Hogan Lovells > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Firm Profile

Hogan Lovells > The Legal 500 Rankings

Hong Kong > Data protection and cyber security Tier 1

The Hogan Lovells data privacy and cybersecurity team offers clients a one-stop shop for all areas of data protection and cybersecurity compliance, with advice spanning from the acquisition of personal data, to protection issues arising from online data capture. The scale of the group’s work continues to increase, evidenced by a highlight for the team in 2024 which was the largest tech transformation project in Hong Kong. Mark Parsons oversees the practice, and counts high profile clients including the Hong Kong Exchange among his varied client base. Additional key team members include Tommy Liu who provides ‘very technical and commercially-minded advice‘ for clients in a variety of sectors, including TMT and financial services, and concentrates on strategic transaction structuring and complex contractual arrangements.

Hong Kong > TMT Tier 1

A premier TMT team, Hogan Lovells is at the forefront of TMT matters across Hong Kong and Asia Pacific, assisting international and domestic financial institutions, fintech, technology, telecoms and internet companies. The team is well-versed in regulatory issues and has been advising clients on AI, data protection, cybersecurity and use of cloud in regulated industries. Technology transactions are also an important part of the practice, alongside drafting commercial contracts and reviewing and drafting internal policies. Mark Parsons leads the team and is an expert in TMT matters, having advised a number of clients on AI-related issues. Eugene Low advises TMT clients on IP issues, while Tommy Liu handles TMT transactions and data protection matters.

Hong Kong > Construction Tier 2

'Familiar with construction industry best practice', Hogan Lovells provides 'highly efficient and effective' advice to developers, contractors and consultants throughout the  life-cycle of a project, from contractual drafting, project management and litigation. Leveraging his skills as a chartered engineer, Damon So  is 'able to speak the same language with the clients from the construction industry', ensuring that he regularly elicits excellent results for clients in arbitration proceedings relating to a myriad disputes, including with regard to alleged defects and delays. Counsel Joyce Leung regularly works alongside So on matters, and is a key member of the team that also includes recently promoted partner Janice Cheng , who co-heads the team alongside So.

Hong Kong > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

Advising on the full spectrum of distressed work, from formal insolvency to multi-jurisdictional bond restructurings, the Hogan Lovells team is regularly lauded as ‘fabulous’ by the international financial institutions and real estate investment groups it represents. The practice has vast experience in assisting court-appointed liquidators, often in relation to winding up petition proceedings, with practice head Jonathan Leitch being highly knowledgeable on all aspects of special situations and corporate finance issues. Chris Dobby is described as an ‘exceptional litigator’, regularly handling high-profile insolvency claims, while Derrick Lau mainly focuses on debt investments. Yolanda Lau concentrates on fraud and shareholder disputes, and Teresa Kwok is also cited as a key port of call.

Hong Kong > Capital markets (equity) Tier 3

Combining ‘unparalleled technical expertise, with a deep commercial understanding and an unwavering client-centric approach’, Hogan Lovells provides ‘solutions-oriented advice’ to issuers and underwriters/sponsors on IPOs and follow on offerings on the the HKSE. Drawing upon vast experience in private practice as well as in-house at an investment bank, Sammy Li is effectively able to ‘navigate complex regulations, and devise highly pragmatic solutions’ to clients engaged in  IPOs, global offerings and rights issues. Nelson Tang is ‘well-prepared and resilient’, traits which are appreciated by clients on ECM transactions, public takeovers and post-listing compliance work. New York-qualified partner Stephanie Tang co-heads the team alongside Li and Tang and regularly advises regional clients seeking to list in the US.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: international arbitration Tier 3

The Hogan Lovells team regularly collaborates with the firm’s Singapore, Shanghai, and Tokyo practices. James Kwan has expertise in representing Chinese and international clients alike in high-value and complex arbitrations, with particular specialism in tech, energy, and life sciences sector disputes, with a client base spanning Asia, the U.S., the Middle East, and Europe. Zoe Dong has extensive experience in high-value, complex, and multi-jurisdictional commercial litigation, in addition to internal investigations and regulatory enforcement matters.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

The Hogan Lovells litigation team is well-versed in assisting clients in complex, high-profile matters in both local and international courts. Recent caseload features a broad range of corporate shareholder disputes, high-value fraud, corporate investigations, construction disputes, regulatory issues and insolvency matters. The practice is led by Chris Dobby, whose practice covers a broad range of cross-border commercial work, including insolvency fraud-related disputes. Mark Lin has extensive experience in commercial disputes and contentious regulatory investigations. Byron Philips is also a key contact, particularly in technology-related litigation.

