Clifford Chance > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Firm Profile

Clifford Chance > The Legal 500 Rankings

Hong Kong > Asset finance (including aviation and shipping finance) Tier 1

Showcasing stellar expertise in aviation finance, the cross-practice at Clifford Chance acts for major PRC lessors and financial institutions active in the aircraft finance market, in addition to leasing companies, capital providers and other investors, and maintains a strong track record in big-ticket, cross-border transactions. ‘Knowledgeable, trustworthy and reliable’ team leader Paul Greenwell is a key point of contact for clients in the Japanese and Chinese aviation sectors, while Hetty Lam has experience in handling cross-border leasing and financing deals. Jeffrey Ip is another key contact in the group.

Hong Kong > Banking and finance Tier 1

Clifford Chance acts for a broad range of clients, from foreign investment banks, Chinese banks and private equity sponsors to credit funds and corporates, on high-profile banking and finance matters, including acquisition finance and loan facilities agreements. The group is well placed to utilise its global network to advise on cross-border financings across the APAC region. Anthony Wang and Matthew Truman jointly lead the group and are key contacts for the group’s syndicated lending mandates, while Michael Pallaras, who was promoted to partner in May 2024, handles acquisition finance matters, in addition to real estate and development finance work. Other key members of the team include managing partner Dauwood Malik, Maggie Lo and Vicky Ma, whose 'truly versatile skillset helps clients navigate and resolve complex issues effectively’.

Hong Kong > Capital markets (debt) Tier 1

The ‘very professional’ team at Clifford Chance balances ‘legal risks with practical considerations’ to provide ‘well-reasoned’ advice to issuers and underwriters across a broad spectrum of debt capital markets mandates, including those requiring credit-enhancement structures. ‘At the forefront of market developments’, the team, which is led by the ‘impressive’ Connie Heng, has been very active in structuring ESG/sustainability-linked bonds, including for joint lead managers in relation to the structuring of drawdowns of approximately $1.42bn for China Construction Bank, as issuer. David Tsai led this mandate and is well-versed in handling other novel mandates, including a range of offshore Renminbi-denominated “dim sum” bonds and issuances involving PRC cross-border credit enhancements. Mark Chan is ‘very knowledgeable’ at structuring debt and equity-linked bond transactions in both Hong Kong and Macau, and is also adept at advising on liability management exercises. Other key members of the team include Angela Chan, who excels at handling offshore debt capital market issuances by Chinese issuers; Alan Yeung, who is ‘very savvy’ at advising on debt offerings of securities into the US; and Torrance   Shi, who is adept at handling a range of debt and equity-linked capital markets products.

Hong Kong > Capital markets (equity) Tier 1

Tapping into the expertise of lawyers with ‘deep market knowledge’ in Hong Kong and China, Clifford Chance is well-positioned to handle a wide range of equity capital market (ECM) work for issuers and underwriters. Despite a challenging market, the team has picked up lead mandates for a high proportion of IPOs on the main board of the HKSE, with the ‘technical, commercial and responsive’ Virginia Lee and Tianning Xiang both being central to many of these. The Greater China team, which is led from Beijing by Tim Wang, has also handled a raft of global depositary receipt (GDRs) offerings under the expanded China-Europe Stock Connect scheme, where it often works closely with the London office. US and Hong Kong-qualified partner Fang Liu is also a key member of the team, and as well as handling Hong Kong IPOs, including for TMT issuers, is also skilled at handling SEC-registered offerings.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: international arbitration Tier 1

Clifford Chance posseses a market leading international arbitration team, acting in the full range of disputes, with a particularly strong commercial focus. Joint practice head Thomas Walsh is recognised for his expertise in private equity, TMT and cryptocurrency, pharmaceutical disputes and aviation sectors. Walsh regularly acts in highly complex and multi-jurisdictional disputes, and sits as an arbitrator under major rules including HKIAC, ICC, SIAC, LCIA and SIAC. Co-head Lei Shi acts in high-value, cross-border matters concerning private equity and TMT. Cameron Hassall is an active player in the Hong Kong arbitration space, regularly sitting as an arbitrator under the HKIAC rules. Jonathan Wong specialises in acting for financial institutions, investors and large multinationals on a range of contentious matters. Yvonne Shek excels in private equity, shareholder and joint venture disputes, as does Irene Ding who also handles insolvency disputes. Dianna Shao is also a key contact.

