James Grandolfo

Milbank LLP will attend the ALB Philippine In-House Legal Summit in Manila on October 8, 2025.~~James Grandolfo, Milbank Corporate Finance and Securities partner and managing partner of Milbank (Hong Kong) LLP, will moderate the panel discussion on "Hybrid Investing: Contractual Frameworks and Market Trends." Neeraj Budhwani, Global Corporate partner, and associates Ari Singzon and Charmaine Yeo will also speak on the panel.~~Milbank is a proud sponsor of the summit. The ALB Philippine In-House Legal Summit brings together in-house counsels, legal practitioners and industry experts to discuss regulatory updates, ESG, data protection, M&A, arbitration, cross-border dispute resolution, and other pressing legal issues.~~Milbank has one of the most active and successful Philippines practices within a global law firm. The firm advises clients across virtually every area of corporate finance, from M&A, capital markets, project finance and private equity to leveraged finance and acquisition finance. Milbank's leading practitioners have substantial experience with Philippine companies, investors, issuers, and underwriters on some of the region's recent high-profile transactions.~~Click here for more information on the ALB Philippine In-House Legal Summit.

Oct 3

1 min

Milbank LLP advised Rich Stream Investment Pte Ltd. ("Rich Stream"), an affiliate of the Salim Group, Indonesia's leading conglomerate, in connection with the formation of a joint venture with Eastroc Beverage Group ("Eastroc"), a leading Chinese beverage producer listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Under the shareholders agreement signed on January 30, 2026, Rich Stream and Eastroc will jointly invest in Pt Eastroc Vitamin Energy Indonesia, a joint venture that will establish a production base and sell beverages in Indonesia. The total investment in the project is expected to reach US$300 million. The Salim Group is one of Southeast Asia's most influential multinational conglomerates, with operations in the food, energy and real estate sectors spanning Indonesia, China, Thailand, the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries, as well as Australia, North America and Europe. Eastroc is a leading beverage producer in China, offering a wide range of products including the well-known brand "Eastroc Energy Drink," and has ranked first in sales volume in China's energy drink market for four consecutive years. “We're proud to support Rich Stream on this complex, cross-border joint venture with Eastroc, bringing together two industry leaders to tap into Indonesia's growing consumer market," said James Grandolfo, Corporate Finance and Securities partner and managing partner of Milbank (Hong Kong) LLP. "This joint venture marks a significant step in Eastroc's international expansion and demonstrates the Salim Group's continued commitment to strategic partnerships across Southeast Asia." The Hong Kong-based Milbank team was led by partner James Grandolfo and Corporate partner Andrew Whan, with associate Ben Hewett.

Feb 19

1 min

James Grandolfo, partner at Milbank LLP and managing partner of Milbank (Hong Kong) LLP, co-chaired the 9th edition of Practising Law Institute's Annual Institute on Corporate & Securities Law in Asia on September 25-26. Mr. Grandolfo, who has acted as co-chair since the inception of the institute, served alongside co-chairs Sharon Lau of Latham & Watkins and Yvette Rodriguez of Deutsche Bank.~~The two-day event explored key developments shaping Asia's corporate and securities landscape. Topics included M&A market drivers, the growing impact of AI on legal practice, regulatory developments in South and Southeast Asia, and US regulatory activities affecting Asian markets. The program also examined current trends in private credit and direct lending, as well as corporate disputes across Asian jurisdictions.~~Davide Mencacci, head of Milbank's Leveraged Finance practice in Asia, moderated a session titled "Financing Mergers & Acquisitions in Asia." Mr. Mencacci was joined by Sunny Leung, head of the legal team for global lending at Standard Chartered; Pramath Verma, co-head of leveraged finance and private financing at Nomura; and Vikram Lamba, managing director and co-head of Asia Pacific Leveraged Finance and Acquisition Syndicated Finance at HSBC. The panel explored current trends in financing M&A across Asia, covering risk management, transfer restrictions, voting thresholds, security structures, financial covenants and the growing influence of private credit in the region.~~Mr. Grandolfo, in addition to his co-chair duties, moderated a session with former long-time head of the SEC's Division of International Corporate Finance and now Latham & Watkins partner Paul Dudek titled "US Regulatory Developments Impacting Asia." This session covered various regulatory developments from the SEC including proposed changes to the definition of "Foreign Private Issuer," the SEC's new Reg Flex agenda and the SEC's recent comments on China-based companies, among others.~~The two-day event also covered topics such as "Recent Trends in South and Southeast Asia Capital Markets," "M&A Trends in Asia," "Private Credit and Direct Lending in Asia" and "Trends in Disputes Across Asia." The event brought together experts from governments, corporations, banks, academic institutions and private law firms to discuss the latest insights into issues facing corporate and securities law practitioners in Asia with more than 150 people in attendance.~~This program is now available on demand. Click here for more information about PLI.

