Advising for both lenders and borrowers, A&O Shearman‘s banking and finance practice advises an enviable client base of Chinese and international investment and commercial banks, as well as domestic and multinational corporations. The team is also increasingly active on behalf of funds and other non-bank financial institutions. Its representative expertise ranges from traditional lending products, such as secured and unsecured, bilateral and syndicated lending, and acquisition, real estate, equity-backed, fund and project finance, to complex structured transactions. Clients further benefit from the firm’s ability to fuse its international platform with the PRC law capabilities of its joint operation firm, Lang Yue Law Firm. In Beijing, Yvonne Ho consistently acts for Chinese and international corporations and banks on significant cross-border financings, and Shanghai-based Matthew Bisley advises on both inbound financings by international clients and PRC clients’ outbound finance deals.
Banking and finance: foreign firms in China
A&O Shearman
Practice head(s):
Yvonne Ho
Other key lawyers:
Matthew Bisley
Testimonials
‘Yvonne Ho and Matthew Bisley are go-to partners for complex cross-border transactions. They are very hands-on, and in sync with the market’s needs (despite ongoing macro environment challenges).’
‘Yvonne Ho and Matthew Bisley are willing to be commercial on fee arrangements and offer very efficient advice.’
Key clients
Ant Group
CMB Wing Lung Bank
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Standard Chartered Bank
HSBC
China Construction Bank
Gaw Capital
China CITIC Bank
Clifford Chance LLP
‘Right up to date with the latest legal and regulatory developments in the PRC and Greater China‘, Clifford Chance‘s sizeable banking and finance team acts for international and domestic investment banks, private equity sponsors, credit funds and corporations on a range of cross-border financing transactions. Maggie Lo, who works across the Beijing and Hong Kong offices, has a strong track record of advising Chinese state-owned enterprises and Chinese financial institutions, and Mainland China-based Jiahua Ni specialises in PRC-related cross‑border financings. In Hong Kong, Anthony Wang, who has extensive experience in acquisition and syndicated loan financings in Asia, heads the Asia-Pacific finance group; Matthew Truman is an expert in acquisition finance, general banking and restructuring; and Dauwood Malik‘s practice covers debt finance, including corporate credit, infrastructure financings, and real estate development and investment financing. Other highly rated Hong Kong partners are Edith Leung and Vicky Ma.
Practice head(s):
Anthony Wang
Other key lawyers:
Maggie Lo; Jiahua Ni; Matthew Truman; Dauwood Malik; Edith Leung; Vicky Ma; Charlotte Leung; Michael Pallaras
Testimonials
‘Right up to date with the latest legal and regulatory developments in the PRC and Greater China.‘
‘Good at embedding and disseminating information across the CC network, so that clients can get to grips with new issues quickly, and CC lawyers onshore and offshore can incorporate the latest information into their advice on live deals and projects.‘
‘The partners and other lawyers are of very high quality, and are professional and approachable.’
‘Anthony Wang is a client’s guiding light – he can always provide brilliant advice and clear direction on what needs to be done in order to protect the client’s best interests during a transaction.’
‘Vicky Ma impresses with her strong legal knowledge and commercial acumen in all sorts of deals, from corporate loans to complicated acquisitions and project finance. She is also very approachable and responsive, and particularly good at handling difficult dynamics.’
‘Edith Leung provides great support and advice. She demonstrates strong ownership and responsiveness, ability to innovate, and of course very strong knowledge about financing terms and practices.’
‘A cross-border team that has great knowledge of practices across jurisdictions.’
‘There is good diversity at the firm, with female partners taking the lead in multiple situations.’
Key clients
Bank of China
China Development Bank
Citi
Deutsche Bank
HSBC
IFC
JPMorgan
Standard Chartered Bank
UBS
Hillhouse Capital
Trustar Capital
The Carlyle Group
TPG
MBK
PAG
Advantage Partners
Navis Capital
CVC
Work highlights
- Advised CVC Capital Partners and Starlight Asset Sdn Bhd on the financing of the acquisition from Affin Banking Group of a controlling interest in Affin Hwang Asset Management Berhad.
- Advised JPMorgan on a $1.9bn non-revolving loan facility to finance the privatisation of Lifestyle International Holdings by way of a scheme of arrangement.
- Advised Yisheng Biopharma Co on its $40m royalty-backed financing from R-Bridge Healthcare Fund, a subsidiary fund of healthcare-focused CBC Group.