Hong Kong > Fintech and financial services regulatory Tier 1

Leveraging 'wide global reach and local insight', Clifford Chance provides  'sensible, workable and practical solutions' to local and international financial services clients seeking to navigate the local regulatory environment, as well as to manage risks in a global setting by virtue of the firm's ability to provide a comparative analysis of worldwide regulations. The scope of the workflow is broad, encompassing standalone advisory guidance on compliance with new regulations/legislation, advice on new products, regulatory advice concomitant to transactions handled by the firm and advice on contentious matters. Donna Wacker takes the lead on much of the contentious work, regularly advising banks (and senior executives) and asset managers subject to regulatory enforcement actions, including those involving multi-jurisdictional probes. For non-contentious matters Rocky Mui is appreciated for his 'strategic thinking, and unwavering commitment to client success', both in relation to regulatory issues associated with the fund industry, and on the fintech front in the context of cryptocurrency/blockchain-related matters. Leveraging 'excellent technical skills', Jonathan Wong is also integral to the firm's success on the contentious front, and regularly advises international and regional banks/funds on enforcement probes, internal investigations and civil litigation.

Hong Kong > Investment funds Tier 1

Clifford Chance continues to be a favoured option for international and regional fund managers thanks to its extensive institutional knowledge accumulated over years in the industry, and its capacity to leverage a wide array of resources regionally and worldwide via its global network of offices. The team remains best-known for its work in the alternatives market, with practice head Matthias Feldmann noted for his fund structuring work for managers focusing on hedge and private real estate strategies. Liyong Xing has expertise on China-focused funds across asset classes for both  established and emerging fund sponsors. As well as handling new money transactions, including on private equity and private credit strategies (for both sponsors and investors), Xing's work flow also includes a considerable amount of work addressing liquidity concerns and issues brought about by the poor economic climate, including secondaries transactions. Rocky Mui is also a key member of the team, not only for fund structuring but also for regulatory considerations, including as it relates to licensing.

Hong Kong > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

Fielding an ‘experienced and energetic’ team, Clifford Chance has vast expertise in acting as the supporting creditor in winding up petitions and advising on complex multi-jurisdictional restructurings, primarily in the aviation and real estate sectors. The practice demonstrates a growing presence in the crypto space, routinely representing companies in debt recovery proceedings and matters arising during liquidations. Scott Bache and Donna Wacker co-head the outfit, with the former specialising in security enforcement and general banking litigation, whilst the latter concentrates on asset recovery and cross-border insolvency issues. Phoebe Lo is an expert in corporate restructurings, Soo Khim Keoy stands out for his knowledge in commercial disputes, while Thomas Walsh is noted for assisting major financial institutions.

Hong Kong > TMT Tier 1

Clifford Chance excels in handling corporate transactions within the TMT sector, including IPOs, M&A and investments. The team also has strong fintech capabilities and has advised clients on tokenisation, blockchain, NFTs, and other digital assets. As part of the wider Asia Pacific TMT group, the practice works alongside its Singapore team and advises on regulatory issues, data protection, and IP matters. Ling Ho leads the team and specialises in handling contentious and non-contentious IP matters for technology companies. Corporate clients seek out Fang Liu for assistance on inbound and outbound M&A and IPOs. Rocky Mui leads on fintech matters and Clarice Yue advises on a mix of commercial and regulatory TMT issues.

Hong Kong > Corporate (including M&A) Tier 2

Andrew Crook leads the offering at Clifford Chance, with draws on the firm’s wider Greater China team to assist with a broad array of inbound and outbound China-related M&A. Emma Davies leads the firm’s healthcare and life sciences team, and is well-known for handling M&A and corporate restructuring mandates, and Virginia Lee is an expert in matters involving minority investments and share buy-back programmes. With ample expertise in the infrastructure and energy transition spaces, Alex Bidlake is a key figure within the team for joint ventures and corporate finance matters, while public M&A specialist Tommy Tam regularly assists investment banking clients and listed companies.

