As one of the first China-headquartered firms to establish a presence in Hong Kong, Fangda Partners has, since it opened its doors in 2012, developed strong market credentials in core areas of focus for the firm as a whole, including high-end transactional and disputes work. Capital markets mandates are a real strength and the firm regularly advises Chinese issuers (including SOEs) and underwriters on Hong Kong listings and concurrent global offerings. ‘Very focused’ UK and Hong Kong-qualified partner Colin Law advises on many of these listings and global offerings, as well as being at the forefront of a considerable volume of public M&A and take-private matters. Christine Chen, who has a focus on international debt offerings and panda bond transactions, is pivotal to the firm’s success in the debt capital markets arena, where she is lauded for her ability to provide ‘practical and thoughtful solutions to complicated legal issues’. Michael Tam, who splits his time between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, heads up the firm’s energy infrastructure offering and has strong credentials handling development and project financing mandates, including assisting major Chinese power companies with their investments throughout Asia. Founding partner Peter Yuen leads the litigation function at the office and excels in handling conventional corporate and shareholder disputes, as well as cross-border international arbitration proceedings with a nexus to China.

Full-service PRC-based big-hitter  JunHe LLP was one of the first Chinese law firms to establish in Hong Kong, and since opening in 2006 has successfully expanded beyond its initial core corporate finance and capital markets focus to also field expertise in banking, funds and M&A work. Alex Lee  is appreciated by creditors and debtors (including SOEs, PRC and international banks and Hong Kong-listed companies) for his ability to bridge the gap between Western client needs and the unique commercial and cultural requirements of PRC stakeholders; he is also knowledgeable of both bank loan and debt financing matters. On the equity capital markets front, the firm has particular expertise advising issuers, underwriters and sponsors in connection with Chinese companies listing on the HKEX, including in the context of H-shares and red-chip listings. The office’s competence in relation to investment fund work was also recently enhanced by the arrival in January 2022 of the ‘commercially-minded’ David Wang from Maples Group, particularly benefitting from his down and upstream private equity expertise.

The ‘young and proactive’ Hong Kong office of Red Circle firm Eric Chow & Co., in Association with Commerce & Finance Law Offices provides ‘pragmatic solutions’ to PRC clients on corporate finance matters, including as it relates to both inbound and outbound public and private M&A transactions. Hong Kong office founding partner Eric Chow is ‘very responsive and helpful’ and is at the forefront of many of the most significant transactions handled by the office. Priscilla Lee is ‘very approachable’ and provides a ‘hands-on’ service to clients across M&A matters, as well as advising on IPOs and DCM work. The arrival of Christy Leung from Winston & Strawn LLP in June 2022 adds litigation prowess to the offering, contributing her expertise in contentious regulatory matters and complex commercial disputes in the financial services sector.

Zhong Lun Law Firm has ‘a strong connection in the PRC and offers one-stop-shop service in Hong Kong’ across a range of contentious and non-contentious mandates, and is ‘brilliant in handling complicated cross-border matters’. While it also acts in commercial litigation, among other disciplines, the office has gained most acclaim for its ‘very strong private client offering’, which includes handling trusts, estate administration issues, tax work and succession planning matters, including for high-net-worth PRC individuals. ‘Seasoned and very experienced’ private client team head Clifford Ng takes the lead on most of this work and is also noted for his ability to provide ‘innovative and holistic solutions’ on matters with a nexus to Canada. Recently promoted partner Chloe Leung regularly works alongside Ng and is appreciated for her ‘hands-on’ approach and ability to provide ‘practical and strategic solutions’. On the litigation front, solicitor advocate Frederick Hui excels in handling commercial claims, while Dorothy Siron regularly handles private client disputes, including contentious trust, estate, matrimonial and probate matters.