Howse Williams > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Firm Profile

Howse Williams
27TH FLOOR, ALEXANDRA HOUSE
18 CHATER ROAD, CENTRAL
HONG KONG
Hong Kong

Hong Kong > Labour and employment Tier 2

Howse Williams acts across a broad range of employment matters, both contentious and non-contentious, covering a wide range of industry sectors including aerospace and defence, education, healthcare and financial services. The team has in-depth experience advising employers and statutory bodies on internal investigations and disciplinary proceedings, also representing a number of individuals in SFC and HKMA investigations. The team is headed by Patricia Yeung, who has extensive contentious experience and regularly represents plaintiffs and defendants in proceedings from the Labour Tribunal to the High Court.

Practice head(s):

Patricia Yeung

Other key lawyers:

Michael Withington; Betty Lee; Nikita Lulla; Angela Wu

Testimonials

‘The team was impressive from the start with their outstanding efficiency, legal expertise in the field, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and fantastic teamwork. By the time of my first meeting with the partners, Patricia Yeung and Michael Withington, they had read everything I had sent and gave me a comprehensive assessment of the situation. It was one of the most impressive presentations I had seen by lawyers.’

‘Throughout the life of my case, the partners were always well prepared for meetings and phone calls, and they were very familiar with the facts of my case, which was remarkable since it involved a large quantity of information and documents.’

‘Their advice was always lucidly presented, and they were honest about the pros and cons of various options.’

‘Patricia Yeung worked with me the most in my case. I found her an outstanding and intellectually astute lawyer with strong analytical and advocacy skills. Her interpersonal and communications skills were exceptional. She could always put me at ease with the right dose of calm, empathy and good humour. She showed utmost professionalism in quickly familiarising herself with all aspects of my case.’

‘I found Michael Withington to be a brilliant and intellectually astute lawyer with strong analytical and advocacy skills. He had a great calming presence and was a fantastic communicator. He could explain the most complex legal information in succinct terms and helped guide me through difficult parts of the litigation process. He was a good strategist and also flexible in his thinking, and provided me with really sound advice and options.’

‘Solid, knowledgeable and practical.’

‘Patricia Yeung’s client management is of a particularly high order.’

‘Michael Withington possesses in-depth legal knowledge and experience; he is totally practical.’

Key clients

Cantor Fitzgerald (Hong Kong) Capital Markets Limited

Mr. Bing Lin

Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association

Mr. Terry Shuai

Ms. Anna Woo

Hong Kong Airlines Limited

Lam Siu Wai

Hong Kong > Commercial, corporate and M&A: independent Hong Kong law firms Tier 2

At Howse Williams, the corporate practice is adept at advising on public M&A deals such as privatisations, drawing on its knowledge of Hong Kong listing rules. The team is also regularly engaged on commercial agreements including joint ventures and licensing deals. Founding partner Chris Williams leads the team and offers expertise across M&A, corporate finance and restructurings.

Practice head(s):

Chris Williams

Other key lawyers:

Brian Ho; Christopher Yu; Chia Ching Tan; Anthony Chan

Key clients

Hyve Group plc

EC Healthcare

LaSalle Investment Management/QuadReal Property Group

Hop Hing Group Holdings Limited

Able Engineering Holdings Limited

Chuan Holdings Limited

Argyle Street Management Limited

Bison Finance Group Limited

DL Holdings Group Limited

Genesis Venture Limited

Hong Kong > Private Client and Family Tier 3

The family law practice at Howse Williams comprises ‘a compact team with verve and imagination’, assisting high-net-worth individuals with complex disputes over nuptial deeds, international child abductions and related wealth matters of contentious probate and wills. Linda Heathfield leads the team, having spent close to three decades representing spouses and vulnerable children. Stacey Devoy has been meeting the growing trend of families in the Asia Pacific region seeking guidance on the governance of interpersonal and international family dynamics.

Practice head(s):

Linda Heathfield; Stacey Devoy

Other key lawyers:

Karen Lam; Victoria Ng; Stephanie Ng

Testimonials

‘Excellent communication within their team and collaboration with overseas colleagues.’