Linklaters
Fielding lawyers who ‘always come up with bold and creative solutions‘, Linklaters has a sterling reputation for its advice to arrangers on private equity-backed LBOs, particularly China-related acquisitions, while in relation to the practice’s work on structured lending transactions, it is able to leverage the expertise of the firm’s corporate, capital markets and regulatory specialists. The team additionally blends international and PRC legal advice on joint inbound and outbound matters, through its joint operation with domestic law firm Zhao Sheng Law Firm. In Beijing, Xiaohui Ji‘s track record includes advising Chinese and international banks, ECAs and sponsors on Belt and Road project financings in the oil and gas, power, mining and infrastructure sectors, and at counsel level, Wendy Zhang maintains a wide-ranging banking and financing transactional practice, and is particularly focused on both inbound and outbound financings. Frank Cui heads the China banking practice from Hong Kong.
Practice head(s):
Xiaohui Ji; Frank Cui
Other key lawyers:
Wendy Zhang
Testimonials
‘Linklaters truly offers a one-stop-shop service.’
‘The quality of the team’s work lives up to Linklaters’ best-in-class standard, and the fee-earners always come up with bold and creative solutions.’
‘They go the extra mile to bring additional value.’
Key clients
CTBC Bank Co
E.SUN Commercial Bank
Bank SinoPac Company
Cathay United Bank Company
Siemens Bank
ING Bank
KGI Bank Co
Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank Co
O-Bank Co
Taishin International Bank Co
NEC Capital Solutions
EnTie Commercial Bank
Barclays Bank
Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
The Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank
Industrial Bank Co (Shanghai Branch)
Work highlights
- Advised Industrial Bank Co (Shanghai Branch), as mandated lead arranger, on the financing for the acquisition by Advent International of a 60% stake in Wagas Group.
- Advised the arrangers on the financing for the acquisition of a minority stake by Carlyle in (and a buyout by the founders of) the Sushi Express business.
- Advised a state-owned bank on its financing to Vesco Holding Mexico SA de CV.
Ashurst
Ashurst‘s expertise covers real estate, acquisition and project financing, along with margin loans, structured lending and fund financing. The team’s sector expertise covers consumer products, TMT, construction, logistics, manufacturing, and energy and natural resources, and the firm is additionally able to provide PRC law advice through its joint operation with Guantao Law Firm. Working across the firm’s Beijing and Hong Kong offices, Asia global loans and global markets practice head Patrick Phua assists both foreign financial institutions and Chinese commercial and policy banks with major outbound and cross-border financings, and Beijing and Singapore-based Chin Chuan Chen is consistently sought out by banks and borrowers to advise on complex financing issues. The next line of practitioners includes Eric Tan in Hong Kong, who advises on a range of banking products, and Daniel Lau, who divides his time between Hong Kong and Beijing, and is an expert in outbound investment financings.
Practice head(s):
Patrick Phua
Other key lawyers:
Chin Chuan Chen; Eric Tan; Daniel Lau
Testimonials
‘Patrick Phua’s team has rich experience in derivatives, and is very timely in tracking the dynamics and development of the market and its regulations.’
‘Provides accurate advice on financial institutions’ regulatory matters.’
‘Makes actionable suggestions and the fees charged are reasonable.’
Key clients
China Taiping Insurance Holdings Company
Glory United Development
Yunkang Group
Shuifa International Holdings (BVI) Co
Haitong International Securities Group
DBS Bank
Deutsche Bank
Natixis
BNP Paribas
Banco Santander
Australian and New Zealand Banking Group
Standard Chartered Bank
The HongKong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Mizuho Bank
Société Générale
UBS
JPMorgan Chase Bank
China Merchants Bank
Agricultural Bank of China
Bank of China
Bank of Communications Co
ICBC International Holdings
Pacific Aegis Capital Management
Work highlights
- Advised a syndicate of 21 international banks on an offshore loan syndication.
- Advised Agricultural Bank of China (Hong Kong Branch) and Bank of China (Luxembourg Branch), as joint mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners, on a sustainability-linked loan facility granted to CDB Leasing (International) Company.
- Advised HSBC on a dual-currency syndication loan.
