Based in Ulaanbaatar, the full-service firm MahoneyLiotta LLP specialises in Mongolia-related transactions involving project financing, traditional and renewable energy projects, and M&A for both domestic and international clients. Founding partners Daniel Mahoney and James Liotta are both key contacts, as is litigation expert Enkhtur Demberelsuren, mining law lawyer Narantuya Gunddegmaa, and corporate lawyer Nomin Dashnyam, who is highly regarded by her peers in Mongolia.
Leading firms in Mongolia
MahoneyLiotta LLP
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MDS & KhanLex LLP
MDS & KhanLex LLP is known for its full-service advice regarding corporate law, dispute resolution, banking and finance, project finance, and oil and gas. The litigation team is also highly regarded. Managing partner Maizorig Janchivdorj is known for his work on project financing and M&A. Dugerjav Dash-Onolt focuses primarily on state-owned companies, while Batbuyan Sodnomjamtsare is another key contact.
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Melville Erdenedalai LLP
Continuing an association relationship with Hogan Lovells International LLP first established in 2017, Melville Erdenedalai LLP is licensed to practice both English and Mongolian law. The team is highly experienced in banking and finance transactions, as well as general corporate and commercial law and M&A. Practice leaders Chris Melville and Erdenedalai Odkhuu are both highly regarded in the Mongolian market and known for advising on green energy, mining, oil and gas, and infrastructure work.
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Key clients
European Bank of Reconstruction and Development
Veloo Foundation
The Nature Conservancy
Save the Children
Smart Air
Asia Mongolia
Work highlights
- Advised an international investment bank on all English and Mongolian law aspects of its €8m loan to Steppe Metal Powder of Mongolia.
- Advised an international corporation on $7.2m earn-in agreement with Xanadu Mines Ltd.
- Advised on an $87m multi-tranche syndicated loan.
Minter Ellison
With offices in Australia and Ulaanbaatar, Minter Ellison has established itself in Myanmar as a leading firm for its mining industry, infrastructure, and construction expertise, as well as its extensive work in corporate and M&A. Clients include international banks, mining companies, and investors operating in Mongolia. Corporate lawyer and practice leader Sebastian Rosholt is a registered foreign lawyer in Mongolia and admitted to practice in Australia and South Africa. Dunnaran Baasankhuu advises on Mongolian investments and is responsible for all interfaces with the Mongolian government regarding significant transactions.
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Testimonials
‘Good mix of local and international experience. Commercial with a good understanding of the client’s business and related challenges. Dunnaran Baasankhuu has a solid knowledge of the law and a commercial perspective.’
‘MinterEllison’s in Mongolia has the advantage of its Mongolian partner being trained in Australia. The Mongolian staff is all outstanding. They have international standards and values and empathise with foreign clients like me.’
‘I have been a client of Dunnaran Baasankhuu on many occasions. She is an incredible asset to this firm and is the only reason I use MinterEllisons in Mongolia. She is a brilliant lawyer but also very kind and personable. I have seen Dunnaran on many occasions, including in emergency situations where she acted swiftly. For example, she helped me in 24 hours on a rather complex sale with Mongolian peculiarities. Dunnaran had to rewrite all contracts on short notice and the follow up was ultra-professional.’
‘MinterEllison handles all our legal business that requires both English and Mongolian language documentation because they have both a strong national and expatriate team based in Ulaanbaatar and have many years of experience of handling legal issues in Mongolia. Their national staff clearly benefit from being part of an international legal practice and demonstrate best practices and professionalism.’
Key clients
Xanadu Mines Ltd
Worley Engineering
Epic Mongolia
Development Finance Asia
Sandvik
Monadelphous
Wagner Asia Equipment LLC
StarCase Motorsports LLC
Hahn Group
Thiess Mongolia LLC
Oyu Tolgio/Rio Tinto
Vestas Australian Wing Technology Pty Ltd
Work highlights
- Acted as Mongolian counsel to Xanadu Mines in relation to its joint venture and earn-in transaction with major state-owned entity, Japan Oil Gas and Metals National Corporation, regarding its Red Mountain copper-gold project in Mongolia.
- Provided operational support to Worley Engineering in Mongolia, in particular in relation to labour law matters, including litigation.
- Provided a range of advice to Epiroc Mongolia in relation to its Mongolian operations, including the creation of a. Mongolian joint venture to allow it to tender for works associated with the Oyu Tolgoi copper project.
