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The Legal 500 2023 rankings are announced for Asia-Pacific
12Jan2023Tanner De Witt is proud to again be recommended in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific Guide 2023 for employment, restructuring and insolvency, dispute resolution, technology, media, telecommunications (TMT), commercial, corporate and M&A, private client and family. Legal 500’s Hall of Fame includes Partners Ian De Witt and Robin Darton, while Pamela Mak and Russell Bennett are recognised as Leading Individuals. Sunny Hathiramani is listed as a next generation partner for our top tier Restructuring and Insolvency Practice. We are immensely pleased that Pádraig Walsh has made the list as a leading individual in TMT and River Stone as a next generation partner for commercial, corporate and M&A. The full rankings can be found here.
Restructuring and insolvency – ranked: tier 1
Tanner De Witt expertly leverages its independent Hong Kong origins to provide comprehensive advice across all elements of restructuring and insolvency, particularly relating to domestic matters. The firm has seen an increase in listed company work and has been active for a number of PRC property developers in recent months, as well as being regularly instructed by investors, financial institutions, insolvency practitioners and debtor companies. The R&I team is active in both contentious and non-contentious matters and has international capacity and experience. Practice heads, Ian De Witt⭐ and Robin Darton⭐, have extensive experience dealing with contentious and insolvency related matters, both in Hong Kong and cross border, and winding-up proceedings, bond restructurings and cross-border recognition proceedings, with expertise in off-shore matters.
⭐Hall of Fame
Next Generation Partner
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘When it comes to insolvency, TDW is really the best in town. They have probably forgotten more about insolvency than most know. Truly excellent in terms of knowledge, approach and service to clients. Could not recommend them more highly.’
‘Sunny Hathiramani and Veronica Chan are well connected in the Hong Kong market and add supporting firepower.’
‘Deep bench of talented and commercial lawyers led by Ian De Witt and Robin Darton. The firm offers seamless service with pragmatic and strategic advice.’
‘Tanner De Witt is a leading restructuring and insolvency law firm in Hong Kong. Their partners are trustworthy and always consider issues from different perspectives.’
‘Independent HK law firm with incredible depth of experience and packing a punch if not leading the pack amongst the international firms in the same area.’
‘Very knowledgeable about the insolvency landscape in Hong Kong. One of the most sure-footed insolvency firms in Hong Kong.’
‘An independent local practise focused on insolvency/restructuring situations. Whilst being a local practise, the size and spectrum of its team should rank ahead of many international firms.’
‘Ian de Witt and Robin Darton provide a very desirable mix of prior international law firm experience and working in a local team that has operated successfully in Hong Kong for many years, combining local knowledge with cross-border expertise.’
Employment – ranked: tier 2
The established and longstanding employment team at Tanner De Witt has been heavily involved in many of the contemporary issues within the Hong Kong market caused by the global pandemic, including vaccination requirements and remote working. The firm has an extensive advisory practice, providing advice to domestic and international clients in relation to employment documents, potential redundancies and terminations and discrimination claims. The practice still benefits from the wealth of experience provided by employment veteran Kim Boreham, despite stepping into a consultancy role. Russell Bennett is the founder and head of the team, with a significant part of his practice involving advising clients in the financial services industry, particularly when it comes to matters which require input on potential regulatory consequences.
Leading Individual
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team looks at the big picture and very accurately addresses the way the Court will view the case. In one case, the team chose to attack ‘abuse of process’, which they did successfully. The Judge himself considered it a big leap, but he agreed.’
‘Russell Bennett always has a good view of the way to present a case.’
‘Mark Chiu is excellent at resolving details and issues of a case.’
‘I worked with Kim Boreham and her team on several employment related cases, they are responsive to client’s questions and give practical advice. The quality of her work is very good.’
‘Kim Boreham is a very experienced employment lawyer representing both the employers and the employees, hence, she gives very practical advice when advising employer’s. Her outstanding experience has successfully helped our company in stopping an ex-employee who kept on sending harassing emails to management for over 3 months.’’
Dispute resolution: litigation – ranked: tier 3
Benefitting from an ‘excellent understanding of Hong Kong and the wider region’, independent local firm Tanner De Witt provides ‘responsive, very sensible and commercial advice’ directly to clients, as well as part of cross border teams with other firms. The scope of the work is broad and includes contentious insolvency matters, probate disputes, shareholder litigation, fraud and asset tracing. Pamela Mak ‘is particularly skilled at dealing with mainland clients’ and co-heads the team alongside Mark Side , who specialises in contentious regulatory matters. ‘Top disputes lawyer’ Jeff Lane is also recognisedparticularly in the context of fraud and asset recovery matters.
Leading Individual
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
I have been impressed by Tanner De Witt’s thorough approach to every litigation matter I have worked on with them. They also have excellent relations with attorneys located in many other jurisdictions that gives them tremendous depth to address complex cross-border issues.’
‘Tanner De Witt is a highly sophisticated complex litigation firm in my experience and because they are independent they are more flexible than many of their competitors. The have a really good understanding of Hong Kong and the wider region and are staffed with experienced, diligent and careful associates.’
‘The team provides responsive, very sensible and commercial advice.’
‘The team is strong in disputes where there are allegations of serious wrongdoing and in applying for or responding to injunctive relief. They are also commercially sensible when it comes to pricing and are collegiate in the way that they work.’
‘Pamela Mak is particularly skilled at dealing with mainland clients, and skilled at soothing difficult clients.’
