With an extensive offering in Greater China, which spans over 25 years and has established offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, the investment fund practice at Clifford Chance LLP stands out for its advice on fund life cycles, including raising, structuring, and launch, with further expertise in governance and investment vehicles. Leading the team is Hong Kong-based Mark Shipman, having recently acted for HSBC in its establishment of the HSBC China Dragon Fund, a close-ended unit trust fund with the objective of long-term capital growth. Heading the firm’s funds and investment management group in China is Ying White, who divides her time between Beijing and Shanghai advising a range of asset managers and financial institutions with regard to the structuring, establishment and operation of offshore hedge funds and private equity.

With experience dealing with SEC-registered advisers, the investment fund team at Kirkland & Ellis handles work in relation to the formation and operation of private funds and registered investment companies, with a further emphasis on buyout funds, credit and growth funds, funds of funds, and limited partner representations. Leadership of the Hong Kong-based team is divided between Justin Dolling, noted for his role acting for high-profile general partners, Carol Liu, active in both primary fundraisings and secondary transactions, and Damian Jacobs, widening the firm’s expertise with regard to the acquisition of portfolios and restructuring of funds.

Shearman & Sterling is distinguishable for its experience in fund formation with respect to private equity, venture capital and co-investments, assisting sponsors and investors in a global context. Other areas of strength for the firm include capital markets transactions, portfolio financings and recapitalisations. With experience working across jurisdictions on cross-border mandates, Hong Kong-based Lorna Chen is the founder and head of the Asia asset management and investment funds practice, acting for a variety of sponsors and investors on the formation of fund structures. Also in Hong Kong, associate Anil Motwani often represents Asia-based sponsors with regard to the formation and subsequent operation of private equity and venture capital funds.

With a range of specialists, DLA Piper‘s investment fund practice is distinguishable for its geographical spread, advising clients on Hong Kong, UK, US, Australia and PRC law, while covering China-based hedge, real estate, and private equity fund formation issues. Leading the Asia funds and investment management practice is Hong Kong-based Luke Gannon, noted for his vast experience handling high-profile fund deals.

Led by Scott Peterman, focusing on the formation of alternative investment vehicles, K&L Gates Hong Kong-based investment fund practice is regarded for its role in private equity and venture capital fund formation, with a further emphasis on providing regulatory advice in relation to crowd funding, restructuring, and blockchain-enable platforms. Also featured in the team are Sook Young Yeu, with over 30 years of experience acting on private fund establishment and the representation of Asian institutional investors, and Chloe Duan, noted for investment management and private equity matters.

The Hong Kong-based investment fund practice at Mayer Brown covers a range of legal, regulatory, and commercial matters for fund sponsors, institutional investors and entities in the alternative investment sphere. Key figures include Paul Moloney and Mark Uhrynuk in Hong Kong, co-heading the practice with combined experience representing sponsors, asset managers and investors in private equity, infrastructure, real estate funds, venture capital investments, and secondary transactions.

Morrison Foerster advises clients across the privacy equity, real estate, banking, insurance, and venture capital spaces, handling a plethora of fund formation transactions. Leadership of the Hong Kong-based team is divided between Serena Tan, who has 'deep technical knowledge' and is an expert with regard to the formation of private funds, including USD, RMB, and dual-currency, and Nicholas Sheets, regarded for his advice on co-investment activities, secondary transactions, and the structuring, formation and offering of private equity funds. Sylvia Cheng is another key contact for work related to fund formation.

Characterized by its presence in both Hong Kong and Beijing, the global private investment funds group at Proskauer Rose LLP often handles a range of complex secondaries work for general partners and limited partners in a global context. The team is led by Yong Ren, focusing on the formation and management of private funds, with a further emphasis on co-investments and secondary transactions. Senior associate Lijuan Hou is another key contact, often acting in fund formation and fund sponsor representation. All named individuals are based in Beijing.

The practice at Ropes & Gray LLP is noted for its ‘diverse international set up‘ and retention of large US-dollar fund clients and high-profile sovereign wealth funds, advising these on the formation of high value separate accounts, special focus vehicles, and direct and co-investments.Vincent Ip draws from his previous experience working in Boston to advise fund sponsors on multiple aspects of their business, including with respect to the formation and representation of a range of Asia-focused private investment funds. Chune Loong Lum is another key contact, regarded for his involvement in relation to funds with an Asia and China focus, delivering to a ‘top-level standard‘. All named lawyers are based in Hong Kong.