International law firm Bird & Bird today welcomes disputes expert Katherine Cheung as a new partner in Hong Kong.
Qualified in both Hong Kong and England & Wales, Katherine advises a diverse range of both the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and international clients on complex commercial disputes. Her practice encompasses a broad-spectrum of litigation and arbitration, including contractual and shareholder disputes, regulatory investigations, contentious insolvency, professional negligence, and white collar crime. Raised in China and a native Mandarin speaker, Katherine has extensive experience advising clients through multi-jurisdictional disputes and regulatory challenges across various industries including energy, tech, mining, pharmaceuticals, and distribution.
Katherine’s arrival marks a significant step in the firm’s strategic growth in the region, building on the recent addition of Lucia He in Shenzhen. It also highlights the ongoing expansion of Bird & Bird’s international Dispute Resolution Group, further strengthened by the recent hire of Heiko Heppner in Germany.
Alison Wong and Danny Leung, co-heads of China, commented: “Katherine brings a wealth of experience advising both PRC and international clients on complex commercial disputes. Her dual qualification in Hong Kong and England & Wales, combined with her multilingual capabilities and cross-border expertise, will be a valuable asset to our disputes practice and complements our growth ambitions in China. We’re delighted to welcome her to the team and look forward to the impact her deep sector knowledge and international perspective will bring.”
Evelyn Tjon-En-Fa and Sophie Eyre, co-heads of Bird & Bird’s international Dispute Resolution Group, said: “Katherine’s pragmatic, commercially savvy, and solutions-driven approach to client service embodies the style that Bird & Bird is known for in the market, also in dispute resolution. Her ability to simplify complex legal issues and her dedication to understanding the broader strategic context of client matters is invaluable to clients navigating challenging disputes. Additionally, her trilingual proficiency (native Mandarin, fluent Cantonese, and English) combined with her deep understanding of both Western and Chinese business cultures make her an indispensable asset to our group and to the firm, connecting our international clients with our expanding PRC practice.”
Katherine adds: “Bird & Bird’s international platform, steadfast commitment to the Greater China market, and clear vision for expanding its disputes practice make this an incredibly exciting time to join the Hong Kong team. The firm’s strong reputation across key sectors such as Tech & Comms, Energy & Utilities, and Life Sciences & Healthcare, combined with its collaborative and collegial culture, provides the perfect environment for both professional growth and meaningful collaboration. I look forward to further developing my practice while helping clients navigate their cross-border disputes with tailored, strategic solutions.”
