James Grandolfo

Active throughout Asia, including in many of its emerging and frontier markets, James is especially sought out for his experience in India and the Philippines. In the Philippines in particular he advises across a variety of capital markets, M&A, private equity and leveraged finance matters and is widely considered one of the most experienced international lawyers practicing in this jurisdiction.  Mr. Grandolfo’s experience spans a wide range of sectors, including finance, renewable, conventional and new power and energy, real estate, hospitality and gaming, TMT, infrastructure and logistics, among others.  Combining his expertise in both capital markets and M&A, Mr. Grandolfo advises on SPAC transactions from Asia and is also active on sustainability and sustainability-linked transactions.

Mr. Grandolfo is ranked continuously for over a decade as a Band 1/Leading Lawyer by both Chambers and Legal 500 for his work in capital markets. He is recognized as a “Hall of Fame” lawyer in Legal 500 and in Chambers peers and clients alike described him as, "on top of his game". Clients enthuse, "He's terrific, very hands-on and sensible, with deep knowledge. A rare lawyer, he doesn't just do the deals we instruct him on – he also looks for opportunities for his clients and is very well plugged in," and appreciate him as "… someone I can constantly rely on; if there is any issue he sees to it that it is attended to even if it takes the whole night to get things clarified or settled."

In 2023, Mr. Grandolfo was recognized as one of China’s Top 10 Debt Capital Markets Lawyers in by Business Today.

Mr. Grandolfo is regularly called upon to advise on a variety of highly complex, first-in-country or first-of-its-kind debt and equity capital markets issuances for leading issuers across Asia, including:  Aboitiz Group, AGI Group, Ayala Group, Bank of the Philippine Islands, BDO Unibank, Inc., Converge ICT Solutions, Filinvest Group, GT Group, Gokongwei Group, Hindalco Industries, ICTSI, Jindal Steel, JSW Hydro Energy, JSW Steel Limited, LT Group, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, Masan Group Corporation, Monde Nissin, Philippine National Bank, PTT Public Company Limited, San Miguel Group, State Bank of India, Udenna Corporation and VietJet Aviation, among many others.  In addition, he has advised on a number of sovereign issuances around the Asia region involving the governments of Indonesia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea, among others.

Recognition & Accomplishments

In addition to his recognition in Chambers and Legal 500, Mr. Grandolfo is also listed as a leading lawyer in Hong Kong in Debt Capital Markets and Equity Capital Markets within IFLR 1000 and is recognised as an International A-list lawyer for India in the most recent edition of India Business Law Journal.

Mr. Grandolfo is the vice-chair of the International Securities Law Committee of the American Bar Association as well as the co-chair of the Practising Law Institute’s Annual Institute on Corporate & Securities Law in Hong Kong.