Morgan, Lewis & Bockius > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Firm Profile

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius > The Legal 500 Rankings

Hong Kong > Capital markets (equity) Tier 3

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius has established a strong company-side reputation, in particular, on transactions throughout the life-cycle of ECM mandates, from initial listings, through to post-IPO matters and advice across a range of work for the subsequently listed companies. Team head Edwin Luk has been pivotal to the firm’s success building out from its initial flurry of IPO mandates within the education space, to include instructions across a wide range of industry sectors, including industrials and technology.  

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

Jointly led by the ‘exceptional’ Maurice Hoo and Edwin Luk, the team at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius leverages its regional network, regularly collaborating with its Shanghai and Beijing offices to assist a varied client roster of global corporations, sovereign wealth funds, and emerging companies. The group boasts strength across a number of industries, including energy, life sciences, and fintech. Hoo is known for his vast expertise in advising strategic and private equity investors on restructurings, divestments, and cross-border M&A, while Luk exhibits deep knowledge of securities regulations.

Hong Kong > Private equity Tier 4

The broad team at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius attracts a stellar client roster, notably including Warburg Pincus, Sequoia Capital, and Bank of China International. The practice is recognised for its collective experience in handling a wide variety of issues, including buyouts, dispositions, and add-ons. Maurice Hoo co-heads the practice alongside Beijing’s Ning Zhang. Hoo is known for his longstanding expertise in advising both international and local venture capital and private equity investors on divestments, investments, and cross-border M&A.

Hong Kong > Capital markets (debt)

China > TMT: foreign firms Tier 3

Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP advises private equity funds and foreign clients on their China-centric ventures. Maurice Hoo steers the corporate and PE practice in Hong Kong, guiding multinationals through cross-border mergers, restructurings, and investments. Edwin Luk, co-leader of the firm’s capital markets and public companies practice, offers insights on securities regulation and a spectrum of corporate matters. Ning Zhang heads the corporate and PE team in the Beijing office, managing cross-border transactions for both private and public companies.

China > Labour and employment: foreign firms

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP handles a high number of mandates for clients in relation to mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, and contractual drafting, as well as advising on hiring, termination, and workforce reductions. The firm is also recommended for its assistance for multinational companies in navigating Chinese data protection laws and regulations, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the PRC’s own anti-corruption laws. The team is led by the highly experienced Lesli Ligorner, an expert in collective bargaining matters and employment mobility and immigration. Also central to the practice are terminations and non-compete clauses specialist Todd Liao and associate Yuting Zhu. Hong Kong based Charles Mo supports the team. Qian Nie departed the firm in 2022.

China > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms

Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s China M&A team routinely works alongside the firm’s capital markets, regulatory, labour, litigation and antitrust groups on major transactions. The M&A practice also fields sector experts in life sciences, energy, technology, retail and fintech, as well as financial services, healthcare, automotive and transportation. Splitting his time between Beijing and Hong Kong, Ning Zhang regularly advises on mega-value M&A deals, while Alex Wang assists with a range of corporate transactions. Maurice Hoo leads the corporate, M&A and private equity practice in Hong Kong, where Edwin Luk is global co-leader of the firm’s corporate and securities group.

China > Life sciences and healthcare: foreign firms

Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP is recommended for guiding clients through research, development, and regulatory approval. The firm is also strong in financing work, as well as structuring licensing and collaboration agreements in innovative areas such as cancer treatment. Todd Liao is the key name to note in Shanghai, with a strong record in acting for biotechnology and medical device companies from both the US and the PRC. Employment practice head Lesli Ligorner, also based in Shanghai, provides key input to the life sciences practice by offering misconduct and corruption investigations capability. Hong Kong based lawyers Maurice Hoo and Ning Zhang support.

China > Private equity: foreign firms

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP acts for some of the most sophisticated PE entities globally, including Warburg Pincus, Permira, Sequoia Capital and Hillhouse, with Ning Zhang being a trusted advisor to these clients from Beijing. The practice is experienced across the spectrum of transactions, including buyouts, add-ons and co-investments, dispositions and other exits. Maurice Hoo spearheads the offering from Hong Kong, bringing more than three decades of PE experience and is particularly strong in the TMT sector.