Sustainability

Davis Polk’s Hong Kong office, opened in 1993 and was one of the first offices opened by a major Wall Street firm in Hong Kong. For more than two decades, they have been involved in many of the region’s most important and high profile capital markets and M&A/private equity transactions, as well as litigation matters in China and elsewhere in Asia. Their world-class global enforcement and litigation practice is one of the largest in the Asian market. The firm’s sophisticated Asia practice and their fully integrated international practices provide their clients with one of the most efficient full-service global law firms in Asia today.

Participating Lawyers:

• Jonathan Chang
• Robyn Crowter
• Kate Chan
• Caroline Wang

Dechert has built a global platform across 26 locations with a singular focus – delivering the highest-quality advice that is actionable, commercial and delivered efficiently. We have been a part of the Hong Kong legal community since 2008. Our lawyers provide results-oriented legal and business solutions to corporations and funds investing in Asia, as well as local and regional companies with their global business needs.

Dechert has a longstanding tradition of providing pro bono legal services to individuals and organizations who cannot otherwise afford legal counsel. Lawyers in all our offices and in all our practice groups make a difference every day by contributing their talents to providing pro bono legal services, with all of our lawyers around the world committing to provide at least 25 hours of pro bono legal service per year.

Participating Lawyers:

• Spencer Park
• Mack Wan
• Leo Li
• Nicole Yeung

Herbert Smith Freehills is one of the world’s leading professional services businesses. With 27 offices spanning the globe, we offer local insight and seamless cross-border service in all major regions and strive to address and resolve our clients’ complex business challenges.

A strong commitment to pro bono and the communities in which we work is fundamental to our practice. With a large number of offices around the world, our people see every day how essential the rule of law is to the functioning of a civil and inclusive society. Our pro bono and citizenship initiatives reflect that global outlook by focusing on building the rule of law, social inclusion, capacity building and the far-reaching implications of climate change.

We are intensely proud to contribute to the work of clients who are thought-leaders and innovators, helping them to achieve important social change. Inspired by our clients and by our professional responsibility as lawyers, social impact and a sense of justice underpin everything we aspire to achieve as a responsible business. It is within that framework that we are delighted to participate in the PILnet Law for Change Student Competition.

Participating Lawyers: 

• May Ting Poon
• Tracy Lee
• Madhu Krishnan
• Emilie Soust
• Joanna Ku
• Kelvin Ho

As a leading global law firm, Linklaters advises the world’s premier companies, financial institutions and governments on their most challenging assignments. Its network of offices combines local knowledge with global infrastructure to provide the highest standard of innovative legal advice.

ln Asia, just as in the rest of the world, Linklaters is dedicated to being a responsible business. Their award-winning collective responsibility strategy formulates how they use their skills and resources to build a fairer, healthier and more prosperous society. Linklaters supports the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Linklaters is committed to making them part of their strategy, culture and day-to-day operations, and to engaging in collaborative projects which advance the broader UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Every year Linklaters offices provide over 30,000 hours of pro bono legal support to around 200 not-for-profit organisations, and many more vulnerable individuals. Its community investment programme allows Linklaters to donate money and skills within its communities. With its realising aspirations programme, Linklaters is removing barriers to success for young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Its growing capabilities programme uses their skills and resources to expand the capabilities of not-for-profit organisations. And through matched giving and paid time off to volunteer, Linklaters is inspiring its staff members to give back to the community.

Participating Lawyers: 

• Tiffany Yan
• Lawrence Li
• Donnelly Chan
• Florence Sit

Mayer Brown is uniquely positioned to advise the world’s leading companies and financial institutions on their most complex deals and disputes. With extensive reach across four continents, we are the only integrated law firm in the world with approximately 200 lawyers in each of the world’s three largest financial centers—New York, London and Hong Kong—the backbone of the global economy. We have deep experience in high-stakes litigation and complex transactions across industry sectors, including our signature strength, the global financial services industry. Our diverse teams of lawyers are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do. Our “one-firm” culture—seamless and integrated across all practices and regions—ensures that our clients receive the best of our knowledge and experience.

Mayer Brown is a leader in developing innovative approaches to pro bono work. We were the first major law firm to develop and implement a pro bono strategic plan, and we strive to pioneer projects that will have a substantial impact, both locally and globally. Each year we donate tens of thousands of hours of legal services to the poor and disadvantaged and to the organizations that serve them. Our pro bono work is intrinsic to our professional identity, and has helped us to establish our reputation for offering true excellence as a law firm. We also encourage lawyers and staff to participate in all manner of community service activities. We take seriously our responsibility to the communities in which we live and work, and we are committed to being a good corporate citizen.

