Jay Ze

Partner at Stephenson Harwood LLP, Registered Foreign Lawyer (England and Wales)

Hong Kong

Jay is the Head of International Strategy - Greater China. He has a strong track record on large and complex cross-border merges and acquisitions, infrastructure projects, restructurings, private equity, joint ventures, investment funds and corporate finance transactions. He also handles complex cross-border disputes for corporate and institutional clients, helping resolving their most critical issues and challenges arising from geopolitical or commercial reasons.

D +852 2533 2888
M (Hong Kong) +852 9177 4316 (China) +86 137 1751 7779

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Awards & Recognition

Leading Individual in Corporate and M&A
The Legal 500 2019-24

Notable Practitioner in M&A and Project Development
IFLR1000 Lawyer Rating 2020-22

Top 15 Rising Lawyers in China
ALB China Law Awards 2016

Biography

Languages - English, Chinese
Jurisdictions - England & Wales, Hong Kong

In particular, Jay has more than two decades of experience advising Chinese state-owned enterprises and large public and private companies on their international joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, fundraisings, projects, restructurings and disputes with particular focuses on the infrastructure projects, energy and natural resources, manufacturing and technology sectors. He also represents leading multinational corporations, financial institutions and investment funds in relation to their direct investment and private placements in China and other jurisdictions.

Jay is recognised as a leading partner in Corporate and M&A: foreign firms in China by Legal 500 Asia Pacific guide.

Prior to joining Stephenson Harwood, Jay was Head of China Corporate practice and Beijing office managing partner at a leading international law firm. He also worked for a few other leading international law firms, focusing on M&A and corporate finance.

Experience

China National Nuclear Corporation (“CNNC”) - Mergers and acquisitions (China related outbound transactions)

China National Nuclear Corporation (“CNNC”) in its proposed joint venture with EDF to construct, develop and operate the Hinkley Point C nuclear power project in the UK with a total investment of approximately £22 billion
A China consortium - Mergers and acquisitions (China related outbound transactions)

A China consortium on its proposed bid to design, construct and operate a high-speed railway (including rolling stock supplies) between Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and Singapore with a value of approx. US $14 billion
CGN New Energy - Mergers and acquisitions (China related outbound transactions)

CGN New Energy on its auction bid for a large-scale wind renewable energy company in Brazil from Actis for approx. US $1 billion

A Chinese central SOE - Mergers and acquisitions (China related outbound transactions)

A Chinese central SOE in the construction sector on the multi billion euro restructuring of an international construction company based in Europe and successfully avoided the insolvency of the company, including (1) negotiating with the owner of a key photovoltaic project for extension; (2) negotiating with banks for extension of existing debt and refinancing; (3) drafting and implementing an innovative restructuring plan and (4 )resolving disputes with the minority shareholder
Beijing Automotive Group Co Ltd. - Mergers and acquisitions (China related outbound transactions)

Beijing Automotive Group Co Ltd. in its successful auction bid for Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V. from AAC Capital Partners and Parcom Capital for €210 million
CITIC Ltd - Mergers and acquisitions (China related outbound transactions)

CITIC Ltd on its disposal of its controlling right and equity interests in McDonald’s mainland China and Hong Kong to CITIC Capital
Broadcom Corporation - Mergers and acquisitions (China related inbound transactions)

Broadcom Corporation in its US$3.7 billion acquisition of NetLogic Microsystems, Inc.
Outokumpu Oyj - Mergers and acquisitions (China related inbound transactions)

Outokumpu Oyj in its purchase of ThyssenKrupp AG's stainless-steel business for €2.7 billion (US$3.5 billion)
Sinopec - Mergers and acquisitions (non-China related transactions)

Sinopec in its US $3 billion 144A/Reg S offering of senior unsecured notes (voted 2013 Deal of The Year” by China Business Law Journal)
Yunnan Water Industry Investment and Development Co., Ltd. - Capital markets

Yunnan Water Industry Investment and Development Co., Ltd. in its US$300 million Hong Kong main board IPO