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Morrison & Foerster

33/F EDINBURGH TOWER, THE LANDMARK, 15 QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG
Washington DC, Walnut Creek, Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai, San Francisco , and 11 more

What we say about the firm's legal practice in Hong Kong

Capital markets (equity)

Within Capital markets (equity), Morrison & Foerster LLP is a third tier firm,

Dramatically enhanced by the arrival of senior US securities partner John Moore from Herbert Smith, Morrison & Foerster will have even greater credibility amongst ‘tier one’ investment banks. Clients highlight Moore’s abilities in ‘sticky situations’, especially in dealings with the regulators, and to ‘bridge the US and Hong Kong law issues nicely’. Historically, the firm has done well out of its standing amongst second tier banks such as BNP Paribas. It has excellent connections with mainland China and has an impressive flow of mid-market deals. Hong Kong partner Ven Tan has an excellent reputation.

Corporate (including M&A)

Within Corporate (including M&A), tier 5

Morrison & Foerster has a strong private equity heritage, while building a prominence in TMT and healthcare. It recently acted for Harbin Pharmaceutical on its acquisition of Pfizer’s swine vaccine business in China. Thomas Chou is the lead partner. Senior name Tien-yo Chao left to join Linklaters.

Intellectual property

Within Intellectual property Other recommended firms

Private equity

Within Private equity, Morrison & Foerster LLP is a third tier firm,

Morrison & Foerster has a fine PRC facing private equity practice, acting for clients such as Warburg Pincus, Carlyle Asia, ICBC International and CB International Asset Management. Venture capital deals are also still an important element of the practice. Thomas Chou and Charles Chau are key members of the team.

TMT

Within TMT, Morrison & Foerster LLP is a first tier firm,

Morrison & Foerster recently lost Nigel Stamp to Eversheds LLP, leaving Gordon Milner at the helm of the TMT practice. Nevertheless, the group maintains a range of Asian, European and US clients in the technology, financial services, insurance, life sciences, telecoms and media industries. Recent work highlights include advising Standard Chartered Bank on various projects, including the development and roll-out across 16 countries of a new Unit Trust system and an extension of the outsourcing of its Hong Kong ATM network facilities to G4S.

What we say worldwide

Please choose another Morrison & Foerster LLP office to view full details of what we say in that region, or choose from this list to view a specific editorial reference in context.

Belgium

Offices in Brussels

China

Offices in Shanghai and Beijing

Hong Kong

Offices in Hong Kong

Japan

Offices in Tokyo

London

Offices in London

United States

Offices in Washington DC, Walnut Creek, Sacramento, Palo Alto, New York, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and McLean

Search News and Articles

Legal Developments in Hong Kong

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

  • LIABILITY FOR DIRECTORS OF LISTED COMPANIES – NOT JUST FOR FRAUD

    Article by Timothy Loh and Sherry Xiao
    - Timothy Loh, Solicitors

  • Hedge fund euthanasia?

    Are the Courts sealing the fate of struggling hedge funds too early or should they be given further time to recover and realize their potential for investors? 
    - Harney Westwood & Riegels

  • A Brief introduction to an amendment of the 2008 Patent Law

    New provisions: "Prior Art" refers to an art publicly known within and outside the country before the filing date; while Prior Design refers to a design publicly known within and outside the country before the filing date. Prior Art include arts that are being publicly disclosed in publications worldwide, publicly used or made known to public in the country in any other manner before the filing date (or priority date, in case a priority is claimed)
    - Wenping & Co.

  • BVI Securities and Investment Business Bill 2010 receives its first reading

    The long-awaited Securities and Investment Business Bill, 2010 (commonly referred to as “SIBA”) received its first reading by the BVI House of Assembly on 18 March 2010. This follows public consultation in Summer 2009.
    - Harney Westwood & Riegels

  • Cayman Investment Company Obtains Chapter 15 Protection in the United States

    The United States’ Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has recognised the liquidation of a Cayman company, Saad Investments Finance Company (No5) Limited (“SIFCO5”) (an SPV established to operate as an investment company), as a “foreign main proceeding” under Chapter 15 of the United States’ Bankruptcy Code.
    - Harney Westwood & Riegels

  • BVI to update Intellectual Property laws

    As the British Virgin Islands continues to play a vital role in facilitating global trade and investment, it turns its attention to helping its more than 60,000 new companies per year build a business environment where innovation can be a key economic driver. Towards this end, the BVI Financial Services Commission (the “FSC”), which is the public body with responsibility for, among other things, administering the intellectual property laws of the BVI, announced on 5 January 2010 the establishment of a Focus Group to review and revise the existing IP laws
    - Harney Westwood & Riegels

  • BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS CORPORATE ARRANGEMENT SCHEMES

    With a global economic downturn in full swing, companies around the world are looking for ways to safeguard their future existence. The strategies employed to do so are numerous and varied but a number of companies have employed the use of corporate arrangement schemes entered into with their creditors, investors and other stakeholders as a way to refocus and preserve their business.
    - Harney Westwood & Riegels

  • A Primer to Buying Securities Firms, Asset Managers, Insurers and Banks

    The meltdown in global financial markets has triggered a consolidation of the financial services industry as securities firms, asset managers, insurers and banks alike spin-off assets and restructure their operations to shore up capital. These transactions are often global in nature, involving substantial Hong Kong operations. In this article, we review the basic Hong Kong legal and regulatory framework for these transactions and present some lessons learned.
    - Timothy Loh, Solicitors

  • The PCCW Privatization: A Guide to the Applicable Law for Schemes of Arrangement

    Allegations of share splitting in the proposed privatization of PCCW have raised an important question as to how the statutory majority to approve a scheme of arrangement should be determined. This question is significant both in the short-term for investors trading PCCW and in the long-term in the context of future schemes of arrangement. In this article, we  examine the applicable laws and regulations with a view to providing hedge funds and other investors with guidance.
    - Timothy Loh, Solicitors

  • New Proposals to Regulate Mis-Selling of Investment Funds & Structured Products in Hong Kong

    The recent global financial crisis has resulted in an upswing in regulatory action throughout world markets. In Hong Kong, the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) has proposed a slew of new requirements, some of which have already been implemented retroactively and without industry consultation. In this article we examine these ongoing developments in SFC policy and their effectiveness in reaching a fair balance between investor protection and costs to the investor and the financial industry.
    - Timothy Loh, Solicitors
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