Dentons Hong Kong > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Firm Profile

Dentons Hong Kong
SUITE 3201, JARDINE HOUSE
1 CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL
HONG KONG
Hong Kong

Hong Kong > Structured finance and securitisation Tier 2

Led by Jeffrey Chen, Dentons Hong Kong provides 'well balanced, practical and technical advice’ to funds, banks and family offices on highly bespoke cross-border private structured credit transactions. Chen is active on deals throughout Asia Pacific (working with local counsel and with lawyers at the firm based across its extensive network), and has, in recent years, gained particular skill in relation to loan securitisation transactions in Korea and Indonesia. He also excels in handling fintech securitisation matters and as well as advising on new money deals has been very active of late providing workable solutions on distressed transactions. The arrival in August 2023 of the 'technically sound' Nicholas Chua  from CIMB Bank strengthens the offering, particularly in relation to public deals.

Practice head(s):

Jeffrey Chen

Other key lawyers:

Gordon Ng; Man Chiu Lee; Nicholas Chua; Ivan Tsang

Testimonials

‘The team is familiar with structured investments and can provide timely and effective legal advice to meet our business development needs.’

‘They have an ability to address the client’s concerns and provided well balanced, practical and technical advice.’

‘Jeffrey Chen has unrivalled structured credit expertise and works with great collaboration and flexibility.’

‘Nicholas Chua is not only technically sound, but has a good grasp of client’s expectations and specific requirement of the undertaking and task at hand.’

‘Nicholas Chua, with his extensive experience in the industry, can promptly provide effective legal advice to protect the interests of clients.’

Key clients

Lending Ark Capital

CLSA/CITIC

TAC Partners Limited

Altus Capital Corporation

CIMB Bank Berhad

SunRiver International Securities Group Limited

Work highlights

  • Represented SunRiver International Securities Group Limited and other members of the underwriter syndicate for the underwriting of the dim sum bonds offering by Luzhou Aviation Development Investment Group Co., Ltd., in a global offering under Regulation S of English law governed CNY610m 4.8 per cent. bonds due 2027.
  • Represented SunRiver International Securities Group Limited and other members of the underwriter syndicate for the underwriting of the dim sum bonds offering by Luzhou Aviation Development Investment Group Co., Ltd. in a global offering under Regulation S of English law governed CNY250m 3.5 per cent. Bonds due 2027.

Hong Kong > Capital markets (equity) Tier 3

Drawing upon the expertise of Hong Kong, UK and US-law qualified experts, the ‘client-centric’ team at Dentons Hong Kongleverages its deep industry insights and experience to provide practical advice’ to issuers and underwriters on Hong Kong IPOs (on the main board and the GEM), red chip, H-share projects and securities laws issues associated with public M&A transactions. ‘Very professional, helpful and insightful’ team head Norman Hui has excellent traction among Chinese banks and corporates, which are appreciative not only of his commerciality on transactions but also his overarching regulatory nous. Gordon Ng is a ‘knowledgeable legal professional’ who handles some ECM work, including for Korean issuers, as part of his broad-based corporate finance offering.

Practice head(s):

Norman Hui

Other key lawyers:

Gordon Ng; Man Chiu; Nicholas Chua; Stephen Chan

Testimonials

The client-centric team leverages its deep industry insights and experience to provide practical advice that aligned with our business goals.’

‘Norman Hui is very professional, helpful and insightful.’

Norman Hui’s ability to distil complex legal concepts into easily understandable terms made him a valuable resource and trusted adviser.’

Gordon Ng is a knowledgeable legal professional.’

Key clients

China Securities (International) Corporate Finance Company Limited

EDA Group Holdings Limited

New World Development Co. Ltd.

NWS Holdings Ltd.

New World Department Store China Limited

Revere Securities LLC

XXF Group Holdings Limited

Work highlights

  • Advised China Securities (International) Corporate Finance Company Limited and the other underwriters on the HK$700m IPO of Luyuan Group Holding (Cayman) Limited, the fifth largest manufacturer of electric two-wheeled vehicles in China on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
  • Represented XXF Group Holdings Limited, an established automobile retailer providing automobile finance lease service primarily through its self-operated sales outlets in the PRC, in the HK$113m global offering of its shares on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
  • Advised the New World Group, one of a handful conglomerates that has three or more listed companies on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on the Main Board Listing Rules compliance in relation to various continuing connected transactions of potentially over HK$60bn in total transaction value.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: international arbitration Tier 3

Dentons Hong Kong is noted for advising both Chinese and international clients. The team was further strengthened by the arrival of Alfred Wu, senior consultant Philip Nunn and Muriel Cheng in September 2024. Keith Brandt leads the team, harnessing extensive experience to advise in heavy-weight dispute resolution, with a particular focus on the energy, construction and financial services sectors. Brandt is supported by Robert Rhoda, who specialises in international arbitration and cross-border litigation. Richard Keady operates in highly regulated domains providing advice in dispute resolution. Jean Lau is also a key contact.

