Dr Gregory Xu > Stephenson Harwood LLP > Singapore, Singapore > Lawyer Profile

Stephenson Harwood LLP‘s primary strengths lie in the asset finance sphere and it has built further prominence in corporate loans in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and India. The Singapore office’s heritage in asset finance has afforded the wider banking and finance team with a mighty regional and international bank client base. This has led to a range of engagements including sustainability and ESG-linked loans. Key markets include Singapore, India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia. Of particular note, the Singapore team advised the State Bank of India on a $1bn credit facility to the Government of Sri Lanka for the purposes of importing food, medicine, and other essential items. Gregory Xu has a fine reputation for ship finance and the broader banking and finance area.

Stephenson Harwood LLP‘s large and well-rounded practice is well-equipped to advise across the gamut of shipping and offshore matters. The team advises an array of major banks and shipping companies in wet, dry, contentious and non-contentious transactions, major financings, and disputes. It also has experience assisting on cases involving sustainability and ESG-linked loans. Gregg Johnston heads the practice and has particular expertise in distressed debt scenarios. Huay Yee Kwan is prominent for her work in PRC leasing in emerging markets. John Simpson and Michelle Yong bring charterparty law and arbitration-related specialisms to the team, whilst Gregory Xu provides expertise in banking and finance. Pedram Norton and May 2023-promoted partner Jeffrey Tanner are noteworthy for their offshore work. Justin Gan is also a noted member.

Stephenson Harwood LLP’s structured and aviation finance, shipping and offshore finance team advises a range of major financial institutions, banks, lessors and lessees, on contentious and non-contentious matters. It has seen numerous restructurings and refinancings alongside lease work, sales and purchases, and portfolio management in the aviation space. Saugata Mukherjee is praised for his ‘unparalleled depth of aviation industry knowledge‘, and Clement Leung is recommended for advising on the hedging aspects of aviation finance transactions. Piloted by practice co-head Gregg Johnston, the team handles a broad mix of multi-jurisdictional complex transactions including sustainability-linked loans, restructurings, and disputes. Gregory Xu, with over 15 years of experience in the maritime sector, excels in complex financing and restructuring issues. Huay Yee Kwan is noted for her expertise in PRC leasing, together with Pedram Norton and Jeffrey Tanner, who bring further depth and breadth to all aspects of ship and offshore finance.

Stephenson Harwood LLP’s Vietnam desk, operating principally from the firm’s Singapore and Hong Kong offices, regularly advises both domestic and multinational clients on their operations in Vietnam, including in the aviation, consumer goods, energy, financial services, healthcare, real estate, and telecommunications sectors. Tom Platts, Saugata Mukherjee, and Gregory Xu in Singapore lead the practice alongside Hong Kong-based Simon Wong. Platts is a cross-border M&A and capital market deals specialist with considerable experience in Southeast Asia.