Department profile
Freshfields

Banking & Finance: Hong Kong-based (International Firms)

Greater China Region Guide 2026 : China

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Freshfields

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About

Provided by Freshfields

Please visit the Freshfields website for more details about our work in this category:

https://www.freshfields.com/en-gb/capabilities/industries/financial-services/

https://www.freshfields.com/en-gb/capabilities/services/leveraged-finance/

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) - China

What the Team is Known For

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer maintains an impressive roster of clients, including banks, private equity firms and corporations from the technology sector. It is renowned for its advice to both borrowers and lenders. The law firm is well reputed for its experience advising on leveraged financing matters and continues to advise on cross-border transactions, especially Chinese outbound acquisition finance.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • The law firm acted for Fosun Tourism Group as borrower on its secured term loan facilities to fund the privatisation of Fosun Tourism Group and delisting from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

  • Freshfields advised ESR Group, ESR Treasury (SG) and EDR Treasury (HK) as joint and several borrowers and guarantors on their five-year syndicated sustainability-linked US dollar term loan facilities and multicurrency revolving credit facilities.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They are really familiar with the Hong Kong banking and finance market. The team is very strong and responsive and has strong business sense.

    Banking & Finance: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

  • The team in Hong Kong is very dedicated, and in tight timelines, they always meet our needs. I also really like the management of the team.

    Banking & Finance: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

  • Freshfields has strong business acumen. The team is proactive and provides excellent services. It is also quick to respond and has extensive project experience.

    Banking & Finance: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Daniel French
    Daniel French

    Daniel French

    Daniel French is experienced in handling a large range of transactions, including fund and leveraged finance matters, on behalf of both borrowers and sponsors. His clientele includes leading PE houses as well as Chinese corporates.

    • Dan French is able to solve a lot of more complicated negotiations.

      Banking & Finance: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

    • He is very experienced as an individual practitioner.

      Banking & Finance: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

    • Dan is very familiar with the financing market and follows up with market trends, so he stays updated.

      Banking & Finance: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
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  • Celia Zhou
    Celia Zhou

    Celia Zhou

    Celia Zhou is a counsel in Freshfields' finance department. She focuses on assisting borrowers, including corporates and private equity firms, with leveraged financing and investment-grade loan transactions.

    • She is an all-rounder and a capable banking and finance lawyer.

      Banking & Finance: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

    • Celia is pretty efficient and I would say that, she would try to keep things very clear when coming back to me.

      Banking & Finance: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

    • Celia has provided work that makes me very satisfied. Her strength is that she is able to use Mandarin to communicate with us.

      Banking & Finance: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
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  • Gautam Agarwal
    Gautam Agarwal

    Gautam Agarwal

    Gautam Agarwal enjoys a healthy reputation in the market, and is often engaged to act as lender's counsel in leveraged financing transactions and debt refinancing matters. He also leads the firm's India finance practice.

    • Gautam is very strong technically. He finds a good balance between protecting banks' interests and being commercial enough to get the deal done.

      Banking & Finance: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

    • Gautam Agarwal is really thorough and very quick. He is available almost 24/7 which has been demonstrated since we started working with him. He is very prompt and quick in terms of responses.

      Banking & Finance: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
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Ranked Individuals at Freshfields (5)

China

  • Profile image of Daniel French

    Daniel French

    Banking & Finance: Hong Kong-based (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Celia Zhou

    Celia Zhou

    Banking & Finance: Hong Kong-based (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Daniel French

    Daniel French

    Banking & Finance: Leveraged & Acquisition Finance (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Celia Zhou

    Celia Zhou

    Banking & Finance: Leveraged & Acquisition Finance (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Gautam Agarwal

    Gautam Agarwal

    Banking & Finance: Leveraged & Acquisition Finance (International Firms)

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Members

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