Ben James

Equity and Debt Offerings

• First High-School Education Group Co., Ltd. — Represented the underwriters on the US$75 million initial public offering of American depositary shares on the New York Stock Exchange of First High-School Education Group Co., Ltd. (NYSE: FHS), the largest operator of private high schools in Western China and the third largest operator in China (2021) 
• ReneSola Ltd. — Represented ReneSola Ltd. (NYSE: SOL), in connection with its registered direct offering of 10,000,000 of American Depositary Shares valued at US$250 million (2021)
• JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. — Represented Credit Suisse and Barclays as sales agents in an offering of up to $100 million of American depositary shares by JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (NYSE: JKS), one of the world’s largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers, through a registered at-the-market equity offering (ATM) program (2020)
• Wynn Macau, Limited — Represented Wynn Macau, Limited (1128.HK) in multiple bond issuances including:
  
  • US$750 million of senior notes due 2026 with an interest rate of 5.500%
  • US$750 million of senior notes due 2028 with an interest rate of 5.625%
  • Senior notes in an aggregate amount of US$850 million, comprising the new issuance of US$600 million 5.625% senior notes due 2028 and the tap-on issuance of US$250 million 5.500% senior notes due 2026
  • US$1 billion 5.125% senior notes due 2029 pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S
  (2019 & 2020)
• JHBP (CY) Holdings — Represented the underwriters in the US$400 million IPO and listing of JHBP (CY) Holdings (HKSE: 6998), a holding company for Genor Biopharma, a commercial-ready biopharmaceutical company that focuses on developing and commercializing oncology and autoimmune drugs (2020)
• Everest Medicines Limited — Acted as the underwriters' counsel in the US$515 million IPO and listing of Everest Medicines Limited (HKSE: 1952), a biopharmaceutical company that integrates licensing, clinical development and commercialization of therapies for the needs in Greater China and emerging Asia Pacific, on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (2020)
• Canadian Solar Inc. — Represented Canadian Solar Inc., one of the world’s largest solar power companies, in the global offering of its 2.5% convertible senior notes due 2025 in an aggregate principal amount of US$200 million (2020)
• Greentown Management Holdings Company Limited — Represented the underwriters in the US$154 million initial public offering and listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange of Greentown Management Holdings Company Limited (9979.HK), the largest project management company in the PRC real estate market (2020)
• Ebang International Holdings Inc. — Represented the underwriters in the US$101 million initial public offering and listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market of Ebang International Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: EBON), a leading application-specific integrated circuit chip design company and manufacturer of high-performance Bitcoin mining machines (2020)
• CMGE Technology Group Limited — Represented CMGE Technology Group Limited, a leading IP-based game operator and publisher in China, in its US$191 million initial public offering and listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (2019)
• Opera Limited — Represented Opera Limited, a NASDAQ-listed global internet brand, in its US$75 million follow-on offering of American depositary shares (2019)
• Pinduoduo Inc. — Represented the initial purchasers in the offering of US$1 billion in aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2024 from Pinduoduo Inc., an innovative and fast growing “new e-commerce” platform and one of the leading Chinese e-commerce players (2019)
• Warburg Pincus — Represented Warburg Pincus in the subscription, together with affiliates of 58.com, TPG and certain other investors, of an aggregate of US$230 million in principal amount of convertible notes from Uxin Limited (Nasdaq: UXIN, “Uxin”), the largest used car e-commerce platform in China (2019)
• AMTD International Inc. — Represented the underwriters in the US$200 million initial public offering and listing on the New York Stock Exchange of AMTD International Inc. (2019)
• JinkoSolar — Represented the underwriters in the US$74.75 million follow-on offering of American depositary shares by JinkoSolar, one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world, and represented the placement agent in JinkoSolar’s US$85 million convertible notes offering in reliance of Regulation S (2019)
• TuanChe Limited — Represented the underwriters in the US$20.28 million initial public offering and listing on Nasdaq of TuanChe Limited, a leading omni-channel automotive marketplace in China (2018)
• Opera Limited — Represented Opera Limited (Nasdaq: OPRA), one of the world’s leading browser providers, in the US$115.2 million initial public offering and listing on The Nasdaq Stock Market, as well as a concurrent private placement of US$60 million (2018)
• Pinduoduo Inc. — Represented the underwriters in the US$1.6 billion initial public offering and listing on the Nasdaq Global Stock Market of Pinduoduo Inc. (Nasdaq: PDD), one of China’s leading e-commerce platforms (2018)
• Qeeka Home (Cayman) Inc. — Represented Qeeka Home (Cayman) Inc., the largest interior design and construction online platform in China by market share in 2017, in the US$150 million initial public offering and listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (2018)
• Rise Education Cayman Limited — Represented RISE Education Cayman Limited, a NASDAQ-listed leading education services company in China and a Bain Capital portfolio company, in a US$103.25 million follow-on public offering of American depositary shares held by Bain Capital and other shareholders (2018)
• Sunlands Online Education Group — Represented the underwriters in connection with the US$149,500,000 initial public offering and listing on the New York Stock Exchange of Sunlands Online Education Group, a leading online post-secondary and professional education company in China (2018)
• Vobile Group Limited — Represented the underwriters in the HK$237 million initial public offering and listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange of Vobile Group Limited, a global leading provider of online video content protection services. Headquartered in the United States, it also provides video content technology based solutions including content monetization and content measurement (2018)
