Howse Williams

Alan Yip

Alan is a partner of Howse Williams. He advises on land compulsory sale applications, residential first-hand sale legislation compliance, project conveyancing, strategic acquisitions for redevelopment purpose, commercial real estate (M&A and joint venture), building plans and town planning legal issues, property-related litigation (judicial review, building appeals, planning appeals), Government lease advices (lease modification and land exchange applications), large-scale leasing projects, complicated stamp duty legal advice and PRC real estate projects and acquisitions. 'Alan Yip is dynamic, knowledgeable, with strong business acumen.’ - The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2019)

Alison Scott

Alison is a Partner in Howse Williams' dispute resolution practice. She specialises in professional negligence and commercial litigation and has extensive experience in dispute resolution and commercial and professional negligence litigation.She also provides professional indemnity advice and assistance to doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals in HW's medico legal practice.

Anthony Chan

Partner

Antony Yung

Antony has experience in a broad range of banking and finance matters, including bilateral and syndicated lending, international trade finance, project finance, acquisition finance, ship finance, general cash management and liquidity products, asset and debt recovery, security enforcement actions, banking regulation and compliance, sanctions, AML, KYC and various regulatory project and remediation works. He also specialises in a diverse range of trade finance matters, including supply chain finance programs, open account finance, letter of credit and bank guarantee disputes, export credit agency backed finance, structured trade finance, warehouse finance, prepayment and deferred payment finance, documentary credits refinance and credit risk portfolio management.

Bernard Murphy

A medically qualified solicitor, Bernard represents healthcare organisations, doctors, dentists, veterinary surgeons and other healthcare professionals across a range of practice areas.  Bernard supports clients in Medical Council, Dental Council and Veterinary Surgeons Board disciplinary proceedings and coroners investigations, from the commencement of investigations through to appearing on behalf of clients at disciplinary inquiries and coroners inquests. An Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Accident and Emergency Medicine Academic Unit, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Bernard teaches on the university's Master of Science Programme in Prehospital and Emergency Care and on the Postgraduate Diploma in Prehospital and Emergency Care.  Bernard also provides expert witness training to doctors and other healthcare professionals involved/interested in expert witness work.

Brian Ho

Brian Ho is a partner in Howse Williams' corporate practice.  He specialises in corporate finance, initial public offerings, secondary fund raising exercises, mergers and acquisitions, direct investment and corporate restructurings and reorganisations. He also advises on corporate governance and compliance.  Brian qualified as a barrister and solicitor in the State of Victoria, Australia in 1997 and admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 2000.  Brian has led, executed and completed IPOs for companies based in Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Malaysia in consumer products, medical, construction, industrial, technology, food and beverages, property, financial sectors. He previously practiced in the corporate and securities department of various leading local and international law firms in Hong Kong and has advised blue chip listed companies, PRC privately owned or state owned enterprises and multi-national corporations in various corporate finance and corporate compliance transactions. Prior to joining HW, Brian has gained substantial investment banking experience at Standard Chartered Bank in which he has led and participated in the completion of various high profile ECM transactions.

Carmen Fung

Carmen specialises in medicolegal work.  Carmen provides advice and assistance to doctors, dentists, other healthcare professionals and hospitals concerning clinical negligence claims and complaints, and disciplinary proceedings. Carmen is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.

Chia Ching Tan

Chia Ching is a partner in Howse Williams' corporate practice. She has over 19 years of experience in a wide range of corporate and commercial matters including IPOs, spin-offs, transfer of listings, corporate restructuring, acquisition and disposal, general corporate advisory and regulatory compliance. Benefitting from her practice experiences in both Hong Kong and Malaysia, she is familiar with the Listing Rules, Takeovers Code and the laws of both Hong Kong and Malaysia. This serves as a strong foundation and provides her with better insights and competitive edge in understanding businesses from, not only the South East Asian countries, but also from Hong Kong and China. "She is experienced in assisting Southeast Asian companies with Hong Kong listings" (quoted from Legal 500 in 2020). She is familiar with a wide spectrum of industries, including but not limited to oil and gas, independent power plants, mining, manufacturing, media, telecommunications, agriculture/plantations, real estates, construction, digital platforms, healthcare, retail, technology, education and general trading. She reads and writes English, Chinese and Malay languages, and is fluent in speaking all three languages, as well as Putonghua, Cantonese and Hokkien. Chia Ching was involved in a number of notable initial public offerings and listings on the Stock Exchange acting for the sponsors as well as the issuers, both on the Main Board and GEM, including the first listing of a mineral company under Chapter 18 of the Listing Rules in 2008, the first business trust in the form of stapled securities of HKT Trust in 2011 and a dual-listing (Singapore and Hong Kong) in 2017. On M&A transactions, Chia Ching was involved in a number of local and cross-border acquisitions as well as public takeovers. She also advises listed companies on Listing Rules compliance matters post listing and secondary fund-raising.

