David Zhang

Registered Foreign Lawyer (Kirkland & Ellis, Hong Kong) and Partner (Kirkland & Ellis LLP, U.S.) Mergers & Acquisitions Private Equity

Overview

David Zhang is a registered foreign lawyer in Hong Kong and a partner in Kirkland & Ellis LLP (U.S.). A well-known capital markets and M&A lawyer with decades of experience, he is a senior partner resident in our Hong Kong office.

Focusing principally on the China market, David has represented issuers or underwriters on more than 120 IPOs in the US, more than 60 IPOs on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as well as a large number of other Rule 144A and Regulation S offerings of equity, debt and convertible securities. David has extensive experience advising public companies based in Asia on corporate governance, disclosure and reporting matters as well as going-private transactions or other transformative deals. He has successfully guided a number of Chinese companies listed in the US through complex mission-critical moments, counseling management and Boards of Directors on high-stakes matters at the intersection of litigation, public policy and reputation.

David also has substantial M&A and private equity experience. Over the years, he has represented a number of global and leading Asia-based PE funds, multinational corporations and sovereign wealth funds in connection with their investment and M&A activities across the Greater China region and other parts of Asia. The industries involved in these transactions have covered a wide spectrum, including technology, consumer, industrials, energy, infrastructure, education, healthcare and financial services.

David is an independent non-executive director of Fosun International Limited (HKSE: 00656), a global innovation-driven consumer group. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Tulane University.

David is rated a Band 1 capital markets attorney by Chambers Global and Chambers Asia-Pacific, and a leading lawyer by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific and IFLR 1000. In 2014, David was named the “International Deal Maker of the Year” by China Law & Practice.

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Recognition

“Hall of Fame”, Capital Markets (Equity) - Hong Kong, Legal 500 (2021–2024)

“Eminent Practitioner”, Capital Markets: Equity (International Firms) – China, Chambers Greater China (2023)

“Leading Lawyer”, Corporate / M&A: The Elite (International Firms) - China, Chambers Greater China (2022–2023), Chambers Asia-Pacific (2015–2021)

“Eminent Practitioner”, Capital Markets: Equity (International Firms) – China, Chambers Global (2023)

“Leading Lawyer”, Corporate / M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) - China, Chambers Global (2023)

Band 1 in Capital Markets: Equity (International Firms) - China, Chambers Greater China (2022), Chambers Asia-Pacific (2015–2021) 

“Highly Regarded”, Capital Markets: Equity, IFLR1000 (2018–2023)

“Highly Regarded”, M&A, IFLR1000 (2018–2023) 

“Leading Individual”, Capital Markets (Equity) - Hong Kong, Legal 500 (2017–2020)

“Leading Lawyer”, Capital Markets: Equity, IFLR1000 (2015–2017)

“Leading Lawyer”, M&A, IFLR1000 (2015–2017)

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 1996Hong KongRegistered Foreign Lawyer
  • 1995New York

Languages

  • English
  • Mandarin

Education

  • Tulane University Law SchoolJ.D.1991
  • United Nations Training Program for Interpreters and TranslatorsM.A.1983
  • Beijing Foreign Languages InstituteB.A.1981