Withers > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Firm Profile
Withers Offices
30/F United Centre
95 Queensway
HONG KONG
Hong Kong
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Withers > The Legal 500 Rankings
Hong Kong > Private Client and Family Tier 1
Lauded by a client as ‘the most experienced and well-resourced private client and family team in Hong Kong’, Withers continues to excel in advising high-net-worth individuals, their families, advisers, and family offices. International and cross-border issues, such as complicated financial arrangements or estate planning, form a sweet spot of the firm’s offering. Katie Graves has particular expertise in advising UK expatriates and Asian families with UK connections on their personal tax issues, and co-leads the team alongside Jocelyn Tsao, who is praised as 'simply the best, whether in terms of legal knowledge, or team and client management’ and has represented clients in some of the most high-profile cases before the courts of Hong Kong. Tsao is a keen advocate for the voices of children throughout the divorce and custody process. Other key names at a partner level include the ‘dynamic and hard-working’ Billy Ko, Alex Chung, who specialises in cross-border probate matters with an emphasis on estates with US connections; as well as Anisha Ramanathan, who is experienced in all areas of matrimonial law with a ‘deep understanding of children’s arrangements’. Trust and succession planning expert Deirdre Fu and experienced litigator Samantha Gershon are also recommended. In team news, Anisha Ramanathan was recently promoted to partnership, while Vanessa Duff joined Charles Russell Speechlys LLP in June 2023 and Tim George left to become the CEO at Loke Family Office.Practice head(s):
Katie Graves; Jocelyn Tsao
Other key lawyers:
Paul Jebely; Michelle Chow; Billy Ko; Deirdre Fu; Samantha Gershon; Alex Chung; Anisha Ramanathan; Ethan Yu
Testimonials
‘Jocelyn Tsao excels in all areas. She has dealt with the most complex cases, and there is very little she has not seen or done. She is direct and supportive with clients, and respected by her opponents. Billy Ko is so easy to work with. He knows what he’s doing, especially with cases that have international and cross-border dimensions. Anisha Ramanathan is excellent in children’s matters. She has a deep understanding of children’s arrangements and is able to resolve difficult conflicts with difficult opponents.’
‘Alex Chung is a very responsive, diligent, knowledgeable and resourceful lawyer. His combined qualities are unique in his field. His performance and deliverables are outstanding.’
‘I live in the US and am using Withers for legal issues in Hong Kong. They have been great from an international perspective and they have navigated U.S. and Hong Kong institutions well. The instructions they give are always clear.’
‘Billy Ko and Jocelyn Tsao of Withers stand out because they are extremely hard working and will always go the extra mile for their clients. Billy Ko is developing a name for himself both in the local market and in Mainland China.’
‘Withers has the advantage of having a wide international outlook with commensurate support.’
‘Samantha Gershon has a very wide background, having spent some time in criminal law, and this proves very helpful. She is thorough, attentive to detail, and thoughtful in her work. She would be my go-to partner in the firm.’
‘Billy Ko is a dynamic and hard working family practitioner. Anisha Ramanathan is also highly motivated and diligent. Samantha Gershon is a sympathetic and caring person.’
‘Anisha Ramanathan is the new star of the team. She overcame fierce competition to be made a partner – a testament to her abilities and determination.’
Hong Kong > Asset finance (including aviation and shipping finance) Tier 3
With a particular industry expertise in private aviation matters, Withers continues to excel in providing advice on transactions involving the procurement, financing, and leasing of both commercial and corporate aircraft. Paul Jebely leads the team and is ‘well-versed in negotiation, practical tactics and focused on achieving the best outcome for the client’, frequently being sought after as a trusted adviser by ultra-high-net-worth individuals and corporates alike. Special counsel Luca Denora advises airlines, aircraft operators and leasing companies on contractual matters, while associate Clare Liu assists on acquisition financings for both commercial and private aircraft. Notably, all named lawyers are qualified in New York, equipping them with the strategic ability to support clients, particularly high-net-worth individuals, in achieving aircraft financing goals on a cross-border basis.Practice head(s):
Paul Jebely
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Deep industry knowledge of private aviation, and not only embracing the legal aspects, but also an appreciation of the operational, technical and management aspects of the business, allowing the team to quickly understand the issue(s) at hand and to provide critical guidance.’