Chris Howse

Chris is the senior partner and managing partner of Howse Williams. His main practice areas are dispute resolution; shipping, insurance and professional indemnity insurance; clinical negligence and healthcare. Chris has more than 35 years of legal experience. He established Richards Butler's Hong Kong office in 1981. Chris worked as the firm's senior partner until he left to establish Howse Williams in January 2012.

Christopher Williams

Chris is one of the founding partners of Howse Williams. Chris specialises in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, direct investment and corporate restructurings and reorganisations. He also advises on corporate governance and compliance.  Chris sits as non-executive chairman and non-executive deputy chairman of three entities listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange ("SGX"). His practice encompasses Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific region, particularly Indonesia and Singapore. Chris has been named in the Guide to the World's Leading Mergers and Acquisitions Lawyers as well as the International Who's Who of Merger and Acquisition Lawyers as one of the world’s top mergers and acquisitions lawyers.

Christopher Yu

Chris is a partner in Howse Williams' corporate practice.  He is experienced in private equity and Hong Kong capital markets transactions and regularly advises private equity clients and Hong Kong listed companies on strategic investments in and outside of Hong Kong and China. He is qualified as a solicitor in Hong Kong and England and Wales. Chris represents clients in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, privatizations of Hong Kong listed companies, PIPEs, pre-IPO and cornerstone investments, primary and secondary listings of portfolio companies on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, general regulatory compliance of private equity firms in Hong Kong and of their listed portfolio companies, and a broad range of other corporate transactions.

Daisy Tang

Daisy is a partner of Howse Williams.  Daisy has experience in a wide range of matters throughout the cycle of real estate development in Hong Kong, including strategic acquisitions for redevelopment purpose, project conveyancing, advice on compliance with first-hand sale legislation, commercial real estate, real estate finance, landlord and tenant matters and building management issues.

David Coogans

partner

David Kan

David is a dual qualified medical doctor/solicitor and is a Founding Member of the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians (UK).  He "changed horses" to law almost 30 years ago and has specialised in healthcare law since. Nowadays David and Chris Howse lead a team of healthcare lawyers, which is the largest team of its kind in HK, with extensive experience in defending clinical negligence claims. As an experienced litigator, David has gained accreditation as a Solicitor Advocate with Higher Rights of Audience in Hong Kong's Court of First Instance, Court of Appeal and CFA.  David has substantial advocacy experience before the Civil Courts, Coroner's Court, Medical and Dental Council and other professional tribunals.  He appreciates the importance of getting involved in a case and managing the evidence and strategies from day 1. David has a Master's Degree in Medical Law and Ethics which puts him on good stead in providing regulatory advice to healthcare institutions including hospitals, biotechnology companies, medical device manufacturers and specialist group practices.  He has a special interest in advising on mental health law, medical criminal proceedings, clinical trials, and due diligence in corporate transactions. In 2008, David was appointed as an Honorary Associate Professor by the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong.  He regularly lectures at the University as well as to the Specialist Colleges.  He provides clients with training in clinical risk management. David keeps up to date with clinical medicine, especially in general surgery.  He has served on various governing boards including those of a government hospital and a major international school.  He is a qualified coach with the Squash Rackets Association (UK) and he trains almost daily.

Desmond Lee

Desmond is one of our partners specialising in contentious regulatory and compliance matters as well as complex cross-border commercial and shareholders’ disputes.  Desmond regularly advises and represents financial institutions, multinational corporations, state-owned enterprises, start-ups and private clients. In particular, Desmond is experienced in representing clients on complex investigations by law enforcement agencies and market regulators in Hong Kong and abroad, such as the SFC and ICAC.  He also represents clients across a range of commercial litigations in court and arbitration including cross-border commercial / trade disputes, corporate restructuring/insolvency, debt and asset recovery, disputes relating to financial products, investors/shareholders’ disputes, and fraud/white-collar crimes.

