Intellectual property Tier 1

With eight partners focused on IP matters, as well as access to an in-house team of patent attorneys, independent Hong Kong big-hitter Deacons has the resources to handle the full scope of contentious and non-contentious IP matters, directly from clients, as well as on a referral basis from other law firms. Triple qualified in Canada, UK, and Hong Kong, and also benefiting from a science background, Charmaine Koo is the 'go-to practitioner' across a myriad of IP matters relating to trade marks, copyright, passing off, and patents. 'There's a reason why everyone in the market instructs her', Koo combines strong commercial instincts with deep knowledge of the underlying law and technology/science being used, whether it be in the context of advice on commercial contracts, or high-stakes litigation. One of the few Hong Kong solicitors with postgraduate qualifications, lawyer and patent attorney Jeffrey McLean is a key resource on the patent front, with his work spanning disputes, as well as portfolio management and prosecution advice. 'Very talented' Patsy Lau co-heads the team with Koo and specialises in the protection of large multinational and regional trade mark portfolios.

Investment funds Tier 1

Hong Kong-headquartered Deacons is well-regarded for its registered and alternative funds expertise. Its key areas of strength include retail funds, exchange traded funds (ETFs), mandatory provident funds (MPFs), hedge funds and private equity funds. It advises a number of international and local asset managers on structuring and obtaining authorisation for new funds, marketing and post-authorisation compliance issues. The firm has strong links to the SFC and a large team that is well placed to handle SFC regulatory, licensing and compliance matters. Jane McBride heads the practice alongside Jeremy Lam, who handles a large portfolio of local and international asset management clients, and is a member of the Regulatory Sub-Committee of the Hong Kong Investment Funds Association. Pinky Siu and Ming Chiu Li, who specialises in SFC authorised funds and MPF and pension funds, were promoted to partner. Counsel Joanna Fung is recommended.

Labour and employment Tier 1

Benefiting from strong ties with many local Hong Kong-based private and public sector employers, and also regularly picking up referral work from other law firms by dint of the firm's independent status, Deacons handles a tremendous range and volume of work across the spectrum of employment issues. Although the firm does frequently handle litigation, including on matters relating to data privacy and discrimination, it prides itself on its proactive approach and willingness to work with employers to ensure that robust risk management procedures are put in place to avoid any potential problems at a later stage. Overseen by the 'technically sharp and commercially pragmatic' Cynthia Chung, the team's trusted advisor reputation on behalf of many local employers has been heightened in recent months, with clients finding succor in its ability to provide very pertinent and appropriate advice on the employment issues associated with the recent social unrest in the country, as well as in relation to Covid-19. As well as her fee-earning work across the spectrum of contentious and non-contentious matters, the 'very knowledgeable and approachable' Elsie Chan is also gaining recognition for her thought leadership, and alongside Chung, recently co-authored a well-received study looking into the state of corporate culture in Hong Kong.

Real estate Tier 2

Deacons is 'very well established in the real estate space', and counts developer-side mandates as a core strength of the practice. Commercial, residential, and industrial real estate projects are prominent in the team's workload. The 'very commercial' practice head Lilian Chiang is 'a leading expert in real estate matters'. Wallace Wong provides 'responsive and practical advice'; Karen Chan is also singled out.

Regulatory Tier 2

Deacons' practice was bolstered recently by the arrival of consultant Stephen Tisdall from Hong Kong's SFC and has significant experience in advising on securities and regulatory matters. The contentious practice houses Joseph Kwan, who is noted for his expertise in acting for clients in SFC investigations. On the non-contentious side, Jeremy Lam and Jane McBride, who heads up the firm’s dedicated SFC licensing, compliance, and regulatory team, are the key names; securities-related mandates are a core strength for the pair. Consultant Simon Deane is a name to note.

Antitrust and competition Tier 3

Able to call upon the expertise of its own in-house competition economist Sharon Pang , Deacons has been particularly well-positioned to provide effective and commercial advice to clients on risk management advisory work, as well as on contentious matters brought by the fledgling enforcement agency. Indeed, the firm has had some form of involvement in half of the cases heard before the Competition Tribunal, including being brought in to assist the lead counsel on the formulation of economic arguments and defence strategies for Meyer Aluminium, as respondent, in what was the first and to date only private cases referred to the Tribunal. Team head Machiuanna Chu was also involved in the aforementioned matter and also regularly provides antitrust structuring advice as an offshoot of her broader M&A expertise. Both Chu and Pang are also fluent Cantonese speakers and thereby are well-equipped to represent smaller local companies in dealings with the Competition Commission.

Capital markets (debt) Tier 3

Deacons advise issuers and underwriters on big-ticket and first-of-their-kind bond issuances. It is noted for its experience acting for listed companies, financial institutions, and government entities on bond transactions, including direct issuance by PRC SOEs and issuance by offshore entities of PRC corporations. Practice head Kevin Tong has over 18 years’ experience in debt capital market transactions.

