Ranking tables
Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms) | Greater China Region
China
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 2
- Clifford Chance 11 Years Ranked
- Latham & Watkins 11 Years Ranked
- Morrison Foerster
Band 3
Band 4
Band 5
- A&O Shearman 12 Years Ranked
- Baker McKenzie 4 Years Ranked
- Cooley LLP 3 Years Ranked
- Hogan Lovells International LLP 5 Years Ranked
- Sidley Austin 11 Years Ranked
- O'Melveny & Myers LLP
- Paul Hastings
- Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Senior Statespeople
Band 1
- Betty Yap Linklaters18 Years Ranked
- Gary Li Kirkland & Ellis12 Years Ranked
- Simon Cooke Latham & Watkins14 Years Ranked
- Andrew WhanMilbank LLP
- Marcia EllisMorrison Foerster
Band 2
- Ian Ho Simpson Thacher & Bartlett11 Years Ranked
- Judie Ng Shortell Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison7 Years Ranked
- Yang Wang Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP7 Years Ranked
- Daniel YehWhite & Case LLP
- Neeraj BudhwaniMilbank LLP
Band 3
- Brian Schwarzwalder Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP17 Years Ranked
- Charles Ching Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP8 Years Ranked
- Douglas Freeman Goodwin12 Years Ranked
- Frank Sun Latham & Watkins8 Years Ranked
- Miranda So Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP15 Years Ranked
- Ning Zhang Morgan, Lewis & Bockius9 Years Ranked
- Peng Yu Kirkland & Ellis7 Years Ranked
- Terence Foo Clifford Chance LLP16 Years Ranked
- Christopher KellyWhite & Case LLP
- Denise ShiuCleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Band 4
- Andrew Crook Clifford Chance4 Years Ranked
- Bryan Koo Clifford Chance3 Years Ranked
- Chris Welty Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP5 Years Ranked
- Daniel Dusek Goodwin11 Years Ranked
- Don Williams Hogan Lovells International LLP17 Years Ranked
- James Chang DLA Piper UK LLP6 Years Ranked
- Jesse Sheley Kirkland & Ellis8 Years Ranked
- Maurice Hoo Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP18 Years Ranked
- Oliver Nip Ropes & Gray LLP4 Years Ranked
- Philip Li Freshfields5 Years Ranked
- Ruchun Ji Sidley Austin LLP3 Years Ranked
- Ruomu Li Cooley LLP4 Years Ranked
- Victor Chen Goodwin5 Years Ranked
- Yash A Rana Goodwin13 Years Ranked
- Nima AminiO'Melveny & Myers
- Steven ShaWhite & Case LLP
Up and Coming
- Derek Poon Baker McKenzie2 Years Ranked
- William FongWhite & Case LLP
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 Kirkland & EllisPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 1 | 11 Years RankedThe standout private equity team of Kirkland & Ellis has offices in Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai and advises on the full range of private equity deals, from fund formation to exits. It is particularly active in LBOs and going-private transactions. The firm remains a trusted adviser to leading US private equity houses, with a growing base of Asian clients, including regional funds. The practice is notably experienced in Hong Kong public takeover deals.
1 Simpson Thacher & BartlettPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 1 | 11 Years RankedSimpson Thacher & Bartlett has a skilled transactional practice which is acknowledged for its strength in major private equity acquisitions and investments. The firm is particularly active on cross-border and regional deals in the TMT, fintech and pharmaceutical sectors. It is notable for its strong working relationship with leading private equity houses, and continues to increase its global client base. The team is well suited to advise on deals involving both the USA and Greater China, leveraging its highly regarded private equity teams throughout the USA. The firm is also active on deals that involve India, South Korea and Japan.
Band 2
2 Clifford ChancePrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 2 | 11 Years RankedThe distinguished private equity group at Clifford Chance possesses extensive experience advising blue-chip Chinese and international funds, as well as Hong Kong-listed companies, on their investments in the region from the firm's offices in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. It is particularly active on LBOs, offering additional expertise in MBOs, take-privates and venture capital investments and cornerstone investments. The firm is notably active on TMT, manufacturing and infrastructure-related transactions. Its clients benefit from the firm's market-leading financing capability.
2 Latham & WatkinsPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 2 | 11 Years RankedLatham & Watkins' notable private equity team has longstanding experience representing regional and international funds in a wide range of private equity deals, including LBOs and take privates. It offers in-depth sector expertise in a variety of industries, including life sciences and TMT. The team is able to leverage the firm's outstanding European network. The firm frequently handles deals in jurisdictions across the region, including Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines.
- Morrison FoersterPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 2
Band 3
3 FreshfieldsPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 3 | 11 Years RankedThe skilled private equity department at Freshfields advises domestic and international private equity funds on high-profile take-private transactions and other financial investments. The group's clients benefit from its antitrust capability as well as its market-leading pan-European private equity practice. Its client roster also includes sovereign wealth funds and alternative capital providers. Its key sectors for private equity deals include healthcare, logistics and TMT.
3 Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLPPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 3 | 7 Years RankedBased in Hong Kong and Beijing, the robust private equity practice at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher is experienced in handling mandates for leading sector players. The team frequently acts on both the buy and sell sides for a range of leading private equity funds and their portfolio companies. The firm is active on deals in the TMT, life sciences, insurance, and energy and natural resources sectors.