Gary Chow

Gary was admitted in Hong Kong in 2008 and specialises in personal injury and insurance related litigation.  He is a highly experienced practitioner with strong technical competence. Gary regularly acts for liability insurers.  He has extensive experience in defending personal injury claims involving work accidents, traffic accidents, occupiers' liability and medical malpractice.  He advises insurers on a multitude of complex policy issues. Gary also acts for professional indemnity insurers as coverage and defence counsel with claims involving educational institutions and healthcare professionals. Gary has experience in advising on regulatory and compliance matters, contractual disputes, debt recovery, employment related matters, data privacy matters, arbitration and criminal matters.

Heidi Lee

Heidi is a Partner in Howse Williams' corporate practice.  Heidi has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, public takeovers, regulatory and compliance work for Hong Kong listed companies. Heidi also has an established track record advising on equity capital markets transactions (including Hong Kong Main Board as well as other capital markets fund raising transactions) including initial public offerings and secondary offerings in Hong Kong for both state-owned and privately-owned companies in China and overseas, whether as issuer's or underwriters' counsel (all involving leading investment banks).  

Hiu Yee Chung

Hiu Yee specialises in medicolegal matters, providing advice to doctors, dentists, physiotherapists, nurses and other clinical professionals regarding clinical negligence claims and regulatory proceedings.  Hiu Yee was admitted in Hong Kong in 2012.   

Janie Wong

Janie focuses her practice on international arbitration, complex commercial litigation and cross-border investigations with an emphasis on Asia. She represents clients in a range of contentious matters including those relating to cross-border fraud, enforcement of arbitral awards and judgments, insolvency, intellectual property rights, M&A deals, private equity investments, product liability, professional negligence and shareholders' disputes. She also counsels clients on regulatory compliance, bribery and/or corruption issues and assists with pre-acquisition due diligence. Most recently, she has been acting for liquidators in a US$11 billion restructuring of a China-state-linked group. Janie has been recognised by Who’s Who Legal in the category of Litigation – Future Leaders – Partners in 2020 and 2021.  She is among the lawyers, in-house investigators, prosecutors and academics from the international investigations community profiled by Global Investigation Review in its “Women in Investigations 2021” survey.

Karen Lam

partner

Maureen Liu

Maureen is a Partner in Howse Williams' medico-legal and healthcare team.  Maureen specialises in dispute resolution and medico-legal matters. She has extensive experience in advising healthcare professionals, clinics and hospitals on clinical negligence claims and complaints, Coroner’s inquests, disciplinary proceedings and Department of Health investigations. She also advises on non-contentious matters such as general compliance with the professional code of conduct and personal data legislation in a healthcare professional's day to day practice.

Michael Withington

Michael is a Partner in Howse Williams' dispute resolution practice. He is experienced in a wide range of commercial litigation, including shareholder disputes involving both listed companies and high-profile private companies (many of which involve a cross-border element). He has also acted in litigation involving financial services institutions (including mis-selling claims and negligence claims), claims involving directors, and disputes over asset acquisitions. He recently led the team which achieved a successful settlement of a trust dispute involving one of Hong Kong's wealthiest families. A large part of Michael's practice at Howse Williams involves contentious employment matters (acting for both employers and employees), including claims over termination and remuneration, enforcement of post-termination restrictions, discrimination claims and partnership disputes. He advises employers and statutory bodies on internal investigations and disciplinary proceedings, and has represented a number of individuals in SFC investigations. He also has significant experience in conducting and defending judicial review proceedings. Michael also has extensive insurance experience, particularly in relation to the defence of professional negligence claims and advising on coverage issues. He has been a panel solicitor for the Hong Kong Solicitors Indemnity Scheme since 1998, and has represented both local and international law firms in connection with a broad range of claims.

Oonagh Toner

Oonagh is a Partner in Howse Williams' dispute resolution practice. She specialises in dispute resolution and commercial and professional negligence litigation. She also handles clinical negligence claims advising healthcare professionals on a range of contractual, regulatory and criminal matters. Prior to qualifying as a Solicitor, Oonagh was an industrial designer and worked in design and advertising in London, Dublin and Hong Kong.