Baker McKenzie FenXun
Baker McKenzie FenXun‘s sizeable Greater China banking and finance practice is consistently sought out to advise on substantial leveraged finance deals, real estate financings, fund finance, and other structured finance transactions. Aviation finance is another area of strength for the firm. In Shanghai, Grace Li focuses on PRC lending and structured finance deals, as well as related regulatory matters and structured aircraft financing, and Beijing-based Duan Cui acts on cross-border finance transactions, particularly project financing, bilateral lending, corporate debt, export credit and commodity finance. Over in Hong Kong, aircraft finance specialist Andrew Lockhart heads the banking and finance practice group, which further includes Simon Leung, whose recent experience covers structured and multi-jurisdictional financings; Sally Hung, who is routinely instructed by investment and commercial banks on onshore and offshore financing deals; aircraft leasing and financing expert Allen Ng; and leveraged finance, fund financing and structured credit specialist Kenneth Ching.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Lockhart
Other key lawyers:
Grace Li; Duan Cui; Simon Leung; Sally Hung; Allen Ng; Kenneth Ching; Gerry Wong
Key clients
Bank of China (Hong Kong)
Bank of Communications
China CITIC Bank International
Chong Hing Bank
Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
Deutsche Bank
DBS Bank
EQT
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Hysan Development Company
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia)
Ontario Teachers Pension Plan
Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong)
United Overseas Bank
China Minsheng Bank
Ping An Bank
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (China)
China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation
Industrial Bank Co
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia)
CIMB Bank Shanghai Branch
Siam Commercial Bank Shanghai Branch
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank
Standard Chartered Bank
CMB Financial Leasing Co
Work highlights
- Advised Bank of China (Hong Kong) on the financing for the development of certain residential properties in Discovery Bay, Hong Kong.
- Acted for Deutsche Bank, as documentation agent, on a facility for refinancing a development loan, in connection with the North-South Expressway in Jamaica.
- Acted for China Construction Bank Asia on a $504m bridge financing, involving six banks, to refinance an acquisition loan used by CMOC to acquire a mine in Brazil.
White & Case LLP
‘Highly focused on making sure deals get done‘, White & Case LLP is consistently involved in sizeable Greater China finance transactions, and in addition to the firm’s widely respected lender-side work, the practice has significant borrower financing capabilities. The team is also increasingly active on behalf of alternative capital providers. In Beijing, David Li focuses predominantly on China inbound and outbound financing deals, and associate Cherry Zhou acts for Chinese and international financial institutions and borrowers on acquisition, corporate and project finance transactions. Over in Shanghai, senior consultant Frank Shu is experienced in acquisition, structured and real estate finance. Hong Kong-based Eugene Man, an expert in leveraged financing and structured private debt, leads the Asia-Pacific banking and capital markets practice, and Baldwin Cheng, who actively contributes towards the development of the firm’s sponsor-side financing practice, routinely acts for alternative capital providers and private equity funds.
Practice head(s):
Eugene Man
Other key lawyers:
David Li; Baldwin Cheng; Frank Shu; Cherry Zhou; Manley Leung
Testimonials
‘The team is highly focused on making sure deals get done.’
‘Super-helpful in every way, always willing to go above and beyond, and responsive.’
‘They provide consistently high-quality legal advice – very technical and also commercially minded.’
‘Flexible on billing practices, and a strong bench of partners, counsel and associates.’
‘Eugene Man is extremely knowledgeable, and able to help banks and borrowers alike achieve fair deals. Always available and open-minded.’
Key clients
Advent International
Asian Development Bank
Barclays Bank
BDO Unibank
BNP Paribas
Brookfield Asset Management
Citigroup
CMOC Group
Deutsche Bank
Dignari Capital Partners (HK)
DigitalBridge Group
ICBC International Finance
International Finance Corporation
Oaktree Capital Management
RRJ Capital
TA Associates
Work highlights
- Advised International Finance Corporation, Asian Development Bank, Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft, and Société de Promotion et de Participation pour la Coopération Economique on a $150m syndicated blue loan for Bank of Qingdao.
- Advised CMOC Group on a groundbreaking $600m bridge and five-year pre-export financing, arranged by China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation.
- Advised RRJ Capital on its recapitalisation buy-out merger of Singapore-based Fullerton Healthcare Corporation.
Paul Hastings LLP
Advising both lenders and borrowers, Paul Hastings LLP‘s banking and finance team covers acquisition and bond financing, convertible debt facilities, loan workout transactions, and senior mezzanine and subordinated debt credit facilities. It also assists with private equity financings, refinancing, and fund finance, and as a result of the practice’s enviable relationships with real estate funds and investors, it has notably strong real estate finance credentials. Recently active in large-value bond issuances, Jia Yan, whose practice covers finance, restructuring and capital markets, co-chairs the firm’s Shanghai and Beijing operations. James Ma and Vivian Lam are the principal Hong Kong contacts.