Practice head(s):

Keith Brandt

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Dentons has a diverse team across a number of skillsets. They are keen to put the needs of the clients and case before the firm’s.’

‘Robert Rhoda is very efficient and direct in his legal advice. He is pleasant and takes the time to explain the nuances of the case. He’s easy and fun to work with. ’

‘The Dentons Hong Kong team managed a very large and complex arbitration arising from a dispute relating to an infrastructure project. They deployed a large and experienced team and worked relentlessly on the case for more than 2 years.’

‘Robert Rhoda was the lead partner. He was available 24/7 and advised and led on strategy. He was excellent at managing the client relationship at multiple shareholding levels. He was very knowledgeable about the process and explaining international law concepts. The whole Dentons team were excellent at managing many witnesses and experts.’

‘Robert Rhoda is a very strong leader and gave clear advice throughout the arbitration. His arguments were made in a very strong way and he was always available.’

‘The partner and associates are well verse in handling international arbitration and can mobilize the resources of their firm’s network to provide practical and useful assistance.’

‘Robert Rhoda is an experienced and smart partner who is always responsive and reachable. His guidance and assistance are so helpful that clients could be confidence that the case is in good hands. ’

Work highlights

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

Dentons Hong Kong‘s litigation team possess a well-established practice, advising in a wide variety of complex disputes concerning boardroom and shareholder disputes, with particular expertise in professional indemnity and disciplinary matters. The team recently enhanced its commercial litigation, international arbitration and insolvency offering with the hire of Alfred Wu, senior consultant Philip Nunn and Muriel Cheng who joined from Norton Rose Fulbright in September 2024. Keith Brandt focuses on commercial litigation in the energy, transport and financial sectors.  Brandt is supported by Allan Leung whose remit covers environmental disputes, product liability claims, contentious insolvency and employment matters. Richard Keady is recommended for banking and finance disputes and insolvency.

Practice head(s):

Keith Brandt

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Details oriented, attentive, cross-culture capability.’

‘Highly capable team excels at delivering complex litigation and dispute resolution services in Hong Kong. The team has a wealth of experience in dealing with complex and novel issues. Provides support in a manner which is client-centric and focused on outcomes.’

‘Dentons is very good at understanding the needs of its clients, and can deliver advice or solutions that are tailored to the needs promptly.’

‘Allan Leung is very knowledgeable and experienced at a broad spectrum of litigation issues faced by statutory bodies including judicial review, statutory interpretation, and is good at explaining the interplay between different statutory regimes that may impact on the problems faced by statutory bodies.’

Key clients

Abercrombie & Fitch Co

Amazon

BASF

Berpu Technology Co., Limited and Provision Investment Co., Limited

Changchun High & New Technology Industries Development Parent Company

Dr Martens

Ernst & Young

EY Corporate Advisors Pte. Ltd.

Hammond Power Solutions Inc.

Hong Kong Competition Commission

Hong Kong Solicitors Indemnity Fund

Huarong International Securities Limited

Jiangsu Shagang Materials Trading Co., Limited

Just Classic Limited

Kim Dotcom and Megaupload Limited

Lane Xang Minerals Limited

Ocean Sino Limited, PBM Asset Management Limited

Sebastian Ostling

Virgin Atlantic

Work highlights

  • Acting for the joint and several liquidators of Goldin Fund Pte. Ltd. in obtaining recognition of their appointment as Goldin’s liquidators in the High Court of Hong Kong and defending a claim against Giant Achiever Holdings Limited.
  • Acting for the Commission in enforcement proceedings arising out of a bid-rigging agreement between various companies and individuals in relation to a large number of procurement tenders in the air conditioning sector.
  • Defending companies associated with Lunan Pharmaceutical Group Ltd in the latest chapter of protracted trust litigation relating to competing claims for ownership of a substantial shareholding in this major PRC pharmaceuticals company.

Hong Kong > Labour and employment Tier 4

Spearheaded by the ‘very practical’ Richard Keady and ‘exceptional’ Jenny Zhuang, Dentons Hong Kong has vast knowledge on all aspects of employment law, particularly relating to HR advice, policy reviews, and employment-related agreements. Keady has in-depth experience in both the Labour Tribunal and the High Court of Hong Kong, routinely handling breach of confidence claims and disciplinary proceedings, while Allan Leung oversees discrimination claims. Zhuang is an expert on restrictive covenants, while Linda Ngan is also cited as key.

Practice head(s):

Richard Keady; Jenny Zhuang

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Jenny Zhuang – Exceptional client service. Understands the client’s challenges and circumstances. Delivers the right level of advice back by deep knowledge of the law.’

‘The team is led by a very experienced litigator/employment partner.’

‘Richard Keady – very practical and experienced; user-friendly.’

