Deacons > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Firm Profile

Deacons > The Legal 500 Rankings

Hong Kong > Commercial, corporate and M&A: independent Hong Kong law firms Tier 1

The broad bench at Deacons advises a stellar client list of government bodies, state-owned companies, and partnerships within the property development and manufacturing sectors. Known for advising on the full gamut of transactional issues, the team regularly handles mandates involving exits and private equity investments. Ronny Chow and Machiuanna Chu jointly lead the practice. Chow has deep knowledge spanning both public and private M&A, in addition to corporate finance and securities issues, while Chu focuses on investment projects, joint ventures, and venture capital investments. Alexander Que primarily advises banks and major corporations, leveraging his regulatory expertise to advise on the Hong Kong Listing Rules and the Takeovers Code, and disclosure of interest requirements under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO).

Hong Kong > Intellectual property Tier 1

Drawing upon a deep understanding of the law and the relevant commercial drivers, Deacons provides a ‘market-leading service’ to global, Asian and Hong Kong-based IP-rich companies across a broad swathe of their contentious and non-contentious IP requirements. Patsy Lau excels in maintaining, developing and enforcing extensive IP portfolios throughout the region and is recognised for her exceptional trade mark expertise both by clients across a range of sectors, and by peers, for example, through her former role as President of the Hong Kong Institute of Trade Mark Practitioners. Drawing on strong legal and technical knowledge, Jeffrey McLean is at the forefront of the firm’s patent prosecution work, helping to proactively manage multinational portfolios in consumer, electronic, biochemical and mechanical technologies in China and around the Asian region, particularly South East Asia. Theresa Luk was recently promoted to partner in recognition of her multi-faceted practice, which includes IP litigation and commercial expertise, including for clients in the media and entertainment space. The vastly experienced Charmaine Koo also maintains a vibrant practice in her role as a consultant, handling trade mark infringement matters, commercial and data privacy issues, as well as compliance and regulatory issues relating to marketing and advertising. Annie Tsoi and Catherine Zheng co-head the team.

Hong Kong > Investment funds Tier 1

Led by Jeremy Lam, the ‘tech-savvy, responsive and knowledgeable’ team at Deacons remains the market-leading firm for SFC-authorised funds work, where its strong connections with the regulator and pervasive deal flow ensures that it is at the cutting edge of the latest market intel. Taylor Hui has excellent traction with Chinese fund managers including on their establishment in Hong Kong and on bringing RMB investment products to the Hong Kong market. Praised for her ability to handle ‘multi-jurisdictional complexity while advising only on Hong Kong law’ Su Cheen Chuah provides ‘practical advice’ to international and local fund managers on both private and public funds, with a holistic approach that sees her advice on fund structuring, formation and marketing to ongoing compliance issues. Of the more junior partners, Pinky Siu, who is adept at handling the establishment and ongoing compliance requirements of a wide range of listed and unlisted SFC-authorised funds, and the ‘attentive and responsive’ Ming Chiu Li are both recommended.

Hong Kong > Labour and employment Tier 1

Deacons stands tall as a frontrunner in the employment arena, boasting an expansive advisory practice adeptly addressing a multitude of employment concerns, including post-pandemic issues, such as civil claims and discrimination matters. This proficiency is complemented by an impressive contentious offering, which draws advantage from one of the most established and extensive litigation practices in Hong Kong, with the team frequently appearing on behalf of clients in every court level, from labour tribunals to high courts. At the helm of the employment team is Cynthia Chung, a veteran lawyer with almost three decades of experience. Over recent years, Chung has seamlessly navigated contemporary challenges, advising both local and international clients on pertinent topics like redundancies and flexible working arrangements in the transition to the post-covid era, while being ‘well aware of the bigger picture and where her advice sits within this’. The ‘very hands-on’ Elsie Chan provides ‘practical and excellent employment law advice’ and is an expert in contentious matters, handling a myriad of disputes including, but not limited to, discrimination and harassment. Another important figure within the team is Helen Liao, a key port of call for international corporates and financial institutions in guiding them through various employment matters related to terminations, discriminations, and discretionary bonuses under Hong Kong law.

Hong Kong > Real estate Tier 1

Deacons stands as a leader across the spectrum of real estate work, acting for developers, public bodies, and global corporations in contentious and non-contentious matters. Supplementing this is the firm’s integrated practice, with extended reach into matters with a link to commercial, residential, retail, and industrial properties. Among recent highlights, the team acted for MTR Corporation Limited on the development of its scale station project comprising residential developments, a railway station, a shopping centre, and government accommodation, amounting to over 850,000 sq.m. In addition to leading the team, veteran lawyer Lilian Chiang also sits on the property committee of the Law Society of Hong Kong. Other key figures include Wallace Wong, who often advises on large property development projects, serving real property developers, banks, and private clients. Karen Chan stands out as a primary point of contact for clients seeking advice on property sales and purchases, while Wai Tung Yu is renowned for his expertise in representing government authorities, statutory institutions, blue-chip companies, and property developers.

