Joey Chau jointly leads the team at Kirkland & Ellis alongside Brian Ho; the group is known for its vast experience in advising on the full gamut of corporate mattes, including spin-offs, privatisations, and convertible offering-related mandates. Praised by clients for her ‘exceptional ability to think creatively‘, Chau is noted for her strong specialism in public M&A and take-private transactions. Ho is an expert in corporate finance work, particularly in relation to de-SPACs. Jesse Sheley is a key contact for SPAC clients within the tech and financial services sectors, while Peng Yu is recommended for his broad knowledge of the TMT and life sciences sectors, often advising on joint ventures and investments. Nicholas Norris left the firm in January 2024.

The offering at Latham & Watkins LLP operates as part of the firm’s wider Greater China practice, advising on both inbound and outbound matters, including carve-outs, club deals, and take privates. Simon Cooke is well-known for his vast knowledge of both public and private M&A, while Frank Sun is particularly adept at advising financial investors on the structuring of joint ventures. Stephen Shi is recommended for his broad experience spanning take-privates, spin-offs, and growth capital investments. Richard Watkins is a key name for corporate finance transactions, often acting on both buy and sell side transactions across the TMT, real estate, and asset management spaces.

Linklaters houses an 'absolutely exceptional and unparalleled' team whose expertise spans the full spectrum of corporate and M&A matters. Dubbed the 'queen of Asia private equity', practice co-head Betty Yap is well-known for handling the full range of foreign direct investments involving China, joint ventures, and cross-border M&A matters. 'Absolute legend' Matthew Middleditch co-leads the team with his 'truly incredible work ethic', and is noted for his deep knowledge of bancassurance issues. Roger Cheng draws on his prior regulatory experience at the SFC to assist with public M&A within the tech and real estate sectors, displaying 'outstanding expertise'. Christopher Yip has since left the firm.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP's 'experienced and technically astute' team is noted for handling China-related transactions, with a strong emphasis on reorganisations, joint ventures, and divestitures. Jonathan Stone, Haiping Li, and Paloma Wang jointly lead the group. Stone routinely assists a diverse client list of target companies, sellers, and bidders, while Wang's primary areas of focus are public M&A and IPOs. Li works between Hong Kong and Shanghai, often advising on private equity finanacing matters. The 'excellent' Shu Du is well-known for her broad knowledge of spin-offs and going private transactions, in addition to equity capital markets mandates. Arthur Chan is a key figure within the team.

Benita Yu and Chris McGaffin jointly lead the team at Slaughter and May, which is praised by clients for its 'incredible capacity to deliver'. Yu stands out due to her longstanding experience in assisting PRC state-owned enterprises, investment banks, and corporate clients, while McGaffin, who re-joined the team from the firm's London office, is a key name for bancassurance agreements and joint ventures. Lisa Chung is an expert in public and private M&A, often assisting Hong Kong listed companies, and Clara Choi is recommended for her deep knowledge of demergers and spin-offs. Ben Heron is noted for his knowledge of public takeovers and corporate governance issues, in addition to asset management matters.

Baker McKenzie houses an 'unparalleled' team which often draws on the strength of its relationship with Baker McKenzie FenXun to assist global corporations looking to invest in Hong Kong and China. Practice head Tracy Wut has vast experience in advising on foreign direct investments and transactions within the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. In addition to leading the capital markets group, the 'extremely professional and reliable' Christina Lee has deep knowledge of corporate finance issues and corporate regulatory matters. Derek Poon is a key name on the private equity side, often advising on both public, private, and distressed M&A., while the 'exceptional' Robert Wright routinely assists clients with co-investments and leveraged M&A.

Andrew Crook leads the offering at Clifford Chance, with draws on the firm’s wider Greater China team to assist with a broad array of inbound and outbound China-related M&A. Emma Davies leads the firm’s healthcare and life sciences team, and is well-known for handling M&A and corporate restructuring mandates, and Virginia Lee is an expert in matters involving minority investments and share buy-back programmes. With ample expertise in the infrastructure and energy transition spaces, Alex Bidlake is a key figure within the team for joint ventures and corporate finance matters, while public M&A specialist Tommy Tam regularly assists investment banking clients and listed companies.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP houses a broad practice known for its deep expertise in private equity driven M&A, often acting for Japanese, Chinese, and South Korean clients. Miranda So leads the team, and is recommended for her vast expertise in foreign direct investments, pre-IPO financings, and cross-border M&A mandates. Sam Kelso is well-placed to handle the full range of inbound and outbound transactions across the APAC region, and Sam Kang remains a key contact for corporations and private equity sponsors, and is recommended for his strong focus on South Korean transactional mandates.

