Johnson Stokes & Master

jsm.com

Clients turn to Alan Linning for counsel on civil and criminal investigations and litigation, compliance issues and regulatory policy. He has over 35 years of experience in commercial litigation and disputes, with a focus on financial services regulatory matters and investigations. With the extensive experience gained from his roles in the finance sector as well as with the Hong Kong regulators, Alan is trusted by clients on both contentious and non-contentious regulatory matters. Prior to joining JSM, Alan headed the Asia regional compliance team of a leading investment bank. He was previously the Executive Director of the Enforcement team of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and was heavily involved in formulation and implementation of the securities legislation for Hong Kong's financial markets.

Alvin Yeung is a partner of JSM. He counsels clients in a wide range of real estate development transactional and advisory matters, including land sale and acquisition, sale and purchase of special purpose vehicles for land holding, leasing of different types of real estate property, development project sale and leasing, easement and right of ways, building management, joint venture and development agreements, and revitalisation of buildings. He also advises on property-related dispute resolutions and litigations including compulsory sale, adverse possession, resumption compensation, building and town planning appeal, tenancy dispute and building management dispute. Alvin was named "Next Generation Partner - Real Estate, Hong Kong" by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2021, 2022, 2024).

Insurance, Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Clients turn to Billy Au’s experience in global offerings, inbound and outbound M&As, and other corporate finance exercises of Chinese state-owned and privately-owned enterprises. Billy has a demonstrated track record of success advising senior management teams of both Chinese state-owned and private-owned enterprises. He is a China Appointed Attesting Officer (appointed by the Ministry of Justice of PRC) and he speaks fluent English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.

Employers turn to Duncan Abate for counsel on all aspects of employment and employee benefits law and regulation. He provides guidance on discrimination, labour relations, termination of employment, data privacy and the structure of employment relationships. Duncan also advises on the establishment, maintenance and restructuring of occupational retirement schemes and mandatory provident fund schemes as well as related documentation and services. Duncan has served clients such as Cathay Pacific Airways Limited and Bank of Communications.

Ellen has extensive experience in real estate practice. She has advised on direct property acquisition, real estate joint ventures, regulatory issues at different stages of property development, and drafted sale and lease documentation. She also assists clients with drafting and negotiation of hotel management and related agreements. Ellen also advises clients on foreign direct investment, mergers and acquisitions, funding, liquidation and dissolution, and general corporate and commercial matters.

Eugene Wong represents corporations, institutional investors and investment and asset managers in a wide range of real estate, corporate and commercial matters. His experience includes domestic and cross-border mergers, acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, strategic alliances and corporate restructurings, with particular emphasis on the real estate sector. He also advises on real estate financing transactions and the sale of first-hand properties (including residential, office, commercial, industrial and other mixed-use composite developments). Eugene is a notary public in Hong Kong. Eugene speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin.

FK Au is a partner of JSM. He has extensive experience in joint ventures, development and redevelopment of properties, project conveyancing, and project and end-user financing matters. He also advises on compulsory sale, and landlord and tenant matters, as well as on building, planning and property-related litigation matters. FK Au is consistently rated a leading real estate lawyer by Chambers, PLC Which Lawyer? and The Legal 500 Asia Pacific. Chambers Asia Pacific (2016) notes that he has a "long-standing reputation in the market, impressive experience in real estate-related transactions and disputes and is considered 'very commercial'". He was described as "fair-minded" and "'definitely one of the best guys' in the field" by Chambers Asia Pacific (2008) and "'one of the best' in Hong Kong" by The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers (2009). According to The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2007/08), he "is widely applauded by clients for major development work and substantial infrastructure projects". FK Au speaks English and Cantonese. He is a Notary Public in Hong Kong.

Businesses and professionals in the construction and infrastructure industry turn to Geoffrey Chan for advice on all aspects of contentious construction work, including legal proceedings, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution in Hong Kong, China and Macau. He provides guidance on town-planning and building law in addition to construction contract claims, construction negligence claims and claims involving environmental issues. He also advises clients on labour importation issues by the Legco Select Committee.

