Loeb Smith Attorneys acts as Legal Advisor in First High-School Education Group’s Going Private Merger Transaction

Hong Kong

Loeb Smith Attorneys, one of the leading offshore corporate law firms with a strong growing presence in the APAC region, advises in the going private merger transaction of First High-School Education Group, an education service provider primarily focusing on high schools in Western China (the “Company”). The Company has entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger for the short form merger transaction (the “Merger”) on November 22, 2024.

Loeb Smith Attorneys has served as Cayman Islands legal counsel to the Special Committee and the team of lawyers advising on the transaction was led by Partner Ivy Wong and included team member Frost Wu in Hong Kong. Partner and Head of the firm’s Corporate and Investment Funds Group, Gary Smith, commented, “This is another testament of the depth and breadth of our firm’s expertise and our teams of attorneys’ ability and credentials to provide seasoned legal insights and support to clients in their different corporate actions and endeavors. It also showcases our commitment to our clients in Asia and our transactional profile involving a wide range of corporate law services in the current financial climate.”

Partner Ivy Wong in Hong Kong also commented, “It has been a pleasure working with the professional parties in the region to advise on this short form Merger to achieve the strategic goals of different stakeholders without having to go through the complexities and time required of a regular merger. We expect to see that the trend of merger transactions will continue, while others continue to seek fundraising opportunities on major stock exchanges, whether in the US or elsewhere.”

Zhongqin Asset Appraisal Co., Ltd. is acting as financial advisor to the Special Committee. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, is acting as U.S. legal counsel to the Special Committee.

The Merger is currently expected to close in the first half of 2025 and is subject to customary closing conditions.

About Loeb Smith Attorneys

Loeb Smith Attorneys is one of the leading offshore corporate law firms considered one of the most active and knowledgeable firms for advising on offshore investment funds formation and launch of all asset classes including public securities, private equity, venture capital, real estate, and virtual assets. Other areas of strength and growth are advising on M&A, Finance, Corporate Restructurings, Capital Markets, Regulatory Compliance, Investments, Logistics, Shipping and Aviation.

Considered a leading law firm in the Fintech and Blockchain Technology space, Loeb Smith also advises on token issuances, application for VASP licences for Web 3.0 businesses, Metaverse infrastructure and other virtual asset service providers, and utilising Cayman and BVI structures to develop virtual asset platforms for DAOs. Loeb Smith’s clients are investment managers, financial institutions, onshore counsels, and HNWIs who the firm advises on day-to-day legal issues and complex, strategic matters.

Some of our firm's recent accolades are: rankings in IFLR1000, Legal 500; winning Best Law Firm - Fund Domicile at Hedgeweek US Emerging Manager Awards 2023 and 2024; winning Best Law Firm - Fund Domicile at Private Equity Wire US Emerging Manager Awards 2023 and 2024; winning Best Law Firm - Fund Domicile at Private Equity Wire US Awards 2023; recognised amongst Top 30 Asia's Fastest Growing Law Firms in 2023 and 2024 by Asian Legal Business; ranked in The A-List: Top Offshore Lawyers by Asia Business Law Journal in 2022 and 2024; winning The Best Offshore Law Firm – Client Service at With Intelligence HFM Asia Services Awards 2024; ranked in ALB Hong Kong Firms to Watch 2024 list