Stephenson Harwood > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Firm Profile

Stephenson Harwood > The Legal 500 Rankings

Hong Kong > Asset finance (including aviation and shipping finance)

Lauded by clients as ‘forward-looking’ and ‘excellent’, Stephenson Harwood draws superlative praise on account of its wide-ranging capabilities in advising a balanced array of stakeholders, including banks, financial institutions, leasing companies, commercial lenders, lessors, airlines, and export credit agencies, on cross-jurisdictional deals across aviation and shipping arenas. The firm’s aviation finance team, one of the largest in Hong Kong, is well-versed in handling the entire spectrum of matters, including financing, leasing, and trading of commercial aircraft and business jets across Hong Kong, the wider APAC region, and Europe. Associates Raina Xian and Louis Ng excel in these areas. Under the leadership of Simon Wong, whose expertise covers aircraft repossession and airline insolvency and rehabilitation, the team has handled a host of defaults and debt restructurings. The firm’s shipping subgroup, co-headed by Hongkai Zhou and Simone Liu, is emblematic of the eclectic nature of the firm’s workflow. In addition to providing advisory and risk mitigation services, the team is frequently involved in cross-border financings and restructuring matters.

Hong Kong > Private Client and Family Tier 1

Underpinned by a substantial global network of offices, Stephenson Harwood's private client team in Hong Kong is regularly engaged on a wide range of high-profile matters, providing advice on trusts, estates, philanthropy, and multi-jurisdictional tax issues. Kevin Lee heads the practice and has an excellent reputation for representing numerous high-net-worth clients on diverse matters, including succession planning and asset preservation. Drawing from his extensive knowledge of Canadian and UK tax law, Lee is often sought after the most high profile, legally complex and multi-jurisdictional trust disputes. Wei Kang is a key contact for trustees and institutions seeking advice on asset protection structures and fiduciary risks, while associate Tze-wei Ng is renowned for her detailed understanding of ESG matters and charities, which allows her to effectively advise on strategic philanthropy and impact investing. Ross Davidson, who joined the firm in 2023 from Macfarlanes LLP, is a trilingual (English, Mandarin, and Italian) international tax and trust law expert.

Hong Kong > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

With a strong focus on contentious matters, the ‘hands-on’ team at Stephenson Harwood represents international and domestic clients alike. Contentious matters are not the only facet of the firm, as in recent months, the firm has actively developed its non-contentious offering and has seen an upswing in work from both international and PRC-related corporates in their refinancing proceedings. ‘Quick to adapt legal and practical strategies’, Jamie Stranger leads the team and focuses his practice on contentious proceedings, representing liquidators, receivers, and bankruptcy trustees in various insolvency proceedings. Alexander Tang is another standout disputes lawyer, and in addition to his expertise in insolvency, he also represents clients in commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution proceedings. In team news, noteworthy developments include the departure of Eloise Matsui and the retirement of Mark Reed.

Hong Kong > Shipping Tier 2

Stephenson Harwood has a large team of Hong Kong shipping specialists and has further expanded with the arrival of Paul Ho in October 2023 from Ince & Co who excels in maritime and international trade, and ship finance. It is highly rated for ship financing mandates and shipping disputes, covering the full spectrum of shipping litigation work, from dry and wet charterparty work to insolvency and restructuring matters. In addition to its work for major international banks, credit agencies, owners, and operators, the group also acts for commodities finance companies. The practice is jointly led by Elizabeth Sloane, who is an expert in distressed enforcement and crisis management of urgent situations across both dry and wet sides of shipping, and Hongkai Zhou, who is noted for his shipping finance capabilities. Andrew Rigden Green is another senior practitioner experienced in marine and international trade matters, and Jason Toms is noted for his extensive experience in both wet and dry shipping matters and commercial litigation. Elton Chan is a shipping finance expert.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

Stephenson Harwood is a robust presence in the Hong Kong litigation market, using its international network to act in numerous cross-border disputes related to shareholders, fraud, maritime and international trade, employment and contentious liquidation and insolvency matters. Ivan Ng and Ian Childs lead the practice, with the latter being a specialist across the board of civil, regulatory and criminal litigation; he has a particular focus on the financial sector and contentious regulatory issues. Jamie Stranger is a key presence when it comes to corporate insolvency disputes, as well as contentious probate and commercial litigation. Emily Li is highly sought after by PRC and international clients for her expertise, especially in the field of shareholders disputes.

Hong Kong > Investment funds Tier 3

The ‘responsive, professional and efficient team’ at Stephenson Harwood provides ‘practical and useful advice’ to fund managers on the establishment and regulation of a range of open-end and closed-ended funds of all types, including hedge funds, venture capital funds, private equity funds, real estate funds, and credit funds. Drawing upon ‘a deep understanding of Asia’s asset management market’, team head Penelope Shen delivers a ‘top-tier service’ for fund managers and investors, which are appreciative of her ability to ‘navigate economic, political, and ESG factors’. Yong Ren, who acts for fund sponsors, investors, and managers in the formation of investment funds in Asia, joined from Proskauer Rose LLP in October 2023.

Hong Kong > Regulatory Tier 3

Stephenson Harwood‘s wide-ranging regulatory practice advises retail and wholesale banks and funds on licensing and ongoing regulatory mandates. Katherine Liu is a key contact for this work and is also well-versed in the evolving fintech landscape, regularly advising start-ups in the space, as well as conventional banking clients on digitisation projects and on their fintech initiatives. Ian Childs co-heads the team, handling some contentious work in the sector as part of his broader commercial litigation offering.