Hong Tran is a partner of JSM and is a Practice Leader of the Employment and Benefits Group. He advises employers on compliance with employment, discrimination and privacy legislation. He also advises on strategic labour force issues including the structure of work force relationships; risk management in the employment and discrimination context; diversity and inclusion, the introduction of changes to employment arrangements; the handling of union relations; and recruitment, disciplinary and termination issues. He is experienced in handling employment disputes, discrimination and privacy complaints/issues. He represents employers engaged in legal proceedings at the various court levels from the Labour Tribunal through to the Court of Final Appeal. He also advises employers in responding to investigations by the Labour Department, Equal Opportunities Commission and the Office of the Commissioner for Personal Data Privacy. He has been ranked as Band 1 lawyer in employment Hong Kong Law by Chambers Asia Pacific (2017-2021) and a "Leading individual" in employment law by Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2015-2024). He has been recognised by Who's Who Legal (2015) as being among the world's leading lawyers for employment and labour practice in Hong Kong. He was named as one of the "pre-eminent practitioners in the world" and "one of the world's leading lawyers" by Guide to the World's Leading Labour & Employment Lawyers (2011). He was also named a Leading Asia Law Labour & Employment Lawyer by the Asia Law & Practice Survey (2008). Hong has contributed to leading employment and discrimination law textbooks "Chitty on Contracts, Hong Kong Specific Contracts" Chapter 12, "Employment Law and Practice in Hong Kong" Chapters 3 & 5 and "Discrimination Law and Practice in Hong Kong" Chapters 4 and 7 (and Co-General Editor). Hong is a member of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce Manpower Committee. He Chairs the firm's Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Investment banks/commercial banks or sponsors/borrowers (private equity real estate funds, private investors, developers, public listed companies, and real estate investment trusts (REITs)) rely on Jasmine Chiu for her experience advising on debt financings, including secured/unsecured syndicated loans, and mezzanine loans. Clients trust her counsel on complex real estate financings relating to Hong Kong and cross border property transactions (commonly PRC, Macau, Singapore, and UK), combining the expertise on banking, financing, and HK property law, especially on: Property M&A deals through sale and purchase of shares in property holding companies Alternative asset investment (co-living, hotel conversion, commercial students accommodation, cold storage, logistic center, mini-storage, data center) Green loan and sustainability linked loans Private credit lending Joint venture Acquisition of new land by way of land auction Land exchange Project development (including MTR land development and redevelopment of compulsory sale units) General conveyancing Corporate restructuring Onshore/offshore financing involving PRC properties (commercial/residential development projects, hotel, warehouse, acquisition financing, and distress buy-outs) As a speaker for various CRE financing webinars/seminars to bank and real estate developers/investors, and as a thought leader in her field, clients frequently leverage her wide range of experience. Jasmine is the Co-Chair of the firm's Women's Network, where she plays both a strategic and hands-on role to implement gender initiative of the firm's offices and promoting gender equality externally. Jasmine is also a key committee member of the firm’s ESG Group to steer the firm's ESG initiative. The firm has been named the "ESG-advisory Law Firm of the Year" at the Asian Legal Business’ (ALB) annual Hong Kong Law Awards 2023. The firm is also named in the Legal 500 Green Guide: Asia Pacific 2024 as one of the top law firms advising on ESG issues.

Jeckle Chiu is a partner of JSM. He has extensive experience in representing corporations and investment banks in both Hong Kong and the PRC on the full array of corporate finance transactions, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and private equity transactions as well as transactions under the governance of the Hong Kong listing rules and the takeovers code. Clients benefit from his experience in strategic investment, private placements of securities, convertible securities issues, corporate reorganisations, spin-offs, initial public offerings and takeovers. Jeckle speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin.

