Clifford Chance LLP > Beijing, China > Firm Profile

Clifford Chance LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

China > Antitrust and competition: foreign firms Tier 1

The antitrust practice at Clifford Chance LLP advises both multinational and national clients on a range of issues such as high-profile, global joint acquisitions, Asian regional deals, and restructuring and mergers. Yong Bai leads the practice, utilising his previous experience at MOFCOM to advise clients on the full spectrum of antitrust issues. Foreign legal counsel Dayu Man (New York qualified) joined the Hong Kong office in 2022, so strengthening the team's expertise in global merger control practices. Zibo Liu acts as counsel on merger controls, antitrust investigations, and mock dawn raids.  

China > Banking and finance: foreign firms Tier 1

‘Right up to date with the latest legal and regulatory developments in the PRC and Greater China‘, Clifford Chance‘s sizeable banking and finance team acts for international and domestic investment banks, private equity sponsors, credit funds and corporations on a range of cross-border financing transactions. Maggie Lo, who works across the Beijing and Hong Kong offices, has a strong track record of advising Chinese state-owned enterprises and Chinese financial institutions, and Mainland China-based Jiahua Ni specialises in PRC-related cross‑border financings. In Hong Kong, Anthony Wang, who has extensive experience in acquisition and syndicated loan financings in Asia, heads the Asia-Pacific finance group; Matthew Truman is an expert in acquisition finance, general banking and restructuring; and Dauwood Malik‘s practice covers debt finance, including corporate credit, infrastructure financings, and real estate development and investment financing. Other highly rated Hong Kong partners are Edith Leung and Vicky Ma.

China > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms Tier 1

Clifford Chance LLP‘s sizeable Greater China M&A team has an enviable track record of advising on international and Chinese clients’ headline deals, including private and public M&A, China inbound and outbound matters, and multi-jurisdictional transactions. The group also has the ability to call upon the expertise of colleagues from its Asia-Pacific, Europe, Americas and Africa offices during major cross-border deals. In Beijing, cross-border M&A and joint venture specialist Terence Foo has particular expertise in the energy, mining, agribusiness, financial services, TMT, and consumer goods and retail sectors, and Yufei Liao focuses on technology transactions. Over in Shanghai, Kelly Gregory is an expert in China-related M&A and joint ventures, including cross-border deals, joint ventures, sales, and reorganisations; Tim Wang advises large Chinese companies on their outbound investments; and Yi Yang handles matters across a range of sectors. Andrew Crook heads up the firm’s APAC corporate and private equity practice from Hong Kong.

China > Dispute resolution: Litigation: foreign firms Tier 1

Clifford Chance LLP‘s ‘litigation team is absolutely top-notch‘. With longstanding on-the-ground experience in Greater China, the firm’s disputes practice is consistently selected by both corporations and individuals to act in high-value commercial litigation. Representative areas of expertise include shareholder disputes, as well as trust and commercial conflicts that involve cross-jurisdictional issues. Clients further appreciate the firm’s regulatory defence practice’s credentials. IP and technology disputes expert Ling Ho is Hong Kong litigation and dispute resolution head; Donna Wacker is a renowned senior practitioner who handles complex commercial, financial services and insolvency litigation; Soo Khim Keoy is a ‘first-rate litigator‘; and Thomas Walsh is an aviation and insolvency-related litigation specialist. Also in Hong Kong, Michael Wang focuses on banking litigation and contentious regulatory matters, and Jonathan Wong represents financial institutions, investors and multinationals in disputes. In Shanghai, PRC, Hong Kong and New York-qualified practitioner Lei Shi is experienced in PRC-related commercial litigation.

China > Fintech: foreign firms Tier 1

Winning plaudits for its work on transformational work across key areas including blockchain, smart contracts, tokenisation, stablecoins and insurtech, Clifford Chance LLP is a popular choice for major tech companies, financial institutions, and fintechs ranging exchange platforms to e-wallet service providers. Kelly Gregory and Rocky Mui share leadership duties, with the latter well versed in mandates involving emerging asset classes such as tokenisation, stablecoins and digital infrastructure. Ling Ho is at the forefront of technology-related IP matters, while Brian Harley is a trusted counsel for technology-driven transactional work.

China > Investment funds: foreign firms Tier 1

With offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, Clifford Chance LLP is the first port of call for international and regional fund managers in the establishment and operation of the full range of alternative private investment funds. The team’s extensive offering spans over 25 years and includes advice on fund life cycles, including raising, structuring, and launch, with further expertise in governance and investment vehicles. Practice head Matthias Feldmann – who splits his time between Hong Kong and Singapore – is noted for his advice on hedge fund and private real estate fund launches. Other recommended individuals include funds and investment management head Ying White (Beijing and Shanghai); Viola Lui, a financial regulatory expert with a strong funds practice; and Liyong Xing who joined from Kirkland & Ellis International LLP in mid 2022 and is an advisor to emerging fund sponsors. All named individuals are based in Hong Kong unless noted otherwise. Former practice head Mark Shipman retired in April 2023.

