Investment Funds: Private Equity (International Firms) | Greater China Region

Debevoise & Plimpton is a pre-eminent private equity funds practice which acts from a strong base in Hong Kong. It attracts instructions from an enviable roster of clients in relation to the formation of Asian venture capital, growth and buyout funds as well as private credit funds. The team is expert in high-value and complex structuring, including comprehensive solutions to international investment issues. The team is also experienced in the formation of renminbi-denominated funds and advising on secondary transactions. Key clients of the firm include Pantheon, TPG NewQuest and Lightspeed Venture Partners.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has market-leading expertise in the formation of high-value private closed-end funds, including private equity funds such as growth, buyout and venture capital, as well as credit and real estate. The firm has a proven cross-regional capability, with fluency in Mandarin, Korean and Japanese, and is able to act for fund managers on secondary transactions. The firm includes ADV Partners, Boyu Capital and Crescendo Equity Partners among its key clients.

Kirkland & Ellis's private equity powerhouse advises top-flight clients on the formation, funding and closing of funds across a spread of target industry sectors, including healthcare, consumer goods, technology and life sciences. The team also acts on the raising of real estate and credit funds and assists in secondary transactions. The team is adept at advising international clients with a focus on investment in China and able to draw on the firm's global presence to further assist clients. The firm's key clients include L Catteron Asia and CBC Group.

The investment funds practice at King & Wood Mallesons is acknowledged for its significant experience advising key clients on the formation of real estate and infrastructure funds, adding further depth to its extensive Asia-Pacific offering. The firm possesses a well-established China practice which provides services related to both inbound and outbound investment. Its sector experience includes technology, healthcare, energy, logistics and media. The team demonstrates further expertise in registered funds such as ETFs and mutual funds. The firm counts LOGOS Korea Core Venture 1, Mirae Asset Global Investments (Hong Kong) and China Everbright among its key clients.

Sidley Austin's outstanding funds team offers a full suite of formation and management expertise across the life-cycle of open and closed-end funds. The firm is held in particularly high esteem for its presence in the hedge fund sphere, spanning formation, buyouts, spin-offs and tokenised funds. The firm also offers expertise advising on closed-end private equity and real estate investment platforms. The team is very experienced in cutting-edge regulatory matters, including those governing investments into digital assets. The firm counts EQT, PineBridge Investments and Morgan Stanley among its major clients.

The prominent investment funds practice at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett acts for leading private equity houses on the formation of Asian private equity and real estate funds across a spectrum of industry sectors. The firm is active across the region and particularly noted for its work on Japan-focused funds, working in tandem with its Tokyo office. The team also advises large multinational corporates debuting in the funds space. The firm counts T Capital Partners and Unison Capital among its key clients.

Skadden's investment funds practice advises on a broad array of private equity fund mandates, acting for a full roster of Chinese clients on fund formation and operation matters, as well as advising on regulatory compliance. The team is active on the formation of venture capital funds and able to assist LPs with investments into funds. The team is also proficient across a range of strategies including debt, joint venture, growth and buyout. The firm serves INCE Capital, Cherubic Partners and FountainVest Partners among its key clients.

A&O Shearman's investment funds group maintains a strong track record for closed-end funds, including private equity funds and venture capital funds, acting for clients on investments into funds in addition to fund formation. The team is frequently called on by sovereign wealth funds and investment banks on investment mandates. The team has extensive experience with alternative asset class and cross-border fund work. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Clifford Chance remains a preferred fund formation counsel for a roster of top-flight clients. The team has a comprehensive offering, with high-quality expertise in hedge, private equity, real estate and registered funds. The team has further experience providing counsel on regulatory and securities matters, and it is well versed in advising on high-stakes, high-value matters with a regional focus. The firm also advises LP clients with regard to high-value investments into funds. The team is often called upon by PRC-side clients for private equity matters, and its recent mandates cover the logistics, technology and energy sectors.

The investment funds practice at Morrison Foerster has a growing presence in the market acting for clients on the formation of large private equity and real estate funds, as well as venture capital fund-raisings. The firm has a strong Chinese client base supported by native Mandarin language skills, and the team is active advising limited partners on investments into private funds. The firm includes SoftBank Ventures Asia, Sino-Ocean Capital and Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia among its major clients.

Ropes & Gray's investment funds team possesses leading expertise in advising LPs on investments into private equity funds, such as pensions boards and sovereign wealth funds. The firm advises on the setting up of an array of closed-end funds, including private equity, infrastructure and technology funds. The team is also experienced in assisting regional sponsors as well as international clients, and also assists investors with secondary transactions.

The investment funds practice at White & Case handles a range of closed-end fund formation mandates, including private equity, real estate and debt funds. The firm is experienced in advising Asia-Pacific-based funds and international clients investing in the region across a diverse range of sectors, including sovereign wealth funds. The firm draws on a wider global presence to further assist clients.

The noted private equity practice at Cooley is recognised for its 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, and leverages a strong Silicon Valley platform to provide multi-jurisdictional muscle. The firm counts Dragonfly Capital, Gaorong Capital and Do Ventures among its key clients.

The broad funds practice at Dechert is frequently engaged by asset management clients to advise on the authorisation, listing and regulatory maintenance of registered funds. The team provides particular expertise with regard to unit trusts and mutual funds as well as having extensive offshore experience covering formation, structuring and management. The team is also well versed in advising on cross-border mandates, and is an active counsel on hedge and hybrid fund formation and increasingly involved in the private equity sphere. The firm counts Greenwoods Asset Management, China Ping An Insurance Overseas and IMM Investment Global among its major clients.

DLA Piper holds solid credentials in the hedge fund space, advising on strategy, structuring and capital raising for a range of different platforms. The firm handles both fund launches and spin-offs, with strength in the private equity sphere. Its clients include significant players in financial services and top-tier asset managers, and a wide range of investors from Asia, Europe and the USA who can benefit from the firm's global reach. Such clients include Alpine Investment Management, Nine Blocks Capital Management and Zheng He Capital.

Goodwin's GP-focused investment funds practice 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. The team is typically involved in the establishment of closed-end pan-Asia funds, with a track record of acting for Indian investors. Its clients include Jeneration Capital, VI Asset Management and Heal Partners.