Tanner De Witt is delighted once again to be recognised by Chambers & Partners in their inaugural 2023 Greater China Region Guide for each of its main practice areas. Please see full results and editorial commentary below.

Corporate/M&A: Independent Hong Kong Firms (Band 2)
Full ranking here.

Tanner De Witt remains part of a global referral network with elite law firms, frequently handling cross-border mandates. Its services cover the full range of corporate and commercial matters, including investments, joint ventures and M&A transactions. The team is strong in dealing with regulatory compliance work related to corporate transactions. Tanner De Witt is additionally able to assist clients on venture capital transactions, as well as restructurings and reorganisations. The firm counts ZV France and Newborn Town among its major clients.

Strengths One client comments: “I always have very efficient and responsive communication with Tanner De Witt.”

Another client compliments the team’s “very commercial and practical advice without complicating the issues.”

Work highlights 

• Tanner De Witt assisted Qima in its acquisition of an inspection services provider.

Eddie Look wins praise for his handling of cross-border M&A, joint venture establishments and private equity transactions. He is regularly mandated by clients from the manufacturing, financial services and life science industries.

One client says “Eddie not only has vast experience of corporate transactions in Hong Kong, but also has a deep understanding of our business.”

While another adds, “He is easy to communicate with and very willing to help.”

Edmond Leung focuses his practice on multi-jurisdictional private equity and M&A, and frequently acts on behalf of international companies and investors. He has extensive experience advising on acquisitions, divestments and corporate reorganisations. Clients comment that he is “technically sound but pragmatic as well in his advice to deliver effective legal solutions” while maintaining “good client relations and [being] very good to work with.”

Tim Drew co-leads the corporate department of Tanner De Witt. He has over two decades’ experience in the Hong Kong corporate market, handling all manner of cross-border corporate and transactional mandates, including M&A, disposals and shareholders’ agreements.

“Tim takes a highly commercial approach combined with a positive ‘can do’ attitude. Tim gets deals done and is a pleasure to work with. He is accessible and I can always get hold of him” says a client.

“Tim has a good awareness of the potential commercial pitfalls we may face and always has a good solution for us.”

Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms) (Band 4)
Full ranking here.

What the team is known for 

Tanner De Witt is a respected, independent Hong Kong firm, acknowledged for its broad commercial disputes offering. Its areas of expertise include professional negligence claims, shareholder disputes, debt and asset recovery, fraud, and contentious trusts and probate. The team often acts for clients in the financial services sector, international investors and high net worth individuals and families. Its key clients include Kroll, KPMG and FraudNet.

Strengths A client comments that “The team are all very capable and articulate and offer immediate responses, even when on holiday. They are also aware of latest events and case law that will have an impact on the matters at hand.”

A different client praises the team for being: “always ready with documents and advice and the team all worked well together.”

A third happy client states: “Tanner De Witt always offers exemplary levels of service and is one of our go-to Hong Kong firms. They are always commercial and responsive.”

Work highlights 

• Tanner De Witt acted for a Chinese cement producer in a longstanding shareholders’ dispute case.

Jeff Lane is well versed in fraud claims and various tracing and recovery actions. He is also experienced with cyber-fraud claims. A client states: ““He’s very experienced and efficient, with a good network.”

Mark Side is head of the firm’s dispute resolution team. He is known for handling employment disputes, as well as contentious regulatory matters and white-collar crime investigations. Chambers Asia notes that Mark is “strategically very strong, mindful of our concerns and [he] always explains the contributing factors to his advice”.

Pamela Mak is co-head of Tanner De Witt’s China practice group in Hong Kong and often acts on contentious probate cases, as well as shareholder disputes and asset tracing and recovery. One source praises her client skills, observing that “she’s very skilled at handling even the most demanding client.”  Other clients comment that she “is excellent at handling sensitive matters.” and that “She’s very good at managing complex matters and gives practical and commercial advice.”

Richard Wilmot is a consultant in Tanner De Witt’s Hong Kong office. He frequently acts for lenders, bondholders and investors on recovery and enforcement actions.

One client says “working with Richard is a very good and interactive experience.” Another saying, “I have worked with Richard for many years. He and his team have never failed to solve any issues referred to him”

Employment: Hong Kong-based (International Firms) (Band 2)

What the team is known for 

The strong contentious employment team at Tanner De Witt possesses notable expertise representing employees in high-profile litigation cases. It is active on matters involving individuals employed in Hong Kong, including supporting foreign domestic workers on a pro bono basis, but it also advises employers on work policies, contracts and post-employment restrictions. Tanner De Witt is highly active on cases related to race and sex discrimination, and white-collar crime investigations.