China > Private equity: foreign firms Tier 1

The strength of Clifford Chance LLP’s private equity offering is epitomised by the breadth of its client base, regularly acting for international powerhouses such as Carlyle, CVC and Permira, as well as major pan-Asian and China-based clients such as Advantage Partners, Affinity and Navis Capital. The practice spans the full range of transactions, including LBOs, take-privates, PIPEs, and growth capital and venture capital investments. Terence Foo heads the group and works between Beijing and Shanghai, with his depth of PE expertise being matched by the broad range of sectors he specialises in; encompassing technology, healthcare and consumer goods. In Shanghai, Kelly Gregory has recently handled numerous private investments in the games, medtech and fintech industries across Europe, North America and Asia. Beijing-based Yufei Liao is noted for his cross-border capabilities and assisting international clients on their investment in China, while counsel Fang Bao is also particularly well regarded in the market. Yang Yi is another key contact in Shanghai, bringing considerable expertise in the PRC healthcare and real estate sectors.

China > Dispute resolution: Arbitration: foreign firms Tier 2

Clifford Chance LLP fields a ‘fantastic team with a truly specialised arbitration practice‘ that routinely acts for international clients involved in disputes involving Mainland China. The team is also sought out by Chinese clients that are involved in conflicts at global levels. Working across the firm’s Beijing and Shanghai offices, Lei Shi, who specialises in international arbitration (particularly PRC-related matters), ‘has a deep understanding of Mainland China, Hong Kong and overseas markets‘, and counsel Feifei Yu, who splits her time between the Mainland China and Hong Kong offices, is an arbitration expert who regularly handles China-related disputes. In Hong Kong, Thomas Walsh is particularly focused on post-M&A, private equity and tech-related matters, and Cameron Hassall, who maintains a practice in both Greater China and Sydney, specialises in energy and infrastructure, corporate, M&A, private equity, aviation and banking disputes.

China > Projects and energy: foreign firms Tier 2

Offering ‘high-quality, professional and approachable’ legal services, Clifford Chance LLP assists its clients in navigating rapid market and regulatory shifts, from entering new markets to managing risk and fortifying business operations. The practice’s capabilities include climate change-related projects, such as in the renewable energy, clean technology, energy transition, and sustainable development spheres. Leading the team is Jiahua Ni, a banking and finance specialist with a focus on PRC-related cross-border financings, guiding major Chinese banks in outbound financings spanning Asia, the Middle East, South America, and Africa. Kelly Gregory and Terence Foo have carved a niche in cross-border M&As and joint ventures, particularly within the energy sector. Maggie Lo offers insights to both Chinese and international financial institutions on cross-border project financings, while Vicky Ma brings a profound understanding of international project financing transactions, with deep involvement in Belt and Road energy and infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

China > Restructuring and insolvency: foreign firms Tier 2

Clifford Chance’s restructuring team provides advice and technical expertise to creditors, lenders, coordinating committees, private equity sponsors, insolvency practitioners, and debtors on complex cross-border matters. The Hong Kong-based team comprises restructuring and insolvency specialists as well as experts from other practice areas to offer well-rounded advice to clients. Asia Pacific restructuring and insolvency group head, Scott Bache, specialises in advising financial institutions, hedge funds, private equity funds, and financial advisors on a broad range of restructuring matters. Donna Wacker, who heads the contentious insolvency practice, has expertise advising clients on complex issues around close-out valuations, custodian duties, asset valuations, asset recovery and cross-border insolvency issues. Other key team members include Soo Khim Keoy , Phoebe Lo, Thomas Walsh, Yvonne Shek, and associate Hinny Leung.

China > Intellectual property: foreign firms Tier 3

Led by the Hong Kong-based transactional IP specialist Ling Ho, Clifford Chance LLP's Greater China and Asia Pacific IP group fields both IP experts and commercial lawyers from the firm's corporate, litigation and dispute resolution teams, who are familiar in dealing with contentious and non-contentious IP matters. Other recommended individuals include the Lei Shi (Shanghai), who specialises in PRC-related IP litigation; and senior associate Jeannie Lam (Hong Kong), an expert in protection matters, licensing disputes, IP exploitation and portfolio management.

China > Real estate and construction: foreign firms Tier 3

Clifford Chance LLP combines the regional real estate team with the gaming and lodging team, enabling it to advise on high-end real estate conveyancing, real estate-related M&A, finance, and joint ventures. The team also uses its varied expertise to assist with real estate funds formation work and IPOs. Clients include real estate investors, international banks, and private equity investors. Amy Ho heads up the practice and works across Hong Kong and China on corporate real estate transactions, while Sydney-based Mark Currell leads the real estate group and focuses on transformational real estate matters. Matthias Feldmann and Dauwood Malik are also noted.

