William F. Barron

Partner

william.barron@davispolk.com

A Davis Polk partner resident in Hong Kong, Mr. Barron has over 28 years of experience advising corporations, investment banks and financial investors in connection with capital markets, leveraged finance, M&A and other corporate finance transactions. He has worked in New York, London, Tokyo and, for the last 19 years, Hong Kong, and on transactions in every major country in Asia.

Contact

Hong Kong
Davis Polk & Wardwell
Hong Kong Solicitors
The Hong Kong Club Building
3A Chater Road
Hong Kong
P: +852-2533-3303
F: +852-2533-1703

Related Practices

Bar Admissions

Hong Kong
State of New York

Education

A.B., Dartmouth College, 1979
- with distinction
J.D., Columbia Law School, 1984
- Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar

Work Highlights

Mr. Barron has worked on many of the landmark securities offerings in the region, including the Nasdaq IPO of Baidu.com and the privatizations of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Unicom, China Construction Bank and Sinopec.

He has substantial experience in high-yield debt and leveraged finance, having worked on numerous transactions in the PRC, Southeast Asia (including Indonesia) and elsewhere in Asia. Mr. Barron has also worked on over 25 offerings of equity, hybrid Tier 1 or Tier 2 securities by banks in most major countries in Asia.

He has worked on a number of significant mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and private equity transactions in Asia. These have included, among others, representation of:

China Investment Corporation (CIC) in connection with its US$1.9 billion investment in Bumi Resources
A consortium of hedge funds in connection with an investment in Galaxy Entertainment
A consortium of hedge funds in connection with the buyout of P.T. Apexindo by Mitra Group
Merrill Lynch in connection with the going-private transaction for Asia Aluminum
CS in connection with its Asian private equity partnership

Recognition

Listed as a leading lawyer in numerous legal industry publications, including:

FinanceAsia: named as one of the “50 Most Influential People in Asia’s Financial Markets” (the only lawyer on the list); recognized as being “widely regarded as the region’s leading legal adviser on international capital markets transactions, by both clients and peers”
Chambers Asia: recipient of the “Outstanding Contribution Award” at the 2012 Chambers Asia-Pacific Awards. According to Chambers, he is considered “a leading authority on capital markets and corporate/M&A work throughout the Asia-Pacific region.” Mr. Barron was also lauded by Chambers as being “universally liked and respected.” In addition, according to Chambers, “sources emphasize that he is ‘an excellent negotiator – whether he's working for us or against us, he is unbelievably good.’”
Chambers Asia: Asia’s Leading Lawyers for Business – listed in the first band in Hong Kong and China for each of Equity, Debt and High-Yield Debt; first band in Indonesia for capital markets
Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business
Legal Media Group’s Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers: Best of the Best, Expert Guide to the World’s Leading M&A Lawyers and Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Capital Markets Lawyers
IFLR1000 Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms
Law Business Research’s Who’s Who Legal – The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers and Who’s Who Legal – The International Who’s Who of Corporate Governance Lawyers
Practical Law Company’s Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions Handbook
Legalease’s The Asia Pacific Legal 500

Professional History

Partner, 1995-present
Associate, 1984-1995
London office, 1987-1990
Tokyo office, 1992-1993
Hong Kong office, 1993-present

News

Davis Polk Advises Mongolian Mining Corporation on Its $600 Million Senior Guaranteed High-Yield Notes Offering and Its Term Loan Facilities of up to $300 Million

PT Berau Coal Energy Tbk $500 Million Guaranteed Senior Secured Notes Offering

Cikarang Listrindo High-Yield Notes Offering and Concurrent Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation

View More > >

Client Publications

Hong Kong Regulator Turns Up the Heat on IPO Sponsors
Client Memorandum

Federal Reserve’s Comprehensive Consolidated Supervision Determination for Chinese Banks Has Broader Implications
Client Memorandum

Preparing Your 2011 Form 20-F
Client Memorandum

View More > >

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