White & Case > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Firm Profile

White & Case > The Legal 500 Rankings

Hong Kong > Banking and finance Tier 1

Praised as ‘commercial, practical and efficient’, the ‘excellent team’ at White & Case acts for lenders, sponsors and borrowers on big-ticket, cross-border transactions across Greater China and the wider APAC region. ‘Top notch’ Eugene Man leads the team and maintains a strong track record in structured private debt and credit financing mandates, in addition to leveraged finance matters in Greater China. Baldwin Cheng counts private equity funds among his key roster of clients, and Clara Shirota, who splits her time between the firm's Hong Kong and Tokyo, advises on deals concerning leveraged acquisition and take-private finance, refinancings, dividend recapitalisations and restructurings, debt buy-backs and bank/bond transactions. Sabrina Lee is another key contact in the group.

Hong Kong > Private equity Tier 1

Acting for lucrative list of global private equity houses, White & Case boasts broad strength spanning the tech, energy transition, and oil & gas spaces. The 'extremely commercial and aggressive' Daniel Yeh heads the practice, with his broad knowledge of tender offers and going private transactions. Having been promoted to partner in January 2024, the 'detailed oriented and thoughtful' Shifeng Ni routinely advises on private equity driven M&A transactions and strategic investments. Paul Tang counts private equity firms and their portfolios, and both public and private companies among his diverse client base, often assisting with buyouts and growth capital investment issues, while William Fong remains a key name for cross-border divestitures. Steven Sha is well-placed to advise on the full range of private equity transactions, including PIPEs and joint ventures.  

Hong Kong > Investment funds Tier 2

With strong core investment fund expertise in Hong Kong and also able to leverage broader tax and financial services regulatory across the firm's US offices, White & Case is well-positioned to advise a loyal roster of fund managers and institutional investors (including sovereign wealth funds) setting up or investing in private funds deploying capital across a range of alternative strategies. Team head Anthony Wong is 'outstanding' and regularly helps sponsors establish large-cap closed end fund platforms, including in the real estate space.

Hong Kong > Capital markets (debt) Tier 3

Working on its own, as well as frequently alongside colleagues in Mainland China and Singapore, White & Case is well-versed in advising arrangers/underwriters, in particular, on a variety of standalone debt issuances and those in the context of MTN Programmes throughout Greater China and the broader APAC region. The team, which is led by Jessica Zhou, has also been active on liability management-related matters, as well as advising development banks as guarantors to sovereigns on private placements.

Hong Kong > Corporate (including M&A) Tier 3

White & Case houses a broad offering which is recommended for its strength in private M&A. The 'dedicated and absolutely brilliant' Christopher Kelly leads the team with his longstanding expertise in M&A, particularly within the energy and infrastructure sectors. Praised by clients for being 'truly talented and innovative', Steven Sha is well-versed in carve-out acquisitions and joint ventures. Paul Tang is a key contact for Chinese companies and equity backed sponsors, often assisting with investments into China and overseas acquisitions.

Hong Kong > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 3

Frequently acting for petitioners in major bankruptcy claims and assisting groups of noteholders in liquidation cases, White & Case houses a multilingual and multidisciplinary team which represents domestic and international clients. Since joining in September 2023, practice head Sophie Lyall brings vast expertise in all aspects of restructuring, insolvency, and special situation issues to the outfit, Baldwin Cheng primarily focuses on the contentious side of liquidations, while Wilfred Ho is an international arbitration expert. Eugene Man predominantly advises banks and corporates, and Jessica Zhou is also highlighted as a key member of the team.

Hong Kong > Structured finance and securitisation Tier 3

Although it has less longevity than many of its peers, the Hong Kong team at White & Case has made some market inroads, advising banks, private wealth clients, corporates and funds across a range of cross-border derivatives and structured finance transactions and regulatory matters. The team has also continued to gain traction advising on APAC-related equity derivatives transactions documented under New York and English law. Nathaniel Crowley heads the team and is skilled at handling OTC derivatives as well as cash and synthetic securitisations. Crowley also regularly works alongside other international offices throughout the region, including Singapore, which was recently strengthened following the relocation of former Hong Kong mainstay Xuan Jin.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: litigation

China > Banking and finance: foreign firms

'One of the best teams in the market', White & Case LLP's banking and finance offering acts for major international and domestic banks along with alternative capital providers. It continues to strengthen its practice acting for private equity sponsors on leveraged finance transactions. 'Excellent partner' Eugene Man heads the team from Hong Kong, particularly noted for his work in structured private debt and credit financing. David Li is executive partner of the Beijing office, focusing on China inbound and outbound financing and investment transactions. Also in Beijing, Cherry Zhou has experience of sustainability-linked loans; Frank Shu is the go-to for Shanghai, experienced in acquisition finance, structured finance, and real estate finance.

China > Private equity: foreign firms

White & Case LLP's China private equity team acts for significant private equity investors and targets in Greater China (as well as across the Asia-Pacific region) on major transactions. On the mainland, Vivian Tsoi acts for global corporations and Chinese state-owned and private enterprises on big ticket, multi-jurisdictional matters; Yan Yan is a recently-raised partner; and Amy Yang's wide-ranging practice includes private equity work. In Hong Kong, Daniel Yeh is Asia private equity head, while Christopher Kelly is also a well-known private equity practitioner. Transactions expert Alan Bao joined the Beijing office in March 2024 from O'Melveny.

China > Regulatory/compliance: foreign firms

White & Case LLP‘s corporate investigations team in China routinely assists with the prevention and resolution of regulatory and criminal enforcement matters, as well as investigations and associated civil claims (both in China and globally). Providing notable support from Hong Kong, James Hsiao is experienced in international anti-corruption investigations, anti-money laundering, risk management, and regulatory and compliance issues. Anti-corruption investigation and compliance practitioner Bob Li is the key name in Beijing. Bingna Guo left the firm in October 2024.

China > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms

Operating a fully integrated M&A team across offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, White & Case LLP displays ‘expert level knowledge’ when advising on outbound investments, complex joint ventures, and cross-continental acquisitions. Vivian Tsoi consistently acts for global corporations and Chinese state-owned entities. Yan Yan is a private equity specialist, and Alan Bao primarily concentrates on IPOs. Paul Tang is knowledgeable on dispositions and buyouts, and Amy Yang is also recommended.

Singapore > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms

Praised as ‘responsive and commercial’, the team at White & Case Pte. Ltd. has bolstered its prowess in high-profile energy M&A, with additional expertise in private equity transactions and date centre investments. ‘Exceptional’ practice leader Jonathan Olier maintains a strong track record in M&A and private equity deals, cross-border joint ventures and private capital mandates, and counts private equity houses, corporates, investment funds and family offices among his key roster of clients. Tzi-Yang Seow, who advises on buyouts, growth equity investments and disposals, going private transactions and joint ventures, is another key contact in the group. Jessica Leung was promoted to partner in January 2025.