The ‘responsive and proactive’ team at Deacons provides ’high-quality and client-focused’ advice to fund managers across a range of fund establishment, regulatory (including licensing and authorisation) and ongoing compliance mandates. While the firm does handle some private fund work, under the leadership of the vastly experienced Jeremy Lam, the team is, however, undoubtedly best-known for its work in relation to retail funds where it is ‘able to provide the latest market insight’ by dint of its deal flow and its strong interactions with the regulators. Alwyn Li is noted for his ability to provide a ’solutions-oriented service’ for clients establishing and seeking SFC authorisation of unit trusts and mutual funds domiciled in Hong Kong and overseas. Noted for his knowledge of registered fund regulatory procedures, Taylor Hui spearheads the team’s efforts for China funds work and has developed particular expertise advising PRC fund managers establishing retail funds in Hong Kong. Of the more junior partners, the ‘business-friendly’ Pinky Siu and Ming Chiu Li are also key members of the team for the establishment of a wide range of retail funds as well as on regulatory and compliance matters.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The responsive and proactive team provides high-quality and client-focused legal services.'
  • 'It is the breath of knowledge in the asset management industry and the insight dealing with the SFC that separates Deacons from other law firms.'
  • 'Alwyn Li provides a solutions-oriented service.'
  • 'Taylor Hui and Ming Chiu Li are very engaging and willing to go extra step to share market insights.'
  • 'Pinky Siu is very experienced in all aspects of investment funds matters in Hong Kong, and can provide business-friendly solutions to issues faced by fund managers.'

Key clients

  • Alliance Bernstein
  • Allianz
  • Amundi
  • Bank Consortium Trust Company Limited
  • BEA Union
  • Bosera Asset Management (International) Co., Limited
  • Capital International
  • CLSA
  • Colombia Threadneedle
  • First Sentier Investors
  • Franklin Templeton
  • Fubon Fund Management
  • Harvest Global
  • Invesco
  • JP Morgan Asset Management
  • Man Investments
  • Manulife
  • Pando Finance Limited
  • Phillip Capital Management (HK) Limited
  • Schroder Investment Management (Hong Kong) Limited
  • Samsung Asset Management

Work highlights

  • Advised Bosera Asset Management on the establishment and launch the first spot bitcoin and ether ETFs in Hong Kong.
  • Advised CSOP Asset Management on implementing changes in the investment strategy of CSOP CSI 500 ETF and CSOP SZSE ChiNext ETF from a physical replication strategy to a synthetic replication strategy.
  • Advised the first HK retail fund platform launched by SPDB – the SPDBI Global Investment Management open-ended fund company.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
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.

Jeremy Lam

Other key lawyers

Taylor Hui, Alwyn Li, Fiona Fong, Ming Chiu Li, Pinky Siu, Joyce Li, Vincci Ip, Isabella Wong, Lawson Tam, Sarah Lau