China (LAWFUEL) – Zero2IPO, a leading independent research institution for the venture capital and private equity industries in China, has named DLA Piper “Venture Capital Lead Legal Advisor of the Year” for the third year running. DLA Piper is also the winner of “Merger & Acquisition Lead Legal Advisor of the Year” at the event.
This prestigious award was judged on the basis of total deal volume, dollars invested, deal size and overall market reputation based on information drawn from Zero2IPO’s Research Centre’s annual survey among major venture capital and private equity firms investing in Mainland China. Annual award winners are selected from a large pool of candidates in the survey which is conducted over a number of months. The final list of winners is the result of a two-round voting process.
The honour recognised the many achievements of DLA Piper’s corporate practice in China throughout 2008, highlighting the seamless working relationship between the firm’s US, Europe and China corporate and venture practice teams.
The “Zero2IPO 2008 China VC & PE Annual Ranking & Awards Ceremony” was held in Beijing on the evening of 10th December. Rocky Lee, partner and head of DLA Piper’s private equity and venture capital practice in Asia, received the award with Steven Liu, partner of DLA Piper, Beijing and Chris Terry, senior associate of DLA Piper, Beijing.
“We are very honoured to receive this award for the third year running in the venture capital category, ” said Mr. Lee. “We advised many companies from start-ups to institutional funds and we continue to be the preferred law firm for this type of work. We thank our clients for their continued support.”
“Receiving the M&A award in China is testimony to our team’s outstanding ability in helping clients meet their business goals, build strategic alliances and navigate the constantly shifting landscape of regulations in China,” added Dr Liu Wei, DLA Piper’s Beijing office managing partner who also advised the largest M&A transaction in China in 2008 involving China Merchants Bank’s acquisition of Wing Lung Bank for HK$ 36.3 billion.
Alastair Da Costa, Asia Managing Director of DLA Piper, said: “This prestigious award recognises the outstanding client work of our corporate and venture capital lawyers in China. Our global structure coupled with incisive local knowledge, allows us to inform clients of the challenges and opportunities arising at different stages of the market cycle.”
DLA Piper’s Asia venture and private equity practice has won numerous accolades and distinctions in recent years. The practice is ranked in the Top Tier by international legal research institutions including “Chambers Global” (2009 edition) and “Asia Pacific Legal 500” (2008-2009 edition). The team was also awarded “Counselor of the Year” by Top Capital Magazine (2007 and 2008). DLA Piper was ranked No. 1 in Greater China by volume of M&A transactions by MergerMarket in 2008 half-year results.
