The Legal 500

Clifford Chance’s practice has evolved from a heavily focused financial institutions and regulatory practice, to one that is now equally strong in corporate litigation, white-collar crime, anti-corruption and all other key contentious areas. It now has eight partners in Hong Kong, including FCPA and export controls specialist Wendy Wysong, the pre-eminent Martin Rogers, and James Wadham. The department has a peerless standing in representing financial institutions, and in Brian Gilchrist has one of Hong Kong’s most prominent litigators.

The ’top-notch’ Herbert Smith Freehills has ’a very strong regional practice’, and a team that puts most of its competitors in the shade. ’Solid and experienced litigator’ Gavin Lewis is ’among the best in Hong Kong’, and alongside Gareth Thomas and Mark Johnson, forms a triumvirate of the most esteemed practitioners in Hong Kong. Tim Mak provides further weight on the contentious regulatory front, and Kyle Wombolt leads the way on the investigations side. Key clients include HSBC, UBS, Goldmans Sachs, Accenture, and British American Tobacco.

Hogan Lovells has ’strength in depth’, and support from its peerless international network to provide one of the ’highest calibre’ dispute resolution teams in Hong Kong. Its capability ranges from shareholder disputes, fraud and asset tracing work, to regulatory and investigations matters. It also has a genuinely multi-lingual team, which is ’streets ahead’ of competitors. The ’very professional’ Mark Lin ’inspires confidence’, and Chris Dobby is an ’extremely effective advocate’. The seasoned Allan Leung is also recommended.

Linklaters’ selective and strategic approach to the cases that it undertakes has allowed it to operate a leaner team than direct rivals. Nevertheless, it has a leading name in financial institutions litigation, contentious regulatory and investigations (including white-collar crime), as well as professional negligence work on behalf of the Big Four accountancy firms. Global litigation head and Hong Kong veteran Marc Harvey recently represented one of the key parties in a headline ICAC investigation. Melvin Sng continues to lead on many of the firm’s PRC disputes and insolvency cases. Newly elected partner Jelita Pandjaitan is also recommended.

The ’excellent’ Mayer Brown JSM is one of the pre-eminent firms when it comes to headline Hong Kong court battles. It represents big names such as Li & Fung, HSBC and Cathay Pacific. Much credit should go to esteemed litigator Nicholas Hunsworth, and John Hickin is making significant progress on the investigations side. Thomas So and Jacob Tse are the other senior litigators.

For the ’strong’, ’responsive’ and ’practical’ Reed Smith Richards Butler, the focus remains very much on financial services disputes, regulatory matters, and white-collar crime, thanks to the prominence of David Morrison and Will Barber, who is ’very competent’, ’dependable’, and ’practical’. The firm recently acted for Bill Hwang of Tiger Asia Management in relation to allegations of insider dealing, and represented Fidelity fund manager George Stairs in relation to insider-dealing allegations. The firm principally acts for corporates and individuals, and less so for financial institutions themselves. With a large team of partners and associates, the practice also extends to mainstream commercial litigation, including shareholder disputes and commodities cases. Kevin Bowers and Chris Howse recently departed to form Howse Williams Bowers.

Allen & Overy remains strongly focused on financial institutions litigation (including derivatives disputes), contentious regulatory matters, and white-collar crime. The departure of Angus Ross, who subsequently joined Ashurst Hong Kong in 2012, is a blow to the team’s credentials, although the firm retains ’a good operator’ in Simon Clarke, who is ’forward looking’, ’commercial’ and ’practical’. Fai Hung Cheung is recommended for anti-bribery and investigations work in Greater China.

At Baker & McKenzie, eight partners in Hong Kong cover commercial litigation, international arbitration, and compliance and regulatory matters. The latter has developed rapidly through Cynthia Tang, while anti-corruption specialist Dominic Wai was promoted to partner in 2012. Trusts and estates cases are another key area for the practice. Gary Seib heads the department.

Deacons’ substantial practice is representing a growing number of PRC companies in Hong Kong disputes. Aside from its insurance litigation practice, the firm remains active in regulatory and white-collar crime cases, representing both listed companies and senior executives. Trust and probate disputes are also prominent. Hong Kong partner Robert Clark is ’very sensible’, and is supported by key figures Daisy Tong, Joseph Kwan and Richard Hudson.

