Hogan Lovells > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Firm Profile

Hogan Lovells > The Legal 500 Rankings

Hong Kong > TMT Tier 1

Consumer brands, financial services clients and a wide array of players in the TMT sector turn to Hogan Lovells for assistance with issues concerning cyber security, open banking, cloud services and blockchain. Key types of work at the firm include market access analysis, regulatory advice and the drafting and review of commercial contracts; the team is also well-placed to draft and negotiate agreements for technology collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. Mark Parsons spearheads the offering; his commercial and regulatory expertise extends to advising on technology and business process outsourcing projects. Eugene Low leads the Hong Kong IPMT practice and has focuses on IP and data privacy matters. Andrew McGinty handles transactional work in the TMT arena, while Tommy Liu advises on contractual arrangements for TMT-related projects. PJ Kaur and Katherine Tsang are also key contacts in the group.

Hong Kong > Construction Tier 2

Now headed by the ‘tactically and strategically astute‘ Damon So , Hogan Lovells provides ‘solutions-oriented’ advice to owners, developers, contractors and government entities across a broad swathe of large-scale infrastructure and building projects. As well as transactional and contractual drafting mandates, the firm handles a wide range of contentious matters, with So, who is also able to leverage his civil and structural engineering expertise, taking the lead across a range of disputes, including as it relates to defective work, outstanding payment and professional negligence. Hong Kong and UK-qualified counsel Joyce Leung is also well-versed in handling construction disputes, as is associate Jason So, who, since his move in March 2023 from Woo Kwan Lee & Lo, has already impressed clients with his ‘attention to detail’ and provision of ‘very client friendly deliverables’. Timothy Hill has retired.

Hong Kong > Data protection and cyber security Tier 2

Hogan Lovells provides broad expertise spanning an array of issues, including conducting compliance audits, the handling of personal data within M&A and joint ventures, and commercial arrangements involving the right to use personal data. The group regularly engages with clients seeking to integrate Asian data protection and cybersecurity policies with international regulations, and acts for clients in enforcement actions. Practice head Mark Parsons has a great deal of regulatory expertise, with particular emphasis on the technology and telecoms sectors, and often advises on data licensing and the exploitation of IT assets. TMT specialist Tommy Liu has deep knowledge of outsourcing issues and data privacy matters, while Eugene Low has vast experience in regulatory investigation, litigation, and data breach incidents.

Hong Kong > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

The team at Hogan Lovells is ‘very experienced in handling insolvency and related matters’ and has been actively advising on defaults and disruptions in the China real estate sector, leveraging its pan-Asian capabilities to provide guidance on various restructuring and insolvency issues, with a particular focus on special situation engagements. Meticulously aligning its operational strategy with the needs of global creditors, the firm has curated a unique cohort comprising accomplished practitioners spanning diverse domains, including finance, real estate, and litigation. In a testament to this dynamic engagement, the team has been also actively engaged in seizing opportunities arising from Vietnam, representing investment funds channeling resources into this burgeoning market. Heading the team is Jonathan Leitch, renowned for his adept handling of a spectrum of restructurings, including the intricate frameworks of both US and UK restructuring plans. Leitch’s advisory proficiency extends to diverse stakeholders, including funds, bondholders, and alternative capital providers, underscoring his preeminence in steering non-contentious deliberations across the multifaceted landscape of Asia. Chris Dobby, an experienced litigator, is another key name to note. Dobby’s reputation is perpetuated through his representation of court-appointed liquidators tasked with navigating some of the most high-profile corporate collapses woven into the fabric of Hong Kong’s commercial history.

Hong Kong > Capital markets (equity) Tier 3

The ‘technically strong and efficient’ team at Hogan Lovells provides  ‘solutions-oriented advice’ for issuers and underwriters on IPOs, rights issues and block trades and provides a ‘good balance between commercial considerations and risk control’. Drawing upon ‘rich experience’ gleaned through private practice and through his time in-house at a large international bank, the ‘resilient and hands-on’ Nelson Tang is well regarded by issuers and underwriters for his ability ‘to deal with challenging situations and interesting dynamics’ in ECM transactions, public takeovers and regulatory compliance matters. Sammy Li also had prior experience in-house at a major investment bank, and is appreciated for his deep regulatory knowledge, ensuring that he is able ‘to pre-empt potential issues at the IPO preparation stage’. Stephanie Tang co-heads the team alongside Li and Nelson Tang, and spearheads the firms US securities offering from Hong Kong.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: international arbitration Tier 3

With offices based in Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai and Tokyo, Hogan Lovells’ international arbitration team offers extensive experience across a number of highly regulated sectors including financial services, life sciences, TMT and energy. The practice has also established a solid reputation regarding construction arbitrations, having worked closely with a number of significant construction and real estate companies throughout the Asia Pacific. Practice head James Kwan represents both multinational and Chinese clients on complex arbitrations, well-versed when operating under major institutional and ad hoc rules, from ICC and CIETAC to HKIAC and SIAC. Senior associate Zoe Dong also brings solid experience of multi-jurisdictional commercial arbitrations, having qualified in Hong Kong, the PRC and England and Wales.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

