Offshore law firms

Mourant

Having opened an office in Singapore in October 2023, Mourant continues to display expertise spanning the full range of matters concerning investment funds, banking and finance, corporate transactions, and both contentious and non-contentious insolvency and restructuring issues. Managing partner Paul Christopher is an expert in M&A, joint ventures, and privatisations; banking and finance expert Simon Lawrenson routinely assists arrangers and lenders on debt financing mandates; Danielle Roman leads the banking and finance group, and is well-versed in mandates involving aviation and shipping finance; and Justine Lau leads the disputes, restructuring and insolvency team, often advising on major cross-border liquidations and security enforcement matters. 'Superstar' Claire Fulton specialises in special situations financings and cross-border restructuring issues, in addition to schemes of arrangement under BVI and Cayman Islands rules. Praised for his 'proactive problem-solving approach' James Broad is a key contact for hedge and private equity funds, in addition to an increasing number of virtual asset fund managers. Michael Popkin routinely acts in cases involving winding up proceedings and the restructuring of debt while Jessica Lee is recommended for her broad corporate expertise, which spans acquisitions, de-SPAC transactions, and restructurings. Paul Trewartha and Lily Miao left the firm in March 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Mourant is constantly seeking feedback on their service and think about the broader holistic relationship with their client beyond individual transactions and relationships.’
‘Danielle Roman is a bundle of energy. She is not only great at what she does, she is proactive and user friendly and also has your interest in mind. She would think of ideas to collaborate on client initiatives.’
‘A team that provides high quality advice and is able to harness their offshore teams to provide 24 hour turnaround on work product.’
‘Justine Lau and Clare Fulton are both excellent technically, commercially savvy and very responsive.’
‘Claire Fulton is a superstar and the go-to lawyer offshore for all finance and restructuring matters, first class client service and legal advice, a real leader in the market. Simply the best.’
‘Jessica Lee is professional, commercial sensitive, and highly responsive Jesslyn Leung is responsive, very detail-oriented, adaptive to the working culture of different clients.’
‘Claire Fulton and Michael Popkin are partners in this outstanding practice. With their solid legal skills and experience, they are able to deliver practical results that meet the client's commercial objectives. The result is a favourable commercial outcome with sound legal grounding.’
‘James Broad at Mourant has been instrumental in assisting us with our funds formation. Friendly and approachable, James excels at actively seeking to solve any issues we encounter. His proactive problem-solving approach, combined with his deep expertise, ensures that our needs are met efficiently and effectively. Working with James has been a seamless and positive experience.’

Key clients

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank
Barclays Bank plc
Natixis
Prenetics Global Limited
Hollysys Automation
China Beidahuang Industry Holdings
AviLease
Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

Work highlights

Acted as BVI legal counsel to the target, Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd in its acquisition by Hong Kong-based private equity firm Ascendent Capital Partners, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately US$1.66 billion (a take private transaction). The announcement was made in December 2023 and on 8 February 2024, Ascendent Capital Partners received overwhelming support from Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd. shareholders for the acquisition proposal, with approximately 86.94% of shareholders approving the resolution. The deal is subject to certain closing conditions, including customary regulatory approval which is as of 31 May 2024 is outstanding.
Acted as Cayman Islands legal counsel to Shanghai Pudong Development Bank in connection with the financing of Bain Capital's US$3.16bn take private of Chindata Group Holdings, a Chinese hyperscale data centre solutions provider.
Acted for AviLease in US$3.6 billion acquisition of Standard Chartered Group's aviation finance leasing business, Pembroke Aircraft Leasing. The firm acted as Cayman Islands legal advisors to Saudi lessor, AviLease, in connection with the US$2.1 billion syndicated bridge financing for its US$3.6 billion acquisition of Standard Chartered Group's aviation finance leasing business, Pembroke Aircraft Leasing.