‘The team worked very well together to support my needs. Whether speaking directly to the partner, in this case Linda Heathfield, or to one of the team, I was confident in the flow of communications on all matters.’

‘Linda Heathfield is very clear and understands the challenges her clients face, consistently providing good judgement and guidance.’

‘Linda Heathfield was mindful and sensitive to my circumstances.’

‘Linda Heathfield and Karen Lam stand out as very knowledgable, genuinely caring, and smart with respect to predicting behaviours in others.’

Hong Kong > Shipping Tier 3

Howse Williams have an unique, valuable expertise in personal injury matters relating to shipping. The team is led by Chris Howse, who has specific knowledge in the of handling problems arising from the shipment of coal, iron ore, nickel ore and fluorspar. William Leung and David Coogans are experienced shipping lawyers offering advice on charterparty and bills of lading disputes, as well as collision, salvage and pollution cases.

Practice head(s):

Chris Howse; David Coogans

Other key lawyers:

William Leung; Eviana Leung; Bernard Murphy

Testimonials

‘David Coogans is a very knowledgable and respected shipping litigator.’

Hong Kong > Capital markets (equity) Tier 5

Howse Williams handles work for underwriter and sponsor banks and issuers in relation to small to mid-cap ECM matters on the HKSE, including IPOs and secondary offerings. Brian Ho is the main contact for work in the space and has excellent credibility in the market as a result of his strong track record in private practice, as well as a tenure spent as an investment banker.

Practice head(s):

Chris Williams; Brian Ho

Other key lawyers:

Christopher Yu; Heidi Lee; Chia Ching Tan; Denise Che; Veronica Chow

Key clients

CMBC International Capital Limited

China Tonghai Capital Limited

Hongcheng Environmental Technology Company Limited

Haitong International Securities Company Limited

Argyle Street Management Limited

EEKA Fashion Holdings Limited

DL Holdings Limited

Hong Kong > Corporate (including M&A) Tier 6

Independent Hong Kong firm Howse Williams handles a steady stream of deals involving Hong Kong companies, as well as companies in mainland China and the wider Asia Pacific region. The team’s experience in navigating HK Listing Rules enables it to handle take-privates. Chris Williams heads the group, which was recently joined by Veronica Chow and Anthony Chan.

Practice head(s):

Chris Williams

Key clients

Hyve Group plc

EC Healthcare

LaSalle Investment Management / QuadReal Property Group

Hop Hing Group Holdings Limited

Able Engineering Holdings Limited

Chuan Holdings Limited (stock code: 1420)

Argyle Street Management Limited

Bison Finance Group Limited

DL Holdings Group Limited

Genesis Venture Limited

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: litigation

Hong Kong > Banking and finance

Howse Williams' practice is led by Antony Yung who counts a number of PRC financial institutions as his key clients and increasingly focusing on supply chain finance programmes.

The firm: Howse Williams is an independent Hong Kong law firm with 34 partners and a total headcount of approximately 200. As an independent Hong Kong firm, the partners are able to minimise legal and commercial conflicts of interest and act for clients in every industry sector. The partners have spent the majority of their careers in Hong Kong and have a detailed understanding of international business and business in Asia.

Areas of practice
Dispute resolution: HW handles complex multi-jurisdictional commercial cases involving sale of goods; trade finance; media law; fraud; shareholder, joint venture, intellectual property, employment, property, trust and franchise disputes; injunction proceedings; jurisdictional challenges; public inquiries; and judicial reviews.

China practice: Howse Williams has entered into a formal Association with Shu Jin Law Firm (Hong Kong) to further enhance and expand our China practice and services on PRC legal matters.

Shu Jin was established in Shenzhen in 1993 and is a leading and highly regarded full-service law firm in the PRC and in particular the Greater Bay Area.  The firm currently has 60 partners and approximately 400 employees in total.  Headquartered in Shenzhen, the firm has offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an and Guangzhou.

