong Kong-based Anthony Wang leads the department, which includes Maggie Lo, who divides her time between Beijing and Hong Kong and has broad experience in cross-border financing; and Jiahua Ni, who works across the Beijing and Shanghai offices and advises on financings in Asia, Middle East, South America and Africa. Other key figures in Hong Kong are experienced partners Matthew Truman, Dauwood Malik, Edith Leung and Vicky Ma. Former mainland China partner Timothy Democratis (now a consultant) relocated to the firm’s London office in August 2020.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Maggie Lo; Jiahua Ni; Timothy Democratis; Matthew Truman; Dauwood Malik; Edith Leung; Vicky Ma
Testimonials
‘The lawyers at CC are of high quality and definitely value for money!‘
‘Vicky Ma is my go-for partner – she is fluent in English and Chinese, wise and calm, and can always provide good analysis and suggestions for her clients.‘
‘Anthony Wang is the giant in the industry – he has been practicing for two decades and his performance has remained outstanding during these two decades!‘
Key clients
Bank of China
China Development Bank
Citi
Deutsche Bank
HSBC
IFC
JPMorgan
Standard Chartered Bank
UBS
Hillhouse Capital
Trustar Capital (formerly CITIC Capital Partners)
The Carlyle Group
TPG
MBK
PAG
Advantage Partners
Work highlights
- Advised JPMorgan, UBS and Siam Commercial Bank on the financing of Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group)’s US$10.6bn acquisition of Tesco’s Thai and Malaysian businesses.
- Advised MBK Partners on all financing aspects concerning the take-private of China Auto Rental (Car Inc), including the obtaining of amendments/waivers required under the existing bank loans of Car Inc (among others).
- Advised Bank of China on the financing for the acquisition of GNC Holdings by Harbin Pharmaceutical Group Holding Co, through a US bankruptcy court-approved stalking horse bid.
Linklaters
Routinely advising arrangers on private equity-backed LBOs, Linklaters‘ Greater China practice is widely recognised for its leveraged and acquisition finance experience, particularly in relation to China-related acquisitions. The team also advises credit enhancers, funds and corporations, and has robust structured lending expertise. Clients additionally benefit from the China banking practice’s leveraging of specialist corporate, capital markets and regulatory divisions; and through the firm’s Shanghai Free Trade Zone joint operation with Zhao Sheng Law Firm, it is able to provide both international and PRC legal advice on joint inbound and outbound matters. Beijing-based financing specialist Xiaohui Ji is highly rated in the Chinese project finance space, as well as Belt & Road transactions. Wendy Zhang's recent experience includes major sponsor-backed leveraged financings, and Jianbin Wang works closely with Chinese policy and commercial banks, ECAs and Chinese enterprises; both were both promoted to counsel in May 2021.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
China Development Bank
The Export-Import Bank of China
Bank of China
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
China Construction Bank
Agricultural Bank of China
Bank of Communications
China Light and Power
China Southern Grid
State Grid Corporation of China
China Machinery Engineering Corporation
Goldwinds
Hong Kong Electric
Huadian
KEPCO
KOMIPO
wpd
Sinochem
Sinopec
BP
COC
Dow Chemical
ENI
KC
KOGAS
Kufpec
PETRONAS
PTT E&P
POSCO
Rosneft
Sakhalin Energy
Samsung Group
Total
BAML
BNP Paribas
Citigroup
Credit Suisse
Deutsche Bank
HSBC
ING Bank
JP Morgan
Morgan Stanley
Royal Bank Scotland
Societe Generale
Standard Chartered
UBS
China Coal Technology & Engineering Group
Jingye Group
China MinMetals
MMG
Shandong Iron & Steel
GDF Suez
Glencore
Noble Group
Rio Tinto
WISCO
China Harbour
China Machinery Engineering Corp
DP World
Hutchison
International Container Terminal Services
Jardine Matheson
Macquarie Infra
ECAs
China Eximbank
Sinosure
Atradius
Bpifrance
EDC
EKF
KEXIM
Ksure
Hermes
JBIC
NEXI
UKEF
Work highlights
- Advised China Development Bank on a sovereign loan to the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Policy Development of Sri Lanka.