Anand Advocates LLP
Anand Advocates LLP advises domestic and foreign banks and financial institutions, foreign investors, local companies, public entities. work on lending and project financing. real estate development projects. real estate, tax, corporate and commercial disputes, M&A. Frequently act as local counsel for foreign investors investing in Mongolia. In 2020, the team notably advised the U.S. State Department on the acquisition of land for a new embassy compound. Managing partner Enkhtsetseg Nergui is particularly experienced in complex financial transactions, and real estate, with additional experience in mining, and corporate M&A. Batzaya Bodikhuu focuses on mining, infrastructure, natural resources, dispute resolution, while Erkhembaatar Jargaltsengel is an expert in corporate transactions.
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Key clients
RDZ International
Shangri-La International Hotel Management Ltd.
Green Climate Fund
Moshea Eco Energy Hotel LLC
VTB Bank of Russia
U.S. State Department
Rhinos Asset Management
Norinco International Ltd
Union Pay International
Work highlights
- Advised the U.S. State Department on the legal and regulatory matters involved in the acquisition of land and related matters.
- Advised Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar LLC on corporatie and commercial matters on a monthly retainer basis since 2013.
- Reviewed the credit agreement and other related financial documents in VTB Bank of Russia granting of a credit facility of $70m to the Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia LLC.
DB & GTS
DB & GTS specialises in general corporate law, particularly regarding direct and indirect investment, market-entry, PPPs, M&As, and business restructuring. Notably, the team has additional experience in project finance in infrastructure, transportation, energy, and mining. Managing partner Sanchir Sukhtumur is a key contact, while senior partner Zoljargal Dashnyam advises on finance and capital markets in Mongolia. Notably, counsel Solongo Battulga is involved in key petroleum contracts.
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Nomin & Advocates LLP
Based in Ulaanbaatar, the full-service team at Nomin & Advocates LLP primarily advises domestic and international clients on cross-border matters, such as M&A, real estate and construction, banking and finance, and high-profile energy and infrastructure projects. It has particular strengths in traditional energy and renewables, as well as mining and construction. Managing partner Nominchimeg Odsuren is an expert in corporate and commercial matters, as well as dispute resolution. She is also dual-qualified in both New York State and Mongolia.
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Key clients
Sharp Energy Solutions Corporation
XacBank LLC
Mandal Daatgal JSC
SB Energy Corp.
SMBC Ulaanbaatar Office
Toyoko Inn Co., Ltd
Tenuun Gerel Construction LLC
Work highlights
- Advised consortium of SB Energy Corp., Newcom LLC, Green Gobi Energy LLC, and a Chinese SOE on a 501MW hybrid solar power project for Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi copper gold mine.
- Represented Batu Construction LLC in a dispute brought by under the SCAI Rules.
- Advised DBM Asset Management SC LLC on its first investment in a TSX-listed gold mining company.
Avinex Partners LLP
The full-service firm Avinex Partners LLP provides advice to a wide range of clients, including banks, domestic and foreign companies, and international financial institutions on general corporate law, infrastructure, and dispute resolution. It is experienced in matters such as capital markets, banking, energy, and mining. 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.
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Mayer Brown
Located in Hong Kong, the team at Mayer Brown offers advice to major corporates on matters ranging from restructurings to cross-border high-yield transactions. Its clients include notable issuers and sponsors in Mongolia. Global leader of the corporate and securities group Jason Elder is particularly experienced in high-child, hybrid, and structured-debt products. Has acted on a number of key significant international capital markets transactions in Mongolia. Thomas Kollar focuses on cross-border capital markets transactions.
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Key clients
Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia LLC
Development Bank of Mongolia LLC
Government of Mongolia
Mongolian Mortgage Corporation LLC, MIK Holdings JSC
Work highlights
- Advised Mongolian Mortgage Corporation HFC LLC and MIK Holding JSC as the issuer and guarantor on the offering of $250m aggregate principal amount of 9.75% Senior Notes due 2022, as well as advised on its subsequent $50m tap issuance.
Milbank
Operating out of offices in Hong Kong and Washington DC, the Milbank team provides advice on key matters for the Mongolian government, including in dispute resolution, project finance, and investigations. James Grandolfo is a key contact in Hong KongNotably, litigation and arbitration partner Michael Nolan and senior associate Kamel Aitelaj secured a significant victory in 2019 on behalf of the Government of Mongolia in the Southern District of New York.