Practice head(s):
Jia Yan; James Ma; Vivian Lam
Key clients
China Orient Summit Capital
Sino-Ocean Group
Bank of Taiwan
Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank
CTBC Bank
ICBC International Capital
Maybank Investment Bank
WH Group
Standard Chartered Bank
China Everbright
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA
COSCO
Ping An
China Development Bank
Redsun Properties Group
Yuzhou Group Holdings Company
Sheng Yuan Holdings
Contemporary Ruiding Development
Zhangjiakou Financial Holding Group
Work highlights
- Advised Wuxi Chengkai Industrial Development Group Co on the issuance of €160m credit enhanced bonds.
- Advised Wuxi Nengda Thermoelectricity Co, as guarantor, on the issuance of RMB750m credit enhanced guaranteed bonds by Hongkong Yunlin International Co.
- Advised Jiangsu Tenghai Investment Holding Group Co on the issuance of €46m credit enhanced bonds.
Pinsent Masons
Pinsent Masons‘ longstanding China banking and finance team regularly works alongside the region’s largest lenders and state-owned enterprises, as well as Chinese state-owned contractors and developers, and the team is particularly active in the project financing aspects of Belt and Road projects. The Beijing-based practice is headed up by Kanyi Lui, who advises both lenders and sponsors on major project finance deals, and Winnie Nie, who was promoted to senior associate in May 2023, focuses on project, asset and corporate financings. Associate Olivia Wang routinely advises policy and commercial banks on loan transactions across Asia, North America, Europe and Africa.
Practice head(s):
Kanyi Lui
Other key lawyers:
Winnie Nie; Olivia Wang; Qiyu Lu
Key clients
Bank of China
CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt)
International Finance Corporation
Asian Development Bank
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
Sinosure
China Development Bank
China Construction Bank
Agricultural Bank of China
China CITIC Bank Corporation
Work highlights
- Advising Bank of China on the granting of an $80m facility to Dapeng Princess LNG Shipping Pte for the purchase of an LNG carrier.
- Advising IFC, as lender, on the financing of an integrated logistics facility in Laos, which includes the expanded Thanaleng dry port and greenfield Vientiane logistics park.
- Advising the ADB and local Filipino lenders on the restructuring of the existing project finance debt of GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper‘s Hong Kong-based practice specialises in the financing of energy-related transactions, both conventional and renewables. Other sector specialisms include telecoms, media, fintech and real estate. Team head Matthias Schemuth is ‘very knowledgeable about structuring aspects‘; Paul Lee advises on banking and finance transactions across Asia; Russell Wilkinson is an energy sector specialist; and Ed Sheremeta is a senior partner in the firm’s Asia-Pacific real estate practice. Former partner Crystal Chen departed for the IFC in May 2023.
Practice head(s):
Matthias Schemuth
Other key lawyers:
Paul Lee; Russell Wilkinson; Ed Sheremeta; Carolyn Dong; Tom Van Hoof
Testimonials
‘Reasonable fees, very responsive and dedicated.’
‘Able to deliver high-quality work with quick turnarounds.’
‘Matthias Schemuth is very practical and great for legal documentation negotiations – and is also very knowledgeable about structuring aspects.’
Key clients
BBVA
DBS Bank
DZ Bank
Rabobank
Deutsche Bank
Société Générale
ANZ
ICBC Asia
Hang Seng Bank
Standard Chartered Bank
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank
HSBC
Natixis Investment Managers
Asian Development Bank
Bank of Communications
Bank of China
ICBC Standard Bank
UOB
Hutchison/CKH Holdings
Mashreq Bank
Work highlights
- Advising Natixis Investment Managers International Hong Kong, Sunlife Insurance and Fubon Bank, as lenders, on the limited recourse financing of a portfolio of up to 30MW rooftop solar PV projects in Hong Kong.
- Advising DBS on a highly structured financing to Foxconn (through its Cloud Network Technology subsidiary).
- Assisting China CITIC Bank International and The Bank of East Asia and Bank of Communications (Hong Kong Branch) on an up to $500m multi-currency term and revolving facilities agreement for China Water Affairs.
Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
‘Offering best-in-class advice and seamless deal execution‘, Kirkland & Ellis‘ banking and finance team in Asia is widely lauded for its representation of private equity sponsors, as well as the practice’s credit fund work. The Hong Kong-based practice is jointly led by Manas Chandrashekar and Jacqueline Zheng, an expert in cross-border acquisition and structured financing, direct lending, and special situations deals. Another active adviser is Karen Ho, who acts for global private equity sponsors on financings.