Hong Kong > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 2

Harnessing four decades of on-the-ground experience in the Hong Kong litigation market, Clifford Chance continues to hold its position in high-value, multijurisdictional commercial litigation, financial services and white collar litigation and contentious IP and tech matters. Team head Ling Ho excels in IP and tech disputes, whilst Donna Wacker is established particularly in contentious insolvency disputes, and Soo Khim Keoy handles commercial disputes with a particular focus on corporate and commercial litigation, shareholders, joint venture and M&A disputes. Yvonne Shek practices in a broad range of commercial dispute litigation across multiple jurisdictions and Stephanie Wong is also recommended for defending financial institutions and corporates.

Hong Kong > Private equity Tier 2

Clifford Chance regularly assists a diverse client base of private equity and sovereign wealth funds, and investors notably including L Catterton Asia, Tencent, and PAG. Andrew Crook leads the group, and is noted for his expansive expertise spanning the tech, real estate, and infrastructure sectors. Alex Bidlake joined the firm from Linklaters in January 2024, contributing her vast knowledge of public and private M&A within the energy transition industry. Julie Fu is an expert in Greater China transactions, with a strong focus on private equity investments, routinely assisting both international and Chinese corporates and investors. Bryan Koo is known for his broad expertise in private equity fundraisings and public takeovers.

Hong Kong > Structured finance and securitisation Tier 2

Led from Hong Kong by the vastly experienced Francis Edwards and aided by a sizeable presence in Singapore and the PRC, the collaborative Greater China team at Clifford Chance provides ‘highly responsive and cost-effective’ advice to global and regional  financial institutions and investors across a broad range of structured finance and securitisation mandates. Many of the transactions are innovative often first-of-kind structures which require deep knowledge of the latest technology – here that the team is particularly well-positioned in part by virtue of its ability to draw from the knowledgebase of lawyers within the global team which have utilised similar structures. In a deal which involved input from Singapore and London, Edwards recently advised the global co-ordinating banks in relation to the Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation’s debut securitisation of infrastructure and project finance loans. Terry Yang has a  ‘strong understanding of China’s financial market practices and regulations’, ensuring that he is a popular choice among local banks and securities firms seeking guidance on policy developments and in relation to the regulatory considerations underpinning structured note investments and margin financing transactions. Lin Lu has strong credentials among buy and sell-side participants and as well as his transactional work, he has, in his role as a director of the Asia-Pacific Structured Finance Association, actively participated in the promotion of China cross-border securitisation.

Hong Kong > Intellectual property Tier 3

Clifford Chance is regularly instructed by a broad mix of clients spanning healthcare, financial services, telecommunications media and technology sectors. Leveraging its strong corporate and dispute resolution offering, the IP team handles IP-heavy transactions, IP litigation and tech-related arbitration. Ling Ho heads up the firm’s IP practice, leading litigation and dispute resolution matters. The recent arrival of Charmaine Kwong from Hogan Lovells in July 2023 bolstered the team’s expertise in IP prosecution and global strategy particularly across the technology, pharmaceutical and finance industries.

Hong Kong > Labour and employment Tier 3

Displaying ‘exceptional legal acumen’ and ‘dedication’, the specialists at Clifford Chance routinely act for international financial institutions and listed companies in complex disputes, often relating to wrongful termination and employment contract claims. On the advisory side, the practice has vast experience of handling large-scale workforce restructurings and strategic hirings, while Jonathan Wong heavily specialises in regulatory and internal investigations. Helen Fu draws upon her ‘profound professional legal knowledge’ when addressing misconduct and redundancy cases, and both Ruby Chik and Latifah Sat are highlighted for their work involving C-Suite exits and breaches of internal policies. Former joint practice head Anita Lam departed in October 2024.

