LAWYER PROFILE

Madeline Leong

Global 2026

Watson Farley & Williams

Ranked in 2 practice areas

Shipping: Finance (International Firms)

China

14 years ranked

Shipping: Finance

Global Market Leaders

6 years ranked

Contributions and articles

1 Articles, Press releases, highlights

About

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams

Practice Areas

Madeline is a Partner in the Finance Group and Head of the firm’s Asia Assets & Structured Finance Group.

With approximately 30 years’ experience, Madeline’s practice focusses on asset, project and structured financings and debt restructuring, with particular expertise in the transportation, intermodal, energy and natural resources sectors. Her clients include leading banks, financial institutions, leasing companies and major transportation, logistics, energy and shipping companies.

Career

Madeline is widely recognised as one of Asia’s leading ship finance lawyers by legal directories Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Chambers Asia Pacific, Chambers Global, IFLR 1000 and Who’s Who Legal.

Chambers reported sources as saying that Madeline “is meticulous and detail-oriented”, while Legal 500 said she has “a deep understanding of all legal matters in this area”. She is described as “a veteran asset finance practitioner who sources view as a standout figure in Greater China.”

She was named “Lawyer of the Year – International Trade and Shipping” by Euromoney’s Asia Women in Business Law Awards (WIBLA) 2020 and was recognized by Lloyd’s List as one of the top 10 Maritime Lawyers in 2020.

Qualified in Hong Kong, England & Wales and Australia, Madeline is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and English.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Global Guide

Shipping: Finance (International Firms) - China

Senior Statespeople

Individual Editorial

Madeline Leong is a market-leading lawyer who enjoys a solid reputation in the field of shipping finance. She is frequently sought out by leasing firms and international banks for cross-border mandates in relation to high-value sale and leaseback transactions, syndicated loans and JOLCOs as well as restructuring mandates.

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Shipping: Finance - Global Market Leaders

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Madeline Leong, based in the firm’s Hong Kong office, chairs its Asia assets and structured finance group and is highly regarded for her expertise in financings and debt restructurings.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Her work ethic and knowledge are second to none. Madeline is a very unique figure in the region.
Shipping: Finance (International Firms)Chambers Global Guide