Noted for its strong focus on transactions across the APAC region, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett Hong Kong acts for major private equity clients and corporations within India, South Korea, and Japan. Dividing his time between Tokyo and Hong Kong, practice head Ian Ho acts for a varied client list of private equity firms, and public and private companies. Jin Hyuk Park remains a key name in the Korea and Hong Kong practices, and is known for his deep knowledge of capital markets transactions and minority investment issues. Erik Ping Wang's workload consists of leveraged buyouts (LBO), joint ventures, and strategic investment mandates.

Victor Ho leads the ‘very capable, professional, and responsive‘ team at A&O Shearman leverages its relationship with Lang Yue Law Firm to assist international investors and Chinese corporates alike. David Norman is recommended for his strong focus on transactional issues within the fintech and insuretech industries within the South-East Asian and Greater China regions. Specialising in public M&A, Iris Yeung is a key contact for Chinese state-owned businesses and investment banks seeking advice on public takeovers and privatisations, while Tess Fang‘s workload primarily consists of transactions involving the US and Greater China. Lorna Chen is known for her expertise in fund formation and co-investment projects.

Often advising state-owned companies, government bodies, and global corporate clients, Deacons handles the full spectrum of corporate matters. Ronny Chow jointly leads the team alongside Machiuanna Chu; Chow has longstanding experience in corporate finance and securities issues, while Chu specialises in venture capital investment and cross-border M&A. Maynard Leung regularly assists food and beverage, health care, and real estate clients, and Alexander Que is a key name for takeovers, particularly in relation to Hong Kong listed companies, often advising banks. Gary K.S. Wong is well-versed in joint venture and business transfer issues.

Gibson Dunn houses a broad team known for handling a wide array of corporate and private equity driven transactions. The team represents a range of PRC and international companies, and global private equity funds. Practice head Yi Zhang works between the Beijing and Hong Kong offices, and handles the full range of matters concerning foreign direct and outbound investment, and M&A. Connell O’Neill is recommended for his strong focus on the TMT sector, often handling tech-related M&A and growth capital matters.

Led by Jason Sung, the offering at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP regularly leverages its international network of offices to handle major transactions within the energy, hospitality, and infrastructure sectors. Sung specialises in Hong Kong public takeovers, and Tommy Tong is recommended for his strong focus on the TMT, real estate, and financial services sectors. Jeremy Shen is an expert in cross-border M&A with a strong focus on the PRC market, often assisting state-owned enterprises with outbound transactions. Benjamin Lohr joined the group in January 2024 from Clifford Chance, contributing his knowledge of fund formation.

Johnson Stokes & Master houses a broad team which assists a varied range of retail, shipping, and insurance clients. Hannah Ha leads the team with her longstanding expertise in foreign direct investments in China and cross-border M&A. Jeckle Chiu routinely assists Hong Kong and China-based companies and investment banks on convertible securities issues and joint ventures. Mark Uhrynuk  has since left the firm.

The team at King & Wood Mallesons, which is jointly headed by Gary Lock, Sheldon Tse, and Hayden Flinn, is known for handling a range of debt restructuring mandates, acquisitions, and disposals. Lock is particularly adept at advising on both public and private M&A matters, while Tse focuses on foreign direct investment projects, corporate restructuring matters, and PRC-related regulatory issues. Flinn routinely handles a range of mandates spanning the APAC region, particularly in relation to Australia, Singapore, and China.

The 'professional, diligent and innovative' Psyche Tai   leads the team at Norton Rose Fulbright, which is recommended for handling major disposals, voluntary general offers, and IPOs. Tai is well-placed to advise Hong Kong and China-based companies on corporate restructuring and delisting matters, while Rachel Chan is a key name for investment banks and issuers seekinga dvice on auction sales, public takeovers, and cross-border M&A. Charles Bremner is recommended for his broad knowledge spanning the transport, real estate, and infrastructure sectors.

Sullivan & Cromwell is active across a variety of industries, including the electric vehicles, manufacturing, and retail spaces. The ‘exceptional‘ Kay Ian Ng is known for his expertise in public takeovers and strategic investments, while Ching-Yang Lin specialises in cross-broder M&A. Working out of Hong Kong and Beijing, Gwen Wong often advises on corporate governance matters and consortium bids, and Michael George DeSombre splits his time between Palo Alto and Hong Kong, and is recommended for his knowledge of private equity driven M&A.

