Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP is widely regarded as ‘the best banking litigation team‘ that ‘provides in-depth and commercial solutions‘. The team works extensively on a range of disputes including regulatory investigations, insolvency and restructuring, fraud and criminal activities leading to asset tracing. Practice head Gareth Thomas holds expertise in the complete range of litigation work and is particularly experienced in handling financial services regulatory investigations and disputes in the private client space. Jojo Fan is a consistent leader in high-value matters, appearing continuously in cases involving the full spectrum of litigation work, including financial services, retail and hospitality and mining, acting particularly in insolvency defence and restructuring. Rachael Shek specialises in complex commercial litigation, with a particular focus on banking litigation, corporate loan recovery, joint venture and shareholder disputes, and private wealth disputes.

Baker McKenzie‘s dispute resolution practice possesses a prominent market presence, harnessing decades of experience in complex ‘bet the company’ litigation to advise on the full range of cross-border disputes. The team boasts an impressive client roster which includes major public and private corporates, SOEs, financial institutions and high-profile individuals across a range of industries. Practice head Kwun Yee Cheung is highly sought-after by corporate clients and banks on disputes and insolvency and restructuring matters, including compulsory and voluntary liquidations, corporate restructuring and schemes of arrangement. Cynthia Tang has expertise in listed company and financial services regulatory enforcement and regularly advises local and multi-national corporations. Bryan Ng focuses on disputes related to financial services, regulatory investigations and white-collar crime. Roberta Chan regularly assists with high-stakes property-related litigation. Ronald Sum and Philipp Hanusch have joined as partners.

Harnessing four decades of on-the-ground experience in the Hong Kong litigation market, Clifford Chance continues to hold its position in high-value, multijurisdictional commercial litigation, financial services and white collar litigation and contentious IP and tech matters. Team head Ling Ho excels in IP and tech disputes, whilst Donna Wacker is established particularly in contentious insolvency disputes, and Soo Khim Keoy handles commercial disputes with a particular focus on corporate and commercial litigation, shareholders, joint venture and M&A disputes. Yvonne Shek practices in a broad range of commercial dispute litigation across multiple jurisdictions and Stephanie Wong is also recommended for defending financial institutions and corporates.

The litigation team at Gibson Dunn continues to represent corporates, financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals on a wide mix of litigation including employment, private wealth and tax disputes. The team is also highly regarded for its work in contentious compliance and regulatory matters. Elaine Chen and Brian Gilchrist jointly lead the team. Chain is praised as ‘an exceptional senior litigation star in Asia who exhibits remarkable competence, and possesses the ability to provide outstanding legal analysis‘, and has particular expertise in tax, contentious probate, private wealth and shareholder disputes, whilst Gilchrist handles commercial litigation involving matters concerning banking, insurance, employment, tax, trusts and contentious probate, corporate governance, directors’ duties and minority shareholders’ rights, working in both domestic and multijurisdictional markets.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP specialises in ‘bet the company’ commercial litigation, regulatory matters and disputes arising from major corporate transactions. Martin Rogers leads the team, and is recommended for litigation, dispute resolution, regulatory, white-collar defense and fintech matters. James Wadham is also a name to note.

Independent Hong Kong firm Deacons handles a variety of disputes, ranging from shareholder, banking , defamation ad employment. Joseph Kwan leads the team, harnessing extensive experience to handle high-profile commercial litigation matters, SFC-initiated proceedings, fraud and bribery, as well as acting for high net-worth Hong Kong families in asset distribution disputes. Paul Kwan handles commercial litigation including land disputes. KK Cheung excels in construction litigation and Peter So is recommended for financial services litigation, injunction-related court applications, contentious regulatory and investigations by the SFC, HKMA and ICAC.

The litigation team at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP has notable strength in advising financial institution clients and is regularly instructed by private equity houses, wealth management and hedge funds. Its caseload alsoincludes white-collar crime and government investigations. Practice head Gareth Hughes handles international investment management cases, and is supported by Mark Johnson who transitioned from partner to of counsel in January 2024. Emily Lam is also a key contact.

