1 June 2010 - Gide Loyrette Nouel bolsters Asia banking and finance practice with key appointment:

Gide Loyrette Nouel (GLN) is pleased to announce that Samuel Chau has joined the Firm as Head of the Banking and Finance team in Hong Kong. Samuel’s appointment further strengthens GLN’s Asia Banking & Finance Group, led by Balbir Bindra, and comes in response to greater client demand in the region.

Samuel has over 15 years of experience working for a broad range of major corporate and financial institutions. His practice focuses on banking and structured finance work, with particular emphasis on leveraged, real estate, project and asset-based financings throughout Hong Kong, the PRC and the Asian region.

Samuel’s transaction experience has been focused on the PRC and includes advising on project financings for limited recourse property development projects, formation of real estate project funds, lease financing, syndicated loan facilities to sovereign entities, acquisition financing, distressed debt, and mergers of banks in Hong Kong.

Samuel’s experience has been highlighted in Asia Pacific Legal 500 and IFLR 1000 (Euromoney).

Pierre Raoul-Duval, GLN’s Senior Partner, said: “We are delighted that Samuel has joined our practice in Asia. His track-record and market reputation mean he is a significant addition to the existing Hong Kong-based banking and finance team and his appointment reflects the growing needs of our clients for these services.”

Balbir Bindra, Head of GLN’s Asia Banking & Finance Group, said: "Samuel and I have worked together for over a decade and I look forward to working with him again. He has specific knowledge and expertise that will be of great benefit to the firm and our clients."