 

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP houses a broad practice, which notably counts EQT Private Capital Asia, Alibaba.com, and Silicon Motion as part of its lucrative client base. Following the departure of Tim Gardner in April 2024, Charles Ching has assumed leadership of the practice from the Hong Kong and Shanghai offices; Ching specialises in assisting Chinese clients with cross-border M&A. Sandy Lin has broad expertise in transactions across the TMT and energy, often advising sovereign wealth funds, while Jie Yuan is noted for her deep knowledge of private equity investment mandates. Henry Ong regularly advises the boards of Hong Kong-listed companies on minority investments and buyouts, and Chris Welty remains a key contact for matters involving US public companies.

 

White & Case houses a broad offering which is recommended for its strength in private M&A. The 'dedicated and absolutely brilliant' Christopher Kelly leads the team with his longstanding expertise in M&A, particularly within the energy and infrastructure sectors. Praised by clients for being 'truly talented and innovative', Steven Sha is well-versed in carve-out acquisitions and joint ventures. Paul Tang is a key contact for Chinese companies and equity backed sponsors, often assisting with investments into China and overseas acquisitions.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP houses a broad team known for assisting an array of private equity clients. Edwin Northover heads the practice, utilising his vast expertise in both public and private M&A and distribution agreements. Hailed by clients as 'truly amazing', Wen-Wei Lai rejoined the group from an in-house position in October 2023, bringing his deep knowledge of bancassurance agreements and insurance sector transactions.

With 'excellent coverage and subject matter expertise', the team at Eversheds Sutherland utilises its international network of offices to handle the full range of corporate mandates. The 'excellent' Charles Butcher is an expert in LBOs and reorganisations. Dickson Ng is a key contact for Hong Kong-listed companies seeking advice on disposals and PIPE transactions, while the 'very strong technical' Roderick Lai specialises in private equity driven M&A work. With longstanding experience in assisting state-owned enterprises and international investment banks, Stephen Mok now acts as a consutlant within the group.

Fangda Partners houses a broad offering known for its vast experience in handling the full range of corporate issues within the electric vehicles industry. The group routinely represents financial investors and targets. Practice head Colin Law is noted for his deep knowledge of M&A and capital markets issues, including public offerings and listings. Joyce Pei is a key name for public takeovers and joint ventures, often assisting global corporations and private equity funds, while Raymond Chan is recommended for his expertise in strategic investors and pre-IPO investments.

Goodwin is noted for its strong focus on private equity driven corporate matters, particularly within the healthcare, tech, and real estate sectors. Yash Rana is a key contact for investor clients looking to invest in India and China, while Douglas Freeman routinely advises public and private corporations and private equity firms on LBOs and contested control transactions. Daniel Dusek has a great deal of expertise in spin-offs and take-privates, in addition to handling joint ventures.

Andrew Whan and Neeraj Budhwani jointly lead the team at Milbank, which is recommended for its strong focus on private equity-related matters within the South East Asian region. Whan is particularly adept at handling transactions in the digital infrastructure sector, while Budwhani’s workload consists of de-SPAC transactions and PIPE disposals, with a strong emphasis on multijurisdictional mandates. Charmaine Yeo routinely assists a variety of real estate, power, and tech private equity clients.

The offering at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius maintains a broad practice which is active across the healthcare, tech, and logistics sectors. Working out of both the Beijing and Hong Kong offices, Ning Zhang regularly advises sovereign wealth funds and global financial institutions. Maurice Hoo is well-known for his longstanding experience in assisting both private equity and growth capital investors with restructurings and divestments, and Edwin Luk is well-placed to advise Chinese companies on securities regulation and cross-border M&A.

Praised by clients for its ‘outstanding proficiency‘ the team at Morrison & Foerster is recognised for its strong focus on take-private transactions, in addition to being active in the tech, e-commerce, and life sciences sectors. ‘Always on top of her game‘, practice head Marcia Ellis also leads the firm’s private equity group, and handles the full spectrum of private equity driven M&A. Former co-head Maureen Ho has now left the firm.

