Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP is widely regarded as ‘the best banking litigation team‘ that ‘provides in-depth and commercial solutions‘. The team works extensively on a range of disputes including regulatory investigations, insolvency and restructuring, fraud and criminal activities leading to asset tracing. Practice head Gareth Thomas holds expertise in the complete range of litigation work and is particularly experienced in handling financial services regulatory investigations and disputes in the private client space. Jojo Fan is a consistent leader in high-value matters, appearing continuously in cases involving the full spectrum of litigation work, including financial services, retail and hospitality and mining, acting particularly in insolvency defence and restructuring. Rachael Shek specialises in complex commercial litigation, with a particular focus on banking litigation, corporate loan recovery, joint venture and shareholder disputes, and private wealth disputes.

Harnessing four decades of on-the-ground experience in the Hong Kong litigation market, Clifford Chance continues to hold its position in high-value, multijurisdictional commercial litigation, financial services and white collar litigation and contentious IP and tech matters. Team head Ling Ho excels in IP and tech disputes, whilst Donna Wacker is established particularly in contentious insolvency disputes, and Soo Khim Keoy handles commercial disputes with a particular focus on corporate and commercial litigation, shareholders, joint venture and M&A disputes. Yvonne Shek practices in a broad range of commercial dispute litigation across multiple jurisdictions and Stephanie Wong is also recommended for defending financial institutions and corporates.

The litigation team at Gibson Dunn continues to represent corporates, financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals on a wide mix of litigation including employment, private wealth and tax disputes. The team is also highly regarded for its work in contentious compliance and regulatory matters. Elaine Chen and Brian Gilchrist jointly lead the team. Chain is praised as ‘an exceptional senior litigation star in Asia who exhibits remarkable competence, and possesses the ability to provide outstanding legal analysis‘, and has particular expertise in tax, contentious probate, private wealth and shareholder disputes, whilst Gilchrist handles commercial litigation involving matters concerning banking, insurance, employment, tax, trusts and contentious probate, corporate governance, directors’ duties and minority shareholders’ rights, working in both domestic and multijurisdictional markets.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP specialises in ‘bet the company’ commercial litigation, regulatory matters and disputes arising from major corporate transactions. Martin Rogers leads the team, and is recommended for litigation, dispute resolution, regulatory, white-collar defense and fintech matters. James Wadham is also a name to note.

The litigation team at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP has notable strength in advising financial institution clients and is regularly instructed by private equity houses, wealth management and hedge funds. Its caseload alsoincludes white-collar crime and government investigations. Practice head Gareth Hughes handles international investment management cases, and is supported by Mark Johnson who transitioned from partner to of counsel in January 2024. Emily Lam is also a key contact.

HFW handles a variety of contentious matters throughout Hong Kong, Shanghai and the Greater Bay regions, advising banks, oil companies, pharmaceutical companies, shipowners, insolvency practitioners, large conglomerates and private clients. Practice head Noel Campbell specialises in fraud, asset recovery, insolvency and financial litigation. Other names to note include George Lamplough who is recommended for cross-border banking and international trade disputes, and Karen Cheung who handles a broad mix of commercial litigation, white-collar crime, regulatory matters, shipping and employment disputes, as well as judicial review, and international arbitration cases.

The King & Wood Mallesons team hold a significant presence in the litigation space, working in novel areas of law within the PRC and Hong Kong market, particularly within construction disputes. The 'vastly experienced' Paul Starr leads the team, and is particularly experienced in infrastructure disputes. Edmund Wan has an established reputation for his contentious work, acting for corporates, statutory bodies and high net-worth individuals in a range of competition and construction disputes. Peter Bullock is a key contact regarding complex TMT investments, advising on regulatory matters concerning data and employment. Barbara Chiu possesses extensive experience in commercial litigation, shareholder disputes and trust-related claims.

The Linklaters' litigation team boast an extensive cross-border practice, acting on matters ranging from global banking and insolvency-related disputes to shareholder and litigations for clients in a broad range of sectors. The team continues to work in a multi-jurisdictional capacity, benefitting from their PRC joint operation with Zhao Sheng Law Firm, and its recent caseload saw the team handling work in Luxembourg, Canada, Malaysia and Singapore. Andrew Chung leads the team, possessing particular expertise in policies and procedures relating to financial crime, fraud, money laundering and international sanctions. Denise Fung is recommended for commercial litigation, investigation and insolvency proceedings, and Justin Tang continues to expand a banking and SOE client base.

