Law Firm Of The Year

Allen & Overy A&O is known for its work with regulatory and industry bodies--specifically its close association with the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, to which the firm is primary external counsel, and Hong Kong's Financial Supervisory Authority. A&O's global presence and comprehensive global coverage also put the firm in a winning position among its peers, market participants said. One investor pointed to the firm's Asia market knowledge as one of its strongest points. Hong Kong-based partners Paul Cluley and Thomas Jones were singled out for having their finger on the pulse of what's going on in Asia. "They are more knowledgeable of the transactions going on than their counterparts," one structurer said. London-based partners Simon Haddock and Ed Murray are also cited.

 

Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft Cadwalader continues to win praise from equity derivatives dealers for its structured notes practice and its ability and willingness to keep clients abreast of what's happening in the market. New York partner Ray Shirazi and his team--specifically Melissa McGoogan--are "thoughtful and knowledgeable in vetting best practices and structuring implications," one dealer said.

 

Linklaters Linklaters is another City firm with a global reach. It also has part of the ISDA pie--acting as principal counsel in Asia and also working on some European projects. The derivative and structured products team--whose global head is Michael Voisin--worked on a number of high-profile deals across the globe in the past 12 months. The firm worked with JPMorgan on its Cairn-managed CPDO platform, the first fully managed rated CPDO, and Merrill Lynch on its first public and managed CFXO.

 

Mallesons Stephen Jaques

Australian firm Mallesons makes the short list this year for what fans say is very high-quality work in specialized areas. The firm has impressive local expertise in Hong Kong and that comes at price lower than the traditional legal juggernauts in the Special Administrative Region. It has made an aggressive push into Greater China over the last year, with enhanced coverage and more lawyers. A number of senior partners have relocated to the region as the firm puts it its weight behind the expansion. These include: David Olsson, who moved to the Beijing office, while Nicola Wakefield Evans and Simon Milne moved to the Hong Kong branch.

 

Mayer Brown

Mayer Brown advised on some USD7.25 billion of derivatives deals in the past 12 months, including Mizuho International's series of life settlement derivatives transactions. Practice Head Ed Parker has been at the forefront of a number of Mayer Brown's high-profile derivatives deals. Market players describe the firm as business-oriented and knowledgeable, particularly with regard to sorting out various rules and regulations for clients working in numerous jurisdictions around the world. "They are able to find ways through the problems," one banker said.