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Corporate finance lawyers
Securing finance is essential to the growth of your business, and we are delighted to be part of the process. A particular strength of our global team of corporate finance lawyers is in advising directors, shareholders, and potential investors on the rules in different jurisdictions.
Whether you are a tech start-up looking for seed funding, a growing company ready for an IPO, a new owner considering a management buyout, or a multinational looking to cut down on your tax bill, we have the corporate financing experience to find a solution.
Where we can be of particular assistance is in making you aware under corporate finance law of the requirements of the different jurisdictions in which you operate. These include rules on board constitution and operation, compliance with Stock Exchange or UK Listing Authority rules, money-laundering, financial services regulation, and communication with investors. Failure to take account of these issues when structuring and running your business can result in personal liability for officers and boards of directors.
Our corporate finance services include working with directors of public and private companies, and their shareholders or potential investors. We also have corporate finance lawyers on hand to advise investment banks, corporate finance advisors, brokers, and investment advisors on the interpretation of UK Listing Authority rules, the AIM rules, US securities laws, and the rules of various US securities exchanges.
With a multinational team, many of whom are qualified in more than one jurisdiction, we can help international companies in a corporate finance advisory capacity. Our lawyers explain and advise on how international regimes compare with their domestic requirements.
For example, we have guided a number of international companies quoted in London on the application of the relevant stock exchange rules, highlighting how they compare with the client's local corporate governance obligations. We also have extensive experience advising company officers and directors on US corporate governance requirements.
Track record
Argentinean hotel chain investment work
We provided thorough advice to an Argentinean hotel chain on tax optimizing its global structure for US investment and expansion. This included extensive pre-IPO planning, interim financing structuring, a review of the fund documents and the creation of convertible notes for a special class of investors.
Ukrainian company bond issue
Faced with a bond issue on the Channel Island stock exchange, we advised a Ukrainian company on how to proceed and retain their financial position.
Start-up project investments in China
We advised a Hong Kong-based high-tech company in its proposed investments in start-up projects in China.
Astelit, Ukrainian telecommunications
Counsel to Astelit, a Ukrainian telecommunications company, controlled by Turkish GSM operator Turkcell, on a US$540 million financing - the then largest private financing in Ukraine - to expand its mobile network.
Russian engineering firm
We represent a substantial Russian engineering business, recently advising on the international tax aspects of its group restructuring prior to IPO.
IPO for Hightex Group
Hightex Group is a UK, Swiss and German membrane and renewable energy company. Withers has acted for Hightex Group on their IPO on the AIM market. We have also advised Hightex Group on their reverse takeover of West 175 Media Group Inc., the acquisition of HighTex International (HTI) AG, and on the acquisition of SolarNext AG, a German company active in the solar and alternative energy sectors.
A wealthy European family
A European family asked us to create an overarching trust structure to hold their commercial interests in the UK, Greece, Cyprus, Singapore and elsewhere. Resident in Monaco and London, the family needed the structure to operate as an estate plan, enabling wealth to be passed between generations. This was all done in conjunction with a family constitution governing the management of their wealth.
Structuring IPO proceeds
Stakeholders of a recently listed company requested Withers advice in the structuring of IPO proceeds and their retained shareholdings. Withers has developed a strong relationship with these stakeholders, offering further assistance on a range of other areas including the formation of a family office, establishment of hedge fund and charitable foundation, and advising on the UK tax treatment of future investments regarding offshore funds, deep discounted securities, and acquisitions.
Start-up project investments in China
We advised a Hong Kong-based high-tech company in its proposed investments in start-up projects in China.
A wealthy European family
A European family asked us to create an overarching trust structure to hold their commercial interests in the UK, Greece, Cyprus, Singapore and elsewhere. Resident in Monaco and London, the family needed the structure to operate as an estate plan, enabling wealth to be passed between generations. This was all done in conjunction with a family constitution governing the management of their wealth.
Ukrainian company bond issue
Faced with a bond issue on the Channel Island stock exchange, we advised a Ukrainian company on how to proceed and retain their financial position.
IPO for Hightex Group
Hightex Group is a UK, Swiss and German membrane and renewable energy company. Withers has acted for Hightex Group on their IPO on the AIM market. We have also advised Hightex Group on their reverse takeover of West 175 Media Group Inc., the acquisition of HighTex International (HTI) AG, and on the acquisition of SolarNext AG, a German company active in the solar and alternative energy sectors.
A wealthy European family
A European family asked us to create an overarching trust structure to hold their commercial interests in the UK, Greece, Cyprus, Singapore and elsewhere. Resident in Monaco and London, the family needed the structure to operate as an estate plan, enabling wealth to be passed between generations. This was all done in conjunction with a family constitution governing the management of their wealth.
Structuring IPO proceeds
Stakeholders of a recently listed company requested Withers advice in the structuring of IPO proceeds and their retained shareholdings. Withers has developed a strong relationship with these stakeholders, offering further assistance on a range of other areas including the formation of a family office, establishment of hedge fund and charitable foundation, and advising on the UK tax treatment of future investments regarding offshore funds, deep discounted securities, and acquisitions.
Argentinean hotel chain investment work
We provided thorough advice to an Argentinean hotel chain on tax optimizing its global structure for US investment and expansion. This included extensive pre-IPO planning, interim financing structuring, a review of the fund documents and the creation of convertible notes for a special class of investors.
Astelit, Ukrainian telecommunications
Counsel to Astelit, a Ukrainian telecommunications company, controlled by Turkish GSM operator Turkcell, on a US$540 million financing - the then largest private financing in Ukraine - to expand its mobile network.
Russian engineering firm
We represent a substantial Russian engineering business, recently advising on the international tax aspects of its group restructuring prior to IPO.
Argentinean hotel chain investment work
We provided thorough advice to an Argentinean hotel chain on tax optimizing its global structure for US investment and expansion. This included extensive pre-IPO planning, interim financing structuring, a review of the fund documents and the creation of convertible notes for a special class of investors.
Our team
M. Ridgway Barker
Partner | Greenwich
Patricia M. Lee
Partner | New York
David Guin
Partner | New York
Sherlin Tung
Registered Foreign Lawyer (New York) - Withers Hong Kong, Partner - Withersworldwide | Hong Kong
Sherlin Tung
Registered Foreign Lawyer (New York) - Withers Hong Kong, Partner - Withersworldwide | Hong Kong
Litigation and arbitration
Graham Webster
Partner | London
Tim Taylor
Consultant | London
Azlinda Ariffin-Boromand
Consulting partner | London
Mabel Lui
Head of Greater China Commercial | Hong Kong
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