A&O Shearman is a first port of call for investor state disputes. The team is very experienced in acting for international corporates and governments in investment treaty arbitrations, however the group is also instructed in disputes in the construction, TMT, insurance, intellectual property and banking sectors. Melody Chan has expertise in handling TMT, energy and financial services matters; she co-heads the practice with Edward Taylor, who has an excellent reputation for his expertise in investor state disputes. Other key names to note include Fares Nowak,who is well versed in advising on commercial and investment treaty arbitration cases, and Heidi Li, who acts on joint venture, M&A and shareholder disputes.

Clifford Chance‘s international arbitration team has an excellent reputation for handling a high volume of Hong Kong-seated arbitrations under HKIAC, ICC, UNCITRAL and ICSID rules. The group often advises on matters in the private equity, tech, IP and healthcare arenas. Shanghai-based Lei Shi co-heads the practice with Thomas Walsh, who brings extensive experience in appearing in cases before the HKIAC. Other key names to note include Dianna Shao, who specialises in private equity and M&A disputes, and Tania Tse, who acts on cross-border disputes in the retail sector.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP is routinely instructed by multinational companies, financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals in HKIAC arbitrations. The team has expertise in advising on every stage of an arbitral matter, including enforcement proceedings. The client base includes entities from the energy, infrastructure, TMT, banking and pharmaceutical sectors. Practice head Simon Chapman KC specialises in handling set aside applications, and Antony Crockett has expertise in HKIAC and CIETAC arbitrations. Kathryn Sanger is well versed in private equity and M&A cases. Arbitrator May Tai is a key contact.

King & Wood Mallesons‘ team of ‘experienced litigators’ is well known for its expertise in handling China-related disputes. The group’s workload includes energy, construction, infrastructure and aviation arbitration cases, frequently heard under HKIAC and CIETAC rules. Paul Starr is ‘a very seasoned and inspirational partner’, who is sought after for his strength in construction, infrastructure and logistics matters; he co-heads the practice with Jessica Fei, who acts for state-owned enterprises and multinationals in energy, construction and IP arbitration matters. Barbara Chiu‘s workload includes shareholder disputes and commercial fraud issues.

Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP handles investor-state disputes and commercial arbitrations, often for clients in the energy, transport, fintech, life sciences and mining sectors. The practice is jointly led by Lianjun Li, who advises on shipping, shareholder and investment disputes, and Mark West, an expert in logistics, commodities and manufacturing matters. Other key names to note include Donald Sham, who has particular expertise in advising on maritime arbitration cases.

Baker McKenzie draws on the strength of the firm's joint operation platform in China to assist clients with arbitration matters involving PRC law and Chinese parties. The group routinely handles a broad range of commercial disputes in the pharmaceutical and life sciences areas. Practice head Gary Seib has experience in insolvency matters. Philipp Hanusch, Victor Yip and James Ng are other key practitioners to note.

At Dentons Hong Kong, the team continues to handle disputes in the construction and automotive sectors, as well as advising on shareholder arbitrations. The group has established strength in representing clients from Mainland China in Hong Kong-seated arbitration cases, however the department is equally adept at representing clients from multiple jurisdictions in a range of arbitration matters. Practice head Keith Brandt focuses on energy, construction and financial services matters. Robert Rhoda brings experience in technology disputes, and Richard Keady appears in cases before th HKIAC, CIETAC, ICC and LCIA. Jean Lau is noted for her expertise in cryptocurrency matters.

Noted for its strength in energy, media and hospitality disputes, the team at Fangda Partners is very well known for representing clients in arbitration cases heard under ICC, UNCITRAL, HKIAC, SIAC and CIETAC rules. Practice head Peter Yuen is experienced in representing clients in the life sciences and hospitality sectors in disputes, and Andrew Skudder specialises in antitrust and commercial arbitration. Peter Chen is also recommended.

Hogan Lovells fields particular expertise in construction arbitration matters, however the firm is also sought after for its strength in advising clients in the financial services, life sciences, leisure and energy sectors. The 'very knowledgeable' James Kwan heads up the practice. Zoe Dong focuses on tech, manufacturing and energy matters, and Byron Philips 'brings gravitas and strategic depth'.

Under the leadership of construction specialists Menachem Hasofer and Geoffrey Chan, the team at Johnson Stokes & Master counts construction disputes as a core area of expertise, however the group is equally strong in advising on energy, crypto and finance-related matters. The group is well versed in representing clients in commercial and investment treaty arbitration cases seated in Hong Kong and on a broader international scale. Tom Fu brings experience in energy disputes, and Mei Ling Lew is active in the real estate space.

