Department profile
Kirkland & Ellis

Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms)

Greater China Region Guide 2026 : China

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Kirkland & Ellis

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About

Provided by Kirkland & Ellis

As a leading adviser to some of the world’s most sophisticated public and private companies on their most complex, high-profile M&A transactions, Kirkland’s M&A practice is consistently recognized for innovation, creativity, energy and a profound commitment to quality. In Asia, we are widely regarded as the most experienced team of M&A lawyers of any international firm in the region, covering the full range of transformational transactional work in Hong Kong and the PRC, with supporting debt finance and FCPA practices. Our more than 140 lawyers and legal professionals in our offices in Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai, focused almost entirely on complex and cross-border transactions. 

Chambers Review

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Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) - China

What the Team is Known For

Kirkland & Ellis's corporate department has significant expertise in private M&A and its esteemed bench represents clients in global investments. The team is able to leverage its national footprint, with offices based in Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai. It is often mandated by leading international private equity houses to advise on their inbound Chinese investments. The team also provides a well-established public M&A practice acting for corporates and investors on disposals and take-privates. It has a large volume of domestic clients from a wide variety of industries, including life sciences and financial services. Kirkland & Ellis is frequently complimented on its bench strength and ability to work with its US offices on cross-border deals.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Kirkland & Ellis advised the Independent Board Committee of Vinda International on its HKD26.1 billion privatisation by Isola Castle.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team has significant knowledge of the market, precedents and regulatory bodies. They are extremely competent and reliable.

    Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

  • The team has outstanding capabilities, ample deal experience and a good reading of regulators. They are able to explain rules and regulations in a commercial sense.

    Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

  • They can handle complex transactions because they have done those complex M&As or take privates. The deal structures and terms are bespoke, so they can help propose creative solutions.

    Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Joey Chau
    Joey Chau

    Joey Chau

    Joey Chau has extensive experience handling corporate mandates, including public M&A, privatisations, joint ventures and leveraged buyouts.

    • Joey is the preferred partner for any Hong Kong take-private related matters. She is also very commercial and can provide valuable insights during negotiations.

      Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

    • She is very experienced in public M&A and can provide good insights into how to resolve complicated legal issues.

      Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

    • Joey knows the Hong Kong legal and regulatory framework very well and can guide us through difficult regulatory issues in complex transactions.

      Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
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  • Brian Ho
    Brian Ho

    Brian Ho

    Brian Ho is a recognised expert on Hong Kong takeovers, with years of experience at the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong as the Head of Takeovers under his belt prior to joining the firm.

    • Brian understands the essence of interpreting regulations. He also has a strong connection with the exchanges and SFC and can envisage potential issues in advance and give very sensible solutions.

      Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

    • Brian, with his past experience with regulators, understands the rules and how the regulators think. His advice has been spot on and he is someone I can rely on.

      Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

    • He is very familiar with all the regulations and knows how to implement and apply them. He can provide solutions for even very weird situations.

      Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
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Ranked Individuals at Kirkland & Ellis (2)

China

  • Profile image of Joey Chau

    Joey Chau

    Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Brian Ho

    Brian Ho

    Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms)

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Members

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