A ‘go-to firm for high-stakes or complex transactions’, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP's China practice is consistently sought out by major private equity clients to advise on strategic acquisitions and investments across the region. Providing ’outstanding legal advice’ from Beijing, Yang Wang acts for a range of corporate and private equity clients on high-end M&A, private equity deals, corporate finance transactions, and other general corporate matters; and  working across the Hong Kong and Tokyo offices, Ian Ho is a widely-lauded M&A expert. The practice further showcases Hong Kong-based Erik Ping Wang, an adviser to clients from the technology, infrastructure, financial services, healthcare, consumer products and industrials sectors; and experienced M&A practitioner Jie Min, who is also in Beijing.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team is highly specialised in M&A/PE work (unlike many other teams that do a mix of corporate work that include M&A/PE) and acts on many precedent-setting transactions in the market.’

  • ‘The team is highly qualified and comprises JD graduates from leading US law schools, who have stayed with the firm for almost their entire careers.’

  • ‘Despite their past accomplishments and sterling credentials, the team remains highly responsive, adaptable and eager to serve clients.’

  • ‘The STB China M&A/PE team is a go-to firm for high-stakes or complex transactions.’

  • ‘Yang Wang is deeply experienced in the cross-border M&A market in China and at the forefront of legal and regulatory developments affecting China-related cross-border M&A transactions.’

  • ‘Yang Wang is uniquely capable of resolving complex commercial issues, understanding clients’ business needs, and proposing simple (yet creative) legal solutions.’

  • ‘Yang Wang consistently provides outstanding legal advice and will continue to be a trusted legal adviser for many years to come.’

Key clients

  • Alibaba Group Holding
  • Ant Group
  • Apax Partners
  • Blackstone
  • BEST Logistics
  • Cainiao Smart Logistics Network
  • CVC
  • GDS Holdings
  • GLP
  • Hillhouse Capital
  • J-Star
  • JOYY Inc.
  • JP Morgan
  • Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co
  • Koubei Holding
  • Kanzhun Limited
  • Marelli
  • Morgan Stanley Private Equity
  • PAG
  • Primavera Capital Group
  • Qudian
  • Seatown
  • Sequoia Capital China Fund
  • Silver Lake Partners
  • SK Group
  • Stonepeak
  • TAL Education
  • Warburg Pincus
  • XPeng Inc.
  • Yunfeng Fund

Work highlights

  • Advised PAG on its announced $8.3bn joint investment in Newland CommercialManagement, reportedly the largest international private equity investment in China in a recent five-year period.
  • Advised XPENG on receiving a minority investment from the Volkswagen Group.
  • Advised Ant Group on its share repurchase programme and restructuring.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Jie Min
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ian Ho, Yang Wang, Erik Ping Wang

Other key lawyers

Jie Min