Dentons Hong Kong‘s litigation team possess a well-established practice, advising in a wide variety of complex disputes concerning boardroom and shareholder disputes, with particular expertise in professional indemnity and disciplinary matters. The team recently enhanced its commercial litigation, international arbitration and insolvency offering with the hire of Alfred Wu, senior consultant Philip Nunn and Muriel Cheng who joined from Norton Rose Fulbright in September 2024. Keith Brandt focuses on commercial litigation in the energy, transport and financial sectors.  Brandt is supported by Allan Leung whose remit covers environmental disputes, product liability claims, contentious insolvency and employment matters. Richard Keady is recommended for banking and finance disputes and insolvency.

Combined with solid contentious capabilities in mainland China, DLA Piper‘s Hong Kong team is well-placed to handle cross-border and domestic commercial disputes; it also has a notable private client practice which the team acts for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, wealth advisers, and family offices in domestic and multijurisdictional disputes. Harris Chan leads the team, representing banks, listed companies and high net-worth individuals across Hong Kong, PRC and abroad in a range of commercial litigation including shareholder and director disputes and proceedings to internet fraud and white-collar crime. Kevin Chan and Satpal Gobindpuri regularly act for both Chinese state-owned companies, multinational companies and Chinese conglomerates in highly cross-border commercial disputes.

HFW handles a variety of contentious matters throughout Hong Kong, Shanghai and the Greater Bay regions, advising banks, oil companies, pharmaceutical companies, shipowners, insolvency practitioners, large conglomerates and private clients. Practice head Noel Campbell specialises in fraud, asset recovery, insolvency and financial litigation. Other names to note include George Lamplough who is recommended for cross-border banking and international trade disputes, and Karen Cheung who handles a broad mix of commercial litigation, white-collar crime, regulatory matters, shipping and employment disputes, as well as judicial review, and international arbitration cases.

The Hogan Lovells litigation team is well-versed in assisting clients in complex, high-profile matters in both local and international courts. Recent caseload features a broad range of corporate shareholder disputes, high-value fraud, corporate investigations, construction disputes, regulatory issues and insolvency matters. The practice is led by Chris Dobby, whose practice covers a broad range of cross-border commercial work, including insolvency fraud-related disputes. Mark Lin has extensive experience in commercial disputes and contentious regulatory investigations. Byron Philips is also a key contact, particularly in technology-related litigation.

The Johnson Stokes & Master team holds a strong reputation in the litigation market, recognized for its work in commercial and banking finance litigation, real estate and regulatory investigations. Practice head Geoffrey Chan is recommended for contentious construction matters, including town planning, building law, construction negligence claims and claims involving environmental issues. Alan Linning is noted for his expertise in regulatory matters and investigations.

The King & Wood Mallesons team hold a significant presence in the litigation space, working in novel areas of law within the PRC and Hong Kong market, particularly within construction disputes. The 'vastly experienced' Paul Starr leads the team, and is particularly experienced in infrastructure disputes. Edmund Wan has an established reputation for his contentious work, acting for corporates, statutory bodies and high net-worth individuals in a range of competition and construction disputes. Peter Bullock is a key contact regarding complex TMT investments, advising on regulatory matters concerning data and employment. Barbara Chiu possesses extensive experience in commercial litigation, shareholder disputes and trust-related claims.

The Linklaters' litigation team boast an extensive cross-border practice, acting on matters ranging from global banking and insolvency-related disputes to shareholder and litigations for clients in a broad range of sectors. The team continues to work in a multi-jurisdictional capacity, benefitting from their PRC joint operation with Zhao Sheng Law Firm, and its recent caseload saw the team handling work in Luxembourg, Canada, Malaysia and Singapore. Andrew Chung leads the team, possessing particular expertise in policies and procedures relating to financial crime, fraud, money laundering and international sanctions. Denise Fung is recommended for commercial litigation, investigation and insolvency proceedings, and Justin Tang continues to expand a banking and SOE client base.

The litigation team at Minter Ellison boasts extensive sector expertise, conducting a practice that spans multiple areas of litigation, including competition, energy, insurance, IP and many more. The team represents an extensive range of clients, from leading PRC and Hong Kong corporations to international household names. David Morrison focuses on corporate, regulatory and securities litigation and contentious takeovers. William Barber works extensively in cross-border matters in the securities and financial services, energy and commodities and TMT sectors. Desmond Yu is also recommended for contentious financial services and regulatory matters.

