About

Stephanie Cheung has been described by one source as an ‘astonishing attorney [who] plays a vital role’ in the management of her business. After qualifying in 1986, Cheung worked for a number of private practice firms before becoming general counsel at her current employer, Melco Crown Entertainment, in 2006. Progressing to the role of vice president and chief legal officer for the leisure and entertainment company in 2008, sources praise Cheung’s abilities as ‘an excellent communicator with vast experience in dealing with a large range of stakeholders’. Cheung has played a significant role in many of the company’s complex operations, and notably recently closed a particularly large refinancing deal. An existing $1.4bn loan for their Macau Studio City project had to be renegotiated in reaction to changing local market conditions; the move was met positively with a large jump in the company’s stock market value. This is just one example of Cheung’s ability to swiftly negotiate large and complex matters having a positive effect on the overall fortunes of the business, and highlights why she is a truly exceptional in-house legal counsel. Indeed, the risk, compliance and due diligence groundwork for the company’s landmark purchase of a 60% share of the joint venture for the Studio City project was extensive given the complexity of the deal. Cheung explains that ‘[the] gaming industry is highly regulated and getting more so’, and she provides strategic advice for dealing with this. ‘Delivering intelligent legal advice to the company in order to navigate regulatory requirements, while meeting business and operational objectives for growth and development is paramount’.