James Gaden
WalkersThe ‘high quality’ team at Walkers regularly collaborates with the firm’s Singapore, Cayman Islands, and Jersey groups to handle asset-backed security work, bond issuances, and green loans. Practice head and managing partner Andy Randall has broad knowledge spanning secured lending and capital markets transactional issues. James Gaden primarily assists hedge and private equity fund managers, while Kristen Kwok is recommended for her extensive expertise in aircraft and ship financing across the APAC region. Tom Pugh is a key contact for both creditors and debtors, shareholders, and insolvency practitioners. Rupen Shah is an expert in Bermuda law-related issues, with a strong emphasis on acquisition and leveraged finance, while John Cartwright routinely advises investment managers and financial institutions on fund related matters. Noted for his longstanding corporate expertise, Mark Cummings often advises on joint ventures and the formation of segregated portfolio companies. Seasoned litigator John Crook is also noted for his handling of contentious trust and shareholder disputes, areas in which Victoria Raymond is an expert, in addition to insolvency mandates. Denise Wong and Thomas Granger are key figures within the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Kristen Kwok is very competent and knowledgeable and always able to deliver without fail. ’
‘The Walkers team is very responsive, commercial and known and respected widely in the Hong Kong banking community, making them an easy choice to recommend to banks on financing transactions. The team has been an excellent offshore legal service provider. They are well equipped and responsive, and has been a great partner in closing transactions smoothly.’
‘John Crook of Walkers is an excellent team leader with rich experience in handling complex offshore disputes and commercial arbitration cases. John Crook is very conscientious in his work. He is familiar with every detail of the case and is able to work skillfully with legal professionals from different backgrounds.’
‘I have worked closely with Rupen Shah, who is technically sound, provides a high quality of service and responsive. I would be more than happy to recommend Rupen as a trusted advisor. ’
‘Victoria Raymond is an excellent lawyer. She is bright, dedicated and personable. Victoria works hard to deliver the best outcomes for her clients.’
‘Walkers’ service delivery is exceptional but at the same time flexible and commercially minded. There was a good balance of partner and associate fee earners, but more importantly a willingness to augment as well as switch to other partners and fee earners to transition from purely advisory to litigious stages of our transaction. The team has a deep bench of experienced offshore litigation lawyers. They are one of the leading offshore firms in Asia. The level of service that they offer is high.’
‘Technically strong, will go the extra mile to find out the correct answer. When a rare issue arose in our matter, the Walkers team in Hong Kong went to great lengths to utilise their internal expertise from the wider Walkers network in other jurisdictions to identify the right answer and way forward.’
‘Kevin Ho from Walkers team has been commercially savvy and sensible in his advice. He ensures his advice gives a full picture for the client to assess the situation while giving appropriate steer and leaving enough flexibility for clients to reach the conclusion required.’
Key clients
- Ares Management
- Athene Holdings Limited
- Chad Holm
- Chinachem Group
- Crescent Point Capital
- ESR Group
- Forebright Capital
- Genetron Health Limited
- PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk
- HSBC
- Hyde Education Holding Limited
- Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Limited
- Japan Activation Capital I L.P.
- Leed Education Holding Limited
- Melco Resorts & Entertainment
- National Education Holding Limited
- The liquidators of Genting Hong Kong Limited and Dream Cruises Holding Limited, who are representatives of Alvarez & Marsal Asia Ltd. and R&H Services Ltd.
- VinFast Auto Ltd
- Zhao Long
- ZX Inc.
Work highlights
- Acted as Cayman counsel for Japan Activation Capital I L.P. on the structuring and launch of Japan Activation Capital I L.P., a highly innovative, open-ended fund focusing on equities listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange with commitments of almost US$1 billion at launch.
- Acting as Bermuda law counsel for the joint liquidators located in Bermuda and Hong Kong in relation to the Bermuda liquidation of Hong Kong-listed cruise operator Genting Hong Kong Limited andDream Cruises Holding Limited, including advice with regard to matters going before the creditors' Committee of Inspection and the Bermuda Court.
- Advised ESR Group Limited, an asset manager powered by the New Economy, and Chinachem Group, a leading property developer in Hong Kong, as Cayman Islands counsel on a HKD8.8 billion limited recourse green loan to their joint venture to develop and operate a prime cold storage and logistics facility in Kwai Chung.
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.
John Crook
WalkersVictoria Raymond
WalkersPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Andy Randall