James Grandolfo

Primary Focus & Experience

James represents issuers and investment banks in a variety of debt, equity and equity-linked capital markets transactions, including high-yield, regulatory capital, corporate hybrids, Rule 144A/Regulation S transactions and SEC-registered offerings, privatizations and liability management transactions. 

In the M&A space, notable deals that James has advised on include facilitating Prime Infrastructure Holdings, Inc. in acquiring a 45% stake in the Malampaya deep-water gas-to-power project from Udenna Corporation and Shell Petroleum N.V.; playing a crucial role in Union Bank of the Philippines’ acquisition of Citigroup Inc.'s consumer banking business in the Philippines through a competitive auction process; and advising PLDT Inc. and its subsidiaries in the sale of 5,907 telecom towers and related passive infrastructure to edotco Group and EdgePoint Infrastructure - the largest-ever acquisition of domestic Philippine assets by international investors.

His expertise extends to sectors such as finance, renewable energy, conventional power, real estate, hospitality, gaming, TMT (technology, media, and telecommunications), infrastructure, and logistics, and includes clients as such as Okada Manila, Bloomberry Resorts, Monde Nissin Corporation, Citicore, Hotel101, Aboitiz Group, Globe Telecom, Metrobank, BPI Capital Corporation and PLDT, to name a few.

Recognition & Accomplishments

James’ impressive track record has consistently earned him the Band 1 ranking in Philippines Chambers Asia Pacific and Chambers Global. He is also recognized by Legal 500 Asia Pacific for his work in the Philippines, and as a “Hall of Fame” lawyer in Hong Kong in the areas of Debt and Equity Capital Markets. IFLR1000 likewise lists James as a leading lawyer in Hong Kong for Debt and Equity Capital Markets. He is also selected as an International A-list Capital Markets lawyer for India by India Business Law Journal 2022-23, and listed as one of China’s Top 10 Debt Capital Markets Lawyers by Business Today 2023.

James is the Vice-Chair of the International Securities Law Committee of the American Bar Association as well as the Co-Chair of the Practicing Law Institute’s Annual Institute on Corporate & Securities Law in Hong Kong.