• Bright Scholar Education Holdings Limited – Represented the underwriters in the US$182.4 million follow-on public offering of Bright Scholar Education Holdings Limited, a NYSE-listed leading operator of international and bilingual K-12 schools in China (2018)
• Sea Limited — Represented Sea Limited, the leading ‎internet company in Southeast Asia, in its US$884.5 million initial public offering and listing on the New York Stock Exchange (2017)
• Rise Education Cayman Limited — Represented Rise Education Cayman Limited, a leading education services company in China and a Bain Capital portfolio company, on its US$159.5 million initial public offering on the NASDAQ Global Market, including the exercise of the over-allotment option (2017)
• China Grand Automotive Services Co., Ltd. — Represented China Grand Automotive Services Co., Ltd. (SSE: 600297) in its issuance of US$400 million of senior perpetual securities (2017)
• Bright Scholar Education Holdings Limited — Represented the underwriters in the US$181.1 million initial public offering of 17,250,000 American depositary shares on the New York Stock Exchange of Bright Scholar Education Holdings Limited, a leading operator of international and bilingual K-12 schools in China (2017)
• China Online Education Group — Represented the underwriters in the US$45.6 million initial public offering of American depository shares of China Online Education Group (NYSE: COE), a leading online education platform in China with core expertise in English education (2016)
• Canadian Solar Inc. — Represented Canadian Solar Inc. in its offering of up to US$100 million of its common shares through a registered at-the-market equity offering (ATM) program (2016)
• Hydoo International Holding Limited — Represented Hydoo International Holding Limited, a Hong Kong-listed commercial property development company which focuses on the development and operation of large trade and logistics projects in cities across China, in connection with its issuance of US$100 million of 13.75% Senior Notes due 2018 (2015)
• AAG Energy Holdings Limited — Represented AAG Energy Holdings Limited, the leading independent coalbed methane producer in China, in its US$295 million initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (2015)
• Hydoo International Holding Limited — Represented Hydoo International Holding Limited, a Hong Kong-listed commercial property development company which focuses on the development and operation of large trade and logistics projects in cities across China, in connection with its issuance of US$120 million of 7.00% convertible notes due 2020 to a private company wholly-owned by Ping An Real Estate, the real estate investment management arm of Ping An Insurance (2015)
• Momo Inc. — Represented the underwriters in the US$248 million initial public offering of American depositary shares on NASDAQ of Momo Inc., a leading Chinese mobile social network company (2014)
• Feiyu Technology International Company Ltd. — Represented the underwriters in the US$85 million initial public offering and listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange of Feiyu Technology International Company Ltd., a leading developer and operator of mobile and web games based in China (2014)
• Trina Solar Limited — Represented Trina Solar Limited, a NYSE-listed solar energy company based in China, on its concurrent US$115 million Rule 144/Regulation S offering of convertible senior notes due 2019 with a registered stock borrow facility and US$30 million follow-on offering of American depositary shares (2014)
• Trina Solar Limited — Represented Trina Solar Limited, a NYSE-listed solar energy company based in China, on its concurrent US$150 million Rule 144/Regulation S offering of convertible senior notes due 2019 and US$96.8 million follow-on offering of American depositary shares (2014)
• Forgame Holdings Limited — Represented the underwriters in the US$205 million initial public offering and listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange of Forgame Holdings Limited, a leading PRC online game company (2013)
• Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd. — Represented Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd., a leading Internet company in China, in connection with its global offering of US$550 million 2.50% convertible senior notes due 2018. This was the largest-ever convertible bond issued by a US-listed Chinese company (2013)
• Canadian Solar Inc. — Represented Canadian Solar Inc., one of the world’s largest solar power companies, in connection with the sale of up to an aggregate of US$50 million of its common shares through an at-the-market equity offering program (2013)
• Want Want China Holdings Limited — Represented the underwriters in connection with the issuance of US$600 million 1.875% Guaranteed Senior Notes due 2018 by Want Want China Finance Limited. The notes are guaranteed by Want Want China Holdings Limited, a parent of the issuer, and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (2013)
• China Mobile Games and Entertainment Group Limited — Represented China Mobile Games and Entertainment Group Limited, a leading mobile game company in China, in connection with its spin-off on the NASDAQ Global Market (2012)
• Jiayuan.com International Ltd. — Represented the underwriters in connection with the initial public offering of Jiayuan.com International Limited, the largest online dating platform in China. The offering of 7,100,000 American Depositary Shares, representing 10,650,000 Ordinary Shares, listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, raised US$78.1 million (2011)
• MIE Holdings Corporation — Represented MIE Holdings Corporation, a leading independent upstream oil company operating onshore in China, in connection with its offering of US$400 million 9.75% senior notes due 2016 on the SGX-ST. The offering raised US$400 million (2011)
• Farglory Land Development Co., Ltd. — Represented the underwriter in connection with the offering of 43,000,000 Global Depositary Shares, representing 86,000,000 Common Shares, by Farglory Land Development Co., Ltd., the largest publicly listed real estate developer in Taiwan, on the London Stock Exchange. The offering raised US$210.3 million (2011)
• MIE Holdings Corporation — Represented MIE Holdings Corporation in connection with its initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The offering raised HK$1.29 billion (2010)
• China Liansu Group Holdings Limited — Represented China Liansu Group Holdings Limited, a manufacturer of plastic pipes and pipe fittings in China, in connection with its initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The offering raised HK$1.95 billion (2010)

SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) IPOs

• Plus — Represented Plus (formerly Plus.ai), a global provider of self-driving truck technology, on its business combination with Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. V (NASDAQ: HCIC), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company. Upon closing, Plus will be an NYSE-listed company under the ticker symbol “PLAV" with a post-combination market capitalization of approximately US$3.3 billion (2021) 
• L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company backed by L Catterton, in its NASDAQ IPO that raised US$250 million (2021)
• Catcha Investment Corp. — Represented Catcha Investment Corp. ("CHAA.U"), a special purpose acquisition company backed by Catcha Group on its NYSE IPO that raised US$300 million (2021)
• Silver Crest Acquisition Corporation — Represented Silver Crest Acquisition Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company backed by Ascendent Capital Partners, in its NASDAQ IPO that raised US$345 million (2021)
• Lion Group Holding Ltd. — Represented Lion Group Holding Ltd. (NASDAQ: LGHL), a Hong Kong-based diversified financial services company, in going public in the United States through a business combination with Proficient Alpha Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company listed on Nasdaq (2020) 

Mergers and Acquisitions and Private Equity

• ReneSola Ltd — Represented ReneSola in connection with the private placement of an aggregate of 100 million ordinary shares for US$11 million to Shah Capital Opportunity Fund LP (2019)
• Qunar Cayman Islands Limited — Advising the Special Committee of NASDAQ-listed Qunar Cayman Islands Limited in connection its acquisition by a consortium led by Ocean Management Limited in a “going private” transaction implying an equity value of Qunar of approximately US$4.44 billion (2017)
• Trina Solar Limited — Advised the Special Committee of NYSE-listed Trina Solar Limited in connection with its acquisition by a consortium led by Mr. Jifan Gao, its chairman and CEO, in a “going private” transaction (2016)
• AutoNavi — Advised the special committee of NASDAQ-listed AutoNavi in connection with its sale to Alibaba Group Holding Limited in a transaction that valued AutoNavi at US$1.5 billion (2014)
• iSoftStone — Advised the special committee in connection with the leveraged buyout of NYSE-listed iSoftStone by China Everbright and iSoftStone's chairman and CEO (2014)
• China Mobile Games and Entertainment Group Limited — Represented China Mobile Games and Entertainment Group Limited in connection with the private placement of an aggregate of 2,500,000 American depositary shares for US$25 million to affiliates of Zennon Capital Partners and New World Strategic Investment (2013)
• Focus Media Holding Limited — Represented the independent committee of the board of directors of Focus Media Holding Limited, the operator of China’s largest lifestyle targeted interactive digital media network, in connection with the going private of the company. This deal was named “2013 Private Equity Deal of the Year” by China Law & Practice (2013)
• MIE Holdings Corporation — Represented MIE Holdings Corporation in connection with its purchase of all of the equity interests of Emir-Oil, LLC from BMB Munai, Inc., so as to control an exploration contract for hydrocarbons in Kazakhstan (2011)

Latham & Watkins