Latham & Watkins Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise

Allen Wang is a partner in the Hong Kong office of Latham & Watkins. Mr. Wang practices corporate law, with a focus on: Capital markets Mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings Public company representation Mr. Wang has worked on domestic and international capital markets transactions (including high yield bonds, IPOs, investment grade debt, convertibles, and other products), mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings in a variety of industries, including life sciences, technology, media, gaming, and financial institutions. His clients include domestic and international companies and investment banks, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan, and Deutsche Bank Securities. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Wang worked as an associate in the general practice group at a leading law firm in New York and as an investment banking associate in the financial institutions group at Morgan Stanley in New York, where he advised on capital markets and M&A transactions.

Andrew Bishop

Andrew Bishop, as Local Chair of the firm’s Finance Department in Asia, has built a team that advises global market-leading funds and strategic investors on complex financings throughout the Asia-Pacific market. Mr. Bishop delivers strategic and commercially driven counsel to private equity, venture, and credit funds, as well as other institutional and strategic investors on a range of cross-border finance and high-value mandates. He regularly helps clients navigate: Leveraged acquisitions, including back-leverage financings Take-private and real estate finance transactions Bank/bond and bridge finance transactions Margin loans Subscription and capital call financings Refinancing and recapitalization matters Restructuring matters Mr. Bishop has been resident in Asia for more than a decade, so has developed an intricate understanding of international legal regimes in the region. Drawing on qualifications and experience practicing in London and Hong Kong, he regularly helps clients execute market-defining transactions spanning Asia, Europe, and the United States, including novel and precedent-setting financings in Australia, China, India, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.

Benjamin Han

Benjamin Han is an associate in the Hong Kong office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Data & Technology Transactions Practice. Mr. Han assists in the representation of leading Japanese and multinational companies on a variety of intellectual property and commercial matters, including: Intellectual property licensing, sale, and other transactions Joint development, joint venture, strategic alliance, and outsourcing arrangements Product manufacturing, supply, and distribution arrangements Mr. Han has assisted in the representation of clients in a variety of industries, including companies in the semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and telecommunications sectors. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Han was an associate at a leading international law firm in Tokyo.

Carolyn Wong

Carolyn Wong advises Asian and international clients on corporate transactions, with a particular focus on energy and infrastructure projects. Ms. Wong helps clients execute on a broad range of commercial arrangements, including: Mergers & acquisitions Divestments Joint ventures Infrastructure use and ownership Operating, transportation, and offtake arrangements Ms. Wong bring clients a pan-Asian perspective, drawing on her experience practicing in multiple jurisdictions, including Australia and Hong Kong, and advising on large-scale, cross-border transactions.

Diana Dizon

Diana Dizon is an associate in the Hong Kong office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department. Ms. Dizon advises on a broad range of corporate finance and securities transactions, including various debt and equity offerings, as well as mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining Latham, Ms. Dizon worked as an associate in a leading Philippine law firm for several years.

Diona Park

Diona Park is a counsel in the Seoul office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department. Ms. Park advises clients on derivatives and structured products, equity-linked products, and other capital markets transactions and related regulatory matters. Her clients range from financial institutions and corporations to private equity funds, fintech companies, and hedge funds on transactions including: Equity hedging and monetization transactions, including over-the-counter transactions such as forwards and collars and structured transactions Share forward sales and related equity offerings, including at-the-market offerings Convertible bond offerings and related bond hedge transactions and derivatives entered into by issuers on their own stock, including repurchase and financing derivatives Margin loans secured by shares of publicly-traded issuers, diversified portfolios of securities, and/or debt securities Loan-linked and deal-contingent rate, currency and commodity hedging transactions, and related regulatory advice Prime brokerage and total return swap agreements and related netting, margin, and other regulatory issues Structuring and advising on regulatory treatment of cryptocurrency derivative transactions Prior to joining Latham, Ms. Park worked in New York at leading international law firms and as an in-house legal counsel at JPMorgan’s investment banking group.