- Advised Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co (and additional arrangers) on the $3.5bn leveraged financing to fund the privatisation of 58.com by a consortium, comprising Warburg Pincus, General Atlantic, Ocean Link and the chairman and CEO of 58.com.
- Advised Industrial and Commercial Bank of China on its Sinosure-backed financing to the Republic of Ghana.
Ashurst
Ashurst‘s ‘solutions-driven‘ finance team advises on the full spectrum of banking and financing work, and clients additionally benefit from the firm’s provision of PRC law advice through its joint operation office with PRC law firm, Guantao Law Firm. Working across the firm’s Beijing and Hong Kong offices are Patrick Phua, who has extensive expertise in China’s derivatives and structured products market; and Daniel Lau, a cross-border debt-related transactions specialist. Providing further support are Singapore and mainland China-based Chin Chuan Chen, who is experienced in energy and financing transactions throughout Asia, Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe; Hong Kong-based Eric Tan, who advises on both sides of the lending relationship; and Beijing counsel Emma Zhang, an expert in banking and project finance work in the power, resources and infrastructure sectors.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The strength of the Ashurst banking practice is that it is solutions driven.‘
‘The Greater China team is effectively bilingual which is important to us. All their partners, associates and trainees are proficient/native in English and Mandarin. Also, the partners have spent time working in mainland China (or with mainland Chinese firms) and this is extremely important to us.‘
‘Ashurst provides very relevant and helpful services based on its well-balanced view and approach to global standards and China specificities.‘
‘They have extensive cross-border experience in the Greater China space and are great at client care.‘
‘The Ashurst banking team is great value for money, and the partners are accessible and hands on.‘
‘The team is excellent and knows its subject matter.‘
‘Eric Tan is knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile. We like him because he has both offshore and onshore knowledge, which is important for the cross-border nature of our deals.‘
‘Eric Tan is a standout for us. He is able to marry experience gained from offshore practice with his expertise to deliver what we want.‘
Key clients
Bank of China (Hong Kong)
Banco Santander
China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation
Deutsche Bank
Natixis
DBS
Pacific Aegis Capital Management
Shagang South-Asia (Hong Kong) Trading Co
Société Générale
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
Work highlights
- Advised Bank of China (Hong Kong) and China Everbright Bank Co (as mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners) and a syndicate of banks on an up-to HKD8.7bn syndicated term loan facility for Fans Group.
- Advised Banco Santander, China Construction Bank, Natixis and 10 other banks on a €860m syndicated facility for CNCE Group (Hong Kong) Co.
- Advised China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation (as mandated lead arranger and bookrunner, lender and agent) on an up-to $400m syndicated term loan facility for An Ke Technology Company.
Baker McKenzie FenXun
Baker McKenzie FenXun's representative work for 2020 was characterised by take-private financings, leveraged and acquisition financings, sustainability loans, structured products and aviation finance. The practice of Shanghai-based Grace Li covers PRC lending, structured finance, regulatory issues, aircraft finance and leasings; and in Beijing, Duan Cui, who was promoted to partner in 2020, acts on China-related outbound matters. Aircraft finance specialist Andrew Lockhart heads the banking and finance practice group in Hong Kong, which also includes Simon Leung, who splits his time between Beijing and Hong Kong, and focuses on cross-border PRC-related financing transactions in Belt & Road jurisdictions; Sally Hung, a structured finance, real estate financing and syndicated loan transaction expert; and Allen Ng, who in addition to aircraft finance, assists with general banking matters.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Grace Li; Duan Cui; Simon Leung; Sally Hung; Allen Ng; Kenneth Ching
Testimonials
‘Responsive and professional, and able to explain the legal concepts and restrictions clearly and commercially.‘
Key clients
Bank of China (Hong Kong)
Bank of Communications
China CITIC Bank International
Chong Hing Bank
Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
DBS Bank
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia)
Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong)
United Overseas Bank
Work highlights
- Advised Bank of China (Hong Kong), as lender, on a term loan facility to Intellinsights Holdings, in support of the privatisation of Polytec Asset Holdings.