‘Jenny Zhuang – has obtained genuine expertise in the area.’

‘The team has diverse and multi-regional backgrounds, is fully aware of the relevant provisions of Hong Kong labour laws, and is familiar with various cases. They work efficiently.’

‘The lawyer I worked with was Jenny Zhuang. Whenever I needed legal advice, she was able to provide effective legal advice and the necessary documents in a timely manner. She also made very detailed judicial interpretations, and reminded me of various possible situations.’

‘We have enjoyed working with the Dentons team.’

‘Jenny Zhuang has been a great partner for us. She is skilled in labour law issues, which can be particularly complex and evolving in a place like Hong Kong. We trust her expertise and turn to her regularly for guidance.’

Key clients

3M

China Post

Equal Justice Limited (pro-bono client)

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Work highlights

  • Providing an employment “hotline” retainer service to 3M in the APAC region, covering 14 jurisdictions including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore. South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
  • Engaged by Hong Kong Metropolitan University to advise and rewrite its overtime policy, including clarifying the definition of overtime and how overtime was to be compensated.

Hong Kong > Construction

Hong Kong > Restructuring and insolvency

Co-headed by Richard Keady and Jeffrey Chen, Dentons Hong Kong has in-depth expertise in all aspects of bankruptcy, reorganisation, and creditors’ right representation. The team often acts for major liquidators and creditors.

Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Leading firms Tier 3

Dentons’ Asia-Pacific arbitration practice demonstrates strength in different centres in the region, with key lawyers based across Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Singapore. In Hong Kong, Keith Brandt leads the firm’s broader disputes arbitration  with support from Robert Rhoda, who heads the firm’s international arbitration team in the city, as well as Alfred Wu, Philip Nunn, Muriel Cheng and Richard Keady. Meanwhile in Singapore, Lawrence Teh and Herman Jeremiah  co-lead, with Kirindeep Singh  also recognized for his construction arbitration expertise. Gading Sanyjaya  in the firm’s Indonesia office is another key contact in the firm’s international arbitration offering, which can also call on outposts in India, South Korea and Vietnam, among other jurisdictions.

Work highlights

The firm: Dentons is the world’s largest global law firm, connecting top-tier talent to the world’s challenges and opportunities across over 80 countries. Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organization by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, our award-winning client service challenges the status quo to advance client interests.

The Hong Kong office provides legal advice and representation to governments and state owned entities, financial institutions, multinational corporations, professional services firms and high net worth individuals in relation to their business needs in Hong Kong, across the Asia Pacific region and globally.

Our Hong Kong team comprises experienced lawyers and leading professionals qualified in seven jurisdictions – Hong Kong, England and Wales, the United States (New York, District of Columbia),  Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand.

Our core areas of services include:

  • Banking and finance
  • Capital markets
  • Employment and labour
  • Investment funds and income trusts
  • Arbitration
  • Litigation and rispute Resolution
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Real estate
  • Restructuring, insolvency and bankruptcy
  • White-collar and government investigations

Areas of practice
Banking and finance: Dentons’ Hong Kong banking and finance team assists a wide range of commercial banks, investment banks, accounting firms, insurance companies, asset management companies, trust companies, financial companies, funds and other financial institutions, as well as government agencies, with transactions of every size and scope.

Our structured finance and securitisation lawyers represent virtually every banking and financial institution that is active in the financing, purchase and securitisation of financial assets.

As part of Dentons’ ESG Global Solutions, Dentons Hong Kong is also active in the areas of green and sustainable finance.

Capital markets: Dentons Hong Kong is one of the few firms in Hong Kong that has on-the-ground capability to advise on both Hong Kong and US securities laws in IPO and other capital markets transactions.

The Hong Kong equity capital markets team has represented issuers and underwriters in over 60 Hong Kong IPOs, including Main Board and GEM, red chip and H-share projects. The firm’s debt capital markets team has advised clients on the full spectrum of international and domestic debt offerings.

Employment and labour: Dentons’ employment and labour team advises local and foreign clients on a range of employment and HR related matters, including employment contracts and policies, employees’ protection and compensation, restrictive covenants, transfer and secondment of staff, visas and work permits arrangement, redundancy issues, data privacy, discrimination issues and occupational safety and health issues.  We support our clients in every stage of an employment relationship and our employment litigation specialists handle labour disputes brought at the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Labour Tribunal, the District Court and the High Court as well as handling large-scale internal investigations, regulatory reporting and acrimonious terminations.

Investment funds: Dentons Hong Kong offers a full range of services to investors and investee companies, including, on the public fund side, helping local fund houses to establish public funds and international fund clients to obtain regulatory approval for offering fund products to the Hong Kong public, and, on the private fund side, setting up and structuring onshore and/or offshore investment funds. We pride ourselves in being a one-stop shop supporting the entire investment life cycle and investment managers’ value chain. Our team carries unique capabilities advising on regulatory matters in the management or offering of investment products, also in relation to different responsible investment strategies and related environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues for investors and investee companies.

