Leveraging 'a strong bench of capable lawyers at all levels', King & Wood Mallesons provides a 'very cost-effective service' to fund managers and investors across a wide range of fund formation matters. Demonstrating an 'impressive command of market terms and negotiations, especially for Cayman fund vehicles', the team has gained most prominence for its work on behalf of Chinese fund managers which they are well-positioned to serve, not only because of their historical connections to the region but also their capacity to advise on cross-border transactions through their international network. Hong Kong and PRC-qualified partner Jingjing Jiang has excellent traction in the market for Chinese fund managers, and has particular expertise on private equity fund formation utilising the Hong Kong Limited Partnership Fund (LPF) structure, a vehicle that he himself had a key role in developing. Straddling both GP and LP work, Guo Sun Lee's insight from both perspectives ensures that he is able to provide 'very commercial' advice across a range of private funds work, including buyout funds, venture capital and real estate strategies.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The team has a very commercial approach, partners and staff take the time to understand our business and our commercial objectives and their work is designed to meet our needs.'
  • 'KWM has a strong international presence and that provides a very collaborative and synergistic dynamic when working together on a file - there is always a team that is able to give us insight into novel and/or jurisdiction-specific issues.'
  • 'Their meticulous attention to detail and fastidious project management from start to finish set them apart as leaders in the field. They demonstrate an impressive command of market terms and negotiations, especially for Cayman fund vehicles.'
  • 'They are exceptional in terms of fund formation and provide a cost-effective service.'
  • 'They have a deep team with a strong bench of capable lawyers at all levels.'
  • 'Guo Sun Lee does the majority of our venture formation work in Asia and he is excellent. He is very commercial, highly responsive, and has an incredible work ethic.'
  • 'Guo Sun Lee's ability to meticulously oversee every aspect of the fund formation process, from inception to completion, distinguishes him from his peers. His deep knowledge of market terms and aptitude in negotiating with high-profile institutional investors, particularly for Cayman fund vehicles, underscores his expertise and reliability.'

Key clients

  • Shenzhen Capital (International) Asset Management Company Limited
  • China Life Insurance (Overseas) Company Limited
  • Taiping Financial Holdings Company Limited
  • VMS Investment Group (HK) Limited
  • BOCI-Prudential Trustee Limited
  • Three Capital Investment Limited
  • ABCDE (HK) Limited
  • Bosera Asset Management (International) Co. Limited
  • Bank Consortium Trust Company Limited
  • ICBC Asset Management (Global) Company Limited
  • Fullgoal Asset Management (HK) Limited
  • Taikang Asset Management (Hong Kong) Company Limited
  • CMS Asset Management (HK) Co., Limited
  • Avenue Asset Management Limited
  • ESR Group
  • Mizuho Asia Partners Pte. Ltd.
  • Wavemaker Pacific Partners Pte. Ltd.
  • SUSI Partners Asia Pte. Ltd.
  • Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
  • Gobi Partners

Work highlights

  • The firm advised China Life Insurance (Overseas) Company Limited  on their investments in a series of private credit funds across the globe, including its investment in the $10bn Ares Senior Direct Lending Fund III, a private credit fund managed by Ares Management.
  • Advising BOCI-Prudential Trustee Limited (“BOCPT”) on its role as the custodian of all six of the first-to-market virtual asset spot exchange traded fund (“VA Spot ETF”) in Hong Kong.
  • Advised the ESR Group through its companies, PT ESR Indonesia Properties One, PT ESR Indonesia Properties Two and PT ESR Indonesia Properties Three in its strategic partnership with the Indonesia Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund of Indonesia, and MC Urban Development Indonesia.

Lawyers

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.

Jingjing Jiang

Other key lawyers

Guo Sun Lee, Hayden Flinn, Helena Huang, Cindy Shek