- Acted for CACIB (as facility agent and mandated lead arranger and bookrunner) in a $800m syndicated term loan facility for Gold Mountains (HK) International Mining Company.
- Advised Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia), as lender, in relation to facilities for TCL Industries Holdings (HK), in support of the privatisation of Tonly Electronics Holdings.
White & Case LLP
Playing significant roles in regional cross-border deals involving major international players, White & Case LLP‘s China banking and finance team is widely regarded as a go-to practice for debt finance transactions in Asia. Executive partner of the Beijing office, David Li, is highly rated by the Greater China market for major financing mandates. Shanghai-based senior consultant Frank Shu regularly advises on the financing of privatisations of Chinese companies and large-scale cross-border property acquisition and financing transactions. The principal figures to note in Hong Kong are Eugene Man, who heads the Asia-Pacific debt finance and restructuring practices; and Baldwin Cheng, whose recent experience includes major pan-Asian financings for both sponsors and debt financiers. In November 2020, the firm expanded its global debt finance practice through the hire of Hong Kong partner Daniel Abercromby from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
David Li; Frank Shu; Baldwin Cheng; Daniel Abercromby; Manley Leung
Testimonials
‘Very commercial, with great market knowledge and attention to detail.‘
‘Strength in depth – excellent partners and strong associates.‘
‘Very commercial. They focus on getting the deal done, and not on irrelevant negotiations.‘
‘Very much a safe pair of hands with excellent technical skills and product knowledge – also commercial and responsive.‘
‘Eugene Man is extremely professional, yet equally client focused, creative and problem-solving oriented.‘
‘Eugene Man is very responsive, very commercial, and builds strong client relationships – also gets fully involved in deals.‘
Key clients
China CITIC International Bank
CITIC Capital (renamed as Trustar Capital)
China Minsheng Banking Corp
Deutsche Bank
Credit Suisse
Morgan Stanley
Work highlights
- Advised CITIC Capital (renamed as Trustar Capital), the private equity and alternative investment arm of Chinese conglomerate CITIC Group, on the financing surrounding its $770m acquisition of most of the assets of GNC Holdings through its portfolio company, Harbin Pharmaceutical Group.
- Advised China CITIC International Bank (and the syndicate banks) on the amendment and extension of a $1bn mezzanine facility for an Australian subsidiary of Tianqi Lithium Corporation, which involved restructuring proposals.
- Advised Logan Group Company on term loan facilities.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper‘s Hong Kong-based banking and finance team has specific sector expertise in energy, telecoms and media, fintech and real estate; and the group is particularly experienced in export credit and multi-lateral lending agency financings; structured trade and commodity finance; margin lending and share-backed financing; and acquisition and leveraged finance. Matthias Schemuth heads the Asia finance, projects and restructuring practice, which includes experienced finance partner Paul Lee. Growth in 2020 included real estate expert Ed Sheremeta joining from Ropes & Gray LLP; and the promotion of private credit and complex financing transaction expert Matthew Worth to partner.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Paul Lee; Ed Sheremeta; Carolyn Dong; Matthew Worth; Tom Van Hoof
Testimonials
‘The team is always helpful, even for ad-hoc advice/potential transactions.‘
‘The team is well versed in trade financing transactions and have set up various trade programmes for a number of banks; as such, they would be one of my go-to firms at a structural stage to gauge whether what we are thinking of doing is doable and if there are any red-flags.‘
‘Great at working on cross-border transactions.‘
‘Very experienced and client oriented, and very easy to work with.‘
‘Strong performers and very knowledgeable – very reliable.‘
‘Very good connections with local PRC firms, allowing it to offer a seamless service on PRC law matters.‘
‘Matthias Schumeth is particularly knowledgeable and user friendly on cross-border trade finance matters, and he is able to advise quickly whether a structure has regulatory issues in certain jurisdictions.‘