Corporate and corporate finance: HW’s team advises clients on a diverse spectrum of practice areas in all Asian jurisdictions, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, direct investment, capital markets and securities, private equity and venture capital, shareholder/joint venture agreements, corporate restructuring/reorganisation, corporate governance and general commercial matters including operational contracts and intellectual property commercialisation.

Clinical negligence and healthcare: HW advises doctors, dentists and their indemnity providers and other healthcare professionals. It also advises private hospitals, medical group practices, corporate healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies on issues relating to the import and distribution of drugs and pharmaceutical products, drug liability claims and regulatory matters. Three members of the team (including two partners) are dual-qualified as lawyers and medical practitioners.

Shipping: HW has considerable experience in all types of wet and dry shipping litigation. The team (which includes solicitors with seagoing experience) deals with collision, salvage, wreck removal and pollution cases as well as charterparty, bill of lading and other contract of affreightment disputes. The firm advises ship-owners, P&I clubs, hull and machinery insurers, salvors, charterers and freight forwarders.

Insurance/professional indemnity: HW advises on general insurance, professional indemnity, D&O and specialised insurance lines acting for underwriters, brokers, mutual and fixed premium insurers of ships, a wide range of insurers for freight forwarders, warehouse operators, transport intermediaries, cargo owners and trade insurers. The firm also represents insurers who provide professional indemnity insurance for various professional bodies in Hong Kong.

Employment: HW provides contentious and non-contentious employment and immigration advice to both employers and employees in Hong Kong.

Family and matrimonial: HW’s cases often involve families with assets in multiple jurisidictions. The firm handles all manner of children’s issues including custody, care and control and other parenting disputes, such as access, child maintenance, paternity and schooling applications both in respect of married and unmarried couples and cohabitants.  The firm has experience in handling private adoptions; cases involving child abduction and family finances including property transfers, prenuptial agreements and separation deeds.

Fraud: HW regularly acts for victims of all types of fraud to recover misappropriated assets.  The firm act swiftly and efficiently to help trace and recover assets.  We also provide advice on investigations and court proceedings.

Property and building management: HW’s clients include some of the largest international real estate agencies, listed property developers, international and local building management companies, quasi government bodies, property investment funds, incorporated owners of of commercial/residential buildings, and commercial and individual landlords and tenants in Hong Kong.

Regulatory and compliance: HW’s regulatory team advises financial institutions and corporates on a wide variety of contentious and non-contentious regulatory and compliance issues.

Banking and finance: HW’s banking team has experience in a broad range of banking and finance matters, including bilateral and syndicated lending, international trade finance, project finance, acquisition finance, ship finance, general cash management and liquidity products, asset and debt recovery, security enforcement actions, banking regulation and compliance, sanctions, AML, KYC and various regulatory project and remediation work.  The team also specialise in a diverse range of trade finance matters.

Trusts, assets and wealth management: We advise ultra high-net-worth individuals and their families; entrepreneurs and family businesses both in Hong Kong and the PRC.  We are trusted legal advisers providing advice and support to our clients on the management of their wealth and assets, and on a wide range of inheritance and succession matters.  We have experience in establishing trusts, in particular family trusts, educational trusts and charitable trusts.  Our team includes solicitors who are full members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

Wills, probate and estate management: We handle wills, probate, estate management and general civil litigation matters.

Notarisations and China Attestation: We offer Notary and China Attestation services to our clients.  We have an in-house Notary Public who is a member of the Hong Kong Society of Notaries.

We also have two partners, Brian Ho and Chris Yu who are China Appointed Attesting Officers and members of the Association of China Appointed Attesting Officers Limited.  China-Appointed Attesting Officers (“Attesting Officers”) are qualified Hong Kong lawyers who have been appointed by the Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China after passing the prescribed qualifying examinations. Their scope of business includes attesting and certifying acts, matters and documents of legal significance occurring in or emanating from Hong Kong and such attested documents are for use in Mainland China. The namelist of all China-Appointed Attesting Officers are available at the Office and Website of the “Association of China-Appointed Attesting Officers”.  To be legally valid and protected by the laws of the PRC, attested documents issued by Attesting Officers for use in Mainland China must be sent to the “China Legal Services (H.K.) Limited” for “Sealing and Transfer Delivery”.

