Maples Group is distinguished by its expertise in fund structuring, establishment, and ongoing maintenance, particularly for vehicles investing into Japan or targeting Japanese investors. The firm is also highly active on the corporate side, regularly advising on IPOs and SPAC transactions involving Cayman Islands and BVI companies listed on US, Hong Kong, and PRC exchanges. Co-head Ann Ng is a recognised authority on fund formation across both open and closed end funds, while fellow co-head John Trehey is a leading figure in insolvency and restructuring. Matt Roberts, also co-head, advises on a wide spectrum of corporate governance and capital markets matters. Offshore litigators Aisling Dwyer and Nick Stern are both widely respected for their dispute resolution expertise, while Terence Ho acts for a broad range of sponsors on fund structuring and offerings. Regulatory specialist Josie Ainley provides further strength to the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Work Department
Corporate
Funds & Investment Management
Funds & Investment Management
Position
Matt is a partner and Head of Corporate, Asia of the Maples Group. He specialises in advising financial institutions, publicly listed and private companies, asset managers and promoters on mergers and acquisitions, special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), private equity, joint ventures, reorganisations, corporate governance and capital markets (including initial public offerings, secondary offerings and preferred share financings). Matt also has significant experience in advising on the establishment, structuring and restructuring of offshore investment funds at all stages of their life cycle.
Career
Based in Asia since 2011, Matt previously worked in the Cayman Islands and Australia. He is consistently listed as a leading offshore lawyer in all major legal directories including Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific, The Legal 500 and IFLR1000. He was recently selected as one of the "Top Offshore Lawyers" by Asia Business Law Journal 2024, a "2023-2024 Visionary", and one of "China’s Elite 100 Foreign lawyers" by China Business Law Journal. Matt regularly lectures to professional bodies and is also a regular contributor to professional journals and other industry publications.
Languages
English
Memberships
Member of the Singapore Law Society
Member of the Western Australian Law Society
Member of the Hong Kong Law Society
Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
Education
Australian Institute of Company Directors, Sydney, Australia, Company Director Course, 2010
Murdoch University, Perth, Australia, Bachelor of Laws, 2001
Murdoch University, Perth, Australia, Bachelor of Commerce (Finance), 2001
Content supplied by Maples Group
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Maples Hong Kong has a highly professional yet personal approach in their dealings with us as instructing solicitors. Their advice on BVI law has always been sound and well-supported by case law and legislation. We are regularly kept up to date with the latest developments in BVI law in areas which have an impact on the cases they are handling for our mutual client.'
‘Their partner Derrick Kan was very good. Responsive and pragmatic advice. Very helpful. ’
Work highlights
Advised on Aquila Acquisition Corporation and ZG Group's de-SPAC transaction.