Herbert Smith Freehills LLP houses a broad practice known for advising on foreign direct investment rules and international merger filings. The group acts for a diverse roster of TMT, energy, and infrastructure clients, with notable names including Canal+, Genus, and Sociedad Química y Mindera de Chile. Adelaide Luke heads the practice and is noted for her broad experience, spanning regulatory investigations, joint venture-related issues and merger control mandates, while Howard Chan is noted for his expansive expertise in HKCC investigations and proceedings. Luke is also recommended for her knowledge of cartel investigations and competition disputes.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'I need a team that will pick up the phone and help quickly on a range of diverse day-to-day competition issues across Asia. HSF Hong Kong is excellent at this. What makes them stand out is being prepared to openly discuss ideas, possibilities and options on the fly, in an informal and relaxed way.'
- 'Adelaide Luke is exceptionally responsive - and always happy to pick up the phone for quick guidance on the fly. I have great confidence including her on internal calls with senior leaders in the our business - she gets balance right when communicating complex legal risks, against challenging backgrounds of commercial pressures and challenges. Her experience working in the EU and bringing those technical concepts into Asian markets is unique and useful.'
Key clients
- Softbank
- Canal+
Work highlights
- Advised Infratil Limited in relation to its US$160m acquisition of an 80% stake in the 'automated on-demand' communication services business of Hong Kong Telecom, branded Console Connect.
- Advised Canal+ on all aspects of its acquisition of a significant minority stake in video streaming services provider Viu Group, including multi-jurisdictional regulatory analysis, merger control filings, and drafting and negotiating the transaction documents.