Tanner De Witt is well regarded for its strategic handling of high-stakes disputes. Practice head Pamela Mak specialises in commercial litigation, with particular expertise in shareholder conflicts, breach of contract claims and contentious trust and probate matters. Ian De Witt and Robin Darton are prominent figures in the market, underscored by their membership of the International Insolvency Institute. Sunny Hathiramani is regularly instructed by private equity funds and financial institutions on complex regulatory investigations and civil proceedings, while Troy Greig is noted for his work on cross-border winding-up cases.
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Profile
Work Department
Dispute Resolution, China Practice Group
Position
Partner, Head of Dispute Resolution
Career
Pamela joined Tanner De Witt in 2003 and became a partner in the Dispute Resolution Department in 2010. Now Head of the Dispute Resolution Department, Pamela is also Head of the China Practice Group and has developed a strong commercial litigation practice over two decades in Hong Kong advising clients in the Greater China region and overseas on cross-border and domestic disputes. Pamela wins praise as a “young partner who is on the way up” in Chambers Asia Pacific 2021, while Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021 highlights that she is “very friendly and gives considered advice – clients love her”. Pamela is recognised as a Leading Individual in the 2022 Legal 500 Guide for Litigation in Hong Kong.
Pamela focuses her practice on general commercial litigation with an emphasis on cross-border shareholders’ and contractual disputes, sale of goods, contentious trust and probate issues and injunction proceedings. Pamela frequently acts for listed and private companies, high net worth individuals and financial services providers. Her clients are often entities regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) and those requiring a Money Service Operator License.
Pamela has extensive experience advising clients in arbitration before Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Her clients are often engaged in complex and high value disputes. Pamela works closely with professionals in Europe, the US and other jurisdictions on cross-border arbitrations.
Another part of Pamela’s practice is advising financial institutions and regulated individuals on contentious regulatory and compliance matters which includes investigations conducted by the SFC, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department.
Pamela also helps international and local clients to resolve their contentious trust and probate issues. This includes challenging the validity of wills, the removal of personal representatives, the appointment of independent administrators and estate administration. Pamela also advises on Mental Health Ordinance issues such as the appointment of committee for mentally incapacitated person and related estate administration matters.
Languages
English, Cantonese, Mandarin
Memberships
- Banking Litigation Network
- International Chamber of Commerce
- The Law Society of Hong Kong
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘An energetic team with passion and creativity, while professional and practicable.’
‘Tanner De Witt is a well-known local firm with a very good dispute practice. The team has vast experience and covers numerous sectors. The firm is very responsive and particularly good with urgent applications for injunctions.’
Work highlights
Acting for XY, a judgment creditor pursuing enforcement of a CAD 8.5 million fraud judgment where the defendant was found liable for fraud and deceit.