Stephenson Harwood is a London-headquartered law firm with nine offices across Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The firm has offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong and an association—with PRC law firm Wei Tu—in Guangzhou catering to its clients’ interests involving Greater China.
The firm provides English and Hong Kong law advice especially in regulatory matters and in restructuring and insolvency mandates.
Key clients of the firm include Futu Lending, Convoy Global Holdings, CSL Securities, PwC, Société Générale, Rabobank and UIL Singapore.
In the research period the firm was preoccupied providing its clients with regulatory advice, technology company establishment and some strong debt restructuring and insolvency mandates including Shanghai Huaxin Group’s liquidation and a host of individual and Indian mandates.
Partner Malcolm Kemp, who led the firm’s litigation and financial services (contentious) practice, retired in April 2020.
Deal highlights
-CECEP COSTIN New Materials Group insolvency
-Shanghai Huaxin Group insolvency
-UIL Hong Kong restructuring
Client feedback: 30th edition (2019/2020)
Banking
“They understand what we and our client want them to do and provide the best advice in accordance therewith.”
“Responsive team – the partner is hands on when he needs to be. Generally a team that is very good to work with on general banking matters as well as on ship finance transactions where they have particular expertise.”
“The wording of agreements are very precise, and it's helpful with their opinion.”
Financial services regulatory
“Have a good wealth of experience in this type of work, so their advice is authoritative and little of their time is spent learning things from scratch. They have a deep bench of experienced associates, so costs are well managed, and also ensures deadlines are met. Fee discussions are commercial and transparent.”
“Responsive, helpful and sound business acumen.”
“They are technically strong and experienced in the area and offer useful and practical advice and solutions. They are also responsive and flexible.”
“Engaging and proactive.”
Investment funds
“Very responsive and timely turnaround on requests. Well considered and thought out comments and suggestions. Documents are well drafted without excessive legal language.”
Restructuring and insolvency
“Can-do attitude and user-friendly; willing to explore and push the limits.”
“SH adopts a practical and effective approach to matters rather than an overly academic one.”
“Very sensible, down to earth, and user-friendly but clear, objective and supportive at the same time.”
“Provides very practical solutions and timely responses.”
“Personal attention. Practical solutions.”
“The lawyers handling the case are helpful and knowledgeable. They are responsive to all my questions and concerns in a timely and professional manner. They can always provide highly reliable and quality services. I am glad to have them in my team so that we can make well informed and strategic decisions quickly.”
“They provided professional advice and a holistic legal strategy for dealing with complicated issues.”
“Provides in-depth analysis and recommended approaches that are practical.”
“The team at Stephenson Harwood knows both shareholders well because of their earlier relationship. Notwithstanding their role was effectively lost, they continue to assist in helping both shareholders and we (as liquidator) to re-build the communication channel and facilitate both parties to assist the liquidator's work in a short-term trading-on of the business and also in the course of selling the company's business. They did this work out of their good initiative.”
“The recent elevation of Eloise and Alex to partnership is reflective of their abilities and certainly well deserved. I have worked with Stephenson Harwood on both contentious insolvency and restructuring matters. I consider both Jamie, Eloise and Alex to be extremely capable and leading practitioners within the HK market. I turn to them when I need assistance as they are responsive, accommodating, easy to communicate with, have the requisite technical skills and more importantly the ability to consider pragmatic commercial solutions.”
