What the team is known for
Private equity powerhouse advising top-flight clients on formations and fund-raising across a spread of target industry sectors, including healthcare, media, infrastructure, tech and sciences. Also acts on the raising of real estate and credit funds and assists on secondary transactions. Adept at advising international clients with a focus on investment in China and able to draw on the firm's global presence to further assist clients.
Strengths
A client extols the team's ability to handle complex formations, explaining: "It understands the dynamics of the market and is very creative in terms of the fund structure build-up. It is also strategic and forward-thinking, which was critical to the success of our fund closing."
A client also reports favourably on the team's individual and collective nous, stating: "Its sense, judgement and ability to balance things make me trust it. I need someone strong to represent me and the team is a very powerful combination."
Notable practitioners
Carol Liu maintains her position as a strong candidate for China-focused funds and PRC asset managers, covering a broad scheme of private closed-end funds across multiple sectors. "She understands capital fundraising market dynamics very well," one client reports, adding: "It's critical for GPs that lawyers can provide business solutions, not just understand legal documents. Carol can do that very capably."
Damian Jacobs is an emerging name in the funds space, known by market observers for his aptitude in secondary fund formations. He also takes increasing responsibility in establishing primary funds in the closed-end space, acting for managers pursuing a wide range of strategies and sectors.
Justin Dolling is described by a client as “technically very strong, well liked by clients and very responsive.” The same client asserts that he is “extremely hard-working and tries harder than anyone else.” His seasoned practice encompasses an array of strategies formed under closed-end structures, including healthcare, real estate, credit, private equity and venture capital.
Xing Liyong is a bright talent cultivating a growing reputation for China-facing private equity matters. She receives strong endorsements from clients, who laud her "technical skills, creative structuring and market understanding," as well as her "exceptional knowledge of the details and unquestionable execution capability."