Jennifer Tam is a partner of JSM. She advises on all areas of employment law, with an emphasis on contentious employment, discrimination, harassment, and data privacy disputes. Clients value Jennifer's experience handling high-profile and complex employment litigation at various court levels, from the Labour Tribunal to the Court of Final Appeal, in addition to her experience handling investigations by and complaints to the Labour Department, Equal Opportunities Commission and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data of Hong Kong. Clients also turn to Jennifer for advice on internal corporate investigations, disciplinary issues and termination of employment, and dealing with labour relations issues. On the non-contentious side, Jennifer helps clients navigate all HR issues, including structuring the labour force, introduction of changes to terms of employment, and enforcement of post-termination restrictions. Jennifer is the Executive Council member of the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resources Management and the People Strategies Committee member of the Employers' Federation of Hong Kong. She also advocates for workplace well-being and serves as a board member of The City Mental Health Alliance Hong Kong. Jennifer speaks English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.

John Marsden represents clients in commercial and corporate financing matters; non-performing loan disposals; and large-scale, multi-jurisdictional restructurings or insolvencies such as the Asia Pulp and Paper, Pacific Andes, Sapura, Cell C, Lehman Brothers, and Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Group transactions. During a three-year placement in the Shanghai office, John advised on substantial property acquisition and financing transactions. Clients served by John include most of the prominent regional financial institutions and financial advisers.

Keith Cheung advises clients on all aspects of debt financing from plain vanilla loan transactions to structuring of acquisition, receivable, and other secured financing. Banks and real estate developers seek his services in connection with facilities for the acquisition and/or development of real estate in Hong Kong and the PRC including real estate-related notes issues like securitisation. Having experienced up and down of the property market in Hong Kong, he also advises banks on taking of collaterals and their enforcement (including risks involved) in difficult times. Keith is a China Appointed Attesting Officer (appointed by the Ministry of Justice of PRC).

Leading international and regional banks, major leasing companies and shipowners come to Maggie Cheung for advice on various matters, particularly in the shipping industry, including: Wide range of cross-border finance and leasing transactions involving broad types of assets Preparing bilateral and syndicated loan documentation Advising on finance structures and security issues Registrations, charterparties and insurances Vessel construction and sale and purchase transactions Maggie speaks English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.

Clients turn to Mei Ling Lew for her experience in litigation, arbitration and mediation matters, specifically with disputes arising from building construction projects. Mei Ling also advises on environmental regulatory and compliance issues, and non-contentious construction matters, including preparation and drafting of tender and contract documentation. Clients also seek her counseling on public/administrative law cases. Mei Ling is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a Mediator on the General Panel of HKIAC Mediators, and an associate member of The Institute of Quarrying. Legal guides have recognized Mei Ling for her litigation skills. Clients she has served include statutory bodies, blue-chip developers, hotels, quarry operator, universities, leading charitable organization in Hong Kong, and SOE contractor.

Menachem Hasofer

International clients seek out Menachem Hasofer for his experience in litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. His work focuses on handling documents-intensive disputes arising from building construction and infrastructure projects. Menachem advises companies on records retention and management, including storage and retrieval of electronically stored information and e-discovery. Menachem has significant experience in public/administrative law cases, particularly in representing Hong Kong land owners and NGOs in judicial review proceedings concerning town planning, environmental and land lease decisions. He also counsels clients on public procurement/tendering issues under the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). He is a co-author of chapters on international litigation and arbitration in Electronic Discovery Deskbook, published by Practising Law Institute.

