White & Case hires Indonesia specialist Charlie Wilson

International law firm White & Case has hired Charlie Wilson from Linq Asia Capital, a specialist finance group that arranges high-yield debt facilities for corporate borrowers in Southeast Asia.

Wilson, who joins the firm's Singapore office as counsel, brings experience of restructuring, private equity and mergers and acquisitions, as well as the structured finance work he was involved with during the past two years at Linq Asia. He is no stranger to White & Case, having previously worked at the Sampoerna group, one of the firm's key clients in Southeast Asia.

During his time at Sampoerna, Wilson was heavily involved in the sale of the family's cigarette business to Philip Morris International in 2005 for $5.2 billion. White & Case advised the family. Wilson was later appointed general counsel of the family's investment vehicle, Sampoerna Strategic, where he was extensively involved in M&A and financing transactions.

This Indonesia experience is a good fit for White & Case, which has a good client base in the country. It has advised on several recent asset sales by Indonesian business groups, including another tobacco deal in which the Rajwali group sold a 56% stake in Bentoel, Indonesia's fourth-biggest cigarette maker, for $326 million in June.

"We are delighted that Charlie is joining us," said Doug Peel, executive partner of the firm's Singapore office. "His wide, hands-on experience over the last decade on Indonesian transactions ideally complements White & Case's 30-plus-year track record in Indonesia. Charlie's experience will be invaluable to White & Case's Indonesian clients, as well as international clients looking to do business in Indonesia."

Although Wilson has a broad track record, it is expected that he will focus on restructuring work at White & Case.