Norton Rose Fulbright > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Firm Profile

Norton Rose Fulbright > The Legal 500 Rankings

Hong Kong > Antitrust and competition Tier 1

Noted by clients as having ‘excellent knowledge of competition matters across APAC', the team at Norton Rose Fulbright assists numerous clients in the natural gas and renewable energy industries with merger filings. The group also advises clients on expansion, particularly in relation to liquid natural gas and solar power projects, in addition to automotive and transport across Asia. Praised for his ‘excellent technical knowledge’, practice head Marc Waha handles a broad range of contentious and non-contentious issues, including HKCC investigations, cartel litigations, and merger clearances. ‘Knowledgeable and responsive' counsel Nicolas Cassauba is well-placed to advise clients on merger approvals before the State Administration for Market Supervision (SAMR) in China, joint ventures, and cartel investigations, while associate Joe Lee regularly supports the team.

Hong Kong > Data protection and cyber security Tier 1

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s team handles the full gamut of matters for a diverse client base of governmental and corporate data-rich entities within the healthcare and financial services sectors. The group offers expertise across a host of areas, regularly advising on export solutions, data subject request responses, and the location of data storage. Working out of both the Hong Kong and Brisbane offices, practice head Anna Gamvros  is known for her vast experience in assisting with multi-jurisdictional data management projects, privacy compliance issues, and e-commerce related matters. Associate Ruby Kwok  primarily focuses on regulatory issues within the Hong Kong and China TMT sectors, and cybersecurity and breach response protocols and associate Edward Yau is well versed in Australian privacy law, and handles cybersecurity incidents with cross-border elements.

Hong Kong > Banking and finance Tier 2

Advising a mix of borrowers and lenders, the Hong-Kong banking and finance team at Norton Rose Fulbright’s team assists an impressive roster of clients, ranging from energy companies to real estate developers and corporates across a spectrum of finance products. Acquisition finance (especially leveraged transactions) is at the core of the practice, which is also seasoned in structured finance, distressed financing, and sustainable finance. The team, whose track record features lending deals in the real estate, manufacturing, infrastructure and TMT arenas, also has a particular sweet-spot on financings featuring ESG elements. Peter Haslam acts for many commercial lenders, including syndicates, international and regional banks, export credit agencies, in bank lending and other types of leverage finance. Victor Sim is another key contact for traditional banks and non-bank lenders, especially in cross-border financing matters where Hong Kong and China are involved.

Hong Kong > Capital markets (equity) Tier 2

Highly attuned to market developments and benefiting from good relationships with the regulators, Norton Rose Fulbright is a popular choice advising across a broad range of ECM and related matters, including listings and follow on offerings, pre-IPO investments, spin-offs, public M&A and ongoing compliance. Under the steady leadership of the vastly experienced Psyche Tai , the team has developed particular strength advising issuers and underwriters on mid-market HKEX IPOs, including within the TMT sector. Counsel Aldo Chan  also provides valuable assistance on HKEX IPOs, with Chinese issuers also benefitting not only from his strong legal credentials but also Cantonese and Mandarin language skills. Harold Tin  oversees the firm’s US securities practice in Asia which was recently strengthened by the arrival in August 2023 of Ethan Chen from Kirkland & Ellis. Terence Lau left the firm in February 2023.

Hong Kong > TMT Tier 2

With demonstrable experience in the financial services, fintech, retail, leisure, and transportation sectors, Norton Rose Fulbright's technology and innovation team is active across a broad spectrum of TMT work, spanning technology agreements, outsourcing transactions, cryptocurrency regulation, DeFi products and internet regulatory issues. Practice head Anna Gamvros is a key figure behind the firm’s recognised expertise in cyber breach response and compliance. Gamvros frequently works alongside fintech expert Etelka Bogardi, who is well-versed in the regulatory challenges faced by digital asset exchanges and wider blockchain projects. US and Hong Kong-qualified lawyer Harold Tin is frequently involved in equity and debt capital markets transactions, while Ruby Kwok and Edward Yau further boast the practice's expertise in data protection.

Hong Kong > Asset finance (including aviation and shipping finance) Tier 3

The shipping finance practice at Norton Rose Fulbright regularly acts for Chinese and international leasing companies, banks, shipowners and sponsors, leveraging its vast office network to advise on a range of international shipping matters. Becky Tai leads the team and advises on maritime and offshore structured financing transactions across a wide range of asset types including LNG carriers, cruise ships and high-specification drilling rigs.

