Department profile
Freshfields

Financial Services: Non-contentious Regulatory (International Firms)

Greater China Region Guide 2026 : China


Freshfields

Rankings

About

Provided by Freshfields

Please visit the Freshfields website for more details about our work in this category:

https://www.freshfields.com/en-gb/capabilities/industries/financial-services/

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Financial Services: Non-contentious Regulatory (International Firms) - China


What the Team is Known For

Freshfields boasts a highly respected practice trusted by global investment banks and other financial institutions, as well as public bodies, private equity firms and insurers, to advise on regulatory compliance and investigations. The firm houses recognised experts in anti-money laundering and is additionally equipped to advise on trade and sanctions issues, with a solid dispute resolution team. It offers substantial experience in working in-house with regulators and financial institutions and is also well placed to assist banks with recovery and resolution plans. The firm's clients benefit from the firm's global fintech and regtech group as well as the team's expertise in handling licensing matters. It is increasingly active in the virtual banking space and advises clients on the launch of new platforms and products.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Freshfields acted for BNP Paribas on its acquisition of AXA Investments Managers from AXA.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The Freshfields team offers unparalleled service in the area of financial services and regulatory work. The team is technically competent, prompt and commercially sensible.

    Financial Services: Non-contentious Regulatory (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
  • Freshfields is second to none in the APAC region for the level of service it provides. The team has a good solid understanding of real world dynamics and gives timely pragmatic and robust advice.

    Financial Services: Non-contentious Regulatory (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 3Tim Mak
    Band 3Tim Mak

    Tim Mak

    Tim Mak serves many financial institutions and listed companies from Freshfields' base in Hong Kong. He offers clients a wealth of experience in both contentious and advisory regulatory matters, handling matters ranging from the defence of IPO sponsors to internal and regulatory investigations on the contentious side, and regulatory transactional advice and compliance reviews on the advisory side.
    • Tim Mak is my go-to for regulatory matters. I find his team has the optimal balance between technical expertise and pragmatism, as well as an excellent mix of cultural and linguistic skills too.

      Financial Services: Non-contentious Regulatory (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
    • Tim's advice is solid and he's very pleasant to work with.

      Financial Services: Non-contentious Regulatory (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
  • Band 3Matthew O'Callaghan
    Band 3Matthew O'Callaghan

    Matthew O'Callaghan

    Matthew O'Callaghan offers a wealth of experience in both contentious and advisory regulatory matters as the head of Freshfields' financial institutions team in Asia, handling matters ranging from the defence of IPO sponsors to bribery and anti-money laundering investigations on the contentious side, and regulatory transactional advice and compliance reviews on the advisory side.

    • Matthew is my go-to external adviser. He is very responsive, experienced and well informed, proactively keeping abreast of the latest market and regulatory changes to ensure his advice is up-to-date.

      Financial Services: Non-contentious Regulatory (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
    • Matthew O'Callaghan is very responsive, approachable and easy to talk to. He can break down issues for us to understand and he can work with us to give a very good finished product.

      Financial Services: Non-contentious Regulatory (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

Ranked Individuals at Freshfields (3)

China

  • Profile image of Tim Mak

    Tim Mak

    Financial Services: Contentious Regulatory (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Matthew O'Callaghan

    Matthew O'Callaghan

    Financial Services: Non-contentious Regulatory (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Tim Mak

    Tim Mak

    Financial Services: Non-contentious Regulatory (International Firms)

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Members

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