Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms)
Global Guide 2024 : China
Band 2
Contact number
+852 2825 8888Chambers Review
Clifford Chance has a highly regarded team known for successful, commercially focused advocacy, with key partners located in the firm's Hong Kong and Shanghai offices. The firm represents clients in disputes relating to joint ventures, shareholder agreements and M&A transactions and is experienced in handling arbitration in a range of sectors, including technology, banking and finance, and energy. The firm is active in the representation of private equity firms and other financial institutions in commercial arbitrations, with additional experience representing SOEs. It is also able to assist clients with investor-state arbitrations.
Work Highlights
- Clifford Chance defended a Chinese smartphone maker in an over USD160 million Hong Kong-seated HKIAC arbitration brought by a prior joint venture partner. The dispute involved an issue concerning a modification to Android security software.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They have a great team with wide depth and breadth to handle almost every kind of matter. They always respond on time with detail-oriented replies."
"They're enormously experienced."
"Commercial awareness is a necessary and important component of our work, and that's part of the reason we choose Clifford Chance."
"Clifford Chance's team well understood what our commercial goal was and helped to adjust arbitration strategies to accommodate our goals."
"Every person who we have dealt with from the partner down has been impressive."
"They have a great team with wide depth and breadth to handle almost every kind of matter. They always respond on time with detail-oriented replies."
"They're enormously experienced."
"Commercial awareness is a necessary and important component of our work, and that's part of the reason we choose Clifford Chance."
"Clifford Chance's team well understood what our commercial goal was and helped to adjust arbitration strategies to accommodate our goals."
"Every person who we have dealt with from the partner down has been impressive."
Notable Practitioners
Cameron Hassall splits his time between the firm's Hong Kong and Sydney offices, offering clients veteran experience in commercial arbitrations across the region.
Thomas Walsh is co-head of Clifford Chance's Greater China arbitration team, as well as its Korean disputes practice. He most frequently acts for major private equity clients, with additional experience advising clients in the technology and biotech sectors.
"Tom Walsh is one of the key figures; he knows Hong Kong really well and is very well known."
"He knows and grasps the nuances very quickly and is very switched on. He understands me."
"He's an expert for arbitration and has the experience."
"He's an outstanding lawyer and probably one of the best external counsel I have dealt with."
Lei Shi is a co-head of the China arbitration team from his base in Shanghai and is well respected for his work acting for a broad range of domestic and international clients in HKIAC arbitration proceedings.
"He's hard-working and very solid. He is always able to come up with a strategy that best advances the client's case."
"He's amazing and one of the smartest people I've met."
"Mr Shi is a very responsible lawyer who truly understands the client's demands and the core details of the case, and has a strong ability to resolve complex legal matters."
"Mr Shi Lei's cross-examination in arbitration hearings is textbook perfect and wonderful."
"Shi Lei is highly professional and experienced in arbitrations. He advises not only on arbitration proceedings, but also from business strategy perspectives based on his abundant relevant experience."