Withers > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Firm Profile

Withers Offices

Withers
30/F United Centre
95 Queensway
HONG KONG
Hong Kong
Visit website 852 3711 1600 852 3711 1601

Withers > The Legal 500 Rankings

Hong Kong > Private Client and Family Tier 1

Lauded by a client as ‘the most experienced and well-resourced private client and family team in Hong Kong’, Withers continues to excel in advising high-net-worth individuals, their families, advisers, and family offices. International and cross-border issues, such as complicated financial arrangements or estate planning, form a sweet spot of the firm’s offering. Katie Graves has particular expertise in advising UK expatriates and Asian families with UK connections on their personal tax issues, and co-leads the team alongside Jocelyn Tsao, who is praised as 'simply the best, whether in terms of legal knowledge, or team and client management’ and has represented clients in some of the most high-profile cases before the courts of Hong Kong. Tsao is a keen advocate for the voices of children throughout the divorce and custody process. Other key names at a partner level include the ‘dynamic and hard-working’ Billy Ko, Alex Chung, who specialises in cross-border probate matters with an emphasis on estates with US connections; as well as Anisha Ramanathan, who is experienced in all areas of matrimonial law with a ‘deep understanding of children’s arrangements’. Trust and succession planning expert Deirdre Fu and experienced litigator Samantha Gershon are also recommended. In team news, Anisha Ramanathan was recently promoted to partnership, while Vanessa Duff joined Charles Russell Speechlys LLP in June 2023 and Tim George left to become the CEO at Loke Family Office.

Practice head(s):

Katie Graves; Jocelyn Tsao

Other key lawyers:

Paul Jebely; Michelle Chow; Billy Ko; Deirdre Fu; Samantha Gershon; Alex Chung; Anisha Ramanathan; Ethan Yu

Testimonials

‘Jocelyn Tsao excels in all areas. She has dealt with the most complex cases, and there is very little she has not seen or done. She is direct and supportive with clients, and respected by her opponents. Billy Ko is so easy to work with. He knows what he’s doing, especially with cases that have international and cross-border dimensions. Anisha Ramanathan is excellent in children’s matters. She has a deep understanding of children’s arrangements and is able to resolve difficult conflicts with difficult opponents.’

‘Alex Chung is a very responsive, diligent, knowledgeable and resourceful lawyer. His combined qualities are unique in his field. His performance and deliverables are outstanding.’

‘I live in the US and am using Withers for legal issues in Hong Kong. They have been great from an international perspective and they have navigated U.S. and Hong Kong institutions well. The instructions they give are always clear.’

‘Billy Ko and Jocelyn Tsao of Withers stand out because they are extremely hard working and will always go the extra mile for their clients. Billy Ko is developing a name for himself both in the local market and in Mainland China.’

‘Withers has the advantage of having a wide international outlook with commensurate support.’

‘Samantha Gershon has a very wide background, having spent some time in criminal law, and this proves very helpful. She is thorough, attentive to detail, and thoughtful in her work. She would be my go-to partner in the firm.’

‘Billy Ko is a dynamic and hard working family practitioner. Anisha Ramanathan is also highly motivated and diligent. Samantha Gershon is a sympathetic and caring person.’

‘Anisha Ramanathan is the new star of the team. She overcame fierce competition to be made a partner – a testament to her abilities and determination.’

Hong Kong > Asset finance (including aviation and shipping finance) Tier 3

With a particular industry expertise in private aviation matters, Withers continues to excel in providing advice on transactions involving the procurement, financing, and leasing of both commercial and corporate aircraft. Paul Jebely leads the team and is ‘well-versed in negotiation, practical tactics and focused on achieving the best outcome for the client’, frequently being sought after as a trusted adviser by ultra-high-net-worth individuals and corporates alike. Special counsel Luca Denora advises airlines, aircraft operators and leasing companies on contractual matters, while associate Clare Liu assists on acquisition financings for both commercial and private aircraft. Notably, all named lawyers are qualified in New York, equipping them with the strategic ability to support clients, particularly high-net-worth individuals, in achieving aircraft financing goals on a cross-border basis.