Arbitration: Dentons’ world renounced international arbitration team works seamlessly across offices and regions to assist clients from the onset of a dispute, through to enforcement of an arbitral award.  We are familiar with the major institutional and procedural rules and we know the arbitrators who decide cases.

As a global law firm with a significant presence in mainland China, we find ourselves a go-to firm for both mainland Chinese parties to Hong Kong arbitration (including state owned enterprises) and international clients (typically from the US and Europe).

Our team has also regularly represented clients in arbitrations administered by regional and international arbitration institutions, such as Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), Singapore International Arbitration (SIAC), and Shanghai International Arbitration Center (SHIAC).

We have extensive experience in handling jurisdictional challenges against arbitration proceedings, applying for interim relief (such as asset preservation orders in China) in aid of arbitral proceedings, and representing claimants in enforcing Hong Kong and foreign arbitral awards.

Litigation and dispute resolution: Dentons Hong Kong has a strong track record in advising on a broad range of high-value, complex and multi-jurisdictional disputes for clients regionally and globally.

We assist our clients in pursuing, defending and mediating a wide variety of civil and commercial claims in all level of courts and across various jurisdictions and industry sectors.  We also frequently handle applications for injunctive relief and asset freezing, and help our clients implement tracing and enforcement of judgments.  From risk analysis to crisis management, we have a team of seasoned lawyers to provide you with clear advice and quality representations in writing and hearings.

Of particular note is our depth of experience in litigation relating to shareholder disputes, financial investments and fraud, often with cross-border elements.  We regularly handle disputes for international corporations, high net worth individuals and regulatory authorities.

We also have a well-respected practice of acting in professional disputes and disciplinary proceedings for a wide range of professionals including solicitors, accountants, brokers and licensed individuals.

Mergers and acquisitions: Dentons’ Hong Kong mergers and acquisitions team offers a full service to local and international clients, including entity formation, conversion, dissolution and liquidation as well as legal counseling covering all aspects of transactional and operational work in our clients’ businesses.

The firm has represented public and private companies, buyers and sellers, boards of directors, shareholders, investors and owners, partnerships and private individuals, financial services institutions, underwriters, commercial and investment banks on a wide range of matters.  The team also advises on commercial issues including regulatory and compliance and data protection.

Real estate: Dentons’ Asia Pacific real estate group is a diverse team that provides advice with both a global and regional perspective, with experience and familiarity with complex cross-border transactions as well as deep local knowledge in the many jurisdictions in which we practice. The group assists investment banks, private equity funds, financial institutions and developers in acquisitions and dispositions, financings, joint venture and construction transactions.  The group also routinely represents hospitality clients as well institutional landlords and tenants in commercial transactions. Our group focuses on an integrated approach, giving clients the comfort of an unmatched global and regional presence together with a deep understanding of local real estate markets befitting a firm with offices in most, if not all, of the locations where our clients do business.

The group also routinely works with our other related practice groups to provide our clients with seamless access to our experience in project finance, project development and dispute resolution matters.

Restructuring, insolvency and bankruptcy: Dentons’ restructuring, Insolvency bankruptcy team provides full-service to a wide range of clients, including companies facing financial distress, debtors and potential debtors, official and ad hoc committees, secured and unsecured creditors. Our lawyers’ experience covers every aspect of bankruptcy, reorganisation and creditors’ rights representation.

Our practice is a leading player in the Hong Kong market, and is well known for both its contentious and non-contentious work. Over the years, we have been involved in many high profile insolvency matters, both in Hong Kong and internationally. We position ourselves at the top end of the market with a focus on challenging and complex work.

White-collar and government investigations: Dentons Hong Kong advises and acts for clients in both contentious and non-contentious regulatory matters, ranging from acting for clients in Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) investigations to providing compliance advice in relation to requirements of the SFC. Our team also has considerable hands-on experience in the investigation of commercial fraud and white-collar crimes; supporting clients from urgent asset freezing injunction order applications, tracking and recovery of stolen or misappropriated assets, to providing interim relief in aid of overseas legal proceedings.

The size and scale of our practice enables us to deploy large teams for major investigations and litigation, or to call on individual experts to advise on niche areas of law often required by clients within financial services e.g. sanctions, financial crime and national security matters. We are relatively unique in that we work both for and against regulators and our work for the SFC, Securities and Exchange Commission and the Hong Kong government gives us unparalleled insight which our private sector clients consider invaluable.

The team also has relations with the ICAC, Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB), Financial Reporting Council (FRC) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) as well as other external bodies and media contacts in the planning and implementation of internal investigations.

