20 January 2021
Legal 500 has published its 2021 edition and Gall has received rankings in 3 practice areas in the Asia Pacific region: Labour and Employment (Tier 2), Dispute Resolution: Litigation (Tier 4), Restructuring and Insolvency (Tier 4).
Labour and Employment (Tier 2):
Unfettered in its ability to represent individuals in claims which are adverse to banks, by virtue of its independent status in Hong Kong and absence of institutional banking ties, business litigation boutique Gall has established a strong reputation among employees of financial services entities as a go-to-firm regarding high-stakes disputes, including in relation to non-payment of bonus claims, unfair dismissal matters and misuse of confidential information.
On the employer front, the firm is regularly instructed by smaller financial entities, including brokerage houses, as well as corporates within other sectors, across a range of work, including advice on redundancies and restructurings, as well as counselling surrounding the recent social unrest in the country.
Senior partner Nick Gall and Andrea Randall co-head the team, with Randall, in particular, noted for her ‘clear and considered‘advice to financial services executives, including on the negotiation of separation agreements and entitlements under deferred compensation, bonus, and share schemes, as well as disputes/investigations involving a significant regulatory overlay.
Testimonials
‘I have always found them very responsive and keen to help.’
Work highlights
-
Defending TFS Derivatives against a claim brought by its former employee (the Plaintiff) for wrongful and unreasonable termination, unpaid wages and bonus.
-
Representing Zhizhong Yang in respect of his claims against his former employer Nomura for, inter alia, breach of contract, non-payment of bonus and unreasonable dismissal.
-
Defending numerous individuals against claims that they breached their employment contracts by resigning on masse to join a competitor and allegedly taking and using their former employer’s confidential information.
Next Generation Partner
-
Andrea Randall
Dispute Resolution (Tier 4):
Well known as ‘a boutique firm specialising in contentious work‘, Gall provides ‘a high-quality, wide-spectrum litigation service‘. The ‘diligent and very available‘ team is notably strong in advising on complex shareholder disputes, cross-border fraud cases and insolvency litigation. Nick Gall leads the practice along with Chris Wong, ‘a hard worker and first-rate lawyer‘. The ‘very hardworking‘ Evelyn Chan has extensive experience in handling restructuring disputes.
Testimonials
‘Chris Wong is measured, calm, practical and knowledgeable. Always a pleasure to work with‘.
‘The team are sensible in making strategies, and have been providing the full picture of the choices the client can have, which we really like‘.
‘Nick Gall – outstanding client management skills and keeps key objectives clearly in mind. Can be very tenacious when needed‘.
Work highlights
-
Representing a major shareholder in a long-running shareholders’ dispute, concerning issues of control over a Hong Kong company which holds a majority stake in a Japanese company.
Restructuring and Insolvency (Tier 4)
Gall is particularly focused on contentious insolvency matters and as well as regularly advising IPs, also picks up a significant flow of referral work from foreign law firms to advise on the Hong Kong aspects of international insolvencies. Notably, the firm is also one of the few firms in Hong Kong acting for litigation funders and was at the forefront of two major decisions in Hong Kong relating to litigation funding in insolvency administrations.
Team head Nick Gall has an excellent reputation in the local market and has gained particular recognition for his work on the investigative side of insolvencies. Chris Wong is also a key member of the team and is the key contact for PRC-related work.
Testimonials
‘The team is user friendly and costs conscious.’
‘Evelyn Chan works with most of the active IPs in town and is a rising star.’
Work highlights
-
Continuing to represent Cellmark in a long-running dispute which involves defending a HK$2bn + claim by Deloitte as liquidators of a subsidiary of a Hong Kong-listed company for conspiracy and diversion of certain company’s assets.
-
Appointed by Hammer to pursue claims against ICBCA and the Receivers with a view to seeking maximum recovery in respect of valuable properties as a second mortgagee, and commence a Court action in this regard.
-
Appointed by Brightoil in relation to a dispute against BAL, which presented a winding up petition against Brightoil in Hong Kong.
Click here for the full rankings:
