Practice areas

M&A; Equity capital market transactions; Energy; Financial institutions groups (FIG)

Introduction

Gilbert Li is a leading corporate lawyer who regularly advises Chinese and international clients on high-profile, complex and strategically important transactions (including public takeovers, private M&As and ECM transactions). He is also the co-head of Linklaters’ Greater China equity capital markets (ECM) practice.

Li studied law at the University of Cambridge and studied accountancy at the University of New South Wales.

Professional experience

Li is widely known for his technical depth, commercial approach to resolving innovative or novel issues, hands-on approach and responsiveness.

He has advised on a wide range of cross-border M&A transactions, especially in the energy & infrastructure sector, which include advising:

• China Gas on its successful defence of the US$2.2 billion hostile takeover bid by Sinopec;

• China Southern Power Grid on its US$1.3 billion acquisition of Brookfield Infrastructure’s stake in Transelec (the largest electricity transmission system in Chile);

• Xiamen International Bank on its US$992 million acquisition of Bank of China’s stake in Chiyu Bank; and

• Ørsted (formerly DONG Energy) on its acquisition of a 35% stake in the Taiwanese offshore wind project Formosa I from developer Swancor Renewable.

Li has also advised on various landmark deals in the ECM space, such as advising:

• Huatai Securities on its global depository receipts on the London Stock Exchange (the first ever listing through the Shanghai-London Stock Connect);

• Qingdao Haier on its D Share IPO (the first ever D share IPO in Germany); and

• IPOs of China Feihe, China Tobacco, Orient Securities, BOC Aviation, Harbin Bank, AIA Group, Glencore and United Company RUSAL.

Li has advised the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on the Hong Kong – Shanghai Stock Connect and the Hong Kong – Shenzhen Stock Connect. He also led the cross-practice Linklaters team advising the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on its joint venture with the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Market Recognition

Li is ranked as an “Up and Coming” practitioner by Chambers Asia Pacific. He also regularly speaks at industry events, including at the IFLR Asia M&A Forum.

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