HFW hires partner in Hong Kong to strengthen disputes team

HFW hires partner in Hong Kong to strengthen disputes team

Karen Cheung joins HWF from independent firm Li & Partners to bolster yacht and private jet teams

Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) has strengthened its Hong Kong disputes team with a new hire that promises to grow its private client work in the region.

HFW has announced that Karen Cheung is joining the London-based sector-focused global law firm.

Cheung has moved over from Hong Kong's independent Li & Partners as a partner. She had in the past spent approximately 10 years with international firms DLA Piper and Ince & Co.

HFW has so far added nine new disputes partners in 2021, including hires in Dubai, Singapore and Sydney.

Cheung, a former barrister, advises ultra-high-net-worth (UNHW) individuals and families in Hong Kong and China on a wide range of disputes, including contentious probate litigation, matrimonial proceedings and land disputes.

Her commercial practise focuses on corporate disputes, including shareholder and joint venture claims for state-owned, multi-national and closely held family enterprises.

"We're very pleased to welcome Karen to HFW. She is an outstanding commercial litigator with a strong following, as well as a busy practice for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families in Hong Kong and China, which will complement our leading yacht and private jet practices… We look forward to working with Karen to continue to drive our litigation and disputes offering across Hong Kong, China and the wider Asia region," Noel Campbell, HFW's global head of litigation, said.

Cheung said HFW's strength in international disputes persuaded her to join the firm. "I'm looking forward to joining a firm with such strength in disputes around the world and with such a long history in Hong Kong. HFW is one of the most active firms in the Hong Kong High Court and Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, and its extensive international network and premier client base provides an excellent platform for me to continue to build my practice as a litigator, arbitrator and mediator."

Cheung is a fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators, having handled more than 50 international arbitrations – including commercial and shipping arbitration under the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, London Maritime Arbitration Association and ICC rules – as well as arbitration-related court proceedings.