Practice head(s):

Paul Jebely

Other key lawyers:

Luca Denora; Clare Liu

Testimonials

‘Deep industry knowledge of private aviation, and not only embracing the legal aspects, but also an appreciation of the operational, technical and management aspects of the business, allowing the team to quickly understand the issue(s) at hand and to provide critical guidance.’

‘Paul Jebely is a supreme aviation lawyer. Open, honest and willing to provide guidance while sharing knowledge.Well-versed in negotiation, practical tactics and focused on achieving the best outcome for the client.’

‘Luca Denora is a well-versed and knowledgeable aviation lawyer.’

‘Paul Jebely from Withers is a great lawyer with impressive knowledge and experience in this field.’

Hong Kong > Real estate Tier 3

Withers‘ real estate practice is led jointly by Mabel Lui, a veteran lawyer with over 40 years’ experience specialising in transactional work in Hong Kong and Mainland China, and Polly Chu, an expert in all aspects of real estate-related transactions, from financing to joint venture and conveyancing. In addition to acting for major corporates and financial institutions, the team is particularly active in hotel and office development projects.

Practice head(s):

Mabel Lui; Polly Chu

Hong Kong > Investment funds

The arrival in November 2022 of the ‘diligent and very thoughtful’ Simon Wong from Dentons Hong Kong has enhanced Withers' funds offering in light of his deep knowledge of the operation, structure and regulatory strictures surrounding private investment funds. Since his arrival the team has picked up a number of mandates for fund managers which are appreciative of the team’s ability to advise across the entire lifecycle of open-end and closed-end funds and to effectively utilise the firm’s international tax advisory team.

Withers > Firm Profile

The firm: Withers is one of the world’s first international law firms dedicated to the business, personal and philanthropic interests of successful people, their businesses, families and advisers. With over 220 partners and more than 1,500 staff members in 17 offices across Europe, US, Asia Pacific and the Caribbean, Withers has unparalleled expertise in the key legal issues facing individuals, their businesses and their families. Its clients’ interests span 80 countries and the firm has acted for 74% of the top 100 UK ‘Sunday Times Rich List’, and a significant number of the US ‘Forbes List’ of Richest Americans and the Asian ‘Hurun Rich List’.

In 2008, Withers established its Hong Kong office to offer on-the-ground support in Asia for the firm’s international client base. Today, its multinational team of lawyers and legal professionals offers one of the most comprehensive arrays of client services and are qualified in several jurisdictions – Hong Kong, England & Wales, U.S. – to name a few.

Areas of practice
Corporate and commercial: The corporate and commercial team in Hong Kong combines international deal execution capabilities with PRC regulatory expertise for a varied client base including listed and private companies, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, families and high net worth individuals and not-for-profit organisations. The team is very experienced in all corporate-related matters, including M&A, capital markets, private equity, corporate finance, banking & finance, tax, real estate and investment funds.

Withers continues to expand its expertise and capability in the Greater China region, with Mabel Lui leading the Greater China corporate and commercial practice. With significant experience in China-focused corporate matters, her team continues to bring a well-rounded Greater China corporate background, complementing the firm’s other practices.

Partners: 3 in Hong Kong
Other fee-earners: 11 in Hong Kong
Contact: Mabel Lui
Email: mabel.lui@withersworldwide.com

Aviation and Marine: Withers’ aviation lawyers have extensive experience in all areas of aviation matters (both commercial and private, non-contentious and contentious, including international arbitrations). Our lawyers have, over the last few years alone, helped a diverse range of participants get or keep dozens of commercial and corporate aircraft flying, reflecting an aggregate asset value of more than $20 billion. We advise an international and diverse client base that includes lessors, financial institutions, airlines, traders, family offices and high net-worth individuals on complex and sophisticated transactions relating to the procurement, financing and leasing of new and used commercial and corporate aircraft and engines.

