The Legal 500

Clifford Chance’s leading practice continues to have a ‘terrific name in the market’. The team has a following of loyal clients, who rate Martin Rogers and the ‘excellent’ team, alongside Brian Gilchrist and Elaine Chen, the latter joining in October 2008 from Mayer Brown JSM. In one highlight case, the team represented Sun Hung Kai Properties on proceedings to remove the company’s chairman and chief executive. Financial services regulatory work is still a focus and the team receives instructions from ABN AMRO, Bank of China (Hong Kong) and Morgan Stanley. Jim Jamison moved to the firm’s Tokyo office to spearhead the practice there.

Herbert Smith is marvelled at by competitors for how the firm ‘modelled the practice around banks’. Clients rate Gavin Lewis, previously with UBS, who displays an ‘excellent understanding of how a bank works’. Mark Johnson heads the team that continues to be involved in the Stanley Ho & Ambrose So case, as well as in the SJM Holdings litigation. Koninklijke Philips Electronics also instructs the firm in patent infringement proceedings. The team’s work is top notch, showing ‘no weaknesses’, say clients, who value the ‘excellent strategic approach’.

Linklaters continues to see a steady stream of work, with the ‘talented’ Marc Harvey singled out as possessing ‘very good judgement on strategy in litigious matters’. The specialised team is known for regulatory work and advising financial institutions, where it regularly secures high profile cases such as acting for Ernst & Young, defending a multi-hundred million dollar audit negligence case. Partner Tom Lidstrom joined in January 2009, adding experience in cross-border litigation and international arbitration. ‘You really cannot go wrong with them’, says one client.

Mayer Brown JSM’s team is spearheaded by Jacob Tse and Nicholas Hunsworth, who is regarded as a ‘very high level practitioner’. The team advises major financial institutions as well as public bodies, advising the Hospital Authority in a judicial review case on whether non-Hong Kong residents can pay subsidised fees for child birth at public hospitals. The Hong Kong government and Cathay Pacific Airways are regular clients of the large 22-partner team. Richards Butler in association with Reed Smith LLP features two well regarded partners in regulatory expert David Morrison and insurance specialist Chris Howse. The team focuses on commercial, insurance and maritime disputes and represents clients in litigation, arbitration and mediation, including CIETAC and CMAC arbitrations in Beijing.

Baker & McKenzie’s highly praised practice has seen a ‘very active’ year. The team, headed by Gary Seib, is renowned for its cross-border work, with PRC work being one particular focus. Cynthia Tang is recommended for litigation and regulatory work, and Andrew Aglionby is renowned for his construction disputes work, while the practice also covers areas such as restructuring and insurance related litigation. In the arbitration arena, the team acts for several multinational companies on matters relating to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, and the practice co-ordinates dispute resolution for a leading US-listed consulting services group in Asia.

Deacons ‘cover almost all domestic HK litigation’, and the broad practice impresses with the ‘strategic’ Daisy Tong, who ‘brought an extremely difficult and bitterly contested case to a satisfactory conclusion’. Robert Clark leads on the insurance side, where the firm is renowned for the substantial litigation undertaken. The team acted in a Court of Final Appeal case on behalf of a major developer, and defended a senior executive of an investment bank in a high profile insider trading trial. Several financial institutions instruct the large 17-partner department.

Lovells has established a strong presence in the market, with experienced Allan Leung heading the team, impressing clients with ‘response times and appropriateness of advice’. The team was involved in complex litigation matters, among them three Court of Final Appeal cases, and secured several high profile cases in the regulatory sphere. The advice on large PRC-related arbitration matters is another of the practice’s distinguishing features. Clients find the team ‘value for money’.

Allen & Overy are ‘without doubt one of the best firms in international arbitration’, with Matthew Gearing leading on the arbitration side. Insolvency and fraud specialist Angus Ross is gaining prominence in litigious matters, where the team has a special focus on financial institutions. The practice strengthened its Korean capabilities through lateral hires, and mis-selling cases, insolvency and restructuring matters kept the team busy. Clients find the work is ‘of the highest quality’.

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert suffered a blow with the loss of Camille Jojo, who moved over to Norton Rose Hong Kong. However, the practice still features a great team that advised on high profile matters, specialising in professional negligence claims. The team is experienced in defending accountants and solicitors, and claims against banks have recently been an important source of work. KPMG instructed the practice in defending allegations of negligence, and Philips in an IP dispute relating to a patent infringement. David Smyth is ‘at the top of professional indemnity insurance’.