China > Regulatory/compliance: foreign firms Tier 3

Clifford Chance LLP is well-versed in aiding domestic financial institutions and corporates, as well as global banks, funds, and other multinational groups in their overseas regulatory compliance matters. The team handles both contentious and non-contentious issues such as financial regulations, anti-corruption, data compliance, and internal investigations. The team is jointly led by Terry Yang, who resides in Hong Kong and Shanghai, and focuses on regulatory matters for international and domestic clients, and co-head Lei Shi, who splits his time between Beijing and Shanghai, and covers anti-bribery and corruption, sanctions and export control for the team.

China > TMT: foreign firms Tier 3

Clifford Chance LLP’s TMT expertise spans practice areas from M&A and venture capital to regulatory, tax, and antitrust matters. With an on-the-ground team, the group guides its Chinese and international clients on complex TMT transactions. Leading the practice are Kelly Gregory, who excels in TMT-related corporate and M&A activities for both local and multinational entities, and Terence Foo, adept at handling both inbound and outbound investments in the TMT arena. Complementing the team, Yufei Liao brings deep insights into corporate M&A, private equity, and capital markets.

Hong Kong > Banking and finance

Clifford Chance’s ‘deep knowledge on the banking and finance law’ makes it a premier choice for all manner of investment banks, private equity sponsors, credit funds, and corporates, who turn to the team for its capabilities in high-profile matters, including complex majority stake acquisitions and loan facilities agreements. Practice chair and 'clients' guiding light', Anthony Wang is widely regarded as a market leader for his capabilities in leveraged and acquisition finance. Dauwood Malik is noted for his extensive experience in debt finance; in a notable pathfinder mandate, he led the first-of-its-kind standard loan documentation advice to the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (APLMA). Other senior names include Matthew Truman, general banking and restructuring expert; Maggie Lo, who routinely acts for Chinese state-owned enterprises and financial institutions; and Vicky Ma, project finance expert. The group also leans on Beijing and Shanghai-based Jiahua Ni, and Edith Leung, whose practice is dedicated to leveraged and acquisition finance.

Hong Kong > Capital markets (equity)

Forming a part of a cohesive and extensive Greater China offering that includes a strong presence in mainland China, the ‘professional and service-oriented’ Hong Kong team at Clifford Chance continues to pick up sponsor/underwriter or issuer side roles on many of the largest IPOs on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. US and Hong Kong-qualified Fang Liu is pivotal to much of this work and combines deep local cultural and business sensitivities with an international mindset which is appreciated by clients within a variety of sectors including TMT, financial services and energy. As well as his work in relation to H share listings, Liu has also played a key part on the firm’s work on three out of the four market-first global depositary receipts (GDRs) listings on the SIX Swiss Exchange by China-listed issuers. In addition to her transactional expertise, Virginia Lee has deep regulatory knowledge (she is currently a serving member of the HKEC Listing Committee) which she effectively utilises on post listing compliance work, as well as in the furtherance of potential change within the Hong Kong capital market. Tim Wang heads up the overarching Greater China ECM offering.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: litigation

Clifford Chance combines its renowned international capabilities with an in-depth understanding of the local Chinese market, having a particularly strong presence in the banking litigation space and regularly advising leading financial institutions, investors and corporates on complex cross-border mandates. Practice head Ling Ho brings over three decades of experience advising on IP and tech-related disputes, while the considerable breadth of Soo Khim Keoy’s expertise spans the likes of commercial and financial litigation, shareholder and JR disputes and contentious insolvency proceedings. Michael Wang’s practice focuses primarily on banking litigation and contentious regulatory matters, being a trusted advisor to top banks, investment funds, brokerage firms and listed companies. Below partner level, counsel Yvonne Shek and senior associate Jolly Xu are key contacts, with the former having developed a solid reputation for JV, insolvency and trust disputes.

Hong Kong > Private equity

Jointly led by Andrew Crook and Terence Foo, the practice at Clifford Chance handles a variety of issues, including PIPEs, take-privates, and mezzanine financings. The team is recognised for its leveraged financing expertise, in addition to its combined knowledge of venture and growth capital investments. Crook has broad experience in assisting financial investors across a broad range of sectors, including energy and resources, education, and healthcare. Promoted to partner in May 2023, Julie Fu utilises her vast expertise in private equity led joint ventures and M&A within greater China to advise a range of pharmaceutical companies and international funds. Bryan Koo maintains a diverse practice consisting of fundraisings, secondaries transactions and restructurings, often assisting Chinese PE funds and financial investors.