Banking & Finance: Leveraged & Acquisition Finance (International Firms) | Greater China Region

Clifford Chance's finance team remains a popular choice for major international and PRC lenders for a diverse range of transactions. The team has deep experience in bilateral and syndicated loans, equity and project finance and leveraged finance transactions. It is increasingly active in handling green finance deals and has been heavily involved in advising on recent reforms of banking and loan regulations. Clifford Chance provides assistance to an impressive clientele including state-owned enterprises and major foreign banks, and it is well versed in advising on cross-border transactions across Asia and the EMEA region. Its key clients include PAG Asia Capital, CVC Capital Partners and Wynn Resorts.

Kirkland & Ellis is a go-to firm for leveraged and acquisition finance, regularly acting for sponsors as well as corporate borrower clients. It is known for handling complex distressed finance matters with refinancing aspects, including debt restructuring and recapitalisation. The law firm capitalises on its rich history of acting in the private equity space worldwide, and its resources are strengthened by its expertise in London and the USA on cross-border financing. It handles a wide geographic spread of deals for clients including Baring Private Equity Asia, New Frontier Public Holding and Blackstone.

Linklaters' compact and highly regarded team advises on market-leading transactions. Its work spans a range of complex structured financings, the firm maintaining an especially strong reputation for leveraged and acquisition finance as well as syndicated loans. Linklaters acts for a prestigious list of international banks and financial institutions and offers experience covering a wide variety of markets including advising on matters related to the UK and the USA in addition to catering to clients across the Greater China region. The firm's key clients include JD Property and Nomura International.

White & Case's banking and finance practice is highlighted for its outstanding handling of syndicated loans, secured and unsecured credit facilities, and acquisition financing. It demonstrates particular strength in handling complex leveraged financing matters, with additional areas of expertise including real estate, project and asset finance. The law firm maintains an enviable list of clients including leading Chinese and international banks, investment firms and private equity clients, and offers expertise handling deals involving various jurisdictions, including Singapore, Japan, the USA and the UK. The firm's key clients include Citicorp International, Citigroup and RRJ Capital.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer maintains an impressive roster of clients, including banks, private equity firms and corporations from the technology sector. It is renowned for its advice to both borrowers and lenders. The law firm is well reputed for its experience advising on leveraged financing matters and continues to advise on cross-border transactions, especially Chinese outbound acquisition finance. The firm's key clients include Affinity Equity Partners, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.

Latham & Watkins offers robust expertise regarding syndicated loans, leveraged and acquisition finance and refinancing transactions. It also has considerable expertise in large-scale margin lending and is a popular choice of counsel among major international banks, private equity sponsors and corporations. The law firm offers demonstrable expertise in cross-border matters related to Europe, the USA and the wider Asia-Pacific region. The team's key clients include Warburg Pincus, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board and Carlyle.

A&O Shearman maintains a market-leading reputation for advising major lenders and borrowers on a diverse range of high-value and complex transactions. It represents a growing roster of Chinese banks and alternative credit providers. The law firm's experience spans structured finance, syndicated loans and leveraged and acquisition finance, and it is active on project financing as well as on lending to the real estate, automotive and TMT sectors. Clients such as Ant Group and Gaw Capital benefit from the firm's impressive bench strength, with leading practitioners based in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai, as well as access to a formidable global network of regional experts. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Gibson Dunn's finance team features considerable experience in the leveraged finance market, advising on notable acquisition finance transactions. The team primarily acts for international private equity firms and investment managers. It also assists Chinese and international companies across a range of sectors with corporate finance transactions. It also possesses further expertise in loan restructurings. The firm's key clients include Gulf Energy Maritime, Melco Resorts & Entertainment and Lumileds.

Ropes & Gray's finance department possesses a renowned leveraged and acquisition finance practice advising on significant refinancing matters. It specialises in assisting with funding for corporate transactions and is sought out for special situations financing. The practice has a strong focus on work for domestic and international private equity funds, asset management groups and corporates. Key clients include Bain Capital and Nexus Point Advisors.

The banking team of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett offers comprehensive advice on leveraged and acquisition finance mandates. It is noted for its expertise in handling high-value margin loan financing, and is frequently sought out for its strong knowledge in the field by private equity firms as borrowers. The team maintains impressive expertise in transactions involving the pharmaceutical, hospitality and real estate sectors.

The finance team of Hogan Lovells covers a wide range of financing work, ranging from leveraged and acquisition finance to real estate and pre-IPO finance. It is especially active in onshore and offshore financings involving PRC banks and borrowers, and its client list includes a range of major PRC and international banks. The team benefits from its strong presence in China and its international network, covering the USA and Europe, also assisting Chinese and international companies with corporate finance mandates.