As in other years, Asian Legal Business continues its annual tradition of picking Asia’s standout lawyers from offshore law firms. These are legal professionals who have not only met but also exceeded client expectations. To compile this list, ALB surveyed clients of offshore law firms, asking them to recommend lawyers who stood out not only for their ability to provide sound advice, but also their commitment to client service.
The names below are in alphabetical order.
Chris Bickley, Conyers Dill & Pearman
Christopher Bickley is a partner and head of the Hong Kong office of Conyers Dill & Pearman.
He has been with Conyers since 1994. But his advice for career longevity is simple: “Embrace change and when facing challenges, always look for opportunities,” he says.
However, that would be easier said than done, given the wide scope of his practice.
Bickley’s practice includes all aspects of corporate law with specialist expertise in corporate finance. He is particularly experienced in initial public offers and the listings of shares of companies on the Main Board and the Growth Enterprise Market of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, and stock exchanges in other jurisdictions including Australia, London, Singapore, and NASDAQ.
His experience extends to debt financings, schemes of arrangements, restructuring exercises, fundraising exercises and private equity investment. Bickley has also advised in several shareholder disputes and offshore contentious matters.
In addition, Bickley is the author of Bermuda, British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands Company Law by Thomson Reuters/Sweet & Maxwell Asia, now in its fourth edition.
He advices young lawyers to listen more and turn to their mentors often.
“Listen. Listen to your clients, listen to your colleagues. You can learn a lot by just listening,” says Bickley. “And it is always better to involve your advisors sooner rather than later.”
Fiona Chan, Appleby
Fiona Chan is a partner in the corporate department of Appleby’s Hong Kong office, advising on a full spectrum of banking and finance, non-contentious insurance, technology and innovation, private client and trust matters relating to the laws of Bermuda, British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands. With almost 20 years of offshore and onshore experience in the Asian market, she leads the banking and finance, private client and trusts practices in the Hong Kong office as well as Appleby’s technology and innovation group and economic substance working group in Asia.
Chan cites “a strong will and dedication” as helping her keep up with the significant amount of legislative and regulatory developments in the key international financial centres in recent years.
“Continuous professional development is essential in keeping oneself abreast of changes relating to, among others, AML, CTF, CRS, FATCA, BEPS, Data Protection, and Economic Substance requirements,” she says.
And with the COVID-19 pandemic adding to already difficult times, she is seeing clients undergoing vigorous reviews and restructuring their businesses in an effort to mitigate the risks and potential losses of the current climate.
“Some have chosen to diversify their business, whilst some have decided to contract and concentrate on core practices; yet some have taken the opportunity to adopt new hardware and software, such as the utilisation of digital technology in production and service delivery and in the implementation of flexible or agile working practices,” observes Chan.
She encourages them to view this as a welcome opportunity to reconsider their strategies and operations, and to adopt practices that they would otherwise not have implemented.
Considering this current situation, Chan advises her colleagues in the profession to keep up with the latest legal and regulatory developments, market trends and technological advancements to be able to provide the best solutions to clients when problems arise.
“Analytical skills and creativity can at times be refined by practices. However, this does not mean that we must work relentlessly around the clock! Striking a healthy balance between work and personal life is crucial to having a sustainable career as a lawyer,” says Chan.
Vincent Chan, Appleby
Vincent Chan is counsel in both the corporate and the private client and trusts departments of Appleby´s Hong Kong office.
He describes the offshore legal market as “competitive” when it comes to winning work at an attractive but sustainable fee, as well as maintaining both existing relationships with clients and different professional parties and developing new ones.
“Stepping into the shoes of the clients and trying to understand their real needs and issues is important,” he says about finding ways to stay ahead in the field.
While clients are often busy in running their businesses, and onshore law firms are often occupied with handling a range of issues such as drafting, negotiation and onshore laws and regulations, they also appreciate being updated with the latest developments in offshore laws and regulations that may affect the clients’ entities.
Chan joined Appleby in 2007 and has over 12 years of offshore law experience in the areas of corporate and capital markets, banking and asset finance, as well as trusts and foundations.
Given the whirlwind of recent developments, he recommends clients to undertake an internal review of their offshore entities and seek advice early on steps to be taken for compliance.
“For clients with offshore entities, they need to be familiar with (and aware of the latest changes to) the economic substance requirements implemented in many of the offshore jurisdictions in 2019, including whether their entities are in-scope (and any exceptions), carrying out any relevant activities, the tests to be satisfied, and notification and reporting requirements, along with many other regulatory changes,” he says.
He also has tips for legal colleagues looking to make and keep clients happy.
“In addition to having sound technical knowledge in the practice areas specialised in, lawyers should be proactive and conscious of the developments in the market, industry and trends, look for the competitive advantage of both their firms and themselves, and focus on areas and services where value can be added,” says Chan.
