Kirkland & Ellis prides itself in its restructuring capabilities, as is evidenced by its involvement in high-profile regional and pan-Asian cases, representing companies, bondholders, and banks in a wide spectrum of contentious and non-contentious matters. A notable strength of the ‘commercial and solutions-focused’ team is its significant focus on India, where it has played a crucial role in major restructurings, including Essar Steel and Lodha Group. Advising ad hoc committees is also a key specialty of the firm, with recent developments in China leading the team to provide guidance on restructurings related to the real estate industry, often spanning multiple jurisdictions. Leading the group is Neil McDonald, a key contact for multinational corporates seeking advice on a range of insolvency and restructuring issues. Other key names include Kelly Naphtali, who focuses on commercial and insolvency-related disputes, and Wei Yang Lim, who is a key point of contact for leading private equity sponsors in the region. Fergus Saurin is an expert in cross-border litigation with a particular focus on capital markets, M&A, and shareholder disputes.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘They are without doubt the market leaders, offering best-in-class advice and seamless deal execution. Their client is always first and they are second-to-none in terms of thought leadership and structuring innovation.'
‘Wei-Yang Lim is a standout lawyer who has earned his seat at the regional high table of restructuring. He is sharp as a razor blade, full of integrity and with an unswerving work ethic that is committed to his client's best interests.'
'Expert knowledge, deep experience, commercial and solutions-focused.'

Key clients

Babel Finance
Ad hoc committee of holders of the offshore notes issued by China Evergrande Group or its subsidiaries.
Ad hoc committee of holders of the offshore notes issued by Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
Ad hoc committee of holders of the offshore notes and perpetual securities issued by CIFI Holdings (Group) Co. Ltd.
Ad hoc committee of holders of the offshore notes issued or guaranteed by Yuzhou Group Holdings Company Limited
Ad hoc committee of holders of the offshore notes issued by Fantasia Holdings Group Co., Limited
Ad hoc committee of holders of the offshore notes issued by Huachen Energy Co., Ltd.
Sapura Energy Berhad and its subsidiaries
iQIYI Inc.
Noble Group
Ad-hoc committee of holders of multiple tranches of offshore notes issued by Redsun Properties Group Limited
Ad hoc committee of holders of the offshore notes issued by Modern Land (China) Co., Limited
Wing Sze Tiffany Wong, Edward Simon Middleton and Wesley Arthur Edwards, liquidators of Nuoxi Capital Limited (a subsidiary of Peking University Founder Group Company Limited)
Ad hoc committee of holders of the offshore notes issued by Golden Wheel Tiandi Holdings Company Limited
Eqonex Limited
Noteholders of GTI Statia Holdings N.V.
Ad hoc committee of holders of the offshore notes issued by certain subsidiary of Reward Science and Technology Industry Group Co., Ltd.
Bain Capital Special Situations
Liquidators of Polestar Automotive Holding Limited

Work highlights

Acting as international counsel for Babel Finance in connection with a proposed restructuring, which involves a holistic restructuring of its financial obligations, business operations and shareholding structure.
Advising the Committee in connection with transactions concerning the Offshore Notes.
Advising the Committee on the Offshore Debt, including but not limited to a potential restructuring of such Offshore Debt.

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