Financial Services (International Firms) | Greater China Region

Davis Polk & Wardwell fields a highly skilled team with experience advising investment banks, accountancy firms and listed companies on agency-led investigations and litigation. The firm is frequently active on contentious matters, including advising on IPO sponsor investigations and anti-money laundering investigations, and representing clients before the Hong Kong Market Misconduct Tribunal. It is noted for its expertise in dealing with regulatory bodies, including the SFC, HKMA, SEC and US Department of Justice. The team is further well-versed in non-contentious regulatory matters, including compliance programmes and senior management training. The Hong Kong team works as part of a global practice, coordinating closely with colleagues in New York and Washington, DC.

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.

Linklaters houses a respected integrated team advising on the full spectrum of regulatory issues, including compliance, disciplinary proceedings and investigations. The firm frequently assists investment banks, private wealth managers and hedge funds with governance and other matters. It is also well reputed for advising on a range of regulatory reform issues and is regularly instructed by major banks and financial institutions on SFC and HKMA investigations and enforcement actions.

King & Wood Mallesons boasts a strong presence in Hong Kong and the PRC, ensuring comprehensive advice to clients on a range of matters, including complex regulatory investigations and the development of innovative financial products. The firm offers experience in contentious regulatory matters spanning SFC audits, HKMA investigations and appearances before the MMT. It is especially sought out for guidance on the changing regulatory landscape in Mainland China, including on ESG regulations, and is noted for its retail structured products practice and experience advising fintech clients. King & Wood Mallesons assists a range of virtual asset services providers with virtual banking licences, compliance regimes and regulatory issues relating to online payment systems.

Ashurst in China works closely with other offices in its international network to provide a solid cross-border offering. The practice is experienced in handling non-contentious matters but is best known for its skill in contentious issues, often assisting clients with investigations and enforcement actions involving the SFC, the HKMA and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, as well as internal compliance reviews and reforms. The team makes use of its strong network in Asia to advise on local and international regulatory issues, with an impressive client base drawn from the banking, insurance, asset management and accountancy sectors. Its clients benefit from its ability to offer PRC law advice through its joint operations office with PRC law firm Guantao.

Baker McKenzie boasts a comprehensive offering serving a wide range of clients on various regulatory matters. The firm is highly rated for its non-contentious work, where it provides advice on acquisitions, reorganisations and licensing. It is also able to assist with investigations and inspections by regulatory authorities such as the SFC. The team possesses strong capabilities in the fintech and virtual assets space and is well equipped to advise on virtual banking licences and trading platforms.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer possesses a fully integrated practice with a strong reputation for contentious regulatory work in the financial services sector. It leverages a considerable regional presence for its investigations practice and advises on both domestic and international regulatory and internal investigations, with its Hong Kong office often acting in collaboration with its Singapore and London offices. The firm also provides a variety of compliance training programmes and often engages on policy development in this sphere. The team houses trusted advisers on regulatory changes related to the SFC's 'manager in charge' and 'professional investor' regimes. Herbert Smith Freehills is increasingly involved in advising fintech clients on matters including cryptocurrency exchanges, licensing and initial coin offerings.

MinterEllison leverages a highly regarded bench of litigators and is particularly strong in contentious mandates but also frequently advises on non-contentious regulatory work. It often advises on market misconduct investigations and assists clients with proceedings brought by the SFC. The team is also able to advise regulators, federations and independent statutory bodies, including the FRC, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the Hong Kong Competition Committee and the Insurers Federation and Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Hogan Lovells International houses an accomplished team that is capable of offering expert advice on contentious and non-contentious regulatory matters. The practice is frequently instructed to advise on investigations and inquiries initiated by SFC and HKMA. It is also well equipped to assist clients with regulatory advisory work. The firm's client roster includes investment and asset management firms as well as banks.

Latham & Watkins has an accomplished practice that focuses on offering advice on non-contentious regulatory advisory work. The firm is regularly engaged to assist with regulatory approval and licensing application matters. It is increasingly active in the undertaking regulatory and transactional matters in the fintech space, representing cryptocurrency exchanges and fintech companies. Its client roster includes banks, private equity and investment firms as well as asset managers.

Reed Smith Richards Butler frequently advises on both contentious and non-contentious financial services matters, including investigations, internal reviews, regulatory advice and licence applications. The team is particularly active assisting clients in the cryptocurrency industry.

Sidley Austin fields a team of specialists accomplished in advising on financial regulatory mandates. The practice focuses on representing clients in investigations and inquiries initiated by various domestic and overseas regulatory bodies, such as the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and the UK Financial Conduct Authority. The firm is also equipped to advise on non-contentious regulatory compliance and licensing requirement matters. It serves a broad range of clients including banks, asset managers and listed companies.

Stephenson Harwood demonstrates proficiency in non-contentious matters, including regulatory compliance and licensing requirement matters. The practice also ably advises on fintech matters, especially in the area of cryptocurrency. Its clientele includes banks, financial institutions and fintech companies.