The litigation team at Minter Ellison boasts extensive sector expertise, conducting a practice that spans multiple areas of litigation, including competition, energy, insurance, IP and many more. The team represents an extensive range of clients, from leading PRC and Hong Kong corporations to international household names. David Morrison focuses on corporate, regulatory and securities litigation and contentious takeovers. William Barber works extensively in cross-border matters in the securities and financial services, energy and commodities and TMT sectors. Desmond Yu is also recommended for contentious financial services and regulatory matters.

Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP continues to hold an established presence in the Hong Kong market, consistently handling high-stakes, cross-border commercial litigation, fraud and debt repayment matters. The team also has a particular expertise in shipping disputes. Lianjun Li is recommended for handling major disputes related to international trade, commercial transactions, transportation, shipping and cross-border investments. Asha Sharma possesses expertise in a wide range of contractual, property, banking and employment-related disputes.

Dispute boutique Gall excels in all areas of litigation, arbitration and mediation, with particular focus in highly complex disputes, many of which involve multi-jurisdictional litigation. It acts for an impressive array of clients including foreign governments, banks and high net-worth clients. Nick Gall leads the team, and is supported by Chris Wong   is regularly instructed in multi-jurisdictional disputes. Evelyn Chan  focuses on PRC-related matters and insolvency disputes.

Kennedys' client roster features corporate businesses, financial services, government departments and HNWI’s; it also has an established healthcare litigation team which Christine Tsang  leads the practice. Rudy Chung  excels in commercial and construction and engineering disputes, as well as contentious regulatory insurance and financial services matters.  Sandy Cho and Bertha Ng are also key contacts.

O'Melveny handles banking and finance disputes, shareholder and partnership issues, infrastructure and resources disputes, and professional negligence claims. Denis Brock leads the team, specialising in commercial, corporate and regulatory litigation. Kieran Humphrey is recommended for commercial disputes, professional negligence, insurance and employment disputes.

Rory McAlpine and Friven Yeoh who recently joined from Sidley Austin jointly lead the litigation team at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, handling a range of multi-jurisdictional disputes for corporates and financial institutions. The team is praised for ‘its ability to manage large scale cross-border litigation in the most complex of cases.’ Steve Kwok focuses on trial and appellate litigation in U.S. state and federal courts, defending a number of Chinese companies against federal securities class actions and lawsuits in U.S. courts. Bradley Klein is also recommended.

The Clyde & Co LLP litigation team possess a strong expertise in insurance litigation, working consistently to provide focused dispute resolution services in the construction, energy, marine, aviation, trade and insurance sectors. Simon McConnell leads the team, and acts in a range of insurance-related litigation. Matthew Lam has a particular focus in shipping matters including charterparty disputes, marine casualties, bunker claims and disputes involving carriage of goods by air, sea and road, extending the firm’s insurance expertise.

The Eversheds Sutherland team has a wealth of experience in acting on financial services disputes and investigations, contentious restructuring and insolvency and a broad range of commercial disputes. Mark Hughes leads the team with a client portfolio consisting of financial institutions, large state and privately held group companies, partnerships and individuals. Duncan Watt focuses on financial services disputes and investigations. Jason Tam  is also a key contact for contentious insolvency matters and commercial disputes.

Haiwen & Partners handles complex matters for a range of clients, including state-owned enterprises, commodity trading companies, high-net-worth individuals, tech start-ups, real estate investment and management companies, international shipowners and financial institutions. Within the team, practice head Edward Liu excels in shipping litigation; Lori Ng has extensive experience in civil litigation, shipping and commodities, and white-collar crime; and Vinca Yau focuses on commercial, shareholders and investment treaty disputes.

Hill Dickinson Hong Kong‘s caseload includes corporate and commercial disputes, contentious insolvency, international trade and regulatory matters. Within the team, Damien Laracy focuses on commercial disputes and recovery of assets, debts and damages, and Bryan O’Hare  acts for financial services companies, financial institutions, insolvency appointment holders, the Boards of listed companies and SMEs and entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals in corporate insolvency issues. Yvette Yu is also a key contact.