Michelle is a partner in the IP group and is the head of JSM’s Brand Management. Her practice covers all aspects of brand management work such as global trademark prosecution, opposition, revocation/invalidation and cancellation actions, copyright and design registrations, intellectual property licences and assignments, franchise agreements, sponsorship agreements, non-disclosure agreements and data protection matters. Michelle has a strong track record advising both multinational and Asian businesses with a particular focus on Hong Kong and Greater China. She regularly assists clients with effective, practical and cost-efficient brand management strategies with the goal to strengthen and maintain their intellectual property portfolios in Asia and globally. Michelle holds a chemical engineering degree with a focus in biotechnology. Prior to her legal career, she held roles in biotechnology research and chemical engineering in the oil and gas sector. Her past experiences have provided the leverage for her to furnish clients in the science, engineering and technology sectors with strategic IP protection advice tailored to their specific industry needs with an emphasis on new and emerging technologies. Michelle's prior experience as a regional in-house legal counsel with a global skincare and cosmetics conglomerate allows her to provide clients with practical legal advice that takes into account commercial realities and new ways of doing business, such as online/offline retail models and virtual "try-on" solutions for cosmetics and fashion products. Michelle has conducted in-depth IP audits for multinational corporations to identify gaps in protection and advises a number of institutional clients on global and regional brand protection strategies across Greater China and Southeast Asia. Michelle is highly skilled in handling trade mark prosecution matters in China and works closely with JSM's Beijing trade mark agency to provide practical legal solutions to clients to navigate the constantly evolving legal landscape in this challenging market. In addition to her depth of experience in brand management work, Michelle is an avid writer and has authored numerous articles on trade mark law within the region, including updates on the introduction of the Madrid international trade mark registration system in Hong Kong, new guidelines issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration on bad faith filings and blacklisting of trade mark squatters, and the new trade mark law in Myanmar. She is a regular speaker at multiple industry events on brand management topics, including strategies to deal with the increasing use of mobile apps and social media, and potential issues relating to business expansion into the metaverse and NFTs. A long-time member of the Hong Kong Institute of Trade Mark Practitioners, she was also named Rising Star 2020/21 by Managing IP Stars (2020).

Robert Lynn is a partner of JSM. He has more than 40 years of experience in complex real estate deals, both in Hong Kong and the PRC, including joint ventures and acquisitions, property redevelopment, planning applications, commercial leasing, project conveyancing and real estate-related litigation. He served as Departmental Managing Partner of the Real Estate Department of Johnson Stokes & Master from 1998 to 2004. He served as the Senior Partner and Chairman of the Partnership Board of Johnson Stokes & Master from 2004 to 2007. Robert is a Notary Public in Hong Kong. He speaks English and Cantonese. Robert has been named a Leading Real Estate Lawyer by An International Who's Who of Real Estate Lawyers (2002-2004), Expert Guide - Guide to the World's Leading Real Estate Lawyers (2000, 2002 and 2007) and Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2002-2003, 2005-2024). He is also a Highly Recommended Corporate Real Estate Lawyer by PLC Which Lawyer? (2002-2007) and in 2005, PLC Cross Border Real Estates Handbook named him a Recommended Practitioner in Hong Kong.

Rosalyn Han advises international developers and contractors in complex and high-value projects - the investment amount of which varies from hundreds of millions to billions in RMB - in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and the Middle East. Contracts: Rosalyn has experience in drafting and negotiating construction contracts, including standard forms (such as FIDIC, HKIA, MOHURD and other international standard forms) and bespoke contracts, supply contracts, consultancy agreements, bonds, guarantees and warranties for construction projects. Dispute Resolution: Rosalyn advises and represents clients in domestic and international arbitration before major arbitration institutions, including CIETAC, HKIAC and DIAC. She serves clients on all types of construction disputes, including those relating to payment, valuation and measurement, delay and disruption, design, professional liabilities, issues arising from defective works, contract termination, and enforcement of performance security. Construction: Rosalyn provides full-length construction services to clients throughout the entire project cycle, including advice on procurement methods, tendering and filing requirements, regulatory and licensing issues, and issues arising out of performance bond and insurance. Rosalyn speaks fluent English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. She is admitted in PRC and California. Clients served by Rosalyn include The Hong

Clients regularly come to Sara Or for advice on: Banking, securities, and insurance regulations, including the regulatory regimes on stored value facilities, payment systems, e-payment initiatives, and money services; and on non-traditional investments such as cryptos Structuring/setting up/operating businesses Strategy Regulator enquiries/inspections/investigations Clients leverage her strong working relationships with both financial institutions and regulators (including the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Securities and Futures Commission, and the Insurance Authority), and 30+ years of deep experiential knowledge on market practice and supervisory philosophies of regulators. Sara speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin.

