Withers

The firm: Withers is one of the world’s first international law firms dedicated to the business, personal and philanthropic interests of successful people, their businesses, families and advisers. With over 220 partners and more than 1,500 staff members in 17 offices across Europe, US, Asia Pacific and the Caribbean, Withers has unparalleled expertise in the key legal issues facing individuals, their businesses and their families. Its clients’ interests span 80 countries and the firm has acted for 74% of the top 100 UK ‘Sunday Times Rich List’, and a significant number of the US ’Forbes List’ of Richest Americans and the Asian ‘Hurun Rich List’.

In 2008, Withers established its Hong Kong office to offer on-the-ground support in Asia for the firm’s international client base. Today, its multinational team of lawyers and legal professionals offers one of the most comprehensive arrays of client services and are qualified in several jurisdictions – Hong Kong, England & Wales, U.S. – to name a few.

Areas of practice
Corporate and commercial: The corporate and commercial team in Hong Kong combines international deal execution capabilities with PRC regulatory expertise for a varied client base including listed and private companies, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, families and high net worth individuals and not-for-profit organisations. The team is very experienced in all corporate-related matters, including M&A, capital markets, private equity, corporate finance, banking & finance, tax, real estate and investment funds.

Withers continues to expand its expertise and capability in the Greater China region, with Mabel Lui leading the Greater China corporate and commercial practice. With significant experience in China-focused corporate matters, her team continues to bring a well-rounded Greater China corporate background, complementing the firm’s other practices.

Partners: 3 in Hong Kong
Other fee-earners: 11 in Hong Kong
Contact: Mabel Lui
Email: [email protected]

Aviation and Marine: Withers' aviation lawyers have extensive experience in all areas of aviation matters (both commercial and private, non-contentious and contentious, including international arbitrations). Our lawyers have, over the last few years alone, helped a diverse range of participants get or keep dozens of commercial and corporate aircraft flying, reflecting an aggregate asset value of more than $20 billion. We advise an international and diverse client base that includes lessors, financial institutions, airlines, traders, family offices and high net-worth individuals on complex and sophisticated transactions relating to the procurement, financing and leasing of new and used commercial and corporate aircraft and engines.

Dispute resolution: Withers has an established international dispute resolution practice acting in complex multi-jurisdictional disputes and is well known in the art, sport, luxury brands, fashion and assets sectors. The Hong Kong dispute resolution team focuses on complex corporate commercial disputes, joint venture and shareholders’ disputes, contentious insolvency proceedings, arbitration, compliance and regulatory issues, including investigations, enforcement and disciplinary actions. The team is adept at providing client-tailored strategies and solutions.

Partners: 3 in Hong Kong
Other fee-earners: 8 in Hong Kong
Contact: Joseph Chu
Email: [email protected]

Family: Withers is widely regarded as one of the best and largest family and matrimonial law firms in Hong Kong. Our clients receive specialist advice on all aspects of family law, from divorce and finances, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, family wealth protection, asset management, trusts, mental health proceedings and elder law, to children custody, international child abduction, maintenance and child support, tax and immigration advice post-divorce. The team forms part of the firm’s leading global divorce and family practice and is well-equipped with the right set of skills to handle clients’ cases in the most effective and efficient way possible and to secure the best outcome.

Partners: 4 in Hong Kong
Other fee-earners: 7 in Hong Kong
Contact: Jocelyn Tsao
Email: [email protected]

Private client and tax: Withers has the largest private client and tax team on the ground in Hong Kong and Asia. It has a wide range of clients, including but not limited to family offices, charities, families, financial institutions, high net worth individuals, and trustees. What sets Withers apart from its peers is that the team typically acts for the creators of wealth and their families, and focuses on developing long term relationships with those clients across its international offices. Withers’ multi-disciplinary capabilities cover issues on immigration, philanthropy, matrimonial, cross-border investments, litigation, real estate and pre-IPO planning, providing clients with a fully integrated, one-stop service that other law firms cannot match.

Partners: 4 in Hong Kong
Other fee-earners: 7 in Hong Kong
Contact: Katie Graves
Email: [email protected]