Milbank > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Firm Profile

Milbank > The Legal 500 Rankings

Hong Kong > Banking and finance Tier 2

Praised for its ‘outstanding commercial and problem solving skills, paired with an unparalleled knowledge of the market and great technical knowledge’, Milbank showcases demonstrable experience in leveraged finance, structured and acquisition finance matters. Practice leader Davide Mencacci is ‘the go-to contact for leveraged finance deals in Asia’, while John Bona has experience across the range of sponsor-backed finance products. Daniele Sutto, who assists international banks, alternative credit providers and financial sponsors on cross-border financing transactions.

Hong Kong > Capital markets (debt) Tier 2

Using the Hong Kong office as a hub to structure deals through Southeast Asia, and also increasingly active on mandates with a nexus to China, Milbank is seen with increased frequency, particularly for arrangers/underwriters, on a myriad investment grade and high yield issuances. James Grandolfo has particular knowledge of the Philippines capital markets space, and as well as advising on standalone bond issuances, is also regularly instructed by underwriters on the establishment and updating of MTN programmes for Philippines issuers. The 'outstanding' Alex Tao  co-heads the team alongside Grandolfo and has been pivotal to the increase in China work, both for local real estate companies and more recently for industrial companies on their high yield offerings.

Hong Kong > Private equity Tier 2

Andrew Whan and Neeraj Budhwani jointly lead the team at Milbank, which is recommended for its expertise in transactions across the Philippines, Vietnam, and India, with take-privates being a key area of strength for the group. Whan is an expert in LBOs, investments, and asset sale transactions within the renewable energy and telecoms sectors, while Budhwani stands out due to his vast knowledge of public to private transactions, regularly advising financial services, healthcare, and fintech clients. Charmaine Yeo is a key contact for clients within the real estate, tech, and power sectors, and is noted for her expertise in cross-border M&A.

Hong Kong > Projects and energy Tier 3

Milbank is a name to note in the project development space, assisting a spread of clients on power, natural resources and infrastructure projects on a national and international basis. Operating from Beijing, Shepard Liu advises on project finance, working with lenders and sponsors on transport, infrastructure and energy projects, and has, in recent years, been increasingly involved in projects within the renewables space. Marco Ying, offers up his support from Beijing, leveraging his expertise in infrastructure finance, while Desiree Woo handles project finance and development.

Hong Kong > Capital markets (equity) Tier 4

Leveraging ‘excellent local knowledge, connectivity and sensitivity to local culture and customs’, Milbank’s Hong Kong capital markets team has gained particular acclaim for its work for issuers and underwriters in relation to Korean ECM matters. Under the guidance of James Grandolfo, the team also continues to pick up work with a nexus to other Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam and Thailand, with Paul Pery and Ari Singzon also key members of the team.

Hong Kong > Corporate (including M&A) Tier 4

Andrew Whan and Neeraj Budhwani jointly lead the team at Milbank, which is recommended for its strong focus on private equity-related matters within the South East Asian region. Whan is particularly adept at handling transactions in the digital infrastructure sector, while Budwhani’s workload consists of de-SPAC transactions and PIPE disposals, with a strong emphasis on multijurisdictional mandates. Charmaine Yeo routinely assists a variety of real estate, power, and tech private equity clients.

Philippines > Foreign firms Tier 1

Milbank’s Philippine offering focuses on three main areas: corporate transactions, capital markets, and energy and infrastructure projects. Handling M&As and IPOs on the corporate side, and renewables on the energy side, the firm often acts for key financial institutions, lenders, and sponsors. Leading the practice, James Grandolfo has considerable experience advising on capital markets, M&A, and private equity, across multiple jurisdictions with a particular focus on the Philippines. Another force in capital markets is Paul Pery who handles investment grade and high-yield debt and equity, while James Murray leads the firm's project, energy, and infrastructure finance group, which often acts for regional sponsors and developers, and export credit agencies.

Vietnam > Foreign desks

Milbank’s Vietnamese practice features projects and energy mandates, with additional experience in handling corporate and capital markets matters, and demonstrable experience in the telecoms and technology sectors. Jointly leading the practice, Jacqueline Chan operates from Singapore and specialises in M&A, corporate finance and restructurings, while James Grandolfo, who is based in the firm's Hong Kong office, has an active portfolio in regional capital markets and corporate transactions. On the projects front, James Murray contributes to the firm’s regional offering, being a central figure in renewable energy, and with recent work consisting of wind projects.

China > Projects and energy: foreign firms

with offices in Beijing and Hong Kong, Milbank has an excellent track record of navigating a range of energy and natural resources matters on a national and international basis. Project finance specialist Shepard Liu steers the practice from its Beijing office, supported by Hong Kong-based Desiree Woo who handles project development within the power and natural resources sectors, and Beijing-based infrastructure finance-focused Marco Ying who is a key contact for international banks and private equity sponsors.

India > Foreign firms

Active across India, the UK and Asia more broadly, Milbank fields a considerable workload that spans projects, M&A and capital markets issues. The team is frequently handling matters arising from the energy, transport and telecoms industries on both a domestic and international scale. James Grandolfo, who helms the group, possesses extensive experience in the domain of debt, high-yield and equity related mandates, while Giles Kennedy is routinely entrusted by clients active in the sectors of tech, telecoms and real estate. Terrence O’Donnell is noted for his strengths in managing IPOs, share placements and high-yield bonds.