3 GoodwinPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 3 | 6 Years RankedThe growing private equity team at Goodwin regularly acts for prominent global funds from its base in Hong Kong. The firm advises on all manner of private equity mandates, including buyouts, privatisations and disposals. Its advice spans investments in the TMT, retail, logistics and biopharmaceutical sectors.
3 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & GarrisonPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 3 | 11 Years RankedPaul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison has a long-established presence on the Chinese private equity scene with an excellent reputation and strong relationships with key industry players, including private equity funds, financial services clients and sovereign wealth funds. The team assists with high-profile investments, joint venture formation and acquisitions in Mainland China, Hong Kong and the USA. It possesses notable experience in TMT as well as assisting with investments in the life sciences and insurance sectors.
3 Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLPPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 3 | 11 Years RankedThe formidable group at Weil, Gotshal & Manges is lauded for its representation of a top-flight roster of US and Asian clients in private equity deals. The acclaimed team of lawyers based in Hong Kong and Mainland China handles big-ticket investment and exit matters. It offers particular skills advising foreign clients on their China investments and regularly advises regional private equity houses. The team is also active on regional transactions involving Japan and Singapore.
- Milbank LLPPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 3
- White & Case LLPPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 3
Band 4
4 Davis Polk & Wardwell LLPPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 4 | 11 Years RankedDavis Polk & Wardwell regularly advises major corporate clients on private equity transactions. The firm is also experienced acting for Chinese and international private equity funds and venture capital investors on a range of substantial financial investments and joint ventures. The team is bolstered by excellent corporate and capital markets capabilities and notable strength in US law. It handles transactions relating to a range of sectors including TMT and life sciences.
4 DLA Piper UK LLPPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 4 | 10 Years RankedDLA Piper's robust private equity team, whose offices are in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai, is bolstered by the firm's strong regional and global presence. The firm regularly acts for both private equity funds and corporate investors on cross-border pre-IPO investments, acquisitions and exits, as well as state-owned entities. The team's deal list includes mandates relating to the TMT, life sciences and manufacturing sectors.
4 LinklatersPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 4 | 6 Years RankedLinklaters houses a highly experienced team with a strong track record of advising on a range of private equity transactions in a variety of sectors, including technology, energy, infrastructure and life sciences. The team's capability spans foreign, joint venture and follow-on investments, as well as take-private acquisitions and buyouts. The firm is also able to draw on its international network, as well as from its financing, capital markets, restructuring and regulatory practices, to provide a holistic service.
4 Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLPPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 4 | 7 Years RankedMorgan Lewis & Bockius's respected private equity practice has a global reach and noteworthy expertise in handling a range of acquisitions on behalf of major private equity houses. The firm has impressive deal experience in transactions involving the technology, life sciences and consumer goods sectors. The team acts for both global and domestic funds on matters ranging from buyouts to growth capital investments, as well as advising fund-raising entities and target companies.
4 Ropes & Gray LLPPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 4 | 11 Years RankedThe renowned private equity team at Ropes & Gray focuses on large cross-border deals, from investments and joint venture establishment to disposals. The team ably advises global and regional private equity funds, continues to develop its Chinese client base and is also acknowledged for its representation of alternative capital investors. The firm is particularly active on transactions relating to TMT, logistics and consumer goods.
Band 5
5 A&O ShearmanPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 5 | 12 Years RankedA&O Shearman offers advice to a wide range of leading clients, including major Asian and international private equity houses and sovereign wealth funds investing across the region. The team remains active on mandates in the technology, healthcare and financial services sectors. It is also active on cross-border deals involving jurisdictions across South-East Asia, as well as North America and Europe.
5 Baker McKenziePrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 5 | 4 Years RankedBaker McKenzie is able to draw on its impressive global footprint to advise on multi-jurisdictional transactions. The practice has particular expertise in handling growth and venture capital investments, especially those in the life sciences and technology sectors. It has experience acting on both the sell and buy sides.
5 Cooley LLPPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 5 | 3 Years RankedCooley LLP stands out for its expertise in advising venture capital investors on growth-stage and late-stages financing and investment transactions. The team is also equipped to represent companies on the seller side. The firm exhibits a notable track record in deals concerning a range of industries such as technology, life sciences and fintech.
5 Hogan Lovells International LLPPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 5 | 5 Years RankedThe expanding private equity group at Hogan Lovells handles transactions on behalf of a diverse client roster of Chinese and international private equity investors, venture capital firms and listed and private companies. The team is capable of advising on buyout transactions and venture capital investments, as well as public M&A. It is also particularly active on mandates in the technology sector.
5 Sidley AustinPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 5 | 11 Years RankedSidley Austin's Shanghai and Hong Kong-based team handles private equity and venture capital investments, as well as the formation of joint ventures. The team represents major international private equity groups in inbound matters and supports a growing Chinese client base in their regional investments. The law firm also focuses on advising startups and investors operating in the technology, real estate, biotech and life sciences sectors.
- O'Melveny & Myers LLPPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 5
- Paul HastingsPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 5
- Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & RosatiPrivate Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)2025 | Band 5