Charles Russell Speechlys LLP‘s practice leverages the firm’s growing presence in South East Asia and its connections with the London office to handle the full spectrum of mandates involving succession planning, divorce, and advising on trusts. The group is strong on private capital matters which lie at the intersection of personal, family and business. Practice head Ian Devereux counts ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families as key clients. ‘Constructive and sensible family lawyer‘ Vanessa Duff often handles matters arising as a result of relationship breakdown and nuptial agreements, while Kristie Wong has ample expertise in contentious family matters. Lisa Wong is a key figure within the team. Silvia On counts ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families as key clients. Jeffrey Lee who splits his time between Hong Kong and Singapore, is another key name to note.

Stephenson Harwood is noted for its strong focus on private wealth work. The group is well-placed to advise on trusts, estates, philanthropy-related matters, and multi-jurisdictional tax issues, often utilising its vast expertise in UK and Canadian Law. Kevin Lee leads the team with his deep knowledge of succession and trust issues, areas in which Wei Kang is also an expert, in addition to family trust, tax, and compliance work. Ross Davidson stands out due to his ability to provide cross-border estate planning advice as well as advice on UK law. Tze-wei Ng is a key name to note for matters concerning charities, social innovation and ESG.

Withers' practice is split into two sub-practices; a private client and tax team, and a family and matrimonial team, which routinely act for high-net-worth individuals, families, and family offices. The group displays extensive estate planning, private client, and tax expertise. Katie Graves co-heads the team alongside Jocelyn Tsao. Alex Chung specialises in cross-border probate matters as well as major trust deed matters. On the family law side, Billy Ko is noted for his longstanding expertise in divorce and separation, marriage agreements, and child custody matters.

Deacons‘ practice is praised by clients for being ‘uniquely placed in the market to handle complicated, big money family disputes involving mental capacity and vulnerable clients’, often assisting high-net-worth clients. This team is  jointly led by Joseph Kwan, Lilian Chiang, Sherlynn Chan, Taylor Hui. Cecilia Lau is instrumental in the team’s disputes work, often acting in multijurisdictional divorce disputes, while Chan and Hazel Wong are key contacts for vulnerable clients and cases involving mental capacity. Kwan is recommended for his experience in large-scale family disputes, and Tana Chan, whose advice is described as ‘pragmatic and commercial‘, is another key team member.

Alfred Ip and Caroline McNally, who joined from Gall with Kajal Aswani in November 2023, jointly lead Hugill & Ip‘s practice. The team’s broad offering spans contentious and non-contentious trust and estate matters. Its family practice is regularly instructed on divorce, guardianship, adoption, and nuptial agreements. Ip has a wealth of experience handling trusts and estate planning, and McNally is highly recommended for financial disputes as well as children matters including relocation cases.

Karas So LLP's team, which benefits from the firm's association with Mishcon de Reya LLP, 'comprises highly skilled professionals with extensive experience in handling family succession matters', offering a strong practice in relation to trustee services and family planning. Practice head Jonathan Mok is who clients often turn to for family disputes due to his experience in this area and status as an accredited family mediator of the Law Society of Hong Kong. Mok is well supported by Carmen Cheng and Kevin So. Cheng specialises in non-contentious family matters and So's core strengths line in private wealth matters, including trusts.

Tanner De Witt is especially active in the wills and probate space, with a strong focus on litigation and alternative dispute resolution. The practice caters to clients seeking cross-border mediation. Pamela Mak specialises in contentious probate matters. Eddie Look jointly leads the team alongside Joanne Brown, who is ‘particularly adept at protecting vulnerable clients.’ Look is experienced at assisting high-net-worth individuals and families across through the APAC region.

Zhong Lun Law Firm has a broad private client practice which handles the full range of private wealth matters, including estate administration. Indeed senior associate Henry Fung has a corporate law background which enables him to assist private clients with corporate mandates. Co-managing partner Clifford Ng oversees the team, and stands out for his work on matters involving trusts and business succession. Chloe Leung, who is described as ‘knowledgeable and diligent‘, maintains a varied practice which covers cross border estate planning, and trusts and divorce, among other areas.

Baker McKenzie houses an accomplished tax and wealth management practice which often leverages its global network of offices to handle cross-border tax-related matters. Pierre Chan leads the team, and is a key name for regional succession planning, tax advisory and tax disputes within the team. Lisa Ma acts for a broad client base of financial services companies, independent trustee companies, and family offices.

In the private wealth space, Gibson Dunn is hailed by clients as ‘one of the firms which is most adept at handling high value, complex disputes, particularly in relation to chancery matters'. The firm is recommended for its vast experience in handling contentious probate matters and trust disputes. The group is also noted for handling private client work involving the complex structuring of the family companies. Regulatory expert Brian Gilchrist leads the team alongside Elaine Chen, who is noted for her ‘sound knowledge relating to disputes work.’

Howse Williams acts for a diverse range of clients, from high-net-worth individuals, to corporate clients. Karen Lam leads the team, and is noted for her strong focus on matrimonial disputes and contentious probate. Consultant and former practice head Linda Heathfield retired in 2024.

Oldham, Li & Nie fields a large team which, on the private client side, is formed of a mix of lawyers and chartered accounts, enabling the group advise on wealth planning and private wealth matters, including the financial aspects of matrimonial disputes. Stephen Peaker heads up the family law side of the group, and Anna Chan heads up the private client side. Ivan Lee is recommended for his extensive knowledge of pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements.

Payne Velasco houses a disputes focused practice with a strong niche in family law. Jaerey Velasco, who is ‘experienced and extremely practical' is a qualified private family adjudicator in Hong Kong who acts in matrimonial disputes and arbitrations, leading the team alongside Gregory Payne.

Vivien Chan & Co's practice routinely acts for multiple generations of high-net-worth individuals and families. Vivien Chan, Owen Tse and Ken Hung are the trio leading the team. Litigation is a standout strength of the group, and Chan is an expert in succession planning and family disputes.