DLA Piper appointed Satpal Gobindpuri to head the firm’s Hong Kong litigation and the China disputes resolution practice in March 2009. The team acted for Anbest Electronics on a marine insurance claim against a global insurance company, and for Thakral on a claim brought by them against iRiver Hong Kong in relation to supply and distribution of electronic products. The team provides ‘advice in tune with the commercial reality’ and displays ‘superb client management’. Clients are impressed with Nicholas Mallard and Christopher Clarke.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has an enviable corporate client base. The team has been involved in large PRC arbitration matters, and is active on the mediation front. Head of department Richard Chalk acted for Hong Kong CSL in a dispute involving a contested competition appeal and related regulatory and administrative proceedings, and Peter Yuen represented Danone against Wahaha in disputes arising from a failed PRC joint venture. Financial services regulatory work is another focus for the firm.

Simmons & Simmons renders ‘consistent and commercially practical’ advice, and head of team and finance litigation specialist Gareth Hughes is ‘very concerned at service quality and takes time to seek our input’. Insurance litigation and the advice to financial institutions are two key areas of focus, where the practice is considered to be ‘top’. The team acted on behalf of Passport Capital in a shareholder dispute against eSun Holdings and its directors, and advised on the judicial review proceedings brought by Cathay Pacific Airways. Clients find Robert Lewington ‘meets our expectations’.

Previously Laracy Gall, dispute resolution lawyers Gall & Lane are thriving, receiving referrals from numerous foreign firms, who consider the small outfit as first port of call if conflicted out. The firm renamed itself after the split from Damien Laracy, and features the ‘highly respected’ Jeff Lane, ‘excellent’ Nick Gall, and ‘solid advisor in complex cross-border matters’ Lewis Man. One highlight was a high value professional negligence claim against a large Hong Kong firm of solicitors. Clients frequently rate the team that combines ‘compassion and professionalism’ as ‘good value for money’.

Traditionally a specialist criminal law firm, Haldanes has gained prominence in the market beyond this area. The team is still renowned for its involvement in the infamous Nina Wang case, the highest profile probate dispute in Hong Kong. Experienced litigator David Hoare heads the team, advising on a breadth of matters such as contractual disputes, professional negligence, commercial fraud and insolvency.

Particularly renowned for its shipping litigation capabilities, Holman Fenwick Willan has grown its team and client base, with banks and corporate clients instructing the practice on contractual disputes, international arbitration and PRC litigation. Commercial fraud is a focus, where George Lamplough enjoys a good reputation.

Ince & Co has bolstered its capabilities with the arrival of litigation partner Bill Amos from Mayer Brown JSM, and with the appointment of Rory Macfarlane, the team now features seven partners. Shipping and insurance remains the core business, but the team has built up a significant practice covering areas such as commodities trading and personal injury. Andrew Chan, Rosita Lau and Max Cross are well respected.

The ‘good litigation department’ at Jones Day is headed by Simon Powell, who is renowned for his insolvency and shareholder litigation capabilities. The team advised Mount Gibson Mining in relation to an injunction to restrain the presentation of a winding up petition against Sinom (Hong Kong). In addition, the team acted for a US multinational client in multiple proceedings relating to product liability issues. Iain Seow is the team’s arbitration specialist.

Mallesons Stephen Jaques is renowned for arbitration in the construction sector. The team represented a Japanese contractor in an international arbitration against their joint venture partner, and acted for banks in regulatory investigations and potential civil actions by retail investors over the alleged mis-selling of financial products. Clients praise the ‘excellent strategist’ Simon Bateson, who is ‘much more polished’ than his competitors. Paul Starr and Simon Clarke are also recommended.

O’Melveny & Myers LLP has been heavily involved in arbitration matters, where Friven Yeoh ‘stands out’. Clients say the team ‘has a good grasp of the business in China and Hong Kong’. Another focus for the team is PRC disputes, and the team is representing several multinational energy companies involved in offshore oil projects in arbitration cases. Consultant Michael Moser is recommended.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe features a recommended team including experienced arbitrator and litigator Robert Pé, who works closely with China disputes partner Adrian Yip. In an IP case out of China, the team defended BYD Company against claims regarding confidential information, and acted for New World Development in a breach of contract claim relating to construction project in China. Corporate investigations are another focus for the firm.

