Following its de-merger from MDS KhanLex in 2018, KhanLex Partners LLP has positioned itself as a full-service commercial and corporate firm, particularly in the climate finance sector in Mongolia. Founding partners Uchralbayar Iderkhangai, Enkhbat Batsukh, and Batjargal Gombosuren each manage several core practice areas of the firm, which maintains a high-profile client list of multinational and state-owned banking and financial industry staples. The team has broad cross-border expertise, with Batsukh focusing on cross-border transactions, energy and infrastructure financing, M&A and joint ventures, and regulatory matters. Gombosuren also focuses on the former, but with the added value of mining, and natural resources expertise. Iderkhangai’s expertise lies in domestic and international investment and dispute resolution, with an added focus on commercial and employment issues. Namuun Odkhuu is also a name to note.
Leading firms in Mongolia
KhanLex Partners LLP
Practice head(s):
Uchralbayar Iderkhangai; Enkhbat Batsukh; Batjargal Gombosuren
Other key lawyers:
Khulan Bayarsaikhan; Uuganzaya Batjargal; Namuun Odkhuu
Testimonials
‘Professional legal services, promptness, and professional relationship.’
‘Highly experienced professional lawyers.’
‘Responded immediately to our requests and questions and strictly adhered to their promises made and the set schedule during the cooperation.’
Key clients
ADB
EBRD
Green Climate Fund
Khan Bank
Clean Energy Asia
Philip Morris
UPC Renewables Asia Pacific Holding Ltd
United States International Development
Finance Corporation
Work highlights
- Advised the EBRD on the writing of a report on strengthening the legal framework for non-performing loans and debt restructuring for the benefit of the Central Bank of Mongolia.
- Advised the ADB and JICA-funded LEAP fund on financing to Tenuun Gerel Construction LLC, for building, operating, and maintaining a 15 MW solar power plant in Mongolia.
- Advised The Green Climate Fund on the establishment of the Mongolian Green Finance Corporation and preparation of a funding proposal.
MahoneyLiotta LLP
Ulaanbaatar-based firm MahoneyLiotta LLP covers virtually all aspects of Mongolian law and Mongolia-related cross-border transactions. The firm advises private corporates, governmental institutions/entities, and non-governmental organisations across a range of industry sectors, including but not limited to natural resources and energy, mining, commercial and investment banking, real estate, and international trade. The firm is led by founding partners Daniel Mahoney and James Liotta; Narantuya Gunddegmaa; Enkhtur Demberelsuren; and Nomin Dashnyam. Liotta, Dashynam and Gundegmaa offer mining, mineral and energy expertise in relation to market entry strategy, project finance and compliance, as as other matters. Mahoney is also a capital markets, tax and aircraft leasing expert, while Demberelsuren is a disputes specialist, with extensive experience in litigation and arbitration in both criminal and civil contexts.
Practice head(s):
Daniel Mahoney; James Liotta
Other key lawyers:
Narantuya Gunddegmaa; Enkhtur Demberelsuren; Nomin Dashnyam
Melville Erdenedalai LLP
Enjoying a strong record in transactional work, Melville Erdenedalai LLP, partnered internationally with Hogan Lovells International LLP , provides a full-service commercial and corporate offering. Known for its banking and finance expertise, the firm continues to advise on Mongolia’s top high-profile transactions, such as the government’s sovereign ‘Nomad Bond’. The firm is also pre-eminent in the renewable energy sector, advising foreign investors and international shareholders, particularly in the solar and wind-generated energy markets. The team also advises on key regional M&A transactions, infrastructure development, and licensing. Founding partners Erdenedalai Odkhuu and Chris Melville are highly regarded.
Practice head(s):
Chris Melville; Erdenedalai Odkhuu
Testimonials
‘Extremely well connected in Mongolia with a very good understanding of the commercial drivers of a transaction.’
‘Chris Melville is a pleasure to work with, very responsive, a great technical lawyer who applies Mongolian law in a commercial way.’
‘The principal, Erdenedalai Odkhuu, is very accomplished and has a good grasp of our needs.’
Key clients
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
Talon Petroleum
Joyful Heart Learning Center
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
International Investment Bank (IIB)
Work highlights
- Advised Talon on acquiring a 33% participating interest in the Gurvantes CBM project and enter into joint operatorship arrangements.
- Advised the Government of Mongolia on a $600m sovereign bond issuance and repurchase, known as the Nomad Bond.
- Advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on a ISDA swap agreement.
Minter Ellison
Australian multi-national firm Minter Ellison Lawyers’ Ulaanbaatar office has established itself as a full-service domestic firm with an integrated international practice. The firm offers a broad practice of corporate, M&A, employment, construction, energy and dispute resolution expertise. In particular, considered as the ‘law firm of choice’ for the mining industry for domestic and international clients, the firm continues to be instructed in high-value, cross-border deals, recently advising on the AU$2.2bn divestment and restructuring for CIMIC Group Limited’s Mongolian subsidiaries. The practice is led by Australia and South Africa qualified, and registered foreign lawyer Sebastian Rosholt who has bases in both Mongolia and New South Wales. Domestic legal services in the firm are led by Dunnaran Baasankhuu, an investments and securities expert who manages the Mongolian facets of transactions and liaises on cross-border transactions.
