Justin You Zhou

Since joining Kirkland & Ellis, Justin has represented the following matters, including advising:

Capital Markets

• Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) on its global offering and listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The IPO raised approximately HK$41 billion (US$5.3 billion) after the exercise of the over-allotment option. CATL is a global leader in new energy innovative technologies, primarily engaged in the research, development, production, and sales of EV and ESS batteries
• Canaan Inc. — Represented Canaan Inc. (NASDAQ: CAN) in entering into an agreement for Series A-1 preferred shares financing and completing the first tranche closing where an initial US$100 million has been received. The company will receive total gross proceeds of up to US$200 million upon the closing of the entire preferred shares financing
• NIO Inc. — Represented NIO Inc. (NYSE: NIO; HKEx: 9866; SGX: NIO) in connection with its HK$4,030.13 million offering of 136,800,000 class A ordinary shares
• Jinxin Technology — Represented Jinxin Technology Holding Company (“Jinxin Technology”), an innovative digital content service provider in China, on its initial public offering on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol "NAMI" in December, 2024
• BingEx Limited — Represented the underwriters in the initial public offering and listing of BingEx Limited, a leading independent on-demand courier service provider in China, on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “FLX”
• NIP Group Inc. — Represented NIP Group Inc. on its successful initial public offering of 2,250,000 American depositary shares on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “NIPG”
• ZKH Group Limited — Represented the underwriters on the initial public offering of ZKH Group Limited, a leading MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Operations) procurement service platform in China, which raised approximately US$62 million. The shares commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “ZKH” on December 15, 2023
• Zhihu Inc. — Represented the underwriters on the NYSE IPO and concurrent private placements of Zhihu Inc., an iconic online content community in China, under the ticker symbol “ZH,” that raised US$772.5 million
• Li Auto Inc. — Represented the underwriters on the NASDAQ IPO and concurrent private placements of Li Auto Inc. (NASDAQ: LI), an innovator in China’s new energy vehicle market that designs, develops, manufactures and sells premium smart electric SUVs, that raised US$1.5 billion
• Nayuki Holdings Limited — Represented the sponsors and underwriters on the US$655 million global offering and listing of Nayuki Holdings Limited (HKSE: 2150), a leading premium modern teahouse brand in China, on the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited
• Inke — Represented the underwriters in the US$149 million initial public offering and listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange of Inke Limited (3700.HK), the largest mobile live streaming platform in China in terms of average monthly active streamers in 2017
• Legend Capital — Represented Legend Capital in the secondary offering of American depositary shares (“ADSs”) of Atour Lifestyle Holdings Limited (“Atour”) (NASDAQ: ATAT), a leading hospitality and lifestyle company in China. Legend Capital is the major shareholder of Atour. This sale of the ADSs by Legend Capital is the first large secondary offering of a Chinese listed company in the U.S. capital market in 2023
• 360 DigiTech, Inc. — Represented Citigroup Global Markets Asia Limited and China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited, the joint sponsors of 360 DigiTech, Inc. (HKSE: 3660; NASDAQ: QFIN), a leading credit-tech platform in China, on the global offering and secondary listing on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited
• Jianzhi Education Technology Group Company Limited — Represented Jianzhi Education, a leading provider of digital educational content in China, on its US$25 million initial public offering and listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market, under the symbol “JZ”
• AMTD Digital Inc. — Represented the underwriters on the initial public offering of 16 million American depositary shares of AMTD Digital Inc., a comprehensive one-stop digital solutions platform in Asia, which raised approximately $124.8 million. The shares commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “HKD” on July 15, 2022
• Hypebeast Limited — Represented Hypebeast Limited (HKSE: 00150), a global digital media and e-commerce platform in contemporary lifestyle and culture, on its proposed listing on NASDAQ through a business combination with Iron Spark I Inc. (NASDAQ: ISAA), a special purpose acquisition company
• L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp. (LCAA) — Represented LCAA, a special purpose acquisition company backed by L Catterton, in its NASDAQ IPO that raised US$250 million
• 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
• Dada Nexus Limited — Represented the underwriters on the $450 million follow-on public offering of American depositary shares of Dada Nexus Limited (NASDAQ: DADA), China’s leading local on-demand delivery and retail platform
• 17 Education & Technology Group Inc. — Represented the underwriters on the $288 million initial public offering of American depositary shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market of 17 Education & Technology Group Inc., a leading education technology company in China.
• 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
• Chindata Group Holdings Limited — Represented Chindata Group Holdings Limited, Asia’s leading carrier-neutral hyperscale data center solution provider, in Nasdaq IPO and raised US$621 million, assuming exercise of the over-allotment option
• Dada Nexus Limited — Represented the underwriters in the US$320 million initial public offering and listing on Nasdaq of Dada Nexus Limited, a leading platform of local on-demand retail and delivery in China
• Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited — Represented the underwriters in the US$586.5 million initial public offering and listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market of Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited, one of China’s top cloud services providers
• Jiayin Group Inc. — Represented Jiayin Group Inc., a leading online individual finance marketplace in China, in its US$42 million initial public offering and listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market
• LAIX Inc. — Represented the underwriters in the US$72 million initial public offering and listing on the New York Stock Exchange of LAIX Inc., a leading artificial intelligence company in China
• 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
• JinkoSolar — Represented the underwriters in the US$74.75 million follow-on offering of American depositary shares by JinkoSolar, and represented the placement agent in JinkoSolar’s US$85 million convertible notes offering in reliance of Regulation S. JinkoSolar (NYSE: JKS) is one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world
• Maoyan Entertainment — Represented the underwriters in the US$250 million initial public offering and listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange of Maoyan Entertainment, which is a platform providing innovative Internet-empowered entertainment services in China
• iDreamSky Technology Holdings Limited — Represented the underwriters in the US$108 million initial public offering and listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange of iDreamSky Technology Holdings Limited, a leading mobile game publishing platform in China
• Tongcheng-eLong Holdings Limited — Represented the underwriters in the US$180 million initial public offering and listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange of Tongcheng-eLong Holdings Limited, a leading online travel service provider in China
• Tempo Acquisition, LLC, Tempo Acquisition Finance Corp. and the Blackstone Group L.P. — Represented Tempo Acquisition, LLC, Tempo Acquisition Finance Corp. and the Blackstone Group L.P. in connection with the US$500 million senior notes offering to finance the acquisition of Aon plc
• Marble II Pte. Ltd. and the Blackstone Group L.P. — Represented Marble II Pte. Ltd. and the Blackstone Group L.P. in connection with the US$500 million senior notes offering
• Charter Communications — Represented Charter Communications in several notes offerings of over US$10 billion, an A/B exchange offer of US$15 billion and bonds redemptions
• Exelon Corporation — Represented Exelon Corporation in the remarketing and settlement of its US$1.15 billion equity units
• Intelsat S.A. — Represented a number of institutional investors in an exchange offer initiated by Intelsat S.A. in connection with its out-of-court restructuring
• Restaurant Brands International — Represented Restaurant Brands International in its US$1.5 billion senior notes offering
• Cott Corporation — Represented Cott Corporation in its US$750 million senior notes offering
• Ladder Capital — Represented Ladder Capital in its US$500 million senior notes offering
• Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, Barclays, HSBC and Lloyds — Represented Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, Barclays, HSBC and Lloyds in connection with the £250 million senior secured notes offering by Pinewood Group
• Citi, J.P. Morgan, Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo — Represented Citi, J.P. Morgan, Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo in connection with several notes offerings over US$3.0 billion by Occidental Petroleum
• Selecta Group B.V. — Represented Selecta Group B.V. in its tender offer for its €350 million senior secured notes and CHF 245 million senior secured notes and the post-closing redemption for notes not tendered
• Travelodge Hotels Limited — Represented Travelodge Hotels Limited in its £30 million senior secured notes private tap