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s Greater China finance group is best known for its strong relationships with Chinese banks, along with its extensive experience in complex cross-border deals. The team also has notable expertise in advising non-bank lenders on lending transactions; regularly assists with insolvency and restructurings alongside the firm’s highly rated disputes practice, particularly in China debt deals; and is highly active in project financing transactions. In Hong Kong, Alexander Aitken is highly experienced in advising on complex restructurings and workouts, the purchase of distressed debt, and loans to companies in financial difficulty.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Borneo Motors (Singapore) Pte
ICBC International Securities
UltraTech Cement
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown‘s team advises on leveraged and acquisition finance and bi-lateral and syndicated loans, along with real estate, structured and asset finance. The practice also houses experienced project and trade finance practitioners. Hallam Chow works with Chinese and international lenders and borrowers on major outbound and inbound transactions in multiple sectors, and project and structured finance expert Boya Shen was elevated to the partnership in January 2021. Richard Stock leads the Asia banking and finance practice from Hong Kong.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
China Gas Capital Management
Asian Development Bank
HSBC
China CITIC Bank International
Bank of China (Hong Kong)
CMB Wing Lung Bank
Hogan Lovells International LLP
Particularly sought out for onshore and offshore financings involving PRC banks and borrowers, Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s Greater China practice covers structured and cross-border finance; real estate, leveraged, acquisition and asset finance; fund financing; and pre-IPO finance. Owen Chan leads the international banking and finance team from Hong Kong, which includes restructuring and special situations specialist Jonathan Leitch, and experienced banking and finance partner Louise Leung. Shanghai-based counsel Shantay Cong acts for banks and funds in Hong Kong and China as well as borrowers and issuers with a China connection.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Jonathan Leitch; Louise Leung; Shantay Cong; Jenny Yim; Derrick Lau
Key clients
Oaktree Capital Management
HSBC Bank USA, National Association
Argentem Creek Partners
Work highlights
- Advised Oaktree Capital Management on its subscription for up-to $1bn of private secured notes in a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources.
- Advised a syndicate of 15 lenders (including HSBC Bank USA, National Association) on the amendment of $2.5bn term and revolving loan facilities extended to the Samsonite group for the acquisition of Tumi.
- Advising Argentem Creek Partners on the ongoing restructuring of $500m notes issued by GCL New Energy Holdings, which matured in January 2021.
Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
Kirkland & Ellis International LLP‘s Hong-Kong-based banking and finance team is widely respected for private equity borrower and complex credit fund work. Jacqueline Zheng advises on cross-border acquisition financing, structured finance, direct lending and special situations transactions. Recent growth includes the recruitment of debt finance partner Manas Chandrashekar from Latham & Watkins LLP and the promotion of leveraged and acquisition finance expert Gautam Agarwal to partner. Former Asia debt finance head David Irvine joined Goodwin‘s London office in May 2021.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The KE practice is unique in terms of the depth and quality of the bench that it can bring to any transaction, coupled with unparalleled and market-defining experience, born of the sheer number of highly complex and structured deals that they complete in any given period.‘
‘Clients are given access to some of the finest and most seasoned legal minds in HK, with current and voluminous precedent to draw upon.‘
‘Without a doubt, Manas Chandrashekar is the pre-eminent thought leader within the banking and finance sphere, and he is ably supported by his fellow partners across a number of different sectors.‘
‘Strong team at all levels – smart and commercial.‘
‘Jacqueline Zheng is exceptional – solutions-driven, bright and experienced.’