DLA Piper has a sizeable team with particular strength in insurance, contentious regulatory and general commercial litigation matters. The firm recently represented China Railways Group in a headline sovereign immunity case that reached the Court of Final Appeal. Satpal Gobindpuri, Kevin Chan and seasoned regulatory head Christopher Clarke are the senior members of the team.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has refocused its sights on international arbitration, but not to the detriment of its litigation practice. Following Richard Chalk’s relocation to London, Georgia Dawson was promoted to partner in May 2012, and has continued to emphasise financial institutions litigation. Global investigations expert Geoff Nicholas also relocated to Hong Kong from London in 2012, and has a fine record in the financial institutions and pharmaceutical sectors. PRC disputes specialist Peter Yuen joined Chinese firm Fangda Partners in 2012.

The ’excellent, commercial’ and ’responsive’ King & Wood Mallesons has continued to bolster its standing in the market, with notable growth in contentious regulatory matters, including instructions from bulge-bracket banks. Insurance and IP disputes are also developing areas, as is work on behalf of large accountancy firms. Leading figure Denis Brock recently represented China Healthcare in a substantial dispute over a sale and purchase agreement, and acted for a major oil and gas company in connection with a $6bn case involving the calculation of crude oil prices. Edmund Wan, Jeff Lane and ’incredibly bright lateral thinker’ Barbara Chiu are key names on the litigation side, with ’pre-eminent construction specialist’ Paul Starr and David Bateson the leading names in construction and infrastructure cases.

Norton Rose Hong Kong regularly appears in many of Hong Kong’s headline disputes, thanks in part to the presence of senior figure Camille Jojo. He recently represented the co-executor of a multibillion-dollar estate of a prominent tycoon. Contentious regulatory cases involving Hong Kong listed companies, as well as banking disputes, form a key part of the practice. David Lee is also recommended, and Jim James provides further expertise in shipping and trade disputes.

The ’very prompt’ and ’knowledgeable’ Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP has an established practice that has made significant progress in investigations work, including FCPA and SFC investigations, where it represents a number of US and Asia-based multinationals. The firm also successfully represented the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a landmark sovereign immunity case in Hong Kong’s highest court. The firm boasts two highly reputed partners in Robert Pé and ’very sensible and confident litigator’ Andrew Dale, though the former is increasingly focused on arbitration.

Sidley Austin’s ’extremely strong practice’ was further enhanced by the arrival of regulatory, compliance, investigations and life sciences specialist Yuet Ming Tham from DLA Piper in 2012. The team has ’deep industry knowledge’, and has continued to develop its standing in the regulatory environment thanks to the efforts of Alan Linning, who is valued for his ’immense litigation background’ and experience as the former executive director of enforcement at the SFC. The team represents a wide range of Hong Kong listed corporates, investment banks and several investment banks. Top commercial litigator Charles Allen is the other senior name, and recently worked on the landmark state immunity case FG Hemisphere Associates LLC v Democratic Republic of the Congo

The ’value-for-money’ Simmons & Simmons LLP has significantly reinforced its dispute resolution practice by recruiting the ’very approachable, yet cerebral’ Abdulali Jiwaji from Allen & Overy, and Tom Fyfe from Clyde & Co. The two extend the firm’s impressive capabilities in financial institutions litigation, regulatory investigations, professional negligence and commercial disputes. The immensely experienced financial markets and regulatory investigations expert Paul Li leads the team, and has ’excellent regulatory knowledge’, and ’a sound strategic approach’. Insurance expert Robert Lewington is also recommended.

Wilkinson & Grist has continued to earn accolades with its representation of Chinachem Charitable Foundation in a probate dispute involving the estate of Asia’s richest woman, Nina Wang. Keith Ho led on that case, and ’does an amazing job’. John Budge is one of the senior names in Hong Kong. Clients include Ernst & Young, KPMG, Citibank and IBM.

Ashurst Hong Kong further enhanced its financial institutions litigation and contentious regulatory capability with the hire of former Allen & Overy partner Angus Ross in October 2012. He works alongside the prominent Gareth Hughes, who has worked on a series of major cases, including headline mis-selling claims.

Dispute resolution firm Gall is one of the leading names in Hong Kong, and a regular choice for referrals from international law firms. Founding partner Nick Gall is a popular figure, and is gaining a fine reputation for his roles in commercial and financial institutions disputes. Lewis Man and Randall Arthur provide further expertise.