Participating Lawyers:

• Maggie Cheung
• Sandy Zhang

It’s more than what you do: it’s how you do it.

That’s why O’Melveny is counsel of choice to an ever-expanding list of market leaders.

Opportunity at O’Melveny means working alongside diverse lawyers—acknowledged authorities and innovators—for prominent clients around the world. It’s a place to build a rewarding career by tackling new challenges; being appreciated, included, and supported; and creating lasting connections.

A longtime leader in Asia, O’Melveny helps clients navigate matters critical to their businesses. Since establishing our Hong Kong and mainland offices in the mid-1990s, O’Melveny has been a pioneer in the China legal market, and stands as a market leader today.  We have advised on many of the most important and groundbreaking transactions in the region’s history. Lawyers in O’Melveny’s Hong Kong office represent global clients in a broad range of matters, including cross-border disputes, complex mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, financings, investment and capital market transactions, investment fund formation, competition and antitrust matters, and international trade and regulatory matters.

So, tell us. What do you want to achieve?

Participating Lawyers:

• Denis Brock
• Alvin Sin
• Aditya Kurian
• Valerie Tsui
• Dave Chan
• Jeremiah Lau

Participating Lawyers: 

• Malcolm Kemp
• Yeeling Wan
• Pel Lee
• Minnie Wong

Alan Leong, S.C. graduated from the University of Hong Kong and University of Cambridge. He has been practicing at the Bar since 1985, and in 1998 became one of the first Senior Counsel appointed after the handover. Alan served as the Chairman of the Bar Council between 2001 and 2003. During his term as the Chairman, he strenuously fought for the rule of law and the freedoms of Hong Kong citizens.

Alan was elected as a Legislative Councillor representing Kowloon East geographical constituency in 2004, 2008 and 2012. Alan was the Party Leader from 2011-2016 and currently the Party Chairman of the Civic Party. He also ran against Mr Donald Tsang in the first ever contested Chief Executive Election since the handover in 2007.

Alan is also an Honorary Lecturer at the Department of Professional Legal Education of the University of Hong Kong.

Christine Wong, Senior Advisor to the Chairman‘s Office of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), has been a corporate and regulatory lawyer for over 25 years.

Between 2010 and 2016, Christine was the Chief Counsel and Head of Legal Services of HKEX. Leading a team of 12 lawyers, she advised on milestone projects of the group including the acquisition of the London Metal Exchange in 2012, the setting up of OTC Clear (Hong Kong’s over-the-counter derivatives clearing house) in 2013, and the establishment of the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect in 2014. Prior to HKEX, Christine was a corporate lawyer in private practice, as Consultant at Linklaters from 2001 to 2010, and as Associate Solicitor at Freshfields between 1992 and 1995. Christine worked for the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) from 1995 to 2001, initially, as Senior Manager of the Corporate Finance Division focusing on takeovers work; and subsequently, as Senior Director of Corporate Finance specialising in listing regulation.

Christine qualified as a solicitor in 1988. She obtained her law degree from the University of Hong Kong (HKU), and has been a mentor for law students under HKU’s Law Mentorship Programme for more than 12 years.

Wesley Wong graduated from Durham University and City University of Hong Kong. He has been practicing at the bar since 2018. Wesley has a broad civil and criminal practice and especially in matrimonial law. Wesley has appeared in different levels of courts ranging from Magistrates’ Courts to High Court. He appeared in cases such as Winding-up, matrimonial, interlocutory applications and appeals. He also frequently attended legal visits and Magistrates’ Court in recent months owing to the development in Hong Kong regarding the five demands and the freedoms of Hong Kong citizens.

Wesley is also a coach for Mock Trial – Justice Education Project organised by The Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention, Hong Kong since he practiced.

Cordelia Yeung graduated from Durham University and the University of Hong Kong, and started her practice at the Bar in 2018. She is developing a broad civil practice with a focus on commercial and family matters. She also maintains a special interest in international environmental law and cultural heritage law.

Cordelia is currently a member of the Asian Academy of International Law, the International Law Association, the Hong Kong Bar Association Committee on Competition Law, and the Hong Kong Family Law Association.

At present, Cordelia is a lecturer (non-clinical) at the Faculty of Law of the University of Hong Kong.