Maggie Kwok, Harneys
Maggie Kwok is the Asia Head of Funds and Regulatory at Harneys. She has a broad range of experience spanning from fund formation, downstream investments, capital markets and corporate finance.
Her practice has a particular focus on formation, structuring and maintenance of various types of open-end and closed-end funds including hedge funds and private equity funds.
Kwok says this is very much an industry built on relationships and trust.
“Investing time to get to know your clients, their businesses and objectives and being able to develop a strong relationship with them goes a very long way,” she says.
“I’m extremely privileged to be able to act as the trusted advisor to many of my clients, whether it be helping them to navigate a complex transaction, or even just brainstorming with them on a potential issue they are facing.”
She says the secret that underlies this investment is to allow yourself space and time to regroup your thoughts, rejuvenate your mind, and carry out a talent review on an ongoing basis. For her, going for hikes and being close to nature does the trick.
Maintaining this clear-headed attitude enables her to support clients in these challenging times.
“On a personal level, many of us have been affected by the situation and, more than ever, we must pull together and support each other at this time. I have regularly been in touch with my clients and while circum-stances may be difficult at this point, I am hopeful that the situation will improve sooner rather than later, and trust there will be even more opportunities for us to work on together once we come out the other side,” she says.
And as for those looking up to her, she recommends being “open-minded and ready to explore.” “Be true to yourself and don’t let the herd instinct take charge. Find out where your passion lies and run with it,” says Kwok.
For Kwok, being successful and fulfilled boils down to relationships, be it with others or yourself. “Getting a head start when it comes to growing your network, finding your niche and building relationships will help, but at the same time, know that there’s time to reinvent yourself if needed!”
Ian Mann, Harneys
Ian Mann is Harneys’ Asia managing partner and a member of litigation, insolvency and restructuring group in Hong Kong.
He swears by “unbridled energy and enthusiasm every single day” as his secret for success.
“In an increasingly competitive industry, which like every other sector is going through some unprecedented challenges, I have found that a combination of leading by example and when needed, empowering and entrusting my fellow lawyers and business professionals is key to being successful,” says Mann.
“Having a strong client focus, delivering first-class advice and surrounding yourself with some of the brightest, most talented and passionate minds in the business certainly helps.”
Mann specialises in restructuring, insolvency, share-holder disputes and contentious trusts. According to his firm, he regularly appears on behalf of elite families and is usually retained.
This likely stems from his “quiet, good-humoured resolve at a time of crisis”, which is incidentally what he prescribes for clients during these challenging times.
That perspective is also what he wants other lawyers to take with them as they grow in their practice.
“Have a sense of humour. Exercise every day. Invest in yourself. Take the time to hone your skills, learn your craft and start thinking about business development early on as it will pay off. Career paths aren’t always linear, so don’t be afraid to take calculated risks,” he recommends.
“I’m also a strong believer in mental health and well-ness and fortunate to be part of a leadership team who encourage and even incentivise our employees to ensure they have a work-life balance. I think this gives us an additional boost to go above and beyond for our clients.”
Nigel Meeson QC, Conyers Dill & Pearman
Nigel Meeson QC is a partner and head of the Asia Disputes & Restructuring Group (ADRG) in Conyers Dill & Pearman’s Hong Kong office.
Meeson joined Conyers in 2007 to start the litigation practice in the Cayman Islands, which he has developed into one of the leading Cayman litigation practices.
He names “mindfulness and a sense of perspective” as the key principles that help him to stay on top in this challenging profession.
His practice focuses on insolvency and restructuring, trust litigation, corporate and shareholder disputes, insurance, asset tracing and international commercial litigation. He also accepts appointments to act as leading counsel, expert witness, arbitrator and mediator.
The ADRG provides Bermudan, British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands litigation advice to clients across Asia, ensuring that they have access to fully coordinated litigation advice and services provided by a seamless and comprehensive team across multiple jurisdictions and time zones.
Through these challenging times, he reminds clients
to maintain good relations with their legal advisors.
“Make sure all your outstanding lawyers’ bills have been settled because you may need them to help you at short notice,” says Meeson.
Before joining Conyers, he practiced for almost 25 years at the Bar in London as one of London’s top commercial litigators.
His advice to his colleagues in the profession is to find an area they find intriguing.
“Be sure that you find the law interesting in its prac-tical application to business activities, and be prepared to work hard and be underappreciated by clients,” says Meeson.
Jenny Yip, Campbells
Jenny Nip is a partner at the corpo-rate and finance practice group of Campbells’ Hong Kong office. She is also the head of the firm’s PRC Group and delivers key services for the China practice of the firm.