Dominic Geiser

Dominic Geiser is a partner in the Hong Kong office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Litigation & Trial Department. Drawing on nearly 20 years of experience, Mr. Geiser’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and arbitration in Hong Kong and Asia, including contractual, financial, private and public company, investor, shareholder and joint venture disputes, frequently in a cross-border context and often featuring an associated regulatory or criminal angle. He has substantial experience representing clients in claims involving investment mis-selling, minority shareholder actions, breach of directors’ duties, fraud, misrepresentation, economic torts, as well as in cases requiring urgent injunctive or other interim relief. In addition, he advises on loan and security enforcement matters, liquidation and winding-up proceedings. Mr. Geiser has particular expertise advising ﬁnancial institutions, private equity and venture capital firms, major corporates and high-net worth individuals throughout Asia, Europe and the USA, as well as clients in the fintech, technology, media, telecommunications and consumer sectors. He has acted in some of the most high-profile and landmark cases in the Hong Kong Court over recent years. Mr. Geiser is widely acknowledged by legal directories as one of the leading litigators in Asia. Recent recognition includes being awarded Young Lawyer of the Year at the Asian Legal Business (ALB) Hong Kong Law Awards in 2018, featuring in ALB’s “Asia’s 40 Under 40” list of the most accomplished young lawyers in 2018, and in ALB’s inaugural list of “Asia’s Top 15 Litigators” in 2021. Among his other professional commitments, Mr. Geiser is a panel member of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, a member of the Civil Litigation Committee of the Law Society of Hong Kong, and a Contributing Editor of Hong Kong Civil Procedure published by Sweet & Maxwell. Mr. Geiser is qualified to practice Hong Kong and English law, and is a Solicitor Advocate in Hong Kong.

Edward Tang

Edward Tang is a member of the Corporate Department and the Private Equity Practice and the Mergers and Acquisition Practice. Mr. Tang’s practice focuses on a range of corporate matters, including advising private equity funds and corporations on mergers and acquisitions transactions and capital market offerings.

Eric Yiu

Eric Yiu advises investment banks as well as public and private companies doing business in Asia on a full spectrum of capital markets transactions. Mr. Yiu helps clients navigate capital raising transactions including: US equity and debt registered offerings Rule 144A/Regulation S equity and debt offerings Private placements PIPEs Convertible bonds Tender offers Hybrid securities such as convertible and exchangeable securities (both optional and mandatory) High-yield bonds Perpetual and regulatory capital securities He also counsels clients on due diligence, corporate governance, and post-listing compliance matters. Mr. Yiu’s experienced versatility means he can provide clients across a range of jurisdictions in Asia with effective commercial guidance on nearly any type of capital-raising transaction.

Esther Franks

Esther Franks leads the Data and Technology Transactions Practice in the firm’s Singapore office, and advises clients on complex cross-border data privacy and regulatory issues with an Asia nexus. Ms. Franks leverages her technical science background and a sophisticated understanding of global markets to help clients navigate myriad regulations across the healthcare, technology, internet, insurance, financial services, gaming, entertainment, and social media sectors. She advises on: Regulations and investigations, including those involving artificial intelligence and platform regulation Data privacy compliance with laws across APAC, GDPR, and eprivacy laws Strategies for compliant exploitation of data Data breaches and reporting Technology, intellectual property, and data licensing Commercial contracts and collaborations She has completed secondments to a global social media company’s data protection and cybersecurity teams, where she focused on GDPR compliance and security matters, and to a major global retail company and a multinational consumer goods company, where she acted as legal counsel for their respective global procurement functions, focusing on technology-related procurement and outsourcing. A recognized thought leader, she is a member of IAPP (the International Association of Privacy Professionals) and holds IAPP/CIPP/E certification. She regularly speaks and writes on topics related to privacy and AI. Ms. Franks has served on the firm’s Privacy Committee, Security Committee, and Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee.

Frank Sun

Frank Sun, Co-Deputy Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ Asia offices, advises clients on complex private equity investment and M&A transactions. A native Mandarin speaker focusing on multijurisdictional work, Mr. Sun has practiced law in London, Beijing, New York, and Hong Kong, and combines nearly two decades of local market knowledge in Greater China and broad transactional experience to provide solutions to private equity funds and corporate clients in a wide range of cross-border transactions, including: Control acquisitions Growth capital investments US take private Hong Kong public takeovers Private investments in public equity (PIPEs) A recognized leader at the firm, Mr. Sun has served on the firm’s Training and Career Enhancement Committee and Recruiting Committee.

Hiroaki Takagi

Hiroaki Takagi advises Japanese and international companies and private equity firms on complex M&A transactions with a Japan nexus. Dual qualified in Japan and the US, Mr. Takagi draws on more than two decades of experience advising clients on: Cross-border and domestic M&A transactions Japanese and US securities regulations Data privacy Corporate governance and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters Trade control Other regulatory and general corporate law matters He distills the complexities of Japanese market norms and regulatory frameworks into commercially focused legal advice for international clients. Mr. Takagi leverages his extensive experience navigating cross-border M&A to guide Japanese clients in transactions globally. Mr. Takagi brings an in-depth understanding of public company law garnered from his secondment experience with the Civil Affairs Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of Justice. In this role, he helped to oversee a major reform of the Companies Act in Japan, which passed into law in 2014. Mr. Takagi is a member of the Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association in Japan and the New York State Bar Association. He is Chairman of the Legal Education Committee of the Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association and has served as a visiting professor at Gakushuin University Law School, where he lectured on M&A law. Mr. Takagi also actively participates with the Inter-Pacific Bar Association and serves on the Organizing Committee for its annual conference in Tokyo.

