The Legal 500

Clifford Chance is ‘number one’ thanks to its record in ‘big commercial litigation cases’ and its impressive roster of financial institution clients that provide a huge flow of contentious work. The firm has a ‘strong partner team’ and has ‘more strings to its bow’, than most of its competitors. In the immensely industrious Martin Rogers, it has Hong Kong’s leading litigator and contentious regulatory exponent, but he is supported among others by eminent Hong Kong litigator Brian Gilchrist and financial institutions and regulatory specialist James Wadham. Illustrating its leading local status, the firm acted for Hong Kong titan Li & Fung in a major judicial review case, and represented Bank of China in the Lehman Brothers Minibond litigation.

Herbert Smith has an immensely ‘strong civil litigation and contentious regulatory practice’, and with seven partners in Hong Kong it certainly has the resources to throw at big cases. The firm’s investigations and anti-corruption practice has made significant headway under specialist Kyle Wombolt. Yet it is the contentious regulatory environment where it has committed significant efforts in recent years with Mark Johnson (‘great’), Gavin Lewis and Tim Mak to the fore. On the commercial litigation front, Gareth Thomas is one of Hong Kong’s elite practitioners.

Linklaters has a standout contentious regulatory and financial institutions litigation practice, acting for many of the leading investment banks in Hong Kong. The firm has been intensely involved in many of the disputes resulting from the collapse of Lehman Brothers. Professional negligence work or the Big Four accountants is another key part of the practice. In these two segments, global litigation head Marc Harvey is virtually unrivalled in Hong Kong. Melvin Sng continues to make considerable progress in relation to PRC disputes, with Tom Lidstrom actively engaged in white-collar crime cases, a global focus for the firm.

Acting for ‘all the blue-blooded clients in town’, such as Li & Fung and Cathay Pacific, Mayer Brown JSM has a formidable record in banking cases, contentious insolvency, medical negligence, shareholder disputes and judicial review cases. In relation to judicial review, the firm acts for all the major statutory bodies in Hong Kong. The department is ‘commercial’, ‘prudent’ and ‘extremely helpful’. ‘Heavy hitter’ Nicholas Hunsworth is still a go-to name for ‘big disputes’, while department head Thomas So is ‘responsive’, ‘practical’, ‘a superb adviser’ and ‘sees the bigger picture’.

Reed Smith Richards Butler’s ‘terrific’ David Morrison and William Barber are widely recognised for their financial sector disputes expertise, including cases against banks. Morrison is renowned for defending financial institutions and executives in connection with investigations by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). On the insurance side, the firm has a leading reputation for professional negligence and medical negligence with Kevin Bowers and Chris Howse to the fore. Howse is also recommended for shipping disputes.

Allen & Overy is a major player in the financial institutions litigation space and provides a ‘Rolls-Royce’ service with ‘responsive and bright lawyers supplying focused commercial legal advice’. It is a market leader in white-collar crime thanks to the presence of Simon Clarke (‘very knowledgeable’, ‘commercial’ and ‘personable to work with’). Fai Hung Cheung has also worked hard to develop the anti-bribery practice in Greater China. For contentious regulatory and investigations, Angus Ross (‘very responsive’, ‘cares about the client relationship’) is making headway.

Baker & McKenzie remains a credible force in commercial litigation and has successfully developed a standing in compliance and internal investigations, most notably in relation to China and pan-Asia. Much credit for the latter should go to Cynthia Tang, whose regulator experience provides ‘reassurance to management’ and gives her real ‘insight’ into the problems that clients face. Gary Seib heads the commercial litigation side of the practice, which has a notably strong record in insolvency disputes, trusts and estates cases, and judicial review.

Deacons’ large and genuinely broad practice has experienced a considerable upswing in contentious regulatory and investigations work. The firm is working alongside a number of US firms in connection with these matters. Among a number of major Hong Kong cases, it acted for Chinachem Group in its headline claim against RCG Holdings. The department is ‘efficient’, ‘commercially astute’, and ‘technically able’. Standout partner Robert Clark has ‘sound judgment’, and ‘a grasp of the legal and commercial issues’. Other lead partners include the experienced and well-connected Daisy Tong, department head Joseph Kwan and rising star Richard Hudson.

Hogan Lovells has one of the largest dispute resolution teams in Hong Kong and has experienced a dramatic increase in financial institutions litigation (including the Lehman minibonds litigation) and regulatory investigations work. Beyond this, the firm has a burgeoning practice in shareholder disputes, fraud, and insolvency litigation. Clients highlight the firm’s understanding of ‘commercial objectives’ and ‘punctual responses’. Financial institutions and regulatory expert Mark Lin is commended for his industry knowledge, Chinese language skills, ‘pragmatic approach’, and willingness to ‘manage expectations’. The ‘practical’ and ‘prompt’ Chris Dobby is feted for his insolvency litigation expertise, while Allan Leung remains the firm’s senior litigator.