‘Jeff Lane is a top disputes lawyer, with particular expertise in fraud and asset recovery matters.’
Private client and Family – ranked: tier 3
Tanner De Witt possesses considerable depth and breadth in terms of its private client and family practice, involved in both complex cross-border work as well as contentious and non-contentious domestic matters. The team has a particularly strong family offering, with Joanne Brown heading the family side and regularly instructed regarding nuptial agreements, child removal and access and requests for injunctive relief. Eddie Look also heads the team and is highly active on private client matters, advising a wide range of clients including trustees, executors and administrators. Mark Side also comes highly recommended.
Testimonials
They have a truly well-rounded team, able to deal with the full gamut of family work. The partners have very different approaches and experiences, and are able to work off of that breadth of expertise.’
‘Tanner De Witt’s family law team is highly regarded in the sector. They are experienced and deliver a high level of service to their clients. They are very good at navigating family litigation, including complex cases, and also at avoiding contested litigation altogether.’
‘Joanne Brown’s team are some of the best family practitioners in Hong Kong, running cases with the minimum amount of conflict that is possible in their clients best interests.’
‘I have worked closely with Eddie Look on a number of matters and cannot praise his professionalism enough. He always makes himself available for an initial chat and his responses are thorough, clear and well-reasoned.’
‘Joanne Brown is a first class family lawyer, who always has time for her clients and can handle the toughest cases. She is both practical and strategic, and gets the best possible results.’
TMT – ranked: tier 3
Fielding ‘a very robust TMT practice‘, Tanner De Witt is consistently selected as Hong Kong co-counsel on major international technology transactions. Focused on founder representation, the firm’s domestic technology practice in Hong Kong routinely partners with government bodies, accelerator and incubation programmes, and other technology sector intermediaries. The practice of technology team leader and ‘standout lawyer‘ Pàdraig Walsh covers issues arising from new technologies, such as cloud, blockchain and AI. Foreign legal consultant Nigel Stamp, a commercial TMT law and outsourcing specialist, is a 2021 hire from K&L Gates, while Tara Chan and Alan Wong are the associates to note.
Leading Individual
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘There is a great team at Tanner De Witt. The lawyers are friendly and approachable, and they really know what they are doing.’
‘Tanner De Witt has a very robust TMT practice that can handle a variety of matters, including data privacy, telecoms, cybersecurity, and fintech issues. It is well known for transforming complex legal issues into pragmatic solutions that make sense to clients.’
‘Tanner De Witt has a very strong TMT practice team. Although it is not big, it is solid, and its fee arrangements are flexible and can be tailored to the client’s budgeting needs. The advice the lawyers provide is also very practical.’
‘Pàdraig Walsh is a seasoned TMT attorney, who understands the client’s business and commercial needs. The advice he provides is solid and practical, and he is supported by a group of talented attorneys.’
‘Pàdraig Walsh is very experienced and understands clients’ business. He has deep knowledge of the market, bringing all this to bear with straightforward and strategic advice. Clients know they are getting good advice that they can rely on.’
‘Pàdraig Walsh is a standout lawyer who is known for his ability to handle complex matters for clients from the fintech and technology sectors. He is certainly a leader in this practice area.’
‘Foreign legal consultant Nigel Stamp is very supportive and will go the extra mile to find out information that will be helpful for clients’ projects. Clients greatly appreciate his devotion and determination.’
‘Associate Tara Chan is very responsive, clear and direct in her advice. Clients know they can get the help they need even if there is a tight timeline.’
Commercial, Corporate and M&A: Independent Hong Kong Law Firms – ranked: tier 3
Tanner De Witt is highly active in the Hong Kong corporate market, advising on both domestic and cross-border deals including the HK aspects of large-scale, multi-jurisdictional deals. Eddie Look and Tim Drew jointly lead the team and between them offer decades of experience in M&A, investments and joint ventures; elsewhere, River Stone stands out for his focus on public market transactions such as share sales and acquisitions. The team’s client base is broad and encompasses Hong Kong and international companies across sectors including technology, manufacturing and consumer goods.
Next Generation Partners
Other key lawyers:
Edmond Leung; River Stone; Carol Ling
Testimonials
‘The Tanner de Witt team are always great to work with. They have very talented lawyers, attract a fantastic calibre of clients, and are always a great bunch of people to work with.’
‘River Stone who heads the China desk, Edmond Leung (corporate/M&A) and Eddie Look are the key practitioners in the team. They’re always very approachable and responsive and give very practical and commercially savvy advice.’
‘We have worked with Tim Drew and Carol Ling from Tanner De Witt. Both are excellent and professional lawyers, who were extremely on the ball and highly responsive.’
‘An exceptional practice. A real feeling of total teamwork, from the most senior in the team which was assigned for my advisory work, to the next levels in the team. Each team member knew their role and there was evident synergy across the team members which meant that as a client, I felt all were aligned and on the same page with my situation and the details of my matters.’
‘The corporate practice has a strong bench and take a very hands on and pragmatic approach. The partners are really experienced and understand the market. They take the time to understand the client and what they are looking to achieve.’
‘Tim Drew has deep experience in the market. He is a delight to work with and gets deals done. He has a way of cutting through complexity and making you feel that you are in very safe hands.’
‘An independent boutique Hong Kong firm which punches above their weight. Very knowledgeable, commercial and value for money.’
‘Capable, quick and experienced.’
For an archive of Tanner De Witt’s Legal 500 rankings, please click here.
Tanner De Witt, 17th Floor, Tower One, Lippo Centre, 89 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
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