Hong Kong > Real estate Tier 3

Team members at Clifford Chance are often instructed by clients looking to invest in Hong Kong real estate and seeking a practice with a great deal of experience acting in Hong Kong and China-based real estate transactions. Practitioners continue to assist with precedent-setting real estate development work, and in 2024 assisted with the first beach resort to be undertaken by Wynn Resorts globally. This relies on practitioners such as Amy Ho who has a vast knowledge of the Hong Kong real estate sector and leads the team alongside Sydney-based Mark Currell. Hong Kong office managing partner Dauwood Malik is key for syndicated finance in relation to real estate, and the wider group is known for regularly acting on matters with the firm’s standout banking and finance practice.

Hong Kong > Insurance Tier 4

Led by corporate partner Amy Ho  and also frequently drawing from other core office wide practice groups, including litigation, regulatory and capital markets, Clifford Chance provides a multi-disciplinary approach to insurance clients of the firm. Ho is particularly effective at advising on insurance M&A as well as on corporate reorganisations in the sector. The practice is also well-placed to handle cross-border mandates by virtue of its vast international network.

Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Leading firms Tier 1

Clifford Chance’s arbitration practices across Asia-Pacific demonstrate notable strength across locations, with key expertise across Australia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. In Australia, English and New York-qualified Kate Apostolova, newly joined from Mayer Brown ‘s Singapore office in 2024, joining Cameron Hassall and Spencer Flay  are prominent in cross-border disputes. Lei Shi , the managing partner for the Beijing and Shanghai offices, handles high-stakes joint venture and contract disputes, divides her time between Mainland China and Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s team is led by Thomas Walsh, who is also well-connected in South Korea.  In Singapore, Nish Shetty and Paul Sandosham co-head a team with expertise in large-scale infrastructure and energy disputes, with Kabir Singh another key contact.

China > Restructuring and insolvency: foreign firms Tier 2

Fielding a core team of restructuring and insolvency specialists with broad expertise across funds, M&A, and capital markets, Clifford Chance is frequently called upon by global investment banks and private equity sponsors. The firm demonstrates extensive knowledge across a multitude of sectors, ranging from tech and media to real estate and aviation, and boasts a growing presence in the crypto insolvency field. From Hong Kong, Scott Bache and Donna Wacker co-lead the team, with the former being an expert in cross-border corporate restructurings, while the latter primarily focuses on representing liquidators and stakeholders. Phoebe Lo is experienced in distressed situations, and both Soo Khim Keoy and Thomas Walsh are also hailed as key contacts.

South Korea > International arbitration Tier 4

The team at Clifford Chance is well-placed to advise on multi-jurisdictional disputes involving Korean clients. The 'superb' Thomas Walsh leads the team from Hong Kong, and is noted for his vast knowledge of tech, private equity, and post-M&A disputes. Walsh also leads the firm's Greater China international arbitration practice. In Singapore, Paul Sandosham is recommended for his broad experience in disputes concerning energy and infrastructure projects, having acted in proceedings governed by ICC, SIAC, and ICSID rules. Hyo Jeong Kwon works out of the London office, and is a key name for Korean clients.

Australia > Dispute resolution: arbitration

Clifford Chance is recognised as a strong force in the international arbitration practice, both in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region, with the firm having a dedicated investor-state arbitration practice, as well as experience in international commercial arbitration. The team is regularly involved in elements of international arbitrations that are originated by other offices within the firm’s networks. Kate Apostolova joined as an international partner in 2024 from Mayer Brown, with expertise in cross-border commercial arbitration and international litigation matters, and has an established reputation in Singapore and Hong Kong. Cameron Hassall is active in commercial cross-border litigation and arbitration, while Spencer Flay has helped mediate, arbitrate and litigate disputes across the globe. Julia Dreosti and Robert Tang were both promoted to partner in May 2024, with Tang being a specialist in arbitration and litigation in construction and infrastructure as well as TMT sectors, while Dreosti’s experience extends to contentious matters across the aerospace and defence sectors. Joshua Banks, based in Perth, is recommended for arbitration proceedings under ICSID, ICC, SIAC, UNCITRAL and LCIA.

