James Griffiths is a partner of Nixon Peabody CWL with 20 years of experience serving clients in Hong Kong. James assists companies’ corporate and financial transactions in Hong Kong and throughout the Asian region.
I help clients structure and execute acquisitions, investment and joint ventures. I work with a variety of buyers, sellers and investors, including multinationals, large conglomerates, private equity and venture capital groups, private investment companies, mid-sized corporates and entrepreneurs. Finding creative solutions to structure around obstacles on complex acquisitions and investments gives me the greatest sense of accomplishment.
I help mid-market private fund groups on setting up private equity and private hedge funds managed or advised out of Hong Kong. Given the recent clarificatory tax exemptions for private equity in Hong Kong, this market is likely to expand.
Related to my investment fund practice, I help hedge fund and private equity groups with their licensing and regulatory issues in Hong Kong, both for their initial set up and ongoing compliance.
Clients of all types turn to me for commercial advice and help on a diverse range of commercial transactions. This has me involved in corporate compliance, franchising, licensing, employment, immigration and virtually any form of commercial contract. I also cover banking, finance and security transactions.
I see a significant increase in outbound acquisitions from mainland China and a shift in the private equity and investor community towards South East Asia. I have recently been involved in deals in Vietnam and Indonesia.
Inns of Court School of Law
University College, Cardiff, LL.B.
High Court of Hong Kong
Solicitor of the High Court of Hong Kong
Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales (non-practising)
Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia (non-practising)
Member, Hong Kong Private Equity and Venture Capital Association