‘Paul Jebely is a supreme aviation lawyer. Open, honest and willing to provide guidance while sharing knowledge.Well-versed in negotiation, practical tactics and focused on achieving the best outcome for the client.’
‘Luca Denora is a well-versed and knowledgeable aviation lawyer.’
‘Paul Jebely from Withers is a great lawyer with impressive knowledge and experience in this field.’
Hong Kong > Real estate Tier 3
Withers‘ real estate practice is led jointly by Mabel Lui, a veteran lawyer with over 40 years’ experience specialising in transactional work in Hong Kong and Mainland China, and Polly Chu, an expert in all aspects of real estate-related transactions, from financing to joint venture and conveyancing. In addition to acting for major corporates and financial institutions, the team is particularly active in hotel and office development projects.Practice head(s):
Mabel Lui; Polly Chu
Hong Kong > Investment funds
Withers > Firm Profile
The firm: Withers is one of the world’s first international law firms dedicated to the business, personal and philanthropic interests of successful people, their businesses, families and advisers. With over 220 partners and more than 1,500 staff members in 17 offices across Europe, US, Asia Pacific and the Caribbean, Withers has unparalleled expertise in the key legal issues facing individuals, their businesses and their families. Its clients’ interests span 80 countries and the firm has acted for 74% of the top 100 UK ‘Sunday Times Rich List’, and a significant number of the US ‘Forbes List’ of Richest Americans and the Asian ‘Hurun Rich List’.
In 2008, Withers established its Hong Kong office to offer on-the-ground support in Asia for the firm’s international client base. Today, its multinational team of lawyers and legal professionals offers one of the most comprehensive arrays of client services and are qualified in several jurisdictions – Hong Kong, England & Wales, U.S. – to name a few.
Areas of practice
Corporate and commercial: The corporate and commercial team in Hong Kong combines international deal execution capabilities with PRC regulatory expertise for a varied client base including listed and private companies, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, families and high net worth individuals and not-for-profit organisations. The team is very experienced in all corporate-related matters, including M&A, capital markets, private equity, corporate finance, banking & finance, tax, real estate and investment funds.
Withers continues to expand its expertise and capability in the Greater China region, with Mabel Lui leading the Greater China corporate and commercial practice. With significant experience in China-focused corporate matters, her team continues to bring a well-rounded Greater China corporate background, complementing the firm’s other practices.
Partners: 3 in Hong Kong
Other fee-earners: 11 in Hong Kong
Contact: Mabel Lui
Email: mabel.lui@withersworldwide.com
Aviation and Marine: Withers’ aviation lawyers have extensive experience in all areas of aviation matters (both commercial and private, non-contentious and contentious, including international arbitrations). Our lawyers have, over the last few years alone, helped a diverse range of participants get or keep dozens of commercial and corporate aircraft flying, reflecting an aggregate asset value of more than $20 billion. We advise an international and diverse client base that includes lessors, financial institutions, airlines, traders, family offices and high net-worth individuals on complex and sophisticated transactions relating to the procurement, financing and leasing of new and used commercial and corporate aircraft and engines.
Partners: 1 in Hong Kong
Other fee-earners: 3 in Hong Kong
Contact: Paul Jebely
Email: paul.jebely@withersworldwide.com
Dispute resolution: Withers has an established international dispute resolution practice acting in complex multi-jurisdictional disputes and is well known in the art, sport, luxury brands, fashion and assets sectors. The Hong Kong dispute resolution team focuses on complex corporate commercial disputes, joint venture and shareholders’ disputes, contentious insolvency proceedings, arbitration, compliance and regulatory issues, including investigations, enforcement and disciplinary actions. The team is adept at providing client-tailored strategies and solutions.
Partners: 3 in Hong Kong
Other fee-earners: 8 in Hong Kong
Contact: Joseph Chu
Email: joseph.chu@withersworldwide.com
Family: Withers is widely regarded as one of the best and largest family and matrimonial law firms in Hong Kong. Our clients receive specialist advice on all aspects of family law, from divorce and finances, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, family wealth protection, asset management, trusts, mental health proceedings and elder law, to children custody, international child abduction, maintenance and child support, tax and immigration advice post-divorce. The team forms part of the firm’s leading global divorce and family practice and is well-equipped with the right set of skills to handle clients’ cases in the most effective and efficient way possible and to secure the best outcome.
