Firm Profile > Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP > Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP Offices
UNITS 1801-08 & 10, 18TH FLOOR GLOUCESTER TOWER, THE LANDMARK
15 QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRAL
CENTRAL, HONG KONG
Hong Kong
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Hong Kong > Investment funds Tier 2
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP’s global network of offices includes the leading centres of alternative investment management; Hong Kong, Singapore, New York, London and Geneva. It advises investment management clients on a range of issues, including regulatory matters relating to the SEC, National Futures Association (NFA), the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID), the Alternative Investment Funds Managers Directive (AIFMD) and the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR). The team’s broad funds expertise includes private equity funds, hedge funds, retail funds and sovereign wealth funds. It leverages mandates from asset managers, trustees, custodians and institutional investors across the globe. Anne-Marie Godfrey heads the practice and advises investors on the acquisition of fund management companies and the redomiciliation of Cayman funds to Hong Kong. Counsel Tamilia Chiu left for an in-house role at Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Hong Kong > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2
While it is relatively small in comparison with some of its peers, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP's 'knowledgeable and commercial' three-strong team punches above its weight and is seen with considerable regularity in key roles for creditors on distressed debt and restructuring mandates throughout Asia Pacific. Leveraging market-leading bondholder practices in the US and London, the team is also effectively able to marshal resources across the firm's international network and to provide commercial advice to funds, as holders of debt under US and UK-governed law. Although matters handled by the team traverse a number of industry sectors, it has gained particular plaudits for its work within the commodities/energy sector, by dint of the firm's overarching sector knowledge in this area. 'Very attentive' team head Naomi Moore is appreciated by funds clients in the region for her ability to provide 'commercial and pragmatic' advice to ensure the maximum return on their investments in the region, whether it be through rescue financing, restructuring, or scheme of arrangement.
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Testimonials
‘The team is particularly strong on the contentious restructuring side.’
‘I have found the team to be particularly knowledgeable and commercial.’
‘The very attentive Naomi Moore gives precise and commercial advice.’
Key clients
Ad Hoc Committee of Noteholders of China Singyes Solar Technologies Holdings Limited
Ad Hoc Committee of Bondholders of New Cotai LLC
Informal Steering Committee of Noteholders of Hyflux Limited
Payless ShoeSource, Inc.
Voluntary Administrators of Virgin Australia Holdings Limited (Administrators Appointed)
China > Restructuring and insolvency: foreign firms Tier 2
Led from Hong Kong by the 'hardworking, knowledgeable and hands-on' Naomi Moore , Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP provides 'commercial' advice to a creditor-focused client base across a range of restructurings and formal insolvencies throughout Asia. Leveraging the firm's overarching hedge fund expertise, the team is best known for its work on behalf of bondholders, with an increasing number of China-related distressed situations in the pipeline brought about by the levels of debt issuance and the inability to find refinancing solutions. Mirroring the firm's overarching strength in the sector, the Hong Kong team is regularly involved in energy-related mandates, including its recent work for an ad hoc group of noteholders as creditors with substantial exposure to debt issued by troubled renewable energy company, China Singyes Solar Technologies Holdings.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Naomi Moore is hardworking and knowledgeable, with a commercial and hands-on approach.’
Key clients
Ad Hoc Committee of Noteholders of China Singyes Solar Technologies Holdings Limited
Ad Hoc Committee of Bondholders of New Cotai LLC
Informal Steering Committee of Noteholders of Hyflux Limited
Payless ShoeSource, Inc.
Voluntary Administrators of Virgin Australia Holdings Limited (Administrators Appointed)
China > Regulatory/compliance: foreign firms Tier 4
In addition to FCPA-related matters, sanctions, and import and export control work, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP's Asia investigations team is experienced in relation to antitrust, fraud, World Bank issues and securities-related matters. Tatman Savio, who is based in Hong Kong, advises on anti-corruption, sanctions, and export and import controls. Beijing counsel Jingli Jiang provides key mainland China support.