Hong Kong > Construction Tier 2

Leveraging excellent local ties and drawing upon strong connections in the PRC, independent Hong Kong heavyweight Deacons provides a ‘prompt, responsive and high-quality service’ to major developers and contractors on local and international construction disputes. Team head Kwok Kit (KK) Cheung and Joseph Chung  ‘are both extremely well known in the field’, both in their roles as qualified arbitrators, as well as for stakeholders in relation to engineering defects and contractual claims, among other disputes. Justin Yuen is also regularly instructed by governmental entities, developers and contractors across a range of disputes, with a growing reputation in the field which was recently underscored by his appointment as a member of the HKIAC Appointment Advisory Board.

Hong Kong > Private Client and Family Tier 2

The team at Deacons frequently advises prominent high-net-worth individuals and families on a wide scope of areas, such as matrimonial law, family disputes, contentious probate, and tax and trust-related mandates. Sherlynn Chan leads the team and is an expert in family and mental capacity law, regularly handling complex and sensitive matrimonial cases including divorce, separation, cohabitation, and financial claims, as well as children matters. Chan is supported by Cecilia Lau, who brings expertise to family dispute resolution, including cross-border divorce and separation cases. Further key figures include recently promoted partner Tana Chan, who specialises in wealth and succession planning, and senior associate Hazel Wong, who brings experience to matters involving vulnerable clients. Stefano Mariani departed the firm in June 2023 to join Baker McKenzie.

Hong Kong > Regulatory Tier 2

Leveraging the firm's banking and finance offering, as well as the firm’s broader litigation function, Deacons assists financial institutions with standalone advisory work, transactional-related regulatory advice, and regulatory investigations/enforcement actions, and private litigation. Team head Jeremy Lam provides ‘clear and direct’ advice across a range of regulatory issues for private and retail funds including in relation to establishment and licensing with the SFC, and ongoing compliance issues. As part of his wide-ranging commercial litigation offering, Joseph Kwan regularly defends clients in regulatory investigations by the SFC, HKMA and HKSE.

Hong Kong > Antitrust and competition Tier 3

Hong Kong > Capital markets (debt) Tier 3

Drawing upon strong local connections developed over many years’ existence in the local market and also able to leverage resources on the mainland, independent Hong Kong firm Deacons continues to pick up good market flow for domestic and PRC-based issuers and underwriters across a broad swathe of bond issuances. Team head Kevin Tong is pivotal to the firm’s success in the market, including as it relates to green/sustainable bonds and his work in relation to PRC Ministry of Finance’s offshore sovereign issuances in Hong Kong. Icarus Yuen regularly works alongside Tong on high-profile mandates, including on sovereign issuances, and also has strong traction among Chinese SOEs, which he regularly advises on their offshore bond issuances.

Hong Kong > Capital markets (equity) Tier 3

The ‘highly responsive and experienced’ team at Deacons has strong traction among issuers and sponsors/underwriters engaged in HKEX ECM work both from a transactional and regulatory perspective. As well as regularly handling secondary offerings and private placements, the team is often instructed on HKEX IPOs, where its significant deal flow over the years ensures that it is  ‘familiarised with past market deals to be adopted as precedent case arguments to regulators’ on transactions involving novel/difficult structuring aspects. Team head Ronny Chow is the driving force behind the vibrant IPO practice, including on H shares and for Hong Kong issuers. Maynard Leung is also recommended and regularly advises underwriters/sponsors on global offerings and listings on the HKSE.

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

Deacons is noted for handling a broad range of issues for both domestic and international listed companies, government bodies, and state-owned enterprises. Ronny Chow and Machiuanna Chu jointly lead the team, with Chow having longstanding expertise in takeovers and privatisations, while Chu has deep knowledge surrounding the issuance of virtual assets, and the establishment of digital businesses. Alexander Que has ample regulatory expertise, often advising banks and blue-chip companies on securities compliance issues and the Hong Kong Listing Rules. Maynard Leung assists clients across the consumer goods, healthcare, and real estate sectors with corporate reorganisations and secondary share offers.