Clients turn to Terence Tung for his extensive experience and knowledge in cross-border disputes and his specific experience with contentious matters at different levels of the People's Court and the Courts of Hong Kong as well as international arbitration. High-profile corporations rely on Terence for guidance in liquidation and debt restructuring matters. Notably, Terence led the foreign aspects of the liquidation case of Guangdong International Trade & Investment Corporation (GITIC), which was one of the largest bankruptcy cases of a financial institution in China. He also advises on the exit strategy of foreign investors in China and the liquidation of foreign invested companies in China. As the Chinese government steps up its enforcement efforts in regulatory and compliance matters, Terence counsels foreign companies on conducting internal investigations, and he assists in investigations relating to tax and corruption matters initiated by authorities in China and elsewhere. Clients also turn to Terence for his experience with regulatory and compliance issues. Terence is a China-Appointed Attesting Officer appointed by the Ministry of Justice of PRC, as well as an arbitrator of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) and the Shanghai International Arbitration Centre (SHIAC). He speaks English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Tom Fu is a partner of JSM. He has extensive experience advising on issues arising from construction projects. Tom has been named Hall of Fame in China Real Estate and Construction (Foreign Firms) in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2023, 2024) and he was a leading individual between 2020-2022. In 2023, he was awarded Real Estate and Construction Lawyer of the Year at The Legal 500 China Awards. Tom is also recognised as a Litigation Star in China and Hong Kong Construction by Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific (2024), and is named in the construction chapter of the Who’s Who Legal list (2014-2015, 2020-2023) and the Chambers Asia Pacific and Greater China Region guide (2012-2024). He has been appointed by the China Association of International Engineering Consultants (CAIEC) as a member of its committee of experts in 2019. Tom has extensive experience handling cross-border disputes. He is listed in The Arbitration Powerlist: Hong Kong by The Legal 500 (2023). He is a fellow member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and the Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators (HKIArb), and is listed on various panels of arbitrators. He has also been appointed by the China International Council for the Promotion of Multinational Corporations (CICPMC) as a committee member of its international legal affairs Committee of Experts since 2010. Tom also frequently counsels MNCs on investigation work in China. Tom advises on compliance and regulatory matters with a focus on the construction industry and also on environmental issues such as China RoHS, WEEE and carbon emissions trading. Tom is named as a Leading Environment Lawyer in China by PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook (2009) and PLC Cross-Border Finance Handbook (2009/10), and nominated as a Recognised Environment Lawyer in PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook (2008 & 2011). Tom was admitted in Hong Kong in 1999 and England & Wales in 2000. He speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin.

With over 25 years of experience, TL is one of the leading insurance lawyers in Hong Kong. He is a trusted adviser for professional indemnity, D&O and financial lines matters, and possesses a solid track record of successfully defending and resolving complex and high-value claims. He is a "recognised" leader in cyber security, where his "unparalleled" experience helps clients navigate the evolving and complex risks and challenges arising from high-stakes cyber security incidents, whether they are ransomware or nation-state attacks. He heads the firm's Directors & Officers Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance Group. His clients include solicitors, auditors, architects, engineers, investment and asset management advisers, insurance intermediaries, property investment companies, corporate trustees and other professionals, who rely on his extensive experience in defending professional negligence claims. He is also called upon to advise insurers on complex coverage issues. He also provides strategic advice on insurance regulatory matters, such as licensing, compliance and regulatory investigations, for insurers, insurance intermediaries and financial institutions.