Under the guidance of Katherine Liu Stephenson Harwood provides ‘exceptional legal advice in the realm of financial services’, and has carved out a particular niche advising clients in relation to virtual assets. Liu’s ’profound knowledge and insight into this rapidly evolving sector are invaluable’, ensuring that she is a popular choice among a myriad stakeholders  seeking to navigate the complexities of regulations governing the product in Hong Kong. More broadly, Liu regularly acts for banks seeking to digitise their services, as well as helping to design cutting-edge products. Ian Childs co-heads the team alongside Liu and regularly advises clients on financial services regulatory enforcement matters as part of his wide-ranging commercial litigation offering.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'They always respond in an effective and professional way.'
  • 'They provide exceptional legal advice in the realm of financial services, with a notable expertise in Hong Kong law concerning virtual assets.'
  • 'Katherine Liu has a strong handle of the regulatory framework in Hong Kong. Her advices are comprehensive and well-researched, addressing the key concerns and providing useful solutions.'
  • 'Katherine Liu's profound knowledge and insight into this rapidly evolving sector are invaluable, making her a standout advisor for any company navigating the complexities of virtual asset regulations in Hong Kong.'
  • 'James Wong brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team, particularly in complex legal matters. His thorough understanding of the intricacies of Hong Kong law, coupled with his meticulous attention to detail, ensures that clients are well-informed and compliant with all legal requirements.'

Key clients

  • Airstar Bank Limited
  • Airwallex (Hong Kong) Limited
  • Ant Group Co., Ltd.
  • China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation Limited
  • Endowus HK Limited
  • Futu Group
  • HKT Flexi Limited
  • Impax Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited
  • PrimeCredit Limited

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners
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.

Katherine Liu, Ian Childs

Other key lawyers

James Wong, Alan Wong