Practice head(s):
Sebastian Rosholt; Dunnaran Baasankhuu
Testimonials
‘Dunnaran Baasankhuu is an excellent lawyer.’
‘Solid team with feet on the ground and an excellent understanding of the local market.’
‘Practical and commercial advice.’
‘Dunnaran Baasankhuu and Sebastian Rosholt have both Australian and Mongolian experience meaning they understand foreign businesses operating in Mongolia.’
‘My interaction with Dunnaran Baasankhuu and Shairiibuu Boldoo has been positive. Dunnaran in particular is a very clear communicator and translates complicated matters into concise and clear layman terms extremely well.’
‘Practical and commercial advice. Relationship driven.‘
Key clients
Ampcontrol Group
Aquaterra East Asia LLC
Australian Embassy in Ulaanbaatar
Bupa Insurance Services Limited
Dentons Shanghai / Paris Office
China Investment Corporation
CIMIC Group Limited
Cook Medical Australian Pty Ltd
Echo Sky Investments Limited
Epiroc Mongolia LLC
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Kim & Chang
Lee & Ko
Loro Piana Mongolia LLC
Mongolian Solar Companies’ Consortium
Oyu Tolgoi LLC
Sandvik Mongolia LLC
StarChase Motorsports Mongolia LLC
Thiess Mongolia LLC
Thiess Pty Ltd
Transwest Mongolia LLC
Vestas Australian Wind Technology Pty Ltd
Vestas Mongolia LLC
Viking Mines Limited
Wagner Asia Equipment LLC
Worley Engineering LLC
Xanadu Mines Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised CIMIC Group Limited on the AU$2.2 billion divestment of a 50% interest in Thiess Pty Ltd to Quarry Services Holdings Ltd (funds managed by Elliott Management Corporation).
- Advised and represented StarChase in relation to the criminal investigation and tax dispute relating to the land occupied by StarChase and advising StarChase in relation to transfer of shares in StarChase’s two entities and debt for share exchange transactions.
- Advised and acted as Mongolian counsel to Thiess in relation to its refinancing following the over AU$2 billion of new debt and associated security arrangements selldown to Elliott.
Anand Advocates LLP
Anand Advocates LLP offers corporate and transactional advice, alongside support in litigation, for both foreign and domestic clients. The firm has experience in real estate, natural resources and energy development projects, intellectual property, and finance. Managing partner Enkhtsetseg Nergui is a commercial and corporate specialist and founding partner Batzaya Bodikhuu focuses on mining, natural resources, and infrastructure matters.
Practice head(s):
Enkhtsetseg Nergui; Batzaya Bodikhuu
DB & GTS
DB & GTS advises on a wide range of Mongolian law issues. With an offering encompassing corporate and M&A, finance and capital market, projects, real estate, and IP. The firm works across these sectors in contentious and non-contentious matters. Key contact and managing partner Zoljargal Dashnyam is a capital markets and finance expert for energy and mineral related matters. Sanchir Sukhtumur leads the firm's litigation practice, and Battushig Batsuren has aviation, renewables, and mineral expertise.
Practice head(s):
Zoljargal Dashnyam; Sanchir Sukhtumur
Other key lawyers:
Battushig Batsuren
MDS & KhanLex LLP
Full-service firm MDS & KhanLex LLP is known for its presence in the asset and mortgage-backed securities market in Mongolia. Primarily corporate in its output, the firm also boasts a well regarded litigation practice. The team offers project financing, M&A, energy, and legislative policy advice to key clients, such as regional energy corporations and the Mongolian government. Maizorig Janchivdorj heads the firm’s project finance, infrastructure, and disputes practices. Dugerjav Dash-Onolt advises on capital markets, securities, and legislative policy. Both bolster the firm’s commercial offerings thanks to their experience in drafting legislation in these areas. Bayartuul Chimed-Ochir is also highly regarded, particularly for her fintech expertise. The firm has also won several mandates related to wind and solar farms, in which Batbuyan Sodnomjamts is adept.
Practice head(s):
Maizorig Janchivdorj
Other key lawyers:
Dugerjav Dash-Onolt; Batbuyan Sodnomjamts; Bayartuul Chimed-Ochir
Testimonials
‘The team is dedicated to satisfying their clients.’
‘Their assistance and guidance is always available when needed. They deliver their services efficiently and in a timely manner.’
‘Professional and well mannered.‘
‘Partners are highly experienced.‘
Key clients
LendMN NBFI JSC
Invescore Activ SPV
Invescore NBFI JSC
Draft Law of Mongolia On Debt Management/Ministry of Finance
Ard Financial Group JSC
Suu JSC
Mongolian Mortgage Corporation LLC
Far East Asia Coal mining
ABS Investment LLC
Tomyo Edtech
Work highlights
- Advised Invescore NBF JSC on due diligence before the issue of a public proposed bond on the Mongolian Stock Exchange.