Hong Kong > Data protection and cyber security Tier 3

Deacons houses a broad team which is known for providing comprehensive advice across the PRC and Hong Kong, frequently acting for clients across the hospitality, gaming, and IT sectors. The group handles a variety of matters, including negotiations with service providers, data flow regulations across various jurisdictions, and data requests from law enforcement agencies and data subjects. Charmaine Koo and Machiuanna Chu jointly lead the practice. Koo is noted for her contentious IP expertise, regularly handling compliance issues concerning the exploitation, transfer, and processing of data, in addition to impact assessments on projects. Chu leverages her longstanding commercial expertise to act for technology clients in the commercialisation of digital businesses. Dual qualified in Hong Kong and New Zealand, Kelley Loo handles a broad range of IP related mandates, in addition to privacy policies, and arrangements governing the sharing of data across groups of companies and jurisdictions.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: international arbitration Tier 3

Working closely with domestic and global businesses, government organisations and foreign law firms, Deacons regularly assists clients who are parties to arbitration under HKIAC and CIETAC rules, as well clients subject to major arbitral bodies including the ICC and UNCITRAL. The practice is particularly well-versed in handling complex arbitration related to commercial, construction and energy and resources related disputes. Joseph Kwan is a leading figure in Hong Kong, as is KK Cheung, who conducts CIETAC arbitrations in Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing. Joseph Chung is a specialist in arbitrations concerning construction and engineering disputes, while Justin Yuen also brings extensive expertise of cross-border commercial disputes.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

Independent Hong Kong firm Deacons considers disputes related to shareholders, banking, probate, private wealth and employment to be key areas of expertise; catering to a broad range of major clients from international corporations and PRC businesses to government and statutory bodies. Practice head Joseph Kwan brings over three decades of commercial litigation experience and is extremely well versed in handling asset distribution disputes for high-net-worth families in Hong Kong, especially following the passing of the patriarch or matriarch. KK Cheung is a particularly well regarded litigator in the construction field and regularly acts for major developers and contractors, while Peter So’s practice focuses on financial services litigation. Associate Michelle Li also handles a wide range of disputes, including employment, property and probate.

Hong Kong > TMT Tier 3

Deacons’ TMT practice covers data protection and privacy, telecoms transactions and an array of media and entertainment matters, including film rights distribution issues. The team also boasts a strong contentious offering, frequently handling litigation, arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution in the TMT arena. Machiuanna Chu and Charmaine Koo jointly lead the practice. The former is a key contact for cross-border investment transactions and the latter frequently leverages her contentious experience to assist clients in investigations by and appeals against the Privacy Commissioner. Ian Liu is noted for his expertise in digital assets, while local law compliance issues form part of Amy Chung’s diverse work portfolio.

Hong Kong > Banking and finance Tier 4

Under the leadership of Ronny Chow, the three-partner team at Deacons delivers a robust service to borrowers and lenders involved in a wide array of transactional work. This encompasses both domestic and cross-border syndicated/bilateral loans, acquisition finance, and real estate finance matters. Erica Wong, who is triple-qualified in Hong Kong, England and Wales, and Australia, brings her versatile expertise to bear, including her handling of club and bilateral financing, acquisition financing, pre-IPO arrangements, and margin financing. In addition to his transactional acumen, consultant Simon Deane handles financial services regulatory matters, including fintech and traditional banking. Over the last year, the team has actively been involved in advising on pertinent regulatory requirements, alongside addressing interconnected issues like data privacy and considerations pertaining to anti-money laundering regulations.

Hong Kong > Insurance Tier 4

The ‘strong team’ at Deacons provides ‘high-quality and efficient legal services’ to local and regional insurance companies across a range of litigation, running the gamut from casualty claims, public liability and third party motor claims, as well as general claims. Alfred Tam ‘is an active and invaluable insurance lawyer with a commercial mindset’. He heads up the team that also houses Gere Sit, whose broad ranging offering has included work for insurers/insureds on disaster cases, and Linda Lee , who is adept at handling policy disputes and personal injury and professional indemnity matters.

China > Intellectual property: foreign firms

Deacons fields a deep bench comprising patent attorneys qualified in Australia, China, Europe and the UK, all of whom are well-versed in large trademark portfolios and prosecution matters. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the team further draws on support from representative offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The dual-qualified Annie Tsoi (China and the UK) advises on all aspects of IP and is an advisor to leading global companies in the luxury goods, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, entertainment, fashion and electronics sectors. Tsoi co-heads the practice with the triple-qualified Catherine Zhen (New York, Canada and China) who specialises in China IP protection strategy and contentious matters. Other recommended individuals include Dora Si, whose expertise further spans setting up e-platforms and partnerships with local e-commerce platforms for foreign clients, and Tracy Li, who was promoted to partner in January 2023.