Department Name Email Telephone
Dispute resolution: Litigation; International Arbitration; Restructuring and Insolvency Keith Brandt
Capital markets; Corporate; Mergers and Acquisitions Gordon Ng
Corporate, Mergers and Acquisitions Stephen Chan
Structured Finance And Securitisation Jeffrey H Chen
Banking and Finance; Capital Markets Nicholas Chua
Capital markets; Corporate; Mergers and Acquisitions Norman Hui
Dispute resolution: Litigation; International Arbitration; Labour And Employment; Restructuring and Insolvency Richard Keady
Capital markets; Corporate; Mergers and Acquisitions Man Chiu Lee
Dispute resolution: Litigation; International Arbitration Robert Rhoda
Asset Management; Investment Funds; ESG Vivien Teu
Litigation and Dispute Resolution; Construction; International Arbitration Alfred Wu
Capital Markets, Investment Funds Charles Yim
Photo Name Position Profile
Keith Brandt photo Mr Keith Brandt Keith is Managing Partner and head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution group…
Jeff Chen photo Mr Jeff Chen Jeff Chen heads the structured finance practice at Dentons Hong Kong LLP…
Number of lawyers (globally) : 5,000+
at this office : 40+
Cantonese
English
Mandarin

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Global law firm Dentons is pleased to announce that the Paris Court of Appeal, the Higher Regional Court of Karlsruhe and the Barcelona Provincial Court have all issued final decisions dismissing Essity’s claims of patent infringement in regards to Industrie Cartarie Tronchetti’s (ICT) three ply toilet paper. With Dentons’ counsel, ICT successfully demonstrated beyond a doubt that its branded and private label products are produced based on its own proprietary process, and patented under European patent 2 353 859. 

Dentons has been advising Industrie Cartarie Tronchetti S.p.A since 2016. Based in Lucca, ICT is a leader in the category of high quality tissue paper products for domestic use, and has subsidiaries in Italy, Spain, Germany, France and Poland.

The Paris decision, which is the most recent, ends a long-running patent infringement litigation with Essity and affirms ICT can continue to produce and distribute absorbent paper based on its own proprietary technology. The three courts in France, Germany, and Spain have confirmed ICT’s argument that it is using its own novel technology, also patented. Essity’s claims of infringement were based on a patent originally filed by Georgia Pacific, and subsequently becoming Essity’s.

Dentons partner David Masson served as lead partner and represented ICT in France. Dentons partner Dr. Constantin Rehaag represented ICT in Germany, and PwC partner Alejandra Matas Brancós represented the client in Spain, with the support of Dentons partner Juan Ignacio Alonso.

David Masson, lead lawyer on the case, commented: “It has been very interesting to understand ICT’s own technology and work closely with different teams, including ICT’s R&D department, which has been part of all strategic and technical decisions throughout the case”.

Constantin Rehaag, who represented the client in the German court hearings and coordinated the work with the client’s patent attorneys, said: “This is an outstanding success of a great team formed by the client, who provided us with invaluable technological insight, the team of patent attorneys and, finally, by the Dentons teams in France, Spain and Germany.”

The patent litigation began in 2016 when Essity sued ICT in France, Germany and Spain for the alleged infringement of its patent related to the technical solution for the bonding of three layers of tissue for paper products such as high quality, soft and bulky, toilet paper.

In France, Essity claimed that ICT had breached the French part of its European patent 1 081 284 and that the toilet paper marketed as Foxy Soie Plus, and also certain other private labels produced by ICT France, had infringed on their patent. Essity demanded that all production operations be halted. The rolls of toilet paper were carefully analyzed and there were no findings of infringement. The two French courts - in first instance and appeal - rejected the claims and ordered Essity to pay compensation for the legal fees to ICT Italy and ICT France.

In Germany, the case was first taken to the Mannheim District Court, which is well reputed in patent matters. The lawsuit mainly focused on the complex questions regarding the construing of the claims of Essity’s patent. The court ruled in favour of ICT, and Essity filed an appeal. In August 2019, the Higher Regional Court of Karlsruhe also ruled that the German subsidiary of ICT did not infringe the German part of the patent 1 081 284.

In Spain, after a first decision in favor of Essity in the lower court, the Barcelona Provincial Court clearly stated in a written appeal that ICT’s products - and in particular, Foxy Seda, Foxy Bouquet, certain three-ply private label products - did not infringe the Spanish part of the patent 1 081 284.

About ICT

Industrie Cartarie Tronchetti (ICT) was founded in 1976 in Italy, in the Lucca province, to operate in the tissue sector, producing high quality paper exclusively from virgin fibre. The first production facility was opened in 1978 in Piano della Rocca, Lucca, and over the years new plants and facilities have been set up in Piano della Rocca, Diecimo and Piano di Coreglia. The Foxy brand, one of the leading brands in the European market, was launched in 1982. ICT is an example of excellence in the paper industry, in full harmony with the tradition of the Lucca region, where the most important Italian papermaking hub is located, on a par with those of Green Bay (USA) and Fuji (Japan). In Lucca in particular, great expertise has been nurtured in the field of paper for household use, and the city is in fact known as the world tissue capital. Today, ICT SpA boasts an annual production capacity of about 160,000 tonnes.