Partners: 4 in Hong Kong
Other fee-earners: 7 in Hong Kong
Contact: Jocelyn Tsao
Email: jocelyn.tsao@withersworldwide.com
Private client and tax: Withers has the largest private client and tax team on the ground in Hong Kong and Asia. It has a wide range of clients, including but not limited to family offices, charities, families, financial institutions, high net worth individuals, and trustees. What sets Withers apart from its peers is that the team typically acts for the creators of wealth and their families, and focuses on developing long term relationships with those clients across its international offices. Withers’ multi-disciplinary capabilities cover issues on immigration, philanthropy, matrimonial, cross-border investments, litigation, real estate and pre-IPO planning, providing clients with a fully integrated, one-stop service that other law firms cannot match.
Partners: 3 in Hong Kong
Other fee-earners: 6 in Hong Kong
Contact: Katie Graves
Email: katie.graves@withersworldwide.com
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Corporate and Commercial | Mabel Lui | mabel.lui@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1638 |
Corporate and Commercial | Daniel Tang | daniel.tang@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1668 |
Corporate and Commercial | Polly Chu | polly.chu@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1633 |
Litigation and Arbitration | Joseph Chu | Joseph.chu@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1733 |
Litigation and Arbitration | Sherlin Tung | Sherlin.tung@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1671 |
Litigation and Arbitration | Michael Chik | Michael.chik@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1688 |
Family | Billy Ko | billy.ko@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1656 |
Family | Jocelyn Tsao | jocelyn.tsao@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1609 |
Family | Samantha Gershon | samantha.gershon@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1606 |
Family | Anisha Ramanathan | anisha.ramanathan@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1659 |
Investment Funds | Simon Wong | simon.wong@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1683 |
Philanthropy | Michelle Chow | michelle.chow@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1640 |
Private client and Tax | Katie Graves | katie.graves@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1636 |
Private client and Tax | Deirdre Fu | deirdre.fu@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1620 |
Private client and Tax | Alex Chung | alex.chung@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1675 |
Asset Finance | Paul Jebely | paul.jebely@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1712 |
International arbitration and litigation | Gary Leung | gary.leung@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1663 |
International arbitration and litigation | Alex Ye | alex.ye@withersworldwide.com | +852 3711 1695 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Michael Chik | Partner | View Profile | |
Polly Chu | Partner | View Profile | |
Joseph Chu | Partner | View Profile | |
Alex Chung | Partner | View Profile | |
Deirdre Fu | Partner | View Profile | |
Samantha Gershon | Partner | View Profile | |
Katie Graves | Partner | View Profile | |
Paul Jebely | Partner | View Profile | |
Billy Ko | Partner | View Profile | |
Gary Leung | Special Counsel | View Profile | |
Mabel Lui | Head of Greater China Commercial | View Profile | |
Anisha Ramanathan | Partner | View Profile | |
Mike Suen | Consultant | View Profile | |
Daniel Tang | Partner | View Profile | |
Jocelyn Tsao | Partner | View Profile | |
Sherlin Tung | Partner | View Profile | |
Alex Ye | Special Counsel | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of Partners (Firmwide) : 220+ Number of Lawyers (Firmwide) : 600+Languages
Cantonese English Japanese Mandarin Albanian Arabic Azerbaijani Bengali Bulgarian Burmese Croatian Dutch French Kiswahili Konkani Korean Lithuanian Bahasa Melayu Malayalam Hindi/Marathi Norwegian Polish Portuguese Punjabi Romanian Russian Shona Sinhalese Somali Spanish Swedish Filipino/Tagalog Tamil Teochew Thai Turkish Ukrainian Hindi/Urdu WelshOther
Website : www.withersworldwide.com Tel : +852 3711 1600 Fax : +852 3711 1601 Email : enquiries.hk@withersworldwide.com Chairman : Justine Markovitz Chief Executive Officer : Margaret Robertson Managing Partner (Hong Kong office) : Jocelyn Tsao- Private Client and Family