Hiroki Kobayashi

Hiroki Kobayashi advises high-profile international and Japanese companies on all aspects of corporate transactions and project development and finance with a Japan nexus. Mr. Kobayashi leverages more than two decades of experience guiding clients on Japanese legal issues relating to: Inbound mergers and acquisitions Employment Antitrust Bankruptcy Government regulatory matters He helps non-Japanese clients understand Japan’s cultural best practices and navigate the country’s complex legal regime. Mr. Kobayashi builds trusted relationships with clients to support their business objectives within the region. Mr. Kobayashi also assists Japanese clients engaging in mergers and acquisitions outside Japan together with Latham colleagues in relevant jurisdictions. Mr. Kobayashi provides strategic and legal advice to Japanese sponsors and lenders in project development and finance matters, including in the oil and gas and power sectors. He frequently lectures on US/Japan corporate law matters at business seminars, providing practical solutions for Japanese expatriate candidates and managers of US subsidiaries and operations. Mr. Kobayashi is a member of the Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association in Japan and the New York State Bar Association. He maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising Ashoka, a nonprofit organization that identifies and supports the world’s leading social entrepreneurs.

Howe Min Wee

Howe Min Wee advises export credit agencies, multilaterals, commercial lenders, and sponsors on the development and financing of complex and innovative projects. Mr. Wee helps clients develop and finance large-scale, often precedent-setting projects across Asia and globally in the energy (including geothermal), commodities, and infrastructure sectors. He assists clients with navigating a project’s full life cycle, including: Negotiating and structuring key offtake agreements Formulating financing solutions at all levels of the capital structure Addressing and mitigating project construction risk, pre- and post-closing Mr. Wee draws on experience in headline transactions and matters across the region to bring clients a sophisticated and well-rounded understanding of the operation of debt — including his experience in structured finance, banking litigation, and debt restructuring. Mr. Wee also serves on the Public and International Law Committee of the Law Society of Singapore.

Hui Xu

Hui Xu, Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Litigation & Trial Department in Asia, represents clients in multi-jurisdictional litigation, government investigations and enforcement, and compliance matters. Mr. Xu regularly advises Chinese and global clients across industries — particularly in financial services, technology, and life sciences — on matters related to: Complex commercial and IP litigation Government investigations and enforcement related to data privacy, FCPA, sanctions, and antitrust Compliance, including related to transactions and developing compliance programs and policies Mr. Xu also assists clients by liaising with regulators in the US and China, presenting findings, and developing strategies to resolve situations short of litigation. He helps clients bridge regulatory, linguistic, and cultural gaps between parties. He draws on extensive experience in China and leverages skill managing a global team with relevant expertise to handle clients’ sensitive or high-risk matters. Prior to private practice, Mr. Xu was a member of the in-house legal department at the China Chamber of Commerce under the Ministry of Commerce of China, where he handled trade remedy, intellectual property, and World Trade Organization matters.

Ivan Smallwood

Ivan Smallwood regularly advises leading Japanese and multinational companies on high-stakes cross-border M&A transactions, particularly in the technology, medical, and industrial sectors. Mr. Smallwood draws on two decades’ experience driving many of Japan’s largest outbound transactions. He skillfully helps corporations and financial investors navigate inbound and outbound: Strategic mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures Joint ventures and strategic alliances Minority investments He understands clients’ commercial objectives and leverages comprehensive knowledge of Japanese and non-Japanese transaction regimes to achieve their goals. Mr. Smallwood maintains an active pro bono practice and works with Open Supply Hub, a nonprofit organization that strives to improve human rights and environmental conditions in and around factories and facilities by opening up supply chain data to the public. Before joining Latham, Mr. Smallwood worked at a leading international law firm in Tokyo. Mr. Smallwood is a registered foreign lawyer in Japan as a member of the Dai-Ni Tokyo Bar Association.

