The team in Asia has a long track record in working with a range of domestic financial institution clients, as well as international clients active in the region. This experience has given the team a deep knowledge of both the industry and the deal market that few can match.
E. Drew Dutton
William Y. Chua
Recommended for Financial Services Regulatory in Hong Kong.
—IFLR1000, 2022
Ranked in the top band of international firms in China for Insurance: Non-Contentious.
“Knowledgeable, thoughtful, innovative and resourceful when it comes to insurance M&A transactions. They are very capable in terms of analysing complex matters and coming up with feasible and sensible solutions.”
“Debevoise's knowledge of the insurance market is excellent. The team is always responsive.”
—Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2023
Ranked as a leading firm for Insurance and Corporate (including M&A) in Hong Kong.
“Excellent insurance M&A practice serving the entire region.”
“Debevoise lawyers are highly technically proficient, as well as incredibly knowledgeable of both the financial services/insurance sector and the region.”
‘The team has a very good mix of technical expertise and clear understanding of the commercial and strategic imperatives of the client.”
—The Legal 5oo Asia Pacific, 2022
The practice works closely with banks, insurance and reinsurance firms, asset managers, private and listed funds, intermediaries and other financial institutions. The team includes lawyers admitted to practice in New York, England & Wales, and Hong Kong, and includes a significant number of Mandarin speakers.
In Asia, Debevoise regularly advises clients on significant mergers and other critical transactions, as well as related regulatory, compliance and arbitration issues.
The team in Asia is led by Edwin Northover, Hong Kong-based corporate partner and Head of Financial Institutions in Asia.
The team also works closely with colleagues in the U.S., Europe and Russia on multijurisdictional transactions that run 24/7. Our Banking Group has over 20 lawyers and counsels clients with respect to their international operations. The team has extensive experience counselling banks, thrifts, insurance and brokerage firms and other financial institutions on a wide range of matters, including complex mergers, acquisitions, and other transactions; international regulatory and compliance issues, including issues arising out of financial reform efforts; litigation and enforcement matters; and new product developments. The firm advises clients on transactional, compliance and regulatory issues stemming from their business activities.
Debevoise is also a recognized leader in the field of compliance with international anti-money laundering (“AML”) requirements, including those imposed by the USA Patriot Act, the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act and the U.K.’s Proceeds of Crime Act, U.S. economic and trade sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), and E.U. economic and trade sanctions promulgated by the European Commission and implemented by the Member States.