Hogan Lovells > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Firm Profile

Hogan Lovells > The Legal 500 Rankings

Hong Kong > TMT Tier 1

Hogan Lovells‘ contentious and non-contentious Greater China practice assists TMT clients with a wide range of matters throughout their life cycles. In addition to advising major TMT industry players, the practice acts for non-TMT organisations in their use of technology, particularly financial institutions, financial services providers, retailers, consumer brands, life sciences businesses and automotive sector clients. ‘In the top band of TMT transactional lawyers‘, Mark Parsons‘ practice covers the full range of technology and telecoms-related commercial and regulatory work; Eugene Low heads the IPMT group in Hong Kong, along with co-leading the firm’s esports and video gaming practice; and Andrew McGinty‘s wide sectoral includes TMT work. Experienced counsel Tommy Liu specialises in the transactional structuring and contractual arrangements of TMT-related projects. Don Williams and Liang Xu, along with Tony Mou, Katie Feng , Helen Xia and Adrian Emch, are key mainland China contacts.

Hong Kong > Construction Tier 2

Hogan Lovells is well known in the market for its contentious expertise and handles a range of disputes, including arbitration and litigation; the practice also handles a number of non-contentious matters, including transactions and financings. The practice is well-placed to handle cross-border matters across the Asia-Pacific region by virtue of having practitioners on the ground in Australia, Singapore and Dubai. Timothy Hill heads the team with over 30 years’ experience advising project sponsors, contractors, major subcontractors, and consultants on the full life cycle of projects. Damon So is a qualified civil and structural engineer and a chartered engineer; he handles contentious matters and the preparation and negotiation of construction-related documents. Counsel Joyce Leung is also recommended.

Hong Kong > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

Hogan Lovells has developed its capacity for restructuring and insolvency across the APAC region by leveraging its position in key jurisdictions such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai to offer interlocking cross-border advice relating to China. The firm operates with a focus on global creditors and has established a unique team comprising senior practitioners across finance, real estate and litigation to offer comprehensive cross-practice advice to clients. Chris Dobby leads the firm’s strong contentious work on a jurisdictional basis, with increasing activity in receivership, asset recovery and liquidation work. Jonathan Leitch, practice head, routinely advises funds, bondholders and alternative capital providers in non-contentious matters across Asia.

Hong Kong > Capital markets (equity) Tier 3

Hogan Lovells punches above its weight in the market by virtue of its strong international network, allowing it to advise on large cross-border mandates. Although the team is active across a range of IPOs, global offerings and rights issuances, the group acts for underwriters and issuers in relation to a range of sectors with real estate matters a particular strength. Corporate head Sammy Li recently advised Central China Management Company on its spin-off from Central China Real Estate and IPO and listing of shares on the Main Board of the HKSE. New York-qualified head of private equity Stephanie Tang has handled a raft of take private mandates for US-listed Chinese corporates and is also a useful resource to clients on Rule 144 A offerings.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: international arbitration Tier 3

Although it is relatively small in comparison with some of the ranked firms, Hogan Lovells‘ five-strong team punches above its weight by virtue of its ability to leverage strong regional and broader global resources, enabling it to handle some big ticket arbitrations for international corporates on their inbound investments, as well as Chinese parties on outbound activity. James Kwan is the principal contact out of Hong Kong for commercial arbitrations and has built up a particularly strong reputation advising on private equity disputes, including as it relates to put options. Timothy Hill and Damon So also handle some international arbitration work as an outreach of their construction practices.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

The ‘well-resourced and proactive’ team at Hogan Lovells provides a ‘first-class service’ to international and regional clients seeking recourse through litigation across a plethora of domestic and cross-border commercial disputes. Insolvency litigation is a particular strength, with team head Chris Dobby regularly instructed by liquidators, including in the context of multi-jurisdictional asset recovery actions. ‘Seasoned litigator’ Mark Lin is also highly regarded and excels in handling cross-border disputes for TMT and financial services clients.

Hong Kong > Banking and finance Tier 4

Led by managing partner Owen Chan, Hogan Lovells advises banks, funds and corporates on inbound and outbound cross-border financings, where it can also effectively leverage resources across the firm’s wide international network, should the need arise. The team is particularly accomplished at handling acquisition finance and real estate finance matters.