James Clayton-Payne

James Clayton-Payne, a mergers and acquisitions lawyer, advises on complex cross-border M&A and joint venture transactions across all sectors in Asia and the Middle East. Mr. Clayton-Payne has been resident in Asia since 2010, and in Singapore since 2012, where he advises infrastructure, venture capital, and buyout funds, as well as corporates and founders. He helps clients on: Energy and infrastructure Natural resources TMT Private equity Venture capital Mr. Clayton-Payne helps clients investing in jurisdictions from the Middle East to Australia navigate the unique legal and regulatory regimes in the region, having successfully executed transactions across 30 countries. He complements his regional focus with a real understanding of his clients requirements, drawn from in-house secondments in London and Hong Kong at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and Morgan Stanley.

Jeremy Wang

Jeremy Wang advises issuers and underwriters on securities, debt, and equity offerings, with a particular focus on clients and matters in South and Southeast Asia. Mr. Wang helps clients with a full spectrum of offerings including: High yield and investment-grade debt offerings Initial public offerings (US Securities and Exchange Commission-registered and Rule 144A/Regulation S offerings) Private placements Convertible debt He also advises clients on: Liability management transactions General securities law matters Mr. Wang draws on extensive experience handling offerings across all industries, including healthcare and life sciences, as well as energy and infrastructure. He provides clients with a keen understanding of the Singapore market combining his global perspective and his ability to navigate complex regulatory regimes across Asia, as well as US and UK regulations. He was named an “Up and Coming Lawyer” by Chambers Asia Pacific for 2022 and 2023.

Ji Liu

Ji Liu, Regional Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Corporate Department in Asia, advises clients on all aspects of corporate and securities law, with an emphasis on debt and equity capital markets transactions. Mr. Liu leverages his problem-solving mentality and extensive market experience to help world-leading companies, investment banks, and trustees navigate: High-yield and investment grade debt offerings Initial public offerings (IPOs) Issuances of equity, debt, and equity-linked securities Mergers and acquisitions Venture capital financing He serves as a trusted advisor to longtime clients and connects them with the resources they need across Latham’s robust global platform to achieve their commercial objectives. A recognized leader at the firm, Mr. Liu previously served on the firm’s Strategic Client Committee.

Louise Deng

Louise Deng advises private equity and corporate clients in Asia and globally on both buy-side and sell-side transactions. Ms. Deng regularly advises clients across a range of industries on corporate transactions including: Buyouts Minority investments Joint ventures Carve-outs PIPEs Privatizations Drawing on strong bilingual communication skills, and an in-house perspective gained from her secondment at a corporate venture capital team of a leading Chinese technology company, Ms. Deng brings clients a sophisticated understanding of the deal market in China and Asia-Pacific.

Lynsey Edgar

Lynsey Edgar advises top-tier sponsors on complex, cross-border financing transactions, particularly investments in energy and infrastructure assets. Ms. Edgar leverages a sophisticated understanding of the market and her international perspective to guide private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, as well as credit funds, in Asia-Pacific and Europe on a broad range of financings and capital structures, including: Leveraged and cross-border acquisition finance Platform debt financings Private credit transactions Mezzanine financings Special situations She keeps her finger on the pulse of global markets to craft innovative financing solutions that provide clients with the flexibility they need to achieve their commercial objectives. Ms. Edgar unlocks the firm’s global platform and collaborates to drive efficiency and integration across the network to benefit clients A recognized leader, both within the firm and the industry, Ms. Edgar serves on Latham’s Asia Knowledge Management and Diversity Leadership Committees and previously served on the firm's Mentoring Committee and as Chair of the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association’s Young Leaders Committee. She regularly advocates for women in law, including as a member of the firm’s Asia Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee and as a former Co-Chair of IWIRC’s Hong Kong Board, and the Women in Finance Asia Steering Committee. Ms. Edgar speaks at industry events on market trends, including on a cross-practice panel for the Hong Kong Venture Capital Association. Before joining Latham, Ms. Edgar worked in the London and Hong Kong offices of another leading international law firm. She has also completed a secondment to Goldman Sachs’ principal investments legal team in Hong Kong, primarily supporting the special situations group and merchant banking division across Asia.

Mandy Wong

Mandy Wong advises clients on equity and debt capital markets, with a focus on Hong Kong listings. Ms. Wong advises on a broad spectrum of general commercial and corporate finance transactions, including: Capital markets, including initial public offerings and follow-on offerings Debt offerings Mergers, acquisitions, and public takeovers and listing rules compliance matters She was seconded to the Listing Department of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2019. During her secondment, she was involved in several Hong Kong listing initiatives, including the secondary listings, the paperless listing initiatives and the modernization of the Hong Kong settlement process (FINI-Fast Interface for New Issuance). Ms. Wong rejoined the firm in August 2020. Prior to joining Latham, Ms. Wong was an executive director in the legal and compliance department of a leading investment bank, where she managed legal compliance and regulatory issues in North Asia.

