LEGAL LUMINARIES 5
Michelle Ho, Clyde & Co, 36
Michelle is a Counsel specialising in advising major international insurers on intricate claims, including D&O, professional indemnity, and more. Michelle represents global and regional insurers in high-profile cases globally, including US securities class actions. She excels in cyber breach and data breach response, such as assisting an international hotel chain with a major cyber breach. As part of her commercial litigation practice, Michelle successfully defended a client and obtained wide ranging injunction orders in the English High Court (Queen’s Bench Division); the Supreme Court of the Eastern Caribbean (BVI), and some European countries. 8
Lau Chin Ching Rio, Robertsons, HK, 37
Rio ascended from Associate to Partner at Robertsons in just five years, managing a team of 12 legal professionals and eight staff members. He specialises in civil and criminal litigation, representing high-profile clients from a young age. His notable cases encompass barrister admissions, appeal cases, and matters tied to the Competition Ordinance and fraud. Beyond legal matters, Rio initiated an internship program fostering future talents, improving the firm’s image in embracing young talent. His role extends to expanding the client base, strategic marketing planning, and implementing IT advancements. His career journey showcases an impressive legal career.
6
Cheryl Yu, Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP, 36
Cheryl is a triple-qualified Partner at Reed Smith LLP in New York and is based in Hong Kong. She excels in international arbitration, often representing clients in London, Hong Kong, and Singapore. She is also renowned for her skills in cross-border enforcement actions, asset recovery, and procedural matters. Her practice extends to guiding PRC Mainland companies in international expansion and providing tailored legal solutions to tech and emerging sectors. Cheryl is actively involved in high-value arbitrations and complex disputes. Her contributions to the field include insightful articles on international arbitration, judicial precedents, and the Belt and Road initiative. 9
Pryderi Diebschlag, Clyde & Co, 38
Pryderi, a seasoned commercial disputes specialist, brings over a decade of expertise in international commercial arbitration and Hong Kong litigation. He focuses on cross-border investments, joint ventures, commercial fraud, and energy/ commodities disputes. Pryderi has represented clients in various arbitration institutions and handled complex commodities transactions. His recent cases include Acting for a major international bank in a US$100m multi-contract multiparty arbitration administered by the HKIAC and advising a Chinese technology company in a US$16m claim for breach of representations and warranties.
7
Edward Beeley, HFW Hong Kong, 37
Edward, a Senior Associate at HFW’s Hong Kong commercial dispute resolution practice, boasts a diverse background, having studied engineering in the UK and initially worked at AP Moller-Mærsk before transitioning to law. He is triple-qualified in England & Wales, Hong Kong, and the British Virgin Islands. Edward acts for market-leading traders, financial institutions and professional services firms and specialises in international arbitration, commercial litigation, contentious insolvency and offshore work with a particular focus on international trade and complex high-value commercial disputes.
10 Adrian Au, Tanner De Witt, 38
Adrian specializes in family and matrimonial law, covering pre/post-nuptial agreements, divorce, financial applications, and child arrangements. His clientele ranges from business leaders to high net-worth individuals with international backgrounds. He excels in addressing challenging jurisdictional issues, intricate financial arrangements, private client/family matters like custodial/parental arrangements and international relocation. Adrian’s experience extends to advising PRC clients who have substantial assets in Hong Kong and in the PRC often involving jurisdictional issues, complex financial arrangements involving pension schemes, among others. HONG KONG BUSINESS | Q1 2024
31