DLA Piper has a large team of partners and associates, covering classic commercial litigation, and insurance and shipping disputes. A number of bank panel appointments have also led to a greater flow of financial institution disputes and contentious regulatory work. The firm represented China Railways Group in the landmark sovereign immunity case involving FG Hemisphere and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which reached the Court of Final Appeal. Satpal Gobindpuri heads the department that includes Kevin Chan and the immensely well-connected and experienced Christopher Clarke.

Though without the volume of Hong Kong litigation that its main Magic Circle rivals benefit from, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is clearly a quality outfit and is clearly in the process of building a much more substantial platform in Hong Kong and Asia. ‘Talented man’ Richard Chalk has an immense amount of Asia experience, while Peter Yuen is having considerable success in Hong Kong and PRC disputes, and is helping to develop the firm’s world-leading arbitration expertise in the region. The firm recently acted for a PRC businessman against a well-known US company in an HKIAC arbitration relating to a dispute over a purchase agreement.

Mallesons Stephen Jaques substantially heightened its status in 2010, by hiring Denis Brock (‘comes up with solutions that no one else even remotely thinks about’, ‘one of the best litigators I have come across’, ‘practical’, ‘commercial’, ‘remarkable people skills’), Clifford Chance’s former Asia head of dispute resolution. The firm also hired special counsel and contentious regulatory specialist Jill Wong, the former deputy general counsel at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. With a strong contingent of arbitration experts, the firm now has a fully-rounded dispute resolution practice.

Norton Rose Hong Kong’s ‘very impressive’ Camille Jojo has built a strong standing in the commercial disputes and contentious insolvency environments. In concert with contentious regulatory and shareholder disputes specialist Ruth Cowley and shipping and trade disputes expert Jim James, the firm has a genuinely broad practice. The firm has acted on behalf of its many Hong Kong-listed corporate clients in a multitude of SFC investigations.

For Sidley Austin, contentious regulatory work is a key growth area following the recruitment of Alan Linning, the former head of Asia regional compliance at JPMorgan Chase and former executive director of enforcement at the SFC. The firm recently acted for Tiger Asia Management in headline proceedings brought by the SFC. The firm acts for many of the biggest names in the funds industry. Allen Kim and Hong Kong stalwart Charles Allen are the other lead partners.

Wilkinson & Grist is one of the premier local firms in Hong Kong litigation, thanks in part to the prominence and excellence of John Budge, a ‘very capable’ and ‘practical’ practitioner. Members of the firm are regularly in court, and Keith Ho recently acted for Chinachem Charitable Foundation in connection with the long-running probate dispute relating to Asia’s richest woman, Nina Wang. The firm is very close to many Hong Kong-listed businesses.

Despite the firm’s insurance focus, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert does have a genuinely broad commercial litigation practice. Financial institutions disputes (including mis-selling cases), fraud and contentious regulatory issues are a burgeoning segment of the practice. The firm is also well known for its strong connections to the major and mid-tier accounting firms. Tom Fyfe is ‘smart’, and ‘quick to pick up on the issues’, as is Richard Keady, while David Smyth is a leading figure in insurance litigation.

Dispute resolution boutique, Gall is now the first choice for referrals from many of its fellow local and international peer firms. Founding partner Nick Gall (‘one of the best in Hong Kong’) recently led the team that sued JPMorgan on behalf of fund manager Varun Bery. The case related to an alleged breach of spinout agreement. Clients highlight the ‘exceptional service’, ‘the experienced litigators’ and the firm’s ability to tune into ‘business concerns’ of the client. Lewis Man (‘extremely knowledgeable’, ‘detailed’, ‘professional’, ‘tactical’) and Randall Arthur (‘particularly effective’, excellent ‘legal analysis’, ‘clear and concise writing’) are also recommended. The firm is equally capable in relation to commercial, financial, insolvency, insurance and employment disputes.

As one of Hong Kong’s premier local firms, Haldanes star is certainly rising, thanks in part to its role in the headline Nina Wang case. It is strong both in connection with commercial and financial institutions litigation, but also with its leading white-collar crime expertise. Anita Chow, David Hoare and Geoffrey Booth are the principle names.