Marcus Lee

Marcus Lee represents clients doing business in Asia in public and private mergers and acquisitions, as well as issuers and underwriters in a range of capital markets matters. Mr. Lee represents private equity firms and their portfolio companies, as well as emerging companies on: Mergers and acquisitions Capital markets transactions, including IPOs Venture capital financings General corporate matters and compliance issues As a versatile and commercially minded lawyer, he advises clients at all levels of the capital structure. Mr. Lee draws on particular experience handling transactions in Southeast Asia jurisdictions and Asia outbound transactions.

Michael Hardy

Michael Hardy is a partner in the Hong Kong office of Latham & Watkins. He is a member of the Derivatives and Structured Finance Practices. Mr. Hardy advises on a range of structured finance and derivatives transactions, including securitizations, structured credit and equity derivatives, securities lending and repo arrangements, repackagings, and structured hedging arrangements. His clients include asset accumulators / private equity funds, banks, other financial institutions, and financial market infrastructures (FMIs). He also advises in relation to regulatory capital, insolvency issues, clearing documentation, netting arrangements, derivatives regulation, and recovery and resolution. Mr. Hardy regularly speaks at derivatives and securitisation industry conferences, seminars, and meetings.

Michael Ning

Michael Ning counsels private equity sponsors, investors, and corporations on a variety of cross-border corporate transactions and investments. Mr. Ning has broad experience advising on, and assisting clients with, mergers and acquisitions, privatizations, private equity and leveraged buyouts, joint ventures, minority investments, equity capital markets, and compliance related matters.

Michael Rackham

Michael Rackham is a counsel in the Singapore office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department. Mr. Rackham is an experienced adviser to private equity investors and corporations on complex, cross-border corporate matters in the Asia-Pacific region, including mergers and acquisitions, disposals, auctions, private equity and leveraged buyouts, take-privates, spin-offs, and joint ventures. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Rackham worked for 10 years in the Hong Kong and London offices of two other US law firms.

Ning Li

Ms. Li focuses on capital markets transactions such as initial public offerings and listings on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as well as mergers and acquisitions of both public and private companies. She is also experienced in various due diligence investigations, corporate governance and post listing compliance matters. Ms. Li is fluent in English and Mandarin.

Owain Davies

Owain Davies advises on the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects, and has represented project owners, sponsors, and lenders on many of the largest and most high-profile projects in the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Davies has more than two decades’ experience advising project owners and sponsors on the key project contracts required for the development of major energy and infrastructure projects, and on related project financing arrangements. He regularly advises on complex first-of-their-kind projects, helping project developers navigate the unique challenges faced by these pioneering and market-defining projects. He also has extensive experience advising lenders and investors on debt and equity participation in energy and infrastructure projects, with a focus on the identification and analysis of potential risks and issues for lenders and investors, and the development of mitigation strategies. Mr. Davies has particular experience and expertise advising on: liquefied natural gas (LNG) export and import projects, including onshore and floating liquefaction, regasification, and storage facilities power projects, including renewables (geothermal, solar, wind, hydro, and biomass), nuclear and conventional thermal power projects, (including LNG-to-power) projects oil refinery and petrochemicals projects, including numerous world-scale new-build and expansion projects mining and natural resources projects, including iron ore and zinc mining projects, and coal gasification projects

Posit Laohaphan

Posit Laohaphan is the Managing Partner of Latham's Asia offices and the head of the firm’s Structured Equity and Finance Practice in Asia. Mr. Laohaphan advises clients across Asia on a range of investment and financing matters in the public and private markets covering equity-linked capital markets products, private credit, structured equity and finance, and OTC derivatives. He helps clients on: Structured capital markets products, such as equity-linked securities OTC equity derivatives Structured lending products, such as margin loans Direct lending and private capital transactions Structured finance Workouts and restructuring of financing transactions General corporate and capital markets transactions Mr. Laohaphan draws on over two decades of experience advising on complex structured cross-border transactions. He began his career in New York in 2004 before moving to Hong Kong in 2010 to build Latham’s structured equity and financing business in APAC. Mr. Laohaphan advises clients across different product areas, geographical markets, and client types (both buy-side and sell-side). Given his broad and sophisticated practice he serves as a strategic advisor to clients.

