Hill Dickinson LLP

hilldickinson.com

Jim James

I’m an experienced dispute resolution lawyer and advise primarily on disputes relating to shipping, shipbuilding and commercial disputes, representing parties in litigation, arbitration and mediation where I sit as arbitrator and mediator.I’m also experienced in disputes relating to aviation, banking, commodities, construction, energy, insurance, corporation and regulatory, with additional transactional work experience in some of these areas.Based in Hong Kong for many years now, my long career as a solicitor (or registered foreign lawyer) has also seen me practise previously in London, Singapore, South Korea and the PRC, as well as spending lengthy periods working with clients and local lawyers in the USA and Japan.I’m a firm believer that you need to listen to your clients to understand what it is they wish to achieve, so I approach any new instruction by listening attentively with the aim of achieving an early result that matches or exceeds the client’s objective.I’m a past Chair of the Hong Kong Insurance Law Association and I give occasional lectures at one of the universities in Hong Kong, helping to inspire and grow the next generation of bright legal minds.

Damien Laracy

As a commercial litigator and arbitrator with over 30 years’ experience, I represent businesses and high-net-worth individuals in complex, high-stakes disputes. My practice spans international trade, insolvency, commercial fraud, maritime, and joint venture disputes — often involving multiple jurisdictions, urgent interim relief, or reputational sensitivity.I head up Hill Dickinson’s Hong Kong office. This involves advising clients across sectors including transport, financial services, commodities, and luxury goods. I also regularly sit as an arbitrator and am a Fellow of both CIArb and HKIArb.Clients value my breadth of experience, calm demeanour under pressure, and ability to find the signal in the noise. My job is to listen well, think clearly, and resolve disputes in a way that protects both outcome and reputation.I’ve lived in Hong Kong since 1995 and sit on the General Committee of the Hong Kong Football Club. I grew up in New Zealand and I remain an unapologetic romantic about all things Kiwi.I feature in and have contributed to Wolters Kluwer’s Maritime Law Handbook, Thomson Reuters' Practical Law, and Thomson Reuters’ Maritime Law and Practice in Hong Kong.

Damien Laracy

As a commercial litigator and arbitrator with over 30 years’ experience, I represent businesses and high-net-worth individuals in complex, high-stakes disputes. My practice spans international trade, insolvency, commercial fraud, maritime, and joint venture disputes — often involving multiple jurisdictions, urgent interim relief, or reputational sensitivity.I head up Hill Dickinson’s Hong Kong office. This involves advising clients across sectors including transport, financial services, commodities, and luxury goods. I also regularly sit as an arbitrator and am a Fellow of both CIArb and HKIArb.Clients value my breadth of experience, calm demeanour under pressure, and ability to find the signal in the noise. My job is to listen well, think clearly, and resolve disputes in a way that protects both outcome and reputation.I’ve lived in Hong Kong since 1995 and sit on the General Committee of the Hong Kong Football Club. I grew up in New Zealand and I remain an unapologetic romantic about all things Kiwi.

Janice Lee

I’m a Partner in our Hong Kong office and Deputy Head of our Hong Kong office, specialising in asset finance with a focus on ship and aviation finance. I advise PRC-based leasing companies, banks and international shipowners on high-value, cross-border transactions, particularly sale and leasebacks and structured finance. My clients value my ability to simplify complex legal issues and deliver commercially astute, pragmatic advice.Dual-qualified in Hong Kong and England & Wales, I also serve as a Notary Public and a Council Member of the Hong Kong Society of Notaries. My recent work includes advising on a US$900 million fleet acquisition and leaseback involving 51 vessels and a major aviation financing and refinancing matter valued over US$200 million.Clients describe me as responsive, trustworthy and strategic. Outside of work, I’m a committed triathlete and recently competed in the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in New Zealand. This also helps to shape my approach to focus, resilience and balance.

Gary Wong

As a Partner in our Hong Kong Ship Finance team, I advise on everything from ship finance and leasing, to sale and purchase transactions. My clients include banks, financial institutions, shipowners and shipbuilders, and I work on cross-border asset finance, secured lending, restructurings and yacht matters.With many years of experience and dual qualification in Hong Kong and England and Wales, I bring a practical, solutions-focused approach to complex transactions. I’ve advised on high-value projects, including Japanese operating lease structures, Chinese leasing arrangements, and multi-jurisdictional financings involving joint ventures and heavy-lift carrier newbuildings.I’m known for my responsiveness and deep sector knowledge and have access to our specialist Shipping Litigation team when needed. I also contribute to the industry as a committee member of the Institute of Seatransport and a government working group reviewing shipping legislation.

Yvette Yu

I’m a disputes advocate specialising in commercial litigation and regulatory compliance, contentious insolvency, data and cybersecurity matters and employment law. I have specialist expertise in luxury and retail, technology, telecoms and crypto industries.My clients are corporates, regulated businesses, financial institutions, investment funds, private investors, tech startups and public bodies.Having advised international clients on a broad range of contentious matters for many years, I draw on that experience to identify and map out my clients’ objectives from the outset. It allows me to formulate bespoke strategies with clients, knowing that the advice and practical support I provide is tailored to help them achieve their targets.Clients value my ability to very quickly grasp and distil both legal and commercial aspects of a case. As a lawyer, I’m a ‘straight shooter’ who skips the legalese and delivers actionable advice and recommendations, aiming always to guide clients towards the most commercial and efficient solution.Knowing that clients trust me with the inner workings of their business and treat me as part of their team is very rewarding. It’s the proof that effective collaboration helps deliver the best outcomes.Admitted as a solicitor advocate, I have full rights of audience to appear before all levels of Hong Kong courts as an advocate in civil proceedings.