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.

Clifford Chance houses a deep bench of regulatory practitioners with a breadth of experience acting for various financial services clients on both contentious and non-contentious work. The law firm is known for its criminal law and white-collar expertise and continues to be at the forefront of regulatory development, including in relation to the cryptocurrency and cybersecurity spaces. The team draws on its strong global network to advise clients on international and domestic regulatory matters, while offering clients expertise in negotiations with and applications to regulators. It acts for a wide range of banks and financial institutions, also advising regulators.

Herbert Smith Freehills possesses a fully integrated practice with a strong reputation for contentious regulatory work in the financial services sector. It leverages a strong regional reputation 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.

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.

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.

A&O Shearman enjoys an excellent reputation for advising on highly structured securities transactions, especially the regulation of derivatives products in China. It offers a strong contentious offering, including handling high-profile SFC and CSRC investigations. The firm is additionally well placed to act on non-contentious mandates, advising banks on transactional regulatory issues and insurance licensing. It is increasingly involved in fintech matters, including in the areas of blockchain and online payments.

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.

Deacons is a longstanding local firm with deep connections in the market and is experienced in advising asset management and investment fund clients, especially on compliance and licensing matters. The firm also acts for a number of fintech and cryptocurrency clients and regularly works with clients on responding to inspections and investigations, as well as ongoing internal reviews. It is also well versed in matters including fund authorisation and insurance, insider dealing and market misconduct. It is well placed to assist clients with interpreting legislation issued by the HKMA and other regulatory bodies. The team draws on litigation capabilities within the firm to represent individuals in disciplinary proceedings.

Debevoise & Plimpton boasts a growing team advising across the spectrum of regulatory issues. It offers particular expertise in cross-border investigations and proceedings arising out of regulatory inquiries and allegations of market misconduct, as well as internal investigations. The firm is experienced in dealing with domestic and foreign regulators, including the SFC, HKMA, FCA and SEC. It also advises clients on the regulatory aspects of M&A transactions and investments in the insurance and financial services sectors.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has a well-established team in the financial services space. The Hong Kong-based team is well equipped to advise a range of banks and financial institutions on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Its broad client base includes crypto exchanges, banks, investment firms and asset managers.

Johnson Stokes & Master boasts an experienced Hong Kong team that is particularly adept at handling financial services regulatory disputes. The team is regularly mandated to advise on SFC investigations and disciplinary proceedings, as well as cross-border investigations led by overseas regulatory agencies and internal investigations. It also capably handles licence applications, including virtual banking licences, in addition to advising on compliance frameworks.

Norton Rose Fulbright demonstrates strong involvement in regulatory advisory work. The financial services team is capable of handling fintech matters, particularly in the areas of blockchain and cryptocurrency. It is also sought after for its knowledge in product launch and market entry. Its client roster features major banks and international corporations.

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.