Hong Kong Teams 2023
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
| Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Company
| China Orient Asset Management (International) Holdings
| Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, Hong Kong Branch
| The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas)
| China Overseas Land and Investments
On behalf of The Legal 500, it is our distinct pleasure to present the GC Powerlist: Hong Kong Teams 2023, marking a triumphant return after a pandemic-induced hiatus. In this inaugural edition, we are honored to shine a spotlight on some of Hong Kong’s most exceptional in-house legal teams. These teams stand as an example of legal prowess, having harnessed their legal acumen strategically to propel their organisations toward success.
The past year has unfolded as a dynamic and eventful period for Hong Kong’s in-house counsel. They have faced a myriad of new challenges, navigating the ever-shifting landscape of an increasingly demanding business environment. Foremost among these challenges has been the unwavering commitment to ensure compliance with an ever-expanding array of regulations. At the same time, the proactive implementation of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) initiatives has introduced new complexities and responsibilities within these departments.
Amidst these formidable challenges, Hong Kong’s in-house counsel have continually displayed unwavering dedication and a commitment to excellence. They have been instrumental in facilitating some of the most substantial transactions that have graced the country’s recent history. Their reputation for innovation and excellence within the sphere of in-house legal affairs has remained steadfast, serving as a testament to their profound dedication and unmatched legal expertise. Furthermore, they have consistently played pivotal roles in dispute resolution, deftly liaising with external counsel and meticulously assessing potential risks. These skills have made them indispensable assets in safeguarding their companies’ interests.
The GC Powerlist: Hong Kong Teams 2023 is compilation that clearly reflects the resilience, adaptability and dedication of Hong Kong’s in-house counsel towards continuous growth and development in the face of global healthcare crises, rapidly developing technology, stringent ESG requirements, and necessary DE&I initiatives, while acting as true business partners by championing the use of dispute resolution. On the importance of an applicable dispute resolution stragey, China Orient Legal Department eloquently states:
“Our strategies, while protecting the company’s growth and interests, also consider the majority concern of all parties, emphasising early negotiations and settlements… This preparation enables us to construct an evidence chain, devise initial strategies, and minimise potential losses; we utilise legal and non-legal tools to develop effective response plans that uphold the company’s rights and interests.”
This stance is echoed by many others, along with the view that the creation of a dispute resolution strategy should include contributions from other departments for a more robust result.
In response to an ever-increasing need for actionable and effective ESG initiatives, general counsel in Hong Kong have leveraged their role in addressing this need, primarily by ensuring compliance with constantly developing ESG requirements. The legal team at COSCO Shipping Ports “proactively conducts in-depth analyses to grasp the new ESG requirements in regions where the company operates and proposes compliance initiatives to meet the ever-growing expectations and regulations surrounding ESG disclosures.”
Finally, in an era of increased focus on representation, in-house counsel have taken steps to ensure true inclusivity, creating teams that are more reflective of the diversity of society. BNP Paribas, for example, has a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee that “actively promotes the creation of an inclusive working environment in which diversity is celebrated for all concerned, and the team has partnered with external organisations to generate internship opportunities for the benefit of candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds or who have physical disabilities.”
Hong Kong’s legal landscape will undoubtedly continue to grow and flourish. The GC Powerlist: Hong Kong Teams 2023 is a tribute to the impressive competence of these elite professionals at navigating this environment, expanding their roles to true business partners. Hence, it is easy to believe that these inspiring teams will continue to positively impact the legal environment, given their impressive resilience, adaptability, readiness to learn and innovative abilities.
Sara Maggi| Deputy Editor The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Series
Funke Olufon| Research Analyst The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Series
As part of Legal 500’s GC Powerlist Week, Legal 500 partnered with Jones Day to host an exclusive Breakfast Seminar at the firm’s Singapore office, bringing together 40 of the region’s leading general counsel recognised in the 2025 Southeast Asia GC Powerlist.
The event provided an intimate setting for senior in-house counsel to share insights and best practices while exploring the complex and fast-evolving legal landscape surrounding data protection, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
The session, titled “Caught in the Acts”, was led by Dr. Undine von Diemar, Partner and Head of Jones Day’s European Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection Practice, and Elizabeth Cole, head of Cybersecurity for Jones Day in Southeast Asia. Together, they examined the implications of recent regulatory developments across Europe and Asia that are reshaping compliance strategies for companies operating in the region.
Undine opened with a deep dive into the EU Digital Agenda, offering clarity on the growing web of digital legislation that now governs data and technology use across Europe. She provided a detailed overview of the AI Act, the world’s first comprehensive risk-based framework for regulating artificial intelligence, alongside the Data Act, NIS2 Directive, and Cyber Resilience Act — each of which introduces new obligations on data sharing, cybersecurity resilience, and operational accountability.
Elizabeth followed with a regional perspective on Asia’s data protection and AI landscape, highlighting the diversity of regulatory approaches across jurisdictions and the increasing pace of legislative change. She discussed key AI developments, including China’s evolving regulatory model and Singapore’s draft Digital Infrastructure Act and AI guidelines, as well as recent enforcement trends demonstrating that regulators in the region are becoming more assertive and coordinated in their oversight.
The event underscored Legal 500 and Jones Day’s commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue among the region’s most influential corporate counsel, providing an invaluable platform for collaboration, learning, and networking within the GC Powerlist community.