With extensive regional and global resources, Jones Day is able to commit sizeable teams to individual cases. The firm is particularly strong on PRC disputes including shareholder disputes, major investigations and energy-related cases. Iain Seow is the lead partner.

Kennedys’ evolution from an exclusively insurance focused practice to one with a genuinely record in the broader commercial litigation environment, was illustrated by the promotion of litigators Toby Brown and Mark West to the partnership in 2010. As a measure of its blossoming reputation, the firm now receives many referrals from other leading firms in Hong Kong. Rupert Skrine is recommended for accountants negligence and now represents all the Big Four.

O’Melveny & Myers LLP acts for a multitude of Hong Kong-listed clients, most notably in relation to company and shareholder disputes, contentious regulatory work and contentious insolvency cases. The firm provides an ‘excellent service’, is ‘highly responsive’, and has ‘wide industry knowledge’. Friven Yeoh is the lead partner.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is commended for its ‘great’ service, its straightforward and direct advice, and for keeping the client ‘constantly’ informed. The ‘senior’ and ‘experienced’ Robert Pé and Andrew Dale work well as a team and have developed a strong record in regulatory investigations.

Simmons & Simmons suffered the departure of the prominent Gareth Hughes to Ashurst Hong Kong in association with Jackson Woo & Associates in 2011. The focus of the practice remains on financial institutions and insurance cases. Contentious and non-contentious financial markets specialist Paul Li is regularly engaged in insider dealing cases.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP may be more recognised for arbitration work in Hong Kong, but with Paul Mitchard QC and Mandarin speaking US-qualified litigator Frances Kao becoming ever more present in regulatory enforcement, investigations and securities litigation, the firm deserves its place amongst the elite.

Stephenson Harwood continues to develop its dispute resolution team that has gained roles in a series of headline cases, including the liquidation of New China Brokers, the Nina Wang case, and the Lun family probate litigation. Jason Toms was the lead partner acting for the administrator of the contested estate of Chinese billionaire Nina Wang. Malcolm Kemp is also recommended.

Though its expertise is much broader than in contentious work, Tanner De Witt truly excels in the litigation environment. This is thanks in part to the presence of immensely experienced litigators Mark Side (‘very good’) and Ian De Witt (‘expert analysis and opinion’). Clients highlight the ‘extraordinary high-quality service’, the ‘vast knowledge and business acumen’ of the partners and the ‘very strong team’.

Winston & Strawn has a sizeable and multi-lingual dispute resolution practice that has a tight nexus to its premier litigation practice back home in the US. The Hong Kong department works closely with the US on such issues as America’s Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and cross-border securities class actions. David Hall-Jones is a prominent figure in Hong Kong.

Ashurst Hong Kong in association with Jackson Woo & Associates entered the dispute resolution market with the hire of the highly regarded Gareth Hughes in 2011 from Simmons & Simmons. The focus is principally on financial institutions related litigation.

Clyde & Co has an impressive contentious team in its own right, and with the proposed merger with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert in November 2011, it is poised to be one of the leading firms in Hong Kong.

Holman Fenwick Willan is still principally known for shipping disputes, but the firm’s contentious expertise is utilised to great effect with a notable strong record in energy and fraud cases. In the latter segment, George Lamplough has a fine reputation.

Ince & Co is also primarily known as a shipping firm, but has a fine record in the wider contentious environment.

King & Wood’s Jeff Lane is a renowned Hong Kong litigator and is recommended for being a ‘get up and go type litigator’ and one who is ‘not frightened of taking on a big bank’.

Latham & Watkins LLP’s Simon Powell is a ‘standout’ practitioner, who is ‘friendly’, ‘persistent’ and has ‘excellent legal knowledge’. Although known as a strong litigator, he currently has a principle focus on arbitration.

Minter Ellison is home to renowned Hong Kong litigator Nigel Francis. He has appeared in many of Hong Kong’s headline cases, but also has a niche in TMT disputes.

Though best known for construction and infrastructure cases, Pinsent Masons has a genuinely broad dispute resolution practice. Over the last year, the firm has acted in major restrictive covenant cases, shareholder disputes and a sizeable fraud investigation. Peter Bullock is the principle partner.

Robertsons is another Hong Kong firm to benefit from the growth in referral business from local and international peers. It has fine record in major Hong Kong cases including headline white-collar crime and fraud investigations. Barry Hoy is the lead partner.

With a roster of blue-chip Hong Kong clients including major Hong Kong developers, Woo Kwan Lee & Lo has a solid dispute resolution practice, with a considerable emphasis on property and construction disputes. Media disputes are another key area. Cheung Wai Hing is recommended by clients.