Zhong Lun Law Firm > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Firm Profile

Zhong Lun Law Firm
4/F JARDINE HOUSE
1 CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL
HONG KONG
Hong Kong

Hong Kong > PRC firms in Hong Kong Tier 2

Zhong Lun Law Firm is ‘closely connected with China’ and has strong capabilities across a range of contentious and non-contentious mandates. The firm’s Hong Kong office leverages its network of 18 offices in China, Japan, London, and the US to provide a comprehensive service to clients, encompassing securities law, private client services, real estate mandates, and commercial litigation. Leading the private client team is Clifford Ng, who frequently advises ultra-high-net-worth clients on multifaceted subjects, including trust and business succession, philanthropy, wills, and estate planning. On the litigation front, solicitor advocate Frederick Hui excels in handling commercial claims, earning accolades from clients for his ‘sound judgement’. He receives solid support from Gilbert Leung, who is an expert in navigating shareholder disputes and contentious banking matters. In the realm of private client disputes, Dorothy Siron consistently handles a wide range of cases, encompassing contentious trusts, estate work, matrimonial mandates, and probate matters.

Practice head(s):

Alan Xu; Clifford Ng; Frederick Hui

Other key lawyers:

Dorothy Siron; Gilbert Leung; Louis Pe; Allen Yam; Howard Wong; Victor Pang; Henry Lau; Terence Luk; Jane Yao; Chloe Leung;  Jaycen Liao; Iris Choi

Testimonials

‘A first-rate firm.’

‘Frederick Hui is a rainmaker amongst rainmakers. Sound judgement, loved by clients and first rate.’

‘Closely connected with China. Efficient and strong language capabilities.’

‘Frederick Hui is a star and leading litigation partner.’

‘Great PRC connection.’

‘Frederick Hui is innovative and energetic.’

Key clients

Kaisa Group Holdings Limited and Chang Ye Investment

Company Limited

Gold Brilliant Investment Limited and Mr. Pan Sutong

Fang Ankong

Henderson Land Development Company Limited

Centralcon Properties Company Limited

Hong Kong > Private Client and Family Tier 2

Zhong Lun Law Firm is renowned for its team of ‘top of the class’ private client lawyers who cover a wide spectrum of onshore China and offshore matters, frequently advising on complex cross-border issues encompassing tax, probate, family law, trusts, succession planning, and M&A. Clifford Ng leads the group and provides ‘innovative yet practical solutions’ to ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking advice on matters including trust and business succession, often on a multi-jurisdictional basis. Other distinguished figures within the team include Dorothy Siron, a seasoned litigator often engaged in estate disputes, trust litigation, and child abduction cases, particularly with regards to Hague Convention cases, and Chloe Leung, lauded as ‘brilliant, highly committed, and knowledgeable'. Since her promotion to partner last year, Leung has continued to excel in advising on trusts, taxation, estates, asset protection, and philanthropy matters.

Practice head(s):

Clifford Ng

Other key lawyers:

Dorothy Siron; Frederick Hui; Terence Luk; Chloe Leung; Henry Fung; Jessica Kwok

Testimonials

‘Zhong Lun’s private client team is top of the class and can handle a broad range of matters, ranging from estate planning and administration, trusts, family, corporate, and IPO, to estate and trusts disputes. Zhong Lun offers a more extensive range of private client services compared with other firms which is the reason why they are able to see the issues as they come and provide holistic solutions.’

‘Clifford Ng is a well-known market leader in the private client industry. He is one of the few who can think outside the box and provide innovative yet practical solutions to clients. Chloe Leung has advised my clients on matters involving a bundle of complex issues, including cross-border estate planning, trusts and divorce. She provides strategic solutions and is very knowledgeable and diligent.’

‘Zhong Lun’s private client team is a pleasure to work with. They know how to distill seemingly random facts into workable tools and ingredients in legal arguments. They demonstrate very efficient team work.’

‘Clifford Ng’s experience and positioning are truly unique in the market. He can grasp the situation and guide clients very quickly and directly. Chloe Leung is an exceptional lawyer who goes the extra mile for her clients. She is always on top of things and provides thorough and creative advice. She is able to explain complex concepts in plain language and clients often return to her for other advice.’

