Simon Cooke > Latham & Watkins LLP > Singapore, Singapore > Lawyer Profile

Latham & Watkins LLP‘s Hong Kong-based team acts for private equity clients on both their inbound and outbound investments in Greater China. The practice also fields sector specialists in logistics, technology, healthcare, education, real estate and e-commerce. Focused on pan-Asia private equity transactions, Simon Cooke specialises in public and private M&A, as well as corporate finance; and Frank Sun routinely advises on significant private equity investments and M&A deals. Richard Watkins and Stephen Shi are also key figures.

Spearheaded by Simon Cooke in Hong Kong, the Latham & Watkins LLP practice stands out for its expertise in both outbound and inbound acquisitions, carve-out transactions and joint ventures. The team is particularly well versed in the healthcare, media, and energy sectors, with Cooke being an expert in high-value equity investments and disposals. Operating out of Beijing, Jason Zhao is highly knowledgeable in growth capital investments and venture capital financings.

The offering at Latham & Watkins LLP operates as part of the firm’s wider Greater China practice, advising on both inbound and outbound matters, including carve-outs, club deals, and take privates. Simon Cooke is well-known for his vast knowledge of both public and private M&A, while Frank Sun is particularly adept at advising financial investors on the structuring of joint ventures. Stephen Shi is recommended for his broad experience spanning take-privates, spin-offs, and growth capital investments. Richard Watkins is a key name for corporate finance transactions, often acting on both buy and sell side transactions across the TMT, real estate, and asset management spaces.

Simon Cooke heads the broad offering at Latham & Watkins LLP, which leverages its network across Greater China and Singapore to assist international private equity clients. Cooke is recommended for his vast knowledge of private equity driven M&A transactions across the APAC region. Frank Sun is noted for his strong focus on multijurisdictional work concerning privatisations and acquisitions. Richard Watkins routinely assists a variety of corporate and private equity clients across the tech, real estate, and asset management industries, while Stephen Shi primarily advises private equity firms and Chinese companies on the establishment of joint ventures.