Withers is one of the world’s first international law firms dedicated to the business, personal and philanthropic interests of successful people, their businesses, families and advisers. With over 220 partners and more than 1,500 employees in 17 offices across Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Asia-Pacific and the Caribbean, Withers has unparalleled expertise in helping businesses and individuals across all major financial centres around the world. Its clients’ interests span 100 countries and the firm has acted for 35% of 'Hong Kong Forbes Rich List', 75% of the top 100 UK ‘Sunday Times Rich List’, 25% of the 'Forbes 400 List of the Wealthiest Americans', and 35% of 'The Sunday Times Top Philanthropists'.
In 2008, Withers established its Hong Kong office to offer on-the-ground support in Asia for the firm's international client base. Our multinational team of lawyers and legal professionals offers one of the most comprehensive arrays of client services and are qualified in several jurisdictions – Hong Kong, England & Wales, U.S., China (GBA) – to name a few. We are also able to put together a cross-disciplinary team of advisers with the relevant experience and expertise for complex, cross-border transactions in the region. Our team understands both domestic and international issues and how different legal regimes interact and impact each other.
Withers' multi-disciplinary capabilities cover issues on immigration, philanthropy, private aviation, matrimonial, cross-border investments, litigation, real estate and pre-IPO planning, providing clients with a fully integrated, one-stop service that other law firms cannot match.
MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE
Private Client & Tax
Withers has the largest private client and tax team on the ground in Hong Kong. It has a wide range of clients, including but not limited to family offices, charities, families, financial institutions, high net-worth individuals, and trustees. Withers typically acts for the creators of wealth and their families, and focuses on developing long term relationships with those clients across its international offices. We also work with their businesses, establishing ourselves as the top law firm focusing on private capital.
Contacts: Katie Graves | Laurence Ho | Deirdre Fu | Alex Chung
Asset Finance
Our aviation and marine team is led by a team of highly regarded lawyers across Asia, Europe and the US. We are known for our extensive technical knowledge, commercial awareness, user-friendly service and the ability to facilitate efficient transaction execution. Regardless of the side we represent, we lead the class in understanding the unique dynamics and interests of all parties involved.
We serve as trusted advisors to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and other private aircraft owners around the world, as well as both established leaders and emerging players in the aviation sector, including commercial airlines, lessors, financial institutions, manufacturers and other investors. Our multi-jurisdictional approach enables us to provide swift access to expertise, no matter where you operate.
Our marine lawyers offer comprehensive legal advice – both contentious and non-contentious – on all maritime matters across all time zones. We have represented shipping companies, ports, harbours, government agencies and other marine businesses.
The aviation and marine team is also globally recognized by leading legal, industry, and trade publications.
Contact: Luca Denora
Corporate & Commercial
The corporate and commercial team in Hong Kong combines international deal execution capabilities with PRC regulatory expertise for a varied client base including listed and private companies, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, families and high net-worth individuals and not-for-profit organisations. The team is very experienced in all corporate-related matters, including M&A, capital markets, private equity, corporate finance, banking & finance, corporate tax, real estate and investment funds.
Withers' Greater China corporate and commercial practice is led by Mabel Lui who has significant experience in China-focused corporate matters. Her team continues to bring a well-rounded Greater China corporate background, complementing the firm's other practices.
Key contacts: Mabel Lui | Daniel Tang | Mike Suen
Real Estate
The real estate team in Hong Kong has deep experience advising clients on their domestic and international real estate matters across the full range of property types, from residential, commercial, to industrial properties. The team acts for matters across the entire real estate investment life-cycle, ranging from mergers and acquisitions, property joint ventures, disposals and tenancy matters, retail leasing, development and redevelopment, and conveyancing, however complex they may be.
Key contacts: Mabel Lui | Polly Chu
Litigation and Arbitration
Withers' litigation and arbitration team in Hong Kong is headed by partner Joseph Chu, where the team has supported the firm’s global clients on their investment into or out of Asia, navigating through regulatory, and various other legal risks which our clients may face. The team is experienced in almost all areas of litigation, including commercial litigation, fraud and asset recovery, investigations, professional negligence, contract and company disputes, restructuring and insolvency.
Withers' international arbitration practitioners specialise in both investment and commercial arbitrations, and are well-versed under the leading arbitral rules and have a wide range of experience in various sectors.
Contacts: Joseph Chu | Sherlin Tung | Michael Chik
Family
Withers is widely regarded as one of the largest family and matrimonial law firms in Hong Kong and has dealt with numerous high profile and landmark cases. Clients receive specialist advice on all aspects of family law, from divorce and finances, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, family wealth protection, mental health proceedings and elder law, to children custody, international child abduction, maintenance and child support, tax and immigration advice post-divorce. The team forms part of the firm's leading global divorce and family practice and is well-equipped with the right set of skills to handle clients' cases in the most effective and efficient way possible, whilst securing the best outcome.
Contacts: Jocelyn Tsao | Billy Ko | Anisha Ramanathan
Investment Funds
Our funds practice advises on the entire life cycle of an investment fund ranging from formation, regulatory advice, investment, operations and divestment. The team covers a full range of funds including private equity, private credit, real estate, infrastructure, aviation, venture capital, hedge, crypto and RMB-USD funds. We represent both investment managers and investors in Asia, and advise on the laws of Hong Kong, the PRC and the United States.
Contact: Simon Wong
Why work with us
We are the global law firm for successful people and businesses
We are a full-service leading international law firm. The team provides a full range of legal services, covering matters ranging from corporate, aviation, commercial litigation and international arbitration, intellectual property, real estate, wealth and estate planning, tax (corporate and personal), to name a few.
Our clients include multinationals around the world, governments, financial institutions, SOEs, listed companies, international brands, families and high net-worth individuals, charities and not-for-profit organisations and span over 100 countries.
We operate across borders
We knit together the laws of different jurisdictions, overcoming cultural differences and communicating in many languages. We distinguish ourselves from our competitors through our highly personal approach, working seamlessly across borders so that you can receive advice, whenever you need it.
We are relationship-focused, rather than merely deal-orientated
Our aim is to forge long-standing relationships with our clients and to act as trusted advisors for them, their families and their businesses. We will work closely with clients to understand their goals, ensuring that our advice is always commercial and reflects their unique requirements. We are also happy to work collaboratively with any existing advisers, where necessary.