Mergers & Acquisitions

• Webull Corporation — Represents Webull Corporation, a leading digital investment platform, on its business combination with SK Growth Opportunities Corporation (NASDAQ: SKGR), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company
• L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp. — L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: LCAA), a special purpose acquisition company formed by affiliates of L Catterton, on its business combination with Lotus Technology Inc., a leading global luxury electric vehicle maker that operates under the iconic British brand, Lotus. The combined business is listed under the ticker symbol “LOT”. The transaction values the combined business at a pro forma enterprise value of approximately US$5.4 billion. This transaction was named “Deals of the Year 2023” by China Business Law Journal and “Best Equity Deal - China Offshore” (Highly commended) by FinanceAsia Achievement Awards 2024
• Asia Innovations Group Limited — Advised Asia Innovations Group Limited (ASIG), a leading mobile social company across emerging markets, on its proposed business combination with Magnum Opus Acquisition Limited (NYSE: OPA), a special purpose acquisition company. The business combination provides for an equity valuation of US$2.5 billion for the combined company. This transaction was named “Deals of the Year 2022” by China Business Law Journal
• DCP Capital Partners II, L.P., Ocean Link Partners Limited, and Mr. Rick Yan, the Chief Executive Officer of 51job — Represented as an international co-counsel and sole debt financing counsel for an investor consortium, comprising DCP Capital Partners II, L.P., Ocean Link Partners Limited, and Mr. Rick Yan, the Chief Executive Officer of 51job, in the take-private of 51job, Inc. (NASDAQ: JOBS) at a valuation of appropriately US$4.3 billion. This transaction was named “2021 Deals of the Year” by China Business Law Journal and “TMT Deal of the Year” by Asia Legal Awards 2022
• ReneSola — 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
• L1 Health — Represented L1 Health in connection with its proposed acquisition of an American pharmaceutical company
• Luye Pharma Group — Represented Luye Pharma Group in connection with its proposed acquisition of an American pharmaceutical company

Funds

• Veritas Capital — Represented Veritas Capital in connection with the formation of US$3.55 billion Veritas Fund VI

Prior to joining Kirkland & Ellis, Justin represented:

Capital Markets

• 500.COM LTD — Represented 500.COM LTD, a leading online sports lottery service provider in China, in its US$75 million initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange

Mergers & Acquisitions 

• Xiabuxiabu Catering Management (China) Holdings Co., Ltd. — Represented Xiabuxiabu Catering Management (China) Holdings Co., Ltd. in connection with the sale of Xiabu Xiabu shares by Actis to General Atlantic
• Sequoia Capital, and Goldman Sachs PIA — Represented Sequoia Capital, together with Goldman Sachs PIA, in their US$45 million investment in Novast Holdings Limited
• Aviation Industry Corporation of China — Represented Aviation Industry Corporation of China in connection with its US$650 million investment in a Joint Venture project with General Electric Company
• Leyou, Inc. — Represented Leyou, Inc. in connection with its US$20.9 million acquisition of Global Baby Holdings Co., Ltd
• Aluminum Corporation of China — Represented Aluminum Corporation of China in its joint exploration of iron ore with Rio Tinto Group in Guinea
• NIT Education Group Limited — Represented NIT Education Group Limited in its Series B preferred shares financing matters