The team at Norton Rose Fulbright specialises in handling infrastructure and energy disputes, and is equally well versed in advising Chinese and international clients in the hospitality, finance, construction and tech sectors.  Kevin Hong, who acts for state-owned enterprises in arbitrations, co-leads the practice alongside Daniel Ng, who acts in cases heard under HKIAC, SIAC and ICC rules. Camille Jojo advises on contractual and shareholder disputes.

The team at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP represent clients in commercial and investment treaty arbitrations under a wide range of arbitral rules. The group has a solid track record in advising tech and private equity clients, and fields particular strength in handling M&A and investment disputes. Duncan Watson KC and John Rhie jointly lead the department; Rhie is well known for his expertise in handling commercial and investment treaty arbitration cases. Christopher Eng acts on cryptocurrency, pharmaceutical and real estate sector matters, while Claudia Quek advises on insolvency disputes.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has 'very strong bench strength' and an excellent reputation for representing clients from a diverse range of sectors and jurisdictions in commercial arbitration matters. The firm is particularly well known for its strength in handling arbitrations in the construction and hospitality sectors. The 'polished' Friven Yeoh co-leads the team with Rory McAlpine, who advises on construction and corporate disputes. Sui-Hang Hui often acts for clients in cases heard under ICC, HKIAC and SIAC rules.

CMS Hong Kong LLP draws on the firm’s broader international network to assist clients with a wide range of arbitration matters. Shipping and life sciences disputes are prominent in the group’s workload. The practice is led by Mariel Dimsey, who has a solid track record in acting for clients in the HKIAC and ICC. Shipping expert Steven Wise and Amy Wen Wei, who handles matters in the energy, life sciences and manufacturing sectors, are names to note.

Deacons‘ team regularly appears in cases heard under HKIAC, CIETAC, ICC and UNCITRAL rules, and is well versed in handling commercial and investor state matters. Joseph Kwan heads up the practice, in which Joseph Chung and Justin Yuen are names to note for construction arbitration cases. Kwok Kit Cheung acts for developers, contractors and subcontractors in the CIETAC.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP's 'strong' team has established strength in representing clients from a wide range of sectors before the HKIAC, SIAC, CIETAC and ICC. Energy and shipping expert Tony Dymond, and Gareth Hughes co-lead the department. Benjamin Teo handles joint venture, private equity and M&A disputes. Cameron Sim left the firm in April 2025.

Eversheds Sutherland‘s practice has a solid track record in advising on cases involving PRC law and clients from Mainland China. Department head Mark Hughes acts in joint venture, manufacturing and development disputes. Wesley Pang is very experienced in advising on commercial and investor-state arbitration cases, often for clients in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Duncan Watt, who made partner in May 2025, advises on contentious insolvency and restructuring matters.

Cryptocurrency and technology arbitrations form a key pillar of Haiwen & Partners' practice, which is well versed in appearing before arbitral forae in Hong Kong and Mainland China. The team is led by Edward Liu, who specialises in maritime dispute resolution. Lori Ng and Mickey Li are names to note.

HFW is active in the arbitration space, with the team often appearing in cases heard under ICC, HKIAC and UNCITRAL rules. The client base includes construction companies, financial institutions, commodities entities and global corporations. Practice head Peter Murphy has extensive experience in handling commodities, shipping and energy disputes. Kevin Warburton often assists private equity funds and financial institutions in arbitration cases, and Edward Beeley handles international trade disputes and enforcement proceedings.

At Pinsent Masons, the practice is jointly led by Alvin Ho, who advises Chinese state-owned enterprises and Hong Kong companies on construction matters, and Dean Lewis, an expert on infrastructure and energy issues. Nicholas Turner advises contractors on construction disputes, and Karah Howard handles matters in the energy sector.

RPC continues to advise on arbitration cases in the technology and banking sectors, as well as assisting with joint venture and shareholder disputes. The group, led by Charles Allen, is well known for its strength in handling set aside and enforcement proceedings. Jonathan Crompton is ‘an excellent communicator’ with expertise in the finance and tech sectors, and Yi-Shun Teoh represents financial institutions and insurers in international arbitration cases.

Sidley Austin LLP‘s ‘commercially astute’ team often works closely with the firm’s broader international network to assist with a wide range of disputes. The group is well versed in handling arbitration matters for clients in the IP and life sciences sectors, and often appear in cases heard under HKIAC and SIAC rules. Desmond Ang is very experienced in insolvency issues; he co-heads the practice with Yan Zhang, who handles corporate and M&A disputes. Sophia Tong acts for clients before the UNCITRAL and CIETAC.

Zhong Lun Law Firm‘s team has ‘very impressive experience in high-value commercial arbitrations’. The group represents international and Chinese clients from the technology, automotive, maritime and financial sectors in cases; the department works in tandem with its offices in Mainland China to support clients with PRC matters. Frederick Hui represents multinational corporations and Chinese state-owned enterprises in shipping and commercial disputes. Gilbert Leung acts on banking, real estate and regulatory cases.