Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
Client SatisfactionLeveraging the expertise of its network of offices in Asia, Europe, and the United States, the team at Kirkland & Ellis consistently handles complex financial restructurings, enforcement and litigation strategy, alongside insolvency proceedings. The practice has vast experience in representing domestic and international clients in the real estate, energy, and media sectors, regularly demonstrating strong multi-jurisdictional capabilities. Based out of Hong Kong, Neil McDonald leads the group, specialising in advising bondholders in connection with the restructuring of offshore indebtedness, while Hong Kong-based Wei Yang Lim has notable experience handling restructurings and special situations investment across the region. Fergus Saurin primarily focuses on cross-border commercial and insolvency-related disputes, and Anthony Wijaya stands out for his work with global hedge funds. Former partner Kelly Naphtali departed in 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Key clients
- Ad hoc group of holders of the USD-denominated senior notes and HKD-denominated convertible bonds issued and/or guaranteed by Country Garden Holdings Company Limited and its subsidiaries.
- Ad hoc group of holders of the offshore notes issued/guaranteed by China Evergrande Group and/or its subsidiaries.
- Ad hoc group of holders of the senior notes issued by KWG Group Holdings Limited.
- Ad hoc group of holders of certain public offshore notes and other offshore financial indebtedness issued and/or guaranteed by Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
- Ad hoc group of holders of the offshore notes and perpetual securities issued by CIFI Holdings (Group) Co. Ltd.
- Ad hoc group of holders of the offshore notes issued or guaranteed by Yuzhou Group Holdings Company Limited
- Ad hoc group of holders of US$1.35 billion offshore notes issued by China South City Holdings Limited (HKSE: 1668)
- Ad hoc group of holders of the US$350 million zero coupon convertible bonds due 2026 issued by Tequ Mayflower Limited and guaranteed by Hope Education Group Co., Ltd.
- Ad hoc group of offshore bondholders in restructuring and enforcement actions in respect of US$275,000,000 9.875% Senior Notes due 2022 issued by Hong Seng Limited and guaranteed by Hong Yang Group Company Limited.
- Ad hoc group of holders of the offshore notes issued by Fantasia Holdings Group Co., Limited.
- Sapura Energy Berhad and its subsidiaries
- Lenders under the approximately US$500 million senior and junior facility borrowed by PT Visi Media Asia Tbk, a leading Indonesia listed and based media convergence company
- Lenders under the US$1.2 billion term loan facility borrowed by BYJU’s Alpha Inc and guaranteed by, among others, Think & Learn Pvt Ltd
- Certain bondholders in connection with the restructuring of VNET’s indebtedness.
- Top-tier sponsor backed telecom tower infrastructure group in Myanmar
- Partners Group
- Ad hoc committee of holders of the US$450,000,000 6% notes due 2020 issued by Unigroup International Holdings Ltd. and guaranteed by Tsinghua Unigroup International Co., Ltd. with benefit of a keepwell deed provided by Tsinghua Unigroup Co. Ltd.
- Ad hoc committee of holders of certain tranches of bonds including US$350,000,000 5.25% guaranteed bonds due 2018 issued by certain subsidiary of China Energy Reserve and Chemicals Group Company Ltd.
- Bain Capital Special Situations
Work highlights
- Advising an ad hoc group of holders of USD-denominated senior notes and HKD-denominated convertible bonds issued and/or guaranteed by Country Garden Holdings Company Limited in connection with the restructuring of its offshore indebtedness which is in excess of US$32.27 billion (including US$10.55 billion in the aggregate principal amount of the offshore notes).
- Advising US$1.2 billion syndicated lenders of BYJU’s, an Indian edtech firm which once counted among the world’s most valuable startups with US$22 billion valuation with respect to global enforcement strategy spanning from India insolvency process, US Chapter 11, Singapore receivership and multiple litigation proceedings worldwide.
- Advised an ad hoc group of holders of senior notes issued and/or guaranteed by China Evergrande Group in connection with the restructuring of its offshore indebtedness in excess of US$36 billion (including US$19 billion in aggregate principal amount of the offshore notes).
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Neil McDonald