Our Practice

Paul, Weiss is among the pioneering U.S. law firms in Asia, with over 40 years of marked presence in the region. With offices located in Hong Kong and Tokyo, we handle a wide range of complex transactional matters across Asia, particularly in mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan and southeast Asia. The Asia team specializes in cross-border M&A and private equity matters. Our Japan practice team also advises on debt capital markets issuances. Our client base includes some of the globally renowned private equity heavyweights, as well as sovereign wealth funds, local and multinational corporations. We also advise 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 top-tier recognitions in publications such as Chambers, The Legal 500, IFLR1000, Asian Lawyer, China Business Law Journal, Asian Legal Business and FinanceAsia. We first established our presence in Beijing followed by a Hong Kong limited liability partnership. 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, banking and financial services clients and sovereign wealth funds. 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 2025

JAPAN

With over 35 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.

Has extensive experience in handling large-sized M&A transactions involving Japanese business. Understands the Japanese mentality involved in deal dynamics, as well as the expectations of international clients in product delivery. Always creative in producing solutions. 
– The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024