The team at Norton Rose Fulbright possess expertise in both mature and developing litigation markets, advising on a range of cross-border matters from banking litigation, construction and contractual disputes to white-collar and cryptocurrency issues. Camille Jojo has stepped down as partner as of 2023, and has been appointed as senior consultant. Daniel Ng co-leads the team and leads on multiple commercial litigation. Kevin Hong is the joint practice head with Ng, and acts for domestic and multinational corporations across a broad range of industry sectors.

Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP continues to hold an established presence in the Hong Kong market, consistently handling high-stakes, cross-border commercial litigation, fraud and debt repayment matters. The team also has a particular expertise in shipping disputes. Lianjun Li is recommended for handling major disputes related to international trade, commercial transactions, transportation, shipping and cross-border investments. Asha Sharma possesses expertise in a wide range of contractual, property, banking and employment-related disputes.

The team at Stephenson Harwood regularly represents clients across a range of international disputes, including shareholder disputes, professional negligence, employment and fraud claims. Ian Childs excels in civil litigation, fraud, asset recovery and regulatory matters, as well as criminal litigation. He is supported by Ivan Ng, who specialises in shareholder and contractual disputes and insolvency matters, most of which possess a PRC or cross-border element. Jamie Stranger is also recommended.

Tanner De Witt is a key player in the Hong Kong litigation market, acting on the full range of matters, including restructuring, insolvency disputes and fraud. Practice head Pamela Mak, according to one client, is 'no doubt one of the sharpest individuals in civil litigation'. Mak represents conglomerates and PRC state-owned enterprises as well as engaging in offshore matters, and advising on complex high-value commercial litigation matters with an emphasis on complex shareholders’ disputes in private and listed companies. Insolvency partner Ian De Witt acts for liquidators, receivers, creditors and directors and is recommended alongside Robin Darton and Sunny Hathiramani.

Ashurst is known for its disputes capabilities particularly in the financial services sector, and it leverages the firm's offering in financial regulatory, restructuring, and insolvency space to provide a full-service offering. James Comber handles complex corporate, insolvency and contractual disputes as well as financial services litigation and contentious regulatory matters. Cliff Chow focusses on banking, financial products and commercial disputes and corruption investigations. Comber and Chow jointly lead the team.

Dispute boutique Gall excels in all areas of litigation, arbitration and mediation, with particular focus in highly complex disputes, many of which involve multi-jurisdictional litigation. It acts for an impressive array of clients including foreign governments, banks and high net-worth clients. Nick Gall leads the team, and is supported by Chris Wong   is regularly instructed in multi-jurisdictional disputes. Evelyn Chan  focuses on PRC-related matters and insolvency disputes.

Kennedys' client roster features corporate businesses, financial services, government departments and HNWI’s; it also has an established healthcare litigation team which Christine Tsang  leads the practice. Rudy Chung  excels in commercial and construction and engineering disputes, as well as contentious regulatory insurance and financial services matters.  Sandy Cho and Bertha Ng are also key contacts.

O'Melveny handles banking and finance disputes, shareholder and partnership issues, infrastructure and resources disputes, and professional negligence claims. Denis Brock leads the team, specialising in commercial, corporate and regulatory litigation. Kieran Humphrey is recommended for commercial disputes, professional negligence, insurance and employment disputes.

Rory McAlpine and Friven Yeoh who recently joined from Sidley Austin jointly lead the litigation team at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, handling a range of multi-jurisdictional disputes for corporates and financial institutions. The team is praised for ‘its ability to manage large scale cross-border litigation in the most complex of cases.’ Steve Kwok focuses on trial and appellate litigation in U.S. state and federal courts, defending a number of Chinese companies against federal securities class actions and lawsuits in U.S. courts. Bradley Klein is also recommended.

The Clyde & Co LLP litigation team possess a strong expertise in insurance litigation, working consistently to provide focused dispute resolution services in the construction, energy, marine, aviation, trade and insurance sectors. Simon McConnell leads the team, and acts in a range of insurance-related litigation. Matthew Lam has a particular focus in shipping matters including charterparty disputes, marine casualties, bunker claims and disputes involving carriage of goods by air, sea and road, extending the firm’s insurance expertise.

