Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

JSM enjoys an excellent reputation in asset finance, asset backed lending, construction and real estate finance. The firm advised BNP Paribas on a US$264 million loan facility to refinance the debts of Lafarge Shui On Cement in China. Real estate related financing included acting for ICBC on a US$256 million acquisition finance for shares in a Beijing property developer, and HSBC’s US$55 million loan facility for a residential and hotel project in Shanghai.

JSM’s M&A practice has been bolstered by the merger with Mayer Brown. Highlights of this year’s work saw its representation for Yum! Brands on the US$63 million acquisition of 25% shares in Little Sheep Group from 3i Group. In a US$1.3 billion deal, the firm advised ProLogis on its sale of operations in China and property fund shares in Japan to GIC Real Estate. Elaine Lo and Patrick Wong co-head the M&A department while Jeckle Chiu is a standout lawyer.

JSM has a large and experienced banking and finance group which particularly showcases strengths in asset finance, asset-backed lending, construction and real estate finance, and derivatives. The firm’s restructuring and insolvency, and regulatory, offerings are also highly recommended. Alistair MacAulay leads the banking and finance team that regularly advises clients such as ICBC, HSBC, Hang Seng Bank and the Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation.

JSM completed its merger with Mayer Brown last year and has a corporate practice that includes 11 partners specialising in public and private M&A transactions. It offers clients an embedded strength of committed competition and tax practitioners within the core of the M&A team. A top local firm, it boasts established relationships with many of Hong Kong’s most prestigious corporates such as Li & Fung and Towngas.

The IP practice at JSM advises and manages trade mark portfolios and other IP registrations for a range of clients, including HSBC, Hang Seng Bank, Cathay Pacific Airways, Swire Group, Procter & Gamble, Kodak, Shell, Alcatel, Sega and The 3M Company.

A key development came in March 2009, when the firm opened a trade mark agency in Beijing enabling it to assist clients in their PRC trade mark registration and renewal, copyright registration and domain name registration needs. In its first month of operation, the agency filed over 100 trade mark applications.

The Hong Kong practice was kept busy over the last 12 months on the Wong To Yick and Wood Lock Ointment case. This was an unfortunate family saga involving a father and some of his children that included contempt proceedings and an appeal regarding the ownership of certain shares of the company (which was heard in late July 2009).

Partner Kenny Wong heads JSM’s IP team, which includes key partner Rosita Li who advises blue-chip clients like Cathay Pacific, Swire Properties and Li & Fung.