Clifford Chance‘s international arbitration team has an excellent reputation for handling a high volume of Hong Kong-seated arbitrations under HKIAC, ICC, UNCITRAL and ICSID rules. The group often advises on matters in the private equity, tech, IP and healthcare arenas. Shanghai-based Lei Shi co-heads the practice with Thomas Walsh, who brings extensive experience in appearing in cases before the HKIAC. Other key names to note include Dianna Shao, who specialises in private equity and M&A disputes, and Tania Tse, who acts on cross-border disputes in the retail sector.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Profile
Work Department
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Position
Thomas Walsh leads the firm's Hong Kong Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice and is the co-head of the firm's Greater China international arbitration group, with a particular focus on private capital and technology disputes.
Reflecting his standing in the community, Thomas holds key leadership positions at major arbitral institutions. He serves on the HKIAC's Executive Committee, Council, and as Chair of its Appointments Committee. For the ICC, he is the elected Chair of the Hong Kong Nominations Committee and a member of the Hong Kong Executive Committee.
A respected thought leader, Thomas is the General Editor of Hong Kong's leading arbitration commentary, "The White Book" (Arbitration and ADR Volume, Hong Kong Civil Procedure). He is currently an adjunct professor at Peking University and has previously taught at Hong Kong University, Seoul National University, and Yonsei University.
Career
Admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales 2007
Admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong 2011
Admitted as a Foreign Legal Consultant in the Republic of Korea 2013
Joined Clifford Chance 2014
Head of Korean disputes practice 2014
Partner since 2019
Co-head of China International practice 2020
Memberships
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), CIArb Fellow 2015
KCAB Council for International Arbitration 2016
ICC Hong Kong Appointments Committee 2017
HKIAC HK45 Committee 2018
KCAB Next 2018
HKIAC Council 2020
Education
Trinity Hall, Cambridge (BA) 2001
Content supplied by Clifford Chance
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Outstanding team that delivers results.’
- 'Dianna Shao is a rising superstar.'
‘Tom Walsh, Yvonne Shek and Dianna Shao are top-quality practitioners. They are in the know about Greater China work, and always available and willing to help.’
'Cameron Hassall is a longstanding superstar who excels in pragmatic advice, sound strategies and tactics.'
Work highlights
Acting for an Asian private equity firm in a Hong Kong seated HKIAC arbitration.
Acting for a Mexican subsidiary of a Chinese telecoms group in a Hong Kong seated UNCITRAL arbitration administered by HKIAC.
Acting for two subsidiaries of a Chinese state-owned enterprise in two Hong Kong seated UNCITRAL arbitrations administered by HKIAC.