The Legal 500

Within Asset finance, Stephenson Harwood is a third tier firm,

Stephenson Harwood has a solid ship finance practice, and advises several PRC and Hong Kong banks on structured financings. Practice head Mark Reed advises on non-contentious matters. Newly made-up partners Stephanie Wong and Hongkai Zhou are also recommended. Zhou recently advised the Bank of China on a $517m loan to Pacific International to finance 14 container ships built in China, backed by Sinosure lease insurance policies. Global head of aviation Paul Ng provides support from Singapore, and acts for AirAsia, Metrojet, Tibet Airlines and Lion Air.

Within Banking and finance, tier 5

Historically better known for asset finance, Stephenson Harwood has successfully built a much broader practice with notable deals in key areas such as pre-IPO financings. Clients such as Bank of China and ICBC are integral to the practice, led by Mark Reed.

Within Capital markets (equity), tier 5

Stephenson Harwood is focused on mid-market deals. In 2010, it advised Global Dairy Holdings Limited on its HK$1.58bn Hong Kong offering. Voon Keat Lai and Hilda Chiu are the lead partners.

Within Construction, tier 5

Stephenson Harwood recently welcomed Gilbert Kwok (formerly of Li & Partners) to drive the Hong Kong construction practice. The three-fee-earner group acts for some high-profile clients and is adept at handling both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Within Corporate (including M&A), tier 5

Led by Hilda Chiu, Stephenson Harwood has a broad corporate practice. The firm recently advised Prosperity International Holdings on the HK$3.8bn sale of its Chinese cement business to Taiwan’s TCC International. Managing partner Voon Keat Lai is commended for his ‘professionalism’ and ‘industry knowledge’.

Within Dispute resolution, tier 4

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.

Within Employment, tier 4

Stephenson Harwood handles non-contentious and contentious employment mandates in Hong Kong and China. Mark Reed is recommended for his advice to financial institutions.

Within Insurance, Stephenson Harwood is a third tier firm,

Providing ‘extremely high levels of service’, the ‘prompt, proactive and very commercial’ team at Stephenson Harwood advises on insurance and reinsurance, and is strong in both contentious and non-contentious matters. Consultant Alex Gordon has a ‘very good understanding of the insurance industry’. Supporting the team in Singapore is Steven Dewhurst, who gives ‘to the point and pragmatic advice’. Guijun Wang successfully advised the People’s Insurance Company of China (PICC) defending a claim relating to sunken cargo. Karen To joined from Baker & McKenzie, and brings experience in D&O claims and product liability matters.

Within Intellectual property, Stephenson Harwood is a third tier firm,

Chloe Lee leads the IP team at Stephenson Harwood, which recently expanded, through the arrival of two specialist associates. The growth of the group in recent years means it is now is able to handle more complex matters, such as advising a leading Chinese manufacturer in patent and copyright litigation spanning Asia, Europe and South Africa.

Within Real estate, tier 4

Ian Devereux is head of real estate at Stephenson Harwood, which handles transactions relating to industrial, commercial, retail and residential properties. Recent work includes advising on the establishment of a joint venture between Kerry Properties and Shangri-La Asia for the acquisition, holding and development of land in Liaoning Province, China. The firm also represents local expatriates on their personal investments in the luxury property sector.

Within Regulatory, tier 4

The ‘superb’ and ‘extremely responsive’ group at Stephenson Harwood provides ‘thoroughly reasoned yet commercial practical advice’ on regulatory matters. Mark Reed is rated for ‘bringing a broad range of relevant expertise to bear’. Reed led in advising Wells Fargo Bank and Wachovia Bank on Hong Kong and English law aspects of its merger. Malcolm Kemp advises on SFC investigations.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, tier 4

Yeeling Wan at Stephenson Harwood now leads the Hong Kong restructuring and insolvency team. The group advises liquidators, banks, the Official Receiver and others in insolvency proceedings, debt and corporate restructuring, and workouts. Mark Reed handles non-contentious restructuring work, while Malcolm Kemp is the key contact for contentious matters. Kemp and Jason Toms are currently advising Omnicorp with regard to proceedings brought by the liquidators of Akai Holdings. Paul Westover, who joined from Tanner De Witt at the beginning of 2010, is advising a European household products manufacturer and retailer on the liquidation of its joint venture factory in China.

Within Shipping, Stephenson Harwood is a second tier firm,

Stephenson Harwood’s marine and international trade group primarily acts for carriers and insurers in both transactions and disputes. The firm is also strong on ship finance, where Hongkai Zhou (recently promoted to partner) is part of a team advising Bank of China on a $517m loan to Pacific International to finance 14 China-built container ships. Jason Toms is recommended for contentious instructions.

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