Practice head(s):
Manas Chandrashekar; Jacqueline Zheng
Other key lawyers:
Karen Ho; Gautam Agarwal
Testimonials
‘Offering best-in-class advice and seamless deal execution.’
‘The client is always put first – they are second to none in terms of thought leadership.’
‘Manas Chandrashekar’s structuring knowledge is unparalleled, his work ethic unrivalled, and his negotiating style persuasive.’
Key clients
DCP Capital Partners II
Ocean Link Partners
New Frontier Public Holding
Blackstone
Baring Private Equity Asia
Carlyle
Bain Capital
Platinum Equity
CVC Capital Partners
Sequoia China Infrastructure Fund
Power Heritage Group
EQuest Education Group
KKR
Work highlights
- Advsied DCP Capital, Ocean Link Partners and Rick Yan (CEO of 51job) on the take-private of 51job.
- Advised Baring Private Equity Asia on its $1bn take-private acquisition of Ginko International.
- Advised The Blackstone Group on its acquisition of all of the issued share capital of Interplex Holdings Pte.
Ropes & Gray LLP
Advising private equity sponsors on their financings across the Asia-Pacific region, Ropes & Gray LLP‘s core areas of expertise are leveraged and acquisition finance. The team also regularly works with Bain Capital on its finance deals in China, Japan and South Korea. Hong Kong-based Jackie Kahng is experienced in cross-border leveraged finance transactions, including acquisition and real estate financings, and Stephen Hui, who was promoted to counsel in November 2022, focuses on cross-border financing deals. Former restructuring partner Daniel Anderson joined Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in May 2023.
Practice head(s):
Jackie Kahng
Other key lawyers:
Stephen Hui
Testimonials
‘The entire financing practice is strong, with Mandarin, Cantonese and Korean speakers on the team.’
‘Jackie Kahng is one of the few financing partners in the market who can speak Korean.’
‘Counsel Stephen Hui’s client service level is impressive.’
Key clients
Bain Capital
Baring Private Equity Asia
Blackstone
IGIS Asset Management
KKR
MBK Partners
Naver Corporation
Nexus Point Advisors HK
Tor Investment Management Hong Kong
TPG Capital
Work highlights
- Advised Nexus Point Advisors on the financing for a Nexus Point-led consortium’s acquisition of Honour Lane Shipping, a Hong Kong-based logistics company.
- Advised Bain Capital Special Situations on the financing for its co-investment in the advanced materials business of Hanwha Solutions.
- Advised Bain Capital Private Equity on the financing for Bain’s acquisition of a majority stake in CLASSYS, a South Korea-listed medical aesthetic devices company.
Stephenson Harwood
Stephenson Harwood‘s Hong Kong-based banking and finance team is experienced in both transactional and advisory work. Key areas of expertise range from asset finance (including shipping, aviation and real estate) to syndicated lending, structured finance, trade financings, fintech, investment products, and secured and unsecured lending. Katherine Liu heads the Hong Kong office’s finance and financial services group; Elton Chan is a shipping finance and general structured finance expert; and Anna Kwong specialises in international trade finance and commercial banking.
Practice head(s):
Katherine Liu
Other key lawyers:
Elton Chan; Anna Kwong; Teresa Tsoi
Testimonials
‘Lots of talented professionals and a high-level service and favourable fee quotes that give SH a significant advantage.’
‘Katherine Liu and Teresa Tsoi always give prompt responses and are highly efficient.’
‘Teresa Tsoi is very talented and has great drafting abilities – her explanations are easy to understand and straightforward, which saves time and improves the level of efficiency.’
‘Teresa Tsoi is appreciated for her logic – she is alway thinking about her clients and finds suitable proposals for them.’
Key clients
Airstar Bank
Airwallex (Hong Kong)
Ant Bank (Hong Kong)
Ant Group Co
Bank of Communications Co
Bank SinoPac Co
BNP Paribas
China Construction Bank
China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation
China Development Bank
China Minsheng Bank
CIB Leasing
Cinda Leasing
Credit Suisse
CTBC Bank Co
Futu Lending
Futu Securities International (Hong Kong)
Haitong Leasing
HKT Flexi
HSBC
ICBC Financial Leasing Co
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
JPMorgan Chase
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation
OCBC Wing Hang Bank
PrimeCredit
Raiffeisen Bank International
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank
Standard Chartered Bank
The Export-Import Bank of China
United Overseas Bank
WeLend
Wells Fargo Bank
Work highlights
- Advised United Overseas Bank on its HK$12.1bn refinancing of Shimao Group’s Kowloon Tong (Hong Kong) residential development.