Hong Kong > Construction Tier 3

Primarily focused on Greater China-focused matters, although able to leverage vast international resources to handle cross-border mandates if necessary, Norton Rose Fulbright advises a contractor-leaning client base across a range of contentious construction issues. Alfred Wu  has deep litigation expertise in the sector both on regular fee-earning matters as well as in his role as an arbitrator, and heads up the team that also includes Kevin Hong.

Hong Kong > Corporate (including M&A) Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright’s team handles a myriad of issues relating to energy transition and fintech. The team notably advises HSBC, CrowdOut Capital, and Gaw Capital Partners. Practice head Psyche Tai has expansive expertise in advising PRC and Hong Kong companies on convertibles, schemes of arrangement, and joint ventures. Rachel Chan is particularly adept at handling auction sales and public takeovers, while Peggy Wang regularly assists financial sponsors, and public and private companies on structured investments. James Parker left the practice to join the London team in early 2023, and Charles Bremner has since joined from the London team, contributing his expertise in cross-border M&A within the real estate, transport, and infrastructure sectors.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: international arbitration Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright’s Greater China international arbitration team represents domestic and multinational corporations, financial institutions and regulatory bodies on complex cross-border disputes. A particular strength comes in construction disputes arising from infrastructure and energy projects, and the team also handles a steady stream of commercial disputes stemming from M&A, JV and shareholder disputes. The practice is jointly led by Alfred Wu and Camille Jojo with the former focusing on corporate finance, funds and M&A disputes, while the latter is highly regarded for his expertise in general commercial arbitrations. Kevin Hong has notable experience in the commodities, infrastructure and construction sectors.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright handles a broad span of big-ticket litigation for high calibre regional and global financial institutions, as well as a steady stream of complex family and probate disputes and construction related matters. The practice is also particularly strong regarding contentious regulatory and white collar work, active across all stages including investigations, enforcement proceedings and prosecutions by regulatory bodies. Practice head Camille Jojo brings extensive experience across the spectrum of banking, shareholder and general commercial disputes. Alfred Wu is also a key contact and highly regarded for his corporate dispute expertise, advising clients on a range of M&A, JV and finance matters. Daniel Ng is sought-after by banks, financial institutions and corporates to advise on contentious commercial matters.

Hong Kong > Intellectual property Tier 3

Led by ‘consummate professional’ Justin Davidson, Norton Rose Fulbright’s Hong Kong-based team is particularly skilled at managing and enforcing large-scale IP portfolios for major local and international brands within the financial services, technology and life sciences sectors. In this context, as well as drawing upon deep local expertise, clients also benefit from the ability to leverage vast international resources from across its global network of offices. Other work includes advice on IP due diligence associated with corporate transactions handled by the firm, as well as an increasing volume of tech-related patent litigation in the PRC.

Hong Kong > Regulatory Tier 3

Acting on its own, as well as often working alongside practitioners in Singapore and Shanghai, Norton Rose Fulbright‘s ‘very knowledgeable’ Hong Kong team provides ‘practical and commercial advice’ to banks, broker-dealers, asset management firms, and fintech entities across a broad swathe of their regulatory requirements associated with their products and services. Team head Etelka Bogardi, who splits her time between Hong Kong and Singapore, is ‘incredibly knowledgeable’ across the regulatory landscape, including on fintech matters, and also benefits from an ‘insider’s perspective’ gained as a result of her previous role as senior counsel at the HKMA.

Hong Kong > Shipping Tier 3

At Norton Rose Fulbright's Hong Kong office, Becky Tai spearheads a diverse shipping finance practice with a focal point on Greater China. Beyond conventional financing transactions, the team dedicates itself to providing solutions by harnessing the strengths of its capital markets and corporate divisions, thereby catering to clients on a cross-border scale. A testament to its recent growth lies in the fact that the practice frequently represents Chinese leasing companies in their sales and leaseback transactions, as well as its being heavily engaged in LIBOR discontinuation matters.

Hong Kong > Insurance Tier 4

Norton Rose Fulbright handles contentious and non-contentious insurance-related work as a function of its broader corporate and commercial litigation offerings. On the contentious front, senior associate Charlton Lin has played a more visible role on insurance matters since the recent relocation of Declan McDaid to London, including advice on policy coverage and defending claims against the insured. Capital markets expert Harold Tin also handles intermittent issuances for insurance companies, as well as work at the intersection of insurance and finance as part of his fintech expertise.