Distressed debt: HW’s restructuring, insolvency and special situations practice provides clients including investors, boards and shareholders of distressed corporate debtors, insolvency office holders, financial institutions, hedge funds, private equity funds and official and ad hoc committees, financial restructuring legal solutions.  We are a cross-departmental practice that draws on the expertise of our corporate / M&A, dispute resolution, insolvency and banking practices to provide seamless service to our clients covering the Hong Kong aspects of cross border restructuring situations.  Our formal association with Shu Jin Law Firm (Hong Kong) allows us to provide enhanced and expanded services on PRC legal matters.

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Senior Partner and Managing Partner; Dispute resolution Chris Howsechris.howse@howsewilliams.com28033600
Senior Partner and Managing Partner; Corporate and commercial Christopher Williamschris.williams@howsewilliams.com28033622
Clinical negligence and healthcare; Insurance David Kandavid.kan@howsewilliams.com28033658
Clinical negligence and healthcare Bernard Murphybernard.murphy@howsewilliams.com28033606
Family and matrimonial Linda Heathfieldlinda.heathfield@howsewilliams.com28033624
Shipping; Dispute resolution; Insurance; Fraud David Coogansdavid.coogans@howsewilliams.com28033672
Corporate and commercial; Capital markets Brian Hobrian.ho@howsewilliams.com28033623
Clinical negligence and healthcare Oonagh Toneroonagh.toner@howsewilliams.com28033697
Capital markets Chia Ching Tanchiaching.tan@howsewilliams.com28033615
Regulatory and compliance Jill Wongjill.wong@howsewilliams.com28033670
Dispute resolution Alison Scottalison.scott@howsewilliams.com28033604
Family and matrimonial Stacey Devoystacey.devoy@howsewilliams.com28033724
Shipping; Insurance/professional indemnity William Leungwilliam.leung@howsewilliams.com28033782
Dispute resolution Michael Withingtonmichael.withington@howsewilliams.com28033612
Corporate and commercial; Capital markets Christopher Yuchris.yu@howsewilliams.com28033638
Capital markets Denise Chedenise.che@howsewilliams.com28033666
Banking and finance Antony Yungantony.yeung@howsewilliams.com28033774
Corporate and commercial; capital markets Heidi Leeheidi.lee@howsewilliams.com28033718
Family and matrimonial Karen Lamkaren.lam@howsewilliams.com28033639
Employment Patricia Yeungpatricia.yeung@howsewilliams.com28033748
Clinical negligence and healthcare Maureen Liumaureen.liu@howsewilliams.com28033667
Corporate and commercial; capital markets Veronica Chowveronica.chow@howsewilliams.com28033772
Dispute resolution; China Practice; Fraud; Regulatory and compliance Desmond Leedesmond.lee@howsewilliams.com28033790
Clinical negligence and healthcare Carmen Fungcarmen.fung@howsewilliams.com28033610
Corporate and commercial; Capital markets Anthony Chananthony.chan@howsewilliams.com28033643
Dispute resolution; Insurance Gary Chowgary.chow@howsewilliams.com28033538
Dispute resolution; Corporate and commercial; Fraud; Regulatory and compliance William Wongwilliam.wong@howsewilliams.com28033602
Property Jovanne Zeejovanne.zee@howsewilliams.com28033761
Clinical negligence and healthcare Hiu Yee Chunghiuyee.chung@howsewilliams.com28033752
Family and matrimonial Stephanie Ngstephanie.ng@howsewilliams.com28033723
Family and matrimonial Victoria Ngvictoria.ng@howsewilliams.com28033727
Dispute resolution; Distressed debt Janie Wongjanie.wong@howsewilliams.com28033797
Property Alan Yipalan.yip@howsewilliams.com28033625
Property Daisy Tangdaisy.tang@howsewilliams.com28033652
PhotoNamePositionProfile
Anthony Chan photoMr Anthony ChanAnthony has extensive experience in a wide range of corporate matters, including…
Denise Che photoMs Denise CheDenise is a Partner in Howse Williams’ corporate practice.  She has a…