- Acting for the Hong Kong branches of Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of Dongguan Co, China Bohai Bank Co, China Merchants Bank Co and China Zheshang Bank on PRC onshore guarantee and onshore loans.
Latham & Watkins LLP
Latham & Watkins LLP‘s finance department in Asia is led by Hong Kong and Singapore-based Andrew Bishop, whose track record includes assisting global private equity firms and financial institutions with groundbreaking financings in China, Australia, India, Japan and Singapore. Fellow partner Howard Lam routinely advises corporations, banks and financial sponsors on major finance deals.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Bishop
Other key lawyers:
Howard Lam; Lynsey Edgar; Ruonan Duan
Key clients
Warburg Pincus
Searchlight Capital Partners
Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Carlyle Asia Investment Advisors
Global Infrastructure Partners
KKR
MBK Partners
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board
EQT/Baring
Mayer Brown
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.
Practice head(s):
Richard Stock
Testimonials
‘Professional and commercial. They manage to articulate legal concepts and ideas on a solutions-driven basis.‘
Work highlights
- Advised the agent and social loan advisor on its USD/HKD dual-currency syndicated social and corporate loan facilities.
- Advised the agent on a syndicated loan facility.
- Advised on a sustainability-linked term loan facility.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP regularly acts for private equity and corporate borrowers on large and high-profile acquisition and real estate financings, along with other complex finance deals. Focused on cross-border financing transactions throughout the Asia-Pacific region, Makiko Harunari heads up the firm’s Asia banking and credit practice from Hong Kong.
Practice head(s):
Makiko Harunari
Key clients
KKR & Co
The Blackstone Group
Primavera Capital Group
SoftBank
Work highlights
- Advised KKR on the financing for the acquisition of the Hyatt Regency Tokyo by KKR-managed funds and Hong Kong’s Gaw Capital Partners.
- Advised Blackstone (and its affiliates) on the financing aspects of Blackstone’s acquisition of Crown Resorts.
- Advised Blackstone on the financing for its acquisition of a majority stake in R Systems International.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Highly active in borrower matters, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP‘s Hong Kong-based finance practice regularly works alongside its corporate and M&A colleagues on acquisition deals, including PRC going-private acquisitions. Team head John Hartley advises on banking matters throughout Asia, while counsel Rosanna Passmore‘s experience includes acquisition financing.
Practice head(s):
John Hartley
Other key lawyers:
Rosanna Passmore
Key clients
Central Group
SIGNA Group
Weibo Corporation
Trip.com
The Baupost Group
Goldfinch Partners
Work highlights
- Advised Central Group and SIGNA Holding on the debt financing for their $5.3bn acquisition of Selfridges & Co from the Weston Family.
- Advised Weibo Corporation on a syndicated $1.2bn loan.
- Advised Trip.com on a syndicated loan.
Watson Farley & Williams
Watson Farley & Williams‘ ‘clients are deeply impressed by the professionalism and efficiency of the firm’s team members‘. The finance practice predominantly focuses on the firm’s specialist sectors, namely maritime, transport, natural resources and energy. Working from both Hong Kong and Singapore, Madeline Leong heads the firm’s Asia assets and structured finance group.
Practice head(s):
Madeline Leong
Other key lawyers:
Christoforos Bisbikos; Guan Jian; Jackson Chow; Simon Collins; William Ho; Dora Ying; Valerie Lee
Testimonials
‘Clients are deeply impressed by the professionalism and efficiency of the firm’s team members. Their expertise and opinions give clients peace of mind.’
‘Guan Jian efficiently provides legal advice – he is very responsible and will do his best to protect the interests of clients.’
‘Huge team and strong levels of service.’
‘Dora Ying is efficient, precise and fast.’
Key clients
BNP Paribas
The Export Import Bank of China
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Bank of Communications Financial Leasing
CALC
CCB Financial Leasing
CDB Aviation Lease Finance DAC
CMB Financial Leasing
ICBC Financial Leasing
Bank of America
Work highlights
- Advised BNP Paribas on large-value JOLCOs (backed by Chinese ECA Sinosure and arranged for Seaspan Corporation).