Belgium > Competition: EU and global

China > Fintech: foreign firms

The practice at Clifford Chance LLP excels in advising on the gamut of fintech issues from regulatory, commercial and transactional matters to contentious mandates. The firm leverages its international strength to advise both global and Chinese clients. Over the last year the team has been at the forefront of fintech developments, advising on tokenisation, NFTs, smart contracts and AI. The team is co-led by Kelly Gregory and Rocky Mui who are based in Shanghai and Hong Kong, respectively. Gregory advises major Chinese technology companies on their fintech offerings across Europe and Latin America and is noted for her expertise in cross-border investments and M&A transactions. Mui specialises in non-contentious fintech matters, he is well-versed in advising on regtech, virtual assets, blockchain, tokenisation and digital infrastructure. Terry Yang is noted for his work on fintech projects such as setting up a QR payment program.

China > Insurance: foreign firms

Housing an insurance practice which is well placed to draw on the expertise of the corporate, regulatory, and litigation departments, Clifford Chance has an expanding client-base of global insurance brokers and reinsurers. From Hong Kong, Amy Ho heads the practice, specialising in management buyouts and complex auction bids, while Ling Ho heads the IP group in Asia, showcasing demonstrable expertise across the pharma and tech sectors. Rocky Mui is a strong regulatory lawyer, and Jonathan Wong acts for financial institutions and investors. Other key contacts in the group include Vipavee Map Kaosala and Andre Da Roza.

Philippines > Foreign firms

Operating from its Singapore hub, Clifford Chance is well-positioned to advise both national and multinational clients on a broad range of complex corporate and M&A, restructuring, and capital markets transactions across the Philippines. The firm boasts a strong record of acting for lenders in relation to asset, acquisition, and project finance matters, in addition to international arbitrations. Co-leading the team is Melissa Ng with capabilities spanning M&A, joint ventures, and divestments, and Vicky Ma who is noted for her expertise banking and finance issues, with experience in advising financial institutions on international project financing within the energy and infrastructure sectors.

China > Antitrust and competition: foreign firms

Representing a large number of blue-chip companies including multinational corporations, and regional and major Chinese companies, Clifford Chance LLP's team excels in Greater China and global merger filings, as well as inbound China merger filings. Its recent caseload also includes Hong Kong antitrust advice, enforcement actions and compliance and regulatory matters. With previous experience working at MOFCOM, Beijing-based Yong Bai heads the China team and is supported by Hong Kong-based foreign counsel Dayu Man who has notable experience advising on global merger control, FDI filing matters and antitrust conduct rules in Hong Kong and other Asian jurisdictions.

China > Dispute resolution: Arbitration: foreign firms

Able to conduct arbitration proceedings in both English and Chinese, Clifford Chance LLP‘s mainland China team comprises US, Hong Kong, PRC (non-practising), and England and Wales-qualified arbitration lawyers. In a recent 12-month period, the group acted alongside the firm’s offices in Paris, Singapore, Perth, Sydney, London, New York, and Washington DC in global disputes. Based in Beijing and Shanghai, the arbitration track record of Lei Shi (recently appointed as managing partner of the Mainland China offices) includes joint venture, share transfer, banking, real estate, international commodity trading, IP, mining, and general contract disputes (under the HKIAC, ICC, CIETAC, SIAC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, SCC and ICDR rules). Arbitration specialist Feifei Yu divides her time between mainland China and Hong Kong.

China > Dispute resolution: Litigation: foreign firms

On behalf of financial institutions, financial investors and corporations, Clifford Chance LLP‘s Greater China team is particularly active in banking litigation. The firm additionally fields specialists in shareholder, boardroom, trust and commercial disputes, along with financial services, white-collar, competition, IP, technology, insolvency and employment-related litigation. It also has a robust defence-side regulatory practice. Experienced in PRC-related commercial litigation, mainland China managing partner Lei Shi is triple qualified in the PRC (non-practising), Hong Kong and New York. Ling Ho heads the litigation and dispute resolution practice in Hong Kong, where Donna Wacker is experienced in Asia-related commercial, financial services and insolvency litigation; Soo Khim Keoy is ‘a very experienced litigator’; and Michael Wang focuses on banking litigation and contentious regulatory matters.

