Mr Fergus Saurin > Kirkland & Ellis > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Lawyer Profile

Kirkland & Ellis houses a broad practice known for handling the full range of arbitration issues, with a strong focus on private equity and funds-related arbitration. Fergus Saurin leads the team, often advising on capital markets, M&A, and shareholder disputes, as well as banking, and international trade and investment cases. Saurin is supported by Paul Quinn, who handles complex insolvency and fraud cases. Amy Ngan is a key name for cross-border litigation, and Kevin Leung is also a key contact. Kelly Naphtali left the firm in 2024.

The practice at Kirkland & Ellis is highly regarded for its specialist knowledge in restructuring the offshore debt of its domestic and international clients, alongside advising on complex global enforcement strategies relating to insolvency. The firm displays extensive cross-border capabilities, often leveraging its network of offices across North America, Europe, and Asia, when advising group holders of offshore notes. Neil McDonald heads the team, routinely assisting with complex restructurings in the real estate space, while Wei-Yang Lim acts for a client-base of major private equity sponsors and portfolio companies. Fergus Saurin concentrates on insolvency-related disputes, and was promoted to partner in October 2023, Anthony Wijaya stands out for his knowledge on cross-border restructurings.

Leveraging the expertise of its network of offices in Asia, Europe, and the United States, the team at Kirkland & Ellis consistently handles complex financial restructurings, enforcement and litigation strategy, alongside insolvency proceedings. The practice has vast experience in representing domestic and international clients in the real estate, energy, and media sectors, regularly demonstrating strong multi-jurisdictional capabilities. Based out of Hong Kong, Neil McDonald leads the group, specialising in advising bondholders in connection with the restructuring of offshore indebtedness, while Hong Kong-based Wei Yang Lim has notable experience handling restructurings and special situations investment across the region. Fergus Saurin primarily focuses on cross-border commercial and insolvency-related disputes, and Anthony Wijaya stands out for his work with global hedge funds. Former partner Kelly Naphtali departed in 2024.

With an enviable track record in high-stakes disputes, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP‘s expertise covers the gamut of general commercial and civil claims, along with international arbitration and government and internal investigations. In Shanghai, mainland China litigation practice head Tiana Zhang acts in major litigation concerning fraud, securities law, compliance, anti-corruption, trade secrets, antitrust, data privacy, and US trade control issues; and Yue Qiu routinely represents domestic and international clients from the manufacturing, real estate and chemicals industries in cross-border disputes. Over in Hong Kong, Paul Quinn is ‘one of the most technically-capable solicitors around’; Amy Ngan acts in commercial and insolvency-related disputes; and Fergus Saurin is a multi-jurisdictional litigation specialist. Former partner Kelly Naphtali departed the firm during 2024.