Investment Funds: Private Equity | Asia-Pacific

Baker McKenzie is a leading global law firm with an established track record for handling a range of funds matters on an Asia-wide scale. The firm has exceptional cross-border capabilities, owing to its impressive global footprint, which is further bolstered in the Asia-Pacific region by its significant Australian funds group. It is particularly prominent for its work on private equity real estate funds, REITs and pension funds, with additional expertise handling secondary investments and regulatory compliance work. It acts as counsel to sovereign wealth funds operating in the region and advises investors and fund managers on regulatory matters, including the impact of financial regulation reforms.

Clifford Chance has a renowned pan-Asian legal practice with leading practitioners in Hong Kong and Singapore, offering a comprehensive skill set that covers innovative investment structures in hedge, private equity and real estate funds. The firm is also recognised for its work on the formation of registered funds in Singapore and Hong Kong. It advises an enviable client base comprising top-end sponsors, managers and investors on fund formation, regulatory issues and investments. The firm draws on its considerable strength in the transactional private equity and real estate areas to support its funds clients and is a first choice of counsel regarding the formation of high-profile regional development funds.

Debevoise & Plimpton has an eminent legal team of private equity specialists operating out of Hong Kong that regularly assists top-drawer multinational clients on a range of fund formations across the Asia-Pacific region, including major buyout funds, venture capital funds and real estate funds. The firm is also sought out to advise on foreign-sponsored renminbi-denominated private equity funds and provides expertise with regard to secondary transactions.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has a top-tier GP practice advising asset managers on the legal aspects of establishing closed-end private equity and real estate funds. The firm demonstrates expertise in funds focused across the region, with country-specific expertise in Japan, Korea and China, bolstered by language skills in Japanese, Korean and Mandarin. It is notably strong in pan-Asian fund formation and capital raisings.

Kirkland & Ellis has an exceptional reputation in the private equity arena, acting for a spectrum of top-end managers, sponsors and investors. Its skilled Hong Kong-based legal team is praised for its deft handling of funds mandates throughout the Asia region, and across a broad range of industries, advising on fund formation and management as well as on relevant regulatory issues. The firm is active across a range of private funds, including growth funds and venture capital funds, as well as credit funds and real estate funds. Its excellence is further enhanced by its ability to leverage the expertise of top-tier practitioners elsewhere in the world.

Sidley Austin is an international law firm with market-leading offerings in Hong Kong and Singapore providing an outstanding hedge funds practice which caters for global investors and in particular those with a US focus. It has additional strength in private equity and real estate fund formation and management, providing a comprehensive regulatory and transactional offering in relation to open and closed-end funds throughout Asia. The firm offers integrated expertise in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Japan, US and English law. It is active on funds focused around the region, including those focused on South Asia and on South-East Asia.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has a team of proficient private equity fund formation legal advisers to asset managers and investors throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The firm is active on growth capital and venture capital structures for clients including premier private equity houses, sovereign wealth funds and commercial banks. It has a strong practice in private real estate fund formation and a substantial presence in Hong Kong and Japan, facilitating work on regional matters. It also frequently assists clients on pan-Asia fund formation mandates.

Dechert's legal team has a broad funds practice frequently engaged by asset management clients to advise on the authorisation, listing and regulatory maintenance of registered funds. The firm provides particular expertise with regard to unit trusts and mutual funds. Its extensive offshore experience covers formation, structuring and management, and the firm has a strong record of advising on cross-border mandates. It is active counsel on hedge and hybrid fund formations and increasingly involved in the private equity sphere.

Morrison Foerster has an active legal practice representing fund managers and investors with regard to the formation of private equity and real estate funds and investment into funds. The firm operates out of offices in Hong Kong and Singapore, with good presence in the region operating on funds focusing on Japan and India, and with Mandarin language skills that continue to support a strong Chinese client base.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Affiliates has a substantial Hong Kong-based legal practice representing asset managers in the formation of a variety of private equity and venture capital funds. The firm also advises with regard to regulatory and compliance issues related to investment funds. It is further experienced in the formation and structuring of funds of funds.

A&O Shearman is credited for its legal experience in private equity funds in Hong Kong and bolstered by the credentials of its Tokyo-based practice group. The firm is highlighted for its skills in Asia-focused fund formations, the representation of sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors on investments into funds, regulatory matters arising from the design of new investment products together with funds-related M&A. Clients include prominent fund managers and high-profile investors. The firm fields additional expertise in handling venture capital fund matters. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Cooley has a noted private equity practice recognised for its legal acumen in the venture capital arena, with particular proficiency in technology strategies. The firm is also called upon by private equity houses pursuing growth strategies. It leverages a strong Silicon Valley platform to provide multi-jurisdictional muscle. The firm provides expertise across its offices in the Asia-Pacific region, including from its Singapore office.

DLA Piper has legal offices in Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand and assists fund managers with the formation, management and restructuring of hedge funds and advises investors throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Its expertise includes fund launches and spin-offs, with additional experience restructuring funds to allow clients to attract capital from US and European investors. The firm is also active advising limited partners on their investments.

Goodwin has a GP-focused legal practice that acts for asset managers operating across a range of sectors, including renewables, technology, sports and real estate, and strategies, including venture capital, buyout and growth. It is typically involved in the establishment of closed-end pan-Asia funds, with a track record of acting for Indian investors.

Ropes & Gray demonstrates high-calibre legal expertise in private equity fund formations, as well as advising clients on fund management, investments and fund-related corporate and transactional matters. Clients include sovereign wealth funds and state-owned investment companies, as well as managers, sponsors and investors based throughout Asia. It also advises fund managers and investors with regard to real estate funds.

White & Case's legal team is especially rated for handling private equity matters as part of the wider global funds practice, advising on formation, structuring and regulatory issues. The firm demonstrates further expertise with regard to hedge funds and is active on cross-border matters for clients investing throughout the Asia-Pacific region from its Hong Kong and Singapore offices. It also advises institutional and sovereign investors on investments into funds. The firm has expertise in US law to provide specific advice to US taxable, ERISA and US tax-exempt investors.