Hong Kong > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 4

Norton Rose Fulbright in Hong Kong is a go-to destination for international and Chinese corporates, lenders, private equity funds, and creditors seeking guidance on complex receivership, liquidation, and shareholder dispute matters. The team, co-led by Camille Jojo and Daniel NG, boasts Jojo’s extensive experience as a litigator and arbitrator, specialising in complex finance disputes and regulatory investigations that often lead him to appear before the High Court and Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong. Ng, on the other hand, specialises in commercial litigation, focusing notably on advising and representing banks, financial institutions, and corporates in various contentious matters.

China > Dispute resolution: Litigation: foreign firms Tier 1

With ‘the capabilities to handle all aspects of a client’s legal needs‘, Norton Rose Fulbright‘s Hong Kong-based practice handles a range of high-stakes  litigation for regional and global financial institutions. The team also assists with complex family and probate disputes, along with construction-related conflicts. Other areas of strength range from contentious regulatory and white-collar matters, to cyber-fraud cases, injunctions, mis-selling, debt recovery proceedings, and bankruptcy and insolvency-related work. The track record of practice head Camille Jojo includes banking, shareholder and general commercial disputes, contentious trust and probate cases, and insolvency-related litigation, while Alfred Wu is particularly focused on construction disputes. The next line of practitioners showcases the ‘brilliant‘ Kevin Hong, who acts in disputes concerning commercial law, M&A and joint ventures, as well matters involving technology, sales of goods, construction, shipping and insurance, and Daniel Ng, who represents banks, financial institutions and corporations in contentious matters.

Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Leading firms Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright includes lawyers who handle multijurisdictional complex disputes, with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia. The practice regularly acts for domestic and multinational corporates, professional advisors and financial institutions, and acts on commercial disputes involving joint venture and shareholder agreements. In Hong Kong, Alfred Wu and Camille Jojo lead the team, acting on a wide range of banking, shareholder, and commercial disputes. Based in Singapore, Katie Chung  leads the practice, with Dylan McKimmie operating out of the firm’s offices in Brisbane and Perth.

China > TMT: foreign firms Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright advises clients on the tech and regulatory aspects of transactions, with notable experience in sectors including financial services, FinTech, and aviation. Anna Gamvros leads the Asia Pacific information protection, privacy and cybersecurity practice from Brisbane and Hong Kong. Her expertise lies in tech agreements, outsourcing transactions, data protection, responses to cybersecurity breaches, and regulatory challenges in the fields of telecoms and the internet.

China > Intellectual property: foreign firms Tier 4

Leveraging its close relationship with local PRC firm Shanghai Pacific Legal, Norton Rose Fulbright's Hong Kong-based Greater China IP team covers the full spectrum of IP litigation and transactional work in China. Practice head Justin Davidson has a strong record advising both multinational and Chinese businesses on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious IP issues, including those in the financial services, tech, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and fashion sectors.

Malaysia > Foreign firms

Norton Rose Fulbright’s work in Malaysia derives predominantly from its Singapore office, which is the base of its team leader Stephen Begley, who specialises in energy and natural resources-related mandates. The team is noted for its expertise in this arena, having witnessed an increase in oil and gas, renewables, and solar and energy storage projects-related matters, in addition to large-scale infrastructure projects. The practice’s client roster includes Malaysian corporations. Wilson Ang brings to bear his experience in handling regulatory, compliance and disputes mandate, while Katie Chung is another key contact for cross-border disputes and Ben Rose advises lenders on high-value financings. Ben Smith relocated from the firm's Singapore office to London in July 2023.

Singapore > Fintech and financial services regulatory: foreign firms

With particular strength in regulatory advice, Norton Rose Fulbright‘s fintech practice blends expertise in P2P platforms, blockchain, data privacy, disputes and technology consultation. The team frequently assists major clients with fintech expansions and has seen an increase in instructions relating to emerging platforms and the use of disruptive technologies, particularly for clients who wish to launch new products in Singapore before rolling them out globally. Practice head Etelka Bogardi has longstanding experience of advising on a wide array of regulatory issues in the fintech area; she is well placed to advise on the regulation of digital assets and innovative payments solutions. Anna Tipping‘s wealth of insurance expertise is frequently brought to bear on contentious and non-contentious matters including alternative risk transfer insurance transactions. Instructions relating to securities often fall to financial markets expert Colin Rice, while Craig Loveless is a key contact for cross-border transactional work in the fintech space. Wilson Ang is a name to note for disputes, while counsel Mabelle Tay further extends the regulatory expertise at the firm.