Kirkland & Ellis is recognised for its strength in cross-border, high-value private equity transactions, leveraging its global platform to advise leading private equity and financial sponsor clients on acquisitions, investments, exits, take-privates and growth capital. The firm’s ‘deep bench’ also supports the restructuring of existing portfolio companies. Practice co-head Peng Yu is noted for his commercial acumen and cross-border capability on leveraged buyouts (LBOs), take-privates, Private Investment in Public Equity (PIPE), joint ventures and growth capital investments. Fellow co-head Jesse Sheley advises on investments, acquisitions, LBOs and Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs), while co-head Pierre-Luc Arsenault is sought for bespoke LBOs, minority investments and joint ventures. Gary Li is no longer at the firm.

Latham & Watkins LLP is widely recognised for its advice on complex inbound and outbound transactions across the investment cycle, including funds, acquisitions, financing, and disposals. Recent highlights include early and late-stage investments in technology, healthcare and e-commerce as well as infrastructure. Practice head, Simon Cooke, focuses on pan-Asia private equity, with particular experience in buyouts, bolt-on acquisitions, infrastructure, growth capital, pre-IPO investments and privatisations. Qiuning (Frank) Sun and Richard Watkins leverage international experience to handle multi-jurisdictional M&A and transactions, including buyouts, minority investments and structured quasi-equity investments. Zhonghua (Stephen) Shi, dual-qualified in the US and China, advises private equity firms, multinational corporations and Chinese enterprises on joint ventures, exits and growth equity investments.

White & Case leverages its global presence to advise high-profile private equity investors and targets on acquisitions, investments, funds and joint ventures. The team has recently seen considerable activity across the technology, life sciences, healthcare, energy transition and real estate sectors. Practice head Daniel Yeh advises private equity sponsors and other investors on APAC transactions, including M&A, leveraged buyouts, take privates and Private Investment in Public Equity (PIPE). William Fong and Steve Sha are trusted for cross-border and domestic acquisitions and divestitures. Christopher Kelly handles matters at the intersection of private equity and infrastructure, particularly concerning energy transition projects in Asia, while Paul Tang focuses on complex transactions in the technology space.

Clifford Chance is frequently entrusted by international, pan-Asian and China-based private equity and sovereign wealth clients for advice on transactions throughout the investment cycle. The firm is particularly strong in take-private deals, PIPEs, pre-IPO investments, buyouts, and financings across the infrastructure, technology, energy transition and life sciences sectors. Practice head Andrew Crook is highly regarded for his expertise in private equity and M&A, advising domestic and multinationals clients on APAC and global deals. Bryan Koo covers the full spectrum of M&A, from private equity fundraisings to public takeovers and corporate restructurings. Julie Fu specialises in Greater China transactions, including M&A, investments and joint ventures, as well as corporate financings and reorganisations.

Goodwin frequently advises private equity firms, institutional investors and portfolio companies on the full spectrum of private equity, encompassing early and late-stage venture capital, growth equity investments, and M&A, as well as leveraged buyouts, stock sales and joint ventures. Recent mandates span the technology, life sciences and healthcare, financial services and real estate sectors. Practice co-lead Yash Rana brings vast experience across buyouts, growth equity investments and other corporate transactions, as well matters concerning the broader operations of private equity sponsors. The group is also co-led by Douglas Freeman, who is noted for his role in going-private transactions involving China-based companies listed in the US, and Daniel Dusek, who guides investors on a range of cross-border corporate matters. Victor Chen is no longer at the firm.

The ‘highly experienced’ team at Linklaters is highly sought after by Chinese and international private equity firms, funds and alternative financial sponsors for acquisition financing, public M&A, investments and restructuring across the TMT, consumer, real estate, energy and infrastructure sectors. Practice head Betty Yap, a ‘go-to’ in the private equity market, is recognised for her ‘deep understanding’ and technical skills in buyouts, growth capital and co-investment transactions. Wuji Zhang has vast experience working with Middle Eastern investors on China-focused deals, while Christina Mao specialises in private equity real estate. Xiaoxi Lin is no longer at the firm.

Milbank leverages its ‘deep expertise’ to guide leading private equity firms, pension funds and other institutional investors across APAC on transactions in the projects and infrastructure, telecoms, technology and energy sectors. The ‘top-tier’ team is led by Andrew Whan, noted for his ‘immense experience’ in M&A and private equity, which includes acquisitions, sales and leveraged buyouts, and Neeraj Budhwani, who handles public to private transactions, private investment in public equity (PIPE) disposals and structured exits, with particular strength in the Indian market. Charmaine Yeo adds experience in cross-border private equity across the power, technology, real estate and retail sectors.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett Hong Kong represents private equity houses and international corporations in cross-border public and private M&A, strategic investments and fund formation across the APAC region, including in the data centre and infrastructure sectors. The team is co-led by Ian Ho, who focuses on cross-border M&A and big-ticket transactions across Asia, and Erik Ping Wang, whose experience covers leveraged buyouts, joint ventures, PIPE transactions, minority and strategic investments and other corporate matters across Greater China, India and Southeast Asia.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP advises Asia-based and international private equity funds and financial sponsors on a broad range of regional and global transactions, from auctions, exits, take-privates and growth investments to distressed deals, secondaries and private investments in public equity (PIPEs). Practice head Charles Ching acts for sponsors and investment banks on PE investments in Asia, outbound M&A by Asian investors and regional joint ventures. Chris Welty counsels sponsors and corporates on leveraged and managed buyouts, public-to-privates, joint ventures and minority investments. Sandy Lin leverages her international experience on cross-border transactions, while Jie Yuan handles M&A, investments and corporate matters.