Rajiv Gupta

Rajiv Gupta heads Latham’s India Practice and advises Indian companies and global clients doing business in India on a full range of corporate and finance transactions. He draws on more than two decades of experience advising on capital markets transactions. Rajiv brings an unusual combination of skills to advise both issuers and underwriters on a full range of capital markets transactions, including: US IPOs and SEC-registered transactions Indian IPOs High-yield bonds Convertible securities He has developed a preeminent India practice advising on hundreds of complex, high-profile, and precedent-setting capital markets transactions. Rajiv also leverages Latham’s global platform to help clients navigate a full range of complex or cross-border corporate transactions, including: Mergers and acquisitions Private equity Restructuring Leveraged finance Rajiv served as an appointed member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Advisory Committee. A native Hindi speaker, Rajiv has been educated in India, the US, and the UK, and has practiced in New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore, so brings a global perspective to clients’ transactions. He regularly speaks on capital markets and corporate transactions, at key industry conferences, including the Indian Banks’ Association’s conference. Rajiv’s pro bono work includes advising on the innovative Women’s Livelihood Bond series, sponsored by the Impact Investment Exchange.

Regina Kim

Regina Jinseo Kim advises Korean and global clients on outbound and inbound investments and corporate transactions. Ms. Kim helps global private equity firms and market-leading Korean companies on strategic transactions, including: Mergers and acquisitions Joint ventures Minority investments She draws on previous experience working at a Korean law firm, as well as working in the US, and Hong Kong. A skilled bilingual and bicultural practitioner, Ms. Kim also brings experience working on landmark multibillion-dollar mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures in South Korea and other jurisdictions. She also works closely on the ground with global Latham teams on a full spectrum of matters. Ms. Kim is active with Latham’s Women Enriching Business Committee initiative.

Richard Chul Kim

Richard Chul Kim is counsel in the Finance Department of Latham & Watkins Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise. He advises clients on project development and finance, and structured finance. Mr. Kim has practiced in Asia since 2008. He regularly works on transactions involving Korean, Japanese, and other international sponsors, lenders, and government agencies in the energy sector on their global financing and development needs. He also advises clients on various aspects of cross-border corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures. Mr. Kim previously served a secondment with Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) from 2015 to 2017. Prior to his career in Asia, Mr. Kim worked as an attorney in Los Angeles and was a judicial extern to Judge Stephen V. Wilson in the US District Court for the Central District of California. Mr. Kim is qualified to practice before the California Bar and a registered foreign lawyer in Japan of the Dai-Ni Tokyo Bar Association (California Law).

Richard Watkins

Richard Watkins advises private equity and corporate clients on M&A, joint venture, and other strategic transactions with an Asia-Pacific nexus. Mr. Watkins combines extensive experience across a broad range of deal types with a depth of understanding of local markets to guide clients on: Cross-border mergers and acquisitions, ranging from buyouts to minority investments, both public and private Investing and raising growth capital Consortia and joint ventures Structured and downside-protected quasi-equity investments He works closely with Latham colleagues worldwide to structure innovative solutions that utilize the latest legal technology and integrate market-leading advice from across the global platform. Mr. Watkins’ experience spans both buy side and sell side in a variety of industries, particularly real estate, asset management, tech and digital infrastructure, healthcare and life sciences, and consumer goods. Drawing on his prior experience in London and Moscow, Mr. Watkins provides pragmatic, commercial advice that reflects his experience guiding clients through evolving geopolitical and economic conditions. Mr. Watkins serves on the firm’s Global Mentoring Committee.

Richard Fleming

Richard Fleming is counsel in the Finance Department of Latham & Watkins Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise. Mr. Fleming's practice focuses on project development and finance transactions, with a background in leveraged and acquisition finance. Mr. Fleming regularly represents both sponsors and lenders in large, complex financings and has extensive experience in power project transactions in the Philippines, Indonesia, and other regions throughout Asia. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Fleming worked in the Los Angeles office of a large international law firm where he represented commercial and investment banks, private equity sponsors, as well as private and public companies in connection with bank and acquisition finance matters, refinancings, and restructurings. Mr. Fleming is a registered foreign lawyer in Japan as a member of the Dai-Ni Tokyo Bar Association.

