Mr Thomas Walsh > Clifford Chance > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Lawyer Profile

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.