About Dentons

Dentons is the world's largest law firm, connecting talent to the world's challenges and opportunities in more than 75 countries. Dentons' legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including Nextlaw, Dentons’ innovation and strategic advisory services. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and community interests in the New Dynamic.


Dentons advises Snam on US$10.1 billion consortium investment in ADNOC Gas Pipelines

Global law firm Dentons advised Italian-based multinational energy infrastructure operator Snam in relation to its agreement, in consortium with several international investment funds, to purchase a 49 percent share of ADNOC Gas Pipelines from The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). ADNOC Gas Pipelines is valued at approximately US$20.7 billion (US$10.1 billion for 49%).

The transaction is one of the most important in the global energy infrastructure sector, as well as Snam’s first acquisition outside Europe.  ADNOC Gas Pipelines holds the tariff-based rights for the 38 pipelines that connect ADNOC’s upstream activities to Abu Dhabi’s consumption points and the export and interconnection terminals to neighboring Emirates.

The transaction was financed by a pool of international banks for approximately $8 billion, plus an equity contribution from each of the consortium members.  In addition to Snam, the other consortium members included Global Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Asset Management, GIC, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, and NH Investment & Securities.

Dentons acted with a cross-border team from Italy and UAE, coordinated by partner Sara Biglieri in Milan.  Partners Luca Pocobelli (Rome) and Mhairi Main Garcia (Dubai), counsel Claudio Segna (Milan), senior associate Craig Hughson (Abu Dhabi) and associate Stephanie Hawes (Dubai) advised on corporate and M&A aspects. Partners Alessandro Fosco Fagotto (Milan) and Stephen Knight (Abu Dhabi), counsel Franco Gialloreti, senior associate Tommaso Zanirato and junior associate Giulia Caselli Maldonado (all Milan) advised on financing aspects. Partner Michele Carpagnano (Rome) and associate Giulia Giordano (Rome) advised on the competition and antitrust aspects.

Snam’s internal legal team was led by General Counsel, Marco Reggiani - assisted by Michela Schizzi, Senior Vice President Regulated Assets Legal Affairs - and included senior legal counsels Rosanna Pallotta and Claudia Jolanda Fanelli.  The legal aspects related to the financing were handled, together with Marco Reggiani, by Gloria Bertini, Head of Finance and Capital Market Legal Affairs and Roberta Di Mauro, legal counsel.


Dentons advises Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) on the establishment of the EU Malaria Fund

The EU Malaria Fund was initiated by the kENUP Foundation, a not-for-profit organization promoting research-based innovation with public and societal benefit. The fund is managed by the IBB Group. The target volume of the fund amounts to €280 million, with a first closing of €70 million on June 3, 2020. A Dentons team from Berlin, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Munich provided comprehensive advice to IBB Group on the establishment of the EU Malaria Fund. This included the development of the legal and tax conception of the fund, regulatory advice, corporate law support on the setup of the fund, and the negotiation of the financing agreements with the EIB, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other investors. Berlin-based partner Dirk-Reiner Voss and Frankfurt-based partner Arne Klüwer jointly led the Dentons team, with support from partners Stephan Busch, Matthias Santelmann and senior associates Holger Hölkemeier and Bernd Düsterbeck in Berlin; counsel Verena Etzel and Oda Elmoutaouakil in Frankfurt; partner Axel Schlieter in Dusseldorf, and partner Richard Fagerer in Munich. About Dentons Dentons is the world's largest law firm, connecting talent to the world's challenges and opportunities in more than 75 countries. Dentons' legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including Nextlaw, Dentons’ innovation and strategic advisory services. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and community interests in the New Dynamic. www.dentons.com

Dentons advises on ACS Group’s €500 million NEU-CP Program

Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, has advised Spanish-based multinational construction group, Actividades de Construcción y Servicios, S.A. (ACS), on the renewal of its €500 million Negotiable European Commercial Paper (NEU-CP) Program. The NEU-CP program is registered with the Central Bank of France, with the involvement of BNP Paribas, BRED Banque Populaire, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, ING Bank N.V. and Natixis, as dealers for the Notes. Headquartered in Madrid, the ACS Group is a worldwide leader in construction and services. It is currently the only non-financial issuer with a NEU-CP Program registered with the Central Bank of France. Dentons’ Capital Markets group in Madrid advised ACS on all aspects of the transaction. Partner Ignacio Corujo led and coordinated the transaction with the support of junior associate Ana Artola. Ignacio Corujo joined Dentons in January this year to establish and lead the Capital Markets group in Spain. In addition to this most recent deal for ACS, he has closed several high-value debt capital markets deals since his move, including most notably, Grupo Cajamar’s €1 billion issuance of mortgage bonds, as well as Sacyr’s renewal of its €500 million EMTN Program. About Dentons Dentons is the world's largest law firm, connecting talent to the world's challenges and opportunities in more than 75 countries. Dentons' legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including Nextlaw, Dentons’ innovation and strategic advisory services. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and community interests in the New Dynamic. www.dentons.com  

