Hall Of Fame

Next Generation Partners

Firms in the Spotlight Banking and finance: foreign firms

Chang Tsi & Partners

Chang Tsi & Partners logo

Since its establishment in 2002, Chang Tsi & Partners has become one of the leading law firms in China. The firm has constantly been referred to as a “National Outstanding Law Firm”, “The Best IP Law Firm in China”, “China IP Law Firm” and “Tier 1 IP Law Firm of the Year” by the Ministry …

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Kangxin Partners, p.c.

Kangxin Partners, p.c. logo

Since its establishment in 1994, Kangxin has grown into a leader amongst IP law firms in China, with offices in Beijing, Tianjin, Qingdao, Xi’an, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Dongguan. Our client base includes domestic Chinese enterprises and international companies from around the world. We represent many different businesses, including start-ups, well-known domestic entities, and Fortune …

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Banking and finance: foreign firms in China

Allen & Overy LLP

Advising for both lenders and borrowers, Allen & Overy LLP‘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.

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).