Gary Chow photoMr Gary ChowGary was admitted in Hong Kong in 2008 and specialises in personal…
Veronica Chow photoMs Veronica ChowVeronica is a Partner in Howse Williams’ corporate practice.  She focuses her…
Hiu Yee Chung photoMs Hiu Yee ChungHiu Yee specialises in medicolegal matters, providing advice to doctors, dentists, physiotherapists,…
David Coogans photoMr David CoogansDavid is a commercial disputes lawyer specialising in international trade disputes. David…
Stacey Devoy  photoMs Stacey Devoy Stacey brings to Howse Williams 30 years’ experience as a litigator.  Her…
Stacey Devoy  photoMs Stacey Devoy Stacey brings to Howse Williams 30 years’ experience as a litigator.  Her…
Carmen Fung photoMs Carmen FungCarmen specialises in medicolegal work.  Carmen provides advice and assistance to doctors,…
Linda Heathfield photoMs Linda HeathfieldLinda is a Consultant in Howse Williams’ family and matrimonial practice. Linda’s…
Brian Ho photoMr Brian HoBrian Ho is a partner in Howse Williams’ corporate practice.  He specialises…
Chris Howse photoMr Chris HowseChris is the senior partner and managing partner of Howse Williams. His…
David Kan photoMr David KanDavid is a dual qualified medical doctor/solicitor and is a Founding Member…
Karen Lam photoMs Karen LamKaren was admitted to practice law in New South Wales, Australia in…
Desmond Lee photoMr Desmond LeeDesmond is one of our partners specialising in contentious regulatory and compliance…
Heidi Lee photoMs Heidi LeeHeidi is a Partner in Howse Williams’ corporate practice.  Heidi has extensive…
William Leung photoMr William LeungAs a prominent commercial litigator with more than 20 years solid experience,…
Maureen Liu photoMs Maureen LiuMaureen is a Partner in Howse Williams’ medico-legal and healthcare team.  Maureen…
Bernard Murphy photoMr Bernard MurphyA medically qualified solicitor, Bernard represents healthcare organisations, doctors, dentists, veterinary surgeons…
Stephanie  Ng photoMs Stephanie NgStephanie was admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 2013.  She…
Victoria Ng  photoMs Victoria Ng Victoria was admitted to practice law in Hong Kong in 2013. Victoria’s…
Victoria Ng  photoMs Victoria Ng Victoria was admitted to practice law in Hong Kong in 2013. Victoria’s…
Alison Scott photoMs Alison ScottAlison is a Partner in Howse Williams’ dispute resolution practice. She specialises…
Chia Ching Tan photoMr Chia Ching TanChia Ching is a partner in Howse Williams’ corporate practice. She has…
Daisy Tang photoMs Daisy TangDaisy is a partner of Howse Williams.  Daisy has experience in a…
Oonagh Toner photoMs Oonagh TonerOonagh is a Partner in Howse Williams’ dispute resolution practice. She specialises…
Christopher Williams photoMr Christopher WilliamsChris is one of the founding partners of Howse Williams. Chris specialises…
Michael Withington photoMr Michael WithingtonMichael is a Partner in Howse Williams’ dispute resolution practice. He is…
William Wong photoMr William WongWilliam specialises in contentious regulatory work and financial services and commercial litigation.…
Janie Wong photoMs Janie WongJanie focuses her practice on international arbitration, complex commercial litigation and cross-border…
Jill Wong photoMs Jill WongJill is a partner in Howse Williams’ financial services and corporate regulatory…
Patricia Yeung photoMs Patricia YeungPatricia is a partner and heads up Howse Williams’ employment team.  She…
Alan Yip photoMr Alan YipAlan is a partner of Howse Williams. He advises on land compulsory…
Christopher Yu photoMr Christopher YuChris is a partner in Howse Williams’ corporate practice.  He is experienced…
Antony Yung photoMr Antony YungAntony has experience in a broad range of banking and finance matters,…
Jovanne  Zee photoMs Jovanne ZeeJovanne is a partner in our Property and Building Management Practice with…
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