Ruonan Duan

Ruonan Duan advises clients doing business in Asia on corporate and finance transactions. Ms. Duan helps both borrowers and lenders, including Chinese and international private equity firms, private debt providers, corporates, banks, and funds on a wide range of banking and finance transactions, including: Leveraged finance Property finance Acquisition finance Syndicated corporate finance Restructuring and workouts She has particular experience with the infrastructure, consumer, healthcare, real estate, and technology sectors and with executing deals in jurisdictions across Asia, including China, Korea, India, and the Philippines. Ms. Duan draws on her Mandarin fluency and five years practicing in the Shanghai office of a magic circle law firm to provide clients insight on regional market practice. Ms. Duan is a member of the Young Leaders Committee of the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association. As an active member of the Hong Kong community, she provides pro bono support, including as a volunteer at Equal Justice in Hong Kong.

Sharon Lau

Sharon Lau is a partner in the Singapore office and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. She is a former Vice Chair of the firm’s Global Corporate Department and a member of the firm’s Capital Markets, M&A, and Private Equity Practices. Ms. Lau advises both issuers and underwriters in global securities offerings, including IPOs, REIT offerings, and high-yield debt offerings. She also regularly advises private equity sponsors, corporates, and financial investors on cross-border M&A transactions as well as on pre-IPO, growth capital, venture capital financings, and joint venture transactions. Ms. Lau is recognized as a leading lawyer for capital markets in Singapore and Indonesia by Chambers Asia-Pacific. She is also noted by Legal 500 for Singapore capital markets and Singapore corporate and M&A.

Sidharth Bhasin

Sidharth Bhasin advises on private equity investments and exits, public and private M&A transactions, and joint ventures. Mr. Bhasin helps private equity, sovereign wealth, and pension funds, as well as Asian and international corporates on complex cross-border transactions, including: Private equity investments and exits Public and private M&A Joint ventures Fundraising He regularly works on transactions across the Asia-Pacific region, including in India and Southeast Asia, as well as outbound transactions to the United States and Europe. Mr. Bhasin has worked in New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and was educated in India, the UK, and the US, so brings a global perspective and commercial sensibility to a full spectrum of transactions. He has developed significant industry knowledge across a range of industries, particularly in the energy and infrastructure (including digital infrastructure) and technology, media, and telecoms (TMT) sectors.

Simon Hawkins

Simon Hawkins, an experienced and trusted advisor to financial institutions and fintech companies, advises on a range of regulatory matters and transactions. He leads the financial regulatory practice in Asia and co-chairs the firm’s Digital Assets & Web3 Practice. Mr. Hawkins advises a full range of financial industry and fintech clients — from traditional commercial and investment banks, private equity firms, broker/dealers, and insurers to innovative fintech companies, including payments companies, crypto exchanges and custodians, token issuers, and Metaverse and decentralized finance (DeFi) projects. He provides confident and seasoned regulatory advice and transactional support to clients doing inbound and outbound business in Hong Kong. As an early mover in the fintech industry in Asia, he provides insight and skilled judgment on the dynamic fintech industry and rapidly evolving crypto regulatory landscape. Resident in Hong Kong since 2009, Mr. Hawkins has developed strong working relationships with regulators at the Securities and Futures Commission and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. He serves as an active member of ASIFMA and the Fintech Association of Hong Kong. Mr. Hawkins regularly steers clients safely through situations of high risk and uncertainty, coordinating a global team of Latham colleagues, and local counsel. Mr. Hawkins has worked in London, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, and served as a secondee at HSBC in Hong Kong, where he assisted with the launch of HSBC’s Prime Finance business in Asia.

Simon Cooke

Simon Cooke, a leading private equity lawyer in Asia, specializes in public and private M&A and corporate finance with a focus on pan-Asia private equity transactions. Mr. Cooke regularly advises Asian and international private equity clients, their portfolio companies, and strategics on transactions across the Asia Pacific region, including in India, Korea, Japan, Greater China, and Southeast Asia. Resident in Hong Kong since 2009, he draws on his extensive regional experience to help clients successfully execute a broad range of domestic and cross-border transactions, including: Buyouts Bolt-on acquisitions Infrastructure Growth capital Pre-IPO investments PIPEs Privatizations Other private equity transactions He also advises clients on general private and public company and cross-border M&A and corporate finance transactions. With a commercial sensibility and pragmatic approach, Mr. Cooke leverages an impressive track record of helping clients achieve their strategic objectives.