China > Investment funds: foreign firms

The private funds and private equity practice at Clifford Chance LLP acts for both international and regional fund managers on high-end mandates across Greater China and Asia-Pacific. In addition to the firm’s notable hedge fund sector credentials, it is experienced in the establishment and structuring of exchange-traded funds and real estate investment trusts. Working between the firm’s Hong Kong and Singapore offices, Matthias Feldmann advises on the structuring, legal and regulatory aspects of hedge and private real estate funds. Over on the mainland, Ying White acts for fund managers, private equity firms, financial institutions and corporations on private equity, infrastructure, real estate and hedge funds. Back in Hong Kong, Viola Lui specialises in closed-ended and open-ended private investment funds.

Singapore > Investment funds: foreign firms

The practice at Clifford Chance counts regional and international fund managers, sovereign wealth funds and other institutional investors among its key roster of clients, showcasing demonstrable expertise in private funds, as well as domestic and foreign retail funds in Singapore and funds-related regulatory mandates. US-qualified Kai-Niklas Schneider advises on the formation of and investment in private equity funds, real estate funds, infrastructure funds and credit funds, while Daryl Liu handles primary fundraisings, fund secondaries and restructurings, fund investments, co-investments and advisory matters. Schneider and Liu jointly lead the team alongside Hong Kong-based Matthias Feldmann. Other key contacts in the group include Luke Chen and Chloe Cheng.

China > Banking and finance: foreign firms

Clifford Chance LLP’s banking and finance team is noted for its work in complex, cross-border financing transactions. It regularly works with international and domestic investment banks, private credit providers, and private equity sponsors. Team heads Anthony Wang and Matthew Truman are based in Hong Kong, while Maggie Lo is recommended across Hong Kong and Beijing for work in project and acquisition finance and corporate loan transactions. Jiahua Ni is the key name in Shanghai, specialising in PRC-related cross-border financings with a focus on significant outbound finances for major China banks.

China > Projects and energy: foreign firms

The interdisciplinary energy and natural resources team at Clifford Chance LLP handles a variety of work in the projects space, and, is most notably recognised for long-standing climate change practice. Practice head Jiahua Ni is a key point of contact for major banks looking for assistance with cross-border financings, Shanghai-based Kelly Gregory handles national and international M&A, disposals and joint ventures, whilst in Beijing Terence Foo advises on public and private M&A transactions in teh energy sector. Splitting their time between Hong Kong and Beijing are Maggie Lo, who is well versed in handling cross-border financings including project finance, acquisition finance for Chinese and international financial institutions and borrowers and Vicky Ma, who deals with international project financing transactions in the energy and infrastructure spaces.

China > Real estate and construction: foreign firms

Clifford Chance LLP's team draws on the bench strength of the firm’s global financial markets in order to assist clients with real estate funds work. The group is also well known for working closely with the gaming and lodging practice, and as such has a solid track record in handling real estate-related M&A, finance, and joint ventures, as well as high-end real estate conveyancing matters. Hong Kong-based Amy Ho brings expertise in corporate real estate issues; she co-heads the department with Mark Currell, who is based in Sydney and is a key point of contact for private equity clients. Matthias Feldmann divides his time between Hong Kong and Singapore, and regularly acts for REITs and real estate investors.

China > Regulatory/compliance: foreign firms

Clifford Chance LLP's regulatory and compliance team covers financial regulatory issues, anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, sanctions, export control, data privacy, and cybersecurity. Working across the Hong Kong and Shanghai offices, Terry Yang advises financial institutions, market participants and industry bodies on Greater China and international regulatory matters; and mainland China managing partner Lei Shi heads up the firm’s Greater China anti-bribery, anti-corruption, sanctions and export control practice. Shi’s sector expertise encompasses financial institutions, private equity, TMT, consumer goods, and healthcare.