Key clients
Warburg Pincus Asia
General Atlantic Singapore Fund Pte
Ocean Link Partners
Jinbo Yao
Baring Private Equity Asia
Centurium Capital
CITIC Capital
Marc Chan
Hillhouse Capital
Temasek Holdings
Joseph Chow
Advent International
Affiliates of CarVal Investors
GLP Pte
KKR
Bain Capital Credit
BroadPeak Global
Asia Green Fund Management
Paul Hastings LLP
Paul Hastings LLP‘s Hong Kong-based team has a strong name in the market for its real estate finance expertise; it also assists both lenders and borrowers with acquisition finance, bond financing, convertible debt facilities and loan workout transactions, along with senior mezzanine and subordinated debt credit facilities, refinancing and fund finance. The principal figures are cross-border transaction specialist James Ma and Vivian Lam who is active in real estate financing, including syndicated term loans and revolving credit facilities.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
China Orient Summit Capital
Sino-Ocean Land Holdings
Bank of Taiwan
Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank
CTBC Bank
ICBC International Capital
Maybank Investment Bank
WH Group
Standard Chartered Bank
China Everbright
The Carlyle Group
Warburg Pincus
JPMorgan Chase Bank
COSCO
Ping An
Shanghai Electric
China Development Bank
China Cinda
Redsun Properties Group
Yuzhou Group Holdings Company
Work highlights
- Advised Apollo Global Management on its joint venture with Hong Kong Shanghai Alliance Holdings and the joint venture’s acquisition (and financing) of Great Wall Financial Building, a 52-storey commercial building in Shanghai’s Huangpu District.
- Advised CDIB Capital International, a private equity arm of China Development Financial (and its affiliates KGI Bank and KGI Securities) on their US$45m corporate mezzanine financing to a serviced-apartment provider in Hong Kong.
Pinsent Masons
Pinsent Masons‘ finance and projects team advises lenders and borrowers on the full gamut of financings; and having operated in China for over 38 years, the firm is well-positioned to advise on Belt and Road financing projects. Beijing-based Kanyi Lui advises on the financing of energy, natural resource, and infrastructure projects. Lui was recruited from Jones Day in 2020 alongside associates Winnie Nie and Olivia Wang.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Bank of China
International Finance Corporation
Asian Development Bank
Work highlights
- Advised Bank of China (and a syndicate of 11 banks) on the project financing of a $1bn Xiamen Xiangyu integrated stainless steel plant in South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
- Advised International Finance Corporation on an on-lending facility to Transcapital for the financing of local micro, small and medium sized entities.
- Advised Asian Development Bank on a proposed project financing for a six lane Anandapuram–Pendurthi-Anakapalli highway project in Andhra Pradesh, India.
Ropes & Gray LLP
Ropes & Gray LLP‘s Hong-Kong based team routinely advises private equity sponsors on financings across the Asia-Pacific. The ‘exceptional‘ Jackie Kahng is experienced in cross-border leveraged finance transactions, including acquisition and real estate finance; and Hong Kong office managing partner Daniel Anderson, who also co-heads the firm’s special situations practice, regularly advises creditor groups, debtors and officeholders on restructuring. Counsel Lucy Wu is also noted.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Strong team at all levels – smart and commercial.‘
‘Jackie Kahng is exceptional – solutions-driven, bright and experienced.‘
Key clients
Bain Capital
Baring Private Equity Asia
Blackstone
Davidson Kempner Capital Management
IGIS Asset Management
KKR
MBK Partners
New Mountain Capital
Tor Investment Management Hong Kong
TPG Capital
Stephenson Harwood
Based in Hong Kong, Stephenson Harwood‘s experienced banking and finance team has notable expertise in ship and trade finance matters; the team is also regularly instructed in asset and structured finance, fintech, and secured and unsecured lending mandates. Mark Reed heads the non-contentious side of the finance and regulatory groups; King-Tak Fung is a banking and international trade expert, and Elton Chan specialises in a range of financing transactions particularly in asset and trade finance.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
King-Tak Fung; Elton Chan; Simone Liu ; Anna Kwong; Teresa Tsoi
Testimonials
‘The firm is very professional and efficient in ship financing.’
‘Professional and efficient service team.’
‘Teresa is qualified in both English law and Hong Kong law. She not only has experience in traditional banking finance and institutional financing, but also provide high-quality legal services according to different transaction structures and client needs. She also has relevant experience in aircraft/ship financial leasing and construction engineering.’
