Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom provides clients with expert advice on a range of high-value and complex commercial litigation and arbitration matters. The team in Asia is particularly renowned for acting in complex global litigation and arbitration cases involving different systems of national law as well as private and public international law. Key clients span industries such as manufacturing, technology and telecommunications, financial services and healthcare. The firm also has a strong anti-corruption and white-collar crime practice.
The firm’s attorneys are qualified in several jurisdictions and can handle both litigation and cross-border investigation matters. Key names in the litigation and arbitration department include Bradley Klein and Rory McAlpine. Steve Kwok is singled out for his regulatory compliance and white-collar crime expertise.
In commercial and transactions, the firm is currently advising 58.com, the operator of China's largest online marketplace for classifieds, in a significant shareholder dissenting appraisal action under section 238 of the Cayman Companies Act. This case, to be heard in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, represents the highest-value section 238 matter ever brought before the Cayman courts. Given the prominence of 58.com and the magnitude of the action, it is anticipated to attract substantial global media attention. The firm assumes a unique role as supervising counsel for the company, providing strategic guidance and facilitating the collection of evidence.
The firm counts esteemed companies as litigation clients, including: 360 DigiTech, COFCO, Didi Global, Jianpu Technology, Kanzhun, Pintec Technology Holdings, RLX Technology and ZTO Express.
Client feedback
“They are smart and responsive. Their comprehensive strategic analysis of a dispute sets them apart from the competition.” – Commercial arbitration
“The Skadden team contributed with its knowledge of foreign law and insights due to its extensive experience in commercial disputes.” – Commercial arbitration
“They have a competent arbitration team led by a charismatic partner.” – Commercial arbitration
“They were organised, proactive and sensible and their team included a skilled advocate.” – International arbitration
“The Skadden team do a superb job at running and managing litigation of the most complex kind.” – Trusts and estates
“The firm takes a pragmatic, results-oriented approach. They focus on safeguarding their clients' interests and ensuring their regulatory obligations are met. I find their lawyers are professional and ethical.” – White-collar crime
Rory McAlpine
“Rory is fully up to speed with the latest cases across all the major arbitration jurisdictions. He has a first-class legal mind as well as an incomparable strategic outlook. I cannot recommend him highly enough. He is a pleasure to work with.”
“Rory is a formidable cross-examiner, very good on his feet, and is a first-class arbitration lawyer at the top of the game.”
“Rory is a lawyer with a deep technical knowledge and experience in international litigation. Furthermore, he is extremely polite and friendly with peers and clients.”
“He is a skilled advocate who communicates clearly and succinctly and demonstrates excellent listening skills.”
“He is an excellent advocate, who thinks quickly on his feet and uses humour effectively.”
“Rory is highly detail-oriented and exhibits great attention to detail. When reviewing documents pertaining to other jurisdictions, such as Brazil, he offers clever and thoughtful comments and poses insightful questions. Moreover, Rory displays sharp awareness in identifying and anticipating potential impacts and risks from the perspective of Hong Kong law, while also presenting effective solutions.”
“He demonstrates strategic management of disputes and exceptional team leadership skills. Even under pressure, he remains calm and composed. Moreover, his extensive knowledge and experience in handling complex, cross-border disputes is highly valuable.”
“Someone with incredible attention to detail and who can ably run large teams undertaking complex litigation.”
“Skadden's team, led by Rory McAlpine, is extremely detail oriented. Their analysis and reviews are always complete, deep, and put in a straightforward way.”
“Skadden Hong Kong has an overall first-rate arbitration team led by a leading IA partner, Rory McAlpine. They are particularly good in high-value, complex international arbitration work.”
Steve Kwok
“Steve has a perfect combination of his strong US law background and deep understanding of the market in mainland China and Hong Kong, so he is always able to deliver work others may not be able to.”
“The Skadden team, led by Steve Kwok, is consistently impressive due to their strong technical skills, responsiveness to questions and comments, and their ability to effectively coordinate among different stakeholders to drive progress.”
“He is bilingual and bi-cultural, and he is very convincing to Chinese clients in litigation matters.”
“He is an exceptional problem-solver with a results-driven mindset. His comprehensive understanding of issues allows him to structure approaches that are not only effective but also easily comprehensible and communicable to both clients and regulators.”
