How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience? 

During challenging periods, business teams within an organisation are often under pressure to deliver new and innovative solutions for clients to capture dynamic market conditions. It is crucial that the collective expertise and professional knowledge of our Legal team develops rapidly alongside these new solutions to provide appropriate guidance and support. Also, in times of instability or crisis, there is a tendency for business teams to prioritise results over considering underlying legal risks and liabilities. As the gatekeepers of the organisation, our Legal team must offer effective support to the business teams while continually ensuring that all business initiatives comply with our internal policies and the general regulatory framework.

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in? 

In June 2024, Jefferies, amongst other banks, has acted as a joint global coordinator and overall coordinator in the IPO of QuantumPharm Inc. on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. QuantumPharm Inc. was the first IPO under Chapter 18C of the Listing Rules, a new regime introduced by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in March 2023 for specialist technology companies. It was a milestone transaction for the Hong Kong capital markets. Our legal team played a crucial role in reviewing and negotiating all transaction documents for Jefferies.

Jefferies also served as a joint financial advisor to Carlyle Group on its sale of Japanese cosmetics supplier Tokiwa Corp to TOA Inc. (formerly Nihon Kolmar). Our legal team acted as Jefferies’ principal legal counsel on this deal. It exemplifies the capabilities of Jefferies’ partnership with SMBC Nikko and serves as a case study of how our combined platform can enhance execution in M&A transactions to deliver superior results for our clients.

What strategic priorities are guiding you and your team in 2024? 

Jefferies is actively expanding our business in the APAC region. Our legal team will continuously develop and expand our collective expertise and professional knowledge in the legal and regulatory framework across different jurisdictions in the region.