Hogan Lovells often litigates in complex and high-profile proceedings in courts locally and around the world, with in-depth expertise across commercial and financial services litigation, corporate shareholder disputes, and fraud and anti-corruption investigations. Practice head Chris Dobby advises clients on a broad range of cross-border commercial, insolvency, professional negligence and fraud related disputes. Adept across the range of commercial and contentious regulatory matters, Mark Lin regularly deals with courts, tribunals and regulators in Hong Kong, Singapore and the wider Asia Pacific region.

Hong Kong > Intellectual property Tier 4

Acting on its own as well as frequently collaborating with Beijing and Shanghai-based practitioners, Hogan Lovells' Hong Kong office provides a strong service to large international corporates from a range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, technology and gaming, on the management, enforcement and commercialisation of their IPR throughout Greater China and the wider APAC region. Team head Eugene Low has strong trade mark, copyright and patent knowledge and as well as his advisory and litigation expertise, also provides IP due diligence associated with transactional work handled by the broader M&A and capital markets teams at the firm.

Hong Kong > Private equity Tier 5

Hong Kong > Regulatory

China > TMT: foreign firms Tier 1

Hogan Lovells International LLP offers a wide range of expertise, spanning corporate and finance, IPMT, global regulatory, litigation, and employment. The firm addresses key areas like privacy, cybersecurity, fintech, and blockchain, offering services such as market access analysis, regulatory counsel, and compliance report drafting. Spearheaded by Mark Parsons from Hong Kong, the team includes Sherry Gong, who excels in data privacy, cybersecurity, and e-commerce, guiding multinationals through intricate cross-border undertakings. Don Williams supports TMT companies across all stages from startup to mature public company, encompassing areas such as VC/PE financing and M&A. Tong Zhu specialises in data privacy and e-commerce in China, offering advice on data-related challenges including data localisation and IT structure implications. Flora Feng aids foreign enterprises in navigating regulatory matters in China, notably in cybersecurity and personal data protection arenas, while Lu Zhou represents multinational corporations and PE fund clients in cross-border M&A, venture capital investments, and restructuring.

Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Leading firms Tier 3

Specialist international arbitration practitioners form the practice at Hogan Lovells, that acts on ultra-high-value cases across a wide range of jurisdictions across the region. The firm has a presence in Singapore, where Kent Phillips has extensive advocacy experience and is a senior figure in the domestic arbitration community. In the same office, dual-qualified senior associate Shi Jin Chia is a key name. Indonesia is another area of focus for the firm, with managing partner Chalid Heyder leading the practice alongside Teguh Darmawan representing clients in BANI, SIAC, and ICC proceedings.

China > Intellectual property: foreign firms

Hogan Lovells International LLP has an impressive track record in patent linkage and term extension, as well as the protection of employee-related trade secrets, where the team is the first port of call to clients operating in the healthcare, internet and tech sectors. Furthermore, IP litigation is an area of strength thanks to the firm’s associated law firm in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone called Hogan Lovells Fidelity. Leading the team are three partners spread across China. In Beijing, the dual-qualified (China and US) head of Asia IPMT Helen Xia is an expert in IP litigation, portfolio management, obtaining and enforcing IP rights, and commercial licensing. In Shanghai, Zhen (Katie) Feng specialises in IP disputes and brand protection work; and head of the IPMT Hong Kong team Eugene Low. Other recommended individuals include counsels Grace Guo (Beijing), whose practice ranges from trademarks and copyright to domain names, patents and trade secrets; and Yu-An Chang (Shanghai), a regular advisor to international and Chinese companies on the procurement, protection, enforcement and commercialisation of IP assets.

China > Private equity: foreign firms

Adopting a strategic sector focus on the TMT, life sciences and healthcare sectors, Hogan Lovells International LLP’s private equity practice works in conjunction with PRC law firm Fujan Fidelity Law Firm to offer clients fully integrated international and domestic Chinese legal advice. Heading the private equity group for Greater China from Hong Kong is Stephanie Tang, whose expertise covers the spectrum of transactions including LBOs, take-privates, de-SPACs, PIPEs and equity investments. Don Williams is a vastly experienced contact in Shanghai, having recently led when advising Ping An as lead investor on the $100m initial closing of the Series E financing of Visby Medical, a developer of PCR-based diagnostics tests for infectious disease detection. Also in Shanghai, Tony Mou is a trusted advisor to PE and VC funds, entrepreneurs, venture-backed growth stage and public companies, while Beijing-based Lu Zhou brings deep industrial regulatory knowledge to help clients navigate complex structuring and operational issues.