Sidley Austin has been active on the litigation and arbitration front, with the team displaying ‘tireless commitment to providing cost-effective services’. Charles Allen is singled out as being able to render ‘multi-jurisdictional advice in a concise manner’, and clients like the ‘direct and simple responses’. Allen Kim acted in an AAA/ICDR arbitration case in which a US company sought to recover $100m in alleged damages, and a large Korean conglomerate instructed the team in a theft of trade secret case. Alan Linning, previously managing director at JPMorgan, joined in July 2009.

Stephenson Harwood & Lo’s respected team, headed by Malcolm Kemp is ‘doing well’. Clients recommend the ‘prompt and proactive’ professional negligence expert Jamie Stranger, who renders ‘constructive and commercially viable advice’. The broad practice covers areas such as international trade, banking and security disputes, professional indemnity defence work and shipping. The team acted for the Nina Wang estate administrators in the $10bn dispute over entitlement to her estate. Contentious employment specialist Yeeling Wan has been promoted to partner.

Tanner De Witt’s renowned litigator Mark Side is valued by clients, who instruct the ‘well-rounded’ practice in negligence claims and insolvency matters, where Ian De Witt is rated as ‘very impressive’. The team acted for an investor in a claim against banks for negligence in recommending structured financial products. The practice bolstered its mediation capabilities, advising an Italian fashion designer to resolve a breach of contract claim against an international fashion group.

The ‘respected’ team at Wilkinson & Grist, headed by John Budge, gets a fair share of the local commercial litigation, and in one highlight acted for Chinachem Charitable Foundation regarding the infamous Nina Wang will. Further matters include acting for the Bank of East Asia regarding the possession of the Tatami Hampton Hotel, and for AIG Asian Infrastructure Fund regarding an appeal to the Court of Appeal in connection with an expressway in China. Keith Ho is one of Hong Kong’s renowned Chinese speaking litigators.

Dominic Lee heads Clyde & Co’s team together with Ik Wei Chong in Shanghai. High-net-worth individuals instruct the firm as well as international companies, with the team capitalising on the firm’s maritime, aviation and insurance capabilities.

Gallant Y. T. Ho & Co enjoys a good reputation with banks, and acts for international banking corporations and insurance institutions. Walter Lee is experienced in banking litigation, corporate rescue and insolvency and restructuring-related matters.

Renowned for its credentials in the insurance sector, Kennedys’ team, headed by Rupert Skrine and Chris Sharrock, has been busy defending a wide range of clinical negligence claims, and continued to defend a Big Four firm of accountants against a nine figure claim. John Yiu joined as a consultant in March 2009, whilst Mary Thompson left the firm.

Minter Ellison’s head of team Nigel Francis is able to ‘handle cases rapidly in emergency situations’ and clients find the lawyers know ‘which actions to take’. The team advised Total Lubrifiants on a claim against former employees and its competitor for leading a mass defection to set up a competing business. The ‘job is done and nothing missed’, say clients.

Norton Rose Hong Kong’s team has been bolstered with Camille Jojo from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, who is recognised as ‘one of the best litigation lawyers in Hong Kong’, adding 20 years of experience to the practice. Ruth Cowley was promoted to partner in May 2009, and the team has been busy acting for a global financial institution in a cross-border banking litigation, and advising on regulatory and enforcement matters.

Renowned construction firm Pinsent Masons has managed to capitalise on its capabilities and built up a constructions disputes team, headed by Peter Bullock, that receives instructions from China and across Asia. In one highlight, the team acted for Paul Y Management in High Court proceedings against the developer of a stalled PRC property project.

Slaughter and May deliver ‘very good quality work’ with litigator Mark Yeadon specialising in financial transactions disputes, including breaches of contracts, negligence, fraud, and shareholder disputes. In addition, Yeadon is a qualified mediator. Judicial review and regulatory are the two areas of focus.

White & Case still has a good client base, but department head and widely recognised arbitration expert Kim Rooney has left, which 
has been a major blow. The practice is now teaming up with dispute resolution lawyers Gall & Lane.

Woo Kwan Lee & Lo receives credit for its real estate prowess, and the team frequently acts for developers. Head of the five-partner team Cheung Wai Hing is recommended.