The Legal 500

Back to Legal500 home

DLA Piper

17/F, EDINBURGH TOWER, THE LANDMARK, NO. 15 QUEEN'S ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG
Zagreb, Washington DC, Warsaw, Vienna, Tokyo, Tbilisi , and 75 more

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

Banking and finance

Within Banking and finance, tier 5

Bolstered by the recent arrival of ‘good operator’ Paul Lee, DLA Piper has successfully evolved from being a borrower-oriented practice, to one which now serves a series of Chinese and international lenders. Structured trade finance and project finance are key components of the practice.

Capital markets (debt)

Within Capital markets (debt), DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper has a notable presence in the convertible and RMB bond market, as well as on some high-yield debt deals. Jeffrey Mak is the leading figure in the team, and Jae Chul Lee advised on a major bond offering for LG Display.

Capital markets (equity)

Within Capital markets (equity), DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper has an intense focus on PRC issuer clients and has had considerable success, thanks in large part to the efforts of well-connected PRC national Wei Liu. Its advice on Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology’s headline Hong Kong listing illustrates its ability to work on bulge bracket deals. The firm has also become a leading player in India, having worked on the giant Coal India IPO. The team is ‘responsive’ and ‘executes instructions expediently’, with the ‘highly professional’ Esther Leung and US partner Stephen Peepels highly regarded.

Construction

Within Construction, tier 4

Harris Chan is the key construction partner at DLA Piper, focusing on contentious and non-contentious matters across Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China. Among an impressive list of work highlights, the firm is handling a number of retail sector projects.

Corporate (including M&A)

Within Corporate (including M&A), tier 4

DLA Piper has a strong focus on foreign direct investment into China and Hong Kong, although outbound deals on behalf of China corporates such as Ping An is a growing segment of the practice. The firm recently represented Shanghai-listed Qingdao Haier on its $250m acquisition of a controlling stake in Hong Kong-listed Haier Electronics. Mabel Lui is ‘professional’ and ‘understands’ her clients’ businesses. Jeffrey Mak is recommended for ‘cross-jurisdictional listing compliance matters’.

Dispute resolution

Within Dispute resolution, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper has a large team of partners and associates, covering classic commercial litigation, and insurance and shipping disputes. A number of bank panel appointments have also led to a greater flow of financial institution disputes and contentious regulatory work. The firm represented China Railways Group in the landmark sovereign immunity case involving FG Hemisphere and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which reached the Court of Final Appeal. Satpal Gobindpuri heads the department that includes Kevin Chan and the immensely well-connected and experienced Christopher Clarke.

Employment

Within Employment, DLA Piper LLP is a first tier firm,

The ‘first-class’ employment group at DLA Piper has an ‘excellent reputation for client responsiveness, industry knowledge and value for money’. The practice has gone from strength, following the arrival of Pattie Walsh (‘the most user-friendly employment lawyer in the region’) in 2009. Since then, a number of associates have been added across Greater China and, in August 2011, Sharyn Morrison joined as a senior associate from Linklaters. The team’s primary focus is non-contentious work for employers.

Insurance

Within Insurance, DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘very customer-centric’ team at DLA Piper has an ‘exceptional understanding and knowledge of complex insurance issues’, both in contentious claims and non-contentious advisory matters. The ‘extremely responsive’ Will Harrison leads the team, and provides ‘high quality and succinct advice’. Harrison is advising Allied World Assurance Company as defence counsel to the IPO liability line-slip policy, and is also advising Chartis on the drafting of its D&O policy. Roy Chan provides support from the Shanghai office. Jamie Sparkes left the firm in May 2011 to join insurer Marsh.

Intellectual property

Within Intellectual property, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

There have been significant changes to the DLA Piper IP group since the former team left for Norton Rose Hong Kong in 2010; the ‘knowledgeable and reliable’ Edward Chatterton leads a new team of seven associates across Greater China. Key clients include Gap and HSBC, where the firm is advising on significant trade mark matters.

Investment funds

Within Investment funds, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper is developing a ‘significant practice’ in funds work, largely due to Luke Gannon, who has a very good reputation in the market. Gannon advises on hedge, real estate and private equity funds. Highlights included advising KIMA Capital Management on the establishment of a Cayman-based hedge fund of $30m, and advising Wang On Group on the establishment of a $30m private equity fund structured as a limited partnership.

Real estate

Within Real estate, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

With ‘strong knowledge of the real estate industry’, DLA Piper’s four-partner practice group is led by property and hotel sector specialist Susheela Rivers and Joseph Christian, who focuses on institutional clients’ real estate investments in Asia. The firm advises Tesco on all its real estate acquisition work in China, including a £170m investor deal involving the establishment of a joint venture to develop three shopping malls in China, each of which includes a Tesco hypermarket as the main tenant.

