Cameron Hassall > Clifford Chance > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Lawyer Profile

One of the pre-eminent international arbitration offerings in Greater China, Clifford Chance is distinct when taking both a common and civil law approach to disputes, conducting arbitrations in Chinese, English or both. The team has also established an exemplary reputation in a number of key sectors, including private equity and financial institutions, mainland corporate transactions, and IP and tech; with partner Ling Ho being an expert in arbitrations concerning the latter. Thomas Walsh jointly leads the practice from Hong Kong, extremely well-versed in multi-jurisdictional disputes and sitting as an arbitrator under all the major rules, including HKIAC, ICC and SIAC. Shanghai-based co-head Lei Shi is also a commanding figure in this space and has represented an extensive number of major PRC banks, financial investors and tech companies. Cameron Hassall is a veteran of commercial cross-border arbitration, having recently been granted higher rights of audience in Hong Kong, while Jonathan Wong is a trusted advisor to numerous financial investors and large multinationals. Below partner level, quadrilingual lead associate Tania Tse has a solid reputation for handling JV related disputes in ICC arbitration, and counsel Dianna Shao has a particular focus on PE and M&A-related arbitrations.

Clifford Chance LLP fields a ‘fantastic team with a truly specialised arbitration practice‘ that routinely acts for international clients involved in disputes involving Mainland China. The team is also sought out by Chinese clients that are involved in conflicts at global levels. Working across the firm’s Beijing and Shanghai offices, Lei Shi, who specialises in international arbitration (particularly PRC-related matters), ‘has a deep understanding of Mainland China, Hong Kong and overseas markets‘, and counsel Feifei Yu, who splits her time between the Mainland China and Hong Kong offices, is an arbitration expert who regularly handles China-related disputes. In Hong Kong, Thomas Walsh is particularly focused on post-M&A, private equity and tech-related matters, and Cameron Hassall, who maintains a practice in both Greater China and Sydney, specialises in energy and infrastructure, corporate, M&A, private equity, aviation and banking disputes.

The arbitration team at Clifford Chance operates domestically, regionally and internationally, with practitioners working out of Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, conducting advocacy in English, French, Spanish and Chinese. Sam Luttrell and Cameron Hassall co-lead the team from Perth and Sydney, respectively. Luttrell has notable experience in French-speaking markets, Hassall in Hong Kong and China. Spencer Flay has particular strength regarding construction matters; operating out of Perth, he advises developers, project sponsors and contractors on disputes arising from natural resources, oil and gas, and infrastructure development projects. Sydney-based counsel Robert Tang and Julia Dreosti specialise in energy and resources, and aerospace and defence, respectively. In Perth, senior associate Rodolphe Ruffié-Farugia is noted for his cross-border work.

Clifford Chance has vast reach across the region, with offices across China, Hong Kong, Australia and Singapore, advising on complex international law issues across all sectors. The firm has a range of experienced practitioners across all offices in the region. Nish Shetty is dual-qualified in England and Singapore, and leads the Singapore practice alongside Paul Sandosham, who brings vast energy expertise to the wider team. In greater China, the firm has one of the pre-eminent international arbitration offerings, conducting arbitrations in both Mandarin Chinese and English. Hong-Kong based Thomas Walsh leads the practice in that region – with experience of sitting as an arbitrator under all major rules, including the HKIAC, ICC, and SIAC – alongside Shanghai-based Lei Shi, who frequently represents mainland Chinese financial instutions. In Australia, the firm has practitioners working out of Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne, frequently conducting arbitrations in English, French, Spanish, and Chinese. Sam Lutrell and Cameron Hassall are key names in the Perth and Sydney offices, with Spencer Flay in the former bringing extensive strength regarding construction work.

Clifford Chance has extensive experience in advising national and multinational clients on various complex transactions in the Philippines and covers a wide array of matters from banking, finance, and corporate to restructuring and project financing. Other core areas of expertise span capital markets work and dispute resolution, while the firm also has a large arbitration practice. Paul Landless, who is based at the Singapore office, specialises in structured finance, derivatives and other financial markets products; he leads the team jointly with Hong-Kong-based Cameron Hassall, who has considerable expertise in Asia related to international arbitration and litigation. Melissa Ng is also recommended.