Howse Williams > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Firm Profile
Howse Williams Offices

27TH FLOOR, ALEXANDRA HOUSE
18 CHATER ROAD, CENTRAL
HONG KONG
Hong Kong
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Howse Williams > The Legal 500 Rankings
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 HowsePractice 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
Other key lawyers:
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 > Firm Profile
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.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Senior Partner and Managing Partner; Dispute resolution | Chris Howse | chris.howse@howsewilliams.com | 28033600 |
Senior Partner and Managing Partner; Corporate and commercial | Christopher Williams | chris.williams@howsewilliams.com | 28033622 |
Clinical negligence and healthcare; Insurance | David Kan | david.kan@howsewilliams.com | 28033658 |
Clinical negligence and healthcare | Bernard Murphy | bernard.murphy@howsewilliams.com | 28033606 |
Family and matrimonial | Linda Heathfield | linda.heathfield@howsewilliams.com | 28033624 |
Shipping; Dispute resolution; Insurance; Fraud | David Coogans | david.coogans@howsewilliams.com | 28033672 |
Corporate and commercial; Capital markets | Brian Ho | brian.ho@howsewilliams.com | 28033623 |
Clinical negligence and healthcare | Oonagh Toner | oonagh.toner@howsewilliams.com | 28033697 |
Capital markets | Chia Ching Tan | chiaching.tan@howsewilliams.com | 28033615 |
Regulatory and compliance | Jill Wong | jill.wong@howsewilliams.com | 28033670 |
Dispute resolution | Alison Scott | alison.scott@howsewilliams.com | 28033604 |
Family and matrimonial | Stacey Devoy | stacey.devoy@howsewilliams.com | 28033724 |
Shipping; Insurance/professional indemnity | William Leung | william.leung@howsewilliams.com | 28033782 |
Dispute resolution | Michael Withington | michael.withington@howsewilliams.com | 28033612 |
Corporate and commercial; Capital markets | Christopher Yu | chris.yu@howsewilliams.com | 28033638 |
Capital markets | Denise Che | denise.che@howsewilliams.com | 28033666 |
Banking and finance | Antony Yung | antony.yeung@howsewilliams.com | 28033774 |
Corporate and commercial; capital markets | Heidi Lee | heidi.lee@howsewilliams.com | 28033718 |
Family and matrimonial | Karen Lam | karen.lam@howsewilliams.com | 28033639 |
Employment | Patricia Yeung | patricia.yeung@howsewilliams.com | 28033748 |
Clinical negligence and healthcare | Maureen Liu | maureen.liu@howsewilliams.com | 28033667 |
Corporate and commercial; capital markets | Veronica Chow | veronica.chow@howsewilliams.com | 28033772 |
Dispute resolution; China Practice; Fraud; Regulatory and compliance | Desmond Lee | desmond.lee@howsewilliams.com | 28033790 |
Clinical negligence and healthcare | Carmen Fung | carmen.fung@howsewilliams.com | 28033610 |
Corporate and commercial; Capital markets | Anthony Chan | anthony.chan@howsewilliams.com | 28033643 |
Dispute resolution; Insurance | Gary Chow | gary.chow@howsewilliams.com | 28033538 |
Dispute resolution; Corporate and commercial; Fraud; Regulatory and compliance | William Wong | william.wong@howsewilliams.com | 28033602 |
Property | Jovanne Zee | jovanne.zee@howsewilliams.com | 28033761 |
Clinical negligence and healthcare | Hiu Yee Chung | hiuyee.chung@howsewilliams.com | 28033752 |
Family and matrimonial | Stephanie Ng | stephanie.ng@howsewilliams.com | 28033723 |
Family and matrimonial | Victoria Ng | victoria.ng@howsewilliams.com | 28033727 |
Dispute resolution; Distressed debt | Janie Wong | janie.wong@howsewilliams.com | 28033797 |
Property | Alan Yip | alan.yip@howsewilliams.com | 28033625 |
Property | Daisy Tang | daisy.tang@howsewilliams.com | 28033652 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Mr Anthony Chan | Anthony has extensive experience in a wide range of corporate matters, including… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Denise Che | Denise is a Partner in Howse Williams’ corporate practice. She has a… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Gary Chow | Gary was admitted in Hong Kong in 2008 and specialises in personal… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Veronica Chow | Veronica is a Partner in Howse Williams’ corporate practice. She focuses her… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Hiu Yee Chung | Hiu Yee specialises in medicolegal matters, providing advice to doctors, dentists, physiotherapists,… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr David Coogans | David is a commercial disputes lawyer specialising in international trade disputes. David… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Stacey Devoy | Stacey brings to Howse Williams 30 years’ experience as a litigator. Her… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Stacey Devoy | Stacey brings to Howse Williams 30 years’ experience as a litigator. Her… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Carmen Fung | Carmen specialises in medicolegal work. Carmen provides advice and assistance to doctors,… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Linda Heathfield | Linda is a Consultant in Howse Williams’ family and matrimonial practice. Linda’s… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Brian Ho | Brian Ho is a partner in Howse Williams’ corporate practice. He specialises… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Chris Howse | Chris is the senior partner and managing partner of Howse Williams. His… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr David Kan | David is a dual qualified medical doctor/solicitor and is a Founding Member… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Karen Lam | Karen was admitted to practice law in New South Wales, Australia in… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Desmond Lee | Desmond is one of our partners specialising in contentious regulatory and compliance… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Heidi Lee | Heidi is a Partner in Howse Williams’ corporate practice. Heidi has extensive… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr William Leung | As a prominent commercial litigator with more than 20 years solid experience,… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Maureen Liu | Maureen is a Partner in Howse Williams’ medico-legal and healthcare team. Maureen… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Bernard Murphy | A medically qualified solicitor, Bernard represents healthcare organisations, doctors, dentists, veterinary surgeons… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Stephanie Ng | Stephanie was admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 2013. She… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Victoria Ng | Victoria was admitted to practice law in Hong Kong in 2013. Victoria’s… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Victoria Ng | Victoria was admitted to practice law in Hong Kong in 2013. Victoria’s… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Alison Scott | Alison is a Partner in Howse Williams’ dispute resolution practice. She specialises… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Chia Ching Tan | Chia Ching is a partner in Howse Williams’ corporate practice. She has… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Daisy Tang | Daisy is a partner of Howse Williams. Daisy has experience in a… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Oonagh Toner | Oonagh is a Partner in Howse Williams’ dispute resolution practice. She specialises… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Christopher Williams | Chris is one of the founding partners of Howse Williams. Chris specialises… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Michael Withington | Michael is a Partner in Howse Williams’ dispute resolution practice. He is… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr William Wong | William specialises in contentious regulatory work and financial services and commercial litigation.… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Janie Wong | Janie focuses her practice on international arbitration, complex commercial litigation and cross-border… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Jill Wong | Jill is a partner in Howse Williams’ financial services and corporate regulatory… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Patricia Yeung | Patricia is a partner and heads up Howse Williams’ employment team. She… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Alan Yip | Alan is a partner of Howse Williams. He advises on land compulsory… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Christopher Yu | Chris is a partner in Howse Williams’ corporate practice. He is experienced… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Antony Yung | Antony has experience in a broad range of banking and finance matters,… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Jovanne Zee | Jovanne is a partner in our Property and Building Management Practice with… | View Profile |