Leveraging the expertise of its network of offices in Asia, Europe, and the United States, the team at Kirkland & Ellis consistently handles complex financial restructurings, enforcement and litigation strategy, alongside insolvency proceedings. The practice has vast experience in representing domestic and international clients in the real estate, energy, and media sectors, regularly demonstrating strong multi-jurisdictional capabilities. Based out of Hong Kong, Neil McDonald leads the group, specialising in advising bondholders in connection with the restructuring of offshore indebtedness, while Hong Kong-based Wei Yang Lim has notable experience handling restructurings and special situations investment across the region. Fergus Saurin primarily focuses on cross-border commercial and insolvency-related disputes, and Anthony Wijaya stands out for his work with global hedge funds. Former partner Kelly Naphtali departed in 2024.

Acting for borrowers, lenders, and distressed investors, the Latham & Watkins LLP practice stands out for its offering on high-value debt restructurings, complex enforcement actions, and cross-border winding-up petitions. It also excels in assisting ad-hoc groups of offshore bondholders and onshore trade creditors. The team draws upon its in-depth expertise in US bankruptcy and reorganisation cases to routinely advise clients spanning the aviation, real estate, and tech sectors, with the Hong Kong-based head Howard Lam being well-regarded by insolvency practitioners, distressed funds, and bank lenders. Flora Innes is highly knowledgeable in corporate restructurings and multi-jurisdictional disputes, bringing added insight to the outfit.

Spearheaded by the Hong Kong-based duo of Richard Woodworth and Denise Fung, Linklaters has vast expertise in acting for debtors, banks, and bondholder creditors in financial distress, whilst regularly overseeing multi-jurisdictional restructurings of offshore liabilities. The firm has recently developed its specialism in navigating enforcements and exits of financial investments in special situations, with Woodworth being an expert in complex financial debt restructurings. Fung predominantly focuses on the real estate sector, assisting developers in disputes and insolvency matters, while Roberta Cheung handles both contentious and non-contentious issues since joining as counsel in August 2023 from Allen & Overy.

Fielding a core team of restructuring and insolvency specialists with broad expertise across funds, M&A, and capital markets, Clifford Chance is frequently called upon by global investment banks and private equity sponsors. The firm demonstrates extensive knowledge across a multitude of sectors, ranging from tech and media to real estate and aviation, and boasts a growing presence in the crypto insolvency field. From Hong Kong, Scott Bache and Donna Wacker co-lead the team, with the former being an expert in cross-border corporate restructurings, while the latter primarily focuses on representing liquidators and stakeholders. Phoebe Lo is experienced in distressed situations, and both Soo Khim Keoy and Thomas Walsh are also hailed as key contacts.

Through close collaboration with its litigation and finance departments, the DLA Piper restructuring group provides a full-service offering to domestic and international entities from across the energy, pharma, and financial services sectors. The practice has vast experience of handling complex enforcement actions and multi-jurisdictional insolvency disputes, alongside consistently supporting debtor companies and funds in winding-up proceedings and bond restructuring. Based out of Sydney, Naomi Moore co-heads the outfit, standing out for her work on distressed debt and private credit issues, whilst the other co-lead, Trinh Hoang, primarily focuses on special situations financing from the Hoing Kong office.

Hailed as an outfit which provides ‘pragmatic solutions’, Baker McKenzie FenXun leverages its experienced partner resources in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing, when advising domestic and international clients in financial restructurings and bankruptcy litigation. The firm is particularly experienced in the energy, automotive, and manufacturing industries, with the Hong Kong-based head Kwun Yee Cheung specialising in company insolvency proceedings and court restructurings. Gary Seib stands out for his handling of multi-jurisdictional litigation arising from liquidation matters.

Organised to effectively oversee complex cross-border restructuring matters, Mayer Brown Hong Kong’s office boasts extensive experience in acting for international banks, insolvency practitioners, and liquidators, on all aspects of distressed and special situation issues. The firm frequently advises on trust asset claims adjudication and cross-border enforcement actions. Pierre Dzakpasu routinely represents banks and other financial institutions.

Through getting ‘the job done quickly and efficiently’, Stephenson Harwood consistently attracts international banks, major auditors, and tech corporations through its tailored advice on contentious insolvency and cross-border bankruptcy matters. Operating out of Hong Kong, Jamie Stranger heads the group, regularly assisting liquidators, bankruptcy trustees, and debtors in complex restructurings and schemes of arrangement. Alexander Tang predominantly concentrates on commercial litigation, while Simon Wong and Ivan Ng are also listed as key names to note.

Showcasing extensive experience in handling multi-jurisdictional winding-up orders and liquidations, the ‘strong and capable’ team at Tanner De Witt counts domestic and global corporations in the real estate, life sciences, and financial services industries amongst its key clients. Led by the duo of Ian De Witt and Robin Darton, the Hong Kong-based practice specialises in advising insolvency practitioners, distressed funds, and debtors, in insolvency and bankruptcy matters, whilst Sunny Hathiramani acts for private equity funds, financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals on a range of insolvency matters. Troy Greig and Veronica Chan are also highlighted as key practitioners.