- Advised Suu JSC on due diligence before the issue of additional shares on the Mongolian Stock Exchange.
Nomin & Advocates LLP
Nomin & Advocates LLP primarily advises clients in mining, energy and infrastructure, banking and finance, coporate and commercial, and employment law. Dual New York and Mongolia-qualified managing partner Nominchimeg Odsuren is an expert in corporate and commercial matters, as well as dispute resolution.
Practice head(s):
Nominchimeg Odsuren
Grata International Mongolia
Absolute Advocates LLP (associate office of GRATA International), specialises in commercial and corporate law with particular strength in advising foreign investment companies in the luxury items, petroleum products, and commodities sectors, as well banking and finance matters for such companies. The Ulanbaatar-based firm’s domestic practice also includes expertise across commercial outputs including the mining, pharmacy, and healthcare sectors. The team is headed by Bolormaa Volodya, whose broad specialisms support the firm’s strong mining practice as well as the firm’s labour, competition, intellectual property and civil practices.
Practice head(s):
Bolormaa Volodya
Testimonials
‘Business oriented and quick to respond to our questions.’
Key clients
Bureau Veritas Inspection & Testing Mongolia LLC
Bureau Veritas Kazakhstan Industrial Services
Berlin Chemie AG
LiteFinance Global LLC
Project Solutions International
FM Legal
Outotec Mongolia LLC
Covington & Burling (London) LLP
Monadelphous Mongolia LLC
KRKA Novo mesto
KRKA d.d Novo mesto Representative office in Mongolia
Epiroc Mongolia LLC
My Green Way LLC
Upjohn Export B.V.
British American Tobacco (Uzbekistan)
Akaliko Mongolia LLC
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Work highlights
- Advising Bureau Veritas on the liquidation process of the company, including mass redundancy of employees and communication with government authorities.
- Advised Stripe on the regulatory regime for financial online services platforms in Mongolia.
- Advised BAT on tax issues and labelling and advertising requirements for tobacco products in Mongolia.
Avinex Partners LLP
Avinex Partners LLP provides a wide-ranging commercial and corporate offering for domestic and international financial institutions and corporates. Managing partner Solongoo Bayarsaikhan is known for her advice on corporate and commercial law, as is Turtuvshin Bat-Erdene, who assists foreign investors seeking inbound investment into Mongolia.
Practice head(s):
Solongoo Bayarsaikhan
Other key lawyers:
Turtuvshin Bat-Erdene
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown‘s Mongolian offering is located in Hong Kong and led by Jason Elder. The firm offers comprehensive advice across a wide range of transactional corporate matters to a client list of notable sponsors and issuers in a number of first-in-market transactions. Elder is widely regarded for his debt capital market practice, which focuses on high-yield, hybrid and structured-debt products. Thomas Kollar and Nishrin Hussain are also key individuals within the team, both working closely with Elder mainly in multi-jurisdictional capital market transactions.
Practice head(s):
Jason Elder
Other key lawyers:
Thomas Kollar; Nishrin Hussain
Testimonials
‘The team was very attentive and always responded in short period of time. Deliverables spot on time, excellent management despite time pressure.’
‘The intimate knowledge of the country and industry built on previous sovereign and private deals was one of key strength of the team.’
‘I worked closely with Jason Elder. Despite the different locations he was always available via mobile/email and took time to explain the reasons and implications of particular clauses that I was not sure how to understand.‘
Key clients
Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia
Mongolian Mortgage Corporation HFC LLC, MIK Holding JSC
Development Bank of Mongolia
Government of Mongolia
Milbank
Operating out of offices in Hong Kong and Washington DC, the Milbank team provides advice on matters for the Mongolian government, including in dispute resolution, project finance, and investigations.
Snow Hill Consultancy LLP DUPLICATE
Founded by Bayar Budragchaa following his departure from ELC LLP Advocates, Snow Hill Consultancy LLP specialises in mining, energy, infrastructure, securities, and financing. The firm also offers business consulting, project development and litigation support to clients looking to enter into the Mongolian market. Managing partner Nyamtseren Bataa has experience in corporate financing, IPOs, PPP’s, and distributorship agreements.
Practice head(s):
Bayar Budragchaa
Other key lawyers:
Nyamtseren Bataa
Testimonials
‘Depending on the nature of needed legal service, they are able to offer different lawyers that are specifically developed themselves within certain areas.’
‘This is a full service law firm, they are strong in providing corporate and advisory services. One stop service is preferred by the clients instead of looking for different professionals.’
Key clients
Erdene Resources Development/Erdene Mongol LLC
Steppe Gold Limited / Steppe Gold LLC
Transwest Mongolia
CIC Capital Corporation
China Investment Corporation
Ernst and Young TMZ LLC
Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar LLC
FLSmidth Mongolia
Archetype Mongolia LLC
Aranjin Resources Limited/Aranjin Resources LLC
Ion Energy Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Steppe Gold Limited on its applications to the Toronto and Mongolian Stock Exchange.
- Advised Aranjin Resources LLB on its acquisition of a Mongolian company holding export license.
- Advised Ion Energy Limited on due diligence for company financing.