Event Detail
Womble Carlyle Attorneys Presented at International Chamber of Commerce Workshop in Hong Kong
June 18, 2010
HONG KONG—Womble Carlyle attorneys Merrick Benn, Guanming Fang, and Rory Whelehan addressed a group of businesspeople, bankers, lawyers, and importers and exporters at a workshop presented by the International Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with P.E.E.R. Consultancy Ltd in Hong Kong on June 18-19, 2010.
During the two-day workshop, Womble Carlyle attorneys provided a survival guide to doing business with U.S. companies, specifically related to managing bankruptcy risk, taking security, and obtaining legal opinions.
Many Chinese companies faced substantial damages when their U.S. counterparties/clients entered into bankruptcy or Chapter 11 during the recent economic tsunami. The first portion of the workshop aims to provide practical legal advice to minimize risks and maximize recovery in the event of a U.S. counterpart/client bankruptcy. Day two of the workshop updated attendees on the legal principles, procedures and latest developments on taking security in the U.S., particularly related to the increasing volume of cross-border financing involving the U.S.
About the Presenters and Womble Carlyle’s Global Business Group:
Womble Carlyle’s Global Business Group has unmatched experience in assisting clients in global business issues. The firm offers services to U.S.-based clients with pending matters abroad, serves as a trusted counselor and advisor on business laws of other countries, as well as assists foreign clients seeking direction on business issues in the United States.
Guanming Fang is a member of Womble Carlyle’s Corporate and Securities Practice Group and leads the Firm’s China Initiative. She represents clients across a broad range of industries (including Chinese companies) on issues relationg to U.S. operations, company structures, and other corporate transactions. Fang is co-founder of the Georgia-China Alliance, a non-profit organization devoted to promoting business exchanges between the U.S. and China. She was born in China and is fluent in Chinese Mandarin and Cantonese in addition to English.
Merrick Benn’s practice focuses on personal property commercial financing with an emphasis on negotiating and documenting middle market and big ticket transactions. A member of the firm’s Capital Markets Business Group, Benn regularly works on both domestic and international finance matters and is experienced in handling structured loans, syndications, finance lease transactions and securitization.
Rory Whelehan is a Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights lawyer with over 20 years of experience. He concentrates his practice primarily on Chapter 11 cases and assorted bankruptcy litigation matters as well as out-of-court workouts and debt restructurings. Whelehan is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and is a Bankruptcy and Consumer Bankruptcy Specialist (North Carolina State Bar).