Our Practice

From our three offices in Beijing, Hong Kong and Tokyo, we handle a wide range of complex transactional matters across all of Asia, particularly in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan. We act for some of the well-known companies in the technology, media, entertainment, telecommunications, banking, insurance and asset management industries, as well as many prominent entities across many other fields. We also advise many of our clients in Asia on sensitive U.S. regulatory and litigation matters, drawing seamlessly on the expertise of our world-renowned Litigation Department.

Our experienced multilingual and multicultural team understands the host of challenges that arise from differences in legal systems, cultures, languages, business practices and perspectives, ensuring that all angles are covered.

CHINA

Paul, Weiss has one of the most dynamic China practices among international law firms, consistently earning us top-tier recognition in publications such as Chambers, The Legal 500, IFLR1000, Asian Lawyer, China Business Law Journal and Asian Legal Business. We first established our presence in Beijing in 1981 and thus have the longest continuous presence of any foreign law firm in mainland China. In 1983, we established a Hong Kong limited liability partnership, and in 1998, Paul, Weiss was qualified and registered as a Hong Kong law firm, enabling us to advise on Hong Kong law matters.

Our multinational team of Western-trained, Chinese-speaking lawyers has a deep understanding of the Chinese legal system and international business transactions. Known as practical and creative problem solvers, we handle matters involving mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital, outbound investments, foreign direct investments, capital markets, corporate and project finance, joint ventures, restructuring and internal investigations, including investigations under the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). We have played a role in a number of precedent-setting transactions in mainland China, including one of the largest-ever buyouts in China; one of the largest-ever private financings of a Chinese company; and several ground-breaking media, theme parks, gaming and other joint ventures with iconic U.S. entertainment, gaming and media companies.

 High-profile private equity practice with an enviable portfolio of work and clients, featuring mandates from major U.S. investment houses. Well known for its significant track record advising on foreign direct investment. Also offers broad public M&A expertise, centered on high-profile TMT-related investment. 
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2018

JAPAN

With 30 years of experience on the ground in Tokyo, we are a leader among U.S. law firms representing Japanese corporations and other Japanese institutions in cross-border transactions and in representing U.S. and other non-Japanese clients in connection with their activities in Japan. Our bilingual, bicultural Tokyo-based team is widely recognized for the excellence of its cross-border M&A practice in Japan and its work advising Japanese companies issuing securities in the U.S. and other global markets. We also have deep expertise in investment fund formations and cross-border restructurings. We have been involved in a number of landmark corporate matters, including the largest-ever acquisition of a Japanese company by a non-Japanese firm; the first tender offer in Japan for a JREIT; one of the largest mergers in Japanese history forming one of the biggest global financial institutions; and the first “PIPE” (private investment in public equity) transaction in Japan by a private equity investor.

At a time of heightened regulatory enforcement globally, we also regularly advise a growing number of Japanese clients, including executives and boards, on their most sensitive U.S. regulatory and litigation needs. This practice draws on a core team of U.S. litigators, including former high-ranking government regulators and lawyers with particular experience with Japanese clients.  We work on (FCPA) and other anti-corruption matters; antitrust and cartel challenges; private commercial and class litigation and dispute resolution matters; and internal investigations.

 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison is strong in M&A and capital markets in Japan - especially in capital markets where it is ranked highest... 
– IFLR1000 2018

TAIWAN

Paul, Weiss has been involved in Taiwan-related investments since the early 1980s. In the early 1990s, we assisted Verizon (formerly GTE) in its auction for the first-ever mobile telecommunications license issued in Taiwan and participated in the ground-breaking investment by Verizon in Taiwan. We also played a significant role in the creation of the first ever MSOs in Taiwan. The MSO model was soon followed by other investors in the cable system sector. We have also been involved in many of the leading private equity investments in Taiwan today. We have since established a solid track record representing Taiwanese and international clients in corporate transactional matters involving private equity and venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, foreign direct investments, capital markets, corporate and project finance and restructurings.

Our practice has played a key role in a number of precedent-setting transactions in Taiwan, including one of the largest M&A deals to have ever occurred in Taiwan; one of the largest-ever buyouts; the first-ever foreign private equity sponsored buyout of a listed company; and several other ground-breaking transactions with leading U.S. private equity firms.

 Offers broad public M&A expertise, centered on high-profile TMT-related investment, with notable experience advising on matters related to Taiwan. 
– Chambers Asia Pacific 2017

KOREA

Paul, Weiss has spent years cultivating a vibrant practice in Korea. Our recent work has included acquisitions and the formation of new joint ventures involving Korean companies, and investments by multinationals in Korean enterprises. We also represent Korean companies in their transactions outside of Korea, and understand the nuances of working with these dynamic companies.

We have also represented Korean enterprises and individual executives in complex litigations and regulatory defense matters. More than 20 Korean-speaking lawyers across the firm are able to assist Korean clients on various aspects of any matter, including our anti-corruption and FCPA Practice Group co-chair, and a native Korean partner who is based in our Tokyo office.