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
Mentions
Profile
Work Department
Funds & Investment Management
Position
Ann is Co-Head of Maples and Calder's Asia Funds & Investment Management teams in Hong Kong and Singapore. Ann focuses on the international investment fund market. She has expertise in the formation, structuring and restructuring of all types of open and closed end funds, including hedge funds, private equity and venture capital, real estate and infrastructure funds. Ann's recent experience includes advising on a number of new investment funds for the largest and most high-profile wealth manager in China, as well as assisting with the launch of multiple investment funds in support of the Belt and Road initiative. Her practice also involves advising a number of international family offices on their strategic investments.
Career
Ann previously worked for Linklaters in London and Hong Kong, and for Freehills in Australia. She has been recognised as one of the top 10 offshore lawyers in Asia in the Offshore Client Choice List by Asian Legal Business for three consecutive years since the awards debut in 2016. She has also been awarded Best in Offshore at the Asia Women in Business Law Awards for a number of years and has been ranked as a highly-regarded funds lawyer in The Legal 500, Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific, Chambers Global and IFLR1000. Ann regularly speaks at industry conferences and seminars as an offshore expert.
Languages
Cantonese
English
English
Memberships
Member of the Law Institute of Victoria, Australia
Member of the Law Society of England and Wales
Member of the 100 Women in Finance (100WF), APAC Lead of Advisory Council
Member of the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA), Hong Kong Regulatory Committee
Member of the Asian Association for Investors in Non-listed Real Estate Vehicles (ANREV), Regulatory & Tax Committee
Education
University of Melbourne, Australia, Bachelor of Laws (Hons), 1999
University of Melbourne, Australia, Bachelor of Commerce, 1999
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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. ’
‘Provide a global coverage on key jurisdictions, delivering asset management services that are commercially minded and provide up-to-date legal knowledge. ’
‘Sharon Yap - Responsive and up to date on trends in the market that I operate in.'
‘Aisling Dwyer stands out as a lawyer with a strong grasp of the law and the facts of each case we work on. More importantly, she has something extra to bring to the table and different insight to share each time we discuss complex issues.'
‘Maples is the leading Cayman law firm in Asia. They are responsive, commercial and knowledgeable about the latest Cayman regulatory developments and how they affect the Asian funds market and my clients. They have a deep bench of lawyers here in Asia and advise many of the most high-profile Asian private equity clients on the formation of Cayman, BVI and Bermuda fund vehicles. ’
‘Partner Sharon Yap is outstanding. She is commercial and pragmatic and helps clients come up with creative solutions to complex issues. She has great client skills, and my team works seamlessly with her team.'
‘Maples is a very well-known practice in HK for legal and with a focus on funds and disputes.’
Work highlights
Advised on Aquila Acquisition Corporation and ZG Group's de-SPAC transaction.