Sep 30

2 min

Chambers Recognizes 21 Milbank Attorneys, 25 Practice Areas in Its Asia-Pacific 2026 Guide~~Milbank LLP is pleased to announce that 21 of its attorneys and 25 practice areas are ranked by Chambers in its Asia-Pacific 2026 guide to the region’s top law firms. Eight partners were awarded Band 1 status or higher, with several partners receiving recognition in more than one practice area. Two partners were identified as exceptional individuals beyond the numerical rankings, with one named an Eminent Practitioner and another featured as a Star Individual. Milbank’s Corporate & Finance work in Vietnam was recognized with a Spotlight distinction. Each year, Chambers provides independent, in-depth insight and recommendations on law firms and lawyers across legal markets in the Asia-Pacific region. Milbank’s practice teams and individual attorneys are consistently recognized in the Chambers guide. Chambers ranked Milbank Band 1 in the following practice areas: Corporate & Finance – Philippines Corporate & Finance – Indonesia Corporate/M&A: The Elite – Singapore Projects & Energy – India Projects & Energy – Japan Projects & Infrastructure â€“ Asia-Pacific Region Projects & Infrastructure – Singapore Projects & Infrastructure – South Korea Projects, Infrastructure & Energy – Philippines Restructuring/Insolvency â€“ Singapore The firm was also recognized by Chambers for its expertise in the following specialties: Banking & Finance (Japan, Singapore and the Asia-Pacific Region); Capital Markets (Singapore and India); Capital Markets: Debt, Equity and High-Yield Products (Asia-Pacific Region); Corporate & Finance (Malaysia and Vietnam); Corporate/M&A (South Korea and the Asia-Pacific Region); Corporate/M&A: Private Equity (Asia-Pacific Region); Energy & Natural Resources (Asia-Pacific Region); and Projects & Infrastructure (Malaysia). “This recognition reflects Milbank’s outstanding reputation and prominence across numerous practice areas and regions,” said David Zemans, Managing Partner of the firm's Asia Practice and Singapore office. “We continue to earn the trust of our clients by delivering unparalleled service and strategic advice on their most important transactions.” Of Milbank’s 21 leading attorneys who are recognized by Chambers, six received Band 1 rankings. One partner was named an Eminent Practitioner and one was granted Star Individual status – special distinctions above the Band 1 ranking. David Zemans was recognized as an Eminent Practitioner in five practice areas: Banking & Finance – Indonesia and Singapore Corporate/M&A – Indonesia and Singapore Restructuring/Insolvency – Singapore Aled Davies was designated a Star Individual in Projects & Energy – Japan Jacqueline Chan: Corporate/M&A – Indonesia and Singapore; Restructuring/Insolvency – Singapore John Dewar: Projects & Energy – India David Gartside: Projects & Infrastructure – South Korea James Grandolfo: Corporate & Finance – Philippines Giles Kennedy: Capital Markets – Indonesia and Singapore James Murray: Projects & Energy – Indonesia; Projects & Infrastructure & Energy – Philippines; Projects & Infrastructure – Singapore The following Milbank attorneys were ranked as leaders in their field: Jacqueline Chan: Banking & Finance – Singapore; Corporate & Finance – Vietnam David Cho: Corporate/M&A – South Korea Aled Davies: Banking & Finance – Japan Nicholas Dunstone: Restructuring/Insolvency – Singapore Justen Fleming: Projects & Energy – Japan Andrew Gibb: Projects & Infrastructure – Singapore Munib Hussain: Projects & Energy – India Min Kim: Corporate/M&A – Singapore Terrence O’Donnell: Capital Markets – Singapore James Orme: Projects & Energy – Indonesia; Projects & Infrastructure – Singapore; Banking & Finance – Indonesia and Singapore Andrew Pendleton: Projects & Energy – Japan Paul Anthony Pery: Corporate & Finance – Philippines Cesareo Singzon: Corporate & Finance – Philippines Desiree Woo: Projects, Infrastructure & Energy – Philippines Rosaline Yusman: Projects & Infrastructure – Singapore

Dec 11

3 min

Milbank Recognized in 2026 Legal 500 Asia Pacific and Greater China Guides~~Milbank LLP is ranked in 22 practice areas in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026 and Legal 500 Greater China 2026 guides. In addition, 24 individual attorneys are highly recognized across 43 categories for their expertise and industry knowledge. Legal 500 guides are published annually and provide unbiased commentary and insight into the legal marketplace jurisdictions around the world. The rankings as based on a detailed analysis of law firm submissions and thousands of interviews with general counsel and private practice lawyers. The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026 and Legal 500 Greater China 2026 guides rank Milbank in Tier 1 in the following categories: Indonesia: Foreign Firms Japan: Projects and Energy Philippines: Foreign Firms Singapore: Banking and Finance Singapore: Corporate and M&A Singapore: Energy Singapore: Projects Singapore: Restructuring and insolvency Milbank also is recognized for its exceptional capabilities in the following areas: Hong Kong: Banking and Finance Hong Kong: Capital Markets/Debt Hong Kong: Capital Markets/Equity Hong Kong: Corporate (including M&A) Hong Kong: Private Equity Hong Kong: Projects and Energy India: Foreign Firms Japan: Banking and Finance Malaysia: Foreign Firms Singapore: Capital Markets/Equity and Debt Singapore: TMT South Korea: Corporate and M&A South Korea: Projects and Energy Vietnam: Foreign Firms “This extraordinary recognition reflects the trust we continue to earn from our clients to assist them on their largest and most complex matters in Asia," said David Zemans, Managing Partner of the firm’s Singapore office and Asia Practice. “Our regional footprint enables us to serve clients with speed, coordination and precision across Asia’s diverse markets,” said James Grandolfo, Managing Partner of Milbank’s Hong Kong office. “By working as a fully integrated team across our Asia offices and global platform, we deploy the best talent for each matter to deliver superior results. This recognition reinforces Milbank’s standing as a leading adviser on the region’s most complex and high-value matters.” Learn more about the Legal 500 rankings.

Jan 14

1 min