‘The private client team at Zhong Lun is extremely good at anticipating issues and troubleshooting. They take time to listen and provide truly tailored advice and do not simply work off a standard play list!’

‘Clifford Ng really cares about his clients and Chloe Leung is an extremely dedicated private wealth lawyer. Client focused, trustworthy and easy to work with! I highly recommend them!’

‘Clifford Ng is a very seasoned private wealth adviser with a particular focus on Canadian tax. He also has commercial sense. His advice is practical.’

‘I highly recommend Chloe Leung, who is a leader in the industry. Leung is very sensitive to clients’ needs and emotions and is able to guide clients through complex issues involving estate disputes and divorce. Clients rely on her a lot and have expressed that they feel relieved with Leung leading the file as she is highly insightful and quick to respond. I would also like to recommend Clifford Ng, who is highly regarded and a standout figure in the industry. He is experienced and analytical and can provide uniquely strategic advice to clients.’

Work highlights

  • Acting as family office and personal counsel to a private real estate developer with assets over USD8bn in cross-border trusts, tax, wealth management, family, immigration, disclosure and compliance, litigation, loan financing, and M&A matters.
  • Advising a China-based entrepreneur billionaire on trusts, tax, family, estate planning, securities regulatory and compliance, and asset protection matters.

Hong Kong > Real estate Tier 3

The real estate offering at Zhong Lun Law Firm is co-headed by land specialists Allen Yam and Louis Pe, who focus on conveyancing, probate, and commercial law, and Howard Wong, a seasoned lawyer representing clients in land related litigation and arbitration matters. The team handles a broad range of real estate transactions, from land acquisitions to sales, while also advising on the leasing of completed developments. Recently promoted as a partner, Iris Choi regularly advises Hong Kong-based developers and state owned PRC enterprises.

Practice head(s):

Allen Yam; Louis Pe; Howard Wong

Other key lawyers:

Iris Choi; Christy Ip

Testimonials

‘The team can provide professional advice on time on potential problem cases.’

‘The solicitors are friendly yet professional. They can analysis the problems from different angles and advise the best possible solution to tackle problems.’

Key clients

Henderson Land Development Company Limited

Centralcon Properties Company Limited

Hong Kong Housing Authority

Bonjour Holdings Limited

Unicorn Stores (HK) Limited

Haifu International Finance Holding Group Limited

Goodear Development Limited

Central Treasure Lake Seafood Restaurant Limited

611 Bread of Life Christian Church Limited

Hill Prime Group Limited

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: international arbitration Tier 4

Zhong Lun Law Firm is particularly skilled at handling complex commercial disputes with a strong mainland and Hong Kong nexus, as well as cross-border disputes and those arising along countries partaking in the One Belt and Road initiative. Frederick Hui and Gilbert Leung jointly lead the offering, regularly representing financial institutions, multinational corporations and SOEs in major international arbitrations. Terence Luk joined the team from Fairbairn Catley Low & Kong in November 2022, strengthening the group’s offering on cross-border arbitration.

Practice head(s):

Frederick Hui; Gilbert Leung

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Fred Hui is a rainmaker amongst rainmakers. Sound judgment, loved by clients and first rate.’

‘A well known top team in the market. Closely connected with the PRC market. Efficient.’

‘Fred Hui is highly regarded in the market. He is absolutely efficient and strategic.’

‘Great PRC connection.’

Work highlights

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 5

Zhong Lun Law Firm is recognised for its skill representing clients in cross-border disputes with a significant PRC and Hong Kong element, including those arising along countries partaking in the one belt and road initiative. Solicitor advocate Frederick Hui is one of those leading the practice and specialises in commercial litigation and white-collar crime, with a proven track record acting for high-value shareholders. Gilbert Leung also heads the team, bringing extensive knowledge regarding insolvency matters, commercial fraud, contentious banking and real estate disputes.

Practice head(s):

Frederick Hui; Gilbert Leung

Testimonials

‘An amazing market leading firm.’

‘Fred Hui is a rainmaker amongst rainmakers. Sound judgment, loved by clients and first rate.’

‘Well known top team in Hong Kong. Closely connected with PRC and strong language capabilities.’

‘Fred Hui is the star litigation partner. Absolutely efficient, deep knowledge in the market and strategic.’

