With an ‘outstanding understanding and knowledge of the industry and industry players in Asia’, the team at Mayer Brown serves as a trusted adviser to major airlines and financiers across the aviation and shipping sectors, handling a broad spectrum of work encompassing multi-jurisdictional aircraft and ship leasing transactions, export financing, as well as aviation dispute management, litigation, and arbitration matters. Richard Stock leads the aviation finance practice, representing clients in a range of proceedings seeking to navigate the challenges and opportunities in the aftermath of the pandemic within the aviation market, especially in China and Hong Kong. Counsel Evelyn Lok is another key team member, contributing not only to the commercial airline aspect but also to corporate and private jet financings. In the latter role, Lok regularly advises international banks providing financing for new and used corporate jets. Hallam Chow advises both Chinese and international lenders and borrowers in outbound and inbound aviation asset finance transactions. Following Conor Warde’s departure to CMS in February 2023, Maggie Cheung has taken the helm of the maritime finance offering. Cheung is particularly well-versed in handling PRC-related transactions within the realm of ship finance and leasing. Since publication, Ashley Wong joined from King & Wood Mallesons in May 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘A fabulous team, very together in their working and consistent in their work product.’

  • ‘A highly experienced and dedicated team. They are available and constructive in their advices.’

  • ‘Good attention to details. Always keen to go the extra mile to deliver a top-end service.’

  • 'Richard Stock and Evelyn Lok are a safe pair of hands who we have full confidence in.'

  • 'The corporate jet finance team at Mayer Brown, Hong Kong has significant experience in both transactional and recovery work and this makes it one of our key SE Asia law firms. They bring a balanced approach to our negotiation with clients and have a strong grasp of the commercial drivers. They are quick to react and are able rapidly to respond to the demanding timelines often required by our customers.'

  • 'Richard Stock and Evelyn Lok have proven in many occasions their personal ability and commitment to make deals happen, to suggest solutions and negotiate on behalf of the bank to solve complex issues and protect the bank's interests, including in repossession scenarios. They are amongst the very best lawyers for business aviation and certainly the best in Asia.'

  • 'The team has an outstanding understanding and knowledge of the industry and industry players in Asia. They are very experienced and extremely reactive with a remarkable negotiation capacity and ability to suggest solutions in complex situations.'

Key clients

  • Credit Agricole Asia Shipfinance Limited
  • Silversea Cruises Ltd
  • GTLK Asia Limited
  • China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co Ltd

Work highlights

  • Advising on the enforcement of ship mortgages and the recovery of funds from the collapse of Genting Cruises incident.
  • Advising China Light and Power on an offshore LNG terminal project.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Hall of fameMayer Brown
Richard Stock is a partner in Mayer Brown's Hong Kong office. He is a co-leader of Mayer Brown's Banking & Finance practice, and a leader of the firm's Asset Finance team. He focuses his practice on the aviation industry, with over twenty-five years experience assisting airlines, lessors and financial institutions to document aircraft and aviation-related transactions.Richard has extensive experience in advising on aircraft finance and leasing matters for both commercial and business aircraft as well as documenting the acquisition and disposal of aircraft. He has negotiated OEM documentation for the purchase of new aircraft with a total value exceeding USD 27 billion. Richard also advises airlines and lessors on the acquisition and disposal of portfolios of used aircraft.Richard has a particular interest in airline operational matters, having advised airlines on long-term engine maintenance agreements and inventory technical management agreements with total revenues exceeding USD 7 billion.In recent years, an increasing proportion of Richard's practice has included advising investors on large, strategically important projects, including the establishment of new airlines, the re-purposing of existing airlines and the establishment of aircraft leasing platforms.Chambers Asia Pacific (2018) noted that "He is famous in Asia as one of the most experienced aircraft finance practitioners." And "He has strong commercial awareness and gets right to the point on issues."Richard is ranked Band 1 by Chambers (2011-2018) and Tier 1 by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2015-2018).
Leading individuals: Aviation Finance
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading individuals: Shipping Finance
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Mayer Brown
Maggie Cheung is a partner of Mayer Brown. She advises banks and other financial institutions on various ship finance and leasing transactions; preparing cross-border bilateral and syndicated loan documentation and advising on finance structures. She also advises on other shipping industry matters, including registrations, charterparties and insurances. She acts for shipowners in various vessels construction and sale and purchase transactions. Maggie also advises on offshore charitable trust structuring. Maggie speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Next Generation Partners: Aviation Finance
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Richard Stock, Maggie Cheung

Other key lawyers

Evelyn Lok, Hallam Chow, Bill Amos, Sandy Zhang, Ashley Wong