Regulatory

Within Regulatory, tier 4

DLA Piper advises investment banks and Hong Kong-listed companies on corporate governance and compliance issues. Yuet Ming Tham offers ‘excellent guidance and support’, and has experience advising clients on FCPA investigations, FCPA compliance programmes, data privacy, trade controls, and anti-bribery matters. Esther Leung advises on the non-contentious side, and provided regulatory advice to Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology in its HK$7.1bn IPO in 2010. Christopher Clarke has ‘excellent investigative skills’ and is assisting the liquidators in the winding-up of CSA Absolute Return Fund. Competition partner David Cox is also recommended, along with Martin Dajani, who is rated for his ‘depth of knowledge and corporate understanding’.

Restructuring and insolvency

Within Restructuring and insolvency, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper combines ‘industry knowledge and expertise together with insolvency skills’. It is advising KPMG on the liquidation of Transfield ER Cape, which involves proceedings in the BVI, Singapore, UK and New York. Insolvency practitioner Graham Ridler is recommended, and acts for the Federal Deposit Insurance Federation and Deloitte. Christopher Clarke provides ‘substantial relevant experience with sound commercial judgement’ and is noted for his ‘engaging personality that facilitates and overcomes difficult discussions’.

Shipping

Within Shipping, DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

‘A-grade’ DLA Piper houses lawyers with a ‘high-level of professional knowledge and the ability to provide practical solutions, which meet business objectives’. Recently promoted to head up the commodities, trade and transport group across Asia, Kevin Chan impresses with ‘dedication to his work, pragmatism and high efficiency’, while Nicholas Mallard is ‘the lawyer to instruct if you want to win’. Clients of the firm include China International Marine Containers and COSCO Group.

TMT

Within TMT, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper’s TMT department and has undergone some significant changes, since the former team left for Norton Rose Hong Kong in October 2010. Notably the ‘excellent’ Matthew Glynn transferred from the Dubai office to head up the Asia, Middle East and Africa intellectual property and technology practice, and four new hires joined the Hong Kong group. The team ‘goes the extra mile for its clients’ and delivers an ‘unmatched level of service’. Clients include Gap, RBS and Polo Ralph Lauren.

Tax and trusts

Within Tax and trusts, DLA Piper LLP is a first tier firm,

In 2011, DLA Piper expanded its Greater China tax practice, when five associates and one of counsel joined, but most notably it welcomed former head of tax at King & Wood Stephen Nelson to the team. With over 25 years’ experience in PRC corporate, commercial and tax matters, Nelson has niche expertise in tax issues relating to foreign investment in the PRC and sector knowledge in the TMT and financial services industries. While the firm has a strong corporate tax practice, it also offers specialised services in areas such as private banking, personal tax planning, transfer pricing and executive compensation. Patrice Marceau and Asia head of tax Daniel Chan are also recommended.

What we say worldwide

Please choose another DLA Piper 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.

United Arab Emirates

Offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Australia

Austria

Offices in Vienna

Belgium

Offices in Antwerp and Brussels

Bahrain

Offices in Manama

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Offices in Sarajevo

China

Offices in Beijing and Shanghai

Czech Republic

Offices in Prague

Germany

Offices in Cologne, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin

Egypt

Offices in Cairo

Spain

Offices in Madrid

France

Offices in Paris

Georgia

Offices in Tbilisi

Hong Kong

Offices in Hong Kong

Hungary

Offices in Budapest

Indonesia

India

Italy

Offices in Milan and Rome

Japan

Offices in Tokyo

Kuwait

Offices in Safat

London

Offices in London

Netherlands

Offices in Amsterdam

Norway

Offices in Oslo

North West

Offices in Liverpool and Manchester

Oman

Offices in Muscat

Poland

Offices in Warsaw

Qatar

Offices in Doha and Doha

Romania

Offices in Bucharest

Russia

Offices in Moscow and St Petersburg

Scotland

Offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh

Sweden

Offices in Stockholm

Singapore

Offices in Singapore

South Korea

Slovakia

Offices in Bratislava

Saudi Arabia

Offices in Riyadh

Thailand

Offices in Bangkok

Turkey

Offices in Istanbul

Ukraine

Offices in Kiev

United States

Offices in San Francisco, Seattle, Palo Alto, San Diego (Downtown), Boston, Los Angeles, Tampa, Chicago, Baltimore, Washington DC, New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, Las Vegas, North Carolina, Austin,Texas, Houston, Texas, Reston, Virginia, Minneapolis, Atlanta, La Jolla, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Diego (Golden Triangl, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, Orlando, New Jersey, and Maryland

Vietnam

West Midlands

Offices in Birmingham

Yorkshire and the Humber

Offices in Leeds and Sheffield

Serbia

Offices in Belgrade

Search News and Articles

Legal Developments by:
DLA Piper LLP

  • Sentencing guidelines for corporate manslaughter

    In February 2010 the Sentencing Guidelines Council (the SGC) issued definitive guidelines to courts on imposing appropriate sentences for corporate manslaughter and health and safety offences causing death. The SGC states that fines imposed on companies found guilty of corporate manslaughter should not fall below £500,000, while fines in respect of health and safety offences that are a significant cause of death should be at least £100,000. Crucially, the SGC declined to provide for a fixed link between the imposed fine and the turnover or profitability of the offending company.

    - DLA Piper UK LLP

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
© 2012 www.legal500.com