Partners: 1 in Hong Kong
Other fee-earners: 3 in Hong Kong
Contact: Paul Jebely
Email: paul.jebely@withersworldwide.com

Dispute resolution: Withers has an established international dispute resolution practice acting in complex multi-jurisdictional disputes and is well known in the art, sport, luxury brands, fashion and assets sectors. The Hong Kong dispute resolution team focuses on complex corporate commercial disputes, joint venture and shareholders’ disputes, contentious insolvency proceedings, arbitration, compliance and regulatory issues, including investigations, enforcement and disciplinary actions. The team is adept at providing client-tailored strategies and solutions.

Partners: 3 in Hong Kong
Other fee-earners: 8 in Hong Kong
Contact: Joseph Chu
Email: joseph.chu@withersworldwide.com

Family: Withers is widely regarded as one of the best and largest family and matrimonial law firms in Hong Kong. Our clients receive specialist advice on all aspects of family law, from divorce and finances, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, family wealth protection, asset management, trusts, mental health proceedings and elder law, to children custody, international child abduction, maintenance and child support, tax and immigration advice post-divorce. The team forms part of the firm’s leading global divorce and family practice and is well-equipped with the right set of skills to handle clients’ cases in the most effective and efficient way possible and to secure the best outcome.

Partners: 4 in Hong Kong
Other fee-earners: 7 in Hong Kong
Contact: Jocelyn Tsao
Email: jocelyn.tsao@withersworldwide.com

Private client and tax: Withers has the largest private client and tax team on the ground in Hong Kong and Asia. It has a wide range of clients, including but not limited to family offices, charities, families, financial institutions, high net worth individuals, and trustees. What sets Withers apart from its peers is that the team typically acts for the creators of wealth and their families, and focuses on developing long term relationships with those clients across its international offices. Withers’ multi-disciplinary capabilities cover issues on immigration, philanthropy, matrimonial, cross-border investments, litigation, real estate and pre-IPO planning, providing clients with a fully integrated, one-stop service that other law firms cannot match.

Partners: 3 in Hong Kong
Other fee-earners: 6 in Hong Kong
Contact: Katie Graves
Email: katie.graves@withersworldwide.com

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Corporate and Commercial Mabel Lui mabel.lui@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1638
Corporate and Commercial Daniel Tang daniel.tang@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1668
Corporate and Commercial Polly Chu polly.chu@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1633
Litigation and Arbitration Joseph Chu Joseph.chu@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1733
Litigation and Arbitration Sherlin Tung Sherlin.tung@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1671
Litigation and Arbitration Michael Chik Michael.chik@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1688
Family Billy Ko billy.ko@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1656
Family Jocelyn Tsao jocelyn.tsao@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1609
Family Samantha Gershon samantha.gershon@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1606
Family Anisha Ramanathan anisha.ramanathan@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1659
Investment Funds Simon Wong simon.wong@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1683
Philanthropy Michelle Chow michelle.chow@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1640
Private client and Tax Katie Graves katie.graves@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1636
Private client and Tax Deirdre Fu deirdre.fu@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1620
Private client and Tax Alex Chung alex.chung@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1675
Asset Finance Paul Jebely paul.jebely@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1712
International arbitration and litigation Gary Leung gary.leung@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1663
International arbitration and litigation Alex Ye alex.ye@withersworldwide.com +852 3711 1695

Staff Figures

Number of Partners (Firmwide) : 220+
Number of Lawyers (Firmwide) : 600+

Languages

Cantonese
English
Japanese
Mandarin
Albanian
Arabic
Azerbaijani
Bengali
Bulgarian
Burmese
Croatian
Dutch
French
Kiswahili
Konkani
Korean
Lithuanian
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Malayalam
Hindi/Marathi
Norwegian
Polish
Portuguese
Punjabi
Romanian
Russian
Shona
Sinhalese
Somali
Spanish
Swedish
Filipino/Tagalog
Tamil
Teochew
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Ukrainian
Hindi/Urdu
Welsh

Other

Website : www.withersworldwide.com
Tel : +852 3711 1600
Fax : +852 3711 1601
Email : enquiries.hk@withersworldwide.com
Chairman : Justine Markovitz
Chief Executive Officer : Margaret Robertson
Managing Partner (Hong Kong office) : Jocelyn Tsao