The ‘well-rounded‘ group at Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP leverages its global network of offices to handle the full spectrum of corporate matters. Practice head Denise Jong leads the team from both the Singapore and Hong Kong offices, and is recommended for her broad knowledge of takeovers, IPOs, and spin-offs. Anthony Woo is a key figure within the team, particularly in relation to corporate finance mandates, and Ivy Lai is well-versed in corporate compliance work and joint ventures.

Stephenson Harwood houses a broad practice led by Jane Ng , who has longstanding expertise in China-focused M&A, with a great deal of emphasis on corporate governance and regulatory issues. Michelle Chung  is an expert in takeover transactions and de-listing mandates. Danny Kan joined the group in January 2024, and regularly advises Chinese state-owned enterprises and investment funds; Amy Lu joined from Eversheds Sutherland in February 2024, contributing her expertise in equity capital market transactions; and Yong Ren, who joined the group from Proskauer Rose LLP in September 2023, is a key name for fund formation.

The 'fast, ruthless, and accurate' group at K&L Gates leverages the strength of its network in Shanghai and London to handle a broad range of transactional matters within the life sciences and tech spaces. Team head Frank Voon divides his time between Beijing and Hong Kong, often advising on cross-border M&A, joint ventures, and restructurings, while Virginia Tam is a key figure within the team for pre-IPO investments and privatisations. William Ho is recommended for his deep knowledge of public M&A and PIPE transactions, often acting for tech companies.

The team at Paul Hastings LLP routinely collaborates with the firm's Beijing and Shanghai practices, and its strong network in the US to assist with share subscription and shareholders' agreements, in addition to handling joint ventures. Practice co-head Raymond Li remains a key contact for inbound investors and Chinese companies, while co-head Fang Pei is an expert in M&A and real estate investments. Jeff Lee regularly advises a diverse client base of Chinese local government financing vehicles, investment funds, and corporations on debt issues, strategic investments, and acquisitions of private companies.

Regularly collaborating with the firm’s US and China groups, Sidley Austin continues to be active within the tech and automotive industries. Practice co-head Constance Choy is recommended for her broad expertise spanning the life sciences and financial services sectors, while co-head Raymond Oh is well-placed to assist with public and private M&A and fund formation mandates, in addition to de-SPAC transactions. Noted for providing ‘clear, persuasive and practical‘ advice, Christopher Cheng also stands out due to his vast knowledge of public takeovers and share buy-back mandates.

Charltons continues to act for a range of Hong Kong, China, and global clients, including investment banks and controlling shareholders. Practice lead Julia Charlton is recognised for her longstanding expertise in securities offerings and corporate restructurings, in addition to joint ventures. Calvin Ho regularly assists financial institutions, family offices, and public companies. Clinton Morrow is noted for his strong focus on cross-border M&A and private equity investment matters, particularly within the healthcare, mining, and financial services spaces.

Eric Chow leads the team at Commerce & Finance Law Offices, which regularly advises clients on outbound M&A. Brandon Chow is an expert in transfer listings and IPOs within the TMT and healthcare sectors, while Priscilla Lee assists investment banks, and China and Hong Kong corporates. Lawrence Tam is a key figure within the team, and Ariel Lin joined the group from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP in February 2024.

George Tong leads the varied offering at Minter Ellison, which is noted by clients for its 'commercially minded' approach. Tong regularly handles listing issues and both equity and debt financing matters, while Andrew Yang assists a listed companies and growth funds with M&A and joint venture-related issues. Mark Leung is a key figure within the team who is recommended for series financings and share subsciption agreements.

Often collaborating with its practices in China and the US, O'Melveny's 'hard working, pragmatic and flexible' practice handles a broad array of matters, including private equity buyouts, carve-outs, and public M&A. The 'exceptional' Nima Amini has longstanding knowledge of multi-jurisdictional M&A-related matters.

With a strong focus on private equity driven corporate mandates, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison routinely handles follow-on investments and M&A. Co-leading the team from Beijing and Hong Kong, Judie Ng Shortell is noted for her vast knowledge of take-privates and private equity investment issues. Bosco Yiu is a key contact for venture capital and private equity firms, in addition to major corporate clients.

The 'brilliant' Oliver Nip leads the team at Ropes & Gray LLP regularly advises clients on a broad swathe of issues relating to M&A. Nip remains a key contact for private equity sponsors and major corporate clients, often assisting with pre-IPO investments and disposals across the APAC region. Praised by clients for his 'sharp business acumen and tireless work ethic', Boxin Wang is an expert in outbound Chinese investment mandates and foreign direct investment issues.