Corporate/M&A: International: The Elite | Asia-Pacific

A&O Shearman is a global law firm, known for handling some of the most complex transactions in the market from its Singapore office, with expertise in private M&A, public takeovers, joint ventures, disposals and corporate restructurings. The firm's impressive clientele includes banks, asset managers, corporates, international funds and insurers. The team is particularly strong in a range of heavily regulated industries, from private equity and insurance to TMT and e-commerce. The department regularly acts on deals across South-East Asia, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand. Clients benefit from the firm's market-leading finance practice, allowing the group to provide a holistic service.

Clifford Chance has an experienced corporate legal team in Singapore, with a reputation for handling big-ticket and complex M&A, joint ventures and private equity transactions. The firm advises multinational corporates, sovereign wealth funds and financial institutions on transactions across a range of sectors, including energy and financial services. The group acts on deals across the region, including India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia, with lawyers capable of advising on English, Singapore and New York law. The team is able to leverage its expertise in financing, fund formation and capital markets.

Freshfields legal team in Singapore handles cross-border M&A and private equity transactions for global clients. The firm is well recognised for its ability across multiple sectors, especially energy and natural resources, technology, telecommunications and financial services. The team's expertise spans numerous markets in the region, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and India. Clients include sovereign wealth funds and state-controlled entities, private equity firms and public companies.

Latham & Watkins' long-standing Singapore practice is known for its legal expertise in both M&A and capital markets. The team continues to be recognised for its high-calibre offering for cross-border transactions, especially in Indonesia, India, Vietnam and the Philippines. The firm advises on US, English and Singapore law, representing high-profile regional corporate clients as well as private equity firms and financial institutions. The department is active on matters across a range of sectors from healthcare and energy to engineering and technology.

Linklaters Singapore is a popular choice of law firm for multinational corporations, banks, private equity investors and early-stage businesses. The firm handles private equity, public M&A and complex cross-border transactions, as well as joint ventures, disposals and corporate restructuring. The team is active in jurisdictions across the region including Indonesia, China and Malaysia, working with alliance firms in several countries. The lawyers cover a spectrum of sectors including energy and resources, insurance, technology and financial services.

Milbank is a global law firm which handles major corporate transactions across Asia-Pacific from its Singapore office. The firm has a long-standing focus on the Indonesian market, and additional expertise in Vietnam, the Philippines and other jurisdictions in South-East Asia. Milbank continues to be very active on M&A and private equity transactions. Deals advised on by the team include logistics, TMT, oil and gas, and finance sector mandates. Milbank's impressive client roster includes Asian conglomerates and global investors focused on the Asian market.

White & Case has long-standing experience in Singapore's legal market, with a consistent flow of cross-border M&A and private equity deals. The firm is renowned for assisting US and European clients with inbound investment into South-East Asia, as well as outbound investments by Asian corporations. The department's sector-specific expertise includes banking, energy, TMT and real estate, with strong activity on data centre acquisitions. Clients benefit from its highly rated finance and restructuring capabilities.

Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow balances international legal expertise with a strong domestic presence in Singapore, providing clients with US, English and Singapore law advice. The team acts on acquisitions across a wide range of sectors, including energy, TMT, healthcare, food and beverages, and consumer goods. The firm has a robust private equity offering advising international and regional clients regarding investments and exits, while also handling corporate restructuring mandates. The firm is highly regarded for its global and regional network of offices, often handling multi-jurisdictional deals with the help of its associated offices in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, among others.

Herbert Smith Freehills houses a highly established legal team in Singapore, with extensive experience of complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions. The firm offers deep knowledge regarding M&A in the insurance, technology and telecommunications as well as energy and infrastructure sectors. The team also acts on corporate issues such as fundraising and shareholders' agreements, and is notably active as counsel to pension funds, sovereign funds and other investors focused on Asia. The firm is well regarded for its work in Indonesia, India and Malaysia, among other countries. HSF has a formal law alliance with Prolegis LLC that enables clients to access Singapore law as well as international law advice.

Sidley Austin's team of lawyers in Singapore handles M&A and private equity transactions on behalf of prominent corporations, funds, private equity firms and financial institutions. The firm is especially well known for sector expertise covering finance, energy, infrastructure and technology. Sidley Austin has a longstanding focus on Indonesia, with additional coverage of several jurisdictions across South-East Asia and South Asia. The team works closely with its notable investment funds and capital markets practices when assisting clients.