Cleary Gottlieb Achieves Excellent Results in Chambers Asia 2012 Guide
February 28, 2012
Cleary Gottlieb has achieved excellent results in the just-released Chambers Asia Guide to Asia’s Leadings Lawyers for Business, with 14 of the firm’s practices and 10 partners and counsel working in China, India, the Philippines and South Korea highlighted. Partners Megan Tang and Mike Preston were ranked for the first time.
Based on Chambers Asia’s interviews with clients and competitors between March and September 2011, the following Cleary Gottlieb practices are recognized for being among the best in the region, with some selected quotes:
Asia-Pacific Region
Capital Markets: Debt and Equity: “This firm’s offices in Beijing and Hong Kong handle a range of debt and equity work. The Hong Kong team has 15 Korean-speaking lawyers and is a leader in the market. Sources say: ‘They stand out as issuers’ counsel, especially for Korean entities.’”
Corporate/M&A and Corporate/M&A: Private Equity: “Private equity is a core practice area for this stalwart US firm, which has been active in Asia for more than 30 years. Both the Beijing and Hong Kong offices have experienced significant development of late, with new hires and the set up of a Hong Kong law practice. In corporate/M&A matters, the team is active on cross-border deals, representing corporations investing in the PRC and Chinese entities looking to engage in business abroad.”
China
Capital Markets: Debt and Equity (International Firms): “This leading U.S. firm launched a Hong Kong practice in February 2011, providing a one-stop service offering both local and U.S. law advice. Sources say: ‘Cleary’s U.S. practice is very strong; one of the highest-quality U.S. firms.’”
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability (International Firms): “Predominantly recognized in the market as a group which offers solid inbound M&A experience, it has a strong grounding in the legal intricacies of doing business in Greater China. In addition, it has seen a growing uptake on representing Chinese companies on their outbound investment targets, particularly in the South-East Asian market. Following recent market trends, it has been advising Chinese foreign-listed clients on a number of ongoing public-to-private deals. Sources say: ‘They facilitate getting deals done by providing commercial advice which is not overly technical and lawyerly.’”
Private Equity: Buyouts (International Firms): “This firm continues to successfully develop its Asian practice with the launch of its Hong Kong law practice in February 2011. The team has also been actively involved in a series of going-private transactions. Sources say: ‘The talent they bring is of the highest quality. We have a close relationship with them on a global basis and they understand how we like to do transactions in this part of the world.’”
India
Capital Markets: International Firms: “This leading Wall Street firm handles a selection of the more substantial and complex capital markets transactions in the Indian market, generally acting for banking or corporate clients. Sources say: ‘A superb firm.’”
Corporate/M&A: International Firms: “This U.S. firm is often chosen by clients for some of the more complex and innovative deals that arise in the Asia market. Sources say: ‘Excellent service.’ ‘They were invaluable in helping to move the deal forwards effectively.’”
Malaysia
Corporate & Finance: Lawyers Based Abroad: “This firm has over 30 years of experience in the Asia Pacific region and retains an impressive presence across multiple jurisdictions. It is best known for its capital markets expertise, covering both debt and equity matters. The Malaysian team is divided between Beijing and Hong Kong, and clients range from multinational corporations to banks and financial institutions.”
Philippines
Corporate & Finance: Lawyers Based Abroad: “This firm has maintained a prominent position in the Philippines, working out of its Hong Kong office. The team handles a range of corporate and financing matters, including capital markets, M&A, privatisations, project financing and various restructuring arrangements. It is particularly highlighted for its expertise in sovereign debt issuances. Sources say: ‘They have a real understanding of the market.’”
South Korea
Capital Markets: Lawyers Based Abroad: “Widely admired for its dominance in the capital markets arena, this practice has one of the largest Korea-dedicated teams of any international firm. Sources say: ‘Professional, swift and focused.’ ‘They have one of the best teams going: smart and approachable, and their judgement is outstanding.’”