Nip specializes in corporate transactions including capital market transactions, mergers and acquisitions, take-private deals and down-stream private equity financing and investment deals.
Because of her scope of duty, Nip stays on top of things by “keeping track of the global market trends and changes, remaining in good command of any legal updates, understanding and being responsive to the client’s needs.”
She advises her clients to: “Stay tuned in to global economic changes and the market responses to these changes and to come and talk to me to see if any legal means or measures may help to protect their interests or strengthen their legal position,” says Nip.
Nip has extensive experience in representing issuers, arrangers and investors in connection with pre-IPO financings and the listing of BVI and Cayman Islands companies on global stock exchanges, including Hong Kong and New York.
In addition to her corporate practice, Nip also has significant expertise in advising international banks, financial institutions, leasing companies and corporations on bank finance and debt capital market transactions.
Nip has a long list of the requirements for success. “Be diligent, innovative and commercial, stay on top of any changes in law and their legal implications, maintain integrity at all times, develop a professional and personal network, be kind to the clients and always treat them as your close friends,” she says.
Anthony Oakes, Ogier
Anthony Oakes is the head of Ogier’s finance practice in Asia and special-ises in banking, capital markets, corporate transactions, structured finance and restructuring.
He states that having a great team is “vital”, particularly in these challenging times. “To work remotely is not always easy and the team has been excellent in maintaining a responsive approach and keeping up communication, both internally and externally. Within teams, flexibility is key, as well as promoting a diverse and inclusive environment,” says Oakes.
He adds that a relaxed mood and the ability to laugh together certainly do not go astray either, particularly as the challenges posed by the coronavirus are diverse and profound, both for individuals and institutions.
“Within institutions, management and legal teams are faced with issues including financial, risk (reputational, fraud, AML), litigation and regulatory (including whether the institution can benefit from any assistance packages). Some issues have not been seen before and others are more intense than in the past,” he says.
Clients have said that they value Oakes’ “commerciality and capacity to cut through a great amount of complexity and provide straightforward advice”.
And his career advice is also to the point.
“I would recommend starting your career in an onshore law firm, preferably one of some size and which covers a number of practice areas. This will likely provide a solid understanding of the law and also give an insight into clients’ needs and demands,” he says.
Oakes has seen such firms provide a launching pad not only into in-house, offshore and niche roles, but also into a range of public interest areas – including pro-bono, anti-discrimination and protection of refugee rights.
Nicholas Plowman, Ogier
Nicholas Plowman is the practice partner of Ogier in Hong Kong and the head of Ogier’s Investment Funds team in Asia. He acts for a wide variety of Asian fund managers in the private equity, long-only and hedge fund space.
Plowman’s own way of staying sharp is also what he recommends for other lawyers following his trail.
“It is vital to stay on top of the myriad changes happening in our local market that impact our industry, in conjunction with the legal changes coming down the pipeline in our offshore jurisdictions. We cannot advise in a vacuum and our clients and referrers expect us to understand and consider a host of factors when we are providing our advice,” says Plowman.
“This is often referred to as ‘being commercial’ and is an essential and key ingredient of what we try to do at Ogier.”
He tells both clients and fellow lawyers to make the best of the current situation.
“The contrary view held by a number of our clients is this is not just a health crisis, but also a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest or launch a new business, particularly in the asset management space,” he says.
“Look for opportunities and don’t be afraid of change. Look to build your own practice and be as technically strong as you possibly can be. Find an area of the law you enjoy, rather than getting stuck in a rut (or worse, in an area you hate) and then finding out it’s too late to change.”
Plowman has been named as one to the top ten offshore lawyers in Asia by Asian Legal Business for four consecutive years and has also been ranked as one of the World’s Leading Investment Funds Lawyers in the last four editions of Euromoney’s Expert Guides.
Robert C. Searle, Campbells
Robert C. Searle is a corporate lawyer who is managing partner of Campbells’ Hong Kong office. Searle’s specialty lies in advising on the establishment and restructuring of all investment funds.
He credits his team’s diligence with helping both him and his clients.
“Our team is focused on staying up to date as the business sector changes to ensure we can provide agile responses,” says Searle.
He has spent his entire legal career focusing on collective investment schemes in the Cayman Islands, the UK and Australia.
His main advice for clients is to consider the legal implications of any major changes expected to be under-taken.
Searle was admitted as an attorney in the Cayman Islands in 2003 and became a partner at Campbells in 2007.
He is also admitted in Queensland, England & Wales (non-practising) and the British Virgin Islands. Prior to joining Campbells, he worked with SJ Berwin, and with Australian law firm McCullough Robertson.
Searle has some simple words of wisdom for those coming after him.
“Work hard and be curious,” he says.
To contact the editorial team, please email ALBEditor@thomsonreuters.com.