Hong Kong > Banking and finance Tier 4

Operating across Greater China, Hogan Lovells fields a ‘a very strong team for cross-border banking and financing matters for private credit lenders’, and is well versed in special situations matters. Practice leader Owen Chan counts global financial services, private equity funds, and multinational companies among his key roster of clients, while Jenny Yim is a financing expert and is praised for her ‘pragmatic and clear advice’.

Hong Kong > Intellectual property Tier 4

Hong Kong > Regulatory: white-collar, compliance and investigations

China > TMT: foreign firms Tier 1

With a 'strong bench strength of lawyers', Hogan Lovells International LLP excels in advising on TMT matters related to mainland China and Hong Kong. The practice, headed by Hong Kong-based Mark Parsons, is well-equipped to advise on a wide array of matters including regulatory issues, transactions, commercial contracts and compliance programmes. Sherry Gong assists the team from Beijing and focuses on data privacy, cybersecurity and third-party payment licenses. From the corporate team in Shanghai, Don Williams often advises TMT clients on complex deals, financing and investments. Based in Hong Kong, Tommy Liu works alongside Parsons on TMT transactions and contractual arrangements and is qualified to practice PRC law in the Greater Bay Area.

Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Leading firms Tier 3

Hogan Lovells demonstrates strong arbitration capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region, with notable arbitration practices in Greater China and ASEAN. In Hong Kong, James Kwan and Zoe Dong bring substantial experience in complex, high-value disputes, particularly in technology, energy, and life sciences. The firm’s Jakarta alliance partner has a notable offering led by the firm’s country managing partner Chalid Heyder.

China > Intellectual property: foreign firms

Hogan Lovells International LLP is noted for its strong IP litigation practice as well as its skills in trade mark and patent prosecution. The international firm mainly advises multinational clients with their IP portfolios in mainland China and worldwide. The team has been advising on key IP issues such as patent linkage and patent term extension. as well as trade secrets. Helen Xia leads the intellectual property, media and technology group from Beijing, advising on IP prosecution, litigation and enforcement. Zhen (Katie) Feng co-leads the team in Shanghai and focuses on IP litigation and enforcing IP rights, while co-head Eugene Low works closely with the mainland team on IP issues from Hong Kong. Grace Guo assists with a mix of contentious and non-contentious trade mark issues. IP protection and enforcement strategies are handled by Yu-An Chang.

China > Private equity: foreign firms

Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s China practice routinely leverages the firm’s enviable global network of private equity practitioners across Asia, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East and US for cross-jurisdictional mandates. It is particularly focused on the technology and biotechnology sectors, in relation to both high-value and mid-cap matters. In Shanghai, Don Williams is a highly-rated private equity and technology industry specialist; and Tony Mou acts for private equity and venture capital funds, as well as general and limited partners, entrepreneurs, and venture-backed growth stage and public companies. Over in Beijing, Lu Zhou advises multinational corporations, corporate ventures and private equity fund clients on cross-border transactions. Stephanie Tang heads the Greater China private equity group from Hong Kong.

China > Banking and finance: foreign firms

Hogan Lovells International LLP's banking and finance team has a 'deep bench and can move quickly', regularly supporting clients in highly regulated sectors including automotive, energy, financial institutions, life sciences, media and telecoms, and technology. It has specialist experience advising fund and distressed investors. Owen Chan, Hong Kong-based team head, focuses on cross-border acquisition finance. In Shanghai, Shantay Cong is the key contact; her practice combines international experience with PRC law capabilities, with particular experience of structured finance and restructuring.

China > Data protection: foreign firms

Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s privacy and cybersecurity practice utilises its expertise in Hong Kong data protection matters to advise international and Hong Kong clients on data protection issues in mainland China. The firm has a strong international presence and often advises clients on multi-jurisdictional data compliance. Sherry Gong supports the team from Beijing and assists with implementing data privacy and cybersecurity compliance programmes. Data protection expert Mark Parsons leads from Hong Kong and is assisted by Tommy Liu, who focuses on data protection issues related to transactions and gives ‘consistently high-quality legal advice’.