Patricia Yeung

Patricia is a partner and heads up Howse Williams' employment team.  She regularly advises employers and senior executives on both contentious and non-contentious employment matters. Her practice covers a wide range of work, including drafting employment contracts, handbooks and policies, terminations and advising upon the enforcement of post-termination restrictions and confidentiality obligations. She and her team frequently advise on the employment aspects of M&A deals and business transfers. Many of her clients operate in the financial services sector, and she frequently negotiates exit packages in relation to high-level employees of banks, brokerages and insurance companies. Patricia also advises upon the employment issues arising from discrimination and harassment, personal data related matters and immigration issues (including prosecutions). She also has experience in assisting employers and employees during the conduct of internal investigations and discrimination/harassment complaints. Patricia has an in-depth knowledge of the Labour Tribunal, having assisted parties involved in Labour Tribunal proceedings for several years. She has also represented both plaintiffs and defendants in both District and High Court actions involving substantial claims for unpaid bonuses, enforcement of restrictive covenants and claims for injunctive relief in Hong Kong, including applications for injunctive relief. She also advises clients on licencing issues and regulatory investigations involving the SFC and the HKMA.

Tony Leung

Tony is a Partner whose practice focusses on insurance-related matters, complex commercial litigation and arbitration proceedings. He has been with the firm since he joined as a Trainee Solicitor in 2012. Tony has extensive experience in a range of contentious and non-contentious commercial matters, and frequently acts for and advises clients in court and arbitration proceedings on misrepresentation claims, asset recovery, shareholder disputes, internet fraud claims, fraud investigations, and construction related claims. He has significant experience in building management and tenancy related claims, and his clients include leading real estate / property service companies. Tony has advised on matters relating to data privacy, and acted for a telecommunications / media company in a key case relating to the production of journalistic materials. He also has experience in acting for professional associations and bodies in conducting and defending judicial review proceedings. Tony has particular experience in insurance-related matters, and frequently advises and acts for clients in connection with claims involving directors and officers as well as professional negligence claims (usually with the involvement of an insurer). He also has experience with policy disputes in relation to medical, life and cargo insurance. He has been a Panel Solicitor for the Hong Kong Solicitors Professional Indemnity Scheme since 2014, advising upon both coverage and defence of a broad range of professional indemnity claims.

Veronica Chow

Partner

Victoria Ng So TEP

Victoria was admitted to practice law in Hong Kong in 2013. Victoria's practice focuses on matrimonial and trust matters. Her cases always involve international elements including relocations and substantial overseas assets, including those held in overseas trust. Victoria advises clients on issues when new marital relationships are to be formed or when relationships break down, drafts and negotiates pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, separation deeds, and divorce settlements. Victoria advises on children matters such as custody, care and control, access arrangement disputes with respect to children born to married and unmarried couples and cohabitants. She also advises on a wide range of inheritance and succession matters. Victoria is a Registered Trusts & Estates Practitioner with STEP (the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners) and sits on STEP HK Marketing & Communications Sub-committee. Victoria has been awarded the STEP Diploma in International Trust Management with distinction. She advises on trusts and the duties of trustees as well as beneficiaries' rights to information on trusts. Victoria is a part-time lecturer at the University of Hong Kong for the Matrimonial Practice and Procedure module in Postgraduate Certificate in Laws.

William Leung

partner

William Wong

William specialises in contentious regulatory work and financial services and commercial litigation. He represents both institutional and individual clients in investigations by regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies in Hong Kong on matters including market misconduct, money-laundering, bribery and corruption, mis-selling, internal controls failure, fraud, employee whistleblowing and data breaches. Benefiting from his in-house experience, he is frequently called upon to provide counsel on a broad range of regulatory compliance issues concerning financial institutions and listed companies, including emerging trends such as the use of Tech and virtual assets. As a litigator, William has over 15 years of experience in advising financial institutions, listed and private companies and family offices/high net worth individuals on high-stake commercial disputes, from pre-action strategy and settlement negotiations, interim injunctive relief, commencement of proceedings and trial, to enforcement of judgments and arbitration awards. William has been ranked by Who's Who Legal as a Futures Leader in Investigations and by Legal 500 as a "Next Generation Lawyer" for Dispute Resolution in Hong Kong.

Yvonne Zhang

Yvonne specialises in Hong Kong corporate finance, Hong Kong IPOs, pre-IPO investments and restructurings and post-IPO regulatory and compliance matters. Yvonne also has experience of advising on mergers and acquisitions and banking in Hong Kong and Mainland China. Yvonne has participated in Hong Kong IPO projects involving various industries, including IT services, papermaking felts manufacturing, freight forwarding, handbag manufacturing, investment management and property consulting and management, homeware design, landscape design, telecommunications and related services, manufacturing and sales of umbrellas, logistics solution services, electronic control and automation equipment products, and civil engineering industries. She has also provided legal advice on bank financing to well-known commercial banks in China.