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

Clifford Chance's finance team remains a popular choice for major international and PRC lenders for a diverse range of transactions. The team has deep experience in bilateral and syndicated loans, equity and project finance and leveraged finance transactions. It is increasingly active in handling green finance deals and has been heavily involved in advising on recent reforms of banking and loan regulations. Clifford Chance provides assistance to an impressive clientele including state-owned enterprises and major foreign banks, and it is well versed in advising on cross-border transactions across Asia and the USA. Its key clients include JP Morgan, UBS and MBK Partners.

Linklaters' compact and highly regarded team advises on market-leading transactions. Its work spans a range of complex structured financings, the firm maintaining an especially strong reputation for leveraged and acquisition finance as well as syndicated loans. Linklaters acts for a prestigious list of international banks and financial institutions and offers experience covering a wide variety of markets including advising on matters related to the UK and the USA in addition to catering to clients across the Greater China region. Key clients include China Merchants Bank, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank and DiDi Global.

White & Case's banking and finance practice is highlighted for its outstanding handling of syndicated loans, secured and unsecured credit facilities, and acquisition financing. It demonstrates particular strength in handling complex leveraged financing matters, with additional areas of expertise including real estate, project and asset finance. The law firm maintains an enviable list of clients including leading Chinese and international banks, investment firms and private equity clients, and offers expertise handling deals involving various jurisdictions, including Singapore, Japan, the USA and the UK. Key clients include ANZ, China Construction Bank and RRJ Capital.

Allen & Overy maintains a market-leading reputation for advising major lenders and borrowers on a diverse range of high-value and complex transactions. It represents a growing roster of Chinese banks and alternative credit providers. The law firm's experience spans structured finance, syndicated loans and leveraged and acquisition finance, and it is active on project financing as well as on lending to the real estate, automotive and TMT sectors. Clients such as the Asian Development Bank and China CITIC Bank International benefit from the firm's impressive bench strength, with leading practitioners based in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai, as well as access to a formidable global network of regional experts.

Renowned for its advice to both borrowers and lenders, Freshfields maintains an impressive roster of clients, including banks, private equity firms and corporates from the technology sector. 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. Key clients include ESR Cayman, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Blackstone.

Milbank has recently bolstered its finance practice with lateral hires. The law firm is active in dealing with high-profile transactions involving acquisition, debt and mezzanine finance, as well as sophisticated refinance and recapitalisation. Its client roster is composed of international banks, asset management firms and private equity houses, with mandates spanning a variety of regions across Asia, Europe and the US. Key clients include Permira, JP Morgan and HSBC.

Gibson Dunn's finance team features considerable experience in the leveraged finance market, advising on notable acquisition finance transactions. The team primarily acts for international private equity firms and investment managers. It also assists Chinese and international companies across a range of sectors with corporate finance transactions. It also possesses further expertise in loan restructurings. Key clients include KKR, Bain Capital and Chevron.

Ropes & Gray's finance department possesses a renowned leveraged and acquisition finance practice advising on significant refinancing matters. It specialises in assisting with funding for corporate transactions and is sought out for special situations financing. The practice has a strong focus on work for domestic and international private equity funds, asset management groups and corporates. Key clients include Bain Capital Credit and KKR.

The banking team of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett offers comprehensive advice on leveraged and acquisition finance mandates. It is noted for its expertise in handling high-value margin loan financing, and is frequently sought out for its strong knowledge in the field by private equity firms as borrowers. The team maintains impressive expertise in transactions involving the pharmaceutical, energy and healthcare sectors.

The versatile finance team of Hogan Lovells covers a wide range of financing work, ranging from leveraged and acquisition finance to real estate and pre-IPO finance. It is especially active in onshore and offshore financings involving PRC banks and borrowers, and its client list includes a range of major PRC and international banks. The team benefits from its strong presence in China and its international network, covering the USA and Europe, also assisting Chinese and international companies with corporate finance mandates.