Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms) | Greater China Region

The 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. The firm has a notably strong client list including Carlyle, Bain Capital and Baring Private Equity Asia.

The distinguished private equity group of 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. The team's client includes Navis Capital Partners, EQT and Tencent.

Latham & 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. Its key clients include PAG, TPG Capital and Primavera Capital.

Morrison Foerster is noted for its deft handling of venture capital and private equity mandates for key Chinese and international investors, with a strong focus on regional funds. It assists clients with a range of work, including buyouts, corporate restructurings and late-stage venture capital investments. The team is especially noted for its deep experience in outbound investment into US targets and increasingly active on investments into Greater China. The firm is active in sectors such as technology, healthcare, real estate and pharmaceuticals. Key clients of the firm include Ally Bridge Group, Silver Crest Acquisition and SoftBank.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison has a long-established presence on the Chinese private equity scene with an outstanding 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 major investments, joint venture formation and acquisitions in Mainland China, Hong Kong and the US. It possesses notable experience in TMT as well as assisting with investments in the life sciences and insurance sectors. The firm counts General Atlantic, DCP and L Catterton among its key clients.

Simpson 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.

The formidable group of 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. Citigroup Asia, Lazada and Advent International are among the law firm's key clients.

The skilled private equity department of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 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. Affinity Equity Partners, Boyu Capital and CVC Asia Pacific form part of its diverse client base.

Based in Hong Kong and Beijing, the robust private equity practice of 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. Its key clients include Hahn & Company, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Anchor Equity Partners.

The growing private equity team of 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. Goldman Sachs, LionRock Capital and B Capital Group are examples of its clients.

The impressive team of White & Case based in Hong Kong advises on complex cross-border private equity deals involving Greater China-based investors and assets. The team has a strong focus on advising financial sponsors on M&A, buyouts, joint ventures and capital market transactions, handling matters relating to the TMT, life sciences and manufacturing sectors. Its key clients include Brookfield Asset Management, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Macquarie Capital.

Davis 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.

DLA 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, pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors. Its clientele includes Arlington Capital Partners, CPE Fund and Blue Ocean Structure Investment.

Morgan Lewis & Bockius' respected private equity practice has a global reach and noteworthy expertise handling a range of acquisitions on behalf of major private equity houses. The firm's 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. Its key clients include Silk Road Fund, Sequoia Capital and GIC.

The 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. Its clientele includes Baring Private Equity Asia, Ares SSG Capital Management and Manulife Investment Management.

A&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. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Cooley LLP stands out for its expertise in advising venture capital investors on growth-stage and late stages of financing and investment transactions. The team is also equipped in representing 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. Its key clients include Eight Roads Capital, Horizon Ventures and CBC Capital.

The expanding private equity group of 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. It is also particularly active on mandates in the technology sector. Its key clients include Ping An Global Voyager Fund, Glory Star New Media Group and GuanData.

Linklaters boasts of 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.

Sidley 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. Its key clients include Noco-Noco, Inspiration Capital Partners and Cloudview Technology.