Ranking tables
Global Asia-Pacific Region Corporate/M&A
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 1
- Clifford Chance 11 Years Ranked
- Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 11 Years Ranked
- Linklaters 11 Years Ranked
- White & Case LLP 11 Years Ranked
- Baker McKenzie
- Herbert Smith Freehills
Band 2
- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Affiliates 11 Years Ranked
- Allen & Overy
- King & Wood Mallesons
- Latham & Watkins
Band 3
Band 4
Band 5
- Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP 4 Years Ranked
- Sidley Austin 11 Years Ranked
- Sullivan & Cromwell LLP 11 Years Ranked
- Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
- MinterEllison
- O'Melveny & Myers
- Reed Smith Richards Butler
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 Clifford ChanceCorporate/M&AGlobal 2022 | Band 1 | 11 Years RankedClifford Chance has an outstanding transactions team acting across the key financial hubs in Asia, with exceptional strength in Singapore and Hong Kong. Particularly impressive corporate capability in South-East Asia and able to handle deals involving jurisdictions across the entire Asia-Pacific region. Represents an enviable list of blue-chip clients, including major corporates and state-owned enterprises, on high-value M&A in a broad range of industries, including TMT, financial services and energy. On the private equity side, the firm maintains strong relationships with regional financial institutions and funds as well as globally renowned houses.1 Freshfields Bruckhaus DeringerCorporate/M&AGlobal 2022 | Band 1 | 11 Years RankedFreshfields has an acclaimed public M&A platform complemented by a robust private equity offering. An established leader in China, winning headline transactional mandates, and also a sizeable presence in South-East Asia. Noted for a longstanding, much-admired presence in Vietnam, drawing on tax, antitrust and finance expertise to provide a one-stop shop service. Additionally skilled in deals involving India and Japan. Offers private equity expertise in China, Japan, Vietnam and Singapore, acting for leading private equity houses, investment funds and sovereign wealth funds.1 LinklatersCorporate/M&AGlobal 2022 | Band 1 | 11 Years RankedLinklaters has a very strong M&A practice that is consistently winning key roles on the foremost transactions in the region. Demonstrates high-quality capabilities across key Asian business hubs and in relation to significant industry sectors, particularly in China and Singapore. Active in jurisdictions across the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, India and Thailand, as well as Malaysia and the Philippines. Major oil and gas groups, food industry giants and leading insurers feature on its enviable client roster. Also maintains a practice for private equity work, most notably out of its China and Singapore offices.1 White & Case LLPCorporate/M&AGlobal 2022 | Band 1 | 11 Years RankedWhite & Case has a highly successful M&A group with a particularly firm foothold in Greater China, India, Japan and Singapore, as well as further afield in Kazakhstan. An impressive list of clients features key regional and global names from the financial services and life sciences sectors, among others. Advises clients on significant investments throughout the region and around the world. Well suited to act for US and European clients on inbound investments into Asia, particularly on deals involving South-East Asia.
Band 2
2 Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and AffiliatesCorporate/M&AGlobal 2022 | Band 2 | 11 Years RankedSkadden has a highly regarded M&A practice with a renowned Greater China platform and extensive experience representing major businesses in US take-private transactions. Acknowledged in this space for its outbound acquisition work. Particularly active for clients in the TMT sector and also handles mandates on behalf of insurance, retail, and oil and gas companies. Works closely with its US corporate group, with clients also benefiting from its market-leading US-based CFIUS practice. Maintains a respected practice in the private equity sphere, particularly in North Asia, and a strong corporate offering in Korea and Japan.
Band 3
3 DLA Piper LLPCorporate/M&AGlobal 2022 | Band 3 | 11 Years RankedDLA Piper has a notable presence in the M&A space, well versed in foreign direct investment and domestic transactions in a number of jurisdictions. Assists major Chinese clients on outbound mandates across Asia as well as advising on their investments into Europe and the USA. Maintains a focus on inbound transactions to Australia, with notable experience in tech-related deals. Widely recognised for its extensive global network, with noted expertise in Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and New Zealand. The practice also continues to represent a number of major investment banks.3 Morrison FoersterCorporate/M&AGlobal 2022 | Band 3 | 11 Years RankedMorrison & Foerster has a first-rate team in Tokyo, working in tandem with skilled corporate practitioners across the region. The Singapore and China offices continue to impress, maintaining a high-quality offering advising on M&A transactions throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Regularly advises on cross-border work in a number of industry sectors, especially technology, manufacturing and logistics. Additionally represents major funds in the private equity space, acting for both regional and global investors. Able to offer venture capital capability from the firm's offices in Hong Kong and Mainland China.3 Shearman & SterlingCorporate/M&AGlobal 2022 | Band 3 | 11 Years RankedShearman & Sterling is known for its solid track record in significant cross-border M&A and private equity work. Especially noted for its corporate offering in China and Japan, as well as a growing presence in Singapore and notable India and Indonesia expertise. Works closely with its counterparts in the firm's broader global network to assist a diverse base of significant clients, particularly in conjunction with the London and New York offices. A wealth of experience on take-private transactions, especially representing special committees. Its work in the private equity space includes working on investments and exits and collaborating with the firm's investment funds team on fund formation.3 Simpson Thacher & BartlettCorporate/M&AGlobal 2022 | Band 3 | 11 Years RankedSimpson Thacher & Bartlett has a superb private equity practice attracting high-calibre mandates from leading US and Chinese funds, advising on investments and exits across the region. Maintains a strong China-based private equity practice and also handles private equity mandates in South Asia, as well as from its Japan and South Korea offices. Also active in M&A, advising major Asian corporates on transactions throughout the region and dominating the North Asian market with skilled lawyers housed in Greater China and Japan. The firm offers over two decades of experience advising on high-value M&A work, including headline transactions for clients in the TMT, life sciences and automotive sectors.