Corporate/M&A: Lawyers Based Abroad: “This firm is applauded for its strength in M&A transactions with a cross-border element.”
For the full text of these rankings, please visit the Chambers website.
Based on Chambers Asia’s interviews with clients and competitors between March and September 2011, the following Cleary Gottlieb practices are recognized for being among the best in the region, with some selected quotes:
Asia-Pacific Region
Capital Markets: Debt and Equity: “This firm’s offices in Beijing and Hong Kong handle a range of debt and equity work. The Hong Kong team has 15 Korean-speaking lawyers and is a leader in the market. Sources say: ‘They stand out as issuers’ counsel, especially for Korean entities.’”
Corporate/M&A and Corporate/M&A: Private Equity: “Private equity is a core practice area for this stalwart US firm, which has been active in Asia for more than 30 years. Both the Beijing and Hong Kong offices have experienced significant development of late, with new hires and the set up of a Hong Kong law practice. In corporate/M&A matters, the team is active on cross-border deals, representing corporations investing in the PRC and Chinese entities looking to engage in business abroad.”
China
Capital Markets: Debt and Equity (International Firms): “This leading U.S. firm launched a Hong Kong practice in February 2011, providing a one-stop service offering both local and U.S. law advice. Sources say: ‘Cleary’s U.S. practice is very strong; one of the highest-quality U.S. firms.’”
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability (International Firms): “Predominantly recognized in the market as a group which offers solid inbound M&A experience, it has a strong grounding in the legal intricacies of doing business in Greater China. In addition, it has seen a growing uptake on representing Chinese companies on their outbound investment targets, particularly in the South-East Asian market. Following recent market trends, it has been advising Chinese foreign-listed clients on a number of ongoing public-to-private deals. Sources say: ‘They facilitate getting deals done by providing commercial advice which is not overly technical and lawyerly.’”
Private Equity: Buyouts (International Firms): “This firm continues to successfully develop its Asian practice with the launch of its Hong Kong law practice in February 2011. The team has also been actively involved in a series of going-private transactions. Sources say: ‘The talent they bring is of the highest quality. We have a close relationship with them on a global basis and they understand how we like to do transactions in this part of the world.’”
India
Capital Markets: International Firms: “This leading Wall Street firm handles a selection of the more substantial and complex capital markets transactions in the Indian market, generally acting for banking or corporate clients. Sources say: ‘A superb firm.’”
Corporate/M&A: International Firms: “This U.S. firm is often chosen by clients for some of the more complex and innovative deals that arise in the Asia market. Sources say: ‘Excellent service.’ ‘They were invaluable in helping to move the deal forwards effectively.’”
Malaysia
Corporate & Finance: Lawyers Based Abroad: “This firm has over 30 years of experience in the Asia Pacific region and retains an impressive presence across multiple jurisdictions. It is best known for its capital markets expertise, covering both debt and equity matters. The Malaysian team is divided between Beijing and Hong Kong, and clients range from multinational corporations to banks and financial institutions.”
Philippines
Corporate & Finance: Lawyers Based Abroad: “This firm has maintained a prominent position in the Philippines, working out of its Hong Kong office. The team handles a range of corporate and financing matters, including capital markets, M&A, privatisations, project financing and various restructuring arrangements. It is particularly highlighted for its expertise in sovereign debt issuances. Sources say: ‘They have a real understanding of the market.’”
South Korea
Capital Markets: Lawyers Based Abroad: “Widely admired for its dominance in the capital markets arena, this practice has one of the largest Korea-dedicated teams of any international firm. Sources say: ‘Professional, swift and focused.’ ‘They have one of the best teams going: smart and approachable, and their judgement is outstanding.’”
Corporate/M&A: Lawyers Based Abroad: “This firm is applauded for its strength in M&A transactions with a cross-border element.”
For the full text of these rankings, please visit the Chambers website.