Hong Kong > Banking and finance Tier 4

Key areas of expertise for Stephenson Harwood include asset finance, including shipping, aviation and real estate, in addition to syndicated lending, structured finance, trade finance, fintech, investment products and secured and unsecured lending. Katherine Liu leads the team and frequently advises banks on regulatory and compliance issues. Other key members include Elton Chan, who acts for both lenders and borrowers on a wide range of corporate lending matters, as well as Anna Kwong, an expert in trade finance and commercial banking. Of counsel Teresa Tsoi is praised as 'technically excellent and very diligent'.

Hong Kong > Labour and employment Tier 4

Stephenson Harwood's employment practice maintains a robust presence in labour tribunals, while also excelling in advisory work, providing day-to-day HR guidance; it further extends its reach through a comprehensive global network and a strategic partnership with Wei Tu Law Firm firm in China, offering tailored PRC law advice. Ian Childs leads the practice, specialising in matters relating to terminations, breaches of information, trade secrets, and discrimination. Assisting Childs, associate Karis Yip provides advice across the complete spectrum of employment relationships.

Hong Kong > Corporate (including M&A) Tier 6

Regularly collaborating with Wei Tu Law Firm, Stephenson Harwood handles the full scope of transactional mandates throughout the greater China region. Amongst the variety of issues the group works on, financings, divestments, and joint ventures are particular areas of expertise, with the team exhibiting deep knowledge of shipping regulation, aviation, and real estate issues. Practice head Jane Ng has expansive expertise in advising on regional and PRC related issues concerning corporate secretarial practices and corporate governance from a regulatory perspective. Michelle Chung is accomplished in matters involving IPOs, spinoffs and the transferral of listings, while counsel Denise Tsui bolsters the practice with her knowledge of general compliance and share listings.

Hong Kong > Real estate

Hong Kong > TMT

China > Fintech: foreign firms Tier 2

Praised for its ‘strong knowledge in regulatory compliance and fintech mandates’, Stephenson Harwood‘s Hong Kong-based team is a popular destination for banks, virtual banks, money services operators, and other players connected to the fintech space. Practice head Katherine Liu has broad experience extending to crowdfunding, regulatory compliance and employment issues in the fintech sector. Anna Kwong brings her knowledge of international trade finance and commercial banking to bear on a wide range of fintech mandates. Teresa Tsoi is another name to note.

China > Dispute resolution: Litigation: foreign firms Tier 3

Delivering ‘creative and nimble solutions for complex disputes‘, Stephenson Harwood acts in a range of contentious matters, including corporate, finance, trust, and insolvency and restructuring matters. The team is also able to offer PRC legal advice through its Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) with Guangzhou-based Wei Tu Law Firm. In Hong Kong, Ian Childs acts in complex civil litigation; Ivan Ng is an experienced commercial litigator; Jamie Stranger is another disputes expert; and Emily Li is ‘an excellent junior partner‘. Shanghai-based Evangeline Quek specialises in commercial dispute resolution.

China > Restructuring and insolvency: foreign firms Tier 3

Stephenson Harwood has a track record handling contentious insolvency cases whilst continuing to expand its restructuring and insolvency advisory services. The team’s expertise lies especially in aviation restructuring and insolvency, but also extends to transportation and trade. The highly regarded Jamie Stranger heads the practice and acts for a diverse roster of clients in corporate and debt restructuring and buy-outs. The team also includes the disputes lawyer Alexander Tang , and the aviation specialist Simon Wong who recently acted for JIC Leasing Co. Ltd in the debt restructuring of Hong Kong Airlines.

China > Banking and finance: foreign firms Tier 4

Stephenson Harwood‘s Hong Kong-based banking and finance team is experienced in both transactional and advisory work. Key areas of expertise range from asset finance (including shipping, aviation and real estate) to syndicated lending, structured finance, trade financings, fintech, investment products, and secured and unsecured lending. Katherine Liu heads the Hong Kong office’s finance and financial services group; Elton Chan is a shipping finance and general structured finance expert; and Anna Kwong specialises in international trade finance and commercial banking.

China > Shipping: foreign firms

Stephenson Harwood is well-regarded in the fields of both shipping litigation and shipping finance and has further strengthened its offering with the hire of Paul Ho and Shirley Li, both joined from Ince & Co in October 2023. Evangeline Quek is the key name in the China-focused arm of the firm’s maritime law offering. Based in Shanghai, Quek offers significant expertise in shipping arbitration and is well-placed to advise on cross-border matters, having previously managed shipping disputes concerning Singapore, Taiwan, India, England and the Netherlands. Shanghai-based ship financing expert Simone Liu is also key, regularly advising PRC state-owned enterprises.

Vietnam > Foreign desks

Stephenson Harwood LLP’s Vietnam desk, operating principally from the firm’s Singapore and Hong Kong offices, regularly advises both domestic and multinational clients on their operations in Vietnam, including in the aviation, consumer goods, energy, financial services, healthcare, real estate, and telecommunications sectors. Tom Platts, Saugata Mukherjee, and Gregory Xu in Singapore lead the practice alongside Hong Kong-based Simon Wong. Platts is a cross-border M&A and capital market deals specialist with considerable experience in Southeast Asia.

China > Investment funds: foreign firms