The Eversheds Sutherland team has a wealth of experience in acting on financial services disputes and investigations, contentious restructuring and insolvency and a broad range of commercial disputes. Mark Hughes leads the team with a client portfolio consisting of financial institutions, large state and privately held group companies, partnerships and individuals. Duncan Watt focuses on financial services disputes and investigations. Jason Tam  is also a key contact for contentious insolvency matters and commercial disputes.

Shanghai-headquartered Fangda Partners is regularly instructed by Chinese, foreign and local entities from a wide range of sectors including financial services, energy, life sciences and agribusiness. Peter Yuen leads the team, supported by Howard Chan, who has particular experience in acting for multi-national corporations, financial institutions, asset management firms, investment funds and high-net-worth individuals.

Haiwen & Partners handles complex matters for a range of clients, including state-owned enterprises, commodity trading companies, high-net-worth individuals, tech start-ups, real estate investment and management companies, international shipowners and financial institutions. Within the team, practice head Edward Liu excels in shipping litigation; Lori Ng has extensive experience in civil litigation, shipping and commodities, and white-collar crime; and Vinca Yau focuses on commercial, shareholders and investment treaty disputes.

Hill Dickinson Hong Kong‘s caseload includes corporate and commercial disputes, contentious insolvency, international trade and regulatory matters. Within the team, Damien Laracy focuses on commercial disputes and recovery of assets, debts and damages, and Bryan O’Hare  acts for financial services companies, financial institutions, insolvency appointment holders, the Boards of listed companies and SMEs and entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals in corporate insolvency issues. Yvette Yu is also a key contact.

The Latham & Watkins LLP team routinely handles high profile litigation across Asia and globally, utilising its network of offices in Asia Pacific, the US, and Europe. Dominic Geiser leads the litigation team, and has substantial experience representing clients in claims involving investment mis-selling, minority shareholder actions, breach of directors’ duties, fraud, misrepresentation, economic torts, as well as in cases requiring urgent injunctive or other interim relief. Beijing-based Hui Xu is also noted for representing clients in multi-jurisdictional litigation, government investigations and enforcement, and compliance matters, and is widely recognised for his representation of Chinese companies and individuals.

The team at Morrison & Foerster handles high-stakes, multijurisdictional matters in a range of sectors, including technology, life sciences to private equity and real estate. Timothy Blakely leads the team, focusing on commercial litigation and internal arbitration, as well as government and internal matters, frequently representing companies and individuals in high-stakes contentious matters concerning U.S., Hong Kong and PRC law. Chen Zhu focuses on commercial and securities litigation, investigations and white-collar crime defence work. Gary Zeng is also recommended for investigations across multinational and Asia-based companies.

RPC handle a diverse range of litigation matters, from traditional insolvency work to cryptocurrency and technology related disputes. Practice head Charles Allen focuses on domestic and cross-border litigation, in a broad range of disputes before the Hong Kong courts as well as in other jurisdictions around the region, including China, Singapore and India. Antony Sassi is experienced in handling contentious, cross-border professional negligence and insurance matters. Jonathan Crompton is recommended  for disputes and regulatory investigations involving the finance and technology industries.

Wilkinson & Grist is regularly instructed in shareholders’ disputes, defamation and professional negligence matters. The team is led by Ivan Chu , who excels in civil litigation as well as shareholder disputes, defamation, employment and professional negligence matters. Florence Chan handles high-profile probate matters for private clients.

Zhong Lun Law Firm is 'able to combine its deep knowledge in PRC laws and Hong Kong laws to provide the best possible legal solution in cross border litigation matters'. Its impressive client roster features multinational corporates, SOEs and high-net-worth individuals. Frederick Hui has particular experience in advising and handling multi-jurisdictional high value shareholder and equity related disputes as well as fraud matters, and Gilbert Leung's primary focus lies in shareholders’ disputes, insolvency matters, commercial fraud, contentious banking matters, real estate disputes, regulatory and investigatory matters.