Top 10 Influential Chinese Lawyers in International Private Equity Buyouts 2023

China’s legal landscape is home to a realm of renowned lawyers with significant expertise in Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment. These legal professionals skillfully navigate both international and domestic firms through the complexities of intricate financial transactions. Encompassing a range of sectors, from pharmaceuticals to logistics, their influence on the global financial stage is pivotal. The following information provides an overview of ten such legal leaders who aptly represent the crux of private equity law within international firms located in China today.

Proficient in handling both inbound and outbound transactions, these lawyers guide Chinese and international investors through the labyrinth of overlapping legal boundaries. Offering advisories on cross-border investments and acquisitions, they draw on their reservoirs of skills to review and finalise important deals. Specialising in sectors as broad as TMT to consumer goods, they possess an impressive portfolio of international and Chinese investors.

Notable for their stellar reputations and extensive experience, these individuals excel in their respective fields. Drawing on decades of industry-residing experience, they offer expert advice to high-profile international private equity firms and investment managers on take-privates, acquisitions, and investments. Here’s a close look at these legal leaders who influence and shape the landscape of private equity in China today.

Philip Li

Philip Li from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is well-known for advising Chinese and international investors on inbound and outbound transactions. He has a particular experience acting for sovereign wealth funds.

Chunguang (Helena) Huang

Chunguang (Helena) Huang of King & Wood Mallesons regularly advises PRC and international private equity firms and corporations on cross-border investments.

Daniel Yeh

Daniel Yeh leads White & Case’s Asia private equity practice and co-heads the global private equity group. He maintains a roster of global and Chinese investors focused on targets across multiple sectors.

Oliver Nip

Specialising in the TMT and logistics sectors, Oliver Nip at Ropes & Gray LLP provides expert advice to China-based and international investors on buyouts, acquisitions and investments.

John E (Jack) Lange

John E (Jack) Lange of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison focuses on high-value cross-border transactions, advising on acquisitions, sales and investments.

Gary Li

Gary Li of Kirkland & Ellis is renowned for his depth of experience. He offers expert advice to high-profile international private equity firms and investment managers on take-privates, acquisitions and investments.

Bryan Koo

Bryan Koo at Clifford Chance is a rising star who represents noteworthy representation in M&A and investment transactions. His clientele includes international and Chinese private equity funds and corporates.

Jay C.S. Tai

Jay Tai leads buyouts, private equity investments and venture capital growth transactions for Chinese and global private equity firms and strategic investors. His recent activity spans deals in the energy, fintech and real estate sectors.

Maurice Hoo

Maurice Hoo from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP uses his more than two decades of experience to advise domestic and international private equity firms and investment funds on their acquisitions, divestments and venture capital growth investments. He balances his private equity practice with his role as managing partner of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius’ Hong Kong office.

Brian Schwarzwalder

Brian Schwarzwalder advises leading global private equity firms and institutional investors on their cross-border sales, acquisitions and investments. His transactional expertise spans technology and healthcare sectors.