Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM) is delighted to announce the appointment of Joe Choy as a partner and Co-Head of the Employment & Benefits team. The Firm’s first partner hire since the 160-year-old-partnership reverted to being the pre-eminent independent law firm in Hong Kong, Joe rejoins the practice from Eversheds Sutherland where he led the firm’s Asia Employment, Labour and Pensions team, supporting clients’ needs across the region.
Trilingual with extensive experience gained from more than a decade acting as a trusted advisor to clients across a range of industries on all aspects of employment-related matters, Joe is ranked as a leading practitioner in the Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) and is recognised as a Rising Star in Legal 500 Asia Pacific. Joe also advises on occupational retirement scheme matters and is regularly involved in employment and retirement scheme issues arising from M&A transactions. As a seasoned litigator, he has conducted employment proceedings at all levels of the Hong Kong courts. Joe is qualified to practise PRC law in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) having passed the GBA Legal Professional Examination for Hong Kong lawyers to practise in the GBA.
“Joe’s appointment is significant for our team and the Firm,” said Employment & Benefits Co-Head, Hong Tran. “His practice augments our capabilities as we continue to evolve our offering to ensure that we remain at the forefront in developing sophisticated solutions to the increasingly complex issues our local and international clients face in Hong Kong and Mainland China. It’s fitting that our first partner hire since reverting to being JSM is Joe – he knows our capabilities, clients and culture, so is the perfect addition to our top-tier team.”
Commenting on his appointment, Joe said: “Returning to the Firm where I spent the majority of my post-qualification years feels like coming home. The Employment & Benefits team at JSM is regarded as the best in Hong Kong. More broadly, the Firm has outstanding bench strength and genuine full-service capability with an established and prestigious roster of institutional clients.”
Senior Partner, Terence Tung said: “Since December, we have promoted seven lawyers to partner and counsel and now announce our first partner hire, who is an alumnus of the Firm. These developments are testament to JSM’s culture, strategy and vision. Being among the international elite of independent law firms around the world, it is important that we hire partners of Joe’s calibre to build upon our market leading capabilities. We are delighted to welcome Joe back to the Firm.”
Consistently receiving top-tier recognition from Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500, the Employment & Benefits team is renowned for its extensive experience advising a diverse portfolio of clients which include leading international and local banks, corporations, conglomerates and government bodies.