Band 4
4 Davis Polk & Wardwell LLPCorporate/M&AGlobal 2022 | Band 4 | 11 Years RankedDavis Polk & Wardwell fields a respected transactional team with considerable M&A expertise, admired for its representation of high-profile Chinese clients on take-privates, acquisitions and disposals. Also handles significant private equity mandates from its Hong Kong and Beijing offices and often acts for private equity funds and VC investors. Key industry sectors include e-commerce, media and telecommunications. Additionally able to advise on mandates involving India, Taiwan, Thailand and Japan.4 Jones DayCorporate/M&AGlobal 2022 | Band 4 | 11 Years RankedOne more than satisfied client says: "I can't say enough about the Jones Day team. They come across as caring deeply about the success of your transaction and your business, and go to great lengths to ensure you feel comfortable with the level of service you are receiving. And they are always at the ready with creative options and potential solutions, and show a firm grasp of all facets of a transaction throughout each step."4 Norton Rose FulbrightCorporate/M&AGlobal 2022 | Band 4 | 11 Years RankedNorton Rose has an integrated regional practice picking up sizeable mandates in respect of China, Australia and Central and South-East Asia. Expertise also spans smaller jurisdictions like Myanmar, Papua New Guinea and Brunei. Well placed to take on cross-border mandates for high-profile clients in the real estate, insurance, finance and technology sectors, and notably skilled in handling work in the Central Asian energy sector. Supporting mining-related deals is another key area of expertise. Handles venture capital investments and private equity transactions from its Singapore office, as well as deals involving India, Indonesia and the Philippines.4 Paul HastingsCorporate/M&AGlobal 2022 | Band 4 | 9 Years RankedPaul Hastings has a notable corporate practice advising an impressive portfolio of Chinese clients from its Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong offices. Renowned for its expertise on outbound private equity and real estate transactions. Regularly active on M&A, corporate restructurings, joint ventures and take-privates in the TMT sector, with additional experience across the life sciences, transportation, shipping and energy sectors. Advises on private equity deals for a client roster featuring Chinese and international private equity houses and funds. Remains highly focused on private equity investments in the real estate sector, with capacity to advise throughout Asia.4 Slaughter and MayCorporate/M&AGlobal 2022 | Band 4 | 11 Years RankedSlaughter and May has a sophisticated Greater China M&A practice based out of its Hong Kong offices. Instructed by a loyal portfolio of significant clients across the region on inbound and outbound mandates, providing a pan-Asia service by working with 'best friends' in the region. The firm is especially well known for its work advising clients on M&A in the financial services, insurance, TMT, and energy and infrastructure sectors. Also offers experience in dealing with India-related deals from London.
Band 5
5 Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLPCorporate/M&AGlobal 2022 | Band 5 | 4 Years RankedGibson, Dunn & Crutcher has respected corporate/M&A and private equity practices based in China and Singapore. Offices in Hong Kong and Beijing serve a diverse client portfolio of SOEs and listed companies and boast notable strength in the TMT and life sciences sector. Well-established team in Singapore handles a range of transactional mandates in the energy and natural resources, real estate and tech sectors. Possesses additional expertise in matters relating to Indonesia and India.5 Sidley AustinCorporate/M&AGlobal 2022 | Band 5 | 11 Years RankedSidley Austin is a versatile M&A outfit with a range of noteworthy Asian clients. Renowned for its handling of Hong Kong-listed companies work, including public company takeovers, reverse takeovers and restructurings, from the firm's offices in Hong Kong and Mainland China. Also offers M&A advice in South-East Asia, acting for public and private companies as well as financial sponsors. Readily leverages a sophisticated capital markets practice to boost its public M&A offering. Particularly active on deals in the real estate, hospitality and life sciences. Also has private equity capabilities in China, handling inbound investments as well as acting for Chinese clients on regional investments.5 Sullivan & Cromwell LLPCorporate/M&AGlobal 2022 | Band 5 | 11 Years RankedSullivan & Cromwell has a well-established practice in Hong Kong and Beijing, where the team is frequently engaged by a prominent international and regional clientele, including financial institutions and blue-chip corporations. Especially well known for its work in take-privates and outbound acquisitions. Works closely with the firm's US offices, leveraging its strength to advise on both outbound and inbound investments. Offers further experience handling transactions related to Japan.