Stacey Wong

Stacey Wong advises clients on a broad spectrum of complex equity and debt capital markets transactions, including US-registered and cross-border Southeast Asia deals. Mr. Wong draws on extensive US securities law knowledge and experience guiding investment banks and issuers through the challenges inherent in cross-jurisdictional transactions. He has advised high-growth and private equity-backed companies, government-linked and sovereign issuers, and state-owned enterprises on: Initial public offerings (IPOs) High-yield, convertible, and investment-grade debt offerings Private placements and block trades Liability management exercises and refinancings Follow-on offerings Other strategic equity investments Mr. Wong takes a commercial approach to each transaction and devises creative and pragmatic solutions to help clients achieve their business goals. He builds trusted relationships to advise clients on their US public company requirements and corporate governance matters, and advises shareholders on Section 13 and 16 reporting obligations. Mr. Wong has served on the firm’s Associates Committee and Recruiting Committee. Before law school, Mr. Wong worked for a US senator, advising on banking and health care issues.

Stephen McWilliams

Stephen McWilliams advises sponsors and lenders on the most complex and innovative project development and finance transactions in Asia. He heads the firm’s Project Development & Finance Practice for Asia. Mr. McWilliams counsels clients on innovative solutions to complex development and financing issues in developing markets across Asia, especially for first-of-their-kind, multi-lender projects. He particularly focuses on Energy & Infrastructure projects in the areas of: Petrochemicals Power Mining Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Energy Transition Mr. McWilliams brings decades of experience in Asia, helping lenders and sponsors establish markets with large scale precedent-setting deals. He leverages the firm’s global platform to assemble teams with market-leading experience across multiple practices.

Timothy Hia

Timothy Hia advises clients on their most complex financing transactions across Asia, particularly in Singapore, India, Indonesia, and Thailand. Mr. Hia draws on two decades’ experience as a trusted advisor and pragmatic problem-solver to guide private equity sponsors, major corporate borrowers, and private capital lenders across the entire credit cycle on: Leveraged and acquisition financings Infrastructure finance transactions Corporate securities and capital markets offerings He closely collaborates with clients and colleagues to unlock the resources of Latham’s robust global platform, devising creative solutions that help clients achieve their commercial objectives. A recognized leader at the firm, Mr. Hia is former Local Chair of the Finance Department in Asia and has served on the Diversity Leadership Committee, Associates Committee, and Pro Bono Committee. Mr. Hia prioritizes giving back to the community. He currently serves as the Chairman of Youth Guidance Outreach Services, a social services organization benefitting youth at risk in Singapore, and as Vice-Chair of The Helping Hand, a halfway house assisting people with substance use disorder. He maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising Standard Microgrid, whose mission is to provide clean, modern, and affordable energy services to poor rural communities in Africa.

Tingfei Fan

Tingfei Fan is a counsel in the Hong Kong office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department. Ms. Fan represents local and US corporations and financial institutions in connection with a range of corporate transactions, with a focus on capital markets, including: Initial public offerings and listings Bond offerings Mergers and acquisitions Regulatory and compliance Prior to joining Latham, Ms. Fan worked as an associate at multinational law firms in Hong Kong and China, representing clients in debt and equity offerings and various private equity investments in Hong Kong and the US.

Wei Wei

Wei Wei is a counsel in the Beijing office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department. Ms. Wei advises Chinese companies on initial public offerings in the US and Hong Kong, as well as corporate finance transactions involving debt and equity offerings and mergers and acquisitions. She is fluent in Mandarin and English.

Wonsuk (Steve) Kang

Wonsuk Kang, Chair of Latham’s Korea Practice, helps Korean clients successfully navigate complex cross-border transactions. Mr. Kang advises globally market-leading Korean companies on strategic corporate transactions and high-stakes disputes. A native Korean speaker, he draws on experience with capital markets and landmark multibillion dollar mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures in South Korea. Educated in Korea, the US, and the UK, and qualified in the UK and Hong Kong, Mr. Kang brings a global perspective to his work. He pairs a highly analytical, efficient mindset with a complementary passion for assembling global teams of Latham colleagues to best serve Korean clients. Prior to his legal career, Mr. Kang was an award-winning communications and journalism professor at the distinguished Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Yohei Nakagawa

Yohei Nakagawa advises Japanese and international clients on a wide range of complex cross-border M&A transactions. Mr. Nakagawa draws on extensive experience across diverse sectors, including technology, life sciences, and media, to guide clients on: Outbound and inbound mergers and acquisitions Strategic investments International joint ventures Fully bilingual in Japanese and English, Mr. Nakagawa engages with clients and other parties seamlessly between both languages and brings a multicultural perspective to achieve commercial outcomes in complex cross-border M&A transactions. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Nakagawa was a partner at a leading international law firm in Tokyo, and has also practiced in the New York and Miami offices of his previous firm. Mr. Nakagawa is a member of the New York Bar and is a registered foreign lawyer (Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi) in Japan as a member of the Dai-Ni Tokyo Bar Association.

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