Strengths One client appreciates its “ability to translate a complex matter into bite-sized issues for discussions and considerations.”

One impressed interviewee finds the team’s analyses “clear and concise.” Another client observes: “The employment team works closely with their civil litigation team and provides fast response on contentious matters.” While another adds, “They offer exceptional service and attention, with humour when needed!”

Russell Bennett is well placed to represent clients in disputes arising out of discrimination and harassment claims and contested terminations, with a focus on advising clients from the financial services sector. One happy client reports: “Russell is one of the few employee-friendly lawyers in town. His advice is practical and covers all corners.” Another source states: “Russell is a very experienced lawyer specialising in employment law.” And clients comment that “Russell is a great adviser. He’s realistic, reliable and totally practical.”

Family/Matrimonial (International Firms) (Band 3)

What the team is known for 

Tanner De Witt is an independent Hong Kong practice offering advice on a range of family and matrimonial matters. The firm is experienced in handling divorce proceedings and child-related cases. It assists on cross-border abduction matters, with particular expertise in cases involving the Hague Convention. The team also provides support in nuptial agreements and trust arrangements.

Strengths “The team has a hands-on, friendly and practical approach. They have the skills to break down stubborn parties and barriers and seek resolution with ease.”

Clients appreciate the team for “care(ing) about their clients and try to protect them. Their preparation is very on point, and they are knowledge of the law and procedures.”

Joanne Brown draws widespread support from sources and is especially skilled in divorce, custody and nuptial matters. Her expertise in cross-jurisdictional matters is regularly sought by clients. Clients find her to be “extremely fair and very practical” adding that “she has a very good strategic mind.” Another source also comments that “Joanne is solution-oriented, so she doesn’t shy away from telling the truth. She is respected among solicitors.”

Restructuring/Insolvency (International Firms) (Band 2)

What the team is known for 

Tanner De Witt fields a well-established independent Hong Kong restructuring and insolvency team that holds a strong reputation, particularly in relation to high-stakes contentious insolvency cases. The team regularly handles complex domestic and cross-jurisdictional litigations. Its clients include distressed companies and liquidators.

Strengths “Tanners De Witt is a big team and able to deploy team members in larger situations.” Sources also comment that the team are “excellent problem solvers.”

Work highlights

• Tanner De Witt assisted a private bank and asset management firm, as petitioning creditor, with obtaining a bankruptcy order against an individual who held directorships in several companies listed in Hong Kong.

Ian De Witt‘s deep expertise spans both the advisory and contentious aspects of restructuring and insolvency-related work. He is a counsel of choice among liquidators and creditors. Clients see him as an “excellent problem solver” and that “He is commercial, approachable and a fountain of knowledge in Hong Kong law and procedure.”

Robin Darton is a highly regarded authority on international insolvency and liquidation matters. He offers impressive expertise handling contentious and non-contentious cases for liquidators and debtors.

Sources speak highly of Robin as “he knows very well how things work in the Hong Kong market, and what you need, be it legal advice or strategy.”

A client comments: “Robin has buckets of experience, and is technically strong.”

TMT (International Firms) (Band 4)

What the team is known for

Tanner De Witt’s TMT practice offers considerable experience in multi-jurisdictional technology transactions and offers technology businesses broad legal support through all stages of their growth and development. Key clients include DaRen Biotech, Bowtie Life Insurance and Brinc.

Strengths Sources praised the team for their timely, high-quality work: “Things move fast in our world, and the team at Tanner De Witt move fast with us, though urgency does not change work quality. Their documents are well laid out, and in language non-lawyers can understand. Their advice is clear and actionable. They are very reliable.” While a client states: “I was impressed with the turnaround time, the thoughtfulness of the documents, the responsiveness to my comments and the partner-level attention.”

Work Highlights

• Tanner De Witt advised Nomura on the extension and modification of a transaction with Hitachi Vantara to provide the bank with global data capacity on a utility compute basis.

Pádraig Walsh

He received high praises from sources, stating: “Padraig was a joy to work with. He is responsive, smart, friendly and very accommodating of special requests – an excellent lawyer.” While clients admire his expertise, commenting that “He is a very highly skilled IT law expert with whom it is a pleasure to work.” Also that “He has in-depth knowledge of conducting venture capital investments and deep experience in various commercial and business issues. Mr. Walsh always considers our business needs and provides us with practical advice.” Speaking highly of Pádraig as he “has fulfilled and surpassed (their) expectations for legal expertise.”

For an archive of Tanner De Witt’s Chambers rankings, please click here.

Tanner De Witt, 17th Floor, Tower One, Lippo Centre, 89 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong

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