Clifford Chance LLP is the chosen advisor for both international and Asian private equity clients, with capabilities in upstream fund formation and downstream transactional work. The practice boasts a strong bench of practitioners across Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong, and the team is notably active in both the buy-side and sell-side of private equity transactions, with particular expertise in the energy, technology, and healthcare sectors. Practice head Terence Foo leads the group from Beijing and Singapore, with two decades of experience advising on buyouts, venture capital matters, and privatisation deals. Kelly Gregory is a key M&A advisor in Shanghai and works alongside junior name Yi Yang, who routinely tackles strategic acquisitions in real estate and consumer goods. Beijing’s Yufei Liao regularly advises Chinese investment funds on cross-border acquisitions and investments, with a focus on technology transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Yi Yang has extensive experience in cross-border transactions, with solid professional capabilities and a business-oriented mindset, the ability to anticipate potential points of contention and provide full-cycle transactional support, as well as the efficient integration of cross-border resources.'
- The team leverages its top-tier cross-border resource network, maintaining a leading position in the PE/VC sector, and AI-driven local compliance capabilities to redefine competitive advantages by balancing “internationalisation” and “localisation.”'
- 'It excels in providing institutional clients with integrated “offshore + onshore” high-risk, high-value-added transactional solutions.'
Key clients
- CBC Group
- Carlyle Group
- CVC Asia Pacific Ltd
- TPG
- Tencent
- Partners Group
- APG Asset Management
- EQT
- China-ASEAN Capital Advisory Co. Ltd.
- China Merchants Capital
- Ascentium
Work highlights
Advised CBC Group and Mubadala on the acquisition of UCB's mature business (neurology and allergy) in China, as well as UCB’s Zhuhai manufacturing site for USD680m.
Advised Tencent on its USD30m investment for a 15% stake in Insighta Holdings Limited, a Hong Kong-based early cancer detection company.
Advised China-ASEAN Investment Cooperation Fund on its sale of minority stakes in each of Hutchison Laemchabang Terminal Limited and Thai Laemchabang Terminal Co., Ltd. to COSCO Shipping Ports.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Terence Foo
Other key lawyers
Kelly Gregory; Yi Yang; Yufei Liao; Fang Bao