Haldanes achieved sustained prominence with its role in the Nina Wang case. The firm has a leading reputation for white-collar crime cases, as well as commercial and financial institutions litigation, and professional negligence matters. Anita Chow, David Hoare and Geoffrey Booth are leading members of the practice.

Howse Williams Bowers was established in 2012. Though best known for insurance cases, Chris Howse is a leading name in Hong Kong litigation. The new firm is expected to become a real independent heavyweight in the future.

Though best known for construction and arbitration cases, Jones Day has a formidable global reputation in the contentious space, and the Hong Kong department has developed a strong position in PRC disputes.

The ’outstanding’ Kennedys is steadily building its commercial litigation standing, thanks to the efforts of the widely acclaimed Rupert Skrine and newer partners Toby Brown and Mark West. Mis-selling claims and shareholder disputes have formed a key part of the practice that was also engaged in one of the biggest Hong Kong family disputes of recent years.

Minter Ellison is rapidly growing its dispute resolution practice under the leadership of the ’clear and direct’ Nigel Francis. Shareholder disputes are a key area for the practice, with the team acting for the majority shareholder in the Yung Kee Holdings case. Construction and infrastructure disputes also account for a major part of the practice, with Steven Yip and Malcolm Chin the key figures in this area.

Though principally focused on arbitration, O’Melveny & Myers LLP handles a significant flow of court litigation, as well as regulatory investigations. The firm has a natural foothold with major US clients, while PRC clients are a growing portion of its portfolio. Friven Yeoh has a fine reputation.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has made a bigger splash in the arbitration sector, though with Paul Mitchard QC at the helm in Hong Kong, the firm has outstanding credibility.

The ’excellent’, ’accessible’ and ’responsive’ Stephenson Harwood boosted its standing with the return of Jamie Stranger and the arrival of experienced figure Martin Downey. The firm continued to represent the administrator in the high-profile dispute over Nina Wang’s estate. The ’practical’ Malcolm Kemp and Jason Toms are also highly reputed.

Tanner De Witt has a genuinely broad litigation practice, which has been handling a number of negligence and breach of fiduciary duty cases. The eminent Mark Side, Pamela Mak and insolvency expert Ian De Witt are key members of the team.

Winston & Strawn has developed a fine reputation for investigations (including FCPA investigations) and securities class actions. David Hall-Jones heads the practice, which includes Adrian Yip.

Bird & Bird reinforced its position with the recruitment of Richard Keady from Clyde & Co. The firm now has insurance, commercial and financial institutions disputes expertise.

Though closely associated with insurance cases, Clyde & Co has a substantial team of dispute resolution partners that are frequently engaged in non-insurance matters. Aviation, construction and infrastructure are the other key areas for the department.

Dechert stands out for its expertise in PRC investigations and regulatory matters. 'Commercially minded’ partner David Chu is a Mandarin speaker, and represents a number of financial services institutions, as well as US corporates with interests in China.

Eversheds LLP is making headway in commercial litigation, regulatory and fraud and white-collar crime matters. The firm has been representing the Broadcasting Authority of Hong Kong (now the Communications Authority) on a number of major investigations. Mark Yeadon, Ivan Ng and William Leung are the lead partners.

Though closely associated with shipping cases, Holman Fenwick Willan’s dispute resolution skills are also applied to energy and fraud matters. Fraud expert George Lamplough has 'significant experience’ in Asia.

Ince & Co has a thriving dispute resolution practice, particularly in relation to commercial, energy and international trade disputes. In addition, it has a leading position in shipping and insurances cases.

Latham & Watkins LLP is noted for financial institutions litigation, regulatory investigations (including FCPA matters), and TMT disputes. Hong Kong stalwart Simon Powell has a tremendous reputation.

The ’excellent’ and ’responsive’ Oldham, Li & Nie is recommended by clients, particularly in relation to real estate matters. Richard Healy is ’practical’ and ’responsive’, and the ’commercial’ Alfred Ip provides ’value for money’.

The ’meticulous and knowledgeable’ Peter Bullock heads Pinsent Masons’ dispute resolution practice. Aside from its eminence in construction cases, it also has strong profiles in TMT, employment and real estate cases.

Robertsons is recognised for white-collar crime and fraud cases. Barry Hoy is the key figure.

Woo Kwan Lee & Lo is noted for real estate and construction disputes. It recently represented Hutchison Whampoa Property in a major judicial review of town planning in Hong Kong. Kenneth Wong and media expert Cheung Wai Hing are the standout names.