Dentons advises UniCredit on a €450 million secured sustainability-linked financing for Gunvor Gro

Global law firm Dentons has advised UniCredit Bank AG as Mandated Lead Arranger, (Sustainability) Coordinator, Bookrunner, Facility Agent and Security Agent as well as the lenders on a €450 million secured sustainability-linked borrowing base facility agreement with Gunvor Group. Gunvor Group will use the funds to cover the working capital requirements of its Ingolstadt refinery. The innovative financing model is tied to the borrower's achievement of predetermined ESG key performance indicators (Sustainability KPIs) and provides for a sustainability discount or premium in case the company overachieves or underperforms the predefined targets. An independent sustainability auditor will report on the performance of the Sustainability KPIs on an annual basis. The ESG-based scoring of certain key performance indicators provides a unique way for borrowers and lenders to communicate their commitment to sustainability and incentivizes sustainable corporate measures. Participating banks included DZ Bank, KfW IPEX-Bank, Raiffeisen Bank International, Erste Group Bank, Commerzbank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, CA Indosuez (Switzerland), Bank of China and First Abu Dhabi Bank. Gunvor Group is one of the world’s largest independent commodities trading houses by turnover, creating logistics solutions that safely and efficiently move physical energy from where it is sourced and stored to where it is demanded. With strategic investments in industrial infrastructure – refineries, pipelines, storage and terminals – Gunvor Group further generates sustainable value across the global supply chain for its customers. UniCredit is one of the pioneers in sustainable loans in the German market. Düsseldorf finance partner Dr. Axel Schlieter fully advised the bank on the drafting and negotiation of the loan agreement. The Dentons team further comprised Julia Heitmann (senior associate, Banking and Finance, Düsseldorf) and Eike Hinrich Pradt (associate, Banking and Finance, Frankfurt). Axel Schlieter is a core member of Dentons’ Sustainable Finance group in Europe and is regularly involved around the topics of issuance of green bonds and on sustainable financing. Advisors to UniCredit: Dentons (Düsseldorf): Dr. Axel Schlieter, (lead partner), Julia Heitmann (senior associate, both banking and finance, Düsseldorf), Eike Hinrich Pradt (associate, banking and finance, Frankfurt am Main) UniCredit inhouse lawyers: Carina Engelhardt, Alexander Strigin, Christian Hentrich About Dentons Dentons is the world's largest law firm, connecting talent to the world's challenges and opportunities in more than 75 countries. Dentons' legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including Nextlaw, Dentons’ innovation and strategic advisory services. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and community interests in the New Dynamic. www.dentons.com

Dentons advises Qair on refinancing of the acquisition of Rzepin and Linowo wind farms in Poland

Dentons’ Banking and Finance practice team advised Qair SAS, Qair International and Qair Polska Sp.z o.o. in connection with the refinancing of two wind farms under operation, Rzepin (58 MW) and Linowo (48 MW). The financing institutions are BNP Paribas and EBRD. The two wind farms are part of Qair’s larger portfolio of almost 200 MW of renewable energy sources, which also includes 93 MW of new capacity from three wind farms – Udanin (50 MW), Parzeczew (9 MW) and Września (9 MW) – and 25 MW of solar photovoltaic. The project was supervised by Mateusz Toczyski, Head of the Europe and Co-Head of the Global Banking and Finance practice, and led by Tomasz Zwoliński, counsel, with assistance from lawyers Klaudia Szymańska-Rutkowska, Katarzyna Mazur, Katarzyna Kaptur and Jakub Walawski. Supporting the Warsaw team were counsel Surbhi Malhotra-Trenkel in Munich and partners Jean-Marc Allix and Olivier Genevois, and associates Djésia Meziani, Philippine de Fouchier and Hugo Casasnovas in Paris. Dentons’ London team consisting of partner Matthew Sapte and associate Annreika Ray advised on the hedging documentation. “We are very pleased and honored to have had this opportunity to assist Qair in yet another wind power project the company has undertaken in Poland,” said Mateusz Toczyski. “We would like to congratulate Qair on this financing and to wish every success with further developments and investments in Poland and elsewhere in the world,” added Tomasz Zwoliński. About Dentons Dentons is the world's largest law firm, connecting talent to the world's challenges and opportunities in more than 75 countries. Dentons' legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including Nextlaw, Dentons’ innovation and strategic advisory services. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and community interests in the New Dynamic. www.dentons.com

