Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

Allen & Overy’s leading finance and M&A practices often lead to finance-related dispute mandates, as well as international arbitration work. Beijing-based Peter Thorpe is the managing partner of the firm’s mainland China practice, and he brings deep ... [more]

Allen & Overy’s leading finance and M&A practices often lead to finance-related dispute mandates, as well as international arbitration work. Beijing-based Peter Thorpe is the managing partner of the firm’s mainland China practice, and he brings deep experience to the China team’s dispute resolution offering. Thorpe is an arbitrator with the CIETAC panel, and routinely serves as Chairman and arbitrator on several CIETAC arbitrations. In addition, he serves on the HKIAC panel of arbitrators, and has been sole arbitrator for many of PRC-related arbitrations with the ICC.

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Bakers’ dispute resolution practice is known for its strong base in China. The firm routinely advises Chinese clients on international arbitration proceedings in the major centres of Singapore and Hong Kong.The dispute resolution practice is also very ... [more]

Bakers’ dispute resolution practice is known for its strong base in China. The firm routinely advises Chinese clients on international arbitration proceedings in the major centres of Singapore and Hong Kong.

The dispute resolution practice is also very sharp on the contentious side, and has a history of representing the Chinese Government on litigation with the US Supreme Court. Partner Gary Seib leads the practice group, while partners Beatrice Schaffrath and Michelle Gon bolster the team on the mainland. Bakers also enjoys a leading reputation in insurance litigation through its contentious insurance practice.

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Clifford Chance’s dispute resolution team is led by Hong Kong-based Martin Rogers, who heads the firm’s practice across the region. The firm’s arbitration practice is led by Cameron Hassal, while Donna Wacker specialises in commercial litigation, and ... [more]

Clifford Chance’s dispute resolution team is led by Hong Kong-based Martin Rogers, who heads the firm’s practice across the region. The firm’s arbitration practice is led by Cameron Hassal, while Donna Wacker specialises in commercial litigation, and restructuring and insolvency matters.

Clifford Chance’s status as a leading firm for finance-related work and M&A work means that it is often seen on restructuring or insolvency related matters (especially with complex structures), as well as dispute resolution work for leading M&A clients. Ling Ho also heads the China dispute resolution and Asia IP teams, which gives the firm an edge in disputes concerning IP matters.

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Freshfields garners many of its major mandates from its top finance and M&A practices, and is known for its top commercial dispute resolution practice. Partner Peter Yuen advises on commercial disputes across a range of matters from banking to professional ... [more]

Freshfields garners many of its major mandates from its top finance and M&A practices, and is known for its top commercial dispute resolution practice. Partner Peter Yuen advises on commercial disputes across a range of matters from banking to professional negligence litigation. Yuen has experience representing clients in Hong Kong court proceedings, Chinese court proceedings and arbitrations in a number of settings.

One practitioner from a rival firm says: “Peter Yuen is really a leader at Freshfields. He is undoubtedly the cornerstone of its practice.”

The Freshfields team also has particular experience in anti-corruption cases and FCPA investigations.

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Herbert Smith is known in the market for its leading dispute resolution practice, especially when it comes to litigation for high profile companies in Hong Kong and China. The firm is also a heavyweight on the arbitration side, with partners routinely ... [more]

Herbert Smith is known in the market for its leading dispute resolution practice, especially when it comes to litigation for high profile companies in Hong Kong and China. The firm is also a heavyweight on the arbitration side, with partners routinely representing top clients in CIETAC and Singapore arbitrations. Herbies has strong connections with local PRC firms, and one client says the practice is “good both in China and internationally”.

In one recent case, Herbert Smith’s dispute resolution team advised UTFE, as subsidiary of UTC, as plaintiff on a claim for breach of a number of warranties against the vendor and its directors after the acquisition of a Hong Kong listed company.

Mark Johnson, Gavin Lewis and Justin D’Agostino are all key dispute resolution practitioners.

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Thomas So leads Mayer Brown JSM’s dispute resolution team, which is known for its deep connections with Hong Kong businesses and its ability to litigate for both international and domestic clients at all levels in Hong Kong. The firm advises an array ... [more]

Thomas So leads Mayer Brown JSM’s dispute resolution team, which is known for its deep connections with Hong Kong businesses and its ability to litigate for both international and domestic clients at all levels in Hong Kong. The firm advises an array of international financial institutions, public bodies, media organisations and multinationals on Hong Kong dispute resolution matters, many of which are highly confidential.

Mayer Brown JSM also has lawyers who are dual qualified in Hong Kong and China, which gives it an advantage when it comes to cross border disputes.

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Robert Pé and Andrew Dale lead the dispute resolution practice at Orrick, with Pé serving as practice head. Pé accepts arbitration appointments on cases, and is also a member of the ICC’s Hong Kong arbitration committee and CIETAC’s approved panel of ... [more]

Robert Pé and Andrew Dale lead the dispute resolution practice at Orrick, with Pé serving as practice head. Pé accepts arbitration appointments on cases, and is also a member of the ICC’s Hong Kong arbitration committee and CIETAC’s approved panel of arbitrators. The firm represents clients on a wide array of dispute resolution matters including commercial litigation, IP, internal investigations, international arbitration, legal strategic and crisis management, and product liability.

This past year, Orrick’s team advised a consortium of private equity funds in enforcing security based on alleged breaches of transaction documents on a US$450 million real estate investment in China.

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CMS Legal Dr Falk Lichtenstein leads CMS Legal’s dispute resolution practice, which specialises in assisting German and US companies on their dispute resolution needs in China. The firm recently represented a German heating equipment supplier on a dispute ... [more]

CMS Legal

Dr Falk Lichtenstein leads CMS Legal’s dispute resolution practice, which specialises in assisting German and US companies on their dispute resolution needs in China. The firm recently represented a German heating equipment supplier on a dispute over the payout out of a distribution relationship.

Dewit Law Office

Dewit’s offices in China specialise in advising companies on cross border matters involving Europe, especially Belgium, and China. Name partner Bernard Dewit is recognised as an arbitrator by CIETAC and the Brussels Business Mediation Centre. On the litigation side, the practice is especially strong on cases that relate to shipping arrangements and international sales and labour agreements.

Hogan Lovells

Hogan Lovells’ dispute resolution practice is led out of Hong Kong by senior partner Allan Leung. The team often advises on shareholders disputes, and has an impressive roster of clients including UBS, ING, DBS Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Credit Agricole, Deutsche, Citi, Daiwa, Henderson and Greentown.

Latham & Watkins

Experienced partner Simon Powell leads Latham’s Greater China dispute resolution team from Hong Kong. The firm often advises listed companies on contentious matters relating to the US firm’s leading banking and finance and M&A practices. Recently, Lathams advised computer and electric appliances company Tatung on consequences resulting from financial troubles experienced by Hong Kong-listed Proview International. This included its potential insolvency, and the bankruptcy of its former chairman.

WongPartnership

The dispute resolution practice at Singapore-based WongPartnership is led by Chan Hock Keng and Christopher Chuah. The firm advises clients on litigation cases in Singapore courts, and also on SIAC arbitration. This past year, the firm advised on PRC related international arbitrations conducted by the ICC, SIAC, HKIAC and CIETAC.

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