Baker McKenzie draws on its global platform and full-service capabilities to advise private equity sponsors, pension and sovereign wealth funds and portfolio companies on multi-jurisdictional investments, divestments and other transactions across the PE life cycle. The team, which is noted for its ‘efficiency’ and ‘professionalism’, is led by Derek Poon, valued for his ‘exceptional’ knowledge and commercial acumen in pan-Asian public and private M&A and private equity transactions. Robert Wright advises multinationals and financial sponsors on leveraged M&A, co-investments, exists, restructurings and portfolio company matters across the APAC region, while Xinxing Chen specialises in cross-border acquisitions for China-based GPs and clients.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP advises multinational and emerging companies on complex private equity transactions across the APAC region, including M&A, going-private deals and investments. Practice head Miranda So is recognised for her cross-border expertise in M&A, buyouts, sales, foreign direct investment (FDI) and private investment in public equity (PIPE) for global and Asian corporates and funds. Xi Shi advises PE sponsors and corporates on a wide variety of M&A and PE matters.

Morrison & Foerster leverages ‘multi-jurisdictional expertise’ and regional reach to advise leading private equity players in Asia on investments across the TMT, life sciences and healthcare and data centres sectors. Practice head Marcia Ellis covers the full lifecycle of private equity transactions, including buyouts, public M&A, acquisitions and dispositions of stakes and investments. Xiaoxi Lin arrived from Linklaters in January 2025, bringing experience in leveraged buyouts, growth capital investments and public takeovers.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP remains a trusted advisor to global and regional corporations, private equity firms and their portfolio companies on complex corporate M&A and private equity transactions, including China-inbound investments. The practice is jointly led by Judie Ng Shortell, a seasoned lawyer focused on regional investments and cross-border M&A, and Bosco Yiu, a corporate partner specialising in privatisations and public and private M&A, with experience advising PE clients in investments, take-privates, share dealings and equity capital markets transactions. Greg Liu is no longer at the firm.

A&O Shearman‘s private equity practice, working in synergy with the firm’s investment funds and financing teams, advises institutional investors and sovereign wealth funds on cross-border transactions encompassing acquisitions, investments, refinancing and distressed asset deals. Practice head Victor Ho represents multinational clients in Asia and PRC-related transactions, while David Norman, a corporate and PE specialist, is experienced in investments and M&A across the TMT, life sciences, real estate and consumer sectors.

Established PRC firm Fangda Partners is well-placed to advise global and PRC sponsors on private equity investments in Greater China, covering buyouts, equity and debt investments, portfolio secondaries and co-investments. Colin Law heads the Hong Kong corporate team, while Chen Bao, who splits his time between Beijing and Hong Kong, leads the firm’s private equity practice, bringing expertise in cross-border M&A, venture capital financing and capital markets.

Recognised for its ability to balance 'client risk appetite with deal feasibility’, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP advises private equity funds, their portfolio companies and asset managers on investments and M&A transactions. The ‘outstanding’ Tyler Cohen, who became partner in January 2025, has advised on buyouts, investments and financings, minority acquisitions and co-investments.

Combining PRC and international expertise, King & Wood Mallesons advises Chinese companies on global and regional private equity investments, handling fundraising, acquisitions and divestments. US and Hong Kong-qualified Helena Huang, who divides her time between Hong Kong and Beijing, co-heads the practice while bringing strong expertise in domestic and international private equity investments and fund formation. Co-heads also include Hayden Flinn, noted for his deep understanding of funds, and Wen Huang, who specialises in cross-border M&A and private equity, including investments, takeovers and auctions.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius advises global and regional private equity firms and their portfolio companies on buyout, investment, restructure, divestment and exit transactions in the Chinese market. Complemented by its capital markets and fund formation practices, the team is led by Maurice Hoo, who boasts vast experience in private equity deals across key sectors, particularly TMT.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP advises financial sponsors, private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds and pension funds across leveraged acquisitions, such as buyouts and take-privates, as well as cross-border M&A. The ‘creative’ team is led by Edwin Northover, renowned for his ‘practical advice’ across public and private M&A, private equity and venture capital deals.

Eversheds Sutherland‘s ‘agile’ practice guides private and venture capital clients through the full spectrum of deals, from growth to buyout transactions, while also supporting investors implementing their portfolio strategies. The team, which is proficient in the life sciences, technology and renewable energy sectors, is led by ‘market leaders’ Roderick Lai and Dickson Ng.

Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP advises private equity and venture capital investors, sovereign wealth funds and target companies throughout the entire lifecycle of private equity transactions, from early-stage investments and fundraisings to buyouts, carve-outs and exits. Practice co-head Mark Cornell focuses on investment funds, combining fund formation and downstream private equity expertise, while fellow co-head Denise Jong is noted for her work with start-ups and private equity clients investing in China-based businesses.

Ropes & Gray LLP‘s ‘highly capable’ team is trusted by global private equity clients and regional investors to lead deals across Greater China and APAC, including acquisitions, co-investments and restructurings. Practice head Oliver Nip, praised for his inputs and market knowledge, is experienced across cross-border buyouts, minority investments and joint ventures. Richard Perks arrived from Freshfields in May 2025, bringing considerable experience in public and private acquisitions, joint ventures and financing. Boxin Wang is no longer at the firm.

Sidley Austin LLP‘s private equity team handles inbound and outbound investments, joint ventures and M&A, with a focus on the technology sector, including software, IoT, semiconductor, gaming and digital platforms. Practice head Raymond Oh, who splits his time between Hong Kong and Singapore, is a key figure for pre-IPO investments, PE fund formation and investments and PIPE transactions.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP represents international private equity houses on their investments in China, including strategic and pre-IPO investments, and Chinese companies on going private transactions. Practice head Jonathan Stone is noted for his work representing investors on high-value PE transactions across the region.