Dentons advises Sev.en Energy on aacquisition of US-based Blackhawk Mining

Dentons has advised international energy group Sev.en Energy on its strategic acquisition of US-based metallurgical coal producer Blackhawk Mining, LLC. C. The transaction comes on the heels of Sev.en Energy’s acquisition of a 17% ownership interest in Corsa Coal in May 2020, further reinforcing its access to the metallurgical coal mining industry in the US market. Blackhawk Mining is one of the largest metallurgical coal producers in the US. With annual production capacity of seven to eight million tonnes of metallurgical coal among its five underground and open pit mining complexes in West Virginia and Kentucky, Blackhawk Mining is an important supplier of metallurgical coal both locally and internationally. It also owns three thermal coal mine complexes producing three to four million tonnes per annum. In 2019, Blackhawk Mining had $1bn revenues and $120m EBITDA.   Commenting on the acquisition, Dentons partner Petr Zákoucký, said: “Having worked for Sev.en Energy for many years, I am inspired by their sustained dynamism, and by this bold strategic move, even during these difficult market conditions. We were delighted to have opportunity to play our role in this success.”   Alan Svoboda, Executive Director of Sev.en Energy who leads the Group’s international expansion added: “Once again, the Dentons team exceeded our expectations and delivered the transaction within a tight time frame of less than a month, nailing both the complexity of the deal and challenges created by the current worldwide pandemic. What was really outstanding was the dedication and flexibility that the entire team showed.”   Dentons’ cross-border team was composed of partners Petr Zákoucký (Prague, Energy/M&A), Ilan Katz (New York, M&A), Lee Smith (New York, Finance), Christopher Van Bever (Lexington, Mining) and John Rhine (Evansville, Mining) Robert E. Richards (Chicago, Insolvency), Managing Associate Gregory DiBella (New York, M&A) and Associate Barbora Obračajová (Prague, Energy). Alvarez & Marsal advised Sev.en Energy on financial due diligence and Weir on technical due diligence.   About Sev.en Energy Sev.en Energy owns significant coal and energy production assets in the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Australia and the USA. It is the largest private operator of coalmines and conventional power plants in the Czech Republic, and employs more than 3,500 people. In 2019, Sev.en Energy acquired additional power generation assets from Swiss energy group Alpiq and a 50% stake in the multinational energy company – InterGen N.V., which is one of the leading independent power generators with gas-fired power plants in the UK and coal-fired power plants and coal mines in Australia. When pro-forma aggregated with the financial results of InterGen and Alpiq CZ, Sev.en Energy group combined revenues in 2019 were EUR 1,4 billion and EBITDA of EUR 319 million.   About Dentons Dentons is the world's largest law firm, connecting talent to the world's challenges and opportunities in more than 75 countries. Dentons' legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including Nextlaw, Dentons’ innovation and strategic advisory services. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and community interests in the New Dynamic. www.dentons.com

Dentons supports German subsidiaries of the Recylex Group in restructuring

Global law firm Dentons is assisting Weser-Metall GmbH and Harz-Metall GmbH, both subsidiaries of the French-German Recylex Group, with their restructuring through ‘self-administration’ proceedings. In addition, Dentons restructuring lawyers Andreas Ziegenhagen and Dirk Schoene and their team are advising the German management of the Recylex Group within the scope of its self-administration. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the dramatic decline in metal prices, the German subsidiaries of Recylex have each applied for protective shield proceedings under German insolvency law. The aim of the protective shield is to allow the companies to continue their individual restructuring measures and to return to economic stability after the pandemic - if necessary, in a new shareholder structure. Weser-Metall produces about 100,000 tons of lead per year at its headquarters in Nordenham (Lower Saxony), making it the third largest lead smelter and the second largest lead recycler in Europe. Harz-Metall has its headquarters in Oker in the Harz Mountains and is one of the leading European recycling companies for lead and zinc contaminated waste. The Recylex group has a total of eleven operating units and two administrative sites in France and Germany. In addition to the companies supported by Dentons, two other companies in the group, Norzinco GmbH and PPM Pure Metals GmbH, have also submitted applications for protective shield, whilethree other German subsidiaries requested self-administration under creditor protection. The Group's French companies are not affected. Andreas Ziegenhagen, Head of the Europe and German Restructuring practice, said: "With the filing for protective shield proceedings, we are making use of the most restructuring-friendly court proceedings in the interest of all stakeholders of the companies”. Advisor to Harz Metall / Weser Metall / German management of Recylex: Dentons (Berlin): Andreas Ziegenhagen (Partner, Restructuring, Berlin/Frankfurt), Dirk Schoene (Partner), Dr. Jan Seelinger (Counsel), Dr. Benjamin Kurzberg (Counsel), Judith Schmid (Senior Associate), Dr. Jakob Pickartz (Senior Associate), all Restructuring and Insolvency About Dentons Dentons is the world's largest law firm, connecting talent to the world's challenges and opportunities in more than 75 countries. Dentons' legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including Nextlaw, Dentons’ innovation and strategic advisory services. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and community interests in the New Dynamic. www.dentons.com