‘I have worked with several law firms in Asia, and Zhong Lun’s disputes team, and primarily Frederic Hui, have stood out as true professionals. ’

‘Fred is truly an international disputes lawyer. He understands the international elements of his claims and is not limited in his advocacy by the localist mentality that so many litigators have. Fred is keenly aware of what he can do in his jurisdiction and how he can partner with lawyers in other jurisdictions to best serve his clients.’

‘Very strong Mainland connections.’

Key clients

Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited

Goldin Financial Group

Falcon Insurance Company (Hong Kong) Limited

China Resources Group

China Minsheng Investment

China Minsheng Banking Group

Yau Wing / Fok Ying Tung’s Family

ShineWing Hong Kong

Kaisa Group

Da Vinci (HK) Limited / Da Vinci Home Collection (Hong Kong) Limited

BDO Hong Kong

eBay Marketplaces GmbH

Sing Tao Group (East Week Publishing Limited and Hong Kong Headline Daily Publishing Limited)

Qingdao Guolin Environmental Technology Co., Ltd

Bank of Communications

FTI Consulting

Bank of East Asia, Limited

Hongkong Zhengrong Energy Conservation Investment Limited

Fang Ankong

Gold Brilliant Investment Limited

China Asia Group (HK) Limited

Li Qing and 深圳韋玥創意投資有限公司

Global Industrial Investment Limited

Shanghai Gopher Asset Management Company Limited

Seeky International Limited

Zhang Wei

Au Yat Gai

RGC (Nasdaq Listed)

Work highlights

Founded in 1993, Zhong Lun Law Firm is one of the first partnership law firms in the PRC. With effect from April 17, 2012, it has been restructured into a limited liability partnership in accordance with the law. After decades of rapid and steady growth, today Zhong Lun has established itself as one of the largest top-notch full-service law firms in China, with over 400 equity partners and more than 2,500 professionals working in eighteen offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Chengdu, Chongqing, Qingdao, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Haikou, Tokyo, Hong Kong, London, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Almaty. Our in-depth expertise and close inter-department collaborations enable us to provide clients with high-quality legal services in more than 60 jurisdictions across a wide range of industries and sectors.

Department Name Email Telephone
Private Client, Tax & Trusts, M&A Clifford Ng cliffordng@zhonglun.com
Private Client, Tax & Trusts, M&A Chloe Leung chloeleung@zhonglun.com
Dispute Resolution, Employment & Family Frederick Hui frederickhui@zhonglun.com
Dispute Resolution, Employment & Family Gilbert Leung gilbertleung@zhonglun.com
Corporate, M&A Alan Xu alanxu@zhonglun.com
Capital Markets, M&A Henry Lau henrylau@zhonglun.com
Capital Markets, M&A Victor Pang victorpang@zhonglun.com
Funds and Investments Products Jane Yao janeyao@zhonglun.com
Capital Markets, M&A Jaycen Liao jaycenliao@zhonglun.com
Real Estate Allen Yam allenyam@zhonglun.com
Real Estate Louis Pe louispe@zhonglun.com
Real Estate Howard Wong howardwong@zhonglun.com
Real Estate Iris Choi irischoi@zhonglun.com
Dispute Resolution Terence Luk terenceluk@zhonglun.com
Real Estate Christy Ip christyip@zhonglun.com
Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin)
English
TerraLex
World Law Group (WLG)

  • Advising a family office of a private real estate developer with assets of over US$5 billion on trusts, tax, succession planning, litigation, private equity investments and other compliance and disclosure issues. 
  •  Acted for an independent trustee in defending two trusts and their underlying trust assets spanning multiple jurisdictions from attack by settlor’s creditors pursuant to Mareva Injunction Orders and Disclosure Orders granted by Hong Kong and Singapore courts  
  •  Advised a group of over 15 PRC founders and executives on settlement of pre-IPO trusts and addressed issues relating to PRC tax laws, PRC foreign ownership regulations, pre-listing structuring and employee stock option scheme. The company was successfully listed on a major US exchange 
  •  Advised PRC founders of a Hong Kong listed company on restructuring of their offshore trusts and addressed Hong Kong securities regulatory and tax issues and PRC tax issues