Capital markets (equity) Tier 3

Deacons is noted for its high volume capital markets practice, with experience in IPOs, secondary issues, M&A, and corporate restructurings. The team leverages mandates in the IT, fashion, food and beverage, construction and property management sectors. Head of practice Ronny Chow has over 25 years’ experience in corporate finance and securities work, and cross-border private equity transactions. Eugina Chan jointly heads the team. Senior associate Doris Leung is recommended and Canny Lau was promoted to partner.

Construction Tier 3

Deacons has been especially active in arbitration work, and has also been kept busy assisting contractors and developers with a range of construction disputes. The team is led by Kwok Kit Cheung; arbitration expert Joseph Chung and Justin Yuen are names to note.

Corporate (including M&A) Tier 3

Local Hong Kong firm Deacons has a long track record in cross-border corporate M&A. As a member of several global networks of law firms, such as Lex Mundi, World Services Group, and Interlex, the practice is well-placed to handle matters with an international aspect. It is vastly experienced in China market entry transactions and is able to offer support through its Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou office. Chinese SOEs and privately-owned enterprises are key client targets, which it advises on outbound investment and business activities in or through Hong Kong. Ronny Chow, Eugina Chan and Machiuanna Chu head the team. Canny Lau was promoted to partner.

Dispute resolution: international arbitration Tier 3

Deacons counts construction sector matters as a core pillar of strength. Joseph Kwan leads the 'very "hands-on"' team; key names to note are the 'very hard-working and diligent' Joseph Chung; Kwok Kit Cheung, who represents contractors, subcontractors and developers in arbitrations; commercial disputes expert Robert Clark; and the 'very personable and enthusiastic' Justin Yuen.

Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

At Deacons, the team continues to act for DP World Djibouti FZCO (along with two companies within the UAE DP World Group) in a claim against port builder China Merchants Group for allegedly inducing the breach of DP World’s port concession agreement with Djibouti. Practice head Joseph Kwan has an excellent reputation for his expertise in high-profile commercial litigation. Paul Kwan is 'practical' and counts shareholders' disputes as a key strength. Robert Clark, Carmen Ng and associate Michelle Li are also singled out.

Domestic and International Corporate Tax Tier 3

Spearheaded by 'gifted' counsel Stefano Mariani, Deacons' tax team is a firm favorite among a variety of regional and multinational corporates, and public sector bodies, as a result of its conversance with the Hong Kong tax framework, allied to a strong understanding of international tax considerations. Mariani is regularly called upon to advise on cross-border tax planning and Double Taxation Treaty driven tax structuring, while also adding particular value on the contentious front by dint of his ability and willingness to handle his own advocacy on behalf of clients.

Insurance Tier 3

Alfred Tam is the key contact at Deacons, which is very experienced in handling a broad range of contentious insurance work; past areas of instruction include catastrophic injuries, occupiers' liability cases, product liability, and regulatory insurance matters.

TMT Tier 3

Co-headed by corporate/commercial partner Machiuanna Chu and IP partner Charmaine Koo, Deacons has strong coverage across a range of TMT-related transactional, advisory, and litigation work, including on data breach and cutting-edge blockchain matters. Formerly an in-house lawyer for a major global media and entertainment company, Koo has excellent insight into work in this space and is regularly instructed by key stakeholders in the industry, including film studios and music publishers on commercial contract matters and contractual/IP-related disputes work. The team was bolstered by the arrival of counsel Alice Li from Osborne Clarke in June 2020, particularly in light of her aptitude at handling corporate and commercial matters related to emerging and disruptive technologies.

Banking and finance Tier 4

Independent local firm Deacons is noted for its experience in financing transactions, banking regulations, anti-money laundering, cryptocurrencies, online lending platforms, Fintech, and insolvency and restructuring matters. Philip Gilligan now heads the finance and insolvency department after Simon Deane stepped down into a consultancy role. Gilligan acts for lenders and borrowers on syndicated and single bank facilities across Asia. Lam Wing Wo retired.

China > Labour and employment: foreign firms Tier 3

Independent Hong Kong-based heavy-hitter Deacons is recognised by international corporates, as well as international law firms lacking a presence in the region, as a safe pair of hands with which to advise across a range of employment-related Hong Kong and mainland China legal concerns. The scope of the work is broad and includes advice on cross-border employment arrangements, immigration, and complex multi-jurisdictional labour issues arising from global talent mobility. Appreciated by clients for her 'strong legal background and local experience', Helen Liao is the primary contact for PRC-related employment advice and forms an integral part of the firm's overarching Greater China employment group that is headed by the 'outstanding' Cynthia Chung.