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Testimonials
‘The team responds quickly and clearly understands clients’ issues, provides correct legal advice, and has flexible meeting arrangements, which can be adjusted according to clients’ needs. In addition, online seminars are provided on regulatory and compliance information.‘
‘Akin Gump has very good geographical coverage of trade law practice in Asia. It has dozens of partners and counsels who are specialised in every aspect of trade worldwide, which makes the whole trade law team very strong and reliable.‘
‘Tatman Savio works very hard, drills down to details, and is an excellent manager of projects.‘
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP > Firm Profile
Firm Overview:
Akin Gump is one of the world’s largest law firms, with 20 offices and over 900 lawyers and advisors worldwide, handling high-profile and high-value matters for clients around the globe. In Asia, the firm advises its clients across a wide range of practices and industries, working closely with the firm’s European, Middle East and US offices.
*The firm’s legal entity in Hong Kong is Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, a firm of solicitors which is regulated by the Law Society of Hong Kong.
Main Areas of Practice:
Financial Restructuring:
Akin Gump’s Asia financial restructuring team is widely recognised for its representation of creditors and, combined with the firm’s market-leading US and European financial restructuring teams, is an integral part of a top-tier global financial restructuring practice. With unrivalled experience acting for bondholders, noteholders and other creditors of companies in financial distress on complex, cross border restructurings, the team plays a leading role in most major Asia- Pacific restructurings.
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity:
Lawyers in the Hong Kong, Beijing and Singapore offices guide clients through all stages of their corporate and private equity transactions, from deal structuring, through negotiation to post-acquisition issues. Akin Gump represents clients across numerous industries and sectors in relation to private and public company mergers, acquisitions and disposals, joint-ventures and buyouts.
Corporate Investigations:
Well-known for its deep knowledge of business practices in the region, the firm’s Asia-based investigations team covers antibribery and FCPA-related investigations, antitrust, fraud, sanctions, export controls, World Bank issues and securities-related matters.
International Trade:
The firm’s international trade team advises clients on all aspects of international trade law including on the regulatory and compliance aspects of cross-border transactions and a range of trade related issues, including compliance trade policy and WTO matters. The firm represents a number of Asia-Pacific governments with many of its lawyers serving as former government officials, offering significant insight into the workings and considerations of governments.
Investment Management:
As a leading alternative investment management practice serving clients in the world’s primary financial centres, Akin Gump offers unparalleled depth of technical knowledge and experience. The firm’s investment management practice encompasses all aspects of fund formation and ongoing operations including fund structuring and management, investor relations and portfolio company representation. Akin Gump’s representation of a broad range of asset managers and institutional investors gives it proprietary insight on emerging private equity and hedge fund market trends.
Capital Markets:
From its Beijing and Hong Kong offices, Akin Gump represents investment banks, issuers and securities houses as well as venture capital and private equity firms in the full range of public and private debt and equity transactions, including initial and secondary public offerings, Rule 144A/Regulation S offerings, traditional private placements and debt restructurings.
Finance:
The firm’s finance and alternative credit team represents investor clients on new debt and equity investments throughout Asia-Pacific, including secured and unsecured credit facilities, straight and convertible bonds and other debt instruments. The team also advises on alternative financing solutions, including pre-IPO investments and other financing structures.
Energy:
Akin Gump advises clients on many of the largest and most complex energy projects across Asia-Pacific, regularly advising exploration and production clients on LNG project development and upstream oil and gas acquisitions and divestitures. The firm acts on conventional and renewable energy project development and financing, as well as the purchasing and selling of power projects and companies.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution:
The dispute resolution practice advises investment firms, financial institutions, corporations and insolvency office holders on contentious matters across Asia. The team represents clients in commercial litigation and international arbitrations related to distressed debt and equity investments, finance arrangements, contentious insolvency and restructuring situations, bondholder disputes and shareholder activism campaigns.