Hong Kong > Intellectual property Tier 4

Hogan Lovells‘ Hong Kong-based IP, media and technology practice is headed up by Eugene Low, who is particularly focused on IP and data privacy work. Low also assists clients with the registration, enforcement and commercialisation of IP assets. Providing key support is counsel and IP litigator Andrew Cobden; and at senior associate level, PJ Kaur assists with strategic brand protection, as well as trade mark portfolio management, enforcement and litigation.

Hong Kong > Private equity Tier 5

Hogan Lovells has experience in fund formation and portfolio management with unique sector expertise in life sciences, TMT and healthcare. The firm handles cross-border transactions by leveraging its presence across key jurisdictions such as the UK and the US, as well as forging a domestic Chinese network with PRC firms. Practice head Stephanie Tang has a strong corporate finance background.

Hong Kong > Regulatory

China > TMT: foreign firms Tier 1

Advising TMT clients over their full business life-cycle, Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s Greater China practice also advises non-TMT sector organisations on their use of technology, particularly financial institutions, financial services providers, retailers, consumer brands, life sciences businesses and automotive sector clients. Notable areas of strength range from privacy and cybersecurity, open banking, and cloud and internet content provision services, to online payments, e-commerce, fintech and EduTech. The firm also houses specialists in satellites, network video, audio programmes, and blockchain and smart contracts. In Hong Kong, Asia-Pacific regulatory practice head Mark Parsons acts on the full range of technology and telecoms-related commercial and regulatory work; and Don Williams, who splits his time between the firm’s Shanghai and Silicon Valley offices, advises TMT companies throughout their entire lifecycle. On the mainland, Liang Xu is a cross-border joint venture and M&A deal expert, while Sherry Gong and Lu Zhou also both act on TMT-related transactions.

Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Leading firms Tier 2

Hogan Lovells Lee & Lee has arbitration practitioners in its offices both in Hong Kong and Singapore. In Hong Kong, James Kwan is active for commercial arbitrations, including M&A disputes, while Timothy Hill  heads a construction disputes group active in engineering-related arbitrations, heading the firm's group in this area. Furthermore, in Singapore, it can count on commercial arbitration specialist Kent Phillips.

China > Fintech: foreign firms

Well known for its advice to financial institutions, owners of robo-advisers and alternative lending companies, Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s Greater China practice also acts for clients that are active in relation to blockchains, AI, and payments and money transfers. The firm is additionally in association with the PRC’s Fujian Fidelity Law Firm, through which it provides integrated international and local advice to clients conducting business in China. In Hong Kong, the broad practice of Asia-Pacific regulatory head Mark Parsons includes commercial and regulatory work in the fintech space; Andrew McGinty focuses on the TMT, venture capital, real estate, life sciences and insurance sectors; and counsel Tommy Liu specialises in strategic transaction structuring and contractual arrangements for TMT-related projects. Cross-border transactions expert Lu Zhou is a key partner in Beijing.

China > Intellectual property: foreign firms

Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s ‘very strong‘ Greater China practice is sought out by pharmaceutical industry, internet and technology companies for cutting-edge IP issues, such as patent linkage and best practices, including the protection of employee-related trade secrets; and through the firm’s associated legal practice in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, Fujian Fidelity Law Firm, the team routinely acts in heavyweight IP litigation. On the mainland, China and US-qualified head of Asia IPMT Helen Xia is a specialist in IP disputes, portfolio management, obtaining and enforcing IP rights, and commercial licensing; and Zhen (Katie) Feng focuses on IP litigation and brand protection work. At counsel level, Grace Guo‘s practice ranges from trade marks and copyright, to domain names, patents and trade secrets; and Yu-An Chang advises multinational and Chinese companies on the procurement, protection, enforcement and commercialisation of IP assets. Eugene Low heads the IPMT group in Hong Kong.

China > Private equity: foreign firms

Advising leading players, such as Ping An, on strategic investments and M&A transactions, Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s Greater China private equity practice has a strategic sector focus on TMT, life sciences and healthcare; and its clients particularly appreciate the firm’s integrated international and domestic Chinese legal credentials through its association with Fujian Fidelity Law Firm in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone. In Hong Kong, M&A, private equity and capital markets expert Stephanie Tang is Greater China private equity head, while in Shanghai Don Williams has longstanding experience in acting for venture capital and private equity funds. Also on the mainland, Tony Mou advises on corporate finance, venture capital and private equity investments, along with M&A, fund formation, and foreign direct investments; and Lu Zhou acts for multinational corporations, corporate ventures and private equity fund clients on complex cross-border transactions. Former partner Cheng Xu left the firm in June 2022.