Department profile
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Corporate/M&A

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : Asia-Pacific Region


Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

About

Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

The firm in Asia Pacific has extensive experience in advising private equity firms, asset managers, sovereign wealth funds, and pension funds. Private capital investors have continued to be increasingly active in investing particularly in Asia, and this is reflected in our client base. Our approach combines knowledge in advising private capital investors with a deep understanding of the characteristics, risks, and opportunities associated with assets and projects in Asia Pacific across multiple sectors. Our team excels in navigating the complexities of private equity transactions across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, infrastructure, and financial services. We provide tailored solutions that align with our clients' investment strategies and commercial objectives, ensuring successful outcomes. With offices in key financial centres across the region, we support cross-border transactions seamlessly, drawing on our knowledge in areas such as competition and antitrust, employment, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance.

Clients (3)

  • Blackrock
  • Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC)
  • Carlyle Group

Industries (4)

  • Infrastructure
  • Energy
  • Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare
  • Financial institutions

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A - Asia-Pacific Region

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has a standout team for oil and gas M&A across the region, with an illustrious client roster which also features global corporate heavyweights in mining, as well as regional telecoms giants and major financial institutions. The firm's acclaimed Australian offering handles M&A transactions as well as private equity deals, with proficiency across key Asian markets. It is also very active in the India market, where it works with established domestic corporates and is particularly engaged in the pharmaceutical sphere. A notable corporate team in Hong Kong and Mainland China handles transactions across the region. The firm boasts a respected transactional practice in Japan and an established reputation in South-East Asia, especially for M&A in the energy sector, with able practices in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Notable practitioners

Baden Furphy and Raji Azzam are key members of the M&A and PE team in Australia. Matt Emsley and Jason Sung are key contacts and practice heads in Hong Kong. Alan Montgomery is a key contact for the India group. Other key contacts include David Dawborn in Indonesia and Graeme Preston, who is also the regional head of corporate, in Japan.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advised GIC on its investment in AM Green, the green ammonia vertical of Greenko.

  • Herbert Smith Freehills acted for Anglo Chinese, as the financial adviser to Greatview Aseptic Packaging, on the voluntary unconditional general cash offer by Jingfeng to acquire all the issued shares in Greatview Aseptic Packaging. The offer was hostile.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team think ahead and are excellent at managing the transaction. They also make excellent use of the HSFK network to bring in specialists where required, while ensuring a seamless service.

    Corporate/M&A respondentAsia-Pacific
  • They are thorough, responsive, proactive and able to balance legal protections with relationship considerations. They think commercially and are sensitive to various parties' positions.

    Corporate/M&A respondentAsia-Pacific
  • The team demonstrates exceptional communication skills and strong business acumen, providing great support on complex global matters.

    Corporate/M&A respondentAsia-Pacific

Members

Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

  • Peiwen Chen

    Head of Department

  • Kathryn Sanger

    Head of Department

  • Malika Chandrasegaran

  • Nonnabhat (Niab) Paiboon

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