News + Events
Troutman Sanders Expands International Financing Expertise With the Hiring of Joe Sevack
May 4, 2010
HONG KONG – The law firm of Troutman Sanders LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Joe Sevack as a partner to its Securities and Corporate Governance practice group.
“Joe Sevack complements well our existing robust securities, M&A and private equity capabilities in Greater China with his expertise in the areas of debt financing, project financing, as well as U.S. securities,” said Eric A. Szweda, managing partner of the firm’s Hong Kong office. “Joe is routinely noted as among the top debt financing lawyers in Asia-Pacific by investment banks and corporations.”
Prior to joining Troutman Sanders, Sevack was a partner at Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP in Hong Kong from 2006 to the present and a partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in Hong Kong from 2000 to 2006. He began his legal career with Cravath Swaine & Moore in New York and then Hong Kong.
In addition to Sevack, the Troutman Sanders Hong Kong office includes corporate partner Olivia Lee, who joined from White & Case in 2006; corporate partner Shirley Lau, who joined from Morrison & Foerster in 2005; corporate commercial litigator Eric Szweda, who has been with the firm since 1990; and senior advisor Ermanno Pascutto, an ex-Vice Chairman and Executive Director of the Securities & Futures Commission of Hong Kong.
"Troutman Sanders' strong commitment to Asia, starting with its opening of its Hong Kong office in 1997 and best evidenced today by the leading talent that it has brought together in Hong Kong and Shanghai, make the firm very attractive to me,” said Sevack. “I feel privileged to be joining its corporate team."
Troutman Sanders is ranked among the Top 20 law firms in Bloomberg's league tables for Hong Kong Stock Exchange Equity IPO Manager Advisers in 2009. Its Hong Kong IPO and listing work in 2009 included acting for Co-Sponsors and Lead Managers, CICC and BOCI, two leading investment banks, in the IPO and listing of CPMC Holdings Limited on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. CPMC is a subsidiary of one of the largest government-owned enterprises, China Oil and Foodstuff Import and Export Corporation, which focuses on food and beverage packaging business in China. The firm currently has several IPOs underway at various stages, with planned listings in 2010 and 2011.
At Troutman Sanders, Sevack’s practice will focus on debt and equity capital markets, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and cross-border commercial transactions, which compliments well the firm’s current success in handling capital markets, M&A, private equity and dispute resolution matters in Greater China.
"Equity and debt issuance activity has rebounded strongly in Asia, and with respect to high-yield bonds in particular, there should be a large number of existing issues that will need to be refinanced in the near term and Asian issuers appear to remain popular with investors in that sector,” said Sevack.
Sevack, who is admitted to the New York bar, has lived in Asia for 13 years. His clients have included major investment banks, public company issuers, and other multi-national corporations and funds.
He has been regularly recognized by Chambers Asia and Asia Pacific Legal 500 for his Capital Markets (debt and equity) and Finance work. He is recognized by Chambers Asia 2009 as a leading lawyer in the areas of Capital Markets, Banking & Finance: Leveraged & Acquisition Finance (Hong Kong), and Banking & Finance: Foreign (China).
Chambers Asia said of Sevack: "’His genuinely thorough understanding of covenants and packages means that he can work out a compromise on tough deals and maintain good relations all round,’ enthused one client," and also "[he] has a broad base of expertise, including knowledge of the high-yield arena. His ability to handle cross-border deals with U.S. securities implications ensures his services are in demand."
Asia Pacific Legal 500 (2008/2009) said Sevack “is recommended for high-yield transactions" in the area of Capital Markets (debt and equity) in Hong Kong.
Sevack received a B.A. from California State University in 1989 and a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1992, where he was an Articles Editor of the Minnesota Law Review.
About Troutman Sanders:
Troutman Sanders LLP is an international law firm with over 650 lawyers and 16 offices in North America, Europe and Asia. The Firm opened its Hong Kong office in 1997 and expanded into Shanghai in 2007. Founded in 1897, the firm’s lawyers provide counsel and advice in practically every aspect of civil and commercial law related to the firm’s core practice areas: Corporate, Finance, Litigation, Public Law and Real Estate. Firm clients range from multinational corporations to individual entrepreneurs, federal and state agencies to foreign governments, and non-profit organizations to businesses representing nearly every sector and industry. See www.troutmansanders.com for more information.
###