Capital Markets: Debt (International Firms)
Greater China Region Guide 2024 : China
Band 1
Contact number
+852 2842 4888Chambers Review
Linklaters' Hong Kong-based debt team boasts a very strong reputation for its work on both straight and hybrid bond offerings, as well as notable experience on large green and sustainability bond issuances. The team is also well known for its specialist focus on commercial paper and renminbi bond offerings, and is increasingly prominent in handling complex high-yield note offerings. Additionally, the firm fields a well-respected equity practice which often handles significant IPOs, follow-on offerings and block trades. The unified practice advises clients on English, US and Hong Kong law issues and regularly acts for major Chinese and international banks and Hong Kong-listed companies, as well as a robust stable of SOEs. Its key clients include FWD Group, the People's Bank of China and China Tourism Group Duty Free Corporation.
Work Highlights
- Linklaters advised CTG Duty-Free on the USD2.1 billion global offering and listing of its H shares on the Main Board of the SEHK.
- Linklaters advised the Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China on its CNY3 billion sovereign bond offering in Macau.
- Linklaters advised Chindata Group on its debut issuance of USD300 million senior notes due 2026.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The service we have received is excellent. The Linklaters team is able to offer seamless English, Hong Kong and US legal advice on cross-border offerings. Linklaters is best in class when it comes to product knowledge, deal structures and innovation."
"They are one of the best law firms in the market to provide legally sound and commercially practical advice. They are extremely responsive and approachable 24/7."
"The service we have received is excellent. The Linklaters team is able to offer seamless English, Hong Kong and US legal advice on cross-border offerings. Linklaters is best in class when it comes to product knowledge, deal structures and innovation."
"They are one of the best law firms in the market to provide legally sound and commercially practical advice. They are extremely responsive and approachable 24/7."
Notable Practitioners
Sim Hwang Hwa is head of Linklaters' global capital markets practice and has a broad DCM practice spanning convertible bonds, foreign currency-denominated notes and panda bonds.
"Hwang is a reliable partner and one of the most experienced capital markets lawyers in Asia."
"He's very responsive and gives detailed advice with excellent commercial sense."
Michael Ng regularly acts for Linklaters' Chinese banking and financial institution clients on offshore bond offerings, as well as advising on MTN programmes and assisting with debt restructuring and transactions.
"Michael is good at problem solving; he can always solve different types of deal matters properly."
"He is very hands-on and technically excellent. His expertise in DCM matters is unmatchable. His advice is always clear and comprehensive and he has strong value-add on transactions. He has taken the lead on many first-of-their-kind transactions."
William Liu of Linklaters' Hong Kong office offers clients deep expertise in investment-grade DCM mandates, with additional strengths in high-yield products.
"William is the master at Linklaters; he helps with the most complicated issues."
"William is always our go-to counsel. He's experienced and very innovative."
Terence Lau is noted for his investment-grade DCM practice, which includes advising on offshore and green bond issuances. He typically advises banks and private equity investors.
"I'm impressed by his expertise and strong technical ability. His candid and thoughtful advice is well liked by banks and issuers."
"Terence is a very smart leader with good business sense to seize business opportunities. He has rich industry experience and product knowledge, and is good at solving complex problems."
Gloria Cheung often advises Hong Kong and PRC financial institutions and government entities on a variety of debt capital markets transactions, including government green bond issuances and issuances under MTN programmes.
"Gloria always provides great help, with great coverage and immediate responses."
Yu Hanwen has a growing reputation and is deemed an up-and-comer in the DCM space. He has experience advising banks and financial institutions on bonds and securities transactions, including green bond issuances and MTN programmes.
"Hanwen is client-oriented and our go-to counsel. He provides tailored, useful advice and demonstrates a complete understanding of the commercial drivers. He is great help for novel or tricky situations."
"Hanwen Yu is a client-oriented, commercial and very user-friendly partner at Linklaters. He has handled a wide range of situations and products, , and is one of the most proactive and responsive lawyers we have come across."
Lipton Li has a notable ECM practice and is regularly mandated to handle Hong Kong IPOs, as well as GDR listings, including a number of deals on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
"Lipton has wide-ranging expertise in equity capital markets and corporate transactions, including IPOs and equity-linked transactions, offering clients advice for their most important business needs. Lipton also has in-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements."
"Lipton is very technical, responsive and highly user-friendly."
Jiang Shan is a New York-qualified lawyer based in Linklaters' Hong Kong office who is well regarded for advising both banks and underwriters on the issuance of high-yield products.
"Jiang Shan is my go-to for high-yield in Linklaters. He is smart, quick and gets to the point really fast."
"You know you will always get your mind cleared and issues solved after speaking with Shan. He has definitely demonstrated advanced knowledge and communication skills that help all parties."
Sherry Cui is a rising Linklaters partner whose native Mandarin proficiency is a great asset to public and private clients alike. She regularly handles both onshore and offshore CNY offerings.
"She always goes the extra mile to help me. She is very experienced, pragmatic and knowledgeable and has a good understanding of the commercial imperatives of transactions."
"Sherry is always there to help out and is highly appreciated."
Ki Taiki has an increasingly visible DCM practice, with a particular focus on convertible bonds. His recent matters include advice for solicitation agents on consent solicitations and advising bondholders on the restructuring of convertible bonds.
"Taiki is very friendly, knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. The confidence and clarity he provides have been highly appreciated."
"He is an experienced lawyer who excels at giving timely legal advice."