James Griffiths

My focus

Corporate and Investment Transactions

My focus is on corporate in investment transactions, covering cross-border mergers and acquisitions, direct investments, capital raisings and joint ventures.  I also deal with restructurings and shareholder disputes.  I have worked with private equity and venture capital funds, MNCs, strategic investors, listed and private companies, wealth management groups, family offices, founders and entrepreneurs.  While based in Hong Kong, I have advised on transactions involving most countries in Asia.

Investment Funds

I help mid-market private fund groups on the establishment of private equity and private open-ended funds managed or advised out of Hong Kong. 

Securities Regulatory

Related to my investment fund practice, I help international private fund groups and private wealth managers with their licensing and regulatory issues in Hong Kong, both for their initial set up and ongoing compliance.

Banking and Commercial Transactions

I work with European banks on banking, finance and security transactions involving Hong Kong. 

I also advise on a wide variety of commercial matters, including corporate compliance, franchising, licensing and distribution, employment, immigration and virtually any form of commercial contract. 

Representative experience

• Represented a Hong Kong based fund management company on the establishment of a US$100 million private equity fund
• Represented the founder of a Hong Kong based manufacturing group in the retail sector in the sale and roll-over of their interests in the group in a succession of leveraged buyout transactions between private equity groups, valuing the Company at US$150 million, US$520 million and US$850 million respectively
• Represented an Indonesian financial institution in the proposed US$25 million acquisition of a controlling interest in an Indonesian based Asian retail distribution business
• Represented a Hong Kong based investment group on a complex venture capital investment in an Indonesian based transportation business involving convertible preferred shares and loans
• Represented a UK group on setting up a franchise operation across the PRC
• Represented a Hong Kong based group that provides SaaS, data & network solutions for pharmaceutical companies, distributors and wholesalers on its US$10.2 million Series A issue of Convertible Preferred Shares
• Represented a venture capital fund on its US$6 million investment in a Series A share issue by a SaaS company providing energy saving and monitoring solutions
• Represented the founder of an early stage company developing a new aperitif drink on the acquisition of and investment in the business by a large French beverage group
• Represented a Hong Kong listed company on a US$30 million PIPE issue of convertible bonds to a private equity group

Looking ahead

Macro-economic factors continue to shape business sentiment in China and Hong Kong in 2023. Fundraising for many Asian managed investment funds and early stage companies will continue to be challenging. Despite these dynamics, we foresee prospects for activity in the mid-market as valuations become more realistic and buyers and investors begin to see upside potential for selected investments, possibly supported by restructurings by multinational groups. Succession planning may also give an impetus to sales of family owned Asian businesses. 

Insights

• “Crowdfunding and P2P Lending in Hong Kong,” Presentation at a seminar entitled “Fintech and Cybersecurity—The Professional Perspectives” for CPA Canada, Hong Kong Chapter, hosted by Deloittes Hong Kong, December 9, 2016
• “Global Perspectives on Venture Investing and Corporate Transactions,” Seminar for the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation at the Hong Kong Science Park in Hong Kong, September 11, 2012, (Co-presenter with Hans Lee, David Cheng and Robert Weikert).
• “RMB funds vs. Traditional Funds,” Seminar for the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, May 28, 2012 (Co-presenter)