Independent Hong Kong firm Deacons considers disputes related to shareholders, banking, probate, private wealth and employment to be key areas of expertise; catering to a broad range of major clients from international corporations and PRC businesses to government and statutory bodies. Practice head Joseph Kwan brings over three decades of commercial litigation experience and is extremely well versed in handling asset distribution disputes for high-net-worth families in Hong Kong, especially following the passing of the patriarch or matriarch. KK Cheung is a particularly well regarded litigator in the construction field and regularly acts for major developers and contractors, while Peter So’s practice focuses on financial services litigation. Associate Michelle Li also handles a wide range of disputes, including employment, property and probate.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Practical solutions and excellent client service.’

  • ‘Attention to detail and think out of the box.’

  • 'Very able and professional team. Truly high quality work.'

  • 'Impressive array of talent, highly focussed on providing quality advice and to achieving results for clients, efficient and hard working. Top firm.'

  • 'Joseph Kwan - difficult to praise sufficiently highly, very clever, exceptional legal knowledge, always goes the extra mile for clients, extremely hard working, and very pleasant to deal with.'

  • 'Peter So - Extremely clever and with detailed knowledge and grasp of commercial and trusts law, very safe pair of hands, also very hard working.'

Key clients

  • Fulton Corporation Ltd
  • Zhang Caikui
  • Analogue Holdings Ltd & ATAL Building Services Engineering Ltd
  • Hummingbird Music Ltd.
  • Liao Chen Toh
  • Fook Lee Holdings Limited
  • Fu Ka Chun Marco
  • DP World Djibouti FZCO
  • MTR Corporation Limited
  • Progetto Jewellery Company Limited
  • Law Society of Hong Kong

Work highlights

  • Acting for Fulton Corporation Ltd in its tenancy dispute with Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F).
  • Acting for Zhang Caikui in a shareholders’ dispute, generating numerous sets of proceedings in Hong Kong.
  • Acting for parties in a widely reported competition case in Hong Kong, involving alleged cartel conduct in the supply of air-conditioning works.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Joseph Kwan

Other key lawyers

Paul Kwan, KK Cheung, Richard Hudson, Peter So, Carmen Ng, Michelle Li