Leading firms in Mongolia
MahoneyLiotta LLP
MahoneyLiotta LLP's expertise spans, among other areas, energy, mining, metals, corporate, banking, real estate, and development projects, which it handles for domestic and international clients. Founding partners Daniel Mahoney and James Liotta lead the practice, which includes litigation expert Enkhtur Demberelsuren; Narantuya Gunddegmaa, who is highly experienced in mining-related mandates; and Nomin Dashnyam, who is active in corporate work.
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MDS & KhanLex LLP
MDS & KhanLex LLP counts capital markets and litigation as core areas of expertise, and is adept at handling project financing transactions, M&A matters, and energy and mining sector-related mandates. Start-ups are also featured in the firm's client base. Managing partner Maizorig Janchivdorj, Dugerjav Dash-Onolt and Batbuyan Sodnomjamtsare are the key names. In 2019 Enkhbat Batsukh and Uchralbayar Iderkhangai left to set up KhanLex Partners LLP; Sugarnyam Peljee has left the firm.
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Testimonials
‘Abundant experience of working on start-up investment operations‘.
Work highlights
- Advised agricultural company Tumen Shuvuut on its MNT10bn IPO, which was oversubscribed by 9.1% at point of closure.
- Acted for financial institution Invescore NBFI in its MNT17.6bn IPO.
Melville Erdenedalai LLP
Melville Erdenedalai LLP reports an uptick in mandates from the energy sector, and has been active in solar and mining projects. The practice is also strong in banking, finance, corporate and arbitration matters. On the banking and finance front, the group has been handling syndicated loans and loan restructuring; on the corporate side, the team's workload includes joint venture agreements. Managing partner Chris Melville and Erdenedalai Odkhuu are the main names.
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Work highlights
- Advising the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on the Mongolian and English law aspects of an $87.7m multi-tranche syndicated loan to three borrowers, MCS Coca Cola LC, MCS Holding LLC and Total Distribution LLC.
Minter Ellison Lawyers
Minter Ellison Lawyers advises on a broad range of mandates involving capital markets, corporate, finance, energy, mining, employment and construction matters, among other areas. The 'very responsive' Sebastian Rosholt is currently advising the US-based Bechtel Corporation on its market entry into Mongolia. Dunnaran Baasankhuu is very experienced in handling complex corporate transactional mandates. In 2018 special counsel Rory Lang joined from Duane Morris & Selvam (Myanmar) Limited and Elisabeth Ellis left the firm.
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Testimonials
‘Minter Ellison responds to requests in a timely manner and provides comprehensive information‘.
Key clients
Bechtel Corporation
Xanadu Mines
Wagner Asia
Morgan Stanley
JP Morgan
Thiess
Work highlights
- Advised Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan as underwriters of the Mongolian Mining Corporation’s $400m bond issuance.
- Assisted Wagner Asia with the disposal of its automotive division, made up of the Jaguar, Land Rover and Ford dealerships, to other dealer groups in Mongolia.
- Acted for Development Finance Asia in buying shares worth $40m in Mongolian beverage company APU.
Anand Advocates LLP
The team at Anand Advocates LLP is active in contentious work, particularly for a client base of foreign investors, although it assists across a broad range of sectors, including real estate, tax, corporate and commercial disputes. The firm also counts energy, intellectual property, capital markets and employment matters as areas of expertise. Names to note include founding partner Batzaya Bodikhuu; managing partner Enkhtsetseg Nergui; litigation expert Otgonbaatar Chluun; and Erkhembaatar Jargaltsengel, who is very experienced in handling corporate transactions.
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DB & GTS
The main practitioners at DB & GTS are managing partner Zoljargal Dashnyam and Battushig Batsuren, who is highly experienced in handling energy projects. Corporate acquisition mandates are a core strength for the team, which is also adept at assisting clients with capital markets, project finance, intellectual property and real estate work. In one stand-out matter, the group acted for the underwriters on the $300m senior notes offering, due in 2022, by Mongolian Mortgage Corporation HFC. Counsel Solongo Battulga is a name to note. Tsolmonchimeg Enkhbat left the firm in February 2019.
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ELC LLP Advocates
Full-service firm ELC LLP Advocates is noted for its capabilities in assisting local and international corporate clients with a full spectrum of matters, including PPP mandates, employment issues, and contentious work. The client base includes Huawei, Engie, Mongolian Mining Corporation and BlueMon Group. Managing partner Bayar Budragchaa, Taivan Natsagdorj, Baasanjargal Khurelbaatar and Bolorchimeg Khuyag are the names to note.
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Taivan Natsagdorj; Baasanjargal Khurelbaatar; Bolorchimeg Khuyag
Avinex Partners LLP
Under the leadership of managing partner Solongoo Bayarsaikhan, full-service firm Avinex Partners LLP advises financial institutions, banks, and domestic and foreign companies on infrastructure, banking, capital markets, energy, and mining matters. The group also counts general corporate law, dispute resolution and arbitration as areas of expertise. Turtuvshin Bat-Erdene is very experienced in assisting foreign investors with investments in Mongolia. In February 2019 Nominchimeg Odsuren left to set up Nomin & Advocates LLP.
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LEHMANLAW MONGOLIA LLP
Edward Lehman leads the practice at LEHMANLAW MONGOLIA LLP, noted for its strong capabilities across a broad spectrum of contentious and non-contentious work, which it handles for international and domestic entities. The client base includes religious organisations, energy, oil and mining companies, and financial institutions. Senior associate Amarjargal Lkhagvaa is a name to note.
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Mayer Brown
Under the leadership of Jason Elder, Mayer Brown's practice advises on Mongolia-related mandates out of the firm's Hong Kong office. The team counts financing and debt capital market deals as core areas of expertise, and has been kept busy assisting Mongolian financial institutions with high-profile and high-value transactions. Thomas Kollar is highly experienced in cross-border capital markets transactions.
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Work highlights
- Advised Mongolian Mortgage Corporation HFC and MIK Holding JSC (as issuer and guarantor respectively) on the former’s debut issuance of $250m 9.75% senior notes due in 2022, plus its subsequent $50m tap issuance; the issuer plans to use at least 90% of the offering’s proceeds to purchase mortgages with recourse.
- Advised the Development Bank of Mongolia on its issuance of $500m 7.25% senior notes due in 2023.
Milbank
Milbank's Mongolia offering is handled from Hong Kong by James Grandolfo, who is supported by Michael Nolan in the firm's Washington DC office. The team has a solid track record in handling capital markets matters for the Government of Mongolia, and has strong capabilities in project finance, disputes and investigations concerning Mongolian parties, and high-profile arbitration cases.
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Key clients
The Government of Mongolia
Credit Suisse
JP Morgan
Work highlights
- Provides ongoing advice to a number of lender clients regarding the $4.4bn financing for the Oyu Tolgoi mining project.