Additional Information
https://www.linkedin.com/company/akin-gump-strauss-hauer-&-feld-llp/
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong Partner in Charge | Sebastian Rice | ||
| Asia | |||
| Corporate and commercial | |||
| Corporate investigations/anti-corruption | |||
| Cross-border transactions | |||
| Customs and import control | |||
| Dispute resolution | |||
| Energy | |||
| Export controls and economic sanctions | |||
| Finance | |||
| Financial restructuring | |||
| Global project finance | |||
| Hedge funds | |||
| International trade | |||
| Investment management | |||
| Private equity funds | |||
| Litigation | |||
| Mergers and acquisitions | |||
| Tax |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
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Mr Daniel Cohen | Daniel Cohen handles complex, cross-border disputes in the Asia-Pacific region, a significant… | View Profile |
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Mr Steven Franklin | Steven Franklin’s practice focuses on public and private cross-border transactions, including M&A,… | View Profile |
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Ms Anne-Marie Godfrey | Anne-Marie Godfrey has extensive experience of advising investment managers throughout Asia on… | View Profile |
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Stephen Kho | Stephen Kho focuses on trade and investment policy, and dispute resolution, including… | View Profile |
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Ms Naomi Moore | As a partner in Akin Gump’s financial restructuring group, Naomi’s practice focuses… | View Profile |
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Mr Matthew Puhar | Matthew Puhar focuses on public and private cross-border corporate, corporate finance, debt… | View Profile |
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Ms Tatman Savio | As a partner in Akin Gump’s international trade practice, Tatman Savio counsels… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Firmwide lawyers and advisors : 900+ Hong Kong lawyers : 20Languages
Cantonese English Mandarin Shanghainese HindiOther
Other offices : Abu Dhabi Other offices : Beijing Other offices : Dallas Other offices : Dubai Other offices : Fort Worth Other offices : Frankfurt Other offices : Geneva Other offices : Hartford Other offices : Houston Other offices : Irvine Other offices : London Other offices : Los Angeles Other offices : Moscow Other offices : New York Other offices : Philadelphia Other offices : San Antonio Other offices : San Francisco Other offices : Singapore Other offices : Washington DCDiversity
Diversity and Inclusion
At Akin Gump, we believe the various perspectives and experiences of our lawyers and staff help us achieve exceptional results for our clients and bring important insights into all aspects of the firm.
Firmwide Resource Group
Our firm sponsors seven firmwide resource groups (FRG) for lawyers and staff focused on Abilities, Asian, Black, Latinx, LGBTQ+, Parents/Caregivers, and Women. These FRGs complement the firm’s efforts related to recruiting, professional development, and fostering inclusive workplaces. They are voluntary and open to all attorneys and staff.
Local Diversity and Inclusion Councils
Akin Gump has a firmwide Diversity and Inclusion Council to guide the execution of the firm’s diversity and inclusion strategy. We also have local diversity and inclusion councils in each U.S. office, and London. Diversity and inclusion councils offer lawyers and staff a chance to communicate ideas to firm management and to recommend additional initiatives to enhance diversity and inclusion at the firm.
Family Friendly Policies
At Akin Gump, we support lawyers through policies and programmes that enable them to effectively manage and integrate work, family, and other responsibilities. The firm has a Reduced Work Schedule Policy, which allows lawyers to work reduced schedules and remain on partnership track. In particular, we have a significant track record of promotions of women who have availed themselves of the policy.
We also have an Agile Work Programme that recognises that agile work arrangements play an important role in providing excellent client service at the highest levels while also providing flexibility for our lawyers.
The firm works with Bright Horizon’s Family Solutions to offer our employees care for children and dependent adults.
Pro bono
Our lawyers defend human rights by representing asylum seekers, victims of trafficking and the NGOs that assist them. Our pro bono matters include public interest litigation, legislative counselling, poverty law and transactions, in each of Akin Gump’s offices. The firm is also focused on leveraging our tremendous pro bono commitment to address injustice and pursue equality throughout our communities.
Asia
Akin Gump’s Asian offices are committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment where all members of the Akin Gump community can thrive and grow. We maintain a culture that sees differences as strength. Local chapters of our firmwide resource groups support our LGBTQ+, women lawyers, and also support family and caregivers.
We have an active chapter of our Women’s FRG in the Hong Kong office. The group provides a forum for the firm’s women to build relationships internally and externally and provide targeted professional development. In Hong Kong, in addition to local social events, our Women’s FRG were sponsors of The Women’s Foundation’s International Women’s Day lunch, the annual Women of Influence Conference by American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Tedx TinHau Women event, and hosted an in-house training session on communicating and presenting with impact and confidence.
We are also sponsors of the Hong Kong LGBT+ Attorneys (HKGALA) Network, which aims to promote LGBT+ diversity and inclusion in the legal profession in Hong Kong.