Key clients
Bank of China (Hong Kong)
China Construction Bank Corporation (Hong Kong Branch)
China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation
FundPark
Metro Holdings
TNG (Asia)
China Merchants Bank Co (Hong Kong Branch)
Unitas Group Company
PrimeCredit
HKT Flexi
Work highlights
- Advising China Merchants Bank Co (Hong Kong Branch) on multiple PRC onshore guarantee and onshore loans.
- Advised Unitas Group Company on the secured term loan facilities arranged by two major commercial banks for the financing of the acquisition and redevelopment costs of an industrial building in Hong Kong.
Latham & Watkins LLP
Latham & Watkins LLP‘s Hong Kong-based practice covers acquisition financing, syndicated lending, mezzanine facilities, structured note and private placement transactions, and leveraged lending and recapitalisation transactions. Howard Lam acts on China-related financings, and Singapore-based Timothy Hia is the local chair of the finance department in Asia. The team welcomed finance expert Andrew Bishop who recently joining from White & Case, but lost Manas Chandrashekar and Gary Hamp.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Howard Lam; Timothy Hia; Andrew Bishop; Lynsey Edgar; Duan Ruonan
Key clients
Bank of America
The Carlyle Group
Morgan Stanley
Bain Capital
TPG
Baring Private Equity
Platinum Equity
Warburg Pincus
BNPP
JPMorgan Chase Bank
HSBC
Citibank
Partners Group
Bank of China
Hopu Capital
Tencent Holdings
I Squared
Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright‘s team is active in international projects, real estate, asset and export credit finance, as well as structured trade and sovereign lending. Peter Haslam leads the practice from Hong Kong.
Other key lawyers:
Simmons & Simmons
Simmons & Simmons‘ Beijing-based partner Yongmei Cai handles banking, cross-border finance, and financial regulatory matters, and is increasingly focused on cross-border structured trade and commodities finance transactions.
Other key lawyers:
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Attorneys from the Hong Kong, Beijing and Tokyo offices of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP regularly advise on major acquisition and real estate financings, as well as other complex financings. Acting for financial sponsors, corporate borrowers and financial institutions, Hong Kong-based Asia banking and credit practice head Makiko Harunari is the main contact.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Ant Financial
KKR & Co
The Blackstone Group
Primavera
Work highlights
- Advised Blackstone on the financing related to its $1.1bn acquisition of a majority stake in the largest logistics park in China’s Greater Bay Area.
- Assisted Primavera Capital Group with a financing concerning its acquisition of the Greater China Business of Mead Johnson Nutrition Company.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP‘s Hong Kong-based finance team is particularly active on the borrower side. Working closely with the firm’s corporate and M&A group, the group routinely advises on the financing for PRC going-private acquisitions, as well as margin loans for listed corporate clients’ shareholders, and other general corporate banking matters. Of counsel John Hartley has longstanding experience in advising on banking matters throughout Asia; and Hong Kong office leader Jonathan Stone provides further partner-level support.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Lufax Holding
Trip.com Group
BeiGene
Baidu
Sands China
Watson Farley & Williams
In addition to Watson Farley & Williams‘ renowned maritime sector credentials, the Hong Kong-based practice is active in related sectors such as offshore oil and gas, LNG, container boxes, ports and logistics, and cruise and ferries. Heading the Asia assets and structured finance group, Madeline Leong focuses on debt restructuring, work-out and enforcement matters (covering ECA and structured financings); and Christoforos Bisbikos excels in high-profile ship financings. Aviation expert Jackson Chow was hired from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP in January 2021.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Christoforos Bisbikos; Jackson Chow; William Ho; Guan Jian; Valerie Lee
Key clients
China Merchants Commerce Leasing Co
AVIC Leasing
ICBC Financial Leasing
Billion Sunny Development
Standard Chartered Bank
CDB Aviation Lease Finance
BW Group
CMB Financial Leasing Co
SCB Sinokor
CSSC Ciner
Work highlights
- Advised China Taiping Life Insurance (Hong Kong) Company (as mezzanine lender) on a combined sale and leaseback and debt aircraft financing involving Singapore Airlines.