Watson Farley & Williams > The Legal 500 Rankings

Hong Kong > Asset finance (including aviation and shipping finance) Tier 1

Watson Farley & Williams recently bolstered its aviation finance practice by hiring Jackson Chow and senior consultant William Ho from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP in January 2021. Chow and Ho have a wealth of experience in the aviation finance and leasing market, and have recently been acting on a number of large restructuring deals; they act for a number of clients in Greater China. The culturally-diverse team is led by shipping finance expert Madeline Leong, who is qualified to practise in Hong Kong, England & Wales and Australia. She has over 30 years of experience in the sector and specialises in debt restructuring and enforcement work. Christoforos Bisbikos handles ship lease and debt finance. Counsel Valerie Lee advises banks and financial institutions on debt restructurings.

Hong Kong > Projects and energy Tier 2

Watson Farley & Williams‘ Hong Kong office forms an integral part of the firm’s projects and infrastructure offering in Asia, which excels in advising stakeholders throughout the life cycle of renewables and conventional power projects. Much of the work in the space has a nexus to Vietnam where it is well-placed to advise by virtue of a strong offering in situ in Hanoi. Splitting her time between the firm’s Hanoi and Hong Kong office, team head Linh Doan has an excellent reputation for handling Asia power and renewables projects.

Hong Kong > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 5

With a strong focus on the aviation and maritime sectors, Watson Farley & Williams handles a range of restructuring and workout mandates. It acts for lenders, leasing houses, borrowers and corporates, and also handles the restructuring of debt and bond facilities. Madeline Leong heads the practice and in January 2021, Jackson Chow and senior consultant William Ho joined from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP.

China > Banking and finance: foreign firms Tier 5

In addition to Watson Farley & Williams‘ renowned maritime sector credentials, the Hong Kong-based practice is active in related sectors such as offshore oil and gas, LNG, container boxes, ports and logistics, and cruise and ferries. Heading the Asia assets and structured finance group, Madeline Leong focuses on debt restructuring, work-out and enforcement matters (covering ECA and structured financings); and Christoforos Bisbikos excels in high-profile ship financings. Aviation expert Jackson Chow was hired from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP in January 2021.

Germany > Corporate and M&A > M&A: mid-sized deals (sub-€500m) Tier 5

Watson Farley & Williams mainly assists with energy, infrastructure and real estate transactions, as well as maritime economy matters; the team also co-operates with the private equity practice. The client portfolio includes companies, investors and financial institutions, among others. Dirk Janssen has a focus on cross-border deals as well as leveraged buy-outs, and the 'very transaction-oriented and pragmatic' practice head Torsten Rosenboom has extensive expertise in joint ventures and internal restructurings, especially with regard to insolvency.

South Korea > Shipping: foreign firms

Watson Farley & Williams LLP’s shipping team advises on matters including financing, projects, dispute resolution and corporate law. It has also developed particular expertise in advising on high profile restructurings involving some of Korea’s major shipping companies, such as Korea Lines, SK Shipping and Pan Ocean. Singapore-based Mei Lin Goh co-leads the team with Hong Kong-based Madeline Leong; Goh has extensive